The Holidays are here!
Spice up your winter with some salsa dancing, curl up next to a fire in a cozy downtown bookstore, or watch some artists carve up some ice into beautiful frozen sculptures!
Without further ado, here’s 15 things to do in and around Victoria this weekend.
Cookeilidh – Christmas at Craigdarroch
If you want to really get into the Christmas spirit, you can visit the historic Craigdarroch Castle on Saturday and join Cookeilidh for an hour of lively Celctic yuletide music.
Cookeildh is a local Celtic band that uses traditional instruments like a 12-string guitar, fiddle, wooden Irish flute, electric bass, bodhran, and more to produce engaging and authentic sound.
When: December 22nd, 3 p.m. to 4 p.m.
Where: Craigdarroch Castle, 1050 Joan Crescent
Christmas Ornament Painting Adult Workshop
Creative Chameleon Art Studio is celebrating the holidays with an adult ornament painting night.
Perfect for a date night or as a last minute holiday gift, Creative Chameleon will be teaching visitors different painting techniques to help you craft the perfect decoration.
When: December 22nd, 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
Where: Creative Chameleon Art Studio, 2155 Sooke Road
Merry and Bright Saturdays at Bastion Books
This Saturday, celebrate the season with some bookish holiday cheer!
When you step into the tucked away gem that is Bastion Books, you can enjoy a roaring fire, some apple cider, and make some DIY paper crafts (like holiday cards, gift tags, and ornaments)
When: December 22nd, 10:30 a.m. to 5:30 pm.
Where: Bastion Books, 14 Bastion Square
The Further Adventures of Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer
The legendary Rudolph has been in more than just one Christmas adventure. This year, viewers can check out a cheerful holiday pantomime about everyone’s favourite reindeer, hosted by Pagliacci’s owner Howie Siegel.
Join Rudolph and friends in their fun-filled quest to save Santa in this 90 minute romp. Perfect for families with a relaxed approach to noise and movement from the audience.
When: December 22nd, 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.
Where: The Roxy, 2658 Quadra Street
Salsa Caliente Holiday Dance Party & Show
Escape the cold outside by heating things up on the dance floor!
This Saturday you can join Salsa Caliente for a holiday dance party and show. No experience or partner is necessary, just an eagerness to dance!
There will also be three brand new never seen before routines by Salsa Caliente’s Student Team, Bachata Team and Advanced Salsa Bootcamp and a special appearance by the Santa Baby Girls!
When: December 22nd, 8 p.m. to 12 a.m.
Where: Royal Oak Women’s Institute Hall, 4516 West Saanich Road
Fortune Gallery Winter Show
Every December Fortune Gallery holds a winter show, and this year’s is shaping up to be a great one!
For months leading up to the event, the art gallery searches for talented local artists and gets them to create new works of art for the holiday show.Refreshments are also available there!
When: December 22nd and 23rd, 12 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Where: Fortune Gallery, 537 Fisgard Street
10th Annual Gingerbread Showcase
This fun charitable event will showcase the gingerbread houses of both professional and amateur bakers.
Vote for your favourite sugary structure, and all donations will go towards Habitat Victoria’s Build Program for families in need. Last year, they had over 25,000 visitors and more than $51,000 was raised!
When: On now until Sunday, January 6th, 2019 – 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.
Where: The Parkside Hotel & Spa, 810 Humboldt Street
Festival of Trees at the Bay Centre
The 27th Annual Festival of Trees at the Bay Centre is here! See the Bay Centre transformed into a glowing forest of hand-decorated trees. Share in the spirit by voting for your favourite (like ours 😉), with all proceeds supporting the most urgent health care needs of kids in BC.
Trees will be on display at the Bay Centre starting November 15, 2018, through January 7th, 2019.
When: Daily until Jan 7 from 10 a.m. – 9 p.m. (during shopping centre hours)
Where: The Bay Centre, 1150 Douglas Street
Crafty Christmas in the Square: Ice Sculpture Demonstrations
During the entire month of December, fun and festive events are happening in Centennial Square every weekend.
This Sunday, the event is ice sculpture carving by Cool as Ice. You can come watch the sculptors transform blocks of ice into creative, holiday sculptures!
When: December 23rd, 1:30 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Where: Centennial Square, 1 Centennial Square
Ice Festival
There’s an ice festival happening at Pearkes Arena this weekend! Lace up those skates and join Superheros of Victoria for a fun and festive skate that also supports the BC’s Kids Fund charity.
When: December 23rd, 10 a.m. to 12: p.m.
Where: Pearkes Arena, 3100 Tillicum Road
Cheeky Charlie’s Bake Sale
People looking for delicious vegan treats have the perfect chance to pick some up on Saturday!
The bake sale will have tasty vegan Nanaimo bars, butter tarts, shortbread, and more! Ideal for anyone looking for a vegan dessert to bring to a Christmas gathering. Plus, 10% of all the day’s sales will go towards a Vancouver Island animal sanctuary!
When: December 23rd, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Where: Victoria Public Market, 1701 Douglas Street
Seasonal Traditions: Cultural Ways and Teachings
The winter season is time for a host of different traditions from many cultures. One that strikes particularly close to home is the practices of Indigenous cultures that are closely linked to the changing seasons.
The Royal BC is hosting stories and presentations on the wintertime customs of coastal First Nations.
When: December 23rd, 11 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.
Where: The Royal BC Museum, third floor theatre area – 675 Belleville Street
Swim with Santa
This weekend you can join Santa and his Elves for festive swim at Oak Bay Rec! The big man will be there taking part in games and activities, and there’ll be a scavenger hunt and hot chocolate stand by the pool.
When: Sunday, December 23rd, 1:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Where: Oak Bay Recreation Centre, 1975 Bee Street
Butchart Gardens’ Magic of Christmas
Victoria’s most iconic attraction is lit up for the holidays. Enjoy tens of thousands of Christmas lights while getting into the Christmas spirit and don’t forget about the ice rink!
This 31-year-old tradition takes a host of people setting up for two months to bring it to life – and there’s a reason why people love it so much. Go see for yourself!
When: Daily until early January
Where: 800 Benvenuto Ave, Brentwood Bay
5th annual Victoria Buzz Christmas Lights Tour Map
Grab hot chocolates for the family, hop in the car, tune into 98.5 The Ocean and crank up the Christmas carols, as you head out on the Christmas trail!
- When: In the evening when all the lights are twinkling 🙂
- Where: All over Greater Victoria
