Things to Do for Christmas in Victoria BC A Locals Guide

Christmas in Victoria is magical. The small city atmosphere, combined with a long traditioned practice of gathering for community “light ups” and other events throughout the season allows for a warm, festive vibe. There’s a bustle of people on Government Street, Fort Street and downtown around the Bay Centre, either shopping or simply out enjoying the mild temperatures. The harbour is beautiful during the day, and especially in the evening with lights on display. There are so many great things to do in Victoria and nearby at Christmas time, and during the Christmas and holiday season. It’s a great place to find that holiday spirit!

It may seem early, however for those businesses and municipalities who’ve verified Christmas and holiday themed events for 2022, we’re noting the events below to make it easier for you to plan. As you can see, some events begin soon! We’ve attempted to keep it all in date order (soonest first) for ease of reference. Enjoy the greater Victoria area at Chirstimas time!

Legend:

Holiday Concerts, Plays, Music, Ballet, Dance = Blue

Holiday Parades = Green

Christmas/Festive Lights = Purple

Fun with Santa events = Red

Movies and Cinema = Brown

Other Christmas/Holiday Themed Events = Yellow

Christmas In The Haunted Manor

Where: 711 Yates Street, Victoria
When: November 9, 2022 – Januaary 1, 2023
Cost: $24.95 or ages 15 & under $17.95 Details

2022 Light up the City!

Where: Throughout the City of Victoria
Dates: November 15, – December 31, 2022
Cost: Free to attend. Details not yet posted to GVFS website, check for updates

Festival of Trees at the Bay Centre

Where: Bay Centre 1150 Douglas Street, Victoria
When: November 17, 2022-January 3, 2023
Cost: Free, donate to vote on favourite tree, proceeds to BC Childrens Hospital raising funds for diabetes Details

Located in the heart of downtown Victoria the annual Festival of Trees is a must see for your family!

Christmas on the Farm Milk and Cookies with Santa – Mini Photoshoot

Where:Ponies & Pipsqueaks – 6044 Oldfield Road Saanich
When: Nov 19 &20, 2022 10:00am, 10:45am, 11:30am, 1:00pm, 1:45pm, 2:30pm, 3:15pm, 4:00pm
Cost: $225 (up to 5 pictures) Details

A Celtic Family Christmas
Natalie MacMaster & Donnell Leahy

Where: Royal Theatre – 805 Broughton St, Victoria
When: November 22, 2022 @ 8:00 p.m.
Cost: Tickets starting at $46 Details

40th Peninsula Co-op Santa Claus Parade

Where: starting at Belleville and Government Street
When: Saturday, November 26, 2022 at 5:00 p.m.
Cost: Free Details

The Storybook Nutcracker Ballet Etoile Canada

Where: Mary Winspear Centre – Charlie White Theatre – 2243 Beacon Avenue, Sidney
When: Saturday, November 26 – 2:00pm & 7:00pm, Sunday, November 27 – 2:00pm
Cost: Adult $25.00, Student/Senior $20.00, Child 12 and Under $15.00 Details

Boney M Featuring Liz Mitchell Holiday Favourites and Classic Hits

Where: Royal Theatre 805 Broughton St, Victoria
When: November 26, 2022, 8:00pm
Cost: Tickets starting at $83.25 Details

Breakfast with Santa

Where: Oak Bay Beach Hotel 1175 Beach Dr, Victoria
When: November 26, 2022 – December 18, 2022 varying times on Satudays and Sundays
Cost: Adult $99.00, Child (3 to 12 years old) $59.00 + tax, Infant (2 and under) free Details

Gingerbread Showcase Display

Where: Parkside Hotel and Spa Atrium Address: 810 Humboldt Street Victoria
When: November 26, 2022 to January 2, 2023
Cost: By donation, to vote for your favorite display Details

Christmas on the Farm Santa Visits

Where: Ponies & Pipsqueaks – 6044 Oldfield Road Saanich
When: November 26,&27, 2022 & December 3, 4, 10, 11, 17 and 18, 2022 10:00am – 5:00pm, booked in 30 minute intervals
Cost: 1 child, up to 2 adults – $75.00, 2 children, up to 2 adults – $120.00, 3 children, up to 2 adults – $165.00, 4 children, up to 2 adults – $210.00. Add tax to all prices noted Details

Oak Bay Christmas Festival

Where: Oak Bay Village Estevan Village and Haultain Corners
When: November 27-December 3, 2022 (last Sunday of Nov to the first Saturday of Dec)
Cost: None Stated Details

Holiday Movie Nights

Where: Oak Bay Hotel 1175 Beach Dr, Victoria (David Foster Foundation Theatre)
When: Nov 29 Elf, Dec 6 Love Actually, Dec 7 It’s a Wonderful LIfe, Dec 13 A White Christmas,
Dec 14 Home Alone, Dec 20 Love Actually, Dec 21 The Holiday Multiple times starting 5:00 pm
Cost: $89/ticket, includes pizza dinner, popcorn & movie Details

Butchart Gardens Magic of Christmas Lights Display

Cherck our post on the amazing Butchart Gardens Magic of Christmas Lights Display

Where: Butchart Gardens – 800 Benvenuto Avenue, Brentwood Bay, BC
When: December 1, 2022 – January 6, 2023
Cost: Adult – $34/ Youth – $17 (Ages 13-17)/ Child – $5 (Ages 5-12), Agest 4 and under free
If you’re a guest of an annual membership holder, tickets are reduced (up to 4 people). Details

The Peninsula Singers, The Gift of Christmas

Where: Mary Winspear Centre – 2243 Beacon Avenue, Sidney
When: Friday, Dec 2, 7:30 pm to Sunday, Dec 4, 9:30 pm various times
Cost: $35 adults/$18 children Details

Nutcracker – Canada’s Royal Winnipeg Ballet

Where: Royal Theatre – 805 Broughton St, Victoria
When: Friday, Dec 2-4, 2022 various times
Cost: Tickets starting at $49.50 Details

Annual IEOA Truck Light Convoy and Food Drive

Where: Starts at Breakwater District & Ogden Point, roling around 5:40 p.m. through Oak Bay, Victoria, Saanich, East Shore, reaching Langford approximately 8:30 p.m.
When: Saturday, December 3, 2022 starting approximately 5:40 pm – approximately 8:30 pm
Cost: Free There will be designated drop-off areas along the route to donate non-perishable food items the evening of the event (for local food banks) Details

Langford 2022 Annual Light Up

Where: Veterans Memorial Park – Aldwynd Road, Langford
When: Saturday, December 3, 2022 6:00-8:00 pm
Cost: Free Details

Christmas Express Train – Duncan

Where: BC Forest Discovery Centre – 2892 Drinkwater Road, Duncan
(located off the #1 highway, it’s one hour north of Victoria, BC, 35 minutes south of Nanaimo)
When: December 2, 3, 4, 5, 2022, December 9, 10, 11, 12, 2022, December 15, 16, 17, 18, 2022, December 20, 21, 22, 23, 2022 From 4:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Cost: Adults/Seniors/Youth $14, Children (3 to 12 years old) $12, Children 2 and under Free Details

IMAX – Polar Express

Where: IMAX located inside Royal BC Museum 675 Belleville Street, Victoria
When: Begins Saturday December 3, 2022
Cost: $15.95/adult, $13.50/senior and youth, $14.00/student, $3.65/child
Annual membership will pay less Details

David Vest Welcomes Christmas

Where: Hermann’s Jazz Club – 753 View Street 2 Floor, Victoria
When: December 3, 2022 – 7:00 – 9:00 doors at 5:30 (All Ages)
Cost: $30 advance / $35 door including fees/tax  Details

Lions Skate with Santa Esquimalt

Where: Archie Browning Centre 1151 Esquimalt Rd, Esquimalt
When: December 3, 2022 – 2:00PM to 4:00PM
Cost: Free (sponsored by Victoria Property Group)
Note: Skate rentals are limited and will be handed out on a first come, first served basis. Details

Victoria Children’s Choir Signature Christmas Concert
– Songs for Midwinter

Where: Alix Goolden Performance Hall – The Entrance for this Concert is at The Victoria Conservatory of Music – 900 Johnson Street 
When: Saturday, December 3, 2022 at 3:00pm, Sunday, December 4, 2022 at 7:00pm
Cost: $23 Details

Esquimalt Christmas Tree Village

Where: Esquimalt Recreation Centre Atrium and Archie Browning Centre
When: December 3, 2022-January 4, 2023
Cost: Free

View the Esquimalt Parks and Recreation facebook page to vote for your favorite tree online between Dec 4-Dec 17, winner to be announced Dec 20, 2022.

Carol-Along with the Carillon – Royal BC Museum

Where: Royal BC Museum – Netherlands Centennial Carillon
When: December 4, 2022 from 4:30-5:15 pm.
Cost: No cost noted Details

Esquimalt 16th Annual Celebration of Lights Parade

Where: Esquimalt Road from Canteen Road to McDonalds (ending at arena for food and live entertainment)
When: December 4, 2022 at 5:00 p.m.
Cost: Free (bring a non-perishible food donation for Rainbow Kitchen) Details

The Esquimalt Celebration of Lights parade is a local favorite.

Sidney Sparkles Christmas Parade, Lighted Boat Parade

Where: Begins along Resthaven Drive and turns onto Beacon Avenue, Sidney
When: Dec 4, 2022 from 5:00pm-6:00pm, Lighted Boat Parade begins 15 minutes after Christmas Parade
Cost: Free to attend Details

Naden Band Salvation Army Toy Drive
Christmas Concert

Where: Royal Theatre 805 Broughton St, Victoria
When: December 5, 2022, 7:30PM – December 6, 2022, 7:30PM
Cost: Tickets are $12.00 plus an unwrapped toy at the door Details

Arbutus Singers 25th Anniversary Christmas Concert

Where: Alix Goolden Hall – Entry for this Concert is at The Victoria Conservatory of Music entrance at 900 Johnson Street
When: Wednesday, December 7, 2022 from 7:30 pm – 8:30 pm
Cost: $20 all ages Details

Holly Jolly Christmas – Buddy, Elvis & Brenda Lee

Where: McPherson Playhouse – 3 Centennial Square, Victoria
When: December 7, 2022, 7:30PM
Cost: $55/ticket Details

Christmas Lights Across Canada

Where: Parliament Buildings – 501 Belleville Street, Victoria
When: December 8, 2022, to January 8, 2023
Cost: Free Details

A Charlie Brown Christmas

Where: Alix Goolden Performance Hall – 907 Pandora Avenue, Victoria
When: December 8 from 1:30 pm – 2:30 pm
Cost: By Donation Details

Jon and Roy Holiday Special 

Where: Royal Theatre – 805 Broughton St, Victoria
When: December 09, 2022, 8:00PM
Cost: Tickets starting at $31.75 Details

Winter Harp Victoria 2022

Where: Alix Goolden Performance Hall – 907 Pandora Avenue, Victoria
When: December 9 from 7:30 pm – 10:00 pm
Cost: $45.46 Details

The Kingpins – The Blues Songs of Christmas Show with Big Hank

Where: Hermann’s Jazz Club – 753 View Street 2 Floor, Victoria
When: December 10, 2022 7:00 pm- 9:00 pm Doors At 5:30 pm
Cost: $25 advance / $30 door including fees/tax Details

A Brooke White Christmas

Where: Royal Theatre – 805 Broughton St, Victoria
When: December 10, 2022, 7:30PM – December 11, 2022, 2:30PM
Cost: Tickets start at $29.00 Details

23rd Annual Sing Along Messiah

Where: Alix Goolden Performance Hall – 907 Pandora Avenue, Victoria
When: December 14 from 7:00 pm – 9:30 pm
Cost: $27.11/adult, $22.79/senior, $13.08/student, free for children Details

A Wonderheads Christmas Carol

Where: Mary Winspear Centre 2243 Beacon Avenue, Sidney
When: Wednesday, December 14, 2022 3:30pm & 7:30pm
Cost: Adults $48.00, Child 14 & Under $37.00 Details

The Festive Brass Ensemble Presents Holiday Horns

Where: Mary Winspear Centre 2243 Beacon Avenue, Sidney
When: Thursday, December 15, 2022 – 7:30pm
Cost: $39.90 Details

Lights of Wonder

Where: 1 Centennial Square, Victoria
When: Dec 15–31, 2022 Sunday–Thursday: 4 pm–9 pm, Friday and Saturday: 4 pm–10 pm
Cost: Free to attend Details

Shanna Dance and Jonnie Bridgman present a New Orleans Holiday Party

Where: Hermann’s Jazz Club – 753 View St 2 floor, Victoria
When: Fri. December 16 from 7:00 – 9:00 PM doors at 5:30 pm (All Ages)
Cost: $30 advance / $35 door including fees/tax Details

Handel’s Messiah

Where: The Farquhar at UVic – Jamie Cassels Centre, 3800 Finnerty Road, Victoria
When: Friday, Dec16 from 7:30-10:00 pm and Sunday, Dec 18, 2022 at 2:30 PM
Cost: Starting at $46 (You will pay less if you have a membership with Victoria Symphony) Details

Daniel Lapp’s Home for Christmas Concert

Where: Alix Goolden Performance Hall – 907 Pandora Avenue, Victoria
When: Dec 16 from 7:30 – 9:30 pm, Dec 17, 2022 from 2:00-4:00 pm, and from 7:30-9:30 pm
Cost: Matinee Dec 17 – $23.92/adults, children under 12 $15.26
Evening shows Dec 16&17 – $27.17/adults, children under 12 $15.26 Details

The Hockey Sweater & The Snowman

Where: The Farquhar at UVic – Jamie Cassels Centre, 3800 Finnerty Road, Victoria
When: December 17 from 4:30 pm – 6:00 pm
Cost: Starting at $46 (You will pay less if you have a membership with Victoria Symphony) Details

Big Hank’s Tribute to the Blues Songs of Christmas
– The Kingpins

Where: Mary Winspear Centre 2243 Beacon Avenue, Sidney
When: Saturday, December 17 – 7:30pm
Cost: $30.00 Details

Sean Drabitt presents a Charlie Brown Christmas

Where: Hermann’s Jazz Club – 753 View St 2 floor, Victoria
When: Dec 22 6:00 – 7:00pm,  doors at 5:00 pm, Dec 22 9:00 – 10:00 pm doors at 8:00 pm &
Dec 23 6:00 – 7:00 pm,  doors At 5:00 pm, Dec 23, 2022 9:00 – 10:00 doors At 8:00 pm (4 shows)
Cost: $35 advance / $40 door including fees/tax  Details

The Gift of the Nutcracker

Where: Royal Theatre – 805 Broughton Street, Victoria
When: December 28-30, 2022 various times
Cost: Tickets starting at $30 Details

Shopping on Government and Fort Streets

There are many small and unique shops along Government and Fort Streets. Sidewalks are wide and there are several pedestrian friendly areas. There’s an awesome ambiance and the people ae friendly.

Bastion Square Holiday Market

Where: Bastion Square
When: Saturdays, Sundays Nov 19-Dec 24 11-3pm AND Friday, Dec 2+9 4:30-7:30pm!
Cost: free to attend, various pricing dependent on vendors Details

Whether strolling, shopping, or enjoying the eateries and pubs in downtown Victoria, you’ll likely find the pace of your chosen activities to be slower than you may be accustomed to. Our guess is you won’t mind at all.