The North Shore mountains are offering up plenty of ways for people to ring in New Year’s Eve this year, assuming they can nab a ticket in time. Cypress Mountain ski resort is lighting up its plaza fire pits Dec. 31 starting at 5 p.m. with an open jam session (don’t forget to bring up your bongos and guitars) scheduled for 6 p.m. Fireworks kickoff at 8 p.m. and go until they run out. On Grouse Mountain from 5 p.m. onwards the New Year’s Eve fun starts, including a live dance band and DJ by the skate pond, a fire performance group, and photo opportunities with a “magical” snow king and queen. Grouse’s firework display at the skate pond starts at 9 p.m. Seymour Mountain’s Family First Night New Year’s Eve event will feature laser tobogganing, live entertainment, interactive clowning, and more. It kicks off at 6 p.m. with a fireworks display scheduled for 9 p.m.
Catch mother-daughter duo Michelle and Monique Creber as they star in a musical adaption of Little Women, a story set in New England in the 1860s that follows four sisters on their journey from childhood to maturity during the American Civil War. Final two shows are Dec. 29 at 7:30 p.m. and Dec. 30 at 2 p.m. at Kay Meek Centre in West Vancouver. Tickets range from $25 to $39. For tickets and more information visit kaymeek.com/little-women.
Christmas might be done for the year but the lights will still be shining this weekend. The 28th annual Holiday Hi-Light Festival at Park & Tilford Gardens (333 Brooksbank Ave, North Vancouver) features a three-acre display of more than 150,000 festive lights. The lights are turned on between 5 and 9 p.m. until Dec. 31. Entry is by donation with proceeds going to support North Vancouver firefighters and their charitable causes.
Why not check out some original artwork this weekend? Lynn Valley Library (1277 Lynn Valley Rd.) is displaying the images and pieces included in the 2018 You Are Here Calendar, which feature the work of 12 local artists who have been inspired by the scenes and scenery of the North Shore. Pieces include paintings in watercolour, acrylic and oil as well as limited edition prints, with styles ranging from realistic to comic, with each artist bringing their own interpretation to scenes that are familiar to anyone who calls North or West Vancouver home. The works are being displayed until Jan. 2 at the library, with proceeds from the sale of the calendars ($20) going towards the North Vancouver Community Arts Council’s North Shore Cultural Mapping Project.
Plunge into the new year the right way: at the annual Deep Cove Penguin Plunge Jan. 1. Those hoping to celebrate New Year’s Day (and dust off the cobwebs from the night before) are invited to brave the chilly waters off Panorama Park promptly at 2 p.m. For those looking to stay dry, they can watch from the comfort of a nearby bonfire. The free event features prizes for costumes as well as live music. Festivities run from 12:30 to 3 p.m.
