Christmas Wish Breakfast: Pan Pacific Vancouver
Dec. 13: 6 to 9 a.m.
The Pan Pacific Vancouver is expecting more than 5,000 guests for breakfast at the 29th annual Christmas Wish Breakfast. Last year, generous Vancouver residents donated more than 17 tonnes of toys, 1,000 bikes and more than $22,000 in cash to the Lower Mainland Christmas Bureau — and enjoyed a complimentary buffet breakfast provided by the hotel. Anyone who arrives between 6 and 9 a.m. to donate a toy is treated to a gourmet breakfast prepared by the culinary team at the Pan Pacific. Last year, the team served up 11,000 eggs, 11,642 sausages, 1,152 pounds of hash browns and 4,600 croissants while the crowd was entertained by the joyful singers from the Good Noise Gospel Choir. The entire event was broadcast live on Global TV and Rock 101. Visit panpacificvancouver.com.
Flyover Canada: Christmas Ride
FlyOver Canada has transformed into a winter wonderland this Christmas season. Guests will have fun helping Santa Claus search for his missing elves during an exciting flight across Canada and on to the North Pole. The complete experience lasts between 20 to 25 minutes and includes an extended holiday edition of FlyOver Canada that leads guests on to Santa’s workshop at the North Pole. You may even be able to catch the scent of Mrs. Claus’ baking as you swoop over her gingerbread factory. Visit flyovercanada.com.
Balloon Winter Wonderland: Wesbrook Village
Now through Dec. 18, the Balloon Winter Wonderland, housed in the 1,600 square-foot Wesbrook Welcome Centre, will be open daily from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. The exhibit features four familiar holiday scenes, made entirely from biodegradable, nitrogen-filled balloons. Created by balloon artist Angela Fraser of A-Star Art Parlour, the display uses more than 2,500 balloons and took almost seven days to construct. Entry is free and free parking is available across from Save-On-Foods and in the underground parkade.
Pacific Yacht Charters open house
Pacific Yacht Charters is celebrating the holidays by welcoming locals and visitors onboard to enjoy festive tastings, performances by a local school choir, carollers and a chance to explore the ship during its open house this Saturday, Dec. 10th, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and Sunday, Dec. 11 from noon to 4 p.m. To help the many kids in need this time of year, Pacific Yacht Charters asks that each guest bring an unwrapped children’s gift, with the exception of stuffed toys, which will then be donated to the 28th Annual Vancouver Christmas Wish Breakfast at the Pan Pacific Dec. 13. The Pacific Yacht Charter elves will deliver these gifts by cruising their “Rudolph-led” yacht to the Vancouver Flight Centre that morning. Pacific Yacht is located at the Westin Bayshore Marina, beside Lift Restaurant, 1601 Bayshore Dr.
Holiday Heights at Bloedel
Celebrate the holidays at the top of Vancouver with Holiday Heights at Bloedel, a new event at Queen Elizabeth Park. The highlight of Holiday Heights is the Ferris wheel set up on the highest point in the city. Holiday Heights at Bloedel runs every evening between Dec. 9 and Jan. 2 — except Dec. 25. The new event includes festive lights by MK Illumination, music, a holiday scavenger hunt, 200 free-flying birds and 500 exotic plants and flowers. A ride on the Ferris wheel, located on the plaza outside Bloedel Conservatory, is included with admission.
The Bloedel Conservatory and the Dancing Waters fountain on the plaza will also be lit up throughout the run of Holiday Heights.
@sthomas10
