Victoria Events Dec 19-26

Christmas dinners, carolling events, candlelight performances and more!

Author

Robyn Bell
December 19, 2023

Happy Tuesday, friends. Welcome to another edition of TWIV, your weekly event newsletter—this time with a holiday twist!

On our radar

🥂 New Year’s Eve Party at Bard and Banker: Ring in the New Year at this popular spot. Get a complimentary glass of bubbly and party favours.

🎊 Dance Dance Resolution: Celebrate the year’s end and catch Astrocolor at Capital Ballroom for this special NYE performance. 

🎸 The Legendary Life of Tom Petty: Stories and songs from Tom Petty brought to life, featuring Clayton Bellamy at the McPherson Playhouse on March 15, 2024.

🎶 Alan Doyle: The Canadian musician and Great Big Sea frontman will perform at the McPherson Playhouse February 22.

🤣 Chelsea Handler: The comedian will take her North American tour to the Save-on-Foods Memorial Centre on March 8, 2024.

Happening this week and weekend

Thursday | Christ Church Cathedral | 5:45pm

Hear Tchaikovsky’s legendary holiday ballet score, performed by candlelight. [$39+]

Friday, Saturday, Next Tuesday | Charlie White Theatre | 2pm & 7pm

Enjoy this silly performance with music, audience participation and a classic fairy tale. [$22]

Friday & Saturday | Vic Theatre | 6pm

Sing along with Maria and the Von Trapps at this screening of the classic film. [$20]

It’s a Wonderful Life at Cinecenta | Today & Wednesday | 5pm & 7:30pm

There will be multiple screenings of this holiday classic at Cinecenta. [$9]

Bands! Bands! Bands! | Today | 7pm

See this lineup of local musicians at the Victoria Event Centre, with a holiday twist. [$8]

Bring out your most cringey Christmas sweater for this shindig at the Bard and Banker, featuring live music and prizes for the ugliest sweater. [Free]

Daniel Lapp. Photo: Royal McPherson

Daniel Lapp’s Home for Christmas | Wednesday & Thursday | 7:30pm

In its 20th year, Lapp’s Home for Christmas will be at the Royal Theatre for the first time. Enjoy the legendary fiddler and trumpet player as he takes on holiday classics. [$23.50+]

Louise Rose | Wednesday | 7pm

See the talented singer perform her Alone Together show at Hermann’s. [$20]

Beauty and the Beast Panto | Wed-Fri at 7pm & Sat at 2pm

Head to St. Luke’s Church for a classic Christmas panto with audience participation, songs and plenty of laughs. [$12]

NWA Xmas Carol | Thursday | 10pm

Get festive in the coolest way possible at this gangster rap Christmas party at Lucky Bar. [$11]

HundredHz - Motion | Thursday | 10pm

Enjoy this multi-genre rave featuring founder and host Phulla. [$15+]

Desi Me Rollin | Thursday | 9pm

Join this Bollywood-themed evening at The Wicket with DJ Kino-B spinning. [$8]

Sounds of Cuba | Friday | 8:30pm

See eight talented Island-based Cuban musicians perform at Hermann’s Upstairs. [$30]

Community Carols | Friday | 5pm

Join your neighbours at Christ Church Cathedral for this festive sing-along and grab a cup of hot apple cider. [Free]

Photo: Christ Church Cathedral

Christmas Sing-along | Friday | 7pm

Sing along to holiday classics, led by Angela Verbrugge and Tony Genge on keys at The Oaks. [Free]

Dance to funk, soul, Latin and pop tunes at this end-of-year show at Hermann’s Upstairs. [$20]

Join the beloved Victoria singer for her festive performance at Hermann’s. [$30]

Undertow | Saturday | 7:30pm

See these local surf rockers at Christie’s Carriage House Pub. [Free]

Drop-in Dive and Brunch | Saturday | 9:30am

Get in a Christmas dive before grabbing a free brunch with hot drinks and pancakes at Frank Whites Dive Shop. [Free]

Photo: Frank White Dive Shop

Get into the festive spirit with this Christmas Eve feast. Be sure to reserve a table to guarantee a spot. [Free entrance]

Enjoy this Christmas Eve dinner featuring a choice of turkey, prime rib or mushroom bourguignon. Reserve to guarantee a spot. [$95]

Enjoy a festive four-course dinner at the resort, with options for kids. [$99]

Festival of Trees | Sunday | 10am-8pm

Enjoy this holiday favourite at the Bay Centre with 70 festive trees decorated for Christmas. [Free]

Candles and Carols | Sunday | 10:30am

Enjoy Christmas tunes by candlelight at City Light Church. [Free]

Photo: Oak Bay Beach Hotel

Christmas Dinner at Oak Bay Beach Hotel | Monday | Starting at 5pm

Enjoy a three-course meal and wine pairing at the hotel dining room to celebrate the holiday. [$199]

Community Christmas Lunch | Monday | 11am & 1pm

Head to the Mary Winspear Centre to have a Christmas celebration with other community members. [By donation]

Christmas Brunch Buffet | Monday & Next Tuesday | 7am-2pm

Grab some tasty brunch as part of your Christmas celebrations at Fathom. [$68]

Die Hard at OBBH | Next Tuesday | 5pm

See the (hotly-debated) holiday classic at the Oak Bay Beach Hotel, with a pizza dinner, drinks and buttered popcorn. [$89]

Ongoing events

Gage Gallery Small Works Shop | Until January 14 | 11am-5pm

Jewelry, small paintings, ceramics and more will be available to buy at the main gallery. 

Santa at Mayfair Mall | Until December 24 | During mall hours

Find Santa and his elves in front of Bath and Body Works for a holiday photo.

Drag Brunch at Vicious Poodle | Saturdays & Sundays | 11am

Enjoy a hearty brunch while Victoria’s top drag performers put on a show. [Free entrance]

Moss Street Market | Saturdays | 10am-2pm

Discover local vendors, get farm-fresh produce and listen to live music at this weekly market. [Free]

Feel Free: Free Gallery Days at AGGV | First Saturday from 10am-5pm | Thursdays from 5-9pm

The first Saturday of every month and every Thursday evening will be a Free Gallery Day at the Art Gallery of Greater Victoria.

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

What did you think of today's newsletter?

Login or Subscribe to participate in polls.

❤️ Review of the week