50(ish) Things To Do In Victoria This Fall/Winter
I don’t know about you but it seems to me like Christmas came extra early this year. The festive decor has been in the shops for over a month already and the Starbucks Christmas drinks seemed to come just a bit too soon.
Personally, I don’t entertain thoughts of Christmas until November 24th. I think a month and one day is more than enough time to feel festive. However, I know that some people have already been blasting the Christmas tunes and even trimming their trees. So although I’m still a week or two away from getting into the holiday spirit, now that Remembrance Day has passed and we’ve honoured our veterans I feel like it’s ok to share some of the holiday happenings going on in our beautiful city this season.
So, without further ado, here is a massively huge list of things going on in Victoria this fall/winter. It’s not exhaustive but it’s a pretty dang good start!
Markets are my favourite. I love walking around looking at all of the beautiful handmade things people have poured their hearts into. I also love supporting local artists and giving meaningful gifts to the people I love.
01. All Sooke Arts & Crafts Christmas Fair
When: Nov 16 (12-7) • Nov 17+18 (10-5)
Where: Sooke Community Hall, 2037 Shields Road, Sooke, BC
Cost: Free
Link: here
02. A Victorian Christmas Craftfair
When: Nov 17 (10-5) • Nov 18 (10-4)
Where: Commonwealth Place, 4636 Elk Lake Dr., Saanich, BC
Cost: $3.00 (kids - free)
03. Handmade Village Craft Market
When: Nov 17 (10-5)
Where: North Douglas Church, 675 Jolly Place, Victoria, BC
Cost: Free
Link: here
04. Scandinavian Craft Fair
When: Nov 17 (10-4)
Where: Norway House, 1110 Hillside Ave, Victoria, BC
Cost: Free
05. Winter Fair Stop & Shop
When: Nov 17 (9:30-5:30) • Nov 18 (11-5)
Where: Tillicum Centre, 3170 Tillicum Road, Victoria, BC
Cost: Free
Link: here
06. Winter Makers Market
When: Nov 18 (10am-3pm)
Where: Thorn + Thistle, 713 St Patrick Street, Victoria, BC
Cost: Free
07. OUT OF HAND Modern Market
When: Nov 23 (10-9) • Nov 24 (10-6) • Nov 25 (10-4)
Where: Victoria Conference Centre, 720 Douglas Street, Victoria, BC
Cost: Adult: $9; Child (under 12) free; Seniors $7; Students $7
Link: here
08. Owl Designer Fair
When: Nov 23 (6-10pm) • Nov 24 (10-5)
Where: Fernwood NRG Community Centre, 1240 Gladstonve Ave, Victoria, BC
Cost: $3
Link: here
09. Shop Rock Bay (Abeego Makers Market)
When: Nov 23 (4-8) • Nov 24 (12-4)
Where: 2716 Rock Bay Ave, Victoria, BC
Cost: Free
Link: here
10. Uptown Winter Market
When: Nov 24 (10-6)
Where: Uptown 3440 Saanich Rd, Victoria, BC
Cost: Free
Link: here
11. VIDEA Fair Trade Fair
When: Nov 24 (10-4)
Where: First Metropolitan United Church Hall, 932 Balmoral Road, Victoria, BC
Cost: Free
Link: here
12. Christmas in the Manger Craft Fair
When: Nov 24 (10-4) • Nov 25 (10-4)
Where: Saanich Fairgrounds: Main Hall, 1528 Stelly's Cross Rd, Victoria, BC
Cost: $2.00 (kids - free)
Link: here
13. Home Learner Biz Kids Makers Market
When: Nov 25 (2-4pm)
Where: Fernwood Community Centre, 1240 Gladstone Avenue, Victoria, BC
Cost: Free
Link: here
14. Craft Cartel
When: Nov 30 (5-9) • Dec 1 (10-5)
Where: The Da Vinci Centre, 195 Bay St, Victoria, BC
Cost: $4 (kids under 10 - free)
Link: here
15. Nomad Holiday Market
When: Nov 30 (4-8pm) • Dec 1 (10-8) • Dec 2 (10-4)
Where: 253 Esquimalt Rd, Victoria, BC
Cost: $5
Link: here
16. Dickens Holiday Fair
When: Dec 1 (10-4:30)
Where: James Bay Community Centre, 140 Oswego Street, Victoria, BC
Cost: $2 (kids - free)
Link: here
17. Oaklands West Coast Winter Market
When: Dec 1 (10-4)
Where: Oaklands Community Center, 2827 Belmont Ave, Victoria, BC
Cost: $3
Link: here
18. Local[Made By Hand] Winter Artisan Market
When: Dec 6 (6-9)
Where: Nourish, 225 Quebec St, Victoria, BC
Cost: Free
Link: here
19. Quadra Village Holiday Craft Fair
When: Dec 8 (10-2)
Where: Quadra Village Community Centre, 901 Kings Road, Victoria, BC
Cost: $2
Link: here
20. Boreal Collective Maker Fair
When: Dec 8 (10-6)
Where: The Hub at Cowichan Station, 2375 Koksilah Road, Duncan, BC
Cost: $4 (Kids under 12 - free)
Link: here
21. Moss Street Market
When: Dec 8 (10-4) • Dec 9 (10-4)
Where: Fairfield Gonzales Community Association buildings (1330 Fairfield Rd), the Garry Oak Room, and the Sir James Douglas School gym.
Cost: Not sure
Link: here
22. Last Chance Christmas Craft Show
When: Dec 8 (10-5) • Dec 9 (10-4)
Where: Mary Winspear Centre, 2243 Beacon Avenue, Sidney, BC
Cost: Weekend Pass: $4 (Kids under 12 - free)
Link: here
23. Wintertide Hand-Made Holiday Market
When: Dec 15 (10-5)
Where: Oak Bay United Church, 1355 Mitchell Street, Oak Bay, Victoria, BC
Cost: Free
Link: here
24. Victoria Etsy Artisans Holiday Market
When: Dec 15 (9:30-5)
Where: Tillicum Centre, 3170 Tillicum Road, Victoria, BC
Cost: Free
Link: here
These winter workshops are a great opportunity to learn new skills, meet new people, take care of some of your holiday decor and alleviate some of your seasonally-induced stress.
01. Mystic Vale x Heartwood Macrame Plant Hanger Workshop
When: Nov 15 (6-9pm)
Where: Heartwood & Co, 1402 Broad Street, Victoria, BC
Cost: $75
Link: here
02. Elate Holiday Workshop
When: Nov 15 (6-8pm)
Where: Eluma Studio, 18B-26 Bastion Square, Victoria, BC
Cost: $30
Link: here
03. Find sugar freedom & take the guilt & stress out of the holidays!
When: Nov 20 (6:30-8:30)
Where: Miiko Skin Co, 203-734 Aldebury Street, Victoria, BC
Cost: $25
Link: here
04. Handmade Holiday Gifts at Kwench - DIY Giftcards with Kathy Gutherie
When: Nov 29 (5-6:30)
Where: Club Kwench, 843 Fort Street, Victoria, BC
Cost: $50
Link: here
05. Minimal Waste Christmas
When: Nov 29 (7-9)
Where: West Coast Refill, 1319 Broad Street, Victoria, BC
Cost: $30
Link: here
06. Christmas Wreath Workshop
When: Nov 30 (6-730pm)
Where: Victoria Public Market, 6-1701 Douglas Street, Victoria, BC
Cost: $55
Link: here
07. Holiday Ornament Workshop
When: Dec 1 (Two sittings: 1:00pm or 2:30pm)
Where: 2616 Pleasant Street, Victoria, BC
Cost: Cost $12 per person or $17 for a family (1-2 parents/guardians and 1-2 children)
Link: here
08. Handmade Holiday Gifts at Kwench - Macrame Plant Hanger with Grace Lilly
When: Dec 4 (7-9pm)
Where: Club Kwench, 843 Fort Street, Victoria, BC
Cost: $75
Link: here
09. Handmade Holiday Gifts at Kwench - Hands On Massage Lesson with Christa Fontaine & Meagan Gwilt
When: Dec 6 (7-9pm)
Where: Club Kwench, 843 Fort Street, Victoria, BC
Cost: $50
Link: here
10. Christmas Centrepiece Workshop
When: Dec 7 (6-7:30)
Where: Victoria Public Market, 6-1701 Douglas Street, Victoria
Cost: $52
Link: here
11. Holiday Cookie Decorating
When: Dec 9 (2-4pm)
Where: the Collective at Uptown, #135 3551 Uptown Boulevard, Victoria, BC
Cost: $80
Link: here
12. Handmade Holiday Gifts at Kwench - Modern Wreath Making with Botanic Creative
When: Dec 11 (5-6:30)
Where: Club Kwench, 843 Fort Street, Victoria, BC
Cost: $50
Link: here
13. Handmade Holiday Gifts at Kwench - Handrolled Chocolate Truffles with Alison Bigg
When: Dec 13 (5-6:30)
Where: Club Kwench, 843 Fort Street, Victoria, BC
Cost: $50
Link: here
14. Holiday Cookie Decorating ~ Ladies Night Edition
When: Dec 14 (6:30-8:30)
Where: the Collective at Uptown, #135 3551 Uptown Boulevard, Victoria, BC
Cost: $95
Link: here
15. KNOTTY & NICE-Christmas at The Victoria Public Market-Wall Hanging Workshop
When: Dec 14 (6-8pm)
Where: Victoria Public Market, 6-1701 Douglas Street, Victoria, BC
Cost: $75
Link: here
16. Christmas Chocolate Workshop
When: Dec 15 (7pm)
Where: Tudor House Liquor Store
Cost: $20
Link: here
Get into the spirit of the holidays at one, some, or all of these festive events. Most of them are free and all of them will be fun, so you really don’t have anything to lose!
01. Festival of Trees
When: Nov 15 - Jan 7
Where: The Bay Centre 1150 Douglas St., Victoria, BC
Cost: Free (vote by donation)
Link: here
02. Uptown Light Up & Parade
When: Nov 17 (6-7pm)
Where: Uptown, 3440 Saanich Rd, Victoria, BC
Cost: Free
Link: here
03. 10th Annual Gingerbread Showcase
When: Nov 17 - Jan 6
Where: The Parkside Hotel & Spa, 810 Humboldt Street, Victoria, BC
Cost: By Donation
Link: here
04. Ladies Night at the Market - Holiday Edition
When: Nov 23 (5-8pm)
Where: Victoria Public Market, 6-1701 Douglas Street, Victoria, BC
Cost: $50
Link: here
05. 37th Island Farms Santa's Light Parade 2018
When: Nov 24 (5-8:30)
Where: Downtown Victoria: Parliament Buildings to Centennial Square
Cost: Free
Link: here
06. Movie Night at the Market - The Holiday
When: Nov 28 (7-10pm)
Where: Victoria Public Market, 6-1701 Douglas Street, Victoria, BC
Cost: Free
Link: here
07. Marina Light Up Kick Off
When: Nov 30 (5:30-6:30)
Where: Victoria Inner Harbour
Cost: Free
Link: here
08. The Tenth Annual Jon & Roy Holiday Special
When: Dec 7 (7-11pm) • Dec 8 (7-11pm)
Where: Royal Theatre & McPherson Playhouse • 3 Centennial Square/805 Broughton Street, Victoria, BC
Cost: $22.50 - $36.50
Link: here