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Whistler’s wintry resort-setting First Night New Year’s Eve celebrations focus on family-friendly festivities, complete with live music, art workshops, street entertainment and more. www.whistlerfirstnight.com

In the Kootenay Rockies, Panorama Mountain Village near Invermere promotes family togetherness with carolling, snow fort building, cosy…

Dim the lights … places, please.  It’s time for Caravan Farm Theatre!  For inspiring entertainment, pull out the woollies for Caravan’s latest seasonal production: The Gift Horse, December 10 - 31. Set on 32 hectares (80 acres) of field and forest near Armstrong in the Thompson Okanagan, The Gift Horse tells a heart-warming holiday tale about unconditional love, redemption, and appreciation of life's precious gifts.  The twist?  Guests will be transported from scene to…

If you’re looking for a blast from the gold mining past, head to the province’s largest historic site, where yuletide carols, horse-drawn sleigh rides and snowy exploration in the Enchanted Forest reign during Barkerville’s Victorian Christmas celebrations, December 10 - 12. Here in the Cariboo Chilcotin, families can overnight in a heritage hotel or B&B, stroll through museum displays, snag a keepsake from one of the shops, enjoy homemade treats at Goldfield Bakery, and take in…

BC’s year-round evergreen provides the perfect setting for twinkling lights.  Need proof? Qualicum Beach’s Milner Christmas Magic shows how it’s done, thanks to Vancouver Island old-growth Douglas firs and cedars decked out in shimmer, musical interludes by local talent and sweet treats in the tearoom during the first three weekends in December. www.milnergardens.org

Bright Nights in Stanley Park, a yearly…