What to see & do this holiday season
Experience the wonder of the holidays in Victoria, BC, where city streets glow, local shops overflow with personality and passion, and every day brings a new delight. Let festive lights, creative gifts, and bustling celebrations spark your seasonal spirit. This is the place to make holiday memories that feel truly special.
Light up the holidays | Holiday markets | Artisan gifts | Fashion finds | Warm & cozy
Light up the holidays
Victoria, BC comes alive with festive sparkle each holiday season. Stroll through glowing gardens, festive celebrations, and magical displays as the capital of British Columbia shines brighter than ever.
Magic of Christmas at The Butchart Gardens
From December 1st through January 6th the storybook gardens at The Butchart Gardens turn to a new chapter, as holiday cheer fills the air and the glow of hundreds of thousands of holiday lights illuminate the grounds for the Magic of Christmas. Explore this breathtaking National Historic Site of Canada as you stroll your way through a visually immersive telling of the 12 Days of Christmas, while sipping hot chocolate and creating holiday memories with those who matter most.
Local tip: Make a night of it! Traditional Carollers and Festive Brass take the stage every half hour from 5-9PM, the outdoor ice rink lets you lace up and experience a classic Canadian pastime, and the Dining Room Restaurant is open serving a festive dining experience.
Lights of Wonder
Downtown Victoria’s largest holiday lightshow returns, and this year it’s more Insta-worthy than ever. This free, family friendly, pet friendly event, features live entertainment, unforgettable photo ops, and returning this year, a dazzling festive Ferris Wheel (returning December 19th). While Lights of Wonder runs from November 29th to December 31st, on select evenings, you can enjoy one-of-a-kind themed nights, including Indie Wonderland (Dec 5th), Family Day (Dec 6th, 13th, and 21st), Cozy Night (Dec 22nd), and for all your festive rockers, Punk Rock Holidays (December 12th), plus much more!
Truck Light Parade
When you enjoy the holidays in Greater Victoria, Christmas comes to you! The Annual IEOA Truck Light Parade returns for its 27th lap around our local communities. Witness a festive convoy of over 80 decorated commercial trucks as they roll along a 35-kilometre route through five different Greater Victoria communities. Simply find a space to hunker down along the parade route and watch as a mix of dump trucks, fire trucks, military trucks, and more wind their way through our city streets. The parade leaves Ogden Point 5PM, December 6th, and finishes at Royal Bay at around 8:00PM.
Local tip: This is one of the community’s most beloved holiday events. Make sure you get to your viewing spot a little early to ensure you have a good view of the action, and don’t forget your toque and hot chocolate.
Festival of Trees
For 6 weeks, downtown Victoria’s iconic Bay Centre Shopping Centre transforms into a winter wonderland as the Festival of Trees takes over its halls. Stroll through an indoor forest of shimmering holiday trees as you browse local shops in search of that perfect gift for that special someone. You’ll see a range of trees celebrating everything from classic holiday tradition to pop-culture creations, all created by local businesses who are vying to be named the best tree while supporting a great cause.
Harbour Holiday Lights
Join our local community and the Greater Victoria Harbour Authority on Thursday, December 4th, for a holiday tradition like no other, as the Iconic Inner Harbour illuminates with festive holiday lights. This family-friendly event runs from 5:00-8:00PM, where you can enjoy free hot chocolate and cookies, and shop a unique artisan market along the lower causeway. Santa himself will be there, ditching the sleigh for the more Island-apt arrival by boat at 6:00PM, taking timeaway from his workshop to pose for free photos with children, families, and anyone in the festive spirit.
Holiday markets
Step into Victoria, BC’s festive markets and treat yourself to local creations and holiday cheer. Mingle with makers, discover new favourites, and make your holiday shopping an experience to remember.
Out of Hand Holiday Market
Kick off the holiday season by filling up your stocking stuffers and crossing gifts off your holiday shopping list. From November 27th to 30th, the Out of Hand Holiday Market showcases a stunning collection of handmade jewelry, pottery, art and home décor from talented artists and makers across British Columbia. Located at the Victoria Conference Centre, each entry ticket includes an Empress Mocktail and an Out of Hand Tote Bag to hold your Christmas treasures. New this year, enjoy family fun hour with Kaleidoscope Theatre for Young People and musical guest Mister Mojo, happening from 3:30-4:30pm on Saturday, November 29th before the Santa Claus Parade.
Yuletide Market Series
It’s called the holiday season for a reason, right? Bilston Creek Farm’s Christmas Craft Markets are spreading the magic of Christmas every weekend until December 14th featuring a rotating list of vendors to ensure a fresh selection of handmade gifts and festive creations. Wander through the farm's picturesque grounds, chat with local vendors, listen to live music, and soak in the spirit of the season. Wood-fired pizza will be served fresh from their outdoor cob oven, while snacks and warm beverages will be available at the Bilston Café.
Looking for a special keepsake? Holiday wreath-making workshops return every Tuesday evening until December 9th. Create your own beautiful wreath using all-natural materials, sustainably harvested right from their property.
44th Annual Dickens Christmas Fair
One of Victoria’s oldest and most beloved holiday craft fairs returns December 6th at the James Bay Community Centre. Just a short walk from downtown, the Dickens Fair welcomes artisans from Vancouver Island and the Gulf Islands, offering a variety of handmade and homemade products. With over 60 vendors selling everything from toys and jewellery to fashion and baked treats, there are endless opportunities to find your perfect holiday treasure. Visitors are encouraged to meet and support local artisans, hear their stories, and discover the inspiration behind their crafts and creations. Don’t miss the chance to experience one of Victoria’s largest and longest running Christmas fairs!
Local Folk Fair Holiday Market at Sea Cider
Sea Cider Farm & Ciderhouse brings a touch of European holiday charm to the West Coast countryside with the Local Folk Fair Holiday Market, happening December 6-7. Grab your partner, family, even your four-legged friends and sip hot mulled cider as you browse over 45 hand-selected local artisan vendors. Enjoy live festive music, wreath making workshops, New Year tarot readings, kids crafts and Christmas photo shoots scattered across the beautiful orchard.
Local tip: When you’re ready to unwind, grab a bite to eat and cozy up by a fire pit as the community hums with the magic of the season.
Candy Cane Lane Winter Festival
Candy Cane Lane Winter Festival has become a beloved local tradition in Greater Victoria. Join the Christmas spectacle on December 13th and 14th at the Saanich Fairgrounds as it transforms into a festive haven filled with local artisans, delicious food vendors, and seasonal spirits. With a wide range of activities for kids, there’s something for everyone to enjoy. Entry is by donation, with proceeds helping spread Christmas joy to children and families in need this holiday season. Gather your loved ones for a two-day celebration filled with laughter, joy, and community spirit.
Shop handmade & artisan gifts
Discover holiday shopping in Victoria, BC where every store is packed with creative finds and local flair. Treat your loved ones, and maybe even yourself, to gifts you won’t find anywhere else.
Puzzle Lab
Sometimes, it can be tough to find a gift as unique as the person you’re shopping for. But not at Puzzle Lab. Because Puzzle Lab’s heirloom-quality wooden jigsaw puzzles feature a range of artwork from contemporary Canadian artists and are cut using an innovative algorithm that mimics the growth pattern of coral reefs, meaning it’s an entirely different experience compared to your traditional square-cut jigsaw puzzle. If you’re shopping for that person who has everything, they’ve never seen anything like this.
Artina’s Jewellery
Add a touch of Canadiana to your look at Artina’s Jewellery. Artina’s offers one of the world’s largest selections of handcrafted Canadian jewellery from over 70 small-scale local artists. From breathtaking Indigenous pieces to the works of contemporary Canadian artisans, this is the perfect place to pick up a piece of “wearable art” that is certain to catch eyes and start stories for years to come.
Rogers’ Chocolates
No Christmas stocking in Victoria is complete without at least a couple pieces of Rogers’ Chocolates. We recommend picking up a few Victoria Creams, but you can’t go wrong with anything on offer at Rogers’. Victoria’s love affair with Rogers’ dates back almost as far as the city itself, since Charles Rogers first began making his chocolates in his grocery store in 1885. Since 1903, Rogers’ Chocolates has occupied its National Historic Site of Canada flagship store on Government Street, filled with immaculate stained glass, gleaming wooden fixtures, custom tiling, and mouth-watering chocolate.
Local tip: Just in time for the holidays, Rogers’ advent calendars are back, adorned with festive artwork, including a collaboration with one of Victoria’s favourite local artists, Sharon Lam.
Silk Road Tea
Celebrate Christmas morning Victoria-style, with pinkies up! Located in Victoria’s historic Chinatown, “Canada’s Queen of Tea”, Daniela Cubelic, has been sourcing and blending ingredients from around the world to create an award-winning tea selection you won’t find anywhere else. Shop for teacups, tea pots, looseleaf teas, and array of tea-infused skincare, bath, and body products in “Canada’s most beautiful tea store”.
Victoria Market Collective
Don’t have the time to comb through all of Victoria’s holiday markets? No worries, Victoria Market Collective brings the best of the best from Victoria’s top makers all under one roof. Shop for everything from sweet treats to artwork, fashion, and jewellery, that’s all distinctly local and helps support the city’s maker community. Pop in Market Collective’s Bay Centre store while you explore the festival trees.
Fashion finds
Explore Victoria, BC’s style scene where boutique resale shops offer chic finds and top outdoor stores have gear for every adventure. From classic looks to trail-ready gifts, discover the perfect present for every taste.
Resale
Style never fades. Peruse racks for fashion finds at resale retailers like House of Savoy and Turnabout. These elegant resale boutiques offer a refined selection of attire that’s perfect for the sustainably minded fashionista in your life. From House of Savoy’s range of items stretching from clothing and denim to linens and accessories, or Turnabout’s racks lined with high-end luxury threads, you’re certain to find something special for that fashion forward friend in your life.
Outdoor Gear
Need a gift for that person who can’t sit still? You’re in luck, because Victoria’s unique connection to the outdoor world makes us a haven for finding high-quality outdoor gear. Kit out this holiday season, whether that means award-winning Trekking Trousers from Fjallraven, a Gore-Tex shell from Canada’s own, Arc’teryx, or Stormtech outerwear at Treck Wear. Give the gift of adventure this holiday season by shopping for the best brands in outdoors.
Local tip: Shopping on a budget? Grove Outdoors offers gently used, high-quality outdoors gear at unbeatable prices.
Warm & cozy
Sink into Victoria’s cozy side and let comfort take the lead. Unwind at a seaside spa, linger over a festive afternoon tea, get lost in the shelves of a welcoming bookstore, or bask in the simple pleasure of a cozy café. In Victoria, the best memories are made when you slow down and simply enjoy the warmth around you.
Settle into the season at the Delta
The holiday season is in full swing at the Delta Hotels by Marriott Victoria Ocean Pointe Resort and LURE Restaurant & Bar, and there's a wide range of ways to celebrate. A fun one for the families is Breakfast with Santa, where you can enjoy photos with Four Frames Photo Booth, cookie decorating, a buffet breakfast, and of course, a visit from Santa himself on December 14th and 21st. For all you arts gift makers, LURE is hosting it's first ever Wreathmaking Classes on November 30th and December 7th. Your ticket includes all the materials you will need to design your wreath and a glass of wine to sip while you design. If you're a festive foodie, LURE is the place to be during the holidays as the restaurant sees the return of WinterLure (dining in outdoor, heated private domes) as well as a range of dinners and buffers over Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.
Refresh at the spa
Make cozy season even more comfortable with a stop at one of Greater Victoria’s best spas. Slip into seaside splendour at The Boathouse Spa, where you can enjoy massages, body treatments, and facials before soaking in oceanfront mineral pools. Find your personal palace at the Castle on the Coast and enjoy a calming and restorative experience through a comprehensive menu of treatments at the Fairmont Spa. Or indulge in a spa and hydrotherapy experience at Salt & Ivy Spa, where you can take in classic and contemporary spa treatments, and cap it off with a rejuvenating circuit through saunas, steam rooms, snow rooms, cold plunge, and a recovery lounge.
Afternoon Tea
This holiday season treat yourself like royalty during an Afternoon Tea experience that’s fit for a queen. Select your steep from an array of blends from around the world at the Fairmont Empress, and spoil your tastebuds to an array of sweet and savoury baked goods in their grand lobby. Enjoy a festive twist on the classic experience, with Pendray Tea House’s Christmas Afternoon Tea, which features seasonal teas and holiday themed treats, perfect for celebrating the season in style. Indulge in the timeless tradition of Afternoon Tea in the historic Butchart family home, now The Dining Room at The Butchart Gardens, a declared National Historic Site of Canada. The Dining Room’s Holiday High Tea includes a classic English trifle, currant scone, savoury sandwiches, and house-made sweets.
Local tip: You can enjoy The Dining Room’s Holiday Hight Tea experience gluten free, vegetarian, vegan, and even dairy sensitive for those with allergies and dining preferences.
Browse a Local Bookstore
Settle into the coziness of a local bookstore and find the perfect gift for the bookworm in your life. Victoria is home to a range of independent bookstores that you won’t find anywhere else. Whether that’s shopping in the heritage building, Munro’s Books, which is often named as one of the most beautiful bookstores in the world, perusing the shelves at Russell Books, Canada’s largest independent bookstore, or settling down in a comfy chair while you shop at Bastion Books, you’re certain to find your next great read.
Cozy Up in a Coffee Shop
There’s no better way to embrace a crisp Pacific Northwest morning than by pulling up a stool in a local coffee shop and watching the world go buy as you sip a fresh brew and dig into a handmade pastry. Here’s a few of our favourites. Murchie’s Coffee Shop has been serving up some of the city’s best coffee since 1894, located in the heart of Government Street, the perfect place to stop in for a coffee and a snack as you’re out holiday shopping. Macchiato Caffe has two locations downtown, and doesn’t just serve great coffee, but have become a local favourite for sandwiches, whether at breakfast or lunch. With three locations around Victoria, Caffe Fantastico puts local first on their menu, whether you’re enjoying their house-roasted beans or savouring the locally focused food menu, Caffe Fantastico provides a wonderful opportunity to live like the locals across some of Victoria’s most welcoming neighbourhoods.
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