Good morning Abbotsford and Happy 2026! Every week we start off the newsletter with an interesting piece of information to share. This week we want to let you know that honey never spoils! Archaeologists have even found edible honey pots in Egyptian tombs. 🍯

In today’s Abby Insider:

Let’s get the show on the road.

Our first piece of good news of the year is one of thanks and gratitude. From everyone at the Abby Insider we wish you and your family an amazing 2026 and a happy new year! We wish you nothing but the best for the upcoming year and are excited to share all the good news, eats, and events our city has to offer!

A new Anytime Fitness is set to open at West Oaks Mall. The gym will take over an 8,000-square-foot space near Party City and Canadian Blood Services and is expected to open in spring 2026. This will be the third Anytime Fitness location in Abbotsford, giving locals another 24/7 workout option right in the heart of the city. A nice boost for the mall — and for anyone looking to squeeze in a workout anytime of day.

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Local realtors and community volunteers across the Fraser Valley teamed up for the annual Realtors Care Blanket Drive and collected an amazing 907 bags of blankets, coats and other winter gear to help people stay warm this season — enough to support roughly 9,000 residents from Abbotsford to North Delta in need of extra warmth. More than 70 volunteers and 20 charities, including Abbotsford’s Cyrus Centre youth shelter, joined the effort, which is now in its 31st year, and organizers say every donation makes a real difference for vulnerable neighbours facing the cold.

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Noah was the most popular name for newborn babies in 2025, dethroning last year’s most popular name, Oliver. Noah was also first place in 2022 and 2023.

The top 10 baby names in British Columbia for the year 2025 were Noah, Oliver, Theodore, Liam, Olivia, Charlotte, Jack, Henry, Sophia and James.

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Click here: To view the full property & plan your showing!

Click here: To view the full property & plan your showing!

Click here: To view the full property & plan your showing!

Have your listing featured with us by emailing: [email protected]

WinterFEST final day of holiday activities (skating, swimming, camps).

LOCATION:

Abbotsford Recreation Centre – Camps for ages 3-5, 5-8, and 9-12.
Matsqui Recreation Centre – Camps for ages 7-12.

The EcoFarm Discovery Centre DAY PASS opens on Saturday at 10 am and gives you access to explore the Dairy Barn and Discovery Zone. You will be invited inside the barn to meet the cows face to face, push up their feed, see them interact with one another, see the cow brush and robotic milker in action, spend time in the Discovery Zone with the hands-on displays designed by Science World, and watch the EcoDairy movie in the mini-theater.

LOCATION:

EcoFarm Discovery Centre, 1356 Sumas Way

Family Board Game Sunday at the Boardwalk Cafe. Kids 12 and under are free when playing games with an accompanying adult. Also, kid’s milkshakes are $1.00 off!

LOCATION:

Boardwalk Cafe, 33760 Essendene Avenue

JAN 6 & 7 Your Abbotsford Canucks will be hosting the Bakersfield Condors at the Rogers Forum. Puck drop is at 7 pm.

6 🌡️ 4 | 🌧️ | 35% |

8 🌡️ 5 | 🌧️ | 75% |

8 🌡️ 4 | 🌧️ | 75% |

Thank you for all who emailed in this week and letting us know your favourite restaurant in the city. An overwhelming majority of you love Greek Islands. Tune in next week for our first Dish of the Week article courtesy of you the voters and Greek Islands!

Recommend a Dish of the Week by emailing: [email protected]

Meet Milo! A four year old pure bred shih tzu, born into royalty. You can immediately tell his personality was akin to that of a prince. Milo chooses when to socialize, when to sleep, and when to potty. A weakness for belly rubs wanes on his prominent stature, a weakness to exploit for cuddles. However prestigious and royal, Milo is loyal, loving and caring. With an estate ready to inherit, Milo sits atop the throne.

Thank you for taking time out of your day to read the Abby Insider this week, we appreciate you! If you enjoyed it, please share our newsletter with the link below for a chance to win a $50 gift card to one of the restaurants in our Dish of the Week section for the month (winner will be drawn at the end of the month). Every 3 referrals will get you an entry and there is no limit on the number of entries so let everyone know about us… See you next week Abbotsford!🍓