Used Around Town December 2024

Each month Used.ca proudly supports local community events here in Greater Victoria and on Vancouver Island. The holidays are here and there’s plenty of festive events to check out in December!

1.) Festival of Trees Victoria at The Bay Centre – November 15 – January 5

2.) Habitat Victoria Gingerbread Showcase – November 22 – January 5

3.) Nerdy Days of Christmas Craft Fair – December 7-8

4.) 2025 Dine Around and Stay in Town Victoria & Dine Around Gala – January 24 to February 9 & January 23

5.) Esquimalt Christmas Tree Village – December 3 – January 3

6.) Victoria Symphony presents Home Alone in Concert – December 21 & 22

7.) IEOA Truck Parade – December 7

8.) Last Chance Christmas Craft Show – December 13-15

9.) Victoria Symphony presents Christmas Pops – December 7-8

10.) Belfry Theatre presents Mom’s the Word: Talkin’ Turkey – December 3-22

11.) Dodd’s 26th Annual Christmas Dinner in support of Victoria’s Our Place Society – December 20

12.) Ballet Victoria presents The Gift of the Nutcracker – December 28-30

13.) Easter Seals Chip in for the Kids – January 4-5

Festival of Trees Victoria | Nov 15 – Jan 5 | Bay Centre

Immerse yourself in the season as you tour over 80 trees spruced up and on display at the Bay Centre for the community to vote on and enjoy over the holidays. A signature kick off to the holiday season in Greater Victoria, this iconic display has become one of the City’s must-see and most enjoyed events.

While you are there, be sure to vote by donation for your favourite tree – your generosity helps fund breakthrough research, treatment and care for seriously ill kids.

Plan your visit at thebaycentre.ca/festival-of-trees/

Habitat Victoria Gingerbread Showcase – November 22 – January 5

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Habitat for Humanity Victoria’s 16th Annual Gingerbread Showcase returns, presented by in partnership with Peninsula Co-op. This iconic holiday event and premier annual fundraiser offers seasonal family fun spiced with friendly competition.

Hosted by Hotel Grand Pacific, 463 Belleville Street, on Victoria’s beautiful Inner Harbour. The Showcase runs daily from 9 am to 9 pm – November 22, 2024 through January 5, 2025. Attendance is no charge. Visitors are encouraged to donate and vote for their favourite creation!

Volunteer professional and home bakers alike have spent hundreds of hours interpreting this year’s theme ‘Through a Child’s Eyes’. They’ll be vying for top honours as the People’s Choice – determined by visitor voting! Add this festive cherished tradition to your holiday plans and Support Habitat and Support Families.

Nerdy Days of Christmas Craft Fair – December 7-8

DO YOU LOVE NERDY CRAFTS AND UNIQUE GIFT IDEAS? Join us for a craft fair focused on the geeks and nerds! Nerdy Days of Christmas is a quaint nerdy inspired craft fair with a variety of handmade wares including soaps, dice, greeting cards, jewelry, crochet, local art, sculptures, embroidered patches, monsters, Christmas decor and more. With themes such as sci-fi, fantasy, animation, television, movies, comic books, video games, you’ll be able to find something unique for yourself or gifts and stocking stuffers for all the nerds and geeks in your life. Let us help you celebrate the festive season in the geekiest way possible. This is a great event you won’t want to miss!

Entry is by donation at the door, with 100% of the door proceeds donated to Victoria Hospitals Foundation.

2025 Dine Around and Stay in Town Victoria & Dine Around Gala – January 24 to February 9 & January 23

The 2025 Dine Around and Stay in Town Victoria season will be kicking off once again with the Dine Around Gala on January 23rd at the Crystal Garden!

This year’s program runs from January 24th – February 9th, and features over 50 Greater Victoria restaurants putting their best-food-forward with set three-course menus priced at $25, $35, $45, $55, $65, and $75.

Hotels take part in the program by offering special rates. “Stay in Town” with options from as low as $139/night… because nothing pairs better with a delicious night-out than a comfortable hotel room!

The Gala kick-off on the 23rd will feature all-you-can-eat restaurant bites and delicious beverages from over 50 local restaurants, wineries, cideries, and breweries. To pair, there will be magical entertainment, live music and mixing and mingling!

It’ll be a night to remember – get your tickets today at https://show.ps/l/9a016b1b/!

Visit  https://www.tourismvictoria.com/eat-drink/dine-around to plan your Dine Around 2025 adventure.

Esquimalt Christmas Tree Village – December 3 – January 3

The Esquimalt Recreation Centre has been transformed into a winter wonderland thanks to our local community groups and businesses! Come experience the magic of the holidays by exploring our Christmas Tree Village complete with twinkling lights and fanciful decorations. Join in on the fun by voting for your favourite tree in person or and on Facebook between Dec 3rd-Dec 18th. The lucky “People’s Choice” winner will be announced on Dec 19th. This free family event will run from Dec 3rd- Jan 3rd, so make sure to add a stop to the Esquimalt Rec Centre to your Holiday to-do list.

Victoria Symphony presents Home Alone in Concert – December 21 & 22

December 21, 7 pm – SELLING OUT

December 22, 2:30 pm – SELLING OUT

December 22, 7 pm – JUST ADDED!

Royal Theatre

A true holiday favourite, this beloved comedy classic features renowned composer John Williams’ charming and delightful score performed live to picture by the Victoria Symphony. Macaulay Culkin stars as Kevin McCallister, an 8-year-old boy who’s accidentally left behind when his family leaves for Christmas vacation, and who must defend his home against two bungling thieves. Hilarious and heart-warming, Home Alone is holiday fun for the entire family! Purchase tickets here.

IEOA Truck Parade – December 7

Date: Saturday December 7th, 2024

Start Time: Leave Ogden Point at 5pm

Finish Time: Arrive at Royal Bay for approx. 8pm

Join us for the 26th annual Island Equipment Owners Association Truck Parade & Food Drive. It’s a much-loved annual event that has 80 hardworking commercial trucks cleaned and polished and adorned with decorations and festive lights that will slowly roll along a 35km route through five municipalities in Greater Victoria. Dump trucks, equipment trailers, crane trucks, pump trucks, fire trucks, coast guard vessels, mixer trucks, military, transit, and more will weave through the streets and spread holiday cheer to encourage spectators to contribute to local food banks and brighten the holidays for those in need. Route maps, GPS, Food Bank links, and more details are available at IEOA.ca.

Last Chance Christmas Craft Show – December 13-15

On Friday, December 13th, we invite you to join us for a warm and cozy experience at the this year’s Last Chance Christmas Craft Show! 🎉 Held at the Mary Winspear Centre in Sidney, this event is the perfect way to finish up your all of your Christmas shopping. **Last Chance Christmas Craft Show** Friday, December 13th, 2pm – 8pm Saturday, December 14th, 10-5pm Sunday, December 15th, 10-4pm $5 Admission | Kids U12 Free Mary Winspear Centre | 2243 Beacon Ave. | Sidney, BC ✨ Immerse yourself in the charm of handcrafted gifts from talented local artisans, perfect for spreading holiday cheer! Visit www.firstandlastchance.ca for more info and a list of this year’s vendors. 🌟 Highlights 🎁 Daily $200 Vendor Shopping Spree Giveaways 🎁 Exciting hourly giveaways 🚗 Free parking and ATM on-site ❤️Come soak up the warm and cozy spirit of the season with us! We can’t wait to see you there! 🎄

Victoria Symphony presents Christmas Pops – December 7 & 8

December 7, 7:30 pm

December 8, 2:30 pm

Royal Theatre

Ring in the holiday season with your Victoria Symphony, Maestro Sean O’Loughlin, and the internationally-renowned Canadian Brass, who return to Victoria with music for The Most Wonderful Time of the Year! From holiday classics to jazzy renditions of favourite carols, the world famous brass quintet joins VS for this festive celebration! Tickets are selling fast and Sunday’s concert in particular is selling out!

Belfry Theatre presents Mom’s the Word: Talkin’ Turkey

The Moms tackle Christmas

It started as a lark, six new mothers got together every Saturday morning to write a show about motherhood. Thirty years on and over two million audience members later, the Moms are back with their fifth and latest show, Mom’s the Word: Talkin’ Turkey. Nothing is sacred as the Moms tell their truth, the hilarious truth and nothing but the embarrassing truth. The Moms see you.

The earlier shows include Mom’s the Word, Mom’s the Word 2: Unhinged, Mom’s the Word: Remixed, Mom’s the Word: Nest 1⁄2 Empty, and Mom’s the Word: Talkin’ Turkey.

The scripts have been translated into 10 languages and played in over 19 countries, including a run in London’s West End: Just for Laughs/Montreal and the Melbourne International Comedy Festival. The Mom’s the Word Collective has united parents through laughter and tears around the globe.

Pay-what-you-want tickets are available for Mom’s the Word: Talkin’ Turkey.

Dodd’s 26th Annual Christmas Dinner in support of Victoria’s Our Place Society – December 20

Everyone’s invited to Dodd’s 26th annual Christmas Dinner in support of Victoria’s Our Place Society on Friday, December 20th. Doors open at 4:30pm at 919 Pandora Avenue. In business since 1977, Dodd’s Furniture & Mattress is Vancouver Island’s #1 family-owned & operated furniture and mattress store. With locations in Victoria and Campbell River…Dodd’s delivers just about anywhere! The Dodd Family is blessed to have served over 25,000 meals to those in need over the past 26 years. This commitment to being involved in the communities they serve sets them apart in that being local and helping others is part of their core mission.

Ballet Victoria presents The Gift of the Nutcracker – December 28-30

Ballet Victoria’s Nutcracker has become a Victoria family tradition with everything one can expect from a HOLIDAY SEASON production. This original Christmas tale danced to Tchaikovsky’s timeless score of the Nutcracker is unique and most festive. The production boasts lively and imaginative choreography, hilarious pantomime, beautiful costumes and sets, a little magic, and a few surprises to enchant the whole family. The score is performed by the Victoria Symphony under the baton of maestro Guiseppe Pietraroiai. Ballet Victoria’s professional company dancers alongside over 30 local young ballet students bring the story to life and fill everyone’s heart with wonder and Holiday Cheer. Visit Ballet Victoria’s website, get your tickets and don’t miss BV’s production of the Nutcracker!

Easter Seals Chip in for the Kids – January 4-5

Easter Seals’ annual Christmas tree recycle, Chip In for the Kids, will take place on January 4 & 5, 2025. This event offers a convenient and environmentally friendly way to dispose of your Christmas tree at one of our 7 locations. All funds raised from Chip In for the Kids support Easter Seals Camp Shawnigan.

Lions Clubs, along with volunteers from Davey Tree Service (Greater Victoria) and Competition Tree Service (Shawnigan, Mill Bay, and Duncan), will be collecting Christmas trees in exchange for a donation to Easter Seals at the following locations from 10 AM to 4 PM on January 4 & 5, 2025: 