Plenty to do in the city this week

By Lethbridge Herald on December 28, 2023.

For many, this is a week to enjoy time with the kids who are out of school until the new year.

And to keep families busy, there are plenty of activities and events worth looking into this week.

The City of Lethbridge on Wednesday provided media with a list of five ideas to keep families entertained through the new year.

1. Helen Schuler Nature Centre

Until Dec. 30 enjoy Busy Builders. This imagination-based initiative explores building and creating with a wide variety of materials. Discover the endless fun of loose part play from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. each day.

Playstations Unplugged features activity stations and nature inspired board games. Challenge your family and friends on Dec. 31 and Jan. 2 and 3 from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.

2. Nikka Yuko Japanese Garden

The annual Winter Light Festival continues today until Sunday. More than 170,000 lights are illuminated around the garden representing all four seasons: Haru (spring), Natsu (summer), Aki (fall) and Fuyu (winter). The festival runs 4 p.m. – 9 p.m. each day with the last entry at 8:30 p.m.

Celebrate New Year’s Eve with Joya No Kane and the Little Lethbridge Opera performance. The evening features special calligraphy inside the Bunka Centre from 5:30 – 6:30 p.m. The Little Lethbridge Opera Theatre will give a special performance from 6:30 – 7 p.m. on the fire and ice stage. The evening ends with the Joya No Kane (New Year’s Eve Bell) ceremony. At 7 p.m. Rev Izumi, from the Buddhist Temple, will ring the bell 100 times to ring in the new year.

3. Cavendish Farms Centre

Lace up your skates and go for a glide or add a stick and helmet for a game of hockey!

Today:

12 – 1 p.m.: Adult Toonie Skate (East Arena)

1:15 – 2:45 p.m.: Free Public Open Skate (East Arena)

Friday

10 a.m. – 11:45 a.m.: Free Parent & Tot Stick & Foam Puck (East Arena)

11:45 a.m. – 1:15 p.m.: Free Public Open Skate (West Arena)

3:15 – 4:15 p.m.: Free Public Open Skate (West Arena)

4. Lethbridge & District Exhibition

It’s the final days of Glow Lethbridge at the Agri-food Hub & Trade Centre. The indoor walk-around festival features enchanting lights, festive food and beverage options, and an indoor playground. The event runs today through Saturday from 4 to 9 p.m. and Sunday from noon to 5 p.m.

5. Yates Theatre

‘Elf: The Musical’ continues at the Yates Theatre. The stage production is based on the beloved 2023 film. It tells the story of Buddy, a human raised by elves at the North Pole who embarks on a journey to New York City in search of his true identity. The show runs nightly until Sunday 31 at 7:30 p.m. Sunday also features a 1 p.m. matinee and special pre-show New Year’s Eve event at 6 p.m. in the Sterndale Bennett Theatre. It offers appetizers, beverages and party favours.