Welcome to the long weekend, Victoria!
Remembrance Day ceremonies and events will be taking place all over the island in honour of our fallen soldiers as well as to salute the ones that are currently serving.
If you are unable to attend any of the ceremonies, you can participate in the two minutes of silence at 11 a.m. to pay your respects.
It is indeed a long weekend because of Remembrance Day, so this weekend’s list includes Monday, November 11th as well—many of you will have it off as a stat holiday.
There are plenty of other things to do this weekend in between, before, or after Remembrance Day activities such as a beloved craft fair, touring a historic villa, a DJ dance party and much more.
For details on all of this, here’s 13 things to do in and around Victoria this weekend—November 9th to 11th:
Creative Craft Fair
Creative Craft Fair is back at Pearkes Arena, and you’re invited.
The Creative Craft Fair offers a true extravaganza of incredible arts, crafts, and demonstrations at its beloved three-day event in Saanich, happening from November 8th to November 10th.
Home to thousands of visitors each year, the fair offers over 130 exhibitors presenting crafts, gourmet food, fine art, photography, clothing, glass art, jewelry, bath and beauty products, woodwork, high-quality imports and much more.
Public admission is $6.75, or only $7.50 for all three days! Children under the age of 12 accompanied by an adult free!
- Where: Pearkes Recreation Centre, 3100 Tillicum Road
- When: Kicked off on Friday, November 8th and runs until Sunday, November 10th
- Saturday, November 9th: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- Sunday, November 10th: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Haunted Tours at Craigdarroch Castle
Discover the darker side of the 19th century with their new after-hours tour, ‘Curiosities of Craigdarroch,’ running until November 17th.
Led by an expert guide, they’re 90 minutes long and take place from 4 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. from Friday to Sunday.
Take advantage of this unique opportunity to delve into the darker stories surrounding the Dunsmuir family and their experiences during the Victorian era—an era where the Halloween season took on a more morbid tone than we are accustomed to today.
Tours are $32 per person and must be purchased in advance, whether that’s online, by calling (250) 592-5323 or visiting the Castle Visitor Centre.
- Where: Craigdarroch Castle, 1050 Joan Crescent
- When: Friday to Sunday from 4 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Yuletide Market Series at Bilston Creek Farm
Looking to get ahead on your holiday shopping list?
Head out to Bilston Creek Farm for the first of their beloved Yuletide Market Series, featuring over 90 local businesses with a wide variety of beautiful products.
In addition to material goods, there will also be a wonderful selection of delicious food to choose from!
Including Hustle & Dough—who will be on-site every market weekend with their fresh pizza, Sizzling Tandoor Food Truck and the Country Crepes Food Truck.
Admission is $5 for the day, or $10 for a market pass, which gives you access to five of their markets. Kids 16-years-old and younger get in for free.
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- Where: Bilston Creek Farm, 4185 Metchosin Road
- When: Kicked off on Friday, November 8th and goes until Sunday, November 10th from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Golden Girls Tribute Show
Following sold-out performances and rave reviews across the US, Golden Girls: The Laughs Continue is making its Canadian debut at the McPherson Playhouse with a brand-new show.
This Golden Girls tribute brings you four talented performers, ready to breathe fresh life and comedy into Miami’s sassiest seniors.
Ticket prices vary by seat selection and they can be purchased here.
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- Where: McPherson Playhouse, 3 Centennial Square
- When:
- Saturday, November 9th at 2 p.m. and 8 p.m.
- Sunday, November 10th at 1 p.m.
Tour Ross Bay Villa
Journey back in time at Ross Bay Villa Historic House Museum, a volunteer-led museum and restoration project located in Fairfield.
Tours are offered on Saturdays at 2 p.m., where guests will get to enjoy this extraordinary house that’s been restored with care to appear as it did when the Roscoe family lived there.
Admission is $7.50 plus tax per person, and all tours must be booked in advance. All of the funds support the volunteer-based Ross Bay Villa Society, which owns and operates Ross Bay Villa.
- Where: Ross Bay Villa, 1490 Fairfield Road
- When: Saturday, November 9th starting at 2 p.m.
Rhythm Sphere at Quadratic Sound
Show your support for creativity, healing and dance at Rhythm Sphere, a fundraiser for Revel Festival!
Revel Festival is a place of inspiration, and is an electrifying, peaceful and nurturing space for everyone to find connection and healing through dance.
Hosted at Quadratic Sound and featuring a stellar lineup of DJs, treat yourself out to a night of powerful rhythm and dancing!
Ticket prices vary by tier and they can be purchased via Eventbrite.
- Where: Quadratic Sound, 655 Queens Avenue
- When: Saturday, November 9th from 8 p.m. to 3 a.m.
Victoria: Remembrance Day Parade
Residents and visitors alike are welcome at the official Remembrance Day ceremony, which will start with a parade at 10:30 a.m.
The parade route runs from Wharf to Government, Belleville, Menzies, finishing at the Legislature grounds.
The post-parade ceremony will be held at the Victoria Cenotaph.
- Where: Route starts at Wharf and Government and ends at the Legislature
- When: Monday, November 11th—parade starts at 10:30 a.m.
Sidney: Remembrance Day Parade and Ceremony
The traditional Remembrance Day Parade in Sidney will begin at 10:30 a.m. from the Mary Winspear Centre.
It will follow along Beacon Avenue and Second Street to the Cenotaph on Sidney Avenue, where their Remembrance Day Ceremony will commence at 10:50 a.m.
A Fly Past will occur during the two minutes of silence at 11 a.m.
If you can’t make it in person, you can watch the livestream here.
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- Where: Route starts at Mary Winspear Centre and ends at the Cenotaph
- When: Monday, November 11th at 10:30 a.m.
Esquimalt: Remembrance Day Parade and Ceremony
Join the community of Esquimalt for their annual Remembrance Day Parade and Ceremony.
The parade will start at 10 a.m. at the Tudor House, which is located at Admirals and Esquimalt Roads, and ends at the Cenotaph in Memorial Park.
- Where: Route starts at Tudor House and ends at Cenotaph in Memorial Park
- When: Monday, November 11th from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Sooke: Remembrance Day Ceremony
The District of Sooke welcomes the community to participate in their Remembrance Day Ceremony on Monday, November 11th.
It will begin with a march-off from Evergreen Plaza at 10:30 a.m., ending at the Cenotaph, where the formal ceremony will commence at 10:50 a.m.
Following the ceremony, attendees are welcome to join Legion members for a gathering at the Legion Hall where there will be chili, hot dogs, and more.
- Where: Begins at Evergreen Plaza and ends at the Cenotaph
- When: Monday, November 11th at 10:30 a.m.
Capriccio Vocal Ensemble
The Christ Church Cathedral will be hosting the Capriccio Vocal Ensemble Remembrance Day concert this Monday.
Featuring Nathan Roberts on bagpipes, Mark McDonald playing the organ, and the Festive Brass Quintet.
Tickets are $35 for general admission and can be purchased via Eventbrite or at the door.
- Where: Christ Church Cathedral, 930 Burdett Avenue
- When: Monday, November 11th from 2:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Remembrance Day Victoria Children’s Choir Performance
Don’t miss the opportunity to listen to the Victoria Children’s Choir this Monday.
They’re considered to be one of the top choral and music organizations in the city, and are thrilled to present their Remembrance Day performance at the Royal BC Museum.
Admission is free.
- Where: Royal BC Museum, 675 Belleville Street
- When: Monday, November 11th from 12:30 p.m. to 1 p.m.
Royal Roads Remembrance Day Service
Royal Roads University, the Vancouver Island Ex-Cadet Club and CFB Esquimalt invite everyone to their Remembrance Day ceremony at 10:40 a.m. on the Castle Terrace Lawn outside Hatley Castle.
After the ceremony at around 11:45 a.m., Dr. Geoffrey Bird, RRU professor and lead of the War Heritage Research Initiative, will present two of his documentary films, Trees of Remembrance: Shelbourne Memorial Avenue and War Memorials and Their Makers: Messengers of Meaning.
To note, the films are not suitable for children under 13-years-old. Admission is free.
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- Where: Royal Roads University, 2005 Sooke Road
- When: Monday, November 11th at 10:40 a.m.
