Odds are the central Island will have another green Christmas, so Nanaimo parks, recreation and culture is supplying the white stuff over the holidays.
Frank Crane Arena is the site of the annual Winter Wonderland Dec. 26-30 with a Rideau Canal theme.
Admission is $1 with free skate and helmet rentals.
Public skate times include: Dec. 26 – 11:45 a.m. to 3 p.m.; Dec. 27 – 11:45 a.m. to 4:45 p.m. and 7:45 -9:30 p.m.; Dec. 28 – 11:45 a.m. to 4:45 p.m. and 7:45 -9:30 p.m.; Dec. 29 – 11:45 a.m. to 4:45 p.m. and 7:45 -9:30 p.m.; and Dec. 30 – 11:45 a.m. to 4:45 p.m. and 7:45 -9:30 p.m.
The arena is also available for private functions. Please call 250-756-5200 for rental information.
Meanwhile, staying up to midnight to welcome in the new year can be a chore for a lot of people, so parks, recreation and culture has the answer.
The city is hosting Mardi Gras, Finale 2012 Dec. 31 at Beban Park recreational centre with a pair of countdowns to 2013 (8 p.m. and 10 p.m.) for those too tired to last the night or wanting to take in some more fun at the stroke of midnight.
But, before the countdown, participants can enjoy swimming at Beban Pool, skating at Frank Crane Arena or activities including face painting, balloon animals and crafts in the social centre from 5-9:30 p.m.
For those hockey enthusiasts who have missed the hockey season, they can enjoy a table and box hockey room.
Stage entertainment at the social centre runs from 6:30-10 p.m. with Somenos Drum Line children’s musical entertainer Ian Johnstone, magician Greg Ladret and circus artist Jake West.
For the later crowd, the VIBE dance group Footclan, Johnstone, West and singer Jayden Holman takes the fun right to the final countdown.