Skip to content

SURREY EVENTS GUIDE: ‘Xmas of Chaos’ haunts in Newton, and more (Dec. 15 & beyond)

A guide to Surrey-area events and attractions
27525271_web1_211216-SUL-EventsWEB-main_1
Billed as “the only haunted Christmas event in Canada,” an Xmas of Chaos attraction is new to Newton’s Cougar Creek Garden Centre, formerly Potters. See listing under Christmas. (Photo: instagram.com/cougarcreekhouseofhorrors)

CONCERTS

A Big Band Christmas Concert Sunday, Dec. 19 at Northwood United Church (8855 156 St., Fleetwood), 6:30 p.m., featuring local university jazz musicians with special guests: Phil Vanderveen & the Vancouver Groove Orchestra, band led by: Viola Sabean and Hugh Penner. Food and beverages by donation. For tickets and info, search “A Big Band Christmas Concert” on eventbrite.ca.

Back to Live concert presented by Shan-E-Punjab at Surrey’s Bell Performing Arts Centre on Sunday, Dec. 19. “With our goal of preserving Punjabi culture and heritage, Shan-E-Punjab brings you a live concert featuring local talent.” Tickets/info: spacbc.com/back2live.

VSO’s Surrey Nights: Jens Lindemann: Canadian trumpeter to perform Leopold Mozart’s “Toy Symphony,” Haydn’s “Trumpet Concerto” and more with Vancouver Symphony Orchestra, Jan. 8 at Surrey’s Bell Performing Arts Centre. Box office: 604-876-3434, vancouversymphony.ca.

THEATRE/STAGE

“Alice in Wonderland”: A pantomime production by Royal Canadian Theatre Company at Surrey Arts Centre’s main stage, from Thursday, Dec. 16 to Sunday, Dec. 26, at 13750 88 Ave. “Written by Crystal Weltzin, the classic story is adapted to the well known standards of laughter and entertainment inherently required by a true panto, with original music, new characters and some of your panto favourites.” Box office: 604-501-5566, tickets.surrey.ca.

READ MORE: Girl gets lost in new ‘Alice’ panto in Surrey, a full-circle adventure for creative team

“Friends, the Musical Parody” touring show at Surrey’s Bell Performing Arts Centre on Feb. 1, 2022. “Comedic musical that lovingly pokes fun at TV’s Friends, celebrating the adventures of your favorite group of 20-something friends as they navigate the pitfalls of work, life, and love in 1990s Manhattan.” Box office: 604-507-6355.

CHRISTMAS

“Xmas of Chaos” attraction at Newton’s recently rebranded Cougar Creek Garden Centre, formerly Potters, starting Dec. 3 and on select dates in December. Aimed at teens and adults, it’s a “twisted take on Christmas,” with an “Escape From Incineration” escape room also on site. Info: cougarcreekhouseofhorrors.com.

“North Star Experience” at Guildford Town Centre mall features 3D “holiday experience” and photos with a virtual Santa Claus, to Dec. 23. Train-themed attraction offers rides “to the northern lights and beyond,” in a 10-minute adventure on the mall’s lower level, near Centre Court. Info: guildfordtowncentre.com.

Cloverdale Christmas Trees: Museum of Surrey is uniting Cloverdale businesses and organizations for some friendly competition to decorate the best tree,” from to Dec. 19. “Trees are displayed in the large museum foyer throughout December. Festival visitors cast their votes for a chance to win a $100 Cloverdale shopping spree. Drop-in any time during museum hours for your holiday fix and to cast your vote.” Free, all ages, at 17710 56A Ave., Surrey.

“Tree of Giving” at Surrey Libraries: “The third annual Tree of Giving fundraiser for Surrey Libraries. Beautiful trees will be on display at each branch, and we invite you to help decorate them. Make a $5 minimum donation in-branch and receive a special ornament that you can add to our tree. All proceeds support community programming.” Info: surreylibraries.ca.

ATTRACTIONS

Surrey Holiday Lights: MRG Group’s new “Immersive Lights & Music Experience” at Surrey Civic Plaza (city hall), to Jan. 2. “Explore the Holiday Lights Tent to visit Santa and his Elves, the Gingerbread Village, the North Pole, Holiday Market, Lights Around The World, and more.” Tickets and info: surreyholidaylights.com.

Lumagica Surrey: An “outdoor/indoor global Holiday experience” features a one-kilometre light walk at Cloverdale’s Bill Reid Millennium Amphitheatre, from Dec. 3-30, daily from 4 to 10 p.m. Adult ticket is $25, or $74 for a weekend family pass for two adults and two kids. “Required” parking pass is $5. Info: lumagica.ca.

Bear Creek Park Train and MiniGolf: Train rides through the forest at Surrey’s largest park, 13750 88 Ave. For hours and rates, call 604-501-1232 or visit bctrains.com. “Santa Express” and “Christmas Night Train” rides in December.

COMEDY

Just for Laughs: Maz Jobrani: Iranian-American comedian brings his “Things Looking Bright” tour to Surrey’s Bell Performing Arts Centre (6250 144 St.), Saturday, Jan.15 and to Vogue Theatre in Vancouver on Jan. 16. Box office: 604-507-6355.

Snowed In Comedy Tour: Canadian comedians Debra DiGiovanni, Pete Zedlacher, Dan Quinn and Paul Myrehaug perform at Surrey Arts Centre’s Main Stage on Jan. 27. Tickets $45, tickets.surrey.ca.

BARS/NIGHTLIFE

Donegal’s Irish House: At 12054 96th Ave., Surrey. Info: 604-584-2112, donegals.pub.

White Hart Pub: Live music at 8593 132 St., Newton. Info: 604-503-5735.

Dublin Crossing: Irish-themed bar, 18789 Fraser Hwy. 604-575-5470, online at Dublincrossing.com.

Mojitos: Latin music and more at The Turf Hotel, by bands and DJs, 12411 King George Blvd. Info: 778- 223-6936, facebook.com/mojitosurrey.

The Taphouse Guildford: Music/sports bar, 15330 102A Ave., Surrey. Info: 604 -583-8828, Thetaphouse.ca. DJ Paul the Wall (Fri./Sat.).

MOVIES

Hollywood 3 Cinemas: 7125 138 St., Newton. 604-592-4441. Movie listings: Hollywoodcinema.ca.

Landmark Cinemas 12 Guildford: 15051 101 Ave. 604-581-1716, Info: Landmarkcinemas.com

Strawberry Hill Cineplex: 12161 72 Ave., Surrey. 604-501-9400, cineplex.com.

FLEA MARKET

The Cloverdale Market: “Your Weekly Treasure Hunt” in two buildings with 200 tables and 100+ outdoor spots, open every Sunday from 6 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Cloverdale Fairgrounds, off 176 St. (Hwy 15) and 62 Ave., Surrey. Info: 604-837-1676, Cloverdalemarket.ca.

LIBRARIES

Authors Among Us: Surrey Libraries hosts local authors for online Q & A sessions. For a detailed calendar of events/authors, visit surreylibraries.ca/events.

AWARDS

Surrey’s Top 25 Under 25 Awards: Nomination deadline for annual awards event is Feb. 16, via Surrey Board of Trade. “Do you know a business and/or community-minded individual that is 25 years old or younger?” For nomination form, contact Rhona Doria at rhona@businessinsurrey.com or 604-634-0344. Winners will be recognized at awards reception in April.

KIDS/YOUTH

MYzone After School Drop-In Program offers activities for children ages 8 to 12 at reopened recreation facilities in Surrey, from October to the end of June. “Play games, make arts & crafts, learn new things, take part in community projects, have quiet time for reading or homework in supervised and safe environment.” Info on surrey.ca, or call 604-501-5100.

ART/GALLERIES

“Joy of the Photographic Print” exhibit at Surrey Art Gallery to Feb. 13. “This exhibition by The Darkroom Group celebrates alternative and traditional darkroom processes with techniques and media dating from as far back as the 1860s. Methods on display include cyanotypes, carbon transfer, platinum palladium, silver gelatin, and Vandyke brown inking.” At 13750 88 Ave. Free admission.

Surrey Art Gallery: Gallery at Bear Creek Park, 88 Ave./King George Blvd. 604-501-5566, Surrey.ca/artgallery.

Thursday Artist Talk: Events hosted by Surrey Art Gallery Association (SAGA) on first Thursday of every month, 7:30 p.m. Free. Info: 604-501-5566, Arts.surrey.ca. On Facebook.surreyartgalleryassociation.

Surrey Urban Screen: Digital art shown on screen on side of building at Chuck Bailey Recreation Centre, at 13458 107A Ave. Exhibit can be viewed from 30 minutes after sunset until midnight, from fall to spring (does not operate in summer). Info: 604-598-5898, Surreyurbanscreen.ca. This fall: Flavourcel’s “I Spy a City.”

MUSEUMS

Museum of Surrey: At 17710 56A Ave., Cloverdale. Info: Surrey.ca/museum, 604-592-6956. On view this fall: “Bees!,” a collaboration exhibit between MOS and the Honeybee Centre, to Dec. 19. Also this fall: “Chief Dan George” exhibit, plus “The Indo-Fijians: Surrey’s Pocket of Paradise,” a Community Treasures exhibit.

CONFERENCE

TEDx Surrey: A Shift in Thinking on Feb. 19, 2022, at Bell Performing Arts Centre, 1 p.m. start. Guest speakers offer “12 transformative ideas set free to show you what can be” during four-hour event. Tickets $69 + fees & taxes, 604-507-6355, bellperformingartscentre.com.

FOOD/DRINKS

Ukrainian “soul food” – perogies, cabbage rolls and borscht – available for sale on the last Friday of each month as fundraiser at Ukrainian Cultural Centre, 13512 108 Ave., Surrey, from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m. Info: 604-531-1923, 604-581-0313.

MARKETS

Heart to Home Holiday Market: Surrey Art Gallery Association’s “fun and festive” market is online until Dec. 22, on sagabc.com/gift-shop. “SAGA Gift Shop and their Art Rental Program is a great source of inspiration for gift giving, with items ranging from handmade silk scarves and original paintings to intricately designed jewelry, funky sculpture, well-crafted pottery, functional woodworks, homemade jams and jellies, and more.”

CRAFT FAIRS

Stalew Christmas Craft Fair: Online market held in partnership with Museum of Surrey until Dec. 19. “Handmade jewelry, natural soaps and art, and more. Shop from 30 unique Indigenous and local artists and artisans at this virtual holiday market.” On surrey.ca.

SPORTS

Surrey Eagles: Junior A hockey games at South Surrey Arena. For schedule and tickets, visit surreyeagles.ca or call 604-531-GOAL (4625).

Surrey Knights: Junior B hockey games at North Surrey Sport & Ice Complex, 10950 126A St., in PJHL league action. Home games Thursdays, 7 p.m. Schedule: surreyknights.ca.

CALLS

“Admissions”: Surrey’s Naked Stage theatre company is audition for the Joshua Harmon play, which will run Feb. 25-27 at Newton Cultural Centre. Auditions for “readers theatre” show will be noon to 5 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 15. For info, visit nspsociety.com/auditions.

Westcoast Harmony Chorus: Anne Downton-directed group rehearses in Surrey at Parkland Community Church (9574 160th St.), on Wednesday evenings, 7 p.m. “A group of women and people of marginalized genders who love to sing and are personally committed to excellence and lasting friendships.” New members sought. Email info@westcoastsings.com, or visit westcoastsings.com.

HEALTH

Recovery International: “Feeling anxious or depressed? Join our virtual peer support group. Recovery International is a free, peer-led, self-help, cognitive behavioural support group for people experiencing symptoms of anxiety and depression. We think our virtual meetings could benefit individuals during this unprecedented and challenging time.” Call or email Gilles at (778) 872-8069 or gilber005@yahoo.ca for more info, or visit recoverycanada.org.

VOLUNTEERS

Fraser Health Crisis Line is marking 50 years of operation this year; that’s 50 years of 24/7 service delivered by volunteers. If you would like to volunteer, contact the Fraser Health Crisis Line: options.bc.ca/volunteer-at-options.

SENIORS

TALK (Third Age Learning at Kwantlen): Program promises “creative and stimulating educational activities” for the 50-plus age group in Surrey and surrounding cities, with a mix of in-person and online events. TALK courses are “ideal for retirees who want to continue learning.” Fees range from $15 to $30, plus $10 annual membership fee. Info: kpu.ca/talk, 604-599-3077.

Seniors Centre Without Walls: Join various presenters for telephone-based exercises, literature or coffee clubs, learning mindfulness or estate planning. View details for information about the Seniors’ Centre Without Walls initiative by Seniors Come Share Society and register by calling 604-531-9400 ext. 205 or scww@comeshare.ca.

BUSINESS

Surrey Women in Business Awards: Surrey Board of Trade is now accepting nominations for the 2022 awards, presented by Prospera Credit Union, “to recognize the fabulous women leaders that are making Surrey an opportunity city.” Deadline for nominations is Jan. 19. For info, email Rhona Doria at rhona@businessinsurrey.com.

WALK/RUN

Surrey Walks Together: City hall initiative encourages residents to “reconnect with others while walking to improve both mental and physical health.” Meeting locations are posted to Surrey Walks web page (surrey.ca/parks-recreation/surrey-walks) along with other walking resources including trail maps, information on self-guided walks, walking groups, charity walks and more.

EDUCATION

READ Surrey/White Rock Society’s Partners Program offers free, one-to-one tutoring for adults who want reading, writing or math support. “If you or someone you know needs literacy help, call Shanti at 778-242-7323 or email readswrs@gmail.com.” Info at readsurreywhiterock.com.



Tom Zillich

About the Author: Tom Zillich

I cover entertainment, sports and news stories for the Surrey Now-Leader, where I've worked for more than half of my 30-plus years in the newspaper business.
Read more