Living in a small town during the Holiday Season is truly a magical experience, and the Alberni Valley is no exception. Here’s some of our favourite things to do in the Alberni Valley this Holiday Season.

The McLean Mill  

Take a trip to McLean Mill to visit Santa, see the Christmas lights, and check out the BCCHF Festival of Trees. Robbins & Company is excited to present the 2021 Heritage Light Up, alongside the BC Children’s Hospital Foundation Festival of Trees Event at McLean Mill. Reserve your evening stroll through the beautiful cedar trees, lit up with multicoloured Christmas lights, hot chocolate in hand, before heading inside to vote on your favourite Christmas Tree. This isn’t your typical Christmas display of blown up decorations and fake snow, instead, you’ll be transported back to the 1950’s, when the Mill was a bustling part of the Alberni community. Expect to see some tinsel, simple colorful lights, and you might even see the original Mr and Mrs Claus from the Woodward’s Christmas display. Be sure to dress warm, reserve your spot ahead of time bring a mask, and let your inner child enjoy the beautiful display.

Alberni Inlet

Take a day trip down the Alberni Inlet to Bamfield. The Lady Rose Marine Services are offering ½ price day trip sailings to Bamfliend for December and January. The Alberni Inlet is rich in history and breathtaking to sail down, especially once the snow has fallen. As you sail down the Inlet, surrounded by snow covered forest, the water calm and relaxing, you’ll be transported from your daily worries to a magical breath of fresh air. Explore Bamfield and it’s historic logging communities, before sailing back to Port Alberni. Enjoy a variety of menu items aboard the Packet Freighter, such as sandwiches, bacon and eggs, and snack foods. Be sure to dress appropriately with warm clothes, a rain jacket, and sturdy shoes.

Alberni Multiplex

Transport into a Winter Wonderland at the Alberni Multiplex and enjoy a free skate. Over ten local businesses have sponsored this year’s West Coast Winter Wonderland, providing free admission and skate rentals to the community. The Alberni Multiplex goes all out for their Winter Wonderland display; multi coloured lights, giant inflatable decorations, and of course Christmas music! Take the entire family and enjoy an afternoon skating, laughing, and having fun.

Christmas Light Drive

Go for a drive down Johnson and Gertrude before heading over to Argyle and 3rd Ave to check out the Christmas lights. The city goes out of their way to spruce up and bring festivity to the streets of Port Alberni; with lights and characters strung over the streets, and tree covered lights along the sidewalks. It’s a beautiful display that is sure to bring some magic into your Holiday Season.

The Alberni Valley does a fantastic job of bringing joy and cheer to the community during the Holiday Season. We hope that you have a magical Holiday Season and a Happy New Year!

Written by Megan Warrender, at the Valley Vibe. Port Alberni’s fast growing community and online magazine. The passion here at the Valley Vibe is to showcase the beautiful of our valley for all who live here, and travel through. Working together with many talented writers, we at the Valley Vibe love to explore, discover and uncover secret jewels about Port Alberni and Sproat Lake.