Each month Used.ca sponsors community events here on Vancouver Island and this December is going to be a busy start to the Holiday season! We hope you’ll join us at the following events we’re proudly supporting:
1.) Belfry Theatre presents Vigil – November 15 – December 11
2.) Light Up the City – November 15 – December 31
3.) Gingerbread Showcase supporting Habitat for Humanity – November 26 – January 2
4.) HOMO – A Queer Cabaret – December 3
5.) IEOA Light Convoy and Food Drive – Saturday, December 3, 2022
6.) Esquimalt Christmas Tree Village – December 4 – January 4
7.) First & Last Chance Christmas Craft Shows – December 9 – 11
8.) Dine Around and Stay in Town Victoria Gala Launch – January 19
9.) Passion and Performance Candy Cane Cabaret – December 11
10.) Ballet Victoria Gift of The Nutcracker – December 28-30
11.) Nerdy Days of Christmas Craft Fair – December 3-4
12.) 2023 Shine Fashion Event – February 5
13.) Lights of Wonder – December 1-31
14.) CFAX Santa’s Anonymous Miracle on Broad St– December 9th
15.) Easter Seals’ Chip In for the Kids – January 7-8
16.) Victoria Festival of Trees – November 17 – January 3
Belfry Theatre presents Vigil – November 15 – December 11
“an achingly funny black comedy.” The Sunday Times
“a small masterpiece.” The Globe & Mail
“I’m worried about your health…it seems to be improving.”
Kemp is a banker. When he receives a phone call from an elderly aunt on her deathbed, he rushes across the country to pay her a visit, anticipating a swift funeral. But she’s not going just yet. As the seasons change and the weather turns, she defies his expectations in this deliciously absurd, incredibly funny, and poignantly tender play.
Vigil premiered at the Belfry in September 1995 and has played half the world over and been translated into two dozen languages. Buy tickets here.
HOMO – A Queer Cabaret – December 3
HOMO is a unique night of art, performance, experimentation, frivolity, and a celebration of queer performance. This campy cabaret features a diverse line-up of queer artists, experimenters, and boundary pushers in raucous cabaret acts fabulous performance pieces, and brand-new work created just for HOMO. Now called simply, HOMO, Intrepid Theatre’s winter cabaret of queer art is always a sell-out. Prepare for a night of cabaret, camp, and surprises. Hosted by Vancouver Drag Royalty, Jaylene Tyme. Jaylene is a Two-Spirit Indigenous Trans performer, host, and advocate. Saturday, Dec 3, 7:30 pm Metro Studio – 1411 Quadra Street Tickets $27, and free ASL tickets — Accessibility: This performance will be ASL interpreted by Katt Campbell. Please indicate any accessibility needs, including wheelchair-accessible seating or if you require seating with no stairs, in the provided field, and we will make sure to assign seating that works for you. Free tickets for those accessing ASL interpretation are available. — Masks: Masks are strongly recommended for patrons. Metro staff will be masked.
URL: https://intrepidtheatre.com/shows/homo-a-queer-cabaret-2022/
Gingerbread Showcase supporting Habitat for Humanity – November 26 – January 2
Victoria’s sweetest holiday event, the Gingerbread Showcase, is returning for its 14th year! The Gingerbread Showcase is Habitat for Humanity Victoria’s premier fundraising event, and we are proud to be presented this year by the team at Revera Living. From November 26, 2022, to January 2, 2023, grab your friends and family and visit these incredible 100% edible creations in person at the Parkside Hotel & Spa. This year’s theme is “Magical,” as we invite bakers of all kinds to interpret some magic into their creations. Don’t forget to donate to vote for your favourite Gingerbread masterpiece! All funds raised at the Gingerbread Showcase will go directly to helping Habitat for Humanity Victoria provide strength, stability, and independence through affordable homeownership for Victoria families. We’re looking forward to welcoming you and spreading the holiday cheer!
First & Last Chance Christmas Craft Shows – December 9 – 11
Come enjoy a day with family and friends at the Mary Winspear Center as First & Last Chance Christmas Craft Shows celebrate their 33rd year! Presenting an array of unique inspirations from 85+ local artists and artisans. With over twenty-five categories represented, you are sure to find creative solutions for every person on your list -including you!
We hope to help make your holidays special. Perhaps you will be one of the lucky ones to receive the$200 Daily Vendor Shopping Spree and/or hourly giveaways. Don’t forget to sit awhile and listen to seasonal live music while sampling Farm’s Gates glorious food! Whether you are looking for a gift for someone special, stocking-stuffers, or want to inspire holiday spirit, we offer it all under one roof. Find all the details here.
Dine Around and Stay in Town Victoria Gala Launch – January 19
Clear your calendars – Dine Around and Stay in Town Victoria returns this January. With multi-course menus at your favourite Victoria eateries, and special hotel rates so you can enjoy a true night out!
There are more than 50 participating restaurants, so enjoying them all in 17-days is a tall order. Good news – the Launch Gala returns in 2023, providing the perfect opportunity to sample bites and sips as Victoria chefs and purveyors put their culinary point of view on display.
Hosted at the Crystal Garden, the Gala features mouth-watering bites and sips from over 50 local restaurants, wineries and breweries, lively entertainment, and lots of socializing and fun!
Gala tickets are on sale now and make the perfect holiday gift for the food lovers on your list! Get your tickets here!
January 19, 2023, 5p-8p
Crystal Garden, 713 Douglas St
Tickets $100 + fees and taxes
Dine Around and Stay in Town: Jan 20 -Feb 5, 2023
Light Up the City – November 15 – December 31
Let’s Light Up The City!
The organizers of the Greater Victoria Festival Society together with Thrifty Foods, Black Press, and Chek Media Group are excited to bring the 3rd Annual Thrifty Foods Light up the City to Vancouver Island. An idea that came about to bring back the Glow of Christmas and the laughter in our hearts, the Christmas Lighting Competition, Food, and Toy drive did just that in November of 2020.
Starting November 15 through December 31, 2022, decorate and enter your house, apartment, business, or non-profit for a chance to win one of 3 prizes in 5 categories! Alongside our Christmas Lighting Competition, Light up the City was created to keep top of mind the much-needed food, toys, and cash donations needed by many families all year long.
Many local businesses and organizers in the city are hosting drive-through drop-off events every week pooling their resources and collaborating to raise funds for Vancouver Island. We will have a list of the businesses and events on our social media and website that will be taking place over the next 6 weeks!
Esquimalt Christmas Tree Village – December 4 – January 4
Experience the magic of the holidays at our ninth annual Christmas Tree Village.
Join us as we transform the Recreation Centre Atrium and Archie Browning Sports Centre into a holiday wonderland, teeming with twinkling lights and delightful decorations. This event is free for the public to enjoy and runs from December 4, 2022 – January 4, 2023.
View the photo gallery. VOTE for your favorite tree. One LIKE on the photo represents one vote. Voting will take place December 4-17th, 2022. The winner will be announced on December 20th, 2022.
Special thank you to our community sponsors:
Lab Health Physio, Country Grocer, Saxe Point Day Care, Used Victoria, Aragon Development, and Sunnyside Cafe
Ballet Victoria Gift of The Nutcracker – December 28-30
The Gift of The Nutcracker is a 21st-century Victoria family tradition with everything you expect from a Ballet Victoria production. An original Christmas tale danced to Tchaikovsky’s timeless score of the Nutcracker played by the Victoria Symphony. At last, this year the children are back in the production! The ballet also boasts new lively choreography, hilarious pantomime, new beautiful costumes, magic, and as always, surprises for the whole family. The live music drives the imaginative choreography for the company dancers as well as over thirty local young ballet students. Watch Clara’s Christmas adventure with her toys and the Nutcracker come alive and take you on a journey across the world filled with holiday cheer. Buy tickets here.
IEOA Light Convoy and Food Drive – Saturday, December 3
The Convoy starts at Breakwater District at 5:40 pm.
It finishes at 2200 Millstream Rd at 8:30 pm.
Online food bank donation links and more details can be found at: www.ieoa.ca
*convoy route timing is approximate
Passion and Performance Candy Cane Cabaret – December 11
It’s the most wonderful time of the year! The time when Passion and Performance warms up the stage with the annual Candy Cane Cabaret!
Get out of the cold and into the Victoria Conference Centre on December 11th! We’ll get you into the holiday spirit with all new dances to your festive favourites, with a P&P twist, of course!
Join us for an evening of jiggles, sparkles, and overall merriment!
Passion and Performance strives to make performing arts accessible to all those who wish to participate. As such you will see performers of all ages, genders, and skill levels from brand-new beginners to advanced performers. Our company is a safe space for performers so please be advised that you will be seeing amateur and professional entertainment. This show will feature mature content including partial nudity, coarse language, mature themes, and lots of jiggles. This show is strictly 19+
Get ready to experience the holidays P&P style! Buy tickets here.
Nerdy Days of Christmas Craft Fair – December 3-4
Looking for nerdy, geeky or fandom related gifts? Nerdy Days of Christmas Craft Fair is happening this weekend, December 3 & 4 from 11-4 in lower level Market Square. Entry is by donation and 100% of the proceeds go to Victoria Hospitals Foundation to the Victoria General NICU. Fabulous local crafters and artists.
2023 Shine Fashion Event supporting BC Children’s Hospital – February 5, 2023
The BC Children’s Hospital SHINE Fashion Event takes place on Sunday February 5, 2023 in the iconic Crystal Ballroom at the Fairmont Empress Hotel in Victoria, B.C.
This will be an afternoon to remember, including a VIP Bubble Reception, a Spring 2023 fashion show, and a stylish silent auction. Hosted by Todd and Rebecca Talbot, this event will welcome local business leaders and fashion lovers alike. This is an exciting opportunity to support B.C. Children’s Hospital and the amazing work they do to care for B.C.’s sickest kids. Buy tickets here.
Starlight Lights of Wonder – December 1-31
Every year, Centennial Square is transformed into a magical lightscape for Starlight Lights of Wonder. Occuring nightly starting at 4pm from December 15 through December 31 (come ring in the New Year!) Bring your friends and family downtown for this free, family-friendly, accessible, and super-photogenic experience. This year, the event is going to be better than ever! There will be nightly entertainment (except on December 25), fun family-friendly activations, and new food vendors. Plan to visit multiple times to make the most of this fun event!
Starlight Lights of Wonder is the downtown Victoria business community’s gift to the region. The Downtown Victoria Business Association and all the businesses downtown are grateful for your continued support of local businesses.
Visit LightsofWonder.ca for the performance and activation schedule, and for more event information!
CFAX Santa’s Anonymous – December 9th
Tune in to CFAX1070 Friday, December 9th from 5:00 a.m. to 6 p.m. Enjoy a day of local entertainment, presenters, and donors supporting CFAX Santas Anonymous — at Christmas and year-round. Call 778-561-1070.
Easter Seals’ Chip In for the Kids – January 7-8, 2023
Easter Seals’ annual Christmas Tree Recycle, Chip In for the Kids, will be happening January 7 & 8, 2023. People can dispose of their Christmas tree in an environmentally-friendly manner at one of our 7 locations on Vancouver Island. All funds raised from Chip In for the Kids goes towards Easter Seals programs and services, including Camp Shawnigan.
Lions Club members, along with volunteers from Davey Tree Services (Greater Victoria) and Competition Tree Service (Shawnigan, Mill Bay and Duncan) will be accepting Christmas trees in exchange for a donation to Easter Seals at the following locations from 10am to 4pm on January 7 & 8, 2023:
Tillicum Centre
Save-On-Foods – Fort & Foul Bay location
Broadmead Village Shopping Centre
Westshore Town Centre
Thrifty Foods – Mill Bay Location
Mason’s Store & Patio, Shawnigan Lake – Saturday Only
BC Forest Discovery Centre, Duncan
Check out more here! Thank you for supporting Easter Seals!
Victoria Festival of Trees – November 17 – January 3
Festival of Trees, presented by Scotiabank, brings local businesses and organizations along with members of the community together in support of BC Children’s Hospital Foundation. Trees get sponsored and spruced up to go on display for everyone to enjoy over the holiday season.
This year, funds will go towards transforming diabetes care for kids in BC. You can participate by heading down to the Bay Centre and voting on your favourite tree. Each vote is a $5 donation to diabetes research at BC Children’s Hospital.
We hope you have fun at these wonderful, local events this Winter! If you’d like Used.ca to be a sponsor of your event on Vancouver Island, please contact our Community Manager, Carly.
