Looking for things to do to get you into the holiday spirit this month? Then look no further. Here’s a list of family-friendly festivities…
Dec 1. See the Sidney Sparkles Christmas Parade at 5pm on Beacon Avenue, followed by the Lighted Sail Past at 6pm. peninsulacelebrations.ca.
Dec 2. Support Habitat for Humanity at the Parkside Hotel’s Gingerbread Showcase from 9am-9pm. habitatvictoria.com.
Dec 3. See Sidney’s annual Nativity Exhibit from 2-9pm and make an ornament to take home. sidneynativityexhibit.ca.
Dec 4. Stroll the Festival of Trees at the Bay Centre, supporting BC Children’s Hospital. bcchf.ca.
Dec 5. Celebrate the Lighting of the Provincial Christmas Tree and the Parliament Buildings from 6-7pm. downtownvictoria.ca.
Dec 6. Salute the Sea of Lights Boat Parade, leaving Royal Victoria Yacht Club at 6:45pm. For route and times, rvyc.bc.ca.
Dec 7. Watch the Lighted Truck Convoy & Food Drive, leaving Ogden Point at 5:45pm. Route and times at ieoa.ca.
Dec 8. Embrace the cold at Royal BC Museum’s Wonder Sunday: Chill Out from 1-3pm. Included with admission.
Dec 9. See the Naden Band Christmas Concert at the Royal Theatre, 7:30pm. $10, plus an unwrapped toy. Visit rmts.bc.ca.
Dec 10. Experience Winterlights Festival and the magical exhibits at Tofino Botanical Gardens, 5-9pm until January 5. tbgf.org.
Dec 11. Get crafty at the Christmas Card Making Workshop at Ocean Pointe Resort from 6-8pm. downtownvictoria.ca.
Hear GVPL’s Choirs in the Courtyard, Central Branch at 1:30. Visit gvpl.ca.
Dec 12. Enter Miniature World’s Find the Six Santas contest, on until Dec 24. miniatureworld.com.
Dec 13. Be entertained at CBC Radio and Our Place’s Christmas Carol. First Met United Church, 932 Balmoral Rd at 7pm.
Dec 14. Bring your camera, and take free Photos with Santa at Victoria Public Market at The Hudson from 10am-3pm. victoriapublicmarket.com.
Dec 15. Attend Forest Festivities and make recycled cards and crafts at the Beaver Lake Nature Centre, 11am-2pm. Materials included. crd.bc.ca/parks.
Dec 16. Experience the magic of the season at Lights of Wonder, Centennial Square on Sun-Thurs, 4-9pm, and Fri-Sat from 4-10pm. lightsofwonder.ca.
Dec 17. Make eggnog—see recipe on page 20—and snuggle up by the fire.
Dec 18. Watch Polar Express at IMAX Victoria, 6:15pm. imaxvictoria.com.
Dec 19. Be spellbound at Milner Christmas Magic, 5-8:30pm, in Qualicum Beach.
Dec 20. Celebrate Christmas in Old Town at Royal BC Museum and visit Santa Fri-Sun 11am-3pm. royalbcmuseum.bc.ca.
Dec 21. Bundle up for a Free Horse-Drawn Trolley Ride downtown. Sat and Sun 11am-3pm. Visit downtownvictoria.ca.
Dec 22. See the Live Nativity Scene, running four times nightly on Dec 21-23 at 6:30, 7, 7:30 and 8pm at Topaz Park. Free.
Dec 23. Get Festive at Helmcken House Old-Fashioned Christmas, Dec 17-31, noon-4pm. Visit royalbcmuseum.bc.ca.
Dec 24. Marvel at the Magic of Christmas at Butchart Gardens. Enjoy carousel rides, thousands of coloured lights, seasonal decorations, and children’s activities. butchartgardens.com.
Dec 25. Happy Holidays from all of us at Island Parent Magazine!
–Sue Fast
