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I hope everyone had a great Halloween! The kids had a great time, and we’re ready to settle into cozy season before the holidays take over.

Before our calendars fill up, I’d love to squeeze in another park meetup if enough people are interested! I’ve heard great things about the recently upgraded Blair Park in Gordon Head, and would love to check it out. If you’d like to join us for a casual get-together with other local families, let me know in the polls below which dates and times would work for you.

Welcome home, salmon!

Each fall, salmon return from the ocean to the rivers and creeks where they began life. They swim upstream to spawn, and after they die, their bodies help nourish the water, wildlife, and surrounding forest. It’s a pretty incredible life cycle to share with our kids!

Late October through November is generally the best time to look, depending on rainfall and water levels. Dress in layers, pack a warm drink, and try one of these local spots:

Goldstream Provincial Park: The classic spot for a riverside walk and salmon watching. Parking gets busy, so try a weekday if you can. Sadly, the Nature House is closed for 2026, due to infrastructure damage and ongoing power outages.

Charters River, Sooke: One of our favourite places to watch the salmon. Walk along the forested trails near the Charters River Salmon Interpretive Centre, and enjoy many spots along the river to watch the salmon. Watch a reel we made last year of our adventure, and check out the drop-in event this weekend (details below in ‘What’s Happening’).

Where to book photos with Santa

The rumours are true! It’s the first week of November, and Santa photo bookings are already open. If you’re ready to get a head start on the holidays, here are a few spots around Victoria where you can book your visit now.

The Cottage at Uptown
A short and sweet visit with Santa in his cozy cottage, including two digital photos. Select dates from November 6. [Book here]

Westshore Town Centre
Santa photos with sensory-sensitive and pet-friendly appointments available. November 14–December 24 (December 5–24 appointments open November 30 at 7pm) [Book here]

Mayfair Shopping Centre
Visit Santa with reservations recommended, and walk-ins welcome. November 25–December 24. [Book here]

Hillside Centre
Book ahead or drop in for a visit with Santa; arrival day is walk-in only. From November 27. [Book here]

Happy Santa Holiday Portraits
Visit Santa Ian in a decorated Santa’s workshop at Jesse Hlady Studios (1024 Meares Street). Select dates. [Book here]

👉🏼 Prefer to just drop in? We’ll share more opportunities for photos with Santa that don’t require a booking in the coming weeks.

🏃 Active Preschoolers: Have a little one who loves to move? Saanich’s Foundations for Sport program helps kids ages 3–5 build balance, coordination and sports skills through games, songs, and activity circuits. Saturdays, November 7–December 19 from 10:15–11am at Gordon Head Middle School. Grab one of the remaining spots!

🌿 Wreath Making at Thistle & Wren: Gather a friend for a festive evening of wreath making with Folklore Floral, plus charcuterie and wine from Bistrot L’Stage. Saturday, November 14, 5–7pm at Thistle & Wren in Fernwood. Tickets are $120, with a portion of proceeds supporting Women’s Transition House.

This Weekend

🎮 Mario Kart Party
Friday, Nov 6 | 6:30–9pm
Kids ages 9–14 can head to Oaklands Community Centre for a Mario Kart tournament, board games and fall baking. [Info]

🏒 Victoria Royals Home Games
Friday, Nov 6 at 7:05pm & Saturday, Nov 7 at 6:05pm
Cheer on the Royals at Save-On-Foods Memorial Centre as they face the Moose Jaw Warriors on Friday and the Tri-City Americans on Saturday. [Tickets]

🛍️ Nomad Holiday Market
Saturday, Nov 7 10am–5pm & Sunday, Nov 8Sunday 10am–4pm
Enjoy live music, local food and a kids’ colouring contest while browsing more than 70 vendors at the Songhees Wellness Centre on Admirals Road. Admission is $5 and kids are free. Bring a non-perishable donation for Rainbow Kitchen. [Info]

🐟 Salmon Sensation
Saturday, Nov 7 | 11am–2pm
Celebrate the returning salmon at Charters Interpretive Centre in Sooke, with crafts, guided river walks and Indigenous storytelling with Leslie McGarry. An all-ages drop-in event. [Info]

🌳 Tree Appreciation Day: Saanich
Saturday, Nov 7 | 10am–12pm
Help plant trees and shrubs at Cuthbert Holmes Park in Saanich! All ages are welcome, no experience is needed, and tools and gloves are provided. [Info]

🎨 Special Play Day at Kids & Company
Saturday, Nov 7 | 10am–12pm
Enjoy nature-based activities, crafts and glitter tattoos at Kids & Company at Uptown, while meeting the educators and exploring the childcare centre. Free; register to reserve a spot. [Info]

🎭 Kaleidoscope Family FUNday
Sunday, Nov 8 | 10am–1pm
Drop into the Kaleidoscope Arts Centre for a free morning of storytelling, crafts, dress-up and imaginative play. Open to all ages, with an adult accompanying children. [Info]

🍃 Nature Shapes
Sunday, Nov 8 | 10–11am
Discover shapes and patterns in the forest at Elk/Beaver Lake Regional Park, with hands-on activities for children five and under. Meet at the Hamsterly Beach information kiosk; the route is stroller friendly. [Info]

🐟 Welcome Home the Salmon
Sunday, Nov 8 | 10am–2pm
Gather at the Goldstream Provincial Park picnic area for public art-making, a guided walk with ZȺWIZUT Carl Olsen and hatchery displays. Hot chocolate and cookies will be available by donation to the hatchery. [Info]

🌳 Tree Appreciation Day: Oak Bay
Sunday, Nov 8 | 10am–1pm
Head to the 1000 block of Beach Drive Boulevard in Oak Bay for tree planting, pruning and pest-management demonstrations, plus a community tree walk at noon. [Info]

🏈 Canadian Bowl Championship
Sunday, Nov 8 | 1pm
Watch the Westshore Rebels take on the Regina Thunder at Starlight Stadium in Langford for the Canadian junior football championship! [Info]

🌬️ Pneuma Breathwork for Kids
Sunday, Nov 8 | 3:30–5pm
Children ages 5–12 can explore meditative breathing, music, and mandala drawing at Wild Roots Dance & Yoga. This is a drop-off session; register using code PNEUMABREATHWORK for a free ticket. [Info]

Remembrance Day

🌺 Saanich Remembrance Day Ceremony
Wednesday, November 11 | 10:45–11:45am
Gather at the Saanich Cenotaph, 770 Vernon Avenue, for an outdoor ceremony honouring those who have served and continue to serve. [Info]

🌺 Oak Bay Remembrance Day Ceremony
Wednesday, November 11 | 10:55am–12pm
Join the community at the Oak Bay Cenotaph on the 2900 block of Beach Drive for the annual ceremony. A livestream is also available. [Info]

🌺 Remembrance Day at Royal Roads
Wednesday, November 11 | From 10:40am
Attend a ceremony outside Hatley Castle, followed by a free documentary screening around 11:45am. The castle’s museum will also be open free from 11am–2pm. [Info]

🌺 A Day of Remembrance at Fort Rodd Hill
Wednesday, November 11 | 10am–3pm
Reflect and learn through hands-on historic displays, with treats available at the canteen. Admission is free. Expect loud historic weapon demonstrations at 11:02am and 2:30pm. [Info]

Coming Up

⚽ U SPORTS Men’s Soccer Championship
November 12–15
Catch university teams competing for the national title at UVic’s Centennial Stadium. A great outing for young soccer fans! [Info]

🍪 Free Gingerbread Cookie Decorating
Saturday, Nov 14 | 10am–1pm
Head to your local Thrifty Foods to decorate a free gingerbread cookie! For kids ages 12 and under with an adult. Limited to the first 150 children per store, with one cookie per child, while supplies last.

🩰 Tea for Tutu: The Gift of the Nutcracker
November 24–26 | 2pm
Enjoy a free ballet performance designed for seniors and families with young children at Ballet Victoria’s Kirk Hall. Reserve seats ahead. [Info]

🩰 The Nutcracker
November 27–29
Experience the holiday classic at the Royal Theatre, performed by the Royal Winnipeg Ballet with live music from the Victoria Symphony. [Info]

🚂 Christmas Express
Select dates November 27–December 23
Ride through twinkling lights and festive displays at the BC Forest Discovery Centre in Duncan. Tickets are on sale now and must be purchased online for a specific train time. [Info]

🎅 Peninsula Co-op Santa Claus Parade
Saturday, Nov 28 | 5:30pm
Bundle up for the annual parade through downtown Victoria, starting at Government and Belleville streets. Bring a food or cash donation for the Mustard Seed. [Info]

✨ The Magic of Christmas
December 1–January 6
Explore the holiday light displays at The Butchart Gardens in Brentwood Bay, with carollers, festive brass and seasonal activities. [Info]

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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.