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
- 2022 Light up the City!
- Festival of Trees at the Bay Centre
- Christmas on the Farm Milk and Cookies with Santa – Mini Photoshoot
- A Celtic Family ChristmasNatalie MacMaster & Donnell Leahy
- 40th Peninsula Co-op Santa Claus Parade
- The Storybook Nutcracker Ballet Etoile Canada
- Boney M Featuring Liz Mitchell Holiday Favourites and Classic Hits
- Breakfast with Santa
- Gingerbread Showcase Display
- Christmas on the Farm Santa Visits
- Oak Bay Christmas Festival
- Holiday Movie Nights
- Butchart Gardens Magic of Christmas Lights Display
- The Peninsula Singers, The Gift of Christmas
- Nutcracker – Canada’s Royal Winnipeg Ballet
- Annual IEOA Truck Light Convoy and Food Drive
- Langford 2022 Annual Light Up
- Christmas Express Train – Duncan
- IMAX – Polar Express
- David Vest Welcomes Christmas
- Lions Skate with Santa Esquimalt
- Victoria Children’s Choir Signature Christmas Concert- Songs for Midwinter
- Esquimalt Christmas Tree Village
- Carol-Along with the Carillon – Royal BC Museum
- Esquimalt 16th Annual Celebration of Lights Parade
- Sidney Sparkles Christmas Parade, Lighted Boat Parade
- Naden Band Salvation Army Toy Drive Christmas Concert
- Arbutus Singers 25th Anniversary Christmas Concert
- Holly Jolly Christmas – Buddy, Elvis & Brenda Lee
- Christmas Lights Across Canada
- A Charlie Brown Christmas
- Jon and Roy Holiday SpecialÂ
- Winter Harp Victoria 2022
- The Kingpins – The Blues Songs of Christmas Show with Big Hank
- A Brooke White Christmas
- 23rd Annual Sing Along Messiah
- A Wonderheads Christmas Carol
- The Festive Brass Ensemble Presents Holiday Horns
- Lights of Wonder
- Shanna Dance and Jonnie Bridgman present a New Orleans Holiday Party
- Handel’s Messiah
- Daniel Lapp’s Home for Christmas Concert
- The Hockey Sweater & The Snowman
- Big Hank’s Tribute to the Blues Songs of Christmas- The Kingpins
- Sean Drabitt presents a Charlie Brown Christmas
- The Gift of the Nutcracker
- Shopping on Government and Fort Streets
- Bastion Square Holiday Market
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: FreeView 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.
I love the illumination on the Legislative Assembly building! Festive yet classy.
Oh my gosh I’m saving this post. I just moved to Vancouver and didn’t realize that Victoria had so many great options for Christmas. Buchart Gardens looks magical. Can’t wait to check it out!
Susanna, you will love Vancouver, we lived there for 10 years and go back every month or two for a visit! Just a short journey on the ferry to Victoria, and definitely worth a trip to the Butchart Gardens over Christmas if you have the time. 🙂