Happy Holidays In Nanaimo
Did you know that many people consider Nanaimo to be the winter holiday hub of Vancouver Island?
With over 100 kilometers of hiking, biking and walking trails, nearly 600 hectares of parks with sports fields and playgrounds galore, there is literally something for everyone at Nanaimo's public outdoor spaces.
When the snow begins to fall the skiing resort of Mount Washington is a popular go-to spot. If you'd like to watch the salmon run be sure to head over to Woodstream Park right behind Departure Bay Beach. You can walk the streams and root for the return of the pink salmon.
Beginning in November you'll find Christmas markets in Nanaimo that offer a big variety of arts, crafts and goodies, including home made jams, soaps and lotions, knitting, nature photography, candies, and so much more.
The Kris Kringle Craft Market has become so popular that it has expanded to the Beban Park Social Centre at 2300 Bowen Road in Nanaimo. This craft fair begins November 20th and runs through Sunday November 23rd.
Kris Kringle features over 150 of BC's finest artists in a wonderful Christmas setting. When you go be sure to keep an eye out for the daily roving Kringle Entertainers - Kris, Karole and Princess, along with the Elves, Ruffle Redbird, Farmer Vicki and Daisy The Cow.
You little ones are sure to enjoy the Kris Kringle Kids Station featuring the talented face painting work of Cathy Corbett. The Gingerbread Station will be stocked with hundreds of free gingerbread cookies just waiting to be decorated with icing and Smarties.
That's just a sampling of why the holidays are happier in Nanaimo!