Gastown steam clock in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada

© J Duquette/iStock/Getty Image

The holidays continue. Boxing Day

As the last notes of Christmas carols linger in the air, Boxing Day arrives. This day is celebrated in Canada, the United Kingdom and several Commonwealth countries. In the past, it was customary for the wealthy to give boxes filled with gifts to their servants on the day after Christmas. The tradition evolved into a day for charitable giving to the less fortunate. Today, while the spirit of giving remains, it has transformed into a holiday centred around enjoying bustling sales and a lineup of football matches.

What's got steam, whistles and tourists pointing cameras? Yep, it's Vancouver's Gastown steam clock! Featured in today's image, this clock—built in 1977—is a clever blend of old-school vibe and modern steam power, imagined by horologist Raymond Saunders and metalwork specialist Doug Smith. It's a creative fix for an underground steam vent turned into a local legend. The clock uses steam power to drive its mechanisms, chugging out a puff of steam and a melodic whistle every quarter hour. Gastown itself is Vancouver's oldest neighbourhood, and the clock fits right into its cobblestone charm. Boxing Day crowds often pause to marvel at the steam clock's festive cheer, with its plumes of steam cutting through the winter chill.