The Holidays in Victoria
No one does the holidays quite like Victoria!
The historic streets of the city come alive during the holiday season! Get lost in the dazzling festive displays at Butchart Gardens, take in the holiday décor in the Royal BC Museum’s Old Town, and sip hot mulled cider while you indulge in delicious local dining. There is no better place to feel the Christmas spirit!
Santa Light Parade
November 27, 5pm Government Street sponsored by Peninsula Co-op.
November 18, 2021 – January 4, 2022
Get into the holiday spirit with a forest of beautifully decorated trees at the Bay Centre. You can vote for your favourite, proceeds support BC Children’s Hospital.
Christmas in Old Town at Royal BC Museum
November 20, 2021 to January 7, 2022
Take in the sights and sounds of Christmas long ago.
Christmas Season at Butchart Gardens – must purchase tickets on-line
November 26, 2021 to January 6, 2022 from 3:30pm – 9pm
Christmas is a magical time at Butchart Gardens, with thousands of lights!
Lights of Wonder in Centennial Square
December 16-31, 2021
Lights of Wonder transforms Centennial Square into a holiday wonderland with light exhibits, interactive light tunnels, and 40-foot festive tree. Don’t miss this free event sponsored by Starlight Investments.
13th Annual Gingerbread Showcase
This year’s Habitat for Humanity Victoria fundraiser theme is The Future of Home. Take a walking tour to see these wonderful gingerbread creations now on display at the Chateau Victoria, Victoria Marriott, Parkside Hotel and the Doubletree Hotel.
Government Street
Wander along Government Street to enjoy the holiday decorations, shop at the boutiques and enjoy a hot beverage along the way.
Discover the Past Christmas Walking Tours
Weekends in December
Enjoy the warm-hearted and sometimes humorous stories of how Christmas was celebrated in Victoria during the Victorian era. A First Nations legend, Christmas Day brawls at Fort Victoria, a touching Gold Rush tale, Christmas store decorations and an amusing memory from Emily Carr’s childhood are featured.
Seasonal Splendor at Craigdarroch Castel
December 1-31, 2021
Enjoy the authentic Victorian traditions on a self-guided tour, or book in advance to enjoy a one-man version of A Christmas Carol.
Festive Afternoon Tea
Both the Fairmont Empress and Butchart Gardens offer special Festive Afternoon Tea this time of year.
Holiday Productions at Royal & McPherson Theatres
Enjoy a variety of live and virtual shows through the Royal & McPherson Theatre, including the Nutcracker, Christmas Pops by Victoria Symphony, O Christmas Tea: A British Comedy and more.
Arts & Culture
Art Gallery of Greater Victoria
With over 20,000 objects, the AGGV collection represents significant works produced in this region and art that represents our histories. Since its founding, we have been assembling work from around the Pacific Rim and have established one of the finest collections of Asian art in the world. COVID 19 information
The Royal BC Museum, founded in 1886, is one of Canada’s greatest cultural treasures, collecting artifacts, documents and specimens of BC’s natural and human history. Visiting during COVID
Connect in nature, inspire our world. We promote the preservation and sustainability of the environment, and we maintain our art gallery to perpetuate, protect, enhance and promote the artistic and cultural legacy of nature-inspired artists, including Robert Bateman. We also support and develop educational programs relating to the environment and nature-inspired artists.
Built by coal baron Robert Dunsmuir, this legendary Victorian mansion was built between 1887-1890. The architecture showcases the Romanesque revival taking place at the time, and has been meticulously restored, giving visitors a glimpse of privileged life in the 1890s.
Currently open with reduced hours and tickets must be purchased in advance online.
Magnolia’s Mobile Walking Tours
If you prefer to discover the city on your own, download one of our digital walking maps: Welcome to Victoria, Historical Victoria or Foodie Adventure.
Shopping
Government Street
Take a walk down Government Street to view beautiful heritage buildings and quaint shops with handmade gifts. Peruse Munro’s Books, Rogers Chocolates, Artina’s handcrafted jewellery, gift shops and designer boutiques. Stop for delicious snacks along the way. Stores’ hours will vary and not all have re-opened yet.
Local boutiques, one-of-a-kind merchandise, dining, coffee & craft beer eatery all in a beautiful heritage square! Limited house may apply and some vendors may be temporarily closed.
Lower Johnson Street has one of the highest concentrations of independent boutiques and specialty shops in Canada situated amongst the colourful façade of impeccably maintained heritage buildings.
Canada’s oldest Chinatown is characterized by heritage buildings, beautiful Gate of Harmonious Interest, small shops and restaurants. Check out the little shops in Fan Tan Alley.
Peruse local artisans, farmers, butchers, bakers, cheese-makers and more! Dive into pasta or tacos, sip tea, or delight in a meat or fruit pie. Hours are limited and some vendors may still be temporarily closed.
Golf
Boasting beautiful views of Washington State’s Olympic Mountains, Olympic View Golf Club is located just 20 minutes outside of downtown and is rated ‘Top 10 Best Public Golf Facility’ in British Columbia by ScoreGolf Magazine.
18 Championship Golf Course and 9 Hole Par 3 Ridge course with massive fairways, huge greens and a course for every level of player.
Island Craft Beer, Cider & Wine
Breweries
Inspiration through fermentation. See what some beer nerds can accomplish with creativity and a welding torch.
A tiny brewery with big ideas, we make small-batch, experimental beers with high quality ingredients in the heart of Downtown Victoria. Pick-up window, taproom, and patio are located on the courtyard level of historic Market Square.
French for “Wild Island” the name is a reference to the wilderness of Vancouver Island and our focus on Belgian-style wild ales and sour beers. We make use of Kveik, Lactobacillus, and Brettanomyces fermentation, as well as secondary fermentation with fruit.
Vancouver Island Brewery, Victoria
A craft brewery since 1984, we are committed to producing fun, authentic, sharable brews.
Cidery
Sea Cider Farm & Ciderhouse, Saanichton
An award-wining farm-based cidery focused on producing traditional artisan ciders from organically grown apples.
Merridale Cidery & Distillery, Cowichan Valley
Merridale makes farm-crafted Cider, Spirits, and Fortified Ciders. Visit their Tasting Bar, Eatery and retail shop.
Wineries
Symphony Vineyard, Saanich
Wines true to the region, 100% Saanich grown. Patio is open Fridays & Saturdays to enjoy a bottle of wine, though tastings are not yet available.
Rathjen Cellars, Saanich
A farm-based winery committed to using 100% Vancouver Island fruit, we draw inspiration from Old World traditions to create wines that reflect our coastal climate and pair beautifully with our local food.
Unsworth Vineyards, Cowichan Valley
Tradition meets artisanal wine-making at this family owned winery.
Averill Creek Vineyard, Cowichan Valley
Averill Creek is built into the side of Mt. Prevost, and our state-of-the-art facility incorporates three buildings structured together, allowing wine to flow down from one stage to the next without the need for pumps. This gravity flow method allows for gentle handling of delicate varietals – helping to retain their subtle characteristics.
Blue Grouse Winery, Cowichan Valley
Family-owned, sustainably-farmed Blue Grouse Estate Winery produces award winning wines.
Gardens
With 55 acres of gardens, 900 bedding plant varieties, there is always beauty at Butchart Gardens. As warm days transition to crisp nights, a parade of red, russet and golden maples emerge at The Gardens. It’s the perfect time of year to visit the Japanese Garden before winter begins.
Tucked behind a hornbeam hedge, discover the garden that love built. Prince and Princess Abkhazi were married in 1946 and settled in Victoria where they began work on their one-acre property. Gardens flow around dramatic glaciated rocky slopes, magnificent native Garry oaks and gorgeous vistas. Drive or borrow one of our Norco Cruiser bicycles.
Just five blocks away, explore the meandering footpaths offer long strolls among manicured flower beds, ponds and natural ecosystems through 200 acres of parkland. In fall, endangered Garry oak trees shed their leathery leaves, revealing intricately gnarled branches.
Government House is the official residence of the Lieutenant Governor and the ceremonial home of all British Columbians. The grounds embrace 36 acres, including formal gardens and a rare Garry oak ecosystem.
Just 5 blocks from the inner harbour, Beacon Hill Park is 740,000 square meters of parkland. This park boasts manicured gardens, meandering footpaths, ponds, a Garry Oak ecosystem, and open vistas across the Strait of Juan De Fuca.
Government House is the official residence of the Lieutenant Governor and the ceremonial home of all British Columbians. The grounds embrace 36 acres, including formal gardens and a rare Garry oak ecosystem.
Hatley Castle National Historic Park
Just 13km from downtown, you will find this fascinating Edwardian estate, with Japanese, Rose and Italian Gardens on 565 oceanfront acres with an amazing view of the majestic Olympic Mountains.