It’s officially December—get out your decorations, hang your lights, and put up the tree!
To mark the occasion, we’ve found some wonderful holiday events that are sure to put you in the Christmas spirit.
If you don’t celebrate, that’s okay too! Join in on the family-friendly fun and enjoy the entertainment, food, neat trinkets, and joy.
Here’s 5 things to do in and around Victoria on Friday, December 1st:
Lights of Wonder Grand Opening
Brightening up Centennial Square for the month of December is the Lights of Wonder, put on by the Downtown Victoria Business Association!
It’s official opening will be on Friday at 4 p.m. and everyone is encouraged to arrive with an ugly sweater on for the chance to win a prize.
Entertainment begins at 5:30 p.m. with Jason Verner’s Magic Show as well as other stage performances!
Grab your friends and family and enjoy the spectacular lights.
- Where: 1 Centennial Square
- When: Friday, December 1st from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Intrepid Theatre’s HOMO: A Queer Cabaret
Always a sell-out and always a blast, Intrepid Theatre has announced the return of their beloved annual winter cabaret of queer art, HOMO: A Queer Cabaret!
It’s set to return to the Metro Studio this Friday, December 1st at 7:30 p.m.
Prepare to have your mind blown by this campy cabaret, featuring a diverse line-up of queer artists, experimenters, and boundary pushers within fabulous performance pieces and brand new work created just for HOMO.
General admission tickets are $27 and can be purchased here, and in order to make their programming more accessible to audiences, HOMO offers Pay-What-You-Ten tickets—which means 10% of tickets will be on sale for just $10!
- Where: The Metro Studio, 1411 Quadra Street
- When: Sunday, December 1st at 7:30 p.m.
Christmas at Craigdarroch Castle
Who doesn’t want to spend the holidays wandering around a decorated castle?
Step back in time and discover the spirit of an old Victorian Christmas when you visit Craigdarroch Castle this holiday season and take yourself on a self-guided tour!
Dressed to impress, the entire expanse of the impressive Castle will be adorned in festive cheer beginning Friday, December 1st and you’re invited to enjoy the splendour.
Visit their website for full list of ticket pricing.
- Where: Craigdarroch Castle, 1050 Joan Crescent
- When: Friday, December 1st from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
A Touch of Salt Spring
This years Christmas Show edition of the Touch of Salt Spring Craft & Art Show is going to host 200 vendors at the Saanich Fairgrounds and will run for three whole days!
It’s kicking off Friday, December 1st and it will run until Sunday, December 3rd, so hurry down and find a thoughtful gift for a loved one. Naturally, you can treat yourself too (we don’t tell!).
Admission is $5 and will give you access to all three days.
- Where: Saanich Fairgrounds, 528 Stellys Cross Road
- When: Friday, December 1st from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Book Launch at Caffè Fantastico
Munro’s Books has teamed up with Caffè Fantastico Specialty Coffees to bring you an evening of books and fun!
Grab your fellow literature lovers and come down for the launching of, Better Next Year: An Anthology of Christmas Epiphanies.
Inside you’ll find a wonderous mix of recollections from acclaimed Canadian authors combined with emerging voices from across the country—joined together in the debunking of the popular depiction of Christmas while delivering its messages of hope and renewal.
This event is free to attend!
- Where: Caffè Fantastico, 965 Kings Road
- When: Friday, December 1st at 6 p.m.
