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// December 2006

Dear Subscriber

Get into the spirit with our editors' picks for the best seasonal lights displays in cities across Canada. Plus, hot ideas for New Year's Eve parties, great holiday theatre, and what to do if your plane leaves without you. And don't forget our contests: this month, win dining experiences in Vancouver and Calgary, a digital camera by describing a memorable meal you've had in Toronto, or a stay in Halifax while attending the Savour Food & Wine Festival.

WHAT'S HOT IN DECEMBER:

Victoria

The Art Gallery of Greater Victoria presents Baroque Masterworks from the National Gallery of Canada, opening Dec 15 and continuing through Feb 25. This stunning and evocative exhibit features 12 rare paintings by such 17th-century masters as Rubens, Rembrandt, Vouet and others.

Edmonton

This holiday season flock to see a renewed classic: A Christmas Carol playing at the Citadel Theatre, Dec 1 to 23. The adaptation of Dickens' classic tale by director Bob Baker and writer/Scrooge Tom Wood has been called a "theatrical spectacle filled with energy and heart."

Halifax

Legendary singer/songwriter Kris Kristofferson makes a rare visit to Halifax on Dec 15 for a concert at the Halifax Metro Centre on Duke Street. A talented performer in his own right, he's also written hits for greats like Janis Joplin and Johnny Cash.

Canadian Rockies

Ring in the New Year in the natural beauty of Banff by joining the Torchlight Parades at Sunshine and Norquay, or glam up and swing dance at the Fairmont Banff Springs New Year Gala. For family fun head to Canmore for their Party on the Pond with skating, music, bonfire and fireworks.

Toronto

The Radio City Rockettes kick it up at the Hummingbird Centre for the Performing Arts with their trademark eye-high precision kicks. Marking their Canadian debut, the Rockettes dazzle in sequined costumes and festive spirit.

Ottawa

'Tis the season for shopping blisters and work burnout; make sure you take some time for yourself with a massage or hydrotherapy at one of Ottawa's many spas. Check out Zen and the Art of Spas for a guide to the city's best.

Winnipeg

The renowned Royal Winnipeg Ballet offers a thrilling new holiday production with the world premiere presentation of Jorden Morris' Peter Pan. The magical adventures of Peter and his friends are accompanied by the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra.

Vancouver

Want shows with attitude? Check out the smaller theatres: B-grade actors spend Christmas in a remote town and follow the northern star to become Cariboo Magi, til Dec 30 at Pacific Theatre; Urinetown is a cheeky spoof of Broadway musicals on at the Firehall til Dec 10; and Recovery is a provocative comedy about addiction on til Dec 9 at Performance Works.

Calgary

Need help finding that last-minute perfect gift? Check out our Holiday Gift Guide for a list of ordinary items made better by design. Also, glam up and get swinging as the Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra presents fine dining and big band music at its inaugural New Year's Eve Extravaganza at the Telus Convention Centre.

The WHERE List:

HOLIDAY LIGHTS

One of the most magical aspects of the holiday season are the many beautiful and brilliant light displays adorning homes, streets and parks. Our regional editors ensure you don't miss out by telling you where to go for the best light displays in their home towns.

Toronto

The 40th annual Cavalcade of Lights is an enchanting seasonal celebration of fireworks and live music. Nathan Phillips Square is the place to be; it's where the city's holiday tree is located, as well public skating and performances by Jacksoul, Divine Brown and Stabilo.

Calgary

The Calgary Zoo makes winter come alive with its annual Zoolights displays: over 2.5 million lights form the shapes of some of your favourite animals. New this year is choreographed music to accompany some of the changing lights.

Halifax

Enjoy holiday celebrations in Halifax centre around the giant Christmas tree in Grand Parade Square. Located in the historic area directly in front of City Hall, the enormous glittering tree is the focal point of many holiday celebrations, wrapping up with the annual New Year's Eve Countdown.

Victoria

In Victoria, there's no better place to let the magic of the season carry you away than The Butchart Gardens, where until Jan 6, thousands of twinkling lights, greenery and decorations combine to create a charming vision.

Edmonton

For many people, there's simply no better way to get into the Christmas spirit than with a walk or drive through Candy Cane Lane. A local holiday tradition for over 35 years, the residents of this west-end neighbourhood decorate their homes and yards with a dazzling display of lights and decorations in a variety of themes, transforming the area into a magical place for three weeks each December.

Canadian Rockies

The Fairmont Banff Springs and The Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise sparkle with the holiday spirit with lit alpine evergreen trees that glisten against the snow covered mountain vistas. The interiors are decked out for the season with garland, poinsettias and decorated trees.

Winnipeg

Canad Inns Winter Wonderland gets you in the holiday spirit with a drive-through light show featuring hundreds of displays using thousands of lights. On weekends, take a free horse-drawn sleigh ride or get in some ice time on the family skating rink.

Vancouver

At Bright Nights in Stanley Park, more than a million lights sparkle throughout the forest, train and Children's Farmyard, all to raise money for the BC Professional Fire Fighters' Burn Fund. VanDusen Botanical Garden's Festival of Lights features lights, choirs and visits with Old Saint Nick; light a candle at the shrine with a small donation to the Make-A-Wish Foundation. Raising money for another worthy cause, Lights of Hope adorns St.Paul's Hospital in lights and stars, with donations funding medical research.

TRAVEL SPECIALS

As a service to readers and our tourism partners, here's a selection of special travel deals. For more information or to book, please contact the providers directly.

Britrail Off Peak Special

Travelcuts is offering a 25% discount on the regular BritRail Consecutive Pass / Flexipass / BritRail England Consecutive Pass / Flexipass and BritRail London Plus Pass, if you book a pass now. For more information, call Travel CUTS, 1-866-246-9762. Valid if you buy before Feb 28, 2007 for travel up to the end of February, 2007.

WestJet Travel Pass

A pass for $1,700 (includes all taxes, fees and surcharges), gets you 10 one-way flights between Toronto - Ottawa and Toronto - Montréal. You can choose to use them yourself, or share them with others. They are available until Jan 31, 2007 for travel until May 31, 2007.

Delta's Gondola Package

Visit the Delta Banff Royal Canadian Lodge and enjoy the splendour of the Rockies from a bird's-eye view with the Delta Gondola Package. This package includes a one-night's stay in a Delta-category room, plus a gondola pass for $217. Offer expires Dec 31, 2006.

(All prices in Canadian dollars. WHERE accepts no responsibility for the accuracy or availability of these packages. Please contact package supplier directly.)

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