Victoria Events Dec 17-24

Christmas concerts, Westshore Christmas Market, meet Santa Claus and the Grinch, and more!

Author

Amelia Acedo
December 17, 2024

Happy Tuesday, friends. Welcome to another edition of TWIV, taking you through the festive holiday events happening throughout the city. This is our last newsletter of 2024. We are taking a short break for the holidays and we’ll be back in your inbox on Jan 7, 2025. Happy holidays and Happy New Year!

On our radar

🧱 Sidney Museum 19th Annual LEGO Exhibit: Hundreds of LEGO creations will be on display at the museum, starting Dec 20.

🩰 The Gift of the Nutcracker: Enjoy Tchaikovsky’s score performed by the Victoria Symphony and Ballet Victoria. Let all the wonderful characters fill your soul with holiday whimsy and warmth from Dec 28-30. 

🍾 A New Year's Day Celebration: Victoria’s favourite New Year’s tradition is back with soprano Tracy Dahl hitting the high notes as the Victoria Symphony breaks out the bubbly on Jan 1, 2025.

🎸 Sum41: See the pop punk legends at Save-on-Foods Memorial Centre, with special guests PUP and Gob, Jan 10, 2025. 

🎭 Whose Live Anyway: See improv legends from Whose Line Is It Anyway—including two original cast members—at the Royal Theatre on Jan 17, 2025.

🍽 Dine Around and Stay in Town: The city’s favourite foodie festival of the year is back on Jan 24, with more than 50 restaurants highlighting their best dishes through three-course menus set at deliciously low prices. 

🤣 Sara Pascoe: The British comedian and writer will bring her standup to McPherson Playhouse, Feb 14, 2025. 

😂 Nikki Glaser: The Emmy Award-winning comedian will bring her standup to the Royal Theatre, Feb 27 & 28.

Happening this week and weekend

Royal Theatre | Wed & Thurs | 7:30pm

This holiday show returns to the Royal Theatre, with local musician Daniel Lapp leading a group of talented young fiddle players. [$24.50+]

Daniel Lapp. The Royal and McPherson Theatres Society (website).

Royal Theatre | Sat & Sun | 7pm

Enjoy the beloved comedy classic featuring renowned composer John Williams’ charming and delightful score performed live to picture by the Victoria Symphony.

The Langford Legion | Sat & Sun | 10am-4pm

Get ready for a fun-filled day of shopping, festive treats, and family-friendly activities that are sure to bring out the Christmas spirit in everyone. [Free]

Mobb Deep | Tuesday | 5pm

Head to Upstairs Cabaret to see the hip hop duo perform. [$40+]

A Charlie Brown Christmas | Wed, Thurs, and Fri | 5pm and 9pm

Bassist Sean Drabitt reprises the holiday favourite, presenting music from A Charlie Brown Christmas at Hermann’s. Featuring Brent Jarvis on the piano and Joe Poole on the drums. [$35]

Head to McPherson Playhouse to see the Wonderheads perform their signature reimagining of Charles Dickens’ classic: A Christmas Carol. [$40+]

Maestro Giuseppe Pietraroia and the Victoria Symphony are returning to the Westshore with music for the most wonderful time of the year at Dogwood Auditorium in Royal Roads University. [$58+]

DJ Qbert | Thursday | 8:30pm

Visit Capital Ballroom ​​to see the highly skilled skratching DJ. [$22.50+]

Carousel in the Park | Fri, Sat & Sun | 1-8pm and 12-7pm

Head to Veterans Memorial Park for a magical holiday carousel ride and enjoy hot drinks from Morningstar Coffee’s mobile cart and holiday carollers. [By donation]

Carousel in the park. City of Langford (website).

A Drag Queen Christmas | Friday | 8pm

Get ready for your favourite queens performing live on stage at the Royal Theatre. [$57+]

Garret T. Willie | Friday | 8:30pm

See the BC artist perform The Holiday Willie Warmer at Capital Ballroom. [$33.50]

Bring your own camera and capture special moments with Santa Claus, enjoy a festive atmosphere, and holiday cheer. There will be a special Santa menu and proceeds from that menu will go to BC SPCA Wild Animal Rehabilitation Centre. [Free]

Your last chance to shop for gifts and goodies before Christmas at Junction Orchard and Cidery. [Free]

Live Ice Carving | Saturday | 11am-2pm

A professional ice carver will be onsite at The Langford Station Arts and Culture District carving a block of ice into a work of art right in front of your eyes. While you’re there, browse the shops and artist studios, grab a bite to eat from a food truck, and enjoy the beautiful lights. [Free]

City of Langford (website).

The Grinch Meet & Greet | Saturday | 12-2pm and 2:15-4:15pm

Take your kids to Hillside Shopping Centre to meet the Grinch. Reserve your time slot in person or by phone at Guest Services. [By donation]

Merry Kissmas | Saturday | 12-4pm

Be ready to kiss or pose under a giant mistletoe ball and be entered to win a prize pack worth $1,000 at #108 Johnson St. There will be a magical set up and photos will be taken by Four Frames Photo. You will also get a digital copy. [Free]

Sing your favourite fun seasonal songs and Christmas carols, led by Choral Evolution at Edward Milne Community School. [By donation]

Head over to the Esquimalt Gorge Pavilion and enjoy beautiful choir music and an exciting drama. [Free]

Celebrate the return of the light with this family oriented musical tradition featuring acoustic music that ranges from jazz to folk, including premiers of original song compositions created especially for this event at James Bay United. [$30+]

Christmas Show | Sunday | 7-9pm

Join Stephanie Greaves and her talented musicians for a fun night of musical favourites at Hermann’s. [$30]

Celebrate the joys of classic Christmas music featuring traditional favourites like “Hark the Herald Angels Sing” at St. Mary the Virgin Church. [$21.00]

Join in on the fun at this Christmas sing-along at Esquimalt Rec Centre—instruments welcome. [Free]

Hear music from the Capriccio Vocal Ensemble at Christ Church Cathedral. [$35]

A Child’s Christmas in Wales | Next Tuesday | 2:30pm

Hear Dylan Thomas’s classic Christmas prose at St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church, read by Welshman and local Melville Jones. [$38]

Ongoing events

Lights of Wonder | Nov 30-Dec 31 | Daily 4pm

Centennial Square transforms into a dazzling holiday wonderland filled with breathtaking lights, festive cheer, a towering 40-foot Christmas tree, and the exciting ferris wheel. Enjoy live entertainment every Friday and Saturday until Dec 20. [Free]

16th Annual Gingerbread Showcase | Nov 22-Jan 5 | 9am-9pm

The iconic Victoria holiday tradition is back this year at the Hotel Grand Pacific, with incredible creations by professional and home bakers. [Free] 

Yuletide Market | Weekends Nov 8-Dec 19 | 10am-4pm

Visit Bilston Creek Farm on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays for a winter market with over 90 local businesses showcasing their products, food vendors, live music, and more. [$5]

Bastion Square Holiday Market | Dec 19-24 | 11am-5pm
Each day will feature hand crafted goods from local artisans and makers, live music, and more. 

The Parkside Express - Festive Tracks of Giving | Daily Nov 23-Jan 5 | Any time
Step into a holiday wonderland at Parkside Hotel: decked in festive lights and decorations.

The festival is back this year in support of BC Children’s Hospital, showcasing beautifully decorated trees for all to enjoy over the holidays.

Oaklands Outdoor Art Tour | Daily | Any time

Experience the self-guided outdoor walking tour of art displays in the Oaklands, inspired by and reflecting the local culture, social events, and environment of the neighbourhood. [Free]

That’s it!

Thanks for checking in this week. Hope you found something good to add to your calendar. If not, reply back and let us know what you’re looking for. Consider us your concierge to good times.

See you next week? Same time, same place.

✌️ TWIV

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