How do you get into the holiday spirit, Victoria?
There are plenty of ways to ring in the season, but with so much going on, sometimes it can feel a little overwhelming!
We’ve created a comprehensive and quick list of some holiday activities and must-tries for you to pick and choose depending on your social battery, shopping needs, and preferences.
Scroll through a list of holiday markets happening in and around Victoria throughout November and December, purchase tickets for huge holiday concerts, catch a light up show at Butchart Gardens, and so much more!
Without further delay, Happy Holidays, and here’s a list of things to get you in the holiday mood:
Butchart Gardens Light Up
There’s nothing quite like walking through a sea of Christmas lights, and The Butchart Gardens’ display is unmatched!
Gather your friends and family and enjoy a visit to the garden at 5 p.m. on December 1st for their official annual light-up.
Take a stroll through their festive greenery, spot all Twelve Days of Christmas decorations, enjoy free carousel rides, and more!
General admission for adults is $35, $17.50 for youth from ages 13 to 17-years-old, $3 for children who are ages 5 to 12-years-old. and free for the kidlets that are under 5-years-old.
They encourage everyone to reserve the date and time of their visit and that can be done here.
Make sure to visit their website for their full list of holiday details and hours if you wish to go throughout the season!
- Where: Butchart Gardens, 800 Benvenuto Avenue, Brentwood Bay
- When: Friday, December 1st at 5 p.m.
24th Annual IEOA Truck Light Parade
This year’s 24th annual IEOA Truck Light Parade will take place on December 2nd at 5:30 p.m. starting at the Breakwater District before making its way through Oak Bay, back into Victoria, through Saanich and out to the West Shore communities.
A fleet of over 80 commercial trucks and buses will light up the streets of Victoria for the annual truck light parade and food drive, hosted by the Island Equipment Owners Association.
Last year, the parade finished up at Bear Mountain after the closure of Western Speedway where it had previously ended, but this year, the final destination will be in Colwood’s Royal Bay!
Here’s when and where you can see the new IEOA Truck Light Parade route with approximate times below:
- 5:30 p.m.: Breakwater District/Ogden Point (start)
- 6 p.m.: Oak Bay Avenue
- 6:30 p.m.: Yates Street
- 7 p.m.: Watkiss Way
- 7:30 p.m.: Goldstream Avenue
- 8:30 p.m.: Royal Bay in Colwood (end)
- Where: Begins at the Breakwater District and ends in Royal Bay
- When: Saturday, December 2nd at 5:30 p.m.
Langford Light Up
Starting at 3 p.m., and in conjunction with the IEOA Truck Parade, the Langford Station and Veterans Memorial Park will host a lineup of family-friendly activities!
There will be crafts, ice carving, performances from PACE Musical Theatre, Ablaze Choir, Westshore Community Band, and Pacific Edge Chorus, food trucks, and more.
Across the street at Veterans Memorial Park will feature a holiday market, musical performances by DJ Oz and The Bright Side, cookie decorating, balloon artist, face painting, and free hot dogs and hot chocolate.
This will also be the location of the official light up event. Santa will arrive at 5:15pm on the Langford Fire Truck and be available for photos and visits until 7:00pm.
The Langford tree lighting will take place at 7:20 p.m. Around 7:30 p.m., the IEOA Truck Parade will pass through Langford with its festively lit and decorated trucks!
- Where:
- Langford Station, 701 Station Avenue
- Veterans Memorial Park, Aldwynd Road
- When: Saturday, December 2nd
- Langford Station activities begin at 3 p.m.
- Light up event activities run from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.
A WONDERHEADS Christmas Carol
Looking for a fun holiday activity? Look no further!
The Belfry Theatre is thrilled to present A WONDERHEADS Christmas Carol, told in a fashion that has been described as ‘pure magic’ and ‘fantastic, in every sense of the word.’
The show will run from December 3rd to December 23rd, featuring glowing ghosts, 10-foot-tall puppets, and not a word of dialogue!
Every aspect of the storyline will be told through movement, music, and magnificent practical effects.
Belfry Theatre promises plenty of treats in store for audiences as they are whisked away into an incredible adventure with Ebenezer Scrooge on his magical Christmas Eve.
- Where: Belfry Theatre, 1291 Gladstone Avenue
- When: Sunday, December 3rd to Saturday, December 23rd—showtimes vary
Tuba Christmas
Head on downtown to Market Square and immerse yourself in the wholesome and highly-anticipated tuba performance!
There are going to be between 70 and 100 tuba players—which is insane! Definitely don’t want to miss that.
- Where: Lower Level of Market Square
- When: Saturday, December 9th from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.
Brunch With Santa at The Courtney Room
Not only will you get to meet the Big Man himself, but you’ll also have the opportunity to capture your best family photo yet, enjoy a two-course brunch meal, and listen to live jazz music to ring in the holiday season.
So, bring the whole family down to the Courtney Room on December 10th from 12 p.m. to 3 p.m. and savour this unique opportunity!
The delicious two-course brunch menu includes first-course highlights such as Smoked Salmon and Beets with whipped ricotta, duck fat rosti and radish, or Butternut Squash Soup with sage and brown butter.
The second-course highlights include Mushroom and Avocado Tartine with poached local farm eggs, sourdough and chili, or Chicken and Waffles with maple hot sauce gravy and signature slaw.
Kids get their own specific and special menu with items such as Chocolate French Toast with macadamia nut butter and banana and Gluten-free Waffles with berry compote, chantilly cream and maple syrup.
Plus, every child will receive a goodie bag!
Tickets cost $75 for adults and $30 for children under 12, and includes coffee, tea or juice—purchase your tickets via Eventbrite.
- Where: The Courtney Room, 619 Courtney Street
- When: December 10th from 12 p.m. to 3 p.m.
Wintersongs and Holiday Classics with Laila Biali
Getting into the holiday spirit can mean something different for everybody, but for many, music plays an important role in bringing communities and loved ones together.
This is especially true for jazz icon Laila Biali, who is thrilled to be headlining for the ‘Wintersongs and Holiday Classics’ show on December 15th at 7:30 p.m., on stage at the McPherson Playhouse.
The show is partnered with charity Santas Anonymous, and Biali will be joined by a seven-piece ensemble consisting of Jane Bunnett, Rebekah Wolkstein, Dan Fortin,
Ben Wittmana, and local string musicians!
Tickets for the event start at $53.25 and you can purchase them here.
And, in the spirit of giving, a portion of the proceeds will go towards Santas Anonymous!
- Where: McPherson Playhouse, 805 Broughton Street
- When: Friday, December 15th at 7:30 p.m.
20th Annual Daniel Lapp’s Home for Christmas
The Victoria Conservatory of Music (VCM), is bringing a special holiday celebration to Victoria’s Royal Theatre!
On Wednesday, December 20th and Thursday, December 21st, the VCM is celebrating its 20th annual Daniel Lapp’s Home for Christmas show, and you’re invited.
Lapp is a renowned music artist, teacher and local impresario and brings the holiday spirit to life with the help of his legendary ensembles such as the B.C. Fiddle Orchestra, Folkestra!, and the Joy of Life Choir.
Also accompanying Lapp on stage includes his local professional colleagues and friends appearing as the Shiny H’ornaments, Strings of Lights and Swing’n Shepherds house band!
Tickets start at $23.50 and are $18.50 for youth and students—you can purchase tickets for the December 20th show or the December 21st show here.
- Where: Royal Theatre, 805 Broughton Street
- When: Wednesday, December 20th and Thursday, December 21st at 7:30 p.m.
Get a photo taken with Santa
Nothing rounds out the holiday season quite like taking a classic photo with Santa Claus!
With Christmas just around the corner, Ol’ Saint Nick is coming to town and he’s looking to spread the holiday cheer.
Rally up your family and friends and create long-lasting memories and cherished moments—moments that you’ll proudly be able to display on your mantle or wall!
Full article: 7 places in and around Victoria to get your photos taken with Santa
BC Children’s Hospital Foundation: Festival of Trees
Have you been to the Bay Centre recently?
The entire building has been decked out with over 70 beautifully decorated trees for their annual Festival of Trees with the BC Children’s Hospital Foundation!
They’re all lined up and beautifully decorated for the community to vote on and enjoy throughout the holiday season until January 3rd.
While you wander the Festival of Trees, don’t forget to vote for your favourites and leave a donation if you can.
Any donations that you’re able to make will be going towards a child in need!
- Where: The Bay Centre, 1150 Douglas Street (2nd and 3rd floor)
- When: Kicked off on November 16th and will be on display until January 3rd during store shopping centre hours
Festive Delights at the Fairmont Empress
For both Victoria residents and visitors alike, the magic of Christmas has reached the Fairmont Empress with a variety of holiday themed experiences for your next outing.
Included in their offerings is the ‘Festive Sunset Sips’—an extension of their pre-existing Sunset Sips, in which guests are invited to elevate their night out with a series of holiday-themed cocktails served in teapots.
And speaking of teapots, their traditional Afternoon Tea will be introducing holiday-inspired tea blends expertly paired with sweet and savoury delights!
The famous Q Bar is set to serve a mixture of holiday lunches and cocktails that are promised to “tantalize your taste buds.”
The lunches are specially designed for small gatherings and office parties from December 11th to 15th between 12 p.m. and 2 p.m. You can find out more and book your own holiday lunch here.
They offer Christmas Eve dinners as well as Christmas Day dinners too—for more information on those, visit their website.
- Where: The Fairmont Empress, 721 Government Street
- When: Until the holiday season is over!
Shop at a holiday market and/or craft show
The holiday season has officially begun, Victoria. News of Christmas markets, craft nights, gift ideas, holiday drinks, and more have hit social media and we’re more than excited to get in on the fun.
If you weren’t already aware, there are plenty of markets in and around Victoria that sell artisanal goods, homemade goodies, art, and much more.
We also know that it can be overwhelming to try and remember them all! Where was that one again? How much does entrance admission cost?
No worries! We’ve got you covered and have compiled a comprehensive market list for your convenience. And whether you celebrate Christmas or not, there’s plenty to found and lots of fun to be had at a good holiday market.
Full article: 31 jolly holiday markets and craft fairs happening in and around Victoria
Time to Get Shafted
Moon Under Water Brewpub and Distillery is known for many things and has become a community hotspot with their exceptional lineup of beer and whiskey!
But did you know that they also sell Moon Shaft Flights out of their distillery lounge?
The flavours rotate as the seasons change, each new lineup bringing a creative new approach to the beloved drink and an enthusiastic crowd ready to taste the next creations.
For the holiday season, they have released Eggnog Latte, Candy Cane, Gingerbread, and Nutella flavoured shafts—each styled to perfection and served on a cute quarter-moon wooden dish.
The Shaft Flights are $18 and there’s 3 ounces of Moon Shaft Espresso Liqueur in total.
Get into the holiday spirit with some Christmas-inspired drinks!
- Where: 350 Bay Street
- When: Hours for the Distillery Lounge
- Wednesday and Thursday from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m.
- Friday to Sunday from 12 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Cozy Christmas Food Tour
It’s time to slip into your comfiest and stretchiest pants for the newest holiday event!
It launched on Friday, November 17th, and guests are invited to partake in the ‘Cozy Christmas Food Tour’, organized by local food tour company Off The Eaten Track.
Gooey melted cheese, decadent truffles, peppermint bark, spiced nuts, and a luxurious hot chocolate are just a few of the samples included in this new two-hour guided walking tour in downtown Victoria!
This festive tour starts at the Off The Eaten Track gift shop inside the historic Steamship Terminal Building for a sample of Nuts & Bolts, a Todd family tradition that has been served every holiday season since the 1960s.
Adult tickets cost $65 and youth 18 and younger cost $55 and will include a 10% discount off of anything in the Off The Eaten Track gift shop that is locally made.
- Where: The tour starts at Off The Eaten Track gift shop, 470 Belleville Street
- When: From Friday, November 17th to Sunday, December 31st—every week, Wednesday to Sunday from 1:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.
15th Annual Gingerbread Showcase
The 15th annual Habitat for Humanity Gingerbread Showcase officially kicked off on November 25th and will run until January 4th from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily at the Hotel Grand Pacific.
The showcase is hosted each year to raise funds to help local families achieve a hand-up into affordable homeownership and has become a tradition in the community for both workers and volunteers and the public!
Professional and amateur bakers spend hundreds of hours creating 100% edible gingerbread displays for visitors to come and donate to vote for their favourite.
There’s a leaflet that you can pick up to read a little more about each!
- Where: Hotel Grand Pacific, 463 Belleville Street
- When: Kicked off November 25th and runs until January 4th from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily
