Exciting things are happening in 91原创 this holiday season.

Holiday celebrations have expanded to a full two days, with the filling the grounds Dec. 3 and 4.

Offering festive fun for the entire family, highlights include a sleigh-full of craft stations and activities for all ages, while two outdoor stages will fill the air with music and seasonal entertainment.

Create a wreath, craft a letter to Santa, watch talented ice carvers and snow sculptors, and sample treats from a selection of food trucks on-site. Santa Claus will also take a break from the North Pole to visit the festival.

鈥淲e鈥檙e offering lots of family fun, for two full days,鈥� says 91原创 Coun. Paul Albrecht. 鈥淪taff have been excited to bring the two-day festival together and I can鈥檛 wait to share it with our neighbours.鈥�

The local focus for the seasonal celebration extends to local artisans and businesses.

Inside the Timms Centre, the 91原创 Arts Council will host an Artisan Craft Market featuring more than 40 holiday arts and crafts vendors. Visit from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday. The will also offer a prize draw for $500 Downtown Dollars each day, so be sure to drop by and enter!

The Magic of Christmas Festival replaces the former parade which had experienced some challenges in recent years due to increased safety concerns for participants and spectators, escalating traffic control costs due to WorkSafeBC regulations, and fewer parade float entries, Albrecht says, adding that spreading the festivities over the weekend will also allow more people to participate.

Plan your weekend at the Magic of Christmas Festival:

WHEN: Saturday, Dec. 3 from noon to 8 p.m., and Sunday, Dec. 4 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

WHERE: Timms Community Centre, .

Saturday entertainment:

• noon to 12:45 p.m. 鈥� The Beauty Shop Dolls
• 1 to 1:45 p.m. 鈥� Santa鈥檚 Saxes
• 2 to 2:45 p.m. 鈥� The Beauty Shop Dolls
• 3 to 3:45 p.m. 鈥� Santa鈥檚 Saxes
• 4 to 4:45 p.m. 鈥� Johnny Elvis n鈥� Friends do Christmas
• 5 to 5:45 p.m. 鈥� Silver Diamond Country Dancers
• 6 to 6:45 p.m. 鈥� Johnny Elvis n鈥� Friends do Christmas
• 7 to 7:45 p.m. 鈥� The Seabillys

Sunday entertainment:

• 10 to 10:45 a.m. 鈥� Johnny Elvis n鈥� Friends do Christmas
• 11 to 11:45 a.m. 鈥� Santa鈥檚 Saxes
• noon to 12:45 p.m. 鈥� Dimes Holiday Trio
• 1 to 1:45 p.m. 鈥� Santa鈥檚 Saxes
• 2 to 2:45 p.m. 鈥� Dimes Holiday Trio
• 3 to 3:45 p.m. 鈥� VOC Sweet Soul Choir

More ways to celebrate

Also coming up is the City of 91原创鈥檚 Christmas Light Tour and a Christmas Scavenger Hunt, returning after last year鈥檚 popular inaugural event. The scavenger hunt will be available online throughout the holiday season for everyone to download and enjoy.

And of course, watch your 91原创 Advance Times for the annual colouring contest!

Learn more about the City of 91原创鈥檚 Magic of Christmas Festival