Little Local - Nov 6

Welcome to another week of Little Local. The rain’s here, but so is our brand new Family Guide to Downtown Victoria, packed with ideas for where to eat, play, and explore together. Stay cozy out there (and keep an eye out for the Downtown BINGO card coming soon!).

Our Downtown Guide is Here!

I made this guide to prove that downtown can be just as fun for kids as it is for grown-ups.

This is your invitation to see the heart of the city through a family lens, to wander, play, and discover new favourites. The Downtown Guide highlights great places to eat, play, and explore, all within an easy, walkable area. Whether you’re grabbing lunch, popping into the Maritime Museum, or letting the kids burn off energy at Centennial Square, downtown has so much to offer families year-round.

How to use it: Pick a place to eat, a spot to explore, and a local business to support. Mix and match to plan your perfect family day downtown.

Where to get it: Printed copies are available at City Hall, but you can also download your copy here! 👇🏼

Printing tip: Print it double-sided, and fold it into 3 for a tri-fold brochure 😉 

We created this guide with OUR DWTN, who are working to make downtown a safe and welcoming place for everyone. We hope this guide becomes a go-to for planning a few hours (or a whole day) of family fun in the city.

And coming soon: our Downtown BINGO! Once the lights and displays are up later this month, you’ll be able to grab your card and start checking off festive family adventures all over downtown.

The Royal BC Museum and IMAX Theatre are open again! Here’s what’s playing around Victoria:

Read: The Wild Robot by Peter Brown is a beautiful, big-hearted story about a robot who finds herself stranded on a wild island, and what happens when technology meets nature. With its short chapters, it’s great for read-aloud sessions with your young, school-aged kids. If they love this book, be sure to check out the whole series!

Make: I miss trying new recipes for fear they’ll be rejected by my kids, but this Crispy Honey Soy Chicken from Simple Home Edit was a win! It’s quick, saucy, and so delicious. Serve it with a simple salad or some roasted veggies and call it a new family fave.

🥪 This Week’s Lunch: This Week’s Lunch delivers kid-approved meals complete with mains, fruit, veggies, and snacks, straight to your door. Choose between 3 and 5-day options for little kids or big kids. Fresh, fun, and ready to grab, so mornings feel a whole lot easier.

🛒 Urban Grocer: From fresh produce to pantry staples and ready-to-go meals, Urban Grocer (Fort and Oak Bay) makes family shopping easy! Pop in for everyday essentials or treat yourself to something new from their locally sourced selection.

🦷 Wheely Clean: Skip the dentist office because Wheely Clean’s mobile hygiene vans come to you! They’re fantastic with kids, now offer teeth whitening, and make family dental care stress-free. Book your visit online!

📅 Weekend Events

✨ Fantastic Fridays at St. Luke Cedar Hill
Friday, Nov 7 | 4:30–6:30pm
Ease into the weekend with family games, crafts, dinner, and good company at St. Luke Cedar Hill. A relaxed, all-ages evening that’s fun for both kids and parents. [Info]

🪨 Geodiversity Fest
Saturday, Nov 8 | 10am–3pm
Drop in for a free, hands-on day at the Royal BC Museum all about the “non-living” parts of our planet, with guest exhibitors, activities, and talks on fossils, earthquakes, marine geology, minerals, caves, and more. [Info]

🧸 Museum Tots – Remembrance
Saturday, Nov 8 | 10:30–11:15am
Little ones (ages 3–5) can explore crafts, songs, play, and dance at the Maritime Museum of BC. Drop-ins welcome.[Info]

📅 Upcoming and Ongoing

🎬 Cineplex Community Day
Saturday, Nov 15 | Doors open 9am
Enjoy a morning of free family-friendly movies at Cineplex theatres! Doors open at 9am with select films starting at 10am. Popcorn, drinks, and candy are just $3, with all proceeds supporting youth mental health programs. [Info]

🎄 Festival of Trees
Starting Nov 14 | 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. A magical holiday stroll for all ages. [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. 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.