Christmas in the Capital – Victoria’s Best Holiday Events
‘Tis the month before Christmas and all through the city
Victoria is gearing up for some holiday pretty.
Craft fairs, Christmas trees, and gingerbread houses, oh my;
Holiday lights, parades, and boutiques with so much to buy!
Victoria is truly a magical place to visit during the Christmas season, and when you stay at the Victoria Regent Hotel you are perfectly situated to walk out your door into a wonderland of festive activities and attractions.
Don’t miss out on the festivities! Book your holiday stay at the Victoria Regent Hotel.
11 Holiday Activities You Won’t Want to Miss
- 23rd Annual Festival of Trees
- Where: Fairmont Empress Hotel (7 min. walk)
- When: Nov. 19, 2014 – Jan. 6, 2015
- What: Walk through a lush forest of beautifully decorated Christmas trees, vote for your favourite (by donation), and help raise funds for the BC Children’s Hospital Foundation.
- 23rd Annual Festival of Trees
- On Ice at the Fairmont Empress
- Where: Fairmont Empress Hotel (7 min. walk)
- When: Nov. 20, 2014 – Jan. 16, 2015
- What: Grab a pair of skate rentals for $5 and enjoy gliding on a 60’x90’ covered rink opposite the Inner Harbour. Special seasonal festivities include Sunday Skates with Santa and Christmas Eve Skating with the Elves.
- On Ice at the Fairmont Empress
- National Gingerbread Showcase
- Where: Laurel Point Inn (5 min. drive / 20 min. walk)
- When: Nov. 22, 2014 – Jan. 4, 2015
- What: Feast your senses on works of art constructed from gingerbread by professional and amateur chefs. Vote for your favourite (by donation) to help raise funds for Habitat for Humanity.
- National Gingerbread Showcase
- Centennial Square Ferris Wheel
- Where: Centennial Square (10 min. walk)
- When: Nov. 23 – Dec 22, 2014 (Fridays 5 – 10 p.m. / Saturdays noon-10 p.m. / Sundays noon – 7:30 p.m.)
- What: See Victoria from 65 feet up in the air, enjoy holiday entertainment, try out the audio-reactive tree, and more.
- Centennial Square Ferris Wheel
- Christmas Lights Across Canada
- Where: Parliament Buildings (10 min. walk)
- When: Nov. 26, 2014 (7:00 p.m.)
- What: Enjoy festive choral performances and seasonal refreshments. Watch the large sequoia tree in front of the Parliament Buildings light up with thousands of LED lights.
- Christmas Lights Across Canada
- Island Farms Santa Light Parade
- Where: Government St., from Belleville to Chatham (5 min. walk)
- When: Nov. 29, 2014 (5:45 to 7:00 p.m.)
- What: Bring your family to see an array of dazzling floats and marching bands, followed by free treats in the Capital Iron parking lot, courtesy of Island Farms.
- Island Farms Santa Light Parade
- Free Horse Drawn Trolley Tours
- Where: closest stop is across from Re-Bar at the cross section of Langley St. and Bastion Square (2 min. walk)
- When: Nov. 29 – Dec. 21, 2014 (Saturdays 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. / Sundays noon – 4 p.m.)
- What: Take in all the sights and sounds of the Christmas celebrations on a free horse-drawn trolley tour. Two trolleys will circulate on a pre-set route throughout downtown with 4 stops, all within a 2-6 minute walk of the Victoria Regent Hotel.
- Free Horse Drawn Trolley Tours
- 12 Days of Christmas
- Where: Butchart Gardens (25-30 min. drive)
- When: Dec. 1, 2014 – Jan. 6, 2015
- What: Enjoy ice skating, the 12 Days of Christmas displays, an exotic carousel, carollers, festive dining, and thousands of Christmas lights illuminating the gardens.
- 12 Days of Christmas
- Royal Winnipeg Ballet’s Nutcracker
- Where: Royal Theatre (6 min. walk)
- When: Dec. 5-7, 2014
- What: See this treasured classic, danced to Tchaikovsky’s timeless score by one of Canada’s most beloved ballet companies.
- Royal Winnipeg Ballet’s Nutcracker
- Father Christmas in Old Town
- Where: Royal BC Museum (10 min. walk)
- When: Dec. 5-21, 2015 (Friday through Sunday)
- What: Visit with Father Christmas in the wood-cobbled, decorated street of RBCM’s Old Town (circa 1870 to 1920) and marvel at the sights and sounds of Christmas from long ago.
- Father Christmas in Old Town
- Market Square Festivities
- Where: Market Square (5 min. walk)
- When: various dates throughout December 2014
- What: Kiss under Victoria’s biggest mistletoe, listen to Christmas favourites performed by an ensemble of 60+ tubas, search for flea market treasures, and more!
For more Christmas events and activities in Victoria, visit Tourism Victoria: Christmas in Victoria and Downtown Victoria’s Christmas Guide.