Things to do in Victoria this December
December brings a little extra magic to Greater Victoria as the region lights up for the holiday season. Gardens glow with colourful displays, festive markets showcase local makers, and some of Victoria’s favourite seasonal traditions return. From holiday concerts and Christmas markets to food tours, family-friendly events, and memorable dining experiences, there are plenty of ways to celebrate the season across Greater Victoria.
Holiday traditions & festive experiences | Seasonal flavours & dining
Holiday markets & local shopping | Live music & holiday performances
Holiday traditions & festive experiences
Celebrate the holiday season in Victoria with festive traditions, light displays and seasonal experiences throughout the city. From longtime favourites to new ways to celebrate, there are plenty of ways to get into the holiday spirit.
The Magic of Christmas at The Butchart Gardens (Dec 1-Jan 6)
Experience one of Greater Victoria's most beloved holiday traditions during The Magic of Christmas at The Butchart Gardens. Wander through dazzling light displays inspired by The Twelve Days of Christmas, take a spin around the outdoor skating rink, and enjoy traditional carollers and festive brass performances throughout the evening. With seasonal dining, family-friendly activities, and the gardens transformed for the holidays, it's a quintessential Greater Victoria experience for celebrating the season.
2026 Harbour Light Up (Dec 3)
Celebrate the season along Victoria’s Inner Harbour during the annual Harbour Light Up event. The Lower Causeway and Ship Point Pier come alive with festive lights, live music, an artisan market, and complimentary hot chocolate and cookies. Keep an eye on the water for Santa Claus, who makes a special arrival by boat before posing for photos with visitors. Free and family-friendly, it’s a festive way to spend an evening along Victoria’s waterfront.
2026 Festival of Trees Victoria (Nov 18-Dec 31)
Stroll through a forest of decorated Christmas trees at the 2026 Festival of Trees Victoria, a free holiday tradition at The Bay Centre in downtown Victoria. Local businesses transform trees with everything from playful pop-culture themes to elaborate seasonal designs, with visitors invited to vote for their favourite. Open throughout the holiday season, the showcase also raises funds for BC Children’s Hospital, combining festive displays with an opportunity to support families across the province.
18th Annual Gingerbread Showcase (Nov 20-Jan 3)
Discover dozens of imaginative gingerbread creations at the 18th Annual Gingerbread Showcase, a beloved Victoria holiday tradition hosted at the Hotel Grand Pacific in downtown Victoria. Professional and home bakers bring the annual theme to life using edible materials, with visitors invited to explore the displays and vote for their favourite creation. The showcase is Habitat for Humanity Victoria’s premier annual fundraiser, with donations supporting local families on their path to affordable homeownership.
2026 IEOA Truck Parade (Dec 5)
One of Greater Victoria’s brightest holiday traditions is ready to roll! The 28th annual IEOA Truck Parade & Food Drive brings 80 commercial vehicles decked out in festive lights and decorations along a 35 km route through Greater Victoria. The parade leaves Ogden Point at 5:00 p.m. and winds through five municipalities before arriving at Royal Bay around 8:00 p.m. Along the way, spectators are encouraged to support local food banks through food and monetary donations, adding a community-giving tradition to this colourful holiday spectacle.
Local tip: Visit the IEOA website for route maps, GPS tracking, food bank donation links and other parade details.
Sleigh Boat Ride (Nov 29-Dec 24)
Take to Victoria’s waterways for a festive twist on a classic sleigh ride with the Sleigh Boat Ride from Victoria Harbour Ferry. Departing from Selkirk Landing, the 40-minute cruise takes place aboard one of the company’s heated pickle boats, decked out in Christmas lights and filled with holiday music. Back on shore, warm up with homemade hot chocolate and s’more cookies, or make the journey part of the experience with a complimentary heated Christmas Trolley ride from downtown Victoria to Selkirk Landing.
Christmas at the Manor: A Haunted Holiday Layover (Nov 17-Jan 3)
Put a spooky spin on the holiday season with Christmas at the Manor: A Haunted Holiday Layover at Haunted Manor: Mini-Golf & Ping Pong, located in downtown Victoria. Step inside the festively decorated McKinnley Manor for a haunted Victorian Christmas, complete with twinkling lights and ghostly inhabitants as you make your way through the mini-golf course. Arrive early for a spiced cider in the themed Parlour Lounge, or add a round of ping pong before or after your game.
Holiday Storytime (Dec 10)
Bring the little ones for a festive Holiday Storytime at Victoria Butterfly Gardens, located in Brentwood Bay, about a 20-minute drive from downtown Victoria. In partnership with the Greater Victoria Public Library, the event features holiday favourites, tropical garden-inspired tales, songs, and seasonal fun around the Christmas tree. The free story time runs from 10:30 to 11:00 a.m., with the option to explore the gardens and take part in the monthly scavenger hunt afterwards with regular admission.
Seasonal flavours & dining
Discover the flavours of the season at Victoria restaurants, cafés and culinary experiences. Festive menus, holiday treats and cozy dining experiences offer plenty of ways to taste the season.
Cozy Christmas Food Tour (Nov 22-Dec 31)
Taste your way through downtown Victoria on the Cozy Christmas Food Tour, a 2.5-hour walking tour showcasing seasonal flavours and local businesses. The tour begins at the Steamship Terminal Building along the Inner Harbour before making its way to local bakeries, chocolatiers and specialty food shops. Along the way, enjoy festive tastings ranging from pastries and artisan chocolates to savoury bites and a holiday drink. Along the way, take in Victoria's seasonal displays, browse local shops for holiday gifts, and discover some of the city's hidden foodie gems.
Local tip: Off The Eaten Track donates $2 from every ticket sold to the BC Children's Hospital Foundation.
Christmas Veranda at the Empress (Dec 18-Jan 3)
Cozy up along Victoria’s Inner Harbour at the Christmas Veranda at the Fairmont Empress. Gather around the fire to roast marshmallows, sip seasonal hot beverages, and enjoy cheese or chocolate fondue while overlooking the waterfront. With outdoor heaters, plush blankets, and sweeping Inner Harbour views, the Veranda offers a warm and relaxed way to experience the holiday season in the heart of downtown Victoria.
WinterLURE (Oct 30-Mar 29)
Cozy up for a unique winter dining experience at WinterLURE at Lure Restaurant & Bar, located inside the Delta Hotels Victoria Ocean Pointe Resort. Set inside heated private domes decorated with twinkling lights and seasonal décor, the experience features a five-course culinary journey with creative presentations and storytelling throughout the evening. Guests can personalize their dome with their own music and enjoy handcrafted cocktails while dining under the stars overlooking Victoria’s waterfront.
Holiday markets & local shopping
Shop local this holiday season at Christmas markets, artisan fairs and independent businesses across Victoria. Find locally made gifts, handcrafted goods and one-of-a-kind finds for everyone on your list.
Bastion Square Winter Market (Nov 12-Dec 24)
Find locally made gifts and seasonal treats at the Bastion Square Winter Market, set in the heart of downtown Victoria. Open Thursdays through Sundays from 12:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., the market features a rotating lineup of local artisans, makers and food vendors offering handcrafted goods, unique gifts and festive treats. With new vendors to discover throughout the season, the open-air market is an easy addition to a day of holiday shopping while exploring downtown Victoria.
6th Annual Local Folk Holiday Fair (Dec 5-6)
Shop local this holiday season at the 6th Annual Local Folk Holiday Fair, held at Sea Cider Farm & Ciderhouse in Saanichton on the Saanich Peninsula, about a 30-minute drive from downtown Victoria. This European-style holiday market with West Coast charm brings together more than 45 local artisans each day, alongside food and drink vendors, live festive music, wreath-making workshops, kids’ crafts, a bonfire and s’mores station, and more. Explore the Forest Village, Ciderhouse, and Pavilion while browsing handcrafted gifts and enjoying seasonal treats, including hot mulled cider.
Winter Village (Dec 5-6)
Celebrate the season at Winter Village, a new holiday event at the Save-On-Foods Memorial Centre in downtown Victoria. Spend the day skating on the arena ice, browse a curated market featuring more than 80 Vancouver Island artisans and local makers, and enjoy a German-style food and drink area serving Bavarian sausages, pretzels, seasonal cocktails, hot mulled wine, and more. With shopping, skating, and festive flavours all under one roof, Winter Village offers plenty to explore throughout the weekend.
Bilston Creek Farm: 2026 Yuletide Market Series (Nov 6 - Dec 20)
Browse handmade gifts and seasonal finds at Bilston Creek Farm’s Yuletide Market Series, featuring a rotating selection of local artisans alongside cozy beverages, freshly baked treats, and festive activities. Held at their farm in Metchosin, about a 30-minute drive from downtown Victoria, the special mid-December night market runs from 4:00 pm to 8:00 pm Visitors can also explore the farm shop while enjoying an evening of holiday shopping on the beautifully decorated farm grounds.
2026 Metchosin Bewitched Yule Market (Dec 12-13)
Add a little whimsy to your holiday shopping at the 2026 Metchosin Bewitched Yule Market, held at Metchosin Community Hall in Metchosin, about a 30-minute drive from downtown Victoria. This free, family-friendly market celebrates the season with handcrafted treasures, local vendors, and immersive spell stations, putting a playful, magical twist on the traditional holiday market. The market runs from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm on both Saturday and Sunday.
Live music & holiday performances
Experience Victoria’s arts and culture scene during the holidays with live music, seasonal concerts and festive performances. From beloved holiday traditions to live shows on local stages, there’s plenty to add to your seasonal calendar.
Yellowpoint Christmas Spectacular (Dec 12-13)
Celebrate the season with the Yellowpoint Christmas Spectacular at the McPherson Playhouse in downtown Victoria. This beloved West Coast holiday tradition combines music, dance, storytelling, dazzling choreography, festive costumes, and seasonal favourites in an all-new production each year. The 2026 show features music ranging from The Beatles, Hall & Oates, and Fleetwood Mac to Celtic fiddle tunes, jazz standards, and Christmas classics, creating a lively afternoon of holiday entertainment for family and friends.
Photo credit: Bonner Photography
Daniel Lapp's Home for Christmas Concert (Dec 17-18)
Celebrate the season with Daniel Lapp’s Home for Christmas Concert at the Royal Theatre in downtown Victoria. This beloved local holiday tradition brings together student and faculty musicians, special guests, the BC Fiddle Orchestra, Folkestra!, and the Joy of Life Choir for an evening of live music. Featuring Canadian Christmas tunes and seasonal favourites, the 90-minute concert celebrates community, connection, and the joy of making music together across generations.
Jason Stevens: A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens (Dec 18-23)
Experience Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol brought to life by Jason Stevens in the historic chapel at St. Ann’s Academy in downtown Victoria. In this one-person performance, Stevens takes on 17 characters, including Ebenezer Scrooge, Tiny Tim, and Jacob Marley, bringing the beloved Christmas story to life in an intimate 19th-century setting. Running nightly at 6 p.m. from December 18 to 23, the 75-minute performance offers a memorable way to experience a holiday classic in one of Victoria’s historic landmarks.
Home for the Holidays, An Ella Fitzgerald Christmas (Dec 15)
Step into the sounds of the season with Home for the Holidays ~ An Ella Fitzgerald Christmas at the Alix Goolden Performance Hall in downtown Victoria. The concert celebrates Ella Fitzgerald’s beloved holiday recordings, with vocalist Leina DeBoer joined by James Darling and a live jazz quartet. From upbeat swing and jazz standards to intimate seasonal favourites, the performance captures the warmth and nostalgia of Fitzgerald’s music for a festive night out in Victoria.
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