‘Tis the season for giving, whether it’s at the IEOA Truck Light Convoy and Food Drive, the Skating with Santa event in Langford, or the Teddy Bear Toss with the Victoria Royals.
But don’t worry — there are lots of great places to treat yourself, too.
Here are 18 things to do in and around Victoria this weekend, December 7th to 8th.
21st Annual IEOA Truck Light Convoy and Food Drive
Vancouver Island’s loudest and largest parade takes place this weekend, as the IEOA Truck Light Convoy and Food Drive rolls its way from Ogden Point to the Western Speedway this weekend! The convoy features dozens of commercial trucks from the Island Equipment Owners Association (IEOA), all decked out in thousands of sparkling Christmas lights.
Check out our article here for more information on when and where you can view the trucks!
- When: Saturday, December 7th, 5:45 PM – 8:30 PM
- Where: Ogden Point to the Western Speedway. See route map in article for more info
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 New Twenties Variety Show
This is probably most artistic climate change-themed event you’ve ever been to. The New Twenties is a local literary magazine whose content centres around climate change and climate consciousness.
They’re holding a fundraiser before their official launch in 2020 with an event that includes poets, musicians, speakers, and even a drag show, with all performers revolving their art around the most pressing issue of our time.
- When: Saturday, December 7th, 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
- Where: Ollie Quinn, 531 Pandora Avenue
Pancake Breakfast with Santa
Join the Burnside Gorge Community Association for a delicious pancake breakfast, craft activities, musical entertainment for the entire family, and an opportunity to get your photo with Ole Saint Nick himself!
Tickets are available for individuals or at a discounted rate for families, so grab the minivan and maple syrup and head down.
- When: Saturday, December 7th, 9:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
- Where: Burnside Gorge Community Association, 471 Cecilia Road
The Dickens Fair
Come one, come all, to the Dickens Fair! Presented by the James Bay Market Society, this wintry celebration features more than 60 Vancouver Island artisans, a cafe, and children’s activities.
You don’t have to dress up as though you lived in a Dickensian world, but it certainly wouldn’t hurt!
- When: Saturday, December 7th, 10:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
- Where: James Bay Community Centre, 140 Oswego Street
Reel Careers in Film and Media Fair
Reel Careers in Film & Media is a free networking and information fair that offers the perfect opportunity to learn more about the growing film industry on Vancouver Island.
Network and chat with creative industry professionals, attend a workshop, or listen to one of their many panels aimed at getting started in this exciting field!
- When: Saturday, December 7th, 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
- Where: The Bay Centre, 1150 Douglas Street
Victoria Royals vs. Seattle Thunderbirds
Saturday night is the Royals’ teddy bear toss, one of the most beloved holiday traditions in Victoria.
Fans can bring their new or gently-used teddy bears to the game on Saturday and toss it onto the ice when the Royals score their first goal. All stuffed toys collected will be cleaned, dried, and delivered to local charities just in time for Christmas!
The first 2,000 fans will receive a Victoria Royals hockey card pack, and teddy bears are available to be purchased at the stadium for a $10 donation.
- When: Saturday, December 7th, doors at 6:00 p.m., puck drop at 7:05 p.m.
- Where: The Bay Centre, 1150 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
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
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
Saanichton Community Christmas
This Saturday, the Saanichton Village opens up to everyone for all sorts of fantastic holiday entertainment. There are treats, photos with Santa, a Grinch to visit, cookie and card decorations at the Pioneer Museum, and carriage rides from Tally Ho Carriage Tours!
- When: Saturday, December 7th, 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
- Where: Saanichton
Funk The Halls
Christmas and dance music — the two go together better than you’d think. This weekend may be your best chance to experience the mixture, as local DJ group The Funk Hunters take over the Capital Ballroom with their annual “Funk The Halls” show, a two-night holiday extravaganza with guests Balkan Bump, Jennay Badger, and Xavier.
If you prefer raves to carols, this is for you.
- When: Saturday, December 7th, 9:00 p.m. to 2:00 a.m.
- Where: Capital Ballroom, 858 Yates Street
Holiday Cookie Decorating — Ladies Night Edition
In this instructional workshop hosted by Schur to Please Boutique Cakery, participants will learn multiple royal icing techniques to take their holiday baking to the next level. No previous experience necessary as this class is suitable for beginners.
This is an adults-only event (bubbly is available!) and decorators will get to take their treats home in adorable customized packaging!
- When: Sunday, December 8th, 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
- Where: The Good Party Wedding Planner, 124-2770 Leigh Road
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
Esquimalt Celebration of Lights
Expect lots of floats, lighted vehicles and musical groups, and, of course, lights at this great free event! The Celebration of Lights is supported by volunteers, Esquimalt’s business community, and the township.
The event includes a parade from Canteen Road to the Archie Browning Centre; the light-up of the Esquimalt Plaza, Memorial Park, and Municipal Hall and Library; and entertainment and refreshments.
- When: Sunday, December 8th, 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
- Where: The parade starts Canteen Road and Esquimalt Road and finishes at the Archie Browning Centre, 1151 Esquimalt Road
Skate with Santa
Not only can you take a photo with Saint Nicholas this weekend — you can skate with him too!
Hosted by the City of Langford, this is a family event that’s free with the donation of a non-perishable food item. Skates can be rented for $3.30, and hot chocolate is provided as well!
- When: Sunday, December 8th, 3:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.
- Where: City Centre Park, 1089 Langford Parkway
Skate with Victoria Royals players this weekend at Butchart Gardens
On Sunday, December 8th the Victoria Royals will be skating around the Butchart Gardens’ 5,000 sq. ft. rink and fans can meet the WHL players and get autographs from their favourite team members!
To add to the excitement, Marty the Marmot will also be making an appearance on ice in addition to the team. Royals players will be at Butchart from 3 p.m. – 4 p.m., but make sure you get there early because spaces are limited!
- When: Sunday, December 8th, 3:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
- Where: Butchart Gardens Ice Rink, 800 Benvenuto Avenue
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
