Trying to stick to your New Year’s resolution to save money? We’ve got you covered.
Believe it or not, you can still get out, have fun, and enjoy the city without draining your bank account.
From free community events and low-cost entertainment to cozy winter outings, there are plenty of budget-friendly ways to make the most of January.
Here are 12 affordable things to do in and around Victoria this January:
20th Annual LEGO Brick Exhibition
Calling all LEGO lovers!
Experience the 20th anniversary of the Sidney Museum’s annual LEGO Brick Exhibition, which runs throughout January.
The exhibit is a walk through time, featuring fan-favourite sets from past years and telling the story of this beloved tradition.
Visitors can also take part in interactive elements that bring this exhibit to life, like the “Guess the Number of Bricks” challenge and multiple scavenger hunts throughout the museum.
Admission is by donation!
- Where: The Sidney Museum and Archives, 2423 Beacon Avenue
- When: Monday to Friday – 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Sewing Drop In
Stuck on a new sewing project or need some inspiration? This is the space for you.
Come to one of two sewing drop ins with expert sewing volunteers available to lend a helping hand with all your sewing project questions.
Plus, there are now two sewing machines and four thread sergers available for use!
This drop in is free. However, a $5 donation is appreciated for use of the space and tools.
- Where: Quadra Village Community Centre, 901 Kings Road
- When: Wednesday, January 14th & 28th – 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Dance Days
Dance Victoria is back with their annual Dance Days!
From January 16th to 25th, take advantage of free classes and workshops at local dance studios and other venues.
Classes include Ballet 1, Chair & Heels, and Lyrical Contemporary, and range from beginner to expert skill levels.
Pre-registration is required for classes—learn more and register here.
- Where: Various locations
- When: Friday, January 16th to Sunday, January 25th – various times
The Bad Apples Comedy Show
Don’t miss out on this unforgettable evening of comedy gold at The Fernwood Inn.
Grab your friends, family, and even your neighbours for a night that promises to leave you in stitches!
Advance tickets are $20—grab them here while they last!
- Where: The Fernwood Inn, 1302 Gladstone Ave
- When: Saturday, January 17th – 7 p.m.
Family Sundays at the Art Gallery of Greater Victoria
Don’t miss the first Family Sunday of 2026 at the Art Gallery of Greater Victoria (AGGV) and discover how everyday objects tell stories about their origins, makers, and cultural meanings.
Take part in art activities inspired by one of their current exhibitions, ਸ਼ੀਸ਼ੇ ‘ਚ ਤਰੇੜ | sheeshe ‘ch thareṛ | a crack in the mirror, stitch on an embroidery wall, add hand-coloured patches to a canvas bag, and paint marigolds.
The dance academy Apna Virsa Victoria will also provide an additional layer of learning and connection to this exhibit as they bring their educational, interactive performance to the AGGV.
Family Sunday is included with admission, but free for visitors 25-years-old and under, AGGV members, See Art Pass holders, all Indigenous people, and support Workers accompanying visitors who need assistance.
- Where: Art Gallery of Greater Victoria, 1040 Moss Street
- When: Sunday, January 18th – 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.
Fabulous Plants and their Fungal Friends
Learn about the plant and fungi kingdoms, and how they form extraordinary partnerships in the Royal BC Museum’s monthly Live at Lunch event.
This free talk features Andy MacKinnon, co-author of plants and fungi, who will be discussing BC’s lichens, mycorrhizae, fungal endophytes, and magnificent mycoheterotrophs.
Registration is not required!
- Where: The Royal BC Museum – The Conference Hall, 675 Belleville Street
- When: Wednesday, January 21st – 12 p.m. to 1 p.m.
Queer Open Stage Downtown
Are you a 2SLGBTQIA+ performer?
Come to this monthly Queer Open Stage downtown where you can perform music, drag, poetry, dance, comedy, or even magic. If you can do it in 10 minutes or less, they want to see it!
January’s featured performer will be singer-songwriter Elbow Kiss, an experimental folk project by Em Boreen.
This is a free event, however, cash donations for the Lekwungen Community Toolshed will be collected.
- Where: the Dock, 722 Cormorant Street
- When: Wednesday, January 21st – 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
Comedy Night at The Fernwood Inn
The Fernwood Inn and Amps 2-11 Productions present Fernwood Comedy Night!
Join them at The Fernwood Inn for a great night featuring some of Victoria’s funniest stand-up comics and improvisers.
Table tickets are sold in groups of 4, 5 or 6 people, but single seats are also available at their community table.
Tickets are $15 per person, and are available here!
- Where: The Fernwood Inn, 1302 Gladstone Avenue
- When: Wednesday, January 21st – 7:30 p.m.
Themed Trivia Night: Stranger Things Edition at The Mint
Have you watched the final season of Stranger Things yet? You still have time to study up and get prepared.
Test your knowledge of Hawkins, the Upside Down, and all things Eleven, Demogorgon, and 80s nostalgia in three rounds of trivia covering all 5 seasons of the show.
Tickets are $15—get yours here!
- Where: The Mint,1414 Douglas Street
- When: Thursday, January 22nd – 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Lightspeed Film Exhibition at The Vic Theatre
Lightspeed Film Exhibition is a one-night celebration of short films made on Vancouver Island and the Canadian Gulf Islands.
Head to The Vic Theatre for a curated screening of bold local storytelling, followed by a filmmaker Q&A, bring your questions.
Come support local creators, celebrate their work on the big screen, and be part of a growing Island film community!
Tickets are available here for $20.
- Where: The Vic Theatre, 808 Douglas Street
- When: Friday, January 23rd – 6 p.m.
Swimming into the New Year at The Maritime Museum of BC
It’s a new year, and a new community day!
Start the new year with curiosity, creativity, and community spirit. On this special day, admission is by donation all day, giving everyone the chance to explore our exhibit 1858: Black Routes, Black Roots and enjoy a relaxed day at the museum.
- Where: The Maritime Museum of BC, 744 Douglas Street
- When: Saturday, January 24th – 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Comedy Roast Battle at The Mint
Don’t miss the hilarious night of heckling!
New and experienced comedians will insult the heck out of each other, for fun and glory with Victoria Roast Battle Champion Sarah Carol roasting Jillian Stanley!
Judges will pick the best roaster after each battle, and at the end of the show the audience will weigh in and through applause.
Tickets are $17—get yours here!
- Where: The Mint, 1414 Douglas Street
- When: Thursday, January 29th – 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
