12 days, 12 ways to celebrate Christmas around the Capital
Snow may be a rarity in British ColumbiaB次元官网网址檚 capital city, but the holidays are a magical time in Victoria nonetheless, with twinkling lights, magical holiday music and yes, a sleigh-full of seasonal events!
The Butchart Gardens celebrates the holiday season. Jen Blyth photo
Snow may be a rarity in British ColumbiaB次元官网网址檚 capital city, but the holidays are a magical time in Victoria nonetheless, with twinkling lights, magical holiday music and yes, a sleigh-full of seasonal events!
If youB次元官网网址檙e looking for a few ways to get festive, here are some of our favouritesB次元官网网址�
In a spectacle thatB次元官网网址檚 a must-see for locals and visitors alike, the Butchart Gardens presents a magical canvas of thousands of twinkling lights shining across their beautiful 55-acre gardens. DonB次元官网网址檛 miss the 12 Days of Christmas displays throughout the gardens, and for the young B次元官网网址� and young-at-heart B次元官网网址� a turn around the carousel is a must! Take in the magical displays through Jan. 5.
While strolling the picturesque streets of downtown Victoria, head to the Bay Centre where through Jan. 4 the 30th annual has the centre all a-twinkle, in support of the BC ChildrenB次元官网网址檚 Hospital. Also on-site is the through Dec. 29, including an interactive light tunnel.
Bay Centre dazzles with lights, decorations and the Festival of Trees, in support of BC ChildrenB次元官网网址檚 Hospital. Christmas Jen Blyth photo.
Deliciously decorated delights await at the , a fundraiser for Habitat for Humanity. Experience this magical family-friendly walking tour in the heart of downtown Victoria, where gingerbread creations are on display at The Parkside Hotel & Spa, The Chateau Victoria, The Marriott Inner Harbour and The Doubletree.
Step back in time at , dressed for the season in all her Victorian finery. A must-see at the holidays is Jason StevensB次元官网网址� one-man re-telling of Charles 顿颈肠办别苍蝉B次元官网网址� A Christmas Carol, with performances through Christmas Eve.
Hop aboard the for a brand-new Sleigh Boat Ride through the Inner Harbour. With sailings at 4, 5 and 6 p.m. until Dec. 23, each trip will start at Causeway Flats, cruise out to FishermanB次元官网网址檚 Wharf, and return, with passengers treated to a unique version of The Night Before Christmas, classic holiday songs and complimentary hot chocolate and churros from Puerto Vallarta Amigos.
, VictoriaB次元官网网址檚 largest, free, outdoor light display, returns to Centennial Square Dec. 16 to 31. Share the magic of the season, enjoy seasonal entertainment, sip some hot chocolate, and take a selfie or two under the canopy of lights.
Also downtown, the Old Town is dressed for the holidays with festive lighting and seasonal decorations, and at the , located at the museum, climb aboard the Polar Express, showing through Dec. 31.
Head north, about 40 minutes from downtown, to the where southern Vancouver IslandB次元官网网址檚 newest attraction is ringing in the holidays. Stop by SantaB次元官网网址檚 Workshop, where you can create holiday decorations to take home or display in the welcome centre, and the Claus Family Bakery B次元官网网址� serving cookies and a special hot chocolate to enjoy around the fire pit, surrounded by the scents and sounds of the forest. And you never know, Father Christmas might even stop by for a visit!
Music is deeply interwoven with the holidays, and Victoria offers an array of musical interludes to enjoy.
The JUNO Award-winning vocal group The Tenors returns with their SantaB次元官网网址檚 Wish tour, taking the stage Dec. 14, while the Civic Orchestra of Victoria brings the Sing-Along Messiah to the beautiful Alix Goolden Hall Dec. 15. Dec. 18 brings 颁辞辞办别颈濒颈诲丑B次元官网网址檚 festive feast of Celtic and holiday favourites, We Need A Little Christmas, to the in Sidney.
Forget Netflix B次元官网网址� take a break from shopping and enjoy your favourite holiday movies on the big screen! The continues its VIP Holiday Movie Nights with Home Alone, Dec. 14 and 15, Love Actually Dec. 21, 22 and 29, and Bridget JonesB次元官网网址� Diary Dec. 28. Downtown, the brings more holiday hits: A Christmas Story, Dec. 20, The Sound of Music, Dec. 19 and 30, and The Nutcracker, Dec. 23, plus two B次元官网网址渁nti-ChristmasB次元官网网址� hits, Die Hard, Dec. 23, and Hot Fuzz, Dec. 16.
顿颈肠办别苍蝉B次元官网网址� A Christmas Carol gets a particularly theatrical treatment during , Dec. 18 at the McPherson Playhouse, while for fans of Monty Python, Mr. Bean and Dr. Seuss, thereB次元官网网址檚 Christmas with a comic twist when James and Jamesy come to town with , at the Royal Theatre Dec. 19.
James and Jamesy bring a little humour to the holidays with O Christmas Tea, at the Royal Theatre Dec. 19.
returns to the Royal Theatre stage with The Gift, an imaginative re-telling of The Nutcracker, danced to TchaikovskyB次元官网网址檚 timeless score performed by the Victoria Symphony. On stage Dec. 28 to 30, this timeless tale is guaranteed to warm your heart and spread holiday cheer.
Happy holidays!
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