Christmas grows ever nearer, but the celebrations have just begun! Participate in some of the great holiday events taking place in Sidney BC, and experience what makes it such a beautiful city to live in.
Festive Lunch Buffet
| When: | Monday - Friday, 11:30 - 2:00 pm |
| Where: | Haro's Restaurant, 9805 Seaport Place |
Enjoy the festive buffet at Haro's Restaurant, Monday to Friday 11:30am to 2pm, and enjoy live seasonal entertainment while you dine!
Carriage Tours
| When: | Thursdays, 4:00 - 7:00 pm Sundays, 1:00 - 4:00 pm |
| Where: | Beacon Ave. & First Ave. |
Victoria Carriage Tours will be offering festive rides through downtown Sidney. Tours are only $30 per carriage and seat up to 6 people. Pick up is at Beacon Avenue & First Avenue by the Sidney Waterfront Inn & Suites. Call to reserve: 250-883-3651.
Carolling
| When: | Thursdays, 4:30 - 7:30 pm Saturdays & Sundays, 12:00 - 3:00 pm |
| Where: | Downtown Sidney |
Traditional carollers stroll the streets of Sidney, capturing the warmth and tradition of Christmas and sharing their heart-warming renditions of seasonal favourites with retailers and customers alike.
Family Guided Kayak Tour
| When: | Wednesday Dec. 17, 1:00 - 3:00 pm |
| Where: | Pacifica Paddle Sports, 789 Saunders Ln. |
Bring your family together out on the water with a guided family kayak tour of Brentwood Bay and Tod Inlet, away from technology and the usual routine. Hear the sights and sounds of marine life and take in nature. No paddling experience required.
Christmas At The SHOAL
| When: | Thursday Dec. 18, 5:30 pm |
| Where: | The SHOAL Centre, 10030 Resthaven Dr. |
Join the The SHOAL Centre on December 18th for a fabulous Christmas evening: Enjoy a traditional roast turkey buffet with all the trimmings and entertainment by The Boomers Music Group. Tickets sell at $25 each; purchase in person or over the phone at 250-656-5537.
Dave Hutchison Images Open House
| When: | Dec. 18 & 19, 10:00 am - 1:00 pm & 5:00 - 8:00 pm Saturday Dec. 20, 11:00 - 3:00pm |
| Where: | 201-10114 McDonald Park Rd. (second floor, front building entrance) |
Dave Hutchison Images is holding a number of west coast nature photography Christmas open houses, featuring landscapes and Canadian wildlife. Gift items such as tiles, coasters, mugs, and magnets start at $10, and new wall hanging art start at $40.
A Christmas Carol Pantomime
| When: | Dec. 19, 20 & 26, 7:30 pm Dec. 21, 27 & 28, 2:00 pm |
| Where: | The Charlie White Theatre |
Peninsula Players and the Mary Winspear Centre Present “A Christmas Carol – The Panto"! Written by Adrian Barradell and directed by Gerald Schieven, this production combines the classic Dickens tale with the hilarious antics of an old-fashioned panto: villains, heroes, a dame, slapstick, corny jokes, singalongs, and more. There's even a live band: "What the Dickens". Buy your tickets online.
Upstairs On Beacon
| When: | Saturdays, 10:00 - 4:00 pm Until Dec. 20 |
| Where: | 2405 Beacon Ave. |
Upstairs on Beacon features a mall of Christmas trees, holiday decorations, and a Holiday Market with 30 vendors selling specialty products and unique holiday gifts for that special someone. Decorations will be available for the public to visit any day until 5pm.
Christmas Carol Light Parade On The Water
| When: | Saturday Dec. 20, 3:00 - 6:00 pm |
| Where: | Pacifica Paddle Sports, 789 Saunders Ln. |
Bring the family on the water this Christmas for the Pacifica Paddle Sports guided kayak light parade in Brentwood Bay. View Christmas lights on shore, paddle decorated kayaks, sing carols, and have a good time experiencing the quiet of nature during this busy time of year. A hot and cold potluck will be served including hot cocoa and treats. Call 250-665-7411 or email customerservice@pacificapaddle.com to confirm your attendance.
No paddling experience necessary. Tour is approximately one hour long. Donations will go to assist underprivileged youth in the community through the Power to Be association.
Extreme Holiday Extravaganza Teen Event
| When: | Saturday Dec. 20, 6:00 - 8:00 pm |
| Where: | Greenglade Community Centre, 2151 Lannon Way |
Teens can celebrate with the Greenglade Community Centre before they close the Extreme Lounge for the holidays. Cookie decorating, holiday movies, activities, crafts and of course some awesome prizes.
Aurora Borealis Swim
| When: | Saturday Dec. 20, 8:00 - 10:00 PM |
| Where: | Panorama Recreation, 1885 Forest Park Dr. |
A glow swim for 11-16 year olds at Panorama Recreation, with a chilly twist. Kids can enjoy a snow cone and keep cozy in the steam room, sauna, and swirlpool. Games and prizes will be happening all through the night.
Winter Wonderland Family Carnival
| When: | Saturday Dec. 20, 11:00 am Until Jan. 1 |
| Where: | Panorama Recreation, 1885 Forest Park Dr. |
Skate amongst the lights in Panorama Recreation's Winter Wonderland and enjoy hot chocolate, a toboggan run, kids' games, painting on ice, and visits from Santa. The arena will be decorated with penguins, polar bears, lights, and a Christmas tree. Bring your family, staff, teammates, classmates, students or employees together for an old fashioned Christmas skate. Daytime and evening bookings available. All public skates during this time frame will also get to experience the Wonderland for the regular admission rate.
Christmas Grotto
| When: | Thursdays, 4:00 - 8:00 pm Saturday & Sundays, 12:00 - 4:00 pm Until Dec. 21 |
| Where: | 2387 Beacon Ave. |
There's always plenty going on at Sidney's Christmas Grotto. Get free gift wrapping on Thursday nights from 5 - 8pm, and weekend afternoons from 12 - 4pm. Get a picture with Santa on Saturdays from 12 - 3pm (make sure to bring your own camera). Make donations to the Sidney Lions Food Bank or Saanich Peninsula Secret Santas' Toys for Tots, and explore the Christmas Village display by the Victoria LEGO Users Group.
Artisans Gift Gallery
| When: | Tuesday - Sunday, 10:00 - 4:00 pm Thursday Dec. 18, 10:00 - 8:00 pm Until Dec. 23 |
| Where: | Tulista Park Gallery, 9565 Fifth St. |
The Community Arts Council of the Saanich Peninsula presents the Artisans Gift Gallery. In its 21st year, this show and sale features Island artisans. Items in the Gift Gallery include jewelry, glass, pottery, turned and carved wood, children's clothing and toys, fibre art, wearables, photography, and holiday décor, among others. Meet the artists in this artist-run co-op, enjoy ongoing demonstrations, and celebrate with originals by local artists. Free parking & free admission.
Late Night Shopping
| When: | Thursdays, 5:00 - 8:00 pm until Dec. 25 |
| Where: | Downtown Sidney |
Over 30 stores in Sidney are open late on Thursday nights from November 27th until Christmas! Pick up some wonderful gifts for friends and family, buy a little something for yourself, experience horse drawn carriage rides, enjoy the carol singers strolling the town and visit the Christmas Grotto.
Driftwood Tree Open House
| When: | Saturdays, 10:00 - 2:00 pm Until Dec. 25 |
| Where: | 1-10121 Fifth St. |
View and purchase handmade Christmas trees sourced from local driftwood, each piece carefully selected and assembled. They dress up beautifully with decorations and lights, or keep them bare for a more rustic coast look. Cash only for purchases.
Teddy Bear Extravaganza
| When: | Daily, 10:00 - 4:00 pm Until Dec. 31 |
| Where: | 2423 Beacon Ave. |
Everyone loves Teddy Bears and each year, during the Christmas Season, the Sidney Museum puts on the most delightful show featuring hundreds of Teddy Bears. Many of the bears are collectables or vintage and all of them will bring a smile to your face. Don't miss this fun, enchanting exhibit.
Festival Of Trees
| When: | Daily, 4:00 - 5:00 pm Until Jan. 4 |
| Where: | Mary Winspear Centre, 2243 Beacon Ave |
The Mary Winspear Centre's Festival Of Trees is open to the public until January 4. Stop in and vote for your favourite tree! The Centre will also be accepting drop offs for Toys for Tots and the Sidney Lions Food Bank.
Christmas Eve Candlelight Family Service
| When: | Wednesday Dec. 24, 7:00 - 8:30 pm |
| Where: | St. Paul's United Church, 2410 Malaview Ave. |
Everyone is welcome to join St. Paul's United Church in celebrating the joys of the holiday season. Sing carols by candlelight, see some neighbours and hear some uplifting messages.
Community Christmas Dinner
| When: | Thursday Dec. 25, 11:00 - 2:00 pm |
| Where: | Mary Winspear Centre, 2243 Beacon Ave. |
The 15th anniversary of the Annual Christmas Day Dinner for people who would otherwise be alone takes place at the Mary Winspear Centre. To make a reservation or if you require a ride to the dinner, please call Wendy at 250-656-7678 during the day and leave a message with full details. Reservations will be taken until Dec 20.
First Night New Year's Eve
| When: | Wednesday Dec. 31, 5:00 - 9:00 pm |
| Where: | Panorama Recreation, 1885 Forest Park Dr. |
Join Panorama Recreation at their 9th annual First Night New Year's Eve celebration! Skate in the Winter Wonderland and enjoy family entertainment as well as numerous activities, including swimming, arts and crafts, an inflatable obstacle course, and bouncy castle. The night will end with a Fireworks Finale at 9pm.
Polar Bear Swim
| When: | Thursday Jan. 1, 12:00 pm |
| Where: | Lochside Dr. |
Join fellow hardy islanders and enjoy an invigorating start to the new year with a polar bear swim. Participants will gather at the beach access at Lochside Drive (just down from Tulista Park).
Lego Exhibit
| When: | Daily, 10:00 am - 4:00 pm Jan. 1 until March 31 |
| Where: | Sidney Museum, 2423 Beacon Ave. |
The ninth year of the LEGO Exhibit is introducing a special theme to celebrate the 100th Anniversary of the Sidney Volunteer Fire Department, with models of fire trucks, fire halls, and other related models. Admission by donation.