Q to Q 2026 Fare Increase + Beading Workshop

Inside the New West Spotlight

 ☁️ Weather - Mainly Cloudy

 😜 Rain Joke - What do you call a cloud that likes to gossip? 🔈️🙊 

 🗓️ New West Events - Closing the year strong with a lineup of impactful events.

 🗞️ New West Local News - Q to Q 2026 Fare Increase + Beading Workshop

 😆 Meme of the Day

 📧 Did someone forward you our New West Spotlight? You can Subscribe Here!

Read New West Spotlight Online

December 31, 2025

🌱 Snowy Sprouts: Plant Secrets for Seasonal Survival – 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM

💰️ Financial Aid (Welfare) Worker at NWPL – 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM

👶 Mom + Baby Meet Up at Cove Indoor Play – 11:00 AM to 12:30 PM

❓️ Georgie's Local Trivia Night – 7:00 PM

🏃 Steel & Oak Run Club – 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM

🧑‍🤝‍🧑 Connect Youth (13+) – 7:00 PM to 9:30 PM

❓️ Frankie G’s Trivia Night – 7:30 PM

🌟 Mystical New Year's Eden - A Famous 5 – 7:30 PM to 2:00 AM

🎆 Spirit 5 at Elks Club – 8:00 PM to 12:00 AM

🌟 New Year's Eve DJ Party at Kelly O'Bryan's – 8:00 PM to 12:30 AM

🎇 New Year's Eve Party 2026 at River's Reach Pub – 8:00 PM to 1:00 AM

🧨 NYE 2026 at Georgie’s Local – 9:00 PM to Late

✨ 2026 New Year Party at Match Eatery – 9:00 PM to Late

🎇 NYE DJ Party at Sapperton District – 9:00 PM to Late

⭐️ New Year's Eve at Begbie's – 9:00 PM to 1:00 AM

🧨 New Year's Party at RedBar – 10:00 PM

January 01, 2026

🌱 Snowy Sprouts: Plant Secrets for Seasonal Survival – 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM

💑 City Love Scavenger Hunt For Couples - New West Area – 1:00 PM

📚️ Drop-in Wildfires Bookshop – 5:45 PM

🎙️ Georgie's Local Karaoke Night – 7:00 PM

🎭️ Howe Sound New West Bingpot! Thursday Trivia – 7:00 PM

🎙️ The Terminal Pub Colossal Thursdays Karaoke – 7:00 PM to 10:00 PM

🎤 Notorious Grey Fox Open Mic Jam – 7:00 PM to 11:00 PM

🧑‍🍳 New Westminster Digital Christmas Cookbook
❤️ Support RCH • Last Day!

January 02, 2026

🌱 Snowy Sprouts: Plant Secrets for Seasonal Survival – 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM

💑 City Love Scavenger Hunt For Couples - New West Area – 1:00 PM

🎲 Friendsday Night Board Games – 6:00 PM to 11:30 PM

🎲 Howe Sound Hitmix Bingo – 7:00 PM

🎙️ Howe Sound New West Karaoke Night – 7:00 PM

🎙️ Weekly Karaoke Every Friday – 7:00 PM to 11:00 PM

🧜 The Little Mermaid at Massey Theatre – 7:30 PM

🎸 Live Music at The Terminal - Mike Van Eyes – 8:30 PM to 11:30 PM

🎙️ Notorious Grey Fox Karaoke Friday Nights – 9:00 PM until Close

 Support RCH 🧑‍🍳 New Westminster Digital Christmas Cookbook ❤️ Last Chance

✨🚢 Q to Q Ferry Rates Set to Increase in 2026 Following City Council Debate

New Westminster City Council has approved a fare increase for the Q to Q Ferry beginning in 2026, following discussion during council deliberations on upcoming city fees and rates.

The proposed changes were part of a broader review of municipal costs, but Q to Q Ferry fares prompted the most debate among councillors. While the increase represents an approximately 11 per cent rise, council members noted that the actual impact to riders amounts to about 25 cents per trip.

Councillor Daniel Fontaine voiced opposition to the increase, citing concerns about its effect on vulnerable residents who rely on the ferry for regular transportation. Other members of council, including the Mayor, emphasized that the ferry service is heavily subsidized by the City, at a cost of approximately $800,000 per year, and that modest fare adjustments help ensure the service can continue.

Council also noted that feedback from Queensborough residents suggested support for a small increase if it meant maintaining reliable ferry operations. The Mayor highlighted that the City has secured a five-year contract with the ferry operator, a notable achievement given the challenges of finding companies willing to operate the service.

In the end, council approved fare increases for multi-use tickets, while agreeing to reduced increases for concession fares.

🧵✨ Hands-On Beading Workshop Brings Indigenous Artistry to the Quay

New Westminster residents are invited to slow down, create, and connect at a hands-on Beading Workshop led by Métis/Swampy Cree/Ojibwe artist Pam Nowell on Saturday, January 31, 2026, at the Fraser River Discovery Centre.

During this immersive three-hour workshop, participants will learn flat-stitch beading techniques while creating a beautiful beaded piece of their own. Guided step by step by Pam, attendees can choose to bead either a vibrant strawberry or a playful mushroom, with all materials and tools provided. No prior beading experience is required—just curiosity and a love of making things by hand.

Designed for participants 16 years and older, the workshop offers a welcoming space to learn traditional techniques, develop new skills, and leave with a finished piece to take home. Pre-registration is required, and early bird pricing is available until January 10.

Set along the Fraser River, this workshop offers a meaningful way to spend an afternoon learning, creating, and celebrating Indigenous art and storytelling through beadwork.

Register Early to Save Your Spot!

⛈️ Rain Joke of the Day 🌧️ 

🌧️ What do you call a cloud that likes to gossip? 🔈️🙊 

A rumor cloud! 🗣️ 

Meme of the Day

Brought to you by New West Spotlight Daily Digital Newsletter

What’s faster than word of mouth? New West Spotlight! It keeps you updated on what is happening locally and connects businesses to our vibrant community.

Who else do you know in New West who might also enjoy reading the New West Spotlight?

Click to Share the newsletter

Want to see your local business in the spotlight?
We’d love to feature you in an upcoming issue of New West Spotlight, where thousands of New West residents discover what’s new and local.

 Check out our feature options here.

Not a business owner but have a favorite local spot?

Tell us all about it - email us at [email protected]