Congrats Victoria, you’ve made it to the end of the week and the snow of course.
This is the weekend we’ve all been waiting for, Christmas is finally here and that’s a cause for celebration!
Make sure to check the weather before heading out, and of course, make sure the event is still operating due to the weather.
From Christmas dinners with the family to outdoor light displays, here are 9 things happening in Victoria this weekend, December 24th to 25th:
Lights of Wonder
Until December 31st, the free, accessible, and all-ages outdoor light display will welcome guests to experience a variety of activities and entertainment each day.
This year, Lights of Wonder will also include nightly performances every night except for on Christmas Day. A schedule of event for each night can be found on the Downtown Victoria Business Association website.
- Where: Lights of Wonder, 1 Centennial Square
- When: Daily, December 15th to December 31st
- 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. Sundays through Thursdays
- 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays
Holiday Magic at the Malahat Skywalk
‘Tis the season of Holiday Magic! Enjoy a cozy beverage, warm fire, their massive holiday tree, crafts, and a visit from Santa! You may even see Luke the Sasquatch partaking in the holiday fun! Here you can find more details on each activity.
- When: December 3rd to January 1st, from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. (see list of times)
- Where: Malahat Skywalk, 901 Trans-Canada Highway
Lighthouse Church
- Where: Lighthouse Church, 612 David Street
- When: Saturday, December 25th, 4 p.m.
Movies at SilverCity
If watching movies on the big screen are one of your favourite Christmas traditions. This year SilverCity have got you covered.
From Avatar: The Way of Water, Puss in Boots: The Last Wish and Babylon, among many others!
- Where: SilverCity Cinemas, 3130 Tillicum Road
Victoria Buzz Christmas Lights Map
The 9th annual Christmas Lights map is now available! Grab hot chocolates for the family, hop in the car, and crank up the Christmas music as you head out on the Christmas trail!
With so many light displays around the capital region, we wanted to narrow down some of the best spots to catch the lights around town.
- When: Nighttime of course!
- Where: Throughout Greater Victoria
Enjoy a Christmas Dinner out
Let’s face it, you’ve worked hard all year and just as Christmas comes around you realize, oh snap! I need to prepare a holiday feast for the family.
If hours spent prepping that perfect meal are not of interest to you, there’s no need to stress.
From traditional family feasts to festive wine and dines, you’re invited to treat yourself at these local restaurants in and around Victoria, serving Christmas dinners over the holidays!
- When: Sunday, December 25th
- Where: Throughout Greater Victoria – see list here
Butchart Gardens Lights Display
Bundle up and stroll through thousands of twinkling lights featuring the Twelve Days of Christmas display, sing along to the sounds of the season with Traditional Carollers and Festive Brass, then stop in at the Coffee Shop to warm up with a hot chocolate and gingerbread by the fire.
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- When: December 1st to January 6th, 3 p.m. to 9 p.m. daily
- Where: The Butchart Gardens, 800 Benvenuto Avenue
Festival of Trees at the Bay Centre
Immerse yourself in the season as you stroll through over 70 one-of-a-kind festively decorated trees in support of BC Children’s Hospital during the Festival of Trees, sponsored by Scotiabank.
Festival of Trees is free and open daily during Bay Centre shopping centre hours. Closed Christmas Day and New Year’s Day.
- When: From now until January 3rd, view during shopping centre hours
- Where: The Bay Centre, 3125 Douglas Street
14th Annual Gingerbread Showcase
Habitat for Humanity Victoria’s premier fundraiser, The Gingerbread Showcase is opening for its 14th year! Located in the atrium of the Parkside Hotel & Spa, the event will run from November 26th to January 2nd.
Stop by this local holiday treasure to view the fantastic 100% edible creations made by volunteer bakers, and don’t forget to donate to vote for your favourite! This year, they’ve asked bakers to interpret some magic into their creations with the theme: “Magical.”
100% of donations to the Gingerbread Showcase will help Habitat Victoria support affordable homeownership in Victoria.
Can’t make it in person to see these amazing creations? View and vote for your favourite creation online.
- When: November 26th to January 2nd
- Where: Parkside Hotel & Spa, 810 Humboldt Street
Victoria Harbour Lights – A Winter Dream
Exclusive to Victoria Harbour Ferry, the 45-minute narrated upper harbour voyage tells the story of a child’s Winter Dream with 3-dimensional projected animations and sound-reactive lighting installations. The story inspires warm thoughts of the people we treasure, reminding us that this time of year is meant to be shared with those that we love.
The Ralmax Group of Companies, owners of Victoria Harbour Ferry, invite you to see Victoria from a different viewpoint – to look from the water to the land.
“Our thanks to Limbic Media for their beautiful story-telling and light creations, and to PaintScaping for bringing their internationally acclaimed 3-D light mapping from Los Angeles to Victoria Harbour.”
- When: December 2nd to December 31st
- Where: Tours depart from the Empress Dock on the Inner Harbour Causeway (across from Empress Hotel)
