Holiday activities

With the hustle and bustle of the holiday season in full force, it’s easy to overlook the most important part of December—spending time with friends and family. We’ve compiled some activities for you to enjoy with your loved ones this holiday season.

Bah, Humbug!
From Nov. 20 to Dec. 31, experience Christmas at Dalnavert Museum. Visit the fine Victorian home to learn about Christmas traditions, the history of the Macdonald family and Winnipeg’s early years, brought to life by the museum interpreters. From Dec. 14 to 23, you can see local actors bring Scrooge and Tiny Tim to life, as the museum also offers readings of Charles Dickens’ classic holiday tale, A Christmas Carol. For ticket information on both attractions, contact Dalnavert staff at 943-2835.

Walk Down Memory Lane
For decades, Eaton’s of downtown Winnipeg captivated onlookers with its annual Christmas displays. The Manitoba Children’s Museum
continues that tradition with the original Eaton’s Santa’s Village, on display until Dec. 12 at Manitoba Hydro’s downtown location as part of the Festival of Trees and Lights. The cherished display features 15 fairytale vignettes depicting various nursery rhyme classics like Sleeping Beauty, Little Red Riding Hood and Three Blind Mice.

Old School Christmas
The Lower Fort Garry National Historic Site is hosting a Red River Christmas on Sunday, Dec. 12 from noon until 4 p.m. Dash through the
fort on a one-horse open sleigh, enjoy a nice cup of hot cocoa, join in a caroling session, or try your hand (or rather, foot) at snowshoeing—
a number of activities will be available! For more information, call 785-6050.

Tour the Lights
Join Heartland Travel on its 2010 Christmas Lights Sightseeing Tour on Dec. 15 from 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. Listen to Christmas carols on a heated motor coach while gazing at the many colourful light displays that include both residential and business. The tour also makes a stop at the Electrical Museum to celebrate the many different forms of holiday lighting from the 1880s to the present day. Seats must be purchased in advance—call 989-9630 to reserve your place today. www.heartlandtravel.ca/christmaslightssightseeingtour.

Birdie Count
Help Oak Hammock Marsh count its winter residents and learn more about the birds that brave a Manitoba winter during the Annual Christmas Bird Count on Dec. 18. The fee is $5 plus admission and includes a hot lunch. You must register with Paula at 467-3243 by Dec. 16. www.oakhammockmarsh.ca.

Bright Lights
The 11th annual Canad Inns Winter Wonderland will light up the city until Jan. 2. Open daily from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. with the exception of Christmas Day, Winter Wonderland provides a brilliant presentation of over one million lights and over 29 different theme areas, all viewed in the comfort of your own car. Call the Red River Exhibition Association at 888-6990 for more information.

All Aboard
The Assiniboine Valley Railway has given rides to thousands of passengers through the Taylor family’s annual Christmas light display, which
grows every year and now boasts over 98,000 lights. The display will be open to the public from Dec. 17 until Jan. 2 from 6:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. with the exception of Christmas Day. Train ride tickets are only $2 and children two and under are free. For more information, call
837-1305.