Celebrate the magic of the holidays in Waterfront Communities-The Island with our detailed guide. From Waterfront Communities-The Island enthusiasts to curious travelers, this guide illuminates the city's seasonal treasures.
Popular events during this festive season include The Magic of Christmas at The Butchart Gardens, where twinkling lights and beautiful displays create a serene holiday atmosphere. With enchanting decorations and seasonal plants, the Festival of Trees at the Bay Centre offers a delightful showcase of uniquely decorated trees by various community groups. And the highly anticipated Light-Up Night is something you definitely don't want to miss as it marks the official kickoff of the holiday season with dazzling displays and fun activities for all ages. See more details on these and other fun events and activities below!
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Top Holiday Events In and Around Waterfront Communities-The Island
- The Magic of Christmas at The Butchart Gardens (Victoria)
- Festival of Trees at the Bay Centre (Victoria)
- Light-Up Night (Ladysmith)
- Cowichan Valley Christmas Kick-Off (Duncan)
- Comox Valley Mayor Tree Lighting + Winter Market (Courtenay)
- Yellowpoint Christmas Spectacular (Courtenay)
- Milner Gardens Christmas Magic (Qualicum Beach)
- Lights of Wonder (Victoria)
- The Gingerbread Showcase (Victoria)
- Christmas at Craigdarroch Castle (Victoria)
See these and even more events listed below!
Waterfront Communities-The Island Holiday Light Displays
The Magic of Christmas at The Butchart Gardens
What to Expect:
Spectacular light displays and live holiday music.
Description:
The Magic of Christmas at The Butchart Gardens features thousands of twinkling lights, festive greenery, and traditional carollers. Stroll through the Twelve Days of Christmas display, enjoy free carousel rides, and savor seasonal fare at the Dining Room Restaurant or Blue Poppy Restaurant. Traditional carollers and a festive brass band create a lively atmosphere, while pets are welcome from 8 PM to 10 PM.
Where: Victoria | More Info: The Magic of Christmas at The Butchart Gardens
Light-Up Night
What to Expect:
Spectacular light display along First Avenue.
Description:
Thousands of twinkling Christmas lights illuminate Ladysmith, creating a vibrant atmosphere that draws people near and far to enjoy the holiday spirit.
Where: Ladysmith | More Info: Light-Up Night
Milner Gardens Christmas Magic
What to Expect:
Outdoor light display with festive window displays.
Description:
Stroll through thousands of twinkling lights and festive window displays at Milner Gardens & Woodland, featuring hot food and beverage options.
Where: Qualicum Beach | More Info: Milner Gardens Christmas Magic
Lights of Wonder
What to Expect:
Interactive light tunnels and live performances.
Description:
Downtown Victoria transforms Centennial Square into a holiday spectacle with themed light exhibits, interactive tunnels, and a 40-foot festive tree. The event features live entertainment, warm treats, and magical light displays for all ages.
Where: Victoria | More Info: Lights of Wonder
Oak Bay Village Christmas Light-Up
What to Expect:
Custom ice sculpture and interactive family activities.
Description:
The Oak Bay Village Christmas Light-Up features family activities, crafts, street games, and festive fun with thousands of lights on buildings, trees, and lampposts. Enjoy roasted chestnuts, Canada Post collecting letters to Santa, and live music.
Where: Oak Bay | More Info: Oak Bay Village Christmas Light-Up
Waterfront Communities-The Island Holiday Markets and Shopping
Comox Valley Mayor Tree Lighting + Winter Market
What to Expect:
Community-driven holiday celebration with local vendors and entertainment.
Description:
The Comox Valley Mayor Tree Lighting + Winter Market is an annual event held at Town Circle and Comox Ave, featuring local vendors, entertainment, and the lighting of the mayor's tree.
Where: Courtenay | More Info: Comox Valley Mayor Tree Lighting + Winter Market
WinterFest at the Royal BC Museum
What to Expect:
Multicultural performances and local artisan market.
Description:
Celebrating arts, culture, and community, WinterFest brings together the best parts of the holiday season with food, warm drinks, multicultural performances, and local artisans.
Where: Victoria | More Info: WinterFest at the Royal BC Museum
Nerdy Days of Christmas
What to Expect:
Unique gifts from nerdy artisans.
Description:
The Nerdy Days of Christmas Craft Fair is a unique event featuring nerdy crafts, art, and handmade items from talented local artisans. It takes place at the Lower Level Market Square, 560 Johnson Street, Victoria, BC, from December 7 to 8. Admission is by donation, with proceeds benefiting Victoria Hospitals Foundation. Kids are free.
Where: Victoria | More Info: Nerdy Days of Christmas
Annual Dickens Fair
What to Expect:
Immersive shopping experience with local artisans.
Description:
The Annual Dickens Fair is a holiday craft fair featuring over 60 local artisans from Vancouver Island and Gulf Islands, offering handmade and homemade products. Meet and support local makers, bakers, and growers, and explore a variety of goods including woodwork, jewelry, fine arts, candles, clothing, and baked goods.
Where: Victoria | More Info: Annual Dickens Fair
“Out of Hand” Modern Market
What to Expect:
Unique shopping experience with live music and handmade goods.
Description:
The Out of Hand Modern Market is a premier holiday event featuring over 100 local makers and artisans showcasing handmade goods, including jewelry, pottery, body care, fashion, and home decor. The market offers a unique shopping experience with live music and an onsite coffee bar.
Where: Victoria | More Info: “Out of Hand” Modern Market
Waterfront Communities-The Island Holiday Shows and Entertainment
Yellowpoint Christmas Spectacular
What to Expect:
Diverse musical medleys and classic Christmas songs.
Description:
The Yellowpoint Christmas Spectacular is a vibrant celebration of music, dance, lights, and decorations, featuring a diverse range of musical medleys and classic Christmas favorites.
Where: Courtenay | More Info: Yellowpoint Christmas Spectacular
Christmas at Craigdarroch Castle
What to Expect:
Victorian-themed Christmas celebration with live music and performances.
Description:
Craigdarroch Castle offers a unique glimpse into Victorian Christmas traditions with self-guided tours featuring authentic Victorian toys and decorations. Enjoy festive music and performances, including Celtic tunes by Cookeilidh and a Dickensian spirit performance by Jason Stevens.
Where: Victoria | More Info: Christmas at Craigdarroch Castle
Waterfront Communities-The Island Other Holiday Activities
Festival of Trees at the Bay Centre
What to Expect:
Community-driven holiday event with uniquely decorated trees.
Description:
The Festival of Trees at the Bay Centre features beautifully decorated trees sponsored by local businesses and organizations, raising funds for BC Children's Hospital Foundation.
Where: Victoria | More Info: Festival of Trees at the Bay Centre
Cowichan Valley Christmas Kick-Off
What to Expect:
Community-driven holiday celebration with live music and local entertainment.
Description:
The Cowichan Valley Christmas Kick-Off in downtown Duncan features a tree-lighting ceremony, holiday market, live music, and entertainment. Children can participate in craft-making, meet Santa Claus, and ride the local Christmas Express train. The event includes various vendors offering food and local artisan stalls, creating a festive atmosphere for all.
Where: Duncan | More Info: Cowichan Valley Christmas Kick-Off
The Gingerbread Showcase
What to Expect:
Unique edible gingerbread creations showcasing creativity and skill.
Description:
The Gingerbread Showcase is an iconic Victoria holiday tradition where professional and home bakers create imaginative gingerbread creations. The event features over 15,000 visitors, including school groups, community groups, and tourists, all encouraged to vote for their favorite and make a donation. The proceeds support Habitat for Humanity Victoria in helping local families achieve affordable homeownership.
Where: Victoria | More Info: The Gingerbread Showcase
41st Peninsula Co-op Santa Lights Parade
What to Expect:
Annual parade with floats, music, and community involvement.
Description:
The 41st Peninsula Co-op Santa Claus Parade is an annual event in downtown Victoria, featuring floats, music, and entertainment for the whole family. The parade route begins at the Legislature on Government and Belleville Streets, then turns right onto Humboldt Street and travels along Douglas Street, ending at Fisgard Street. The Greater Victoria Festival Society will be collecting food and cash for the Mustard Seed Street Church and Food Bank.
Where: Victoria | More Info: 41st Peninsula Co-op Santa Lights Parade
Haunted Manor Mini Golf Christmas Display
What to Expect:
Immersive haunted mini-golf with interactive challenges.
Description:
Step into a haunted Victorian manor for an immersive mini-golf experience with unique holes and ghostly projections. Enjoy the spooky atmosphere and challenge your putting skills in a family-friendly setting.
Where: Victoria | More Info: Haunted Manor Mini Golf Christmas Display
Ghosts of Christmas Past Walking Tour
What to Expect:
60-minute guided tours with experienced storytellers.
Description:
Explore Victoria's dark history through spine-tingling ghost stories and true crime tales. Our guides weave together over 500 accounts of ghostly encounters, revealing the sordid truth behind the city's most horrible deeds and tragic accidents.
Where: Victoria | More Info: Ghosts of Christmas Past Walking Tour
Festive Fun in Nearby Cities!
Discover Holiday events in hundreds of cities worldwide. Check out these nearby locations for more festive fun!
- Moss Park (1 miles)
- Niagara (2 miles)
- Bay Street Corridor (2 miles)
- Church-Yonge Corridor (2 miles)
- South Riverdale (2 miles)
- Annex (3 miles)
- South Parkdale (3 miles)
- Rosedale-Moore Park (3 miles)
- Dovercourt-Wallace Emerson-Junction (4 miles)
- Oakwood Village (5 miles)
- High Park-Swansea (5 miles)
- The Beaches (5 miles)
- Mount Pleasant West (5 miles)
- High Park North (5 miles)
- Toronto (5 miles)
- East End-Danforth (5 miles)
- Thorncliffe Park (5 miles)
- Stonegate-Queensway (6 miles)
- Flemingdon Park (6 miles)
- Rockcliffe-Smythe (7 miles)
- Englemount-Lawrence (7 miles)
- Mimico (7 miles)
- Birchcliffe-Cliffside (7 miles)
- Bedford Park-Nortown (7 miles)
- Clairlea-Birchmount (7 miles)
- Banbury-Don Mills (7 miles)
- Islington-City Centre West (8 miles)
- Parkwoods-Donalda (9 miles)
- Wexford/Maryvale (9 miles)
- Downsview-Roding-CFB (9 miles)
- Willowdale (9 miles)
- Willowridge-Martingrove-Richview (9 miles)
- Willowdale East (10 miles)
- Dorset Park (10 miles)
- Kingsview Village-The Westway (10 miles)
- Etobicoke (10 miles)
- Eglinton East (10 miles)
- Bayview Village (10 miles)
- Glenfield-Jane Heights (10 miles)
- Don Valley Village (10 miles)
- York University Heights (11 miles)
- Westminster-Branson (11 miles)
- Newtonbrook West (11 miles)
- Tam O'Shanter-Sullivan (11 miles)
- Bendale (11 miles)
- Black Creek (12 miles)
- L'Amoreaux (12 miles)
- Woburn (12 miles)
- Agincourt South-Malvern West (12 miles)
- West Humber-Clairville (12 miles)
- Steeles (13 miles)
- Agincourt North (13 miles)
- Mount Olive-Silverstone-Jamestown (13 miles)
- West Hill (14 miles)
- Milliken (14 miles)
- Malvern (14 miles)
- Mississauga (15 miles)
- Vaughan (15 miles)
- Rouge (16 miles)
- Richmond Hill (17 miles)
- Markham (17 miles)
- Brampton (20 miles)
- Oakville (20 miles)
- Pickering (22 miles)
- Ajax (23 miles)
- Stouffville (24 miles)
- Aurora (26 miles)
- Milton (27 miles)
- Burlington (29 miles)
- Newmarket (29 miles)
- Grimsby (31 miles)
- Oshawa (32 miles)
- East Gwillimbury (32 miles)
- St. Catharines (33 miles)
- Caledon (35 miles)
- Uxbridge (35 miles)
- Hamilton (36 miles)
- Niagara Falls (40 miles)
- Niagara Falls (41 miles)
- Orangeville (41 miles)
- Ancaster (42 miles)
- Keswick (43 miles)
- Guelph (44 miles)