Mission, BC rises above the north bank of the Fraser River, with a hilltop Benedictine abbey, a riverside heritage park and a reservoir trail tucked into the forest. Its downtown theatre has a lively late fall lineup, and the town's biggest winter night brings a parade by candlelight. Here are ideas for couples, each drawn from what local venues and the City of Mission have published.
A Night at the Clarke Theatre
Mission Comedy Classic: The Clarke Theatre, at 33700 Prentis Avenue, opens its holiday run with the Mission Comedy Classic on Friday, November 20 at 8 p.m. Jokers Canada brings touring headliners, including Syd Bosel and Damde Tschritter, with more names still to be announced. Laughing together is one of the easiest ways to shake off a long week.
Walk Like A Man: On Tuesday, November 24, Walk Like A Man celebrates the music of Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons, produced by West End performer Mark Halliday. The event page gives two times, a 7 p.m. show with doors at 6:30 p.m. in its description and 8 p.m. in its heading, so check your ticket and plan to arrive early.
A Holly Jolly Jill Barber Christmas: Jill Barber and her jazz quartet play the Clarke on Friday, November 27, from 8:30 to 9:30 p.m. Expect decades of beloved Christmas standards, such as I'll Be Home for Christmas, alongside heartfelt originals Barber wrote herself. It is an elegant, cozy evening made for sitting close.
Zachary Stevenson's Holly Jolly Christmas: Zachary Stevenson, known for his award winning turn in The Buddy Holly Story, returns on Sunday, December 6 at 4 p.m. His seasonal show blends Christmas classics with rock, and the afternoon start leaves the evening free for dinner together.
Banff Mountain Film Festival World Tour: Outdoor lovers can catch the Banff Centre Mountain Film Festival World Tour on Monday, December 7 or Tuesday, December 8, both at 8 p.m. Choose a night, then trade notes on which adventure you would try together.
Quiet Hours at Westminster Abbey
Westminster Abbey: The Benedictine monks of Westminster Abbey welcome visitors to their hilltop church, open Monday to Saturday from 5:30 a.m. to noon and 1:30 to 6 p.m., and on Sundays from 5:30 a.m. to noon and 2 to 6 p.m. The gardens and paths open Monday to Saturday from 1:30 to 4:30 p.m., and Sundays from 2 to 4 p.m. Please keep complete silence inside the church, stay on the paths, dress modestly, and leave the grounds by 6 p.m. A shared hour of stillness can say more than a long conversation.
Riverside Walks
Fraser River Heritage Park: Fraser River Heritage Park, off 5th Avenue east of Stave Lake Street, is Mission's largest park and a listed heritage site. Leisurely walking trails, a gazebo and a rose garden sit alongside some of the best views in the region, which the city rightly boasts about. Bring a thermos and claim a bench at sunset.
Hayward Lake Trails: Hayward Lake stays open year round when roads and weather allow. Its 10 km Reservoir Trail on the east side is for hikers only, while the 6 km Railway Trail on the west side welcomes walkers and cyclists, and together they loop 16 km around the water. From November 30 the gates open 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., so set out early and pick a shorter stretch if daylight is tight.
Local History Downtown
Mission Museum: Run by the Mission District Historical Society, the Mission Museum at 33201 2nd Avenue keeps fall hours on Fridays and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. until December 19. Spend a weekend morning learning how the town grew, then stroll downtown to compare what has changed.
The Candlelight Parade
40th Candlelight Parade: Mission's 40th Candlelight Parade fills downtown on Saturday, December 5. The Mission Regional Chamber of Commerce, which leads the event, lists a 6 p.m. start, while the city's event heading says 7 p.m., so arrive by 6 to find a good spot. Last year added fireworks for the first time, and organizers plan to do it again. Dress warmly and share a blanket at the curb.
Sample Date Itineraries
1. Stillness and Song (Fri Nov 27): Westminster Abbey gardens in the afternoon → dinner downtown → Jill Barber at the Clarke
2. Parade Saturday (Dec 5): Mission Museum in the morning → Heritage Park walk → Candlelight Parade
3. Trail and Film (Dec 7): Railway Trail at Hayward Lake → Banff Mountain films at 8 p.m.
Pro Tips for Memorable Dates
At the abbey, silence phones and keep voices low everywhere on the grounds.
Hayward Lake parking can fill, and re-entry is not allowed once the lot is full.
Parts of the Hayward trails pass through a working forest and may close temporarily.
The museum's fall season ends December 19.
Check each Clarke show's own page for the latest time before you go.
For the parade, plan parking early and bring extra layers.
Between monastery bells and theatre lights, Mission gives couples room to slow down and celebrate the season together.
Last reviewed: October 2026
Photo credits: Westminster Abbey tower by Joe Mabel as Joe Mabel, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons; Fraser River from the abbey by Takipoint123, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons; 1st Avenue, Mission by Chris McArdle, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons.