We know it’s only November, but what better way to kick off the holiday season than an entire list of festive and family-friendly activities in one of our favourite seaside communities?
This year, Sidney BIA’s annual Christmas by the Sea is sure to get you into the holiday spirit with its lengthy list of all things fun and family-oriented.
Sidney will be a twinkling wonderland as it welcomes the community to celebrate the holiday season; from enchanting decorative lights throughout the town, festive displays, an Elf on the Shelf scavenger hunt, to horse-drawn carriage rides, and a live brass band on weekends, there’s so much to do and see this season.
Also, Christmas has come a little early for one lucky winner as we’ve partnered with the Sidney BIA to gift someone a $500 shopping spree to a Sidney business of their choice!
Hold onto your Santa hats, because here are 6 festive and family-friendly Christmas activities happening in Sidney this holiday season:
Light Up Downtown Sidney
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! The Sidney BIA has organized a professional contractor to install Christmas lights on business storefronts in downtown Sidney, in addition to a dazzling display of holiday-themed features around town by local merchants, the Town staff and Sidney BIA.
When: November 27th – December 31st
Lighted Window Tour
More than 50 businesses throughout downtown Sidney have dressed up their windows and storefronts with holiday decorations. So grab a loved one, pick up some hot cocoa, and wander through the streets of Sidney to soak in all of the festive displays that downtown Sidney has to offer!
When: November 27th – December 31st
Community Christmas Tree
Calling all artists and creatives! This holiday season, the Sidney BIA has partnered with McTavish Academy Of Art and ArtSea Community Arts Council to bring you Sidney’s Community Christmas Tree! Help us decorate the tree by picking up locally made Christmas ornaments from the Mary Winspear Centre (2243 Beacon Ave) and then by adding them to the Community Christmas Tree located between Sabhai Thai and Barbara’s Boutique (2493 Beacon Ave). Ornaments are free of charge!
When: November 27th – December 31st
Downtown Sidney Elf on the Shelf Scavenger Hunt
Families are invited to explore downtown and find where these little scout elves have landed for a fun-filled, holiday scavenger hunt! Walk through the sidewalks of downtown Sidney to spot elves in over 50 businesses. Share your scavenger hunt photos using #ElvesByTheSea, and tag @ExploreSidney to win weekly gift card drawings.
You can also submit your photos by email to hello@sidneybia.ca to enter to win. For a full listing of participating businesses, click here.
When: November 27th – December 31st
Horse-Drawn Carriage Rides
Victoria Carriage Tours will offer festive rides through downtown Sidney on Saturdays and Sundays, November 28th to December 19th, 12 PM – 4 PM. Tours are $50.00 per carriage and seat up to 6-people. Click here to purchase your Horse-Drawn Carriage Tour.
When: Saturdays & Sundays, November 28th to December 19th, 12 p.m. – 4 p.m.
The Festive Brass
The Festive Brass ensemble—also favourites at The Butchart Gardens during the holidays—will serenade shoppers on Saturdays outside of Buddies Toys (2492 Beacon Avenue).
When: Every Saturday, November 27th – December 18th, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
CONTEST
For a chance to win a $500 shopping spree to a Sidney business of your choice (or multiple businesses!) from Sidney BIA, 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 21st. One winner will be chosen at random and contacted through the platform they used to enter.
