It has been a difficult week for British Columbia, and Vancouver Island experienced its own struggles after heavy rainfall and flooding hit the province earlier this week.
This weekend, stay calm and don’t buy more groceries or gas than you need.
Remain empathetic to others and stay local. This will help to make road worker’s jobs easier as they continue to help us get back to normal.
There is still plenty to do around town to keep your weekend exciting including some brand new restaurants!
Here are 20 things to do in and around Victoria this weekend, November 20th to 21st:
Attend the 8th annual Victoria International Wine Festival
The highly anticipated Victoria International Wine Festival (VICWF) is back for it’s eighth year and, this time, it has a brand new look.
This November, the event is going industrial-chic, taking over Victoria’s historic Powerhouse Building.
The location will serve as the backdrop for a wine tour including over thirty five international vendors who will each showcase up to twelve different wines.
Tickets are limited and sure to go fast so get your tickets ASAP!
- Where: 2110 Store Street, Powerhouse Building
- When: November 19th and 20th
- Tickets: Tickets are available here.
See a comedy show at Hecklers
After being closed for nearly two years, Hecklers is back to fulfill your comedy needs. Every Saturday night, enjoy a comedian followed by Comedy Here Often?’s The Late show.
- Where: 123 Gorge Road East, Hecklers Bar and Grill
- When: Ivan Decker, Kyle Bottom and Kevin Banner 7 p.m., Saturday, Comedy Here Often? The Late Show: 10 p.m., Saturday November 20th
- Tickets: $20. Tickets can be purchased online here.
30th Annual Festival of Trees
The BC Children’s Hospital Foundation’s 30th annual Festival of Trees is back at the Bay Centre!
This local tradition is the unofficial kick-off to the holiday season.
Stroll through over 70 Christmas trees decorated by local businesses in support of mental health programs at BC Children’s Hospital.
- When: November 18th – January 4th, regular shopping hours
- Where: The Bay Centre, 1150 Douglas Street
- Admission: Free – vote by donation!
The Owl Designer Fair
The Owl Designer Fair craft show is back! The market includes Handmade jewellery, local fashion, art & cards, wooden toys, upcycled creations, leather goods, ceramics, kids clothing, apothecary and more!
Support local creatives while you shop, enjoy live music, attend free craft workshops and eat from the food truck!
- Where: 1240 Gladstone Ave, Fernwood Neighbourhood Resource Group
- When: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturday November 20th and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., Sunday November 21st
See a concert at the Victoria Event Centre
This weekend, well-known Quebecois singer-songwriter Louis-Jean Cormier will be performing in Victoria! The show is presented by the Victoria Francophone Society (SFV).
- Where: Victoria Events Centre
- When: 8 p.m., Sunday November 21st
- Tickets: $55.each. Available online here.
Mustard Seed’s Annual Christmas Dinner
Every year, The Mustard Seed Street Church holds their annual Christmas Dinner at the Bay Street Armoury, and you’re invited!
Last year’s dinner served 800 attendees, and this year, they anticipate the same.
On November 21st at 5 p.m., The Mustard Seed invites you to bring your friends and family to enjoy a Christmas dinner as they continue to work to fight hunger for those living in Greater Victoria.
- Where: Bay Street Armoury, 715 Bay Street
- When: 5 p.m. to 7 p.m., Sunday November 21st
See a movie at the drive in!
No, you haven’t been transported back in time, this is real! Legacy Drive-In has announced showtimes for their outdoor theatre at Westshore Motorsports Park this holiday season.
This weekend, see Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom, Mission: Impossible and Downsizing from the comfort of your car as you enjoy food by Westshore Burger Co.
Tickets must be purchased in advance and it is recommended patrons arrive 30 minutes before showtime to ensure they get the best spot.
- Where: Westshore Motorsports Park (formerly Western Speedway) 2207 Millstream Road
- When: You’ve Got Mail: 7 p.m., Friday November 19th, Kiss Kiss Bang Bang: 8 p.m., Saturday November 20th, Where the Wild Things Are: 5 p.m., Sunday November 21st.
- Price: $30/car. Tickets can be purchased here.
Try Victoria’s new Vegas themed restaurant
Superflux {Cabana} is a 55-seat dining room upstairs on 804 Broughton Street harkening to a Hunter S. Thompson-inspired Las Vegas.
Owned by Vancouver-based brewery Superflux, the menu will have a stacked line of ten of Superflux’s own beers, a selection of rotating guest taps and select wine and cocktails. You can even grab a four-pack to go!
- Where: Upstairs, 804 Broughton Street
- When: 4p.m. to midnight, Friday and Saturday, 4 p.m. to 10 p.m., Sunday
Try the new Driftwood Brewery Tasting Lounge
Thirteen years after Driftwood Brewery began operation at their original brewery in Rock Bay, the company has moved to a new warehouse space in Esquimalt.
The 59,000 square foot space is located at 836 Viewfield Road and includes a distillery, tasting lounge with a patio, kitchen and an enhanced retail store.
Enjoy your favourite Driftwood beers, spirits from the new Driftwood Spirits, food from Dumpling Drop and select wine, beer and cider from other producers!
- Where: 836 Viewfield Road, Esquimalt
- When: 12 p.m. to 9 p.m., Monday to Sunday
Enjoy an eggnog latte
It’s no secret everyone was disappointed when Starbucks announced their fan favourite eggnog latte would be excluded from their holiday menu this year.
However, this doesn’t mean you will go without this year!
Coffee shops across Victoria are now announcing their very own eggnog lattes and other holiday drink menus. This means you can still live your eggnog latte dreams while supporting local businesses. You can see our list here.
Try Victoria’s newest German-Swiss inspired restaurant
A brand new German/Swiss-inspired restaurant has opened in Victoria and you’re invited to celebrate!
Eva Schnitzelhaus, the brand new addition to Victoria’s Chinatown district, offers new interpretations of classic German, Swiss and Austrian dishes for the public to enjoy.
The 600 square foot restaurant is bright and spacious, seating 38 diners with an interior designed to feel like the ambiance of an authentic ski chalet.
- Location: 509 Fisgard Street
- Hours: Opens November 17th for dinner service. Regular hours to be announced.
Enjoy a charcuterie night out
Now that we are able to go out and catch up with friends over dinner again, we want it to be special. We want to go all out!
Getting dressed up, ordering a glass of wine and sharing a charcuterie board at a local restaurant can make you feel fancy and sophisticated.
Charcuterie boards give you a little bit of everything, meat, cheeses, pickled sides. It’s the perfect sharing dish to have while you discuss everything you’ve missed with your friends.
You can view our list here!
Check out Victoria’s new British Shop
A brand new shop specializing in British treats has opened in Victoria and we’re buzzing with excitement!
Limey, the British Shop opened as a single, family-run location in Kelowna. Now, they’re overjoyed as they expand to, in their words “the most British city in all of Canada”.
This fun and funky shop specializes in all things British, from sweets and crisps, to bangers, black pudding and Marmite.
- Location: #101, 515 Chatham Street
- Hours:
- Monday to Saturday – 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
- Sunday – 11 a.m to 4 p.m
- Contact: (778) 432-4620
Try a Starbucks holiday drink
Holidays are back at Starbucks with some old favourites and a brand new addition to their festive menu!
Starting Thursday, November 4th, when you visit a Starbucks location your hot drink will come in a festive red Starbucks cup.
Watch the Vancouver Island filmed series ‘Maid’
If you’re looking for a new series to watch on Netflix, check out ‘Maid’.
The series, which was filmed entirely in the Greater Victoria area, is based on the memoir “Maid: Hard Work, Low Pay, and a Mother’s Will to Survive” by Stephanie Land.
Try some of Victoria local’s favourite meals
On a local subreddit, r/VictoriaBC, user fyrite asked the public to share their favourite local dishes, the go-tos, the ones people can’t live without.
Victoria delivered, and over 300 recommendations were posted to the thread.
Fyrite took the recommendations and created a mass spreadsheet and map to allow the suggestions to be easily accessible and enjoyed by everyone!
Try one of Victoria’s best crispy chicken sandwiches
Victoria is full of restaurants putting their own creative spin on the crispy chicken sandwich!
Reddit user u/beesmadehoney78 has been on the hunt, asking for the public’s help in finding Victoria’s best fried chicken sandwich.
Click here to see the list!
Try some of Victoria’s best cocktails
Reddit user u/westcoastwanderer has been on the hunt, asking for the public’s recommendations of the best cocktails in the city.
From this list, along with recommendations from industry professionals, we have created a quick guide to some local favourites.
You can see the list here!
Get bubble tea!
What is your go to Bubble Tea order?
Milk tea, fresh fruit tea, or slush? Do you get tapioca pearls or coconut jellies?
The possibilities are endless and, in Victoria, so are the options to get your favourite tea drink.
Not sure where to go? You can view our list of best bubble tea places to satisfy your craving here.
Eat at a restaurant with a breathtaking view
When it comes to an enjoyable dining experience, there’s more to it than just the food.
The atmosphere, the service, the view are all important factors that play a role in the overall experience.
Lucky for us, the Island offers an abundance of delicious restaurant options in prime locations.
You can view our list of restaurants with breathtaking views here.
