A Winter Wonderland is coming to New Westminster

Even if the weather outside is frightful, you’ll soon be able to head inside the Anvil Centre to enjoy Winter Celebrations, a 10-day event.

Running from Dec. 21 to 31, the celebration has previously been described as a cornucopia of events meant to bring light to some of the darkest days of the year.

The first floor of the Anvil Centre will include a labyrinth, a variety of singers and dancers, and opportunities to enjoy art by local talents. Access to the Winter World lantern labyrinth is free.

“Omanie Elias … she’s an artist in New Westminster, but she’s also a set designer in theatre. She’s basically built a set that the community can come into … and we reference it with a northern, like Scandinavian ritual where they put lanterns out on the snow,” says Jessica Schneider of the Massey Theatre Society, and also the director of the Anvil Centre.

“You go into the labyrinth and you walk it in that sort of meditative, beautiful way. Then you stand under the sun in the centre, and then you find your way out.”

People may choose to make their way around the structure, or they can enjoy some of the performances happening within. The ticketed performances include everything from taiko drums to puppet shows, and even a variety show by drag person Dandy.

Winter Celebrations started in 2018 as a way to recognize the variety of religions, cultures, and beliefs in New West.

“[Christmas] is sort of the established season that everyone gets lots of, and we thought, ‘How can we offer things for people who are not wanting to go see the Christmas shows?' Maybe they have seen them, but they don’t need to see them every year,” says Schneider.

“Anybody can come down, listen to people sing, watch the storytelling … there’s a whole range of different artists … it’s community arts all day. And then it showcases professional artists on the stage at night,” she says.

There’s also a space specifically for kids to enjoy, in case their parents need a little breather.

“[The kids] can do arts and crafts, and there’s tumbling blocks, just like a playroom. Kids can enjoy [it] and their parents can hang out,” says Schneider.

Some of the performances are ticketed, with prices starting at $5.