Victoria Events Nov 26 - Dec 3

Santa Claus Parade, Royal Winnipeg Ballet's Nutcracker, Winter Markets, Music, Paint Nights, and more!

Author

Amelia Acedo
November 26, 2024

Happy Tuesday, friends. Welcome to another edition of TWIV, the newsletter equivalent of that town square chatter you just can't miss.

On our radar

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

⛸ 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.

🎄 Jon and Roy Holiday Special: The beloved local band will host its annual holiday show, now in its 15th year, at the Royal Theatre, Dec 14.

🩰 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. 

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

🌲 Ready to elevate your Christmas décor? Join Patio Gardens' Metal Orb Workshop Dec 3, 6-8 PM, and create something that screams ‘festive and fabulous!’*

*Sponsored Listing

Happening this week and weekend

Cook Street Village | Friday | 4-8pm

Kick off the holiday season with an unforgettable evening at Winter Wonderland in Cook Street Village, featuring craft vendors, village-wide deals, carollers, a kids’ scavenger hunt, photos with Santa, and more. [Free] 

Royal Theatre | Fri, Sat & Sun | 7pm and 1pm

See the Royal Winnipeg Ballet’s acclaimed Nutcracker, featuring a hockey game, Mounties, polar bears, reindeer, and a battle on Parliament Hill. [$49+]

Royal Winnipeg Ballet. Website

Belleville and Government | Saturday | 5-8:30pm

Check out the beloved Victoria holiday tradition in its 42nd year, with floats, live music, and a visit from Santa starting at Belleville and Government. [Free]

Just the 2 of Us | Tuesday | 7:30pm

See the duo, featuring award-winning Canadian singer Joëlle Rabu and Nigerian-born rising star Buwa at Charlie White Theatre. [$46]

Reggaefied | Tuesday | 8pm

Join The Mint for a night of 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]

Paint a Merridale mug with a design of your own creation. Your ticket includes a complimentary mulled apple cider. [$38]

Arthur Erickson | Wednesday | 7pm

A presentation and discussion on the life and work of Arthur Erickson by noted architecture critic Trevor Boddy including a distinguished panel at the Wentworth Villa. [$30]

UVic Artisan Market | Thursday | 12-6pm

Visit the Michèle Pujol Room in the Student Union Building for a special event celebrating creativity with a showcase of handmade crafts from talented local and student artisans. [Free]

Paint Night Fundraiser Event | Thursday | 6-8pm

Unleash your inner artist and enjoy a social evening with food, drinks, and painting on this guided and interactive painting experience at Spencer Middle School in Langford. [$46]

David Gogo and Band | Thursday | 7pm

See David Gogo present his new album YEAH! at Hermanns. [$25]

Out of Hand Modern Market | Fri - Sun | 10am

Shop a gorgeous array of handmade goods by 100+ incredible makers, designers, and artisans from BC at Crystal Gardens. [$10.50]

Winter Bazaar | Fri - Sun | 5-9pm and 10am-5pm

Sip and shop at this thoughtfully curated winter market with 110+ artists, with super special guest artists from across BC and Alberta at the Gorge Park Pavilion. [$10.95]

The Pacific Centre Family Services Association is bringing together the ‘movers and shakers’ for an elegant and heartwarming evening at the Olympic View Golf and Country Club, with 150 of Greater Victoria’s community and business leaders, and philanthropists. [$175] 

Steve Middleton | Friday | 7pm

See the Victoria singer and songwriter perform his contemporary original music, featuring his warm vocal style and acoustic guitar. [$56.70]

Unwrap the holiday season with a joyful evening of music for the soul at North Douglas Church, with a mix of classic Motown and soul, and heart-warming Christmas favourites. [$25]

9th Annual Deck the Stalls | Saturday | 10am-2pm

The Victoria Therapeutic Riding Association will decorate 12 horse stalls—the community is invited to stop by and vote for their favourite stall and enjoy holiday treats, beverages and have your photo taken with a very special horse.

Quadra Village Holiday Market | Saturday | 10am-3pm

Visit this holiday event organized by youth from the pre-employment and life skills program at Quadra Village Community Centre. [$2 or a non-perishable food item]

Artistic Craft Market | Sat & Sun | 10:30am-5pm

Visit the Da Vinci Centre for two days of exceptional arts and crafts, with 40 exhibitors showcasing their work. [$5]

Christmas Market | Saturday | 11am-6pm

Kick off the holiday season at the Victoria Public Market with a day of festivities featuring Christmas Carollers, live music and an artisan market with unique gifts. [Free]

Visit the First Unitarian Church of Victoria for a fun afternoon of singing and learning ABBA’s Take A Chance On Me in simple harmony. [By donation]

Visit the Royal BC Museum for this collaboration between the college and the museum, exploring burial traditions, landscapes of the dead, and the continuing human quest to make sense of mortality, with a focus on Stonehenge. [Included with admission]

WinterFest at Royal BC Museum | Saturday | 5-8:30pm

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. [Free]

Pasta Making Class | Saturday | 6-9pm

Join La Pasta in the Victoria Public Market for a fun night learning to make perfect pasta, with tips like how to knead the dough to develop gluten for elasticity, and more. [$90]

HO HO HO Comedy Show | Saturday | 7pm

Visit the Sports View Bar at Oak Bay Rec Centre for a festive holiday standup comedy show presented by Kirsten Van Ritzen and performed by her fall Level 1 and 2 comedy class. [$15]

Vibes & Verses | Saturday | 8pm

Bring friends and family to a night you won't forget, with live music, spoken word, dance, visual art, and more, celebrating Black excellence in Victoria at Kwench Club. [$33+]

Head to Wicket Hall for a fun night dancing to Sabrina’s new album mixed with your favourite classics and girlie-pop bops. [$12+]

Pet Photos with Santa | Sunday | 10am-4pm

Stop by View Royal Hall to get your photos taken with the Grinch Santa. Proceeds from the photos go to Broken Promises Rescue. [$20. Digital photos]

Breakfast With Santa | Sunday | 10am-1:30pm

He’s making a list and coming to the Oak Bay Beach Hotel to check it twice. Buffet brunch includes house-made cookie decorating, a visit from Mr. Claus himself, as well as on-site photo printing by Four Frames Photo Booth. [$59-$99]

Breakfast with Santa at the Oak Bay Beach Hotel. Website

Celebrate the start of the holiday season with a visit with Elmo and Cookie Monster at the upper area of Tillicum Centre. [Free]

Christmas Greenery Wreath Workshop | Sunday | 12:30-2:30pm

Visit Ile Sauvage Brewery for a guided workshop making a large luxe Christmas wreath out of cedar with pinecones that you take home and enjoy for the holiday season. [$105]

WE ARE ONE! 2024 | Sunday | 2pm
Head to the Dave Dunnet Community Theatre in Oak Bay to see outstanding performers, including the legendary Roy Forbes, Caleb Hart (Island Soul-Caribbean), CBC Radios' Gregor Craigie, and the REACH! Diverse-Ability Performing Co. [$30]

Stop by the Bard and Banker Pub to create a fresh wreath that will last throughout the holidays. All supplies are included and no experience required. [$60]

Music Bingo Fundraiser | Sunday | 7-9pm

A FUN-draiser for Greater Victoria Citizens' Counselling Centre at the Fernwood Inn. [$30]

David Nihill | Sunday | 8pm

Head to Capital Ballroom for a night of laughs with David Nihill’s new show Shelf Help, mixing comedy and reading recommendations. [$39.50+]

Barbara Hannigan & Bertrand Chamayou | Monday | 7:30pm
Visit the Royal Theatre this Monday for an evening of music with renowned artists, soprano Barbara Hannigan and pianist Bertrand Chamayou, featuring special guest appearances by Terrence Tam (principal violin of Victoria Symphony) and Benjamin Butterfield (head of voice at UVic School of Music). [$65+]

See the new holiday show at the Royal Theatre, as the legendary Glenn Miller Orchestra rolls out their timeless hits and puts a twist on our favourite songs of the holiday season. [$75+]

Ongoing events

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

Centennial Square transforms into a dazzling holiday wonderland filled with breathtaking lights and festive cheer. Enjoy live entertainment every Friday and Saturday until December 20. [Free]

Potters by the Sea | Nov 29-Dec 5 | Daily | 10am-4pm

Eleven artists from the South Vancouver Island Potters Guild are presenting local handmade pottery, unique, functional, and artistic creations to admire and for gift giving this holiday season at ArtSea Gallery. [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. 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] 

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.

VICTORIA TECH JOURNAL

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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