SAT. DEC. 14
• CHRISTMAS CRAFT FAIR at Beaver Creek Hall (8505 Beaver Creek Rd). 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Vendors, concession, DJ and Christmas photos.
• URBANSTREET CHOIR annual Christmas concert. 7:30 p.m. at the Alberni Valley United Church (3747 Church Street). Tickets at Walk the Coast, from choir members or at the door.
• SANTA PICTURES at Little Bavaria Restaurant (3035 Fourth Ave). 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. By donation, with all proceeds going to Ty Watson House.
• SANTA’S STEAM EXPRESS TRAIN returns to Alberni Pacific Railway Dec. 7-8 and Dec. 14-15. Runs at 11 a.m., 12 p.m., 2 p.m., 3 p.m. and 4 p.m. Tix: www.albernipacificrailway.ca.
• FOCUS ON FIXED INCOME A free financial seminar at Literacy Alberni from 11 a.m. to 12:30 pm. Learn about the role of bonds, GICs and other fixed income products that can help make your money last in retirement. FMI: Suzanne Dube at 250-724-4439.
SUN. DEC. 15
• SAIL PAST IS BACK! 5–7:30 p.m. at Harbour Quay. Awards at 8 p.m. at the Blue Marlin Inn (5022 Johnston Rd.), which is sponsoring the event. Prizes for best decorated boat. Hotdogs, cocoa, live music, Santa Claus, fire pits and fireworks. Donations for the Salvation Army welcome.
• SANTA’S STEAM EXPRESS TRAIN returns to Alberni Pacific Railway Dec. 7-8 and Dec. 14-15. Runs at 11 a.m., 12 p.m., 2 p.m., 3 p.m. and 4 p.m. Tix: www.albernipacificrailway.ca.
• PHOTOS WITH SANTA at the Capitol Theatre. Noon to 4 p.m. Admission by donation. Please bring your own camera or phone to take pictures/videos. Kids and pets welcome.
• JAZZ SING-A-LONG at Char’s Landing presented by the Barry Miller Quartet and jazz vocalist Sara Beslic. Music is ongoing from 6-8 p.m. Voluntary suggested gratuity of $15 (seniors/students) or $20 (adults). Attendees are welcome to bring their own snacks or supper. Beverage bar is open.
FRI. DEC. 20
• PHOTOS WITH SANTA at the Capitol Theatre. 6-9 p.m. Admission by donation. Please bring your own camera or phone to take pictures/videos. Kids and pets welcome.
DEC. 21-22
• PHOTOS WITH SANTA at the Capitol Theatre. Noon to 4 p.m. Admission by donation. Please bring your own camera or phone to take pictures/videos. Kids and pets welcome.
FRI. DEC. 27
• ZATTZOO CUP HOCKEY TOURNAMENT at the Alberni Valley Multiplex. An eight-team single knockout tournament. 2-10 p.m. Free and open to the public. Bring your family down for some local fun in sport.
TUE. DEC. 31
• NEW YEAR’S ON HOLLYWOOD at the Kinsmen Community Centre. Champagne toast, midnight snacks, photo booth and live band and performers. 19+ event. Tickets available online at five acre.tickit.ca.
SAT. JAN. 4
• TREE-CYCLE at the Echo Centre rear parking lot (entrance off 10th Avenue). 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Bring your Christmas tree to be chipped and mulched by donation, with proceeds going to KidSport.
JAN. 9-11
• TOTEM 69 Annual basketball tournament returns to the ADSS Gym. The ADSS Senior Girls kick things off on Thursday with a 5 p.m game vs. Kwalikum. Admission is $10 per day for adults (18 and up) and $5 per day for ages 5-17. Kids under the age of 5 get in for free.
ONGOING
• WINTER WONDERLAND at the Alberni Valley Multiplex. Free skating and skate rentals sponsored by local businesses and community members. See the city’s Winter Leisure Guide at www.playinpa.ca for a full schedule of events.
• GOLDEN OLDIES CAR CLUB meets on the first Thursday of each month upstairs at the Royal Canadian Legion Br. 293 (Victoria Quay) at 7 p.m. New members welcome. No need to have a car — just an interest in vehicles.
• WESTERN VANCOUVER ISLAND INDUSTRIAL HERITAGE CENTRE at 3250A Ninth Ave. (behind the curling club) is open to visitors Monday to Friday from 9–11 a.m. and Saturday 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tours by appointment: call 250-724-5509 to book.
• ALBERNI VALLEY PHOTOGRAPHY CLUB meets the second and fourth Wednesday of the month, 7 p.m. in the basement room at Abbeyfield House (3839 Eighth Ave. at Redford Street). All levels of photographers welcome. Membership required. FMI: Steve or Lorna Crowshaw, 250-723-6901.
• JUNIOR YOUTH GROUP for Grades 3-7 in the Upper Clubhouse at Arrowsmith Baptist Church (4283 Glenside Rd). Tuesdays from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Have fun playing games, making friends and exploring faith.
• SKYSONG COMMUNITY CHOIR meets at Char’s Landing every Tuesday from 6-8 p.m. Everyone welcome. ON HIATUS until February 2025.
• GRIEF CARE meets Sundays at 2 p.m. at Southside Church of the Nazarene (4190 Victoria Drive). Call 250-918-5830.
• CANADIAN COUNCIL OF THE BLIND meets at 10 a.m. the first Wednesday of each month at Abbeyfield (downstairs meeting room at the back of the building). FMI: Jenn Collette 250-240-1738.
• TOPS (TAKE OFF POUNDS SENSIBLY) MEETINGS Tuesdays at the Royal Canadian Legion (Victoria Quay). 8 a.m. to 10 a.m.
• SPIRIT SQUARE FARMER’S MARKET every Saturday from 9 a.m. to noon at Harbour Quay.
• ALBERNI VALLEY COIN CLUB meets at 7 p.m. the third Thursday of every month in Craft Room A of Echo Centre (4255 Wallace St.). FMI: Carl ph. 250-723-9891.
• ALBERNI VALLEY ROCK AND GEM CLUB meets the first Sunday of the month, 2 p.m. at the clubhouse, 5100 Tebo Ave. (Club’s workshop is open to members Mondays 7–10 p.m. and Wednesdays 1–4 p.m. FMI: Les Bontron, 250-724-1564.
• ELECTRIC MERMAID A monthly live reading event at Char’s Landing. Last Wednesday of every month. Visit www.charslanding.com for the Zoom link for the event. Anyone who would like to read their own work can sign up at ElectricMermaidReads @gmail.com.
