Little Local - Jan 1

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Happy New Year, Little Local readers! I rang it in at 9pm with the fine folks in New York City last night, alongside half my crew in a Courtenay hotel room. With winter break feeling extra long, I decided on a last-minute ski trip to Mt. Washington with my two older boys. But if you’re home in Vic today, I’ve got you!

Wishing you and your family a wonderful New Year. I can’t wait to share some ideas for 2026 with all of you next week 💛

New Year’s Day

Yes, most businesses are closed today, but there are still plenty of reasons to get out of the house.

Swim or Skate at the Rec Centre

Here’s what’s open today:

• Oak Bay Recreation Centre
  Leisure & Lengths Swim: 12–2pm
  Kids Fun Swim: 2–4:30pm
  Family Skate: 1–3pm

• Esquimalt Recreation Centre
  Free Swim: 1–3pm

• Saanich Commonwealth Place
  Pool open: 10am–4pm

Polar Bear Swims 🥶

If you want to really start the year fresh, a polar bear swim might be calling your name. Even if you don’t plunge, they’re fun to watch as a family.

There are several happening around Greater Victoria today. Times Colonist has a great roundup here.

Family Hike or Nature Walk

Fresh air does everyone good. These are our family favourites:

• East Sooke Regional Park

• Witty’s Lagoon

• Devonian Regional Park

• Francis King Regional Park

• PKOLS (Mount Douglas Park)

• Mystic Vale

Jump at Flying Squirrel

Flying Squirrel is open today from 12–9pm in case your kids have extra beans to burn.

Things are a little quiet around Victoria this weekend, but there will be more coming your way soon.

🎆 Activities & Social at Oak Bay Rec
Thursday, Jan 1 | 12–4:30pm
Ring in the new year with free activities and a community social at Oak Bay Recreation Centre. Enjoy swims, skating, fitness centre access, kids’ fun swim, and a New Year’s Day social with Mayor & Council. Suggested donation to KidSport. [Info]

⛸️ Free Family Skate
Thursday, Jan 1 | 9:45am
Kick off the new year with a free family skate at Langford Lanes, hosted by Remax. A great way to get moving and burn off some holiday energy together. [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]

✨ Magic of Christmas at Butchart Gardens
Now – Jan 6 | 3–9pm
Just a few more days to enjoy thousands of lights, carolers, warm drinks, and the 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]

🌿 Wee Winter Ones: Guided Walk (Ages 5 & Under)
Sunday, Jan 11 | 10-11am
Bundle up and explore nature together on this gentle, guided winter walk designed especially for young children and their caregivers. A lovely way to enjoy the winter outdoors. [Info]

🎤 Taylor Swift Concert Party!
Friday, Jan 23 | 6–9:30pm
Sing, dance, and shake it off at this high-energy Taylor Swift–themed party for kids/teens 10-15 at Saanich Commonwealth Place. Expect music, movement, and plenty of Swiftie fun. [Info]

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.