Victoria Events Nov 19 - 26

Holiday-themed events, wreath making workshops, cooking classes, music, and more!

Author

Amelia Acedo
November 19, 2024

Happy Tuesday, friends. Welcome to another edition of TWIV, the newsletter equivalent of your neighbourhood coffee shop bulletin board.

On our radar

🎅🏼 Victoria Santa Claus Parade: Check out this beloved holiday tradition in its 42nd year, with floats, live music, and a visit from Santa, Nov 30. 

❄️ WinterFest at Royal BC Museum: The Royal BC Museum will host an outdoor multicultural holiday market, with hot drinks, tasty treats, food vendors, multicultural performances, and more on Nov 30 and Dec 1. 

🧑‍🎄 Langford Station's Winter Village Market: Get ready for a magical evening at the Langford Station on Dec 7. There will be photo opportunities with Santa and Mrs. Claus, a hot dog station, a hot chocolate and hot apple cider station, live music, a tree-lighting ceremony, and more.

⛸ Stars on Ice Holiday Tour: A special holiday edition of Stars on Ice, featuring some of the most accomplished figure skaters in the world is coming to Victoria on Dec 10 to the Save-On-Foods Memorial Centre.

🏠 Home Alone in Concert: Enjoy the beloved comedy classic featuring renowned composer John Williams’ charming and delightful score performed live to picture by the Victoria Symphony at the Royal Theatre on Dec 21.

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

🎸 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.

🍽 Culinaire: Vancouver Island’s finest food and beverage event will return to the Victoria Conference Centre on Feb 26, 2025. 

📸 Embrace the festive frenzy —happy pets, silly kids, and zero appointments needed! Join the fun at Patio Gardens for Pet/Family photos with santa! Multiple dates!*

*Sponsored Listing

Happening this week and weekend

Royal Theatre | Tuesday | 7:30pm

Celebrate the holidays with Alberta’s own Jann Arden as she puts her unique spin on the classics you know and love, featured on her 2015 release A Jann Arden Christmas. [Sold out] 

Downtown Sidney| Friday | 4-8pm

Experience unique shopping at your favourite downtown Sidney shops and discover the magic of a small-town Christmas by the Sea. There will be treat stations throughout downtown Sidney, free gift cards with purchases, a wreath making station, live music, photos with Santa, and more. [Free]

Sidney BIA. Credit: Janis Jean Photography

Sea Cider Farm | Sunday | 11am-4pm

A European-style holiday market with a West Coast country charm: explore the Forest Village, Ciderhouse and Pavilion, and find over 40 hand-selected local artisan vendors, food and drink offerings and wreath-making workshops, live festive music, carollers, and more. [$5]

Christmas specialties, sample delicious food, get a 10% discount in store purchase, and more. [Free]

Join Chef Vincenzo Capitano at HOB Fine Foods for a night of preparing three classic Italian dishes including a starter, an entree, and dessert. [$140]

Join the ninety minute masterclass at the Charlie White Theatre in Sidney, diving deep into the darkest and most thought provoking of subjects, where Dr. Rachel Toles, true crime’s preeminent Psychologist, seeks to help us understand what makes a serial killer and why they commit such horrific crimes. [$60]

Visit Starlite Soap Studio for a two-hour workshop where you’ll make an effective and great smelling natural scrub, an all-purpose spray cleaner, a solid round dishwashing soap, complete with scrub brush, and more. [$79]

Marketplace Mixer | Thursday | 4-7pm

Visit the Songhees Wellness Centre to be a part of the Greater Victoria Chamber of Commerce's annual business tradeshow. The event is an opportunity to dive into a vibrant showcase of products and services offered by Chamber members. Indulge in light snacks provided by Songhees Events and Catering while you mingle, and quench your thirst at the cash bar, run by Spinnakers Brewpub. [$24]

Stroll into the season at Dunsmuir Middle School with 60+ student and community vendors selling wares, including a bake sale, book sale, pizza concession, 50/50 raffle, and more. [Free]

Tribute to Joe Henderson | Thursday | 7pm

See the David Santana Quintet bringing the music of Joe Henderson to life at Hermann’s. [$25+]

Jesse Roper | Thurs & Fri | 8pm

The Victoria musician will be rolling back into town to play all your faves and less faves with special guest Nicky MacKenzie at Royal Theatre. [$35+]

Jesse Roper. Website

Tyler Hilton | Thursday | 9pm

See the singer-songwriter at Capital Ballroom. [$27.50+]

Victoria Gem Show | Fri, Sat, & Sun | 1pm and 10am

Western Canada’s largest gem show is back, featuring 50+ of the best gem, mineral and jewellery vendors from across Canada at Pearkes Recreation Centre. [$8+]

Magic of Christmas Artisan Market | Fri, Sat, & Sun | 5-9pm, 10am-5pm, and 10am-4pm

Visit the Eagle Ridge Community Centre in Langford and check out over 130 handmade artisans, all under one roof. [$3] 

Cafe Fantastico Unplugged | Friday | 6:30pm

Take a pause, unplug, and reconnect. Leave your devices behind and immerse yourself in an intentional evening away from screens and notifications. Bring your knitting, craft supplies, favourite games, and that book you’ve been meaning to finish, and enjoy in person conversations, genuine connections, or solitude in the company of others at Cafe Fantastico on Quadra Village. [By donation]

See the orchestra perform at the First Metropolitan United Church on Balmoral Rd. with conductor and music director Yariv Aloni. [$22+]

Classified | Friday | 9pm

See the Canadian rapper present the Welcome To The Maritimes tour with Ria Mae, JRDN, Brett Matthews, O'Sound, DJ IV, and special guests at Capital Ballroom. [$36.50+]

A Spoon Full of Sugar | Saturday | 10-am-5pm

See the durational performance that resists normative spoon-fed ideas and perceptions of gender at the Art Gallery of Greater Victoria. In this work, artist Holly Timpener uses time to transform their desire to please others. This performance exhibits an intimate journey of internal transformation and personal discovery, emphasizing the importance of self-acceptance and offering hope to others on a similar journey. [Free]

West Coast Winter Market | Saturday | 11am-4pm

Visit the holiday market at Oaklands Community Centre featuring vendors selling fresh produce, prepared foods, arts, crafts, hot drinks, and more. [By donation] 

Learn how to create Victorian-inspired handmade cards and envelopes for your loved ones at Carr House National Historic Site with artist Helga Strauss. [$33]

Raffi | Sat & Sun | 2pm 

Bring your little ones to see the iconic children’s performer at the Royal Theatre. [$51.50+]

The Storybook Nutcracker | Sat & Sun | 2pm & 6pm

See the Ballet Étoile present a unique production bringing the classic Nutcracker story to life with engaging narration, vibrant costumes, and the intimate setting of the Charlie White Theatre. [$25+]

Get into the festive spirit at Bespoke Blossoms with a hands-on workshop where you'll learn how to create your very own unique holiday wreath. [$118]

Fresh Holiday Wreath. Bespoke Blossoms

Amy Steinberg | Saturday | 4pm

See the powerhouse of creativity and inspiration, Amy Steinberg bringing her unique blend of spirituality, art, and music to the Victoria Truth Centre. [$25]

Visit Uptown Boulevard to see the 54 ft. tree light up in the Town Plaza. Listen to community performances on stage, with acts including The County Line and The Midnights. Santa will help count down to light the tree at 7pm. [Free]

Manic Focus | Saturday | 9:30pm

See the artist of many talents and unique style with DJ Mt. Doyle and BB Stepz at Capital Ballroom. [$34.50]

EFM Annual Holiday Market | Sunday | 11am-5pm

Visit the market where food lovers do their Christmas shopping. More than 90 vendors will be selling culinary-inspired gifts like handcrafted pottery and kitchenware, plus children’s clothing, ornaments, handmade jewelry, greeting cards, and so much more. There will be live music and food trucks. [Entrance by donation]

Kluxen - Liszt & Lieder | Sunday | 2:30pm

Lyric tenor Josh Lovell returns home to Victoria to sing Finzi’s rhapsodic cantata and some of Strauss’s exquisite lieder in rich orchestral settings at The Farquhar at Uvic. [$29+]

Night of Lights | Sunday | 6pm

Visit Hillside Shopping Centre for an evening of shopping, entertainment, appetizers, in-store discounts, and the chance to win fabulous door prizes. [$5]

Join Hermann’s for a night of swinging big band tunes carrying the tradition of Don Leppard. [$15+]

Flamenco Tablao | Sunday | 7pm

See a live flamenco performance with Flamenco Tablao featuring Lia Crowe, Haida Gouchie, Estelle Kurier, Veronica Maguire, Gareth Owen, Mary Storzer, and Denise Yeo at The Mint. [$33+]

Follow the yellow brick road to the Vicious Poodle, defying gravity and celebrating all things Wicked, just in time for the highly anticipated movie musical’s theatrical release. [No cover]

Corb Lund | Monday | 7:45pm & 10:15

See the Albertan country and western singer-songwriter perform at Capital Ballroom. [$39.50]

Reggaefied | Next Tuesday | 8pm

Join The Mint for a night filled with good vibes and even better music, grooving to live reggae remixes of your favourite soul and R&B tracks along with some of the best songs from today's most influential reggae artists. [$28]

Ongoing events

Cozy Christmas Food Tour | Nov 21-Dec 31 | Wed-Sun | 11am & 1:30pm

A festive 2-hour walking tour featuring seven culinary stops and an array of holiday-inspired delights, including egg nog chocolate, spiced nuts, gooey cheese, decadent hot chocolate, and much more. [$80]

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

The iconic Victoria holiday tradition is back this year at the Hotel Grand Pacific. The event where professional and home bakers spend hundreds of hours interpreting the showcase theme, in many creative ways, and with edible materials of all kinds is self-guided. [Free] 

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

Centennial Square transforms into a dazzling holiday wonderland filled with breathtaking lights and festive cheer. Themed light exhibits, interactive tunnels, and a towering 40-foot Christmas tree—perfect for memorable selfies under the glittering canopy. Live entertainment every Friday and Saturday until December 20. [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]

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

4th Annual Diverse Threads Art Show & Sale | Nov 15-21 | 10am-4pm daily

Beautiful and unique handmade items perfect for the holiday season: six fibre artists, one photographer and one potter at the ArtSea Gallery Tulista Park in Sidney.

Bastion Square Holiday Market | Various dates | 11am-5pm
Each day will feature hand crafted goods from local artisans and makers, live music, and more. Dates: Nov 23, 24, and 30. Dec 1, 6, 7, 8, 13,14,15, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, and 24.

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. Explore the nostalgic charm of multiple model Christmas trains circling a quaint village and treat yourself to a candy cane and hot chocolate.

TASTING 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

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