In the absence of the Spirit of Kamloops tours the 2141 Locomotive will be the site of a stationary holiday fundraiser this weekend.

Image Credit: Kamrail.com

KAMLOOPS – While some people will be too busy trying to buy last minute gifts for their friends and family to enjoy any of the activities taking place this final weekend before Christmas, there is lots for those of us already done shopping to enjoy and the weather looks like it will cooperate for the many outdoor activities as well.

Up to five centimetres of snow Friday followed by highs of -2 Celsius and 0 C this weekend with lows of only -5 C and -3 C will leave the city feeling wintery without being too cold, the perfect setting for activities like sledding, hiking or snowshoeing, or events involving sleighs or trains.

Several events continue to run this weekend. Woodwards Christmas Trees will host the final weekend of tree hunting fun that includes a hayride, concession and bonfire. The Wildlights display at B.C. Wildlife Park, continues through Jan. 5 as well. Santa will be visiting the zoo every evening through Christmas Eve.

If you're in the mood for some theatre, The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe is playing at the Pavillion Theatre through Sunday. If you are already planning what to do during the winter break, The Laughing Stock Theatre will be presenting Aladdin-The Panto!, Christmas Eve through Dec. 31 at the Sagebrush Theatre.

The Ranch in Pritchard is offering sleigh rides, with bonfire and hot chocolate through Sunday and B3 Kinds will be performing at St. Andrews on the Square Friday evening. Saturday, the Unitarian Fellowship will host a Winter Solstice Celebration at Valleyview Community Hall from 4-5 p.m.

Saturday Rainbow's Roost is also hosting a hayride and brunch with Santa from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. (tickets are $10.99 and up) while BIG Little Science Centre is hosting a static electricity show at 11 a.m. and 1:30 p.m.

If you're missing the Spirit of Christmas train rides this year, why not reserve a night out with the Kamloops Heritage Railway Society. The group is hosting fundraisers Dec. 19-22 to help restore the 2141 Steam Locomotive. There will be festive decorations and lights. Christmas characters, including Santa, will be on hand and hot chocolate and goodies will be served in the vintage dining car.

Sun Peaks is also hosting several Christmas related events over the next few days, including Skating with Santa on Sunday, Skiing with Santa and the Handbell Choir on Monday and Breakfast with Santa on Christmas Eve.

And for those not quite done shopping and preferring to avoid the malls and stores there is a flea market at the school gymnasium next to the PowWow grounds from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Sunday and the Holiday Magic show at the Old Courthouse Gallery (through Dec. 24) where artisan works are on display and for sale.

To contact a reporter for this story, email jstahn@infotelnews.ca, call (250)819-3723 or tweet @JennStahn.

This story was updated at 8:36 a.m., Dec. 20, 2013 to add more events.

News from © iNFOnews, 2013