Friday, March 29, 2024

12 things to do in and around Victoria this weekend: Nov 25-26

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Doesn’t Halloween seem ages ago?

The final weekend of November means Christmas spirit is in full force, and the Greater Victoria region will morph into a smorgasbord of lights, causes for charity, and fantastic family events.

Check out our 12 things to do in and around Victoria this weekend!

All weekend events

Out of Hand Christmas Craft Fair 2017

  • What: Calling all holiday market lovers – this is a big one! A wide variety of locally made crafts, artisan food, and handmade, one-of-a-kind fashion will be on display this weekend. The fair not only showcases the works of well-established artisans but will also feature products made by new, up-and-coming designers. There will be live entertainment and enough amazing door prizes to make you never want to leave this holiday wonderland.
  • Where: Victoria Conference Center, 720 Douglas St.
  • When: Saturday 10:00am – 6:00pm, Sunday 10:00am – 4:30pm.
  • Cost: Adult $9, Weekend pass $10, Kids under 12 free.

Habitat for Humanity Gingerbread Showcase

  • What: Run, run as fast as you can so you can go see the gingerbread man! The annual gingerbread showcase is back for its 9th year in a row, and it’s bigger and sweeter than ever before. A combination of the works of amateur and professional bakers across Vancouver Island, this year’s event is themed “Celebrating Canada”. So prepare to see (and smell) everything you love about Canada – from its people to its structures and landscapes. The event raised over $50,000 last year!
  • Where: The Parkside Hotel & Spa atrium, 810 Humboldt Street
  • Cost: Free. Vote by donation!

BC Children’s Hospital Festival of Trees

  • What: Over 80 local businesses and organizations have rooted their decorated Christmas trees throughout the mall, in a jaw dropping show of holiday spirit. Each one of these trees hopes to win the coveted “People’s Choice” Award, and this is where you step in! All you have to do is cast your vote for your favourite tree with a donation to the B.C. Children’s Hospital.
  • Where: The Bay Centre,
  • When: Saturday 9:30am – 9:00pm. Sunday, 10:00am – 6:00pm.
  • Cost: Free. Vote by donation!

Winter Veranda

  • What: Enjoy a selection of hot beverages in Christmas spirit and well known Christmas bites while delighting in s’mores around the fire. Take in Victoria’s sparking Inner Harbor!
  • Where: The Empress veranda, 721 Government Street.
  • When: 4:00pm – close.
  • Cost: Depends what you decide to eat and drink!

Saturday, November 25th

Victoria Royals vs. Seattle Thunderbirds

  • What: The Victoria Royals take on the Seattle Thunderbirds in the second of a back-to-back set! The Royals are the WHL’s highest scoring team and they take on the WHL’s defending Champions. A match made in heaven!
  • Where: Save-On-Foods Memorial Centre
  • When: Puck drop is 7:05pm.
  • Cost: Tickets start at $18.50.

Tree Light up in Bastion Square

  • What: Join Threshold Housing for a Tree Lighting Ceremony in Bastion Square to Shine A Light On Youth! Their goal is to light the largest tree in Bastion Square with 10,000 lights. There will be live music and free hot chocolate to soothe the soul. Come down with your friends and family to gather and let youth in this region know that there is a community supporting them! For every $10 a bulb on the tree will be lit. Help them hit 10,000 lights! Lights flip on at 4pm.
  • Where: Bastion Square
  • When: 1:00pm – 4:00pm.
  • Cost: Free! $10 donation to light up a bulb.

Island Farms Santa’s Light Up Parade

  • What: Kick off the 2017 holiday season with a festive Victoria tradition! Make sure to arrive early for a good view of the floats, bands, and entertainment, which kick off at 5:00 p.m. The parade will run along Government Street from Belleville to Fisgard/Centennial Square. Afterwards, join Santa for some milk and cookies in Centennial Square and watch the annual Christmas Tree Light-up at 7:00 p.m.
  • Where: Centennial Square
  • When: 4:00pm – 8:00pm.
  • Cost: Free

Big Bad John’s Day 2

  • What: Join the folks at Big Bad John’s as they celebrate one of Victoria’s most storied bars! For a full fourteen hours. Everyone that attends will receive an extremely limited-edition commemorative, numbered print, specially commissioned just for this event. A stupendous keepsake! “Hillbilly attire” is encouraged, but certainly not required. There will be some special prizes for costumes.
  • Where: Big Bad John’s, 919 Douglas Street.
  • When: 12:00pm – 2:00am.
  • Cost: No cover

Dreaming of a Jewish Christmas

  • What: Set largely in a Chinese restaurant, Dreaming of a Jewish Christmas, is an offbeat, irreverent musical documentary that tells the story of a group of Jewish songwriters, including Irving Berlin, Mel Tormé, Jay Livingston, Ray Evans, Gloria Shayne Baker and Johnny Marks, who wrote the soundtrack to Christianity’s most musical holiday.  It’s an amazing tale of immigrant outsiders who became irreplaceable players in pop culture’s mainstream – a generation of songwriters who found in Christmas the perfect holiday in which to imagine a better world, and for at least one day a year, make us believe in it.
  • Where: Vic Theatre, 808 Douglast St.
  • When: 7:00pm. Doors open 30 minutes prior to screening time.
  • Cost: $10.48.

Sunday, November 26th

 Merry & Bright 2017 Live & Silent Auction

  • What: Tis the season! Check out a live and silent auction, a complimentary tasting hour, and delicious cocktail catering at a signature holiday fundraiser in one of the city’s most beautiful downtown venues, The Atrium. All proceeds support Intrepid Theatre. Naughty or nice, this is one holiday event you want on your calendar! Theatre tickets, gift packages, and unique one of-a-kind experiences will be up for auction and make the perfect gift for anyone on your Christmas List.
  • Where: The Atrium, 800 Johnson Street.
  • When: Silent auction bidding starts at 6:30pm, tasting hour at 7:30pm, live auction at 8:00pm.
  • Cost: $50

Oak Bay Village Light Up

  • What: One of Victoria’s most enchanting villages will elevate its charm on Sunday, November 26th, as the 2017 Oak Bay Christmas Festival kicks off. The celebration will transform the end of Oak Bay Ave into a rich display of Christmas lights, while the streets and sidewalks burst with community spirit, family activities, music, and Christmas crafts. the 12 days of Christmas will be energetically led by MC Bill Murphy-Dyson, followed by a Light Up countdown. Santa will make his much anticipated entrance immediately after the lights go on, arriving on an Oak Bay firetruck and sticking around to star in your family photos.
  • Where: Oak Bay Village
  • When: Family activities start at 2pm, on-stage entertainment starts at 3pm.
  • Cost: Free!

105th Grey Cup at Bartholomew’s Pub

  • What: Join the fine folks at Bart’s for the 105th Grey Cup game between the Calgary Stampeders and the Toronto Argonauts. They will have complete coverage of the game beginning at 3 pm, and it will be shown on their laser big screen, with full audio. Their double seafood Caesar will be on special all day and happy hour is 3:30 pm – 6:00 pm.
  • Where: Bartholomew’s Pub, 777 Douglas Street
  • When: Kick off is 3:00pm.
  • Cost: Depends on what you order!
Jeremy Weeres
Jeremy Weeres
Victoria Royals and hockey writer at Victoria Buzz

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