Heritage Christmas at Burnaby Village Museum: 2020 event cancelled until further notice due to coronavirus restrictions in BC

Burnaby's biggest Christmas display cancelled until further notice due to COVID-19 restrictions (UPDATED)

Plans for the annual Heritage Christmas event in Burnaby are "cancelled until further notice" as of Nov. 20.

Burnaby Village Museum Heritage Christmas celebrations. File photo by Jennifer Gauthier

UPDATE: Burnaby has temporarily pulled the plug on planned festivities at their annual Heritage Christmas event.

"In response to the recently issued Provincial Health Order, Heritage Christmas at the Burnaby Village Museum is cancelled until further notice," said the City of Burnaby on Nov. 20.

Organizers are asking the public to check back for updates. We will provide updates to this story if anything changes.

Original story follows below.

A Christmas tradition is set to continue in Burnaby this season, but with new coronavirus safety protocols in place.

Heritage Christmas at the Burnaby Village Museum, presented by Concord Pacific, returns for the holiday season beginning Nov. 21 with light displays and historical exhibits in the 1920s village.

“Visiting Burnaby Village Museum during Heritage Christmas is a beloved tradition for many families,” said Mayor Mike Hurley. “For many people, it’s just not Christmas until you’ve been to Heritage Christmas, and we’re happy to be hosting it again this year.”

Heritage Christmas runs until Jan. 1, 2021. Families can stop by the Burnaby Lake General Store and learn about popular store purchases in the 1920s or stop by the newly renovated Way Sang Yuen Wat Kee & Co. Herbalist shop to discover the role Chinese medicine has played in shaping communities like Burnaby.

Prior to visiting, families can download the 12 Days of Christmas Scavenger Hunt here, to self-guide them on a fun adventure that will have them searching through the village for each of the 12 gifts outlined in the popular Christmas song. Visitors can also grab a to-go treat from the Ice Cream Parlour using contactless payment.

The Carousel and gift shop remain closed.

Admission for Heritage Christmas is free and advance reservations are recommended. To meet physical distancing requirements, a limited number of people will be allowed into Burnaby Village Museum at one time. Visitors without reservations will be permitted entry only if there is space available.

Reservations are now open. To book your date and time please call Burnaby Village Museum at 604-297-4565 during office hours: Monday to Friday 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., and Saturday and Sunday 1:30-8:30 p.m.

Please note:

Limit of one reservation per phone call.
A maximum of six people can be booked per reservation request. At this time, all attendees should be from the same household.
Do not leave reservation requests on the voicemail. These requests will not be booked.

Safety information

COVID-19 safety protocols will be in place. Face masks are recommended at all times for visitors. Where physical distancing of two metres (six feet) cannot be maintained, visitors are required to wear a mask. Masks are required in all buildings. Contact information will be collected for the purpose of contact tracing.