Each month Used.ca proudly supports local community events here in Greater Victoria. December means there are plenty of festive events to enjoy with family and friends. Check them out here!
1.) Dine Around and Stay in Town Victoria – January 26 – February 11, 2024
2.) TC10K – April 28, 2024
3.) Victoria Hospice Dedicate a Star – December 1-31
4.) Last Chance Christmas Craft Show – December 8-10
5.) Festival of Trees + silent auction supporting BC Children’s Hospital – now until December 8
6.) Nerdy Days of Christmas Craft Fair – December 2-3
7.) Lights of Wonder – December 1-31
8.) IEOA Truck Parade and Food Drive – December 2
9.) Habitat Victoria Gingerbread Showcase – now until January 4
10.) Ballet Victoria presents The Gift of the Nutcracker – December 28-30
11.) Victoria Symphony presents Jens Lindemann – Christmas Pops – December 9-10
12.) Relove Market – December 9-10
13.) Esquimalt Christmas Tree Village – December 4 – January 6, 2024
14.) Victoria Symphony presents Ken Lavigne – We Need a Little Christmas – December 16 & 18
15.) Easter Seals’ Chip in for the Kids – January 6-7
Dine Around and Stay in Town Victoria – January 26 – February 11
Victoria’s favourite foodie festival, Dine Around and Stay in Town Victoria, returns for its 20th anniversary January 26th through February 11th, 2024! Over 50 of Victoria’s most beloved restaurants will be serving up set three-course menus at deliciously low prices.
Can’t decide where to start? Then don’t miss the Dine Around and Stay in Town Victoria Gala happening Thursday, January 25th. Serving up mouthwatering bites from over 50 of Victoria’s top eateries, wineries, and breweries, Victoria’s food and beverage scene will pull out all the stops to delight guests, building excitement for the dining experiences that await during the 17-day Dine Around program. Gala tickets are on sale now and make the perfect holiday gift for the foodie on your list!
Make it a night on the town! Check into one of downtown Victoria’s best hotels and enjoy discounted rates on some of the finest stays in the city.
TC10K – April 28, 2024
Oh Snap! The TC10K is making a ’90s comeback! Join us on Sunday, April 28th, 2024, as we celebrate like it’s 1990 to honor the 35th annual of this legendary event. Lace up those kicks, dust off your brightest neon gear, and get ready to time-warp to an era when mixtapes set the mood and pop culture icons ruled the world. It’s going to be all that and a bag of chips. Whether you’re strolling, jogging, or sprinting, you’re in for a blast from the past. So, hit the streets of downtown Victoria with us, and let’s get jiggy with it, reliving the ’90s while making new memories in 2024 at the TC10K. Hit me baby one more time! Register now!
Victoria Hospice Dedicate a Star – December 1-31
Dedicate a Star – Celebrate a Life offers a unique opportunity for you to honour a loved one during the holiday season – a difficult time of year for many dealing with grief. Join Victoria Hospice to celebrate the lives of people we have lost – whether this year or long ago. Dedicate a star online in memory of your loved one or drop by the Community Support Centre or 4th floor Richmond Pavilion and hang a star on the Hospice Tree from December 1-31. More details here.
Last Chance Christmas Craft Show – December 8-10
Celebrating the Christmas Spirit since 1989! Discover First & Last Chance at the Mary Winspear Center nestled in the quaint ocean side town of Sidney, BC, the perfect place to indulge in an exceptional Christmas shopping experience with over 25 categories of unique West Coast hand crafted items to choose from.
First & Last Chance ensures a wide selection of exceptional handcrafted items meeting the highest standards of the finer arts and crafts available on the West Coast of BC. Offering something for the art connoisseur in us all ~ from pottery, metal works, sculptures, wood working, glass and yarn works, weaving, body & skin care, jewelry and sweet & savory treats. Meet the artists, enjoy the atmosphere and find that perfect gift! Details here.
Festival of Trees + silent auction supporting BC Children’s Hospital – now until January 3, 2024
Festival of Trees Victoria is on now until January 3 supporting BC Children’s Hospital Foundation. Check out over 70 decorated Christmas trees at The Bay Centre and vote for your favourite.
As well, they are hosting an exciting online auction from now until December 8th with all funds raised going directly to help sick kids in BC. Spoil yourself or find great gifts for friends and family by bidding on local staycation packages and unique experiences found here. Happy bidding!
Nerdy Days of Christmas Craft Fair – December 2-3
Nerdy Days of Christmas is a quaint and nerdy craft fair in Market Square, downtown Victoria! December 2 & 3 from 11am – 4pm. Come visit the lower level to support local crafters and artists with a nerdy flair. Crafts, art, glass ware, dice, cards, gifts, totes, soaps, and so much more. Fun for the whole family and for a great cause! Entry is by donation and 100% of the proceeds go to Victoria Hospitals Foundation – Victoria General NICU! More details here.
Lights of Wonder – December 1-31
Every year, Centennial Square is transformed into a magical lightscape for Lights of Wonder. This year, Lights of Wonder occurs nightly starting at 4pm from December 1 through December 31 (come ring in the New Year!) Bring your friends and family downtown for this free, family-friendly, accessible, and super-photogenic experience. There will be entertainment on Fridays & Saturdays throughout the month, and nightly entertainments from December 21 onwards! (Except for December 25) There will also be fun family-friendly activations, new food vendors, and special holiday events happening during the month! Plan to visit multiple times to make the most of this fun event!
Visit LightsofWonder.ca for the performance and activation schedule, and for more event information!
Lights of Wonder is the downtown Victoria business community’s gift to the region. The Downtown Victoria Business Association and all the businesses downtown are grateful for your continued support of local businesses.
*Photo by Colin Smith Takes Pics
IEOA Truck Parade and Food Drive – December 2
IEOA Truck Parade and Food Drive. Parade starts at Ogden Point at 5:00 pm Finishes at Royal Bay at approx. 8:00 pm. Online food donation links and more details can be found here. *parade route timing is approximate.
Habitat Victoria Gingerbread Showcase – now until January 4, 2024
Habitat Victoria’s The Gingerbread Showcase, is back for its 15th Anniversary and moving to a wonderful new venue, the Hotel Grand Pacific at 463 Belleville Street!
The theme for the 15th annual Gingerbread Showcase is Family Traditions! Think: the traditions that bring us together. Whether it is your family or chosen family, a holiday tradition, or a summer memory, we know this year’s theme will bring some amazing pieces to the Showcase. – the possibilities are endless.
Entry to the Gingerbread Showcase is free, but visitors are encouraged to donate when they vote for their favourite Gingerbread piece. Donations go directly to Habitat for Humanity Victoria’s Build Fund to help local families achieve strength, stability and independence through affordable homeownership.
Make the Gingerbread Showcase a part of your ‘Favorite Traditions’. We hope to see you there!
Ballet Victoria presents The Gift of the Nutcracker – December 28-30
The Gift of the Nutcracker returns to the Royal Theatre. A Christmas ballet filled with both tradition and innovation! The Victoria Symphony plays Tchaikovsky’s timeless score and drive Clara’s adventures on a Christmas night filled with magic and fantastic characters. A fun and festive performance for the whole family. Buy tickets here.
Victoria Symphony presents Jens Lindemann – Christmas Pops – December 9-10
Victoria Symphony Presents Jens Lindemann – Christmas Pops
Sean O’Loughlin, conductor
Jens Lindemann, trumpet
The holidays shimmer and shine with the Victoria Symphony and Canadian trumpet virtuoso Jens Lindemann. As one of the pre-eminent performers of our time, Mr. Lindemann brings his signature style and showmanship to our annual holiday tradition. Prepare to be dazzled and amazed as we bring Christmas Pops to brassy new heights.
Tickets starting at $29.00. Purchase tickets online here or call the Victoria Symphony Box Office at 250.385.6515.
Relove Market – December 9-10
The ReLove Market is an empowering fashion community dedicated to the pursuit of personal expression balanced with environmental sustainability. We bring local curators and fashion enthusiasts together in a welcoming, inspiring and creative in-person forum to share ideas and textiles! Join us for the finest in secondhand & vintage clothing and local live music December 9 & 10 from 12-6:30pm at 1205 Blanshard St. And don’t forget your reusable shopper for all your fabulous finds. Be sure to tag your snaps from the day with @therelovemarket & #relovegeneration
Esquimalt Christmas Tree Village – December 4 – January 6, 2024
Experience the magic of the holidays at our ninth annual Christmas Tree Village.
Join us as we transform the Recreation Centre Atrium and Archie Browning Sports Centre into a holiday wonderland, teeming with twinkling lights and delightful decorations. This event is free to the public to enjoy and runs from December 4, 2023 – January 6, 2024.
Voting for “People’s Choice Favourite Tree” will take place on our Esquimalt Parks and Recreation Facebook Page Monday, December 11th to Friday, December 22th. Facebook event & Gallery to come!
Victoria Symphony presents Ken Lavigne – We Need a Little Christmas – December 16 & 18
The musical holiday event of the season! Vocalist Ken Lavigne has charmed his way into the hearts of concert goers across North America with his exciting blend of classical tenor sound and modern style. From show tunes and popular favourites to arias and Christmas classics, Ken’s lyric tenor voice spreads holiday cheer. Yes Virginia, there is a Santa Claus, and Ken Lavigne will be sharing his musical gifts in concert with the Victoria Symphony. Purchase tickets now.
Easter Seals’ Chip in for the Kids – January 6-7
Easter Seals’ annual Christmas Tree Recycling event, Chip In for the Kids, will be happening January 6 & 7, 2024. People can dispose of their Christmas tree in an environmentally-friendly manner at one of our 7 locations on Vancouver Island. All funds raised from Chip In for the Kids goes towards Easter Seals programs and services, including Camp Shawnigan.
Lions Club members, along with volunteers from Davey Tree Services (Greater Victoria) and Competition Tree Service (Shawnigan, Mill Bay and Duncan) will be accepting Christmas trees in exchange for a donation to Easter Seals at the following locations from 10am to 4pm on January 6 & 7, 2024:
· Tillicum Centre
· Save-On-Foods – Fort & Foul Bay location
· Broadmead Village Shopping Centre
· Westshore Town Centre
· Thrifty Foods – Mill Bay Location
· Mason’s Store & Patio, Shawnigan Lake – Saturday Only
· BC Forest Discovery Centre, Duncan
Check out more here! Thank you for supporting Easter Seals!
