It’s the last weekend of November and events in the city are ramping up!
Whether you’re looking to do some holiday shopping, eat some delicious food or see a parade, there is something for everyone.
Here are 22 things to do in and around Victoria this weekend, November 27th to 28th:
Victoria’s Cheese and Meat Festival
This year, the event will be taking over the historic Powerhouse building in downtown Victoria in an indoor/outdoor setting.
Get your taste buds ready for an assortment of the best local and international artisan eats and drinks.
With plenty of vendors in attendance, you’ll be sure to find that perfect pairing.
Be sure to get your tickets now, as space is limited!
- Where: The Powerhouse, 2110 Store Street
- When: Saturday, November 27th
- Tickets: Available online through the Cheese and Meat Festival’s website.
39th Peninsula Co-op Santa Lights Parade
After a year hiatus due to the pandemic, the Peninsula Co-op Santa’s Light Parade (formally Island Farms Santa’s Light Parade) is back for its 39th year!
Santa will be returning, of course, and sponsors will be hosting pictures with him on selective dates, stay tuned for those!
The event, which is presented by the Greater Victoria Festival Society, will also be accepting non-perishable food collections and hosting fun events along the parade route.
Greater Victoria residents are encouraged to glow-up their homes with festive Christmas lights.
- Where: From Belleville and Government Street
- When: 5:30 p.m., Saturday November 27th
Taurean Sun Pop-up shop
This weekend, Taurean Sun is having a pop up at Victoria Public Market! The skincare brand is proudly made in Victoria, with fair trade, natural and organic oils.
Stop by to do some Christmas shopping!
Where: 1701 Douglas St #6, Victoria Public Market
When: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Saturday, November 27th
Rancho Vignola Harvest Sale
Rancho Vignola delivers fresh harvest nuts, seeds, dried fruit and fine confectionery. This weekend, check them out at the Mary Winspear Centre at their 8th Annual Harvest Sale to stock up your pantry!
- When: 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., Friday, November 26th and 9 a.m. to 5p.m. Saturday, November 27th
- Where: 2243 Beacon Avenue, Mary Winspear Centre
Watch the Victoria Royals vs. Everett Silvertips
This Saturday, watch the Victoria Royals play the Everett Silvertips!
- When: Saturday, November 27th; puck drops at 7:05 p.m.
- Where: Save-On-Foods Memorial Centre, 1925 Blanshard Street
- Tickets: Available online and at Save-On-Foods Memorial Centre box office
Out of Hand Modern Market
After putting their markets on hold for the past fifteen months, the Out of Hand Modern Holiday Market will return this season! The event will feature over 120 designers and artisans from all over the province.
Tickets can be purchased online for designated time slots.
- Where: 713 Douglas Street, Crystal Gardens
- When: 10 a.m. to 7p.m., Friday November 26th, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturday November 28th, and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Sunday November 28th
- Tickets: $11 each. Tickets can be purchased in advance 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: Erica Sigurdson: 7 p.m., Saturday, Comedy Here Often? The Late Show: 10 p.m., Saturday November 27th
- 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!
Try Tim Hortons new ‘Timbiebs’
Justin Bieber is helping bring three fresh flavours of Timbits in what both him and Tim Hortons are calling Timbiebs.
The pride of London, Ontario, teased the collaboration two days ago in an Instagram post and had fans wondering what was going on.
Now he’s helping bring three Timbiebs flavours – Chocolate White Fudge, Sour Cream Chocolate Chip, and Birthday Cake Waffle – to stores across North America.
Cedar Hill Arts Centre Market
Cedar Hill Arts Centre is back with their popular annual sale featuring pottery, paintings, arts and crafts. Find a locally made Christmas present for your loved one!
There will also be a chance to win handmade door prizes!
- Where: 3220 Cedar Hill Road, Cedar Hill Recreation Centre
- When: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Sunday November 28th
- Admission: Free!
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 Planes, Trains and Automobiles, Office Christmas Party and Paddington 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: Planes, Trains and Automobiles: 7 p.m., Friday November 26th, Office Christmas Party: 8 p.m., Saturday November 27th, Paddington: 5 p.m., Sunday November 28th.
- Price: $30/car. Tickets can be purchased here.
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.
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.
