Victoria Events Nov 28 - Dec 5

Christmas concerts, markets galore, whisky tasting, light ups and more!

Author

Robyn Bell
November 28, 2023

Happy Tuesday, friends. Welcome to another edition of TWIV, our guided newsletter tour through the heartbeat of our community.

On our radar

🤡 Bianca Del Rio: The RuPaul’s Drag Race winner and self-described “clown in a gown” will bring her brash standup comedy to the Royal Theatre, April 13. 

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

🎭 Jesus Christ Superstar: The 50th anniversary tour will hit the Royal Theatre from Jan 2-7.

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

🤸 Cirque du Soleil: Corteo: Take in this joyous circus performance Jan 11-14 at Save-on-Foods Memorial Arena.

🎙️ Prepare for an enchanting evening of jazz as vocalist, Heather Ferguson and an All Star Band take the stage at Hermann’s Jazz Club in Victoria on December 8.*

*Sponsored Listing

Happening this week and weekend

Saturday | The Langford Station | 3-7pm

Enjoy this annual light up, along with hot chocolate, face painting, balloons and other festive activities for all ages. [Free]

Saturday & Sunday | Kwench | 12-7:30pm

Explore the art of pairing whisky sips with snacks at this tasting weekend. [$60]

Friday | Christ Church Cathedral | 5:45pm & 8pm

See music from The Nutcracker and more performed by candlelight in this intimate show. [$34]

Bar Poco AgRI Fundraiser | Tuesday | 5pm

Enjoy a four-course meal at Bar Poco (Tapa Bar’s sister restaurant) at this fundraising event for Zambian farmers. [$120]

Queen Kong | Tuesday | 7pm

See the big band pay tribute to New York’s “radical Jewish culture movement” at Hermann’s. [$25]

Music of Phil Nimmons | Wednesday | 8pm

UVic’s Jazz and Creative Music Ensemble will celebrate Nimmon’s 100th with a selection of his work at Phillip T. Young Hall. [By donation]

The Debaters Christmas Special | Thursday | 7:30pm

See comedians battle out topics through jokes and logic, along with some holiday standup at Bodine Hall in Sidney. [$56]

Photo: Ticketseller

Tribute to Dexter Gordon | Thursday | 7pm

The Andrew Greenwood Quintet takes on the saxophonist’s repertoire at Hermann’s. [$20]

The Spirit of Christmas | Friday | 7:30pm

The Peninsula Singers will take on some festive holiday tunes at the Mary Winspear Centre, while supporting the Saanich Peninsula Hospital. [$35]

Funk the Halls | Friday | 9pm

See the Funk Hunters at Capital Ballroom for the 8th instalment of Funk the Halls. [$30+]

Fire and Ice | Friday | 9pm

This two-stage dance show will feature a stacked lineup of DJs at Hermann’s Upstairs. [$15]

Ashley Wey | Friday | 7pm

Wey will bring both her trio and quartet to the Hermann’s stage for this show. [$25]

HOMO: A queer cabaret | Friday | 7:30pm

This camp cabaret features a lineup of drag and queer performers at Metro Studio. [$27]

This mix of ballet and Ukrainian folk dancing offers a twist to the classic holiday ballet at Royal Theatre. [$50]

Photo: Royal McPherson

Dickens Fair | Saturday | 10am

Check out local artisans at this Christmas market at the James Bay Community Centre. [$3]

Join the big band at Hermann’s for a bluesy Christmas show. [$25]

Tragically Hip Tribute Show | Saturday | 8:30pm

See Nautical Disaster perform songs from The Hip and fundraise for 100.3 the Q’s food drive at Hermann’s Upstairs. [$30]

Christmas Spirit Market | Saturday | 11am-5pm

Get local goodies at this market at Metchosin Community Hall. Arrive early and be one of the first 30 people to receive a free gift bag. [Free]

Lion’s skate with Santa | Saturday | 2:30-4pm

Hit the ice with Santa Claus, with hot chocolate provided by the Esquimalt Lion’s Club, at the Archie Browning Centre. [Free]

Join this annual party with carriage rides and cookie decorating at Saanichton Village. [By donation]

Winter Bazaar | Saturday & Sunday | 11am-5pm

Check out 90+ artisans and makers at this market happening at Gorge Park Pavilion. [Fees may apply]

Songs for a Winter’s Night | Saturday & Sunday | 3pm

See the Victoria Children's Choir take on festive tunes at Alix Goolden Hall. [$23]

Photo: Victoria Conservatory of Music

Nerdy Days Christmas Fair | Saturday & Sunday | 11am-4pm

Get some nerdy crafts at this 10th annual fair, happening on the lower level of Market Square. [By donation]

Lagwagon | Sunday | 8pm

See the band take their Canadian tour to Capital Ballroom. [$34.50]

Hear traditional Scottish songs in Gaelic at Trinity Presbyterian Church, with light refreshments available. [$15]

Folk Holiday Fair | Sunday | 11am-1pm, 12:30-2:30pm, 2-4pm

Shop these handmade goods at Sea Cider, with three time slots available.

Naden Band Christmas show | Monday & Tuesday | 7:30pm

Join the Naden Band of the Royal Canadian Navy for this Christmas concert. [$12 and an unwrapped present to donate]

Photo: Royal McPherson Theatre

Glass Tiger | Monday | 8pm

The band will offer some festive cheer with this holiday show at the McPherson Playhouse. [$43]

Bach Advent Cantatas | Monday | 7pm

Hear these classic Christmas cantatas at St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church. [$10]

Brett Kissel | Next Tuesday | 8pm

Catch the Canadian country singer performing at McPherson Playhouse. [$71]

Jingle Brass | Next Tuesday | 7pm

Join the UVic brass studios as they ring in the holiday season at Phillip T. Young Recital Hall. [By donation]

Ongoing Events

Natural History Tour at RBCM | Every Tuesday until Dec 5

Join this 30-min guided tour to learn more about the history of the Pacific Northwest. 

See artists explore the personal aspects of laundry as women's work. [By donation]

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]

Esquimalt Farmers Market | Thursdays | 4:30-6:30pm

Load up on farm-fresh goodies at this local market, happening indoors at Esquimalt Recreation. [Free]

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

Beginning on Sept 2, the first Saturday of every month and every Thursday evening will be a Free Gallery Day at the Art Gallery of Greater Victoria.

Theatresports with Garden City Improv | Every Friday until Dec 1 | 8pm

For the first time in 10 years, the competitive improv mayhem show will happen weekly at Club Kwench. [$25]

Other things you might want to know

POSTPONED: Gryphon Trio: Echo workshop event on Dec 3 will be postponed to a different VOS season.

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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