Next month, the holidays officially arrive in North Vancouver with a popular free festival at the Shipyards. The Spirit of the Season Festival will be held on Saturday, December 2 from 4 to 8 p.m.

In the Lonsdale area, the Carrie Cates location will be transformed into a wonderland with lots of festivities, live music, ice skating and free hot chocolate. You can also watch the arrival of Santa and Mrs. Claus and the lighting of the giant Christmas tree. The festivities will also include a welcome ceremony and performance by the Eagle Song Dancers.

"People tell me all the time how much they love the shipyard, especially around the New Year holidays," North Vancouver's mayor said in a statement. The Shipyards area is designed to bring people together.