CandyTown kicks off the Christmas season while building community spirit in Yaletown

by Mike Usinger on November 14th, 2023 at 5:19 PM

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Billing it as Vancouver’s “only free holiday festival”, the Yaletown Business Improvement Association will host CandyTown 2023 on December 2. Taking place at the Bill Curtis Square and Helmcken Plaza, the event, designed to build community spirit, will run from noon to 5pm, with family-friendly activities in the spotlight.

Draws will include a station where kids can write to Santa, roaming gingerbread men and walking candy canes, and live ice sculpting. For proud parents whose “children” are of the four-legged, finned, or feathered variety, there will also be a pet-friendly Winter Wonderland photo station run by the Happy Photo Bus. Music for the day will be provided by the East Van Horns.

Those who prefer to get their Christmas shopping taken care of sometime before the traditional December 24 noon-to-4pm window will be able to check out the “All I Want For Christmas” street market. Items on offer, will unfortunately, not be free, but they will be curated and Vancouver-centred.

In the spirit of giving back during the holiday season, the YBIA will be donating proceeds from horse-drawn carriage rides to the BC Children’s Hospital Foundation.