Fleurs de Villes has been flower-bombing Vancouver every Christmas for the last four years and they're back with a vengeance for 2022. This year the "NOËLshow" will consist of 10 days of themed donuts, cocktails, workshops, and of course, flowers.
From Dec. 9 to 18, 50 elaborate displays by local florists will take over Downtown streets.
The self-guided walk will wind its way along busy shopping streets past couture mannequins dressed as ice-skaters, Mr. and Mrs. Fashion Claus and a Snow Queen. A glittering Eiffel Tower, flying reindeer, and a poinsettia tree will round out the walk with adorned doorways, archways, and fountains punctuating the way.
Several businesses are getting in on the fun this year too by offering floral-inspired flavours and activities.
Special food and drink to try during Fleurs de Villes
Hotels partnered with Fleurs de Villes, have floral-themed refreshments and dining experiences lined up. You can pop into the Pinnacle Hotel Harbourfront to try their "Night Before Christmas Hot Chocolate," kicked up with spiced rum and butterscotch (also available in a non-boozy version for a classic winter warmer). They even have gingerbread cookies to go with your drink, too.
Over at Showcase at the Marriott Pinnacle, after you admire their charming floral tribute to Hermey the Dentist Elf and Rudolph from the classic Christmas TV special, settle in for some seriously festive sips. Their holiday drinks menu is inspired by iconic holiday tunes, and you can even get six cocktails on your very own table-top Christmas Tree. There's a drink inspired by Rudolph, of course, as well as a smoky "Old Fashioned Christmas" and "Partridge in a Pom Tree" (where the usual pear is swapped for festive pomegranate, and the drink comes in a darling bird glass).
To carry on the cocktailing, Paradox Hotel's Karma Lounge is abuzz with its refreshing, bright, and citrus-forward "Pollinator" cocktail made with bee pollen. It's a beautiful sipper and a nice break from the often heavy and sweet flavours of Christmastime.
But if you can't resist something sweet, Lee's Donuts is operating a pop-up holiday cabin that has a special Fleurs de Villes sprinkle donut on the menu along with a floral donut installation out front. You can get several other staple Lee's Donuts at the "cabin," which is located at Bentall Centre and is open 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily for the duration of Fleurs de Villes.
People can also get their hands on some flowers of their own at the Waterfront Station pop-up market and the Bentall Centre Fleurs de Villes JARDIN festive floral workshops.
While you can't actually eat these sweet treats, be sure to stop by the Hyatt on Burrard to check out their gingerbread inspired floral installation as well as their beloved Gingerbread Lane, lined with amateur, professional, and student entries of whimsical, colourful, and awe-inspiring gingerbread creations.
The holiday spectacle comes hot on the heels Fleurs de Villes' Femme and Pride exhibits.
“The holiday season in our hometown of Vancouver is truly a magical time of year, so we’re delighted to be returning for our 4th annual NOËL show,” says Fleurs de Villes co-founder Karen Marshall in a press release. “This year’s floral trail will pop up throughout Robson Street and the surrounding downtown core, the perfect stage to bring together community partners, local businesses and talented florists, and to kick off the holiday season in style.”
According to the president and CEO of Downtown Van, last year’s floral trail brought thousands of visitors into the downtown core and they're hoping for similar numbers this year.
A map and listing of all the participating venues, displays, and florists are available via the Fleurs de Villes site.
Watch: Checking out the festive treats and drinks along the Fleurs de Villes Nöel route this month
@forkingawesomevia You DONUT want to miss it! #forkingawesome #vancouverbc #christmas #fleursdevilles 🎙️: @LindsayWR ♬ Rockin' Around The Christmas Tree - Brenda Lee
