Free and public seasonal events around the CRD this December

The holiday season is arriving and municipalities in the CRD have a snow-globe full of festive events planned for everyone to enjoy. Victoria, Saanich, Sidney and others are all lighting up their streets and inviting everyone to fun-filled activities for all ages in celebration of the season.

In an economy where families are ever more mindful with their expenses, municipally sponsored events provide accessible entertainment. These events are a way for people to enjoy a time of year that can often be expensive, and as stressful as it is cheerful.

Whether it’s a visit and photo with Santa, a carriage ride, or a romantic walk under sparkling lights with a hot chocolate you're looking for, the CRD has it all.

To help you as you plan we’ve generated a list of the events and holiday happenings around the region by municipality. The majority of them are free or by donation to attend.

Victoria

The 42nd Peninsula Co-op Santa Claus Parade. The parade- the largest nighttime parade in Canada–is a beloved holiday tradition that lights up the streets of Victoria, uniting families and friends in celebration of the festive season.

This year’s parade route will move north along Government, east on Humboldt and North on Douglas where it will disperse at the Victoria Public Market. Road closures will begin downtown at 3pm for marshalling. During the parade, drivers should prepare for road closures and significant traffic disruptions.

Food and cash donations will be collected once again for the Mustard Seed Street Church and Food Bank. Free hot chocolate will be served by Mustard Seed at Douglas and Humboldt starting at 4:30pm. A live audio description of the parade event will be made available by the Victoria Disability Resource Center from their location at Government and Belleville.

The parade itself begins at 5pm. Following the parade, families can take photos with Santa for a donation at Centennial Square. Nov. 30 4:30-7pm

For more information on the parade consult the Downtown Victoria site.

Centennial Square in downtown Victoria will be lit up for all to enjoy. The Lights of Wonder outdoor event features light tunnels, themed light exhibits, a 40-foot Christmas tree, and live entertainment. Vendor stands will offer hot chocolate, pretzels, refreshing drinks, and more. Don't miss this free magical light display on from Nov. 30 to New Year’s Eve (Dec. 31)

The lights turn on at 4pm daily and turn off at 9pm Sunday through Thursday, 10pm on Fridays and Saturdays and after midnight on New Year's Eve.

The Gingerbread Showcase. This paid colourful family activity is Habitat Victoria’s premier fundraising event of the year. Celebrating its 16th anniversary, it will be hosted at the Hotel Grand Pacific and brings together professional and amateur bakers from across Vancouver Island.

Now on to Jan. 5 from 9am - 9pm

For additional information on the showcase go to Habitat’s website.

Esquimalt

Experience the magic of the holidays at the annual Christmas Tree Village . The Recreation Centre Atrium and Archie Browning Sports Centre turn into a holiday wonderland, teeming with twinkling lights and delightful decorations. Free entry.

Dec. 3 to Jan. 3,  12:30-10pm

Saanich

Uptown Tree Light Up and Holiday Show kicked off on Nov. 23. People gathered in the Uptown Plaza for the lighting of the tree, live music and entertainment, holiday treats and hot chocolate, and free children's crafts. Families helped Santa countdown to light uptown’s 54ft. Christmas Tree.

Stay tuned on the Uptown website for information on additional seasonal events.

Tillicum Mall will play host to a number of free holiday events. While free, registration or reservations for many of these events on Eventbrite is required.

Elmo and Cookie Monster’s Christmas Wonderland Dec. 1 11am-/3pm

Cookie Decorating and Story Time with Santa(*Reservation required- spots are filling fast!)  Dec 3. 12-/4pm

Santa’s Magical Memory Lane Pop-Up Offers another opportunity to have a photo taken with Santa. Bring a food donation in lieu of a fee.  Dec. 5  12-/4pm

Central Saanich

You’ll want to arrive early to St Mary’s Church (Cultura and East Saanich Rds) for photos with Santa during the Community Christmas & Food Bank Fundraiser . A pancake breakfast will be served with a donation by the Saanich Lions Club at 9am and cookie decorating will be on tap at the Pioneer Museum. Tally-Ho horse-drawn carriages will be leaving from Town Hall beginning 10 am to 1pm and can be booked by reservation here.

Dec. 7, 1-9pm

North Saanich

Two Christmas markets are taking place this year.

North Saanich Christmas Farm Market takes place again at Kildara Farms at 11293 Chalet Road. The market will feature goods and crafts for the season as well as live music.

Dec. 7 10am-12pm

Christmas Craft Market. With over 30 vendors selling a variety of handmade Indigenous products, the Christmas Craft Market returns to Pauquachin Hall at 9010 W. Saanich Road. The market features an assortment of Christmas decor, bags, toys, trinkets, fabrics, paintings and woodwork art by Indigenous artists including Dahlila Charlie, an artist in residence with School District 62.

Dec. 8 beginning at 10:30am.

Sidney

This holiday season, Sidney will be a twinkling wonderland as it welcomes the community to celebrate with an assortment of family-friendly activities! Enjoy enchanting decorative lights throughout the town, festive displays, live holiday music on weekends, and more.

Light Up Downtown Sidney Discover a twinkling wonderland as Sidney welcomes the community to celebrate the holiday season with dazzling displays of holiday-themed features around town by local merchants, the Town staff, and Sidney BIA.

Lighted Ship Parade.  As part of Port Sidney’s Festival of Lighted Ships, boats decked out with festive lights will create a dazzling display on the water as they travel from Port Sidney to Bazan Bay. Spectators are encouraged to bring donations for the Sidney food bank. All boaters are invited to participate by registering with cruising-captain@snsyc.ca by the end of November.

Dec. 7 staring at 5pm

For more information on this marine parade follow their event page.

Sidney Sparkles Holiday Parade. Watch in awe as vibrant floats, lively marching bands and Santa himself make their way along Beacon Street.

Dec. 8, from 5 to 6:30pm

For more information on the parade follow here.

Winter Wonderland Alley in Garden Court Each year, Garden Court becomes a magical Winter Wonderland, where guests can stroll through a snowy dreamland. Snowflakes gently cascade from a ceiling of glowing white orbs, creating the enchanting sensation of walking through a snow-kissed wonderland. Prepare to be transported into a world of wintry bliss!

Nov. 14 to mid-Jan.

Photos with Santa. Children, families and their pets are invited to take photos with Santa Claus at an event hosted by the Peninsula Celebrations Society. Be sure to bring your own camera Garden Court on Beacon Ave to capture the magic. It’s a wonderful opportunity for the whole family (including furry friends) to get into the holiday spirit.

Dec. 14 11am-2 pm

Elf on the Shelf : Families and visitors to Sidney are invited to join a fun-filled holiday scavenger hunt in the downtown. Search for the little scout elves that have hidden around town, then visit the Sidney Information Centre at 2281 Beacon Avenue to share which elf was your favourite. As a thank-you, you’ll receive a festive holiday goody! For a full list of participating businesses click here.

Nov. 25 to Jan. 6

Community Christmas Carol Sing Along. Sponsored by Reach! And Beacon Community Serves, this is an event for all ages and will take place at the Shoal Centre.

Dec 21 at 2:30 pm

Oak Bay

Light Up Festival. Oak Bay Avenue came to life and illuminated a parade led by Santa and Mrs. Claus atop an Oak Bay fire truck during its 24th annual Light Up Festival last weekend. People enjoyed live music from the BC Fiddle Orchestra, Old-Time Dance Band, the Joy of Life Choir and the Whoville Children’s Chorus. Letters written by kids to Santa Claus are now enroute to the direct-to-the-North-Pole mailbox thanks to the support of the Kiwanis Club of Oak Bay.

The municipality’s main artery will remain illuminated at night until Jan. 6.

If you live in or are visiting the West Shore and are looking for holiday events closer to home, we made up a list of fun things for people of all ages.

\\ While not free nor sponsored by a municipality, Butchart Gardens is a perennial favourite, so we’re including it here.

The Twelve Days of Christmas at Butchart Gardens. Butchart comes to life with a colourful display of lights, including scenes depicting the 1910 English Christmas carol .  Wander the pathways to discover each scene while you sing along to the classic Christmas carol.

The Gardens will flip the switch on the Magic of Christmas Official Light Up in front of the Rose Carousel on Dec. 1, Once the switch is flipped, thousands of lights will illuminate to mark the beginning of its Magic of Christmas season.

The event will include traditional carollers, a festive brass band, and free carousel rides. Tickets for Butchart’s Christmas season are on sale here.

Dec 1.

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Late-December events (not all municipal)

Home alone Christmas dinner for adults without family to spend the 25th with. Church of the Advent in Colwood. [ Info]

Skate times at City Centre Park on Dec. 24, Dec. 26, and Jan. 1-2. [ Inf

Esquimalt Rec Holiday Wonderland (also at Archie Browning Sports Centre) will be full of lights and decorations at the ninth annual Christmas Tree Village. Tuesday Dec. 3, 2024 to Jan. 3, 2025 from 12:30-10pm. Plus a Free Christmas Sing-Along on Dec. 23 at Esquimalt Rec. 6-8pm.

Teen winter ice skating on Dec 28. Free with SD62 ID. 8-9:30pm.

Christmas concerts: Vocal ensembles, sing-alongs, spoken word, The Nutcracker ballet, and more. Get the details on this week's events in our full list.

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Ongoing: Gingerbread showcase is back for a 16th year, in support of Habitat for Humanity, at Hotel Grand Pacific. Until Jan. 5.

Ongoing:Festival of Trees: Explore 90+ trees spruced up and on display for the community to vote on and enjoy over the holidays. Bay Centre. Through Jan. 5. During mall hours. [ Info]

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NYE events (non-municipal, non-free)\

Dance into the New Year with Rocksteady in the Westshore Ballroom at Four Points by Sheraton. [ 6:30pm on Dec. 31]

New Year's Eve Dance at Langford Legion. Music by Kooler and Court Land. 8pm-1am. [ Event]

NYE at Langford Lanes: Bowling lanes open until am. [ Info]

Midnight at Darcy's NYE bash with $15 general entry. Begins 8pm. [ Tickets

NYE at the Da Vinci Centre: Catered food & DJ spinning. 6:30pm-1:30am. Reservation for tables of 8 only; closes on Christmas Eve.

Countdown at CRAFT begins at 9pm. Seating and dancefloor. $20 tickets


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