Yes, it may still be November but we wanted to give you plenty of time to mark your calendars for one of Greater Victoria’s coolest kick-offs of the season!
Whether you identify as an elf or a grinch, Sidney BIA’s annual Christmas by the Sea is sure to get you into the holiday spirit with its plethora of safe, distanced and family-friendly activities.
Sidney will be transformed into a twinkling wonderland as it welcomes the community to celebrate the holiday season with festive displays all throughout the town. This year, you’re invited to cozy up with with your closest bubble and experience the small-town cheer in the safest way possible.
Also, keep your eye on the prize, as we’ve partnered with the Sidney BIA to gift THREE lucky winners with a $100 gift card to a Sidney business of their choice!
Hold onto your Santa hats, because here are 9 safe and distanced Christmas activities happening in Sidney this holiday season:
1. Festive Displays
The Sidney BIA has organized a professional contractor to install Christmas lights on business storefronts up and down Beacon Avenue, in addition to a dazzling display of holiday-themed features around town by local merchants, the Town staff and Sidney BIA.
2. Lighted Window Tour
Sidney merchants will put on their creative ingenuity on full display in their shop windows, and the Sidney BIA is offering prize incentives for the best arrangements of lights and sparkle! The Sidney Lighted Window Tour contest includes awards for the most enchanting window displays, with a chance to win one of three prizes.
The public can explore the storefronts and vote for their favourite here! Winners will be announced on December 23rd.
3. Gingerbread Showcase
Habitat for Humanity is bringing its Gingerbread Showcase to various locations throughout downtown Sidney, and you’ll find elaborate gingerbread displays around town from December 8th – January 3rd, 2021.
4. Horse Drawn Carriage Tours
Victoria Carriage Tours will offer festive rides through downtown Sidney on Saturdays and Sundays, December 8th – December 20th, 12 p.m. – 4 p.m. Tours are $40.00 per carriage and seat up to 6-people within your bubble or household. Click here to book your tour!
5. Free Holiday Films
This holiday season, every Saturday at 10:30 a.m. from December 8th – December 19th, the Sidney BIA has partnered with Star Cinema to offer a line-up of favourite holiday flicks for movie-lovers of all ages, including Elf, How the Grinch Stole Christmas, and more. Click here to register!
6. Free Delivery
Free Commercial Delivery Service from downtown Sidney businesses to local residents to enhance shopping options is now available, just in time for Christmas shopping! More information can be found here.
7. Residential Decor Contest
Did you do an extra-festive job with outdoor Christmas decor on your Sidney street? Send an email to hello@sidneybia.ca to be featured on Sidney’s Christmas Map and to be entered to win $100 to your favourite Sidney shop!
8. Festive Brass Ensemble
Well-known individually and as symphonic and jazz ensemble musicians, the Festive Brass will will serenade shoppers in downtown Sidney every Friday and Saturday from December 8th – December 19th from 12 p.m. – 4 p.m.
9. Holiday Cheer Sweepstakes
Sidney’s favourite Sweepstakes Contest is back! Support local Sidney businesses and be entered to win one of six $500 shopping sprees to the businesses of your choice in Sidney, plus $500 cash for the small business of your choice in Sidney. Winners will be selected weekly throughout the holiday season! You can enter here.
Please keep in mind that all event start dates are subject to change in accordance with provincial health orders. As of this publication, all events are on pause until at least January 8th, 2021.
CONTEST
For a chance to win a $100 gift card to a Sidney business of your choice from Sidney BIA (we’re choosing three winners!), complete one or more of the following:
- LIKE Sidney BIA on Facebook and comment below telling us once you have. (1 entry)
- FOLLOW Sidney BIA on Instagram, and comment below telling us once you have. (1 entry)
- SHARE this post on Facebook and/or Twitter and leave a comment below telling us once you have. (1 entry)
Contest entries will be accepted from the time and date of publishing until 11:59 p.m. on December 15th, 2020. One winner will be chosen at random and contacted through the platform they used to enter.
