Little Local - Dec 11

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Ooof, our kids' jackets and boots are still damp from yesterday's rain! The forecast is still looking pretty wet, but a little rain never stops us from soaking up the season 🌧️

Downtown is packed with family-friendly magic right now, from Lights of Wonder to the Festival of Trees, plus our very own Festive Downtown BINGO. And we’re extra excited to be hosting our first Little Local meetup on Saturday at Lights of Wonder. Details below!

Sparkle Magic

Buddy the Elf and I cannot wait to see you this Saturday, Dec 13th, in Centennial Square from 4pm to 6pm. Little Local is hosting a little meetup at Lights of Wonder with a little extra magic for the kids: a mini obstacle course, glowing crafts, and something sparkly to take home.

Fingers crossed for good weather, but rain…or more rain, it will be festive, fun, and very kid-friendly.

It is also the perfect chance to complete your Holiday BINGO card. Submit your completed card in person (or email a photo to [email protected]) for a chance to win a gift basket filled with goodies from local businesses and a downtown gift card.

👋🏼 See you on Saturday!

Simple Traditions

If December is feeling full (and it usually does), here is your gentle reminder that holiday traditions do not have to be big or beautifully planned to matter. Some of the best ones are not planned at all: a regular drive home that suddenly becomes a holiday lights adventure, or a night when no one feels like cooking that turns into a holiday movie night.

Turn Local Experiences into Traditions

• Go for a holiday lights stroll (the sun sets at 4:18pm today) to spot the best lights and decorations in your own neighbourhood, or pull up our Holiday Lights Map and go for a drive.

• Grab hot chocolates from family-friendly cafes like Discovery Coffee, Little June, Wairua, or Hide + Seek.

• Visit a local holiday market and have your kiddo pick out a new ornament for this year. If you still need to do some Christmas shopping, make that the mission for your kids so they feel part of the outing too.

• Do a holiday kindness drop-off: cookies for a neighbour, a food bank donation, or a small bundle of warm clothing/essentials.

✏️ How to Draw All The Animals: If you have a child who loves drawing but gets frustrated when things don’t look “real,” the drawing books by Alli Koch are a game changer (she has a whole series!). Each illustration is broken into simple steps that make drawing accessible, even for kids.

🍽️ We’re making a batch of The Best Turkey Chilli from Ambitious Kitchen this week. It’s a make-ahead or slow-cooker meal that’s packed with flavour, protein, and cozy comfort. On cold, wet evenings, I can’t think of anything easier or more satisfying to eat.

🌱 Sprout Family Health offers warm, family-centered care with one simple membership. Get unlimited Nurse Practitioner visits, quick appointments, on-demand support, and proactive services like annual assessments, developmental checks, and access to specialists. Sign up now and get everything your family needs in one membership.

🍎 Parklane Preschool: Looking for a warm, welcoming preschool for the new year? Parklane Preschool is accepting little learners (3+), with both half-day and full-day programs. It’s a nurturing, play-based environment led by award-winning teachers.

This Weekend

✨ Little Local Meetup at Lights of Wonder
Saturday, Dec 13 | 4–6pm
Join us for a magical Little Local pop-up inside Lights of Wonder in Centennial Square this weekend! Buddy the Elf will be roaming around looking for kiddos, handing out something sparkly! [Info]

🍬 Candy Lane Winter Festival
Saturday, Dec 13 & Sunday, Dec 14 | 9:30am–4pm
Indoor holiday fun at the Saanich Fairgrounds with a Kids Zone (crafts, cocoa, face painting, photos with Santa), local artisans, live music, Island food vendors, and festive sips. Entry by donation. [Info]

🎁 Belmont Bulldogs Holiday Market
Saturday, Dec 13 | 10am–4pm
A festive market at Belmont Secondary with 75+ local vendors, food trucks, cookie decorating, face painting, and a visit from Santa. Entry by donation. [Info]

🎅 Photos with Santa at Patio Gardens
Friday, Dec 12 | 3–5pm & Saturday, Dec 13 | 10am–12:30pm
Bring the kids for a sweet holiday photo-op with Santa in a cozy garden setting. [Info]

🎬 Free Holiday Matinee Movies (Cineplex Westshore)
Saturday, Dec 13 | 10am – The Polar Express
Sunday, Dec 14 | 2pm – The Grinch
Doors open one hour before showtime. Free, family-friendly holiday classics. [Info]

🚒 Sooke Santa Run
Saturday, Dec 13 | 5–8pm
Watch for the festively lit fire trucks weaving through Sooke with Santa onboard, collecting food and cash donations for the Sooke Christmas Bureau. [Info]

⛸️ Skate with Santa (Oak Bay Rec)
Sunday, Dec 14 | 1:30–2:45pm & 3–4:15pm
Skate to festive music and snap a photo with Santa on the ice. [Info]

Upcoming

🎭 Thumbelina
December 17–21 
A whimsical holiday production perfect for young families. Performed at Denford Hall at Glenlyon Norfolk School. [Info]

🎶 Elf in Concert
Saturday, Dec 20 & Sunday, Dec 21
Watch Elf with a full live orchestra performing the score. A hilarious, festive outing. [Info]

🏰 Holidays at Hatley Castle
Saturday, Dec 20 & Sunday, Dec 21
Enjoy a festive afternoon at Hatley Castle with guided tours, warm beverages, classic board games, and cozy holiday photo spots by the grand fireplace. Tickets range from $16.80–$26.25 (kids 5 and under free). [Info]

🩰 The Gift of the Nutcracker
Dec 28-30 | Various showtimes
A heartwarming holiday tradition featuring Ballet Victoria’s dancers and the Victoria Symphony. This timeless classic returns with beautiful choreography, festive music, and charming new elements for this year. [Info]

Ongoing

🚂 Festive Bricks of Giving
Now – Dec 28
The atrium at The Parkside Hotel & Spa has been transformed into a holiday LEGO wonderland. Families can explore interactive LEGO play stations, check out student builds, and take home a LEGO ornament by donation in support of Rainbow Kitchen’s school meal programs. [Info]

✨ Lights of Wonder
Now – Dec 31 | Centennial Square
Downtown Victoria’s biggest light display returns! Wander through sparkling tunnels, snap a few photos, and enjoy live entertainment and food vendors on select nights. Free and festive fun for the whole family. [Info]

🧱 Holiday LEGO Exhibit at Westshore Town Centre
Now – Sunday, Dec 21
A magical LEGO display with winter scenes, trains, and plenty to explore for all ages. [Info]

🎄 Festival of Trees Downtown
Now – Dec 31 | Bay Centre
Step into a forest of beautifully decorated trees at the Bay Centre! Each tree is uniquely designed by local businesses and organizations, with proceeds supporting BC Children’s Hospital. [Info]

🏠 Habitat Victoria Gingerbread Showcase
Now – Jan 4 | 9am–9pm
Stroll through imaginative gingerbread creations and vote for your favourite in support of Habitat Victoria. [Info]

🎄 Festival of Trees SEAPARC
Now – Dec 26 | All day
Walk through a forest of decorated trees at SEAPARC Recreation Centre and support BC Children’s Hospital Foundation. [Info]

✨ Magic of Christmas at Butchart Gardens
Now – Jan 6 | 3–9pm
Thousands of lights, carolers, warm drinks, and the full Twelve Days of Christmas display. Kids 12 and under can bring a homemade paper snowflake (8.5”×11”) to trade for a free hot chocolate. There’s also ice skating this year! [Info]

🎁 Yuletide Market at Bilston Creek Farm
Fridays–Sundays | 10am–4pm
Browse rotating local vendors across seven festive markets. Enjoy cob-oven pizza, treats from the Bilston Café, and live music on select dates. A perfect spot to shop local this season. [Info]

Holiday Lights Map – Explore our growing map of festive, well-lit homes around Greater Victoria. If you discover a standout display, send it our way and we’ll add it!

Local Gift Guides – Shop local this season. We’ve rounded up great places to find something special for everyone on your list.

Festive Downtown BINGO – Turn downtown Victoria into your holiday adventure. Complete your BINGO card for a chance to win!

Hope you enjoyed this issue of Little Local! Please reply with any feedback and suggestions :)

P.S. Would you like to get your business in front of thousands of local Victoria families? Email us at [email protected].

Final Note: I do my best to keep everything accurate, but I am only human so the odd mistake might sneak in! If you catch one, feel free to let me know. And some links may be affiliate links (I earn a small commission at no extra cost to you), but every product is something I genuinely love or comes recommended by someone I trust.