WINTER BREAK 2023 – 2024
Here’s a list of fun activities to enjoy as a family during the winter break from December 23, 2023 – January 7, 2024.
More Fun Things to Do During Winter Break
See Christmas Lights
- Experience the magic of Christmas at Butchart Gardens until January 6, 2024.
- Festival of Trees – Tour a lush forest of one-of-a-kind decorated trees at the Bay Centre.
- See the Recreation Centre Atrium and Archie Browning Sports Centre transformed into a holiday wonderland, teeming with twinkling lights and delightful decorations.
- See the Lights of Wonder as you explore downtown Victoria.
- Merridale Cidery and Distilelry will light up for the holidays until December 31st.
- Celebrate Christmas by the Sea when Sidney will be a twinkling wonderland as it welcomes the community to celebrate with an assortment of family-friendly activities!
Winter activities
Skiing is an enjoyable way to take in the winter scenery and a great activity for all ages. There are a few places to enjoy skiing near Victoria. Mt. Washington Alpine Resort is a popular choice.
For easy fun winter, sports try snowshoeing. This is an excellent way to exercise in winter and a great way to enjoy nature’s beauty. Most people are familiar with Mt. Washington. Kludahk trail is less familiar but provides great fun.
Find hidden treasures and discover the many geocaches located throughout the region. This family-friendly activity uses a mobile app or a GPS device. This is also a fun way to interact with nature while getting mild exercise and explore new areas.
Winter Walks anyone? The beauty of winter can best be enjoyed by a walk. Whether you take a brisk walk or a relaxed one, what is certain is that you will have a wonderful time enjoying the open air. Pack a picnic and plan to spend an afternoon outside playing games with your loved ones.
Birding is a fun activity to do in winter. What are the popular winter birds that you can spot? Can you notice any winter adaptation changes in them? Grab a pair of binoculars, download a bird ID app, and try to name all the birds that you can spot. Do a Christmas Bird Count. If you don’t want to venture outside do an unofficial count of the birds that visit your bird feeder.
Visit Attractions
Discover captivating attractions in Victoria, including the renowned Butchart Gardens, the Royal BC Museum, Craigdarroch Castle, Victoria Butterfly Gardens and the Fort Rodd Hill with its iconic Fisgard Lighthouse. These attractions are just a glimpse of what Victoria has to offer, providing a diverse range of experiences, from natural beauty to cultural enrichment and historical immersion.
- Butchart Gardens
- Royal BC Museum
- Craigdarroch Castle
- Victoria Butterfly Gardens
- Fort Rodd Hill and Fisgard Lighthouse NHS
- The Maritime Museum of BC
- Miniature World
- Dino Lab Inc.
- BC Aviation Museum
- Shaw Centre for the Salish Sea
- BC Forest Discovery Centre
- Wentworth Villa Architecture Heritage Museum
- Haunted Manor Victoria
- Gulf of Georgia Cannery National Historic Site
- North Island Wildlife Recovery & Discovery Centre
- Chinese Canadian Museum
- Point Ellice House Museum & Gardens
- Government House
- Hand of Man Museum of Natural History, Cultural Arts and Conservation
- Victoria Bug Zoo Inc.
- British Columbia Parliament Buildings
- Malahat SkyWalk
Visit Game & Entertainment Centres
In Victoria, you’ll find a wide range of attractions for adventure and entertainment. From axe-throwing at Axe & Grind and Forged Axe Throwing to virtual reality gaming at Infusion VR Arcade, there’s something for everyone. Don’t miss the outdoor adventures at WildPlay Element Parks or the unique golfing experience at Swingers Golf Victoria.
- Axe & Grind
- Forged Axe Throwing
- Infusion VR Arcade
- WildPlay Element Parks
- Swingers Golf Victoria
- Flying Squirrel Victoria
- Horror Escape Victoria
- Adrena LINE Zipline Adventure Tours
- Infusion Edutainment
- Interactivity Board Game Cafe
- Crag X Climbing Centre
- BoulderHouse Climbing
- Quazar’s Arcade
- Victoria Escape Games
- Escape Warriors
- Langford Lanes
- Quest Reality Games
New Year’s Eve Activities
Ring in the New Year with family and friends.
Christmas & Boxing Day
Looking for fun ideas on Christmas & Boxing Day in Victoria? Check out our list of things to do on December 25 and 26 in Victoria.
Live Music /Live Theatre/ Events
Christmas & Holiday Activities in and Around Victoria
- Christmas at Haunted Manor on until January 1, 2024
- Maureen Washington’s Annual Christmas Show on Saturday, December 23, 2023 | 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM @ Hermann’s Jazz Club
- A Child’s Christmas In Wales on Sunday December 24, 2023 | 2:30 PM @ St Andrew’s Presbyterian
- It’s A Wonderful Life – Live Radio Play on November 17 – December 23, 2023 @ Chemainus Theatre
- Snow White the Panto on December 22-23, 26 – 29, 2023 @ Mary Winspear Centre
- The Rowan Farintosh Group on Tuesday, December 26, 2023 | 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM @ Hermann’s Jazz Club
- Evan Crofton Trio on Wednesday, December 27, 2023 | 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM @ Hermann’s Jazz Club
- RELICS SHOW 1: an early Pink Floyd experience on Thursday, December 28, 2023 | 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM @ Hermann’s Jazz Club
- RELICS SHOW 2: an early Pink Floyd experience on Friday, December 29, 2023 | 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM @ Hermann’s Jazz Club
- The Emmett Hodgins Quintet on Saturday, December 30, 2023 | 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM @ Hermann’s Jazz Club
- EARLY NYE 2023: Pablo Cardenas presents “AFRO-CUBAN JAZZ EXPLOSION” on Sunday, December 31, 2023 | 4:00 PM – 6:00 PM @ Hermann’s Jazz Club
- Maria Ho accompanied by Karel Roessingh on Wednesday, January 3, 2024 | 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM @ Hermann’s Jazz Club
- Maria Ho accompanied by Karel Roessingh on Wednesday, January 3, 2024 | 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM @ Hermann’s Jazz Club
- The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe on December 15 – 26, 2023 @ Roxy Theatre
- The West Coast Soul Collective on Friday, January 5, 2024 | 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM @ Hermann’s Jazz Club
- Visit the Cottage for a photo with Snata until December 23, 2023
- 15th Annual Gingerbread Showcase on until January 4, 2024 | 9:00 AM to 9:00 PM @ Hotel Grand Pacific
- Cozy Christmas Food Tour on until December 31, 2023 @ 470 Belleville St
- Beauty and The Beast Xmas Pantomime on December 15 – 17, 20 – 23, 26 – 30, 2023 @ ST LUKE’S HALL
- Photos with Santa on until December 24, 2023 @ Westshore Town Centre
- A WONDERHEADS Christmas Carol on December 2 – 23, 2023 @ Belfry Theatre
- Breakfast With Santa on Multiple Dates, until December 23, 2023 @ Oak Bay Beach Hotel
- Sleigh Boat Ride on December 16 – 23, 2023 @ Victoria Harbour
- The Gift of The Nutcracker pm Decemebr 28 – 30, 2023 @ Royal Theatre
- Jesus Christ Superstar on January 2 to 7, 2024 @ Royal Theatre
- Holiday Magic on multiple dates until December 23, 2023 @ Malahat Skywalk
Holiday Movie Nights
December 26 | Die Hard
December 27 | It’s a Wonderful Life
Multiple times, starting at 5:00 PM
Oak Bay Beach Hotel, 1175 Beach Drive, Victoria
$89 per ticket
Holiday High Tea
Experience an enchanting high tea for the season. Our tearoom’s cozy and warm atmosphere has been a favourite among the people of Victoria for twenty years to stay warm during the winter seasons. Details
December 21 – 31, 2023 | 11:30 AM, 1:30 PM & 3:30 PM
White Heather Tea Room, 1885 Oak Bay Avenue, Victoria
$65
Christmas Dinner/Brunch/Tea
Dine-in or order a festive take-out dinner this holiday season. Reservations are required.
- The Palms
- Oak Bay Beach Hotel
- Fairmont Empress
- Bear Mountain Resort
- White Heather Tea Room
- Hotel Grand Pacific
- LURE Restaurant & Bar
- Aura Waterfront Restaurant + Patio
- Keg Steakhouse + Bar
- Mary Winspear Centre
- The Courtney Room
- Irish Times Pub
- Inn at Laurel Point
- Nourish Kitchen & Cafe
- Pendray Inn and Tea House
Jingle all the way Carriage Ride
Cozy into one of Tally-Ho’s traditional single-horse drawn carriages! Wrap yourself up in a warm blanket and relax to the rhythm of the horse’s soft footfalls and magical sleigh bells; and delight passers-by caroling to favorite holiday songs. Details
Various dates in December 2023
Victoria
$140 – $255 per sleigh; Reservations Required
The Brick 39th Annual New Year’s Run – Victoria
Saturday December 30, 2023 | 6:00 PM
Broadmead Village Running Room, Unit 330, 777 Royal Oak Drive, Victoria
$15 – $65
Children’s Activities
Keep your child engaged at home with these fun activities.