It’s that magical time of year again, when Christmas music is in the air and when we’ll be lucky if we see snow.
I’ll be highlighting some fun Christmas events that will be happening here around Victoria, so mark your calendars.
Christmas at Bear Mountain if you’d like to ‘skip the dishes’ so to speak. The culinary staff at Bear Mountain has brainstormed up a magical & delicious feast. They’ll be serving a Christmas Eve seafood buffet, a Christmas day brunch buffet, and a Christmas dinner buffet. Each meal is priced at $75 for adults, $37.50 per children aged 6-12 years, and children 5 and under are free (plus tax and tips). To make a reservation, please call 250-391-3728.
If you’re a beer lover like I am, then this next event is right up your alley! 😀 On Nov 30th – Dec 1st at the Save On Foods Memorial Arena, there will be a Christmas Craft Beer Show. Tickets are $40 for a single day pass and $75 for the weekend pass. This will be very similar to the annual ‘Beer Fest’ which happens here every year in Victoria. They’ll showcase a vast variety of craft beers for you to walk around and sample (tokens needed).
One of my absolute favorites that I’ve always gone to, is the Annual Christmas Tree Display at the Bay Centre. Countless Christmas trees will be decorated by local businesses to raise money for local charities. Pick your favorite and vote for it. This happens from November 15th through until January 7th. My kids and I always have a great time checking these cool trees out. 😀
Another favorite of mine and my kiddos is the Annual Gingerbread Showcase! This happens from November 17th through January 6th at the Parkside Hotel and Spa, from 9:00 am until 9:00 pm daily. Professional and amateur bakers showcase their baking skills and creativity for the public to enjoy!
Another fun one that I have yet to take my kids to (but I will this year) is the Christmas Children’s Kick Off at the Empress on November 24 from 2:00 until 4:30 pm. The admission is $10 charity donation or 1 canned good per child. Here, your child will have loads of fun with decorating cookies paired with hot chocolate. And if you bundle up, you’re able to enjoy the Annual Santa Claus parade after which starts at 5:00 pm. 😀
On that last note, another night to mark on the calendar is the Annual Santa Claus parade! This is ALWAYS worth the effort out, even if it may be a bit chilly. It happens on November 24th from 4:00 (pre-parade festivities) in Centennial Square, and then afterwards you can settle down to enjoy the parade at 5:00 from the Parliament Building at Belleville. From there it makes its way through downtown!
Christmas at Craigdarroch Castle is starting December 1st. Cost is $14.25 per adult, $13.25 per senior, $9.25 per student, and $5 per child. There is also a 4 person family rate of $36. The castle will be all decked out in traditional Christmas decorations, the mantles will be decorated and there will be several Christmas trees throughout the house. There will also be local musicians playing music at certain times throughout the day that you can enjoy at no additional cost.
If all these events weren’t enough and you’re still looking for something else that’s fun to check out, on December 2nd from 2:00-3:30 at Bastion square there will be some amusing and comical old tales of what Christmas was like in the ‘olden days’ during the Victorian Era.
Not exactly Christmas related, but the Harlem Globetrotters are coming to Victoria on December 9th at the Save On Foods Memorial Centre at 3:00 pm, doors open at 2:00 pm. I hope to be able to take my kids to this, as I’ve Always wanted to see this myself from a young age. The Harlem Globetrotters are notorious for being fun and light-hearted, and have some non-traditional wicked skills on the basketball court. It’s fun for the whole family to watch, and maybe you’ll be chosen to participate. 😀 I hope this blog has given you some fun ideas to go out and enjoy with the family or friends. Happy Holidays & Happy New Year!
