Holiday Happenings – Victoria 2024
Free Holiday Festivities for Everyone to Enjoy
The Holiday season is a great time to explore Victoria neighbourhoods and take in the a number of highly anticipated events. From the Truck Light Parade to the Lights of Wonder. There are a number of events that will put a smile on your face and help light up your festive season. Here is a list of some our favourites.
Festival of Trees, Bay Centre Downtown
November 15 until January 5, 2025
While Downtown enjoying all the holiday lights, stroll over to the Bay Centre and tour the decorated tree forest. There are over 70 one-of-a-kind decorated trees that have raised funds for the BC Children’s Hospital Foundation. Don’t forget to vote for your favourite tree before leaving.
Holiday Craft Fairs in Greater Victoria
Tis’the season! For all of us who love to shop local and support the fabulous artists in our community, we’ve got you covered. The link above lists dates for craft and holiday celebration fairs beginning in November. Holiday shopping is sure to be fun and creative in Greater Victoria.
Grand Pacific Hotel, 463 Belleville St. November 22 – January 5, 2025
Professional and amateur bakers create gingerbread displays for the public to enjoy and vote for a favourite. This event supports Victoria’s Habitat for Humanity. Funds raised help local families with affordable homeownership.
Celebrate the Season – Parliament Buildings Light Up
501 Belleville St – Friday, November 29 4:00 – 6:30 PM
The BC Parliament Buildings Light Up Event begins inside with local music performances and family friendly activities. See the grand Christmas tree in the Lower Rotunda. From 6 – 6:30 the festivities continue outside in the main driveway with more music, hot chocolate and concluding with the lighting of the Buildings at 6:30 PM.
Lights of Wonder
November 30 – December 31, 2024, Centennial Square. 1 Centennial Sq. Downtown Victoria
This is Victoria’s largest display of outdoor lights! Centennial Square in Downtown Victoria will transform into a holiday wonderland with light exhibits, interactive light tunnels, a Ferris wheel debuting December 20, and the traditional 40-foot holiday tree. In addition to some illuminating photo opportunities, there will be fun and live entertainment every Friday & Saturday evening until December 20 and then nightly (except December 25).
Times Colonist Christmas Lights & Holiday Displays
Follow along and add your own light display to the interactive map.
Get your cup of hot cocoa and follow the interactive map that lists the best holiday lights in the Capital Region. Use your mobile device or a printed version will be available on Saturday, December 15 in the Times Colonist newspaper. They will keep updating the online version throughout the season.
Esquimalt Celebration of Lights
Archie Browning Sports Centre, 1151 Esquimalt Rd December 1st – 5p.m.
Join the community of Esquimalt for Christmas carol singing, holiday treats and the spectacular parade starts at 5:00PM on Canteen Rd.
WinterFest 2024
December 2 -3, 11AM – 7PM, Royal BC Museum, Downtown Victoria
Bundle up in some warm clothes and join this multicultural outdoor event. Food, warm drinks, musical performances, and a market will certainly get you in the holiday spirit.
Esquimalt Christmas Tree Village
December 3 – January 3, 527 Fraser St, Esquimalt
The Recreation Centre Atrium and Archie Browning Sports Centre will be transformed into a holiday wonderland!
IEOA Truck Light Parade
December 7, starting at 5:30PM. Parade begins at Breakwater District
This will be the 25th Annual truck Light Parade and food drive starting at 5:30PM at the Breakwater District before making its way through Oak Bay, back into Victoria through Saanich and out to the West Shore Communities. The final destination this year is Colwood’s Royal Bay. A fleet of over 80 trucks will be decked out in their holiday finest!
Lion’s Skate with Santa
December 7th – 2:30 – 4:00PM, 1151 Esquimalt Road, Esquimalt
Santa will be at the Archie Browning Sports Centre for skating, hot chocolate, music, and fun! Admission is free.
Sidney Sparkles Christmas Parade
December 8th 5:00-6:00PM, Sidney by the Sea
Join the community of Sidney by the Sea for their annual holiday parade along Beacon Avenue in Downtown Sidney.
46th Annual Tuba Christmas
December 14th – 1:00-3:00PM, Victoria in Market Square
The Annual Tuba Christmas is a gathering of over 100 tuba and euphonium players from all over the Pacific Northwest. Concerts like this play in over 200 cities worldwide. The Victoria ensemble will play holiday favourites in Market Square from 1-3PM. Donations support the times Colonist Christmas Fund, a charity tat assists the people most in need in Greater Victoria.
Public Menorah Lighting
December 29th – 4:30 – 5:15PM, Centennial Square
The Lights of Wonder calendar includes the lighting one of the largest Hanukkah Menorahs in BC. The light of the Menorah symbolizes hope, happiness and acts of kindness.
A Child’s Christmas in Wales
St Andrew’s Presbyterian, 680 Courtney St – December 24th – 2:30PM
A Child’s Christmas in Wales is a warm and nostalgic Vox Humana Christmas tradition. Enjoy the reading of Dylan Thomas’s famous story, interspersed with Christmas carols.
Ready to Open a New Door?
Audra Poole brings a unique level of knowledge, experience and service that is hard to find. She is a skilled negotiator and a highly respected marketing and public relations executive with more than twenty-five years of local, regional and international experience.
Whether you are looking to buy or sell a home in Victoria, Oak Bay, Sidney, Saanich or on Vancouver Island – she’ll be on your side and make the process as stress free and seamless as possible.
