Happy weekend, Victoria—December will soon be officially upon us!
As usual this time of year, there are plenty of holiday events to take advantage of, including parades, Christmas light-ups, markets and much more.
Plus, an incredible play is being performed by the Canadian College of Performing Arts (CCPA) this weekend, there’s a WHL Victoria Royals game and a dark beer extravaganza at The Drake!
If you’re in the mood to dance, there’s always Outlaw Saturdays at The Duke, which offers a fantastic night of country music and good fun.
Without further delay, here’s 12 things to do in and around Victoria this weekend—November 30th and December 1st:
Check out a Holiday Market
The festive season is officially in full swing, and the buzz around Christmas markets, craft nights, unique gift ideas, cozy holiday drinks, and more is all over social media. We don’t know about you, but we’re ready to dive into the holiday fun.
If you haven’t already heard, there are tons of amazing markets happening around Victoria, featuring everything from artisanal goods and homemade treats to beautiful local art and much more.
We get it, though—keeping track of them all can be tricky. Which market was where again? How much does it cost to get in?
Don’t worry—we’ve got you covered! We’ve put together a handy guide to some of the best holiday markets in and around Victoria.
Full article: 18 holiday markets in and around Victoria for all of your shopping needs
Antigone 方: A CCPA Play
The Canadian College of Performing Arts (CCPA) is thrilled to present Antigone 方, which opened on November 28th and runs until Sunday, December 1st.
It’s performed by CCPA’s Studio Ensemble and directed by award-winning interdisciplinary creator Marjorie Chan.
As described, Antigone 方 is a powerful and hard-hitting retelling of the Greek classic that will sweep audience members up with its unforgettable characters and references that are all too relevant in an increasingly polarised world.
Tickets are $30 for adults, $28 for seniors $25 for anyone under 30-years-old.
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- Where: CCPA Performance Hall, 1701 Elgin Road
- When: Runs until Sunday, December 1st—showtimes vary
16th Annual Habitat for Humanity Gingerbread Showcase
As of Friday, November 22nd, the 16th annual Gingerbread Showcase is open to the public, promising a delightful blend of family fun, creativity, and community spirit.
Presented by Habitat for Humanity Victoria, in partnership with Peninsula Co-op, and hosted by the Hotel Grand Pacific, this beloved event is back and awaits your curious eyes!
This year’s theme is “Through a Child’s Eyes,” which is bound to bring out the best in our local bakers and give everyone a peek into the minds of the artists.
Admission to the showcase is free, but visitors are encouraged to make a donation when voting for their favorite gingerbread house.
All proceeds will go towards Habitat for Humanity’s mission of providing affordable housing in the community.
- Where: Hotel Grand Pacific, 463 Belleville Street
- When: Kicked off on Friday November 22nd and runs until January 5th, from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily
Festival of Trees Victoria
The Festival of Trees has been a beloved holiday tradition on Vancouver Island for over 30 years, celebrating community support for BC Children’s Hospital with beautifully decorated trees.
This year’s event will feature up to 100 sponsored trees, and they’ll remain on display from November 15th to January 5th.
The Bay Centre invites the community to enjoy the display, vote for their favorite trees, and help raise vital funds for BC’s children!
- Where: The Bay Centre, 1150 Douglas Street
- When: Kicked off on Friday, November 15th and runs until January 5th
Victoria Royals vs. Seattle Thunderbirds
Bring your family and friends, grab yourself a beverage or two and a bite to eat and get ready to cheer on your local WHL hockey team, the Victoria Royals, as they play the Seattle Thunderbirds!
This will be the second game in their back-to-back fight for victory against the Thunderbirds, so come prepared to cheer extra loud.
Ticket prices vary by seat selection and they can be purchased online.
- Where: Save-On-Foods Memorial Centre, 1925 Blanshard Street
- When: Saturday, November 30th at 6:05 p.m.
42nd Annual Peninsula Co-op Santa Claus Parade
Lovers of Christmas lights and the holiday spirit, it’s nearly time!
This year marks the 42nd annual Peninsula Co-op Santa Claus Parade, so slap on your toque and mitts and get downtown to witness the glory of all of the lights and decorations.
It will feature approximately 85 magnificently crafted floats awaiting your ready eyes—that’s over 20 new entries compared to last year!
It’s said to be the biggest Santa Claus Parade yet, with over 2,000 participants all working together to bring attendees a night of magic and wonder.
For those planning to attend, road closures will begin at the parliament building around 3 p.m. to allow for marshalling, so be sure to plan ahead if you’re driving into the downtown area.
- Where:
- Parade: Starts at Belleville and Government Street and ends at Fisgard
- Santa and Mrs. Claus photos: Hudson Holiday Plaza (Victoria Public Market), 1701 Douglas Street #6
- When:
- Parade: Saturday, November 30th at 5 p.m. (road closures start around 3 p.m.)
- Santa and Mrs. Claus photos: following the parade
Lights of Wonder
The Downtown Victoria Business Association (DVBA) will also be kicking off their Lights of Wonder celebration on the same night, bringing the holiday lights to life in Centennial Square.
The square will be beautifully illuminated, making it the perfect spot for a family outing. So grab the kids, bundle up, and come enjoy the festive lights that will brighten up your evening! Make sure to stop by the Victoria Buzz tent to grab a $10 Bay Centre gift card while supplies last!
- Where: Lights of Wonder, 1 Centennial Square
- When: Daily, November 30th to December 31st
- 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. Sundays through Thursdays
- 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays
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.
Plus, they have a gift shop filled with gently used or handmade items including reproduction Victorian Christmas cards, jewelry, pressed flower bookmarks, lavender wands and many more unique gift ideas for your holiday shopping!
- Where: Ross Bay Villa, 1490 Fairfield Road
- When: Saturday, November 30th starting at 2 p.m.
Outlaw Saturdays: The Duke Saloon
Saturday nights are the biggest night of the week down at The Duke Saloon!
Get together with pals and come on down and listen in on incredible live country music in one of Victoria’s premier venues.
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- Where: The Duke Saloon, 502 Discovery Street
- When: Saturday, November 30th at 10 p.m.
The Magic of Darkness: Beer event
Experience the magical world of malt-forward beers at The Drake for their Magic of Darkness event!
They’ll be showcasing a wide selection of Dark Lagers, Amber/Red Ales, Porters, Stouts and even Dark Sours.
No ticket is required and it’s for one day only, so don’t miss out!
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- Where: The Drake, 517 Pandora Avenue
- When: Saturday, November 30th from 12 p.m. to 11:45 p.m.
Elmo & Cookie Monster’s Christmas Wonderland
Gather your kidlets and take them to the Tillicum Centre to meet Elmo and the Cookie Monster!
It’s free to attend but reservation is required, and can be done so via Eventbrite.
They’ll be accepting donations to The Mustard Seed, both cash and nonperishable food items will be accepted.
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- Where: Tillicum Centre, 3170 Tillicum Road
- When: Sunday, December 1st from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Christmas at Craigdarroch Castle
The iconic historic site is once again transforming into a winter wonderland, decked out in traditional holiday decorations that capture the spirit of a Victorian Christmas.
From December 1st, visitors can experience a range of exciting events throughout the month, making it the perfect destination to celebrate the season—starting with Museum Store Sunday.
Museum Store Sunday provides visitors around the world the opportunity to support their local museum and cultural institution shops at the beginning of the holiday shopping season.
Find unique gifts from local artisans, take part in product launches, prize draws, special book signings from local authors, and a 10% discount on store items!
- Where: Craigdarroch Castle, 1050 Joan Crescent
- When: Starting December 1st and throughout the holiday season
