For some events that the public was still hoping to attend this year amid COVID-19, the final decision came down on Monday.
B.C. health officials extended a widespread ban on social gatherings with anyone outside of one’s immediate household until midnight on Jan. 8, 2021.
This means British Columbians will not be able to get together with anyone they don’t already live with — not even in parks, backyards or restaurants — to celebrate the holidays.
It also means some beloved annual events have now been cancelled.
Cancelled:
The Stanley Park Christmas Train will not be going ahead.
Canyon Lights at Capilano Suspension Bridge in North Vancouver is also cancelled, although the park will still be open from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. every day with safety measures in place.
The VanDusen Festival of Lights in Vancouver is also cancelled.
FlyOver Canada in downtown Vancouver is temporarily closed.
The Burnaby Village Museum Heritage Christmas has been cancelled for the season.
The Robson Square Ice Rink is currently closed.
Peak of Christmas at Grouse Mountain in North Vancouver has been cancelled.
Holiday Heights at Bloedel Conservatory in Vancouver has been cancelled for the season.
In Victoria, the Butchart Gardens Christmas light display is cancelled, though the gardens remain open during the day only.
Saturday fireworks at Big White Ski Resort in Kelowna are cancelled for the foreseeable future.
Lights and New Year’s Eve fireworks at Silver Star Resort in Vernon are cancelled.
In Kelowna, New York New Year’s Eve has been postponed to 2021, as have the Downtown Kelowna Winter Street Market, the annual Christmas Light-Up, the Uptown Rutland Christmas Light up and the Polar Bear Dip on New Year’s Day.
Candy Cane Lane in Penticton is cancelled, as is the city’s Santa Claus parade.
Victorian Christmas at O’Keefe Ranch in Vernon is cancelled.
Wildlights 2020 at BC Wildlife Park in Kamloops is cancelled for the year.
Open:
Drive-thru holiday events that allow members of one household to stay in their vehicles can proceed. Drive-in events, such as movie screenings, must have a maximum capacity of 50 vehicles.
Drive-thru events such as toy drives can also go ahead.
Candy Cane Lane in Kelowna is going ahead and welcoming people to drive by and look at the lights.
PNE Winter Lights, a drive-thru event, is now open and tickets have sold out.
The Pan Pacific Christmas Wish Breakfast is cancelled for the year but the Lower Mainland Christmas Bureau is asking everyone to look out events from the Pan Pacific, VPD, and VFD at some of the socially distanced toy drive events benefiting the organization.
Glow Langley is going ahead, opening Tuesday night.
Glow Maple Ridge, a drive-thru event, is still happening every night at Memorial Peace Park.
The drive-thru Candy Cane Lane event is still happening in Anmore.
Powerhouse Theatre in Vernon had to cancel its dramatic reading of A Christmas Carol, but will post a version online for everyone to access.
The Vernon Winter Carnival light display is still available to view with COVID-19 safety protocols in place.
If we have missed any events that are cancelled or open this year, please comment below.