Thursday, March 28, 2024

17 things to do in and around Victoria this weekend, December 28th – 29th

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Christmas Day has come and gone, but it doesn’t mean that there are no more holiday events! In fact, it’s quite the opposite. Victoria is beginning to awaken and gear itself up for a busy and exciting 2020. 

So, without further ado, here are a full 17 things to do in and around Victoria this weekend, December 28th and 29th.

CFAX Santa’s Anonymous

On Saturday December 28th, CFAX Santas Anonymous will be at Centennial Square giving away glow sticks (while supplies last), having a draw by donation for 2 Canucks Tickets for a game in January, and collecting gently used and new coats for children in need! 

Help support this beloved charity that has been at the forefront of helping people in Victoria for over 40 years. 

  • When: Saturday, December 28th
  • Where: Centennial Square, 1 Centennial Square

Lights of Wonder 

From December 20 through January 4, Centennial Square will become a visual, playful lightscape. Lights of Wonder is a magical urban oasis where people of all ages and backgrounds can come together and celebrate the season. 

Admission is free, though donations are accepted, so residents and tourists alike can enjoy Lights of Wonder as many times as they like.

  • When: December 20th through January 4th, 4:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. 
  • Where: Centennial Square, 1 Centennial Square

Sashay Café

Come beat the post-Christmas blues with some drag! Victoria’s open stage all-ages drag show is back again with an incredible line up. 

Sashay Café is a cozy monthly drag show taking place at Caffé Fantastico in the heart of Quadra Village. The coffee bar will be open, and alcohol and food will also be available for purchase, all in the name of supporting local drag artists!

  • When: Saturday, December 28th, doors at 7:00 p.m., show at 7:45 p.m.
  • Where: Caffé Fantastico, 965 Kings Road

Royals vs. Prince George Cougars

The Cougars beat the Royals the last time the teams played, but that was only after the Royals beat them five times in a row in their season series. Will the Cougars make it two in a row or will the Royals continue their domineering ways? Head to the Save-On-Foods Memorial Centre to find out! 

  • When: Saturday, December 28th, doors at 6:00 p.m., puck drop at 7:05 p.m.
  • Where: Save-On-Foods Memorial Centre, 1925 Blanshard Street

Festival of Trees Victoria

The Festival of Trees is back at the Bay Centre! A community tradition that has become the unofficial kick-off to the holiday season in Victoria. 

Head down to the Bay Centre, grab your favourite holiday beverage, and tour the trees that have been beautifully decorated.

Support BC Children’s Hospital by making a donation and voting for your favourite tree. Funds raised through this event help meet the most critical health needs of kids in BC.

  • When: Trees are on display until January 6 during opening hours
  • Where: The Bay Centre, 1150 Douglas Street

The Gift at the Royal Theatre

Enjoy another year of Ballet Victoria’s holiday tradition — the theme is the same, but the shows always very different!

Accompanied by the Victoria Symphony playing Tchaikovsky’s timeless score, this modern take on The Nutcracker follows Clara on a reimagined Christmas classic journey filled with wonderful new characters. From Harlequin dolls to dragons and fairies, a few mice and a Nutcracker ballerina, The Gift is a fun and festive performance for the whole family.

  • When: 
    • Saturday, December 28th, 2:00 p.m.
    • Sunday, December 29th, 2:00 p.m.
  • Where: The Royal Theatre, 805 Broughton Street

Atomic Vaudeville Cabaret 82 

Join Atomic Vaudeville to ring in the New Year as they travel through time and space to take you to the precipice of live entertainment. 

The show features Musk (the Tech Jesus, not the smell), as well as Baby Yoda — so those should be all the reasons you need.

  • When: Sunday, December 29th, 7:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.
  • Where: Victoria Event Centre, 1415 Broad Street

Sixth Annual Victoria Buzz Christmas Lights Map

Grab hot chocolates for the family, hop in the car, tune into 98.5 The Ocean, and crank up the music as you head out on the Christmas trail!

With so many light displays around the capital region, we wanted to narrow down some of the best spots to catch the lights around town.

  • When: Anytime this weekend
  • Where: Three separate routes in Victoria, Saanich Peninsula, and West Shore

Charlotte’s Web: The Musical 

A beloved family favourite returns for the holiday season. The classic story of friendship, based on the book by E.B. White, will warm hearts young and old as it charms its way on stage with lively music, loveable characters, and a pinch of Kaleidoscope magic.

When: 

  • Saturday, December 28th, 2:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m.
  • Sunday, December 29th, 2:00 p.m.
  • Where: McPherson Playhouse, 3 Centennial Square

Royal BC Museum Maya: The Great Jaguar Rises exhibition

A rare artifact crucial to determining hitherto unknown facts about the ancient Mayan civilization has just made its way to Victoria.

  • When: On now until December 31, 2019
  • Where: Royal BC Museum, 675 Belleville Street

Brunch at the Victoria Public Market

All your favourite Public Market vendors are open and serving a wide range of amazing brunch foods, including breakfast bagels from Shatterbox, vegan chicken and waffles from Very Good Butchers, and brunch carbonara from La Pasta. Honestly, we’re getting hungry just writing about this. 

  • When: Every Saturday and Sunday from now until Sunday, December 29th, 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
  • Where: The Victoria Public Market, 1701 Douglas Street

A Very Potter Marathon

Just in time for the holidays, the Victoria Film Festival presents A Very Merry Potter Marathon at The Vic Theatre! Watch your favourite Harry Potter films on the big screen and experience the magic of Hogwarts in the Vic lobby, complete with games, prizes, butter beer, and snacks!

Muggles are tolerated, thankfully, so let the Magic Begin!

  • When: 
    • “Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix,” Saturday December 28th, 4:00pm
    • “Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince,” Saturday December 28th, 7:15pm
    • “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1,” Sunday December 29th, 4:00pm
    • “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2,” Sunday December 29th, 7:15pm
  • Where: The Vic Theatre, 808 Douglas Street

Mixtape / Music Exchange

Treat your ears to some new sounds with the CAVITY Curiosity Shop Music Exchange! No format is excluded — bring some CD-Rs, CDs, 8-tracks, vinyl, or DVDs full of mp3s, and you can leave with as much music as you came in with!

Any style of sound is welcomed. Whether it’s local music, noise, mix tapes, mix cds, acid jazz, or whatever you can come up with, if you think someone else should hear some new sounds and you’re done with it, then trade it in!

  • When: December 29th, 4:20 p.m.
  • Where: CAVITY Curiosity Shop, 2514 Douglas Street

11th annual Gingerbread Showcase

It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas at the Parkside Hotel! The showcase brings people of all skill levels together to compete against each other in a gingerbread house-making competition.

  • When: On now until Sunday, January 5th, 9 a.m. – 9 p.m
  • Where: Atrium of the Parkside Hotel, 810 Humboldt Street

Chanukah in the Arena

Continue your Chanukah celebrations with a day of skating and festivities at the Save-On-Foods Memorial Centre! Featuring giant Menorah lighting, Chanukah videos on the arena jumbotron, donuts, and – of course – latkes, this is a great family celebration hosted by Chabad of Vancouver Island. 

  • When: December 29th, 3:30 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
  • Where: Save-On-Foods Memorial Centre, 1925 Blanshard Street

Christmas at Craigdarroch Castle

Holiday lovers, rejoice – Christmas lasts the whole month of December at Craigdarroch Castle! Starting the first day of December, the Castle promises to bring holiday-themed theatre, music, movies and more for the entire family – all at one of Victoria’s most iconic landmarks.

Kicking off at Craigdarroch’s Museum Store on Sunday, December 1st, a special promotion offers shoppers from around the globe the chance to support local and start the busy holiday shopping season right.

‘Museum Store Sunday’ involves 1,200 retailers worldwide for the first time ever, and The Castle Shop will offer samples as well as special promotions and prizes throughout the day.

  • When: All December long! See the full schedule of events online
  • Where: Craigdarroch Castle, 1050 Joan Crescent

Winter Wonderland at the Bay Centre

Meet up with friends, family and colleagues at the Bay Centre this holiday season and take a walk through the Bay Centre Winter Wonderland in Centre Court.

You’ll experience the biggest indoor living tree display in downtown Victoria, featuring an interactive light tunnel – the place to be for your holiday pics!

  • When: On now until December 30, 2019
  • Where: The Bay Centre, 1150 Douglas Street

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