Little Local - Nov 27

Feeling festive yet? This week’s issue is full of holiday activities around town, ways to give, and weekend events to help you make the most of the season around Victoria.

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Holiday Fun Around Victoria

We’ve rounded up some festive ways to celebrate the season with your family around town. Check out the full list on our website.

A quick reminder for anyone feeling the holiday pressure: you don’t have to do it all. Our kids won’t remember how many festive activities we squeezed in, but they will remember how it felt to be with you. Give yourself permission to do only what feels good and manageable.

1. Lights of Wonder: Victoria’s biggest holiday light display kicks off this Saturday, Nov 29, in Centennial Square, with the ferris wheel opening December 19.

2. Festival of Trees: Enjoy dozens of decorated trees fill the Bay Centre and SEAPARC.

3. Gingerbread Showcase: Intricate gingerbread creations on display at Hotel Grand Pacific, supporting Habitat for Humanity.

4. Oak Bay Light Up: A community favourite with illuminated trees, music, and a festive Oak Bay Village atmosphere. On this weekend!

5. Holiday Markets: Too many to list here, but a surprising number of markets make it fun for kids too. Sea Cider’s Folk Holiday Market (Dec 7) and Bilston Creek Farm’s Yuletide Market Series on weekends are both especially magical.

6. Downtown Holiday BINGO: Pick up a BINGO card from City Hall (or download a copy here) and make your December outings downtown a fun challenge. Complete one for a chance to win the grand prize!

7. The Magic of Christmas at Butchart Gardens: Light displays, the Twelve Days of Christmas, and the new outdoor ice rink. Dec 1–Jan 6.

8. The Polar Express at IMAX: A seasonal favourite with 3D showings starting Dec 6.

9. Truck Parade & Food Drive: Apx 80 brilliantly decorated commercial trucks travel a 35km route through Greater Victoria on Saturday, Dec 6, lighting up neighbourhoods and creating an unforgettable night for kids. Bring non-perishable food items to support local food banks along the route.

10. Photos with Santa or Holiday Minis: Capture the season with Santa or short outdoor sessions offered by local photographers. Find Santa at your local mall or head to Patio Gardens during one of the drop-in sessions.

Where to Donate Food, Hampers, and Toys

If you’re in a position to give this season, please consider supporting one of the groups below, with monetary donations going the furthest.

The Mustard Seed Street Church – 625 Queens Avenue, Victoria
Accepts non-perishable food, pantry staples, hygiene items, and seasonal Christmas hamper donations.

Goldstream Food Bank Society – 761 Station Avenue, Langford
Accepts non-perishable food and supports the West Shore’s Christmas hamper program.

Rainbow Kitchen – Parkside Hotel & Spa
Specializing in programming that strengthens food security surrounding Southern Vancouver Island. Hot breakfasts, tasty lunches, food sharing. They are currently running the Festive Bricks of Giving (LEGO) campaign at Parkside Hotel until Dec 28.

Living Edge Neighbourhood Markets – Multiple Locations
Provides fresh food (not just canned goods) to local residents at various weekly markets in Victoria, Esquimalt, Langford, and at UVic. Accepts food donations from local businesses and monetary donations from individuals.

Big Brothers Big Sisters – 230 Bay Street, Victoria
Accepts new and gently used toys, books, kids clothing, and small household items.

CFAX Santas Anonymous – Uptown, Victoria
Runs one of the region’s largest Christmas toy and hamper programs supporting families across Greater Victoria. Toy Mountain returns to Uptown from December 4 to 11, where Virgin Radio Victoria and CTV Vancouver Island will be collecting new, unwrapped toys and cash donations for CFAX Santa’s Anonymous.

We shared our Shop Local Gift Guides last week, and they’re full of thoughtful ideas from right here in our community. If you’re looking to buy your presents locally this season, use these guides as a little inspiration for where to shop and what to gift.

How to Draw Things Magical for Kids: This book is part of a really fun step-by-step drawing series that’s perfect for kids who want to learn how to draw, not just colour things in. It breaks everything down into simple shapes, feels really doable and has been a hit in our house.

Chicken Chow Mein: This recipe from RecipeTin Eats is a quick, weeknight-friendly stir-fry with chow mein noodles, chicken and a super tasty homemade sauce. The real win is that you can throw in whatever veggies you have in the fridge or whatever your kids are most likely to eat and it still turns out delicious!

🦢 Swans Pub downtown is a great spot to warm up after a holiday outing, and their kid-friendly menu makes it an easy choice for families. If you’re looking for a relaxed, cozy place to eat with little ones in tow, this one always hits the mark.

🧸 Modern Baby at Uptown has an amazing selection of kids clothes, toys and stocking stuffers, and it is one of my go tos for easy holiday gifting. Join them in store from Friday, November 28 to Sunday, November 30 for 20% off select items and 10% off Maileg.

📅 This Weekend

✨ Glow Together – Community Light-Up for Primary Care
Thursday, Nov 27 | 6-8pm
Join Shoreline Medical Society for a free, family-friendly light-up celebration including a Magical Holiday Trail Walk, hot chocolate, s’mores, crafts, face painting, food trucks, and more. Centennial Park Fieldhouse. [Info]

🍿 Family Movie Night
Friday, Nov 28 | 7pm
A cozy community movie night for the family at James Bay Community School. Movie (Home Alone) starts at 7pm. Pre-order pizza for the pizza dinner (5:30-6:30pm) [Info]

❄️ Winter Bazaar
Friday, Nov 28 – Sunday, Nov 30
A community market at the Gorge Park Pavilion with seasonal crafts, treats, and local vendors. [Info]

🩰 Nutcracker: Shumka Dancers + Victoria Symphony
Friday, Nov 28 – Sunday, Nov 30
A vibrant blend of Ukrainian dance and live orchestra — an unforgettable Nutcracker experience. [Info]

🐴 Deck the Stalls
Saturday, Nov 29 | 10am–4pm
Celebrate the season at Victoria Therapeutic Riding Association (VTRA) festive stall displays, live music, and holiday photos among beautifully decorated stalls. Vote for your favourite! Admission and activities are by donation, with all proceeds supporting VTRA’s programs and participants. [Info]

🎨 Vic West Elementary Craft Fair
Saturday, Nov 29 | 10am–4pm
A beloved community craft fair featuring handmade gifts, treats, and Grade 5 crafts and gift wrapping. [Info]

🎅 Spirit of Christmas Kick-Off at Tillicum
Saturday, Nov 29 | 12–4pm
Step into the magic of Christmas and the season of giving. Enjoy cookie decorating, a festive crafting station with McTavish Academy of Art, and pop-up Santa photos by donation. Upper Level near Winners. [Info]

🎁 Family FUN Hour at Out of Hand Modern Market
Saturday, Nov 29 | 4–5pm
Join Kaleidoscope for a Family Fun Hour before the Santa Clause parade from 4pm to 5pm at the Out of Hand Modern Market in the beautiful Crystal Garden. [Info]

📸 Photos with Santa at Patio Gardens
Saturday, Nov 29 | 10am–12:30pm / Sunday, Nov 30 | 1–3:30pm
Capture a festive photo with Santa in a cozy garden setting. Photos taken by local Peninsula photographer Cassidy Nunn of Nunn Other Photography. $30. No appointment necessary, drop-in only. [Info]

🌲 Mini Grinch Tree Workshop
Saturday, Nov 29 | Multiple times
Create your own whimsical Grinch tree at VI Plant Shop, located downtown Victoria. [Info]

🎄 Oak Bay Light Up
Sunday, Nov 30 | 2–6pm
Celebrate 25 years of the Oak Bay Christmas Festival with family activities, a Christmas market, live music, roasted chestnuts, food trucks, and Santa and Mrs. Claus arriving by fire truck at 5pm. [Info]

📅 Upcoming

🛥️ Harbour Holiday Lights
Thursday, Dec 4 | 5–8pm
A festive evening on the Inner Harbour on the Lower Causeway and Ship Point Pier with illuminated boats and music, plus free hot chocolate and cookies. Santa Claus is scheduled to arrive by boat at 6pm. [Info]

🚚 IEOA Truck Parade & Food Drive
Saturday, Dec 6 | 5-8pm
The 27th annual Truck Parade returns with 80+ brightly lit trucks rolling along a 35km route through five Greater Victoria municipalities. The convoy starts at Ogden Point at 5pm and ends at Royal Bay around 8pm. Bring a food donation and enjoy one of the region’s favourite holiday traditions. [Info]

🎭 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]

📅 Ongoing

🚂 Festive Bricks of Giving
Now – Dec 28
The atrium at The Parkside Hotel & Spa has been transformed into a holiday LEGO wonderland with LEGO cityscapes, model trains, and a bridge built over the koi pond. 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]

🍬 Gingerbread House Challenge
Now – Dec 31
Pick up a gingerbread kit from Panorama or Greenglade, decorate it with family or friends, and return your creation to Panorama by Dec 1 for the festive CFAX Santa’s Anonymous display and community challenge! [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
Dec 1 – Jan 6 | 3–9pm
Thousands of lights, carollers, 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]

✨ Lights of Wonder
Nov 29 – 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]

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.