Enjoying the Christmas capital

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 05/12/2016 (3438 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Because Winnipeg is almost always guaranteed to have snow on the ground at Christmas — which makes the most beautiful backdrop for Christmas lights — it’s been referred to as the “Christmas capital of Canada.”

Here are some events and happenings close to home that will put you in the spirit of the season, while helping keep Manitoba on the Christmas map.  

Santa’s paying a visit to FortWhyte Alive on Dec. 10, and you can join him for breakfast at the Buffalo Stone Café. Afterward, explore FortWhyte’s forest world in a scavenger hunt for natural wonders. On Sunday, drop by for Holiday Storytelling in the Sodhouse, featuring A Christmas Carol Unplugged and How the Grinch Stole Christmas.  

Climb aboard the “Winter Wonderland” holiday lights tour through Winnipeg on Dec. 14, taking in twinkling sights at the Manitoba legislature, camels and wise men atop the Great-West Life building, and dazzling displays at various residential and commercial locales. Along the way sing carols, and play Christmas light bingo and trivia for festive prizes.

Manitoba’s snowy conditions make it magical for sleigh rides, snow angels, snowmen, and snowbirds — of the feathered kind. Just north of the city, Oak Hammock Marsh is welcoming its winter resident species, and invites bird enthusiasts to help in their annual Christmas Bird Count on Dec. 17.  Meanwhile, check out Oak Hammock’s Astronomy Night on Dec. 15 to find out which constellations will be visible this winter — the best season to observe the night sky.

There are plenty of holiday concerts, including two seasonal favourites by local musicians. The 4th annual Amero Little Christmas is at West End Cultural Centre on Dec. 10, featuring Don Amero and friends, and born out of Amero’s love for holiday music and community vibe the season brings. The JP Hoe Hoe Hoe Holiday Show tradition began 10 years ago, and is coming up Dec. 16 at Burton Cummings Theatre with new stylings on classic holiday music, campy decorations, and timeless moments.

Enjoy some holiday cheer and support a worthy cause while you’re at it. A gala Christmas Dinner and Concert is being put on by the Southern Chiefs’ Organization on Dec. 15 at Canad Inns Polo Park.

Cory “The Coyote” Whitford is your master of ceremonies, with entertainment by Indian City, Rhonda Head, The Staggering Haggards, and more. All proceeds raised go towards the purchase of toys and hampers for 33 First Nations.

For that last minute hard-to-buy-for gift, find something tasty or crafty at Downtown Winnipeg BIZ’s Christmas Farmers’ Market on Dec. 15. Over 50 vendors will be at Manitoba Hydro Place selling Manitoba-made baking, preserves, honey, meats, perogies, unique handcrafted products, and more.

For other distinctive gifts, the Forks Trading Company at The Forks specializes in merchandise by local artisans, like jewelry, hats, scarves, pottery, essential oils, books, kitchen utensils, stone carvings, and the list goes on. Everything they sell is handmade in Canada, with most made in Manitoba.

Finally, once all the shopping and hub-bub is through, put it on your Christmas list to visit Dalnavert Museum. Enjoy the warmth of Christmases past in a full Victorian-style setting, with seasonal music and merriment. The Charles Dickens classic A Christmas Carol will play December 8 to 23 with different performers each weekend.

Merry Christmas to all, and to all, a good night!

RoseAnna Schick is an avid traveller who seeks inspiration wherever she goes. Email her at rascreative@yahoo.ca