Participating in fun holiday events around your city is a great way to build up your family's excitement before the big day. Our real estate agents love discovering all the new and returning holiday happenings taking place around Victoria each year. Keep reading to get all the details on their top picks for the 2024 holiday season.

• Festival of Trees - The Bay Centre, 1150 Douglas Street, Victoria, BC V8W 3M9
  The Bay Centre mall is featuring more than 90 decorated holiday trees in its annual Festival of Trees. The iconic display is free and open every day throughout the holiday season. As you shop and peruse all the trees, be sure to cast a vote by donation for your favourite one. Doing so will benefit the BC Children's Hospital Foundation and its pursuit of research to help seriously ill kids. Don't miss the DFH Real Estate tree while you're there!
  
  
• Christmas at Craigdarroch – 1050 Joan Crescent, Victoria, BC V8S 3L5
  Craigdarroch Castle is stunning any time of the year, but it's particularly worth visiting during the annual Christmas at Craigdarroch celebration. The event lasts the entire month of December and features authentic recreations of the Victorian decorations and toys that the castle's original owners, the Dunsmuirs, might have used to celebrate the holidays. From December 15th onward, you can also enjoy a one-man adaptation of A Christmas Carol during your visit.
  
  The castle is open for self-guided tours from Wednesday to Sunday each week until the end of the year. Tickets cost $22.50 per person with discounts available for seniors, children, and post-secondary students. 
  
  
• Lights of Wonder - 1 Centennial Square, Victoria, BC V8W 1P6
  Lights of Wonder will turn Centennial Square into a winter wonderland once again this holiday season. This beloved annual event runs until December 31st and will feature thousands of lights, four interactive light tunnels to stroll through, and a 40-foot-tall holiday tree.
  
  On top of all the dazzling decorations, there are extra surprises in store every weekend and for a full week just before Christmas. Stop by to enjoy live entertainment, photo booths, horse-drawn carriage rides, and other holiday-themed activities—all for free.
  
  
• Habitat Victoria's Gingerbread Showcase - 463 Belleville Street, Victoria, BC V8V 1X3
  Habitat for Humanity is set to host their 16th annual Gingerbread Showcase at the Hotel Grand Pacific this month. From 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. every day, dozens of gorgeous gingerbread creations will be on public display. Both amateur and professional bakers are welcome to submit their 100% edible gingerbread projects, many of which are several feet tall and feature elaborate sugar and frosting decorations.
  
  This year's theme is Through a Child's Eyes, a whimsical concept that is sure to inspire many creative cookie constructions. Go check them out and vote for your favorite for the People's Choice Award!
  
  
• Breakfast with Santa – 1175 Beach Drive, Victoria, BC V8S 2N2
  Both the young and the young at heart will love sitting down to Breakfast with Santa at the Oak Bay Beach Hotel, one of the most luxurious hotel establishments near our Victoria homes for sale.
  
  The event begins with a buffet-style brunch full of mouthwatering dishes like smoked salmon, eggs Benedict, and freshly baked cinnamon buns. Afterwards, you'll enjoy a cookie decorating activity and get the opportunity to take photos with Santa against a professional-grade backdrop. Tickets are $99 per adult and $59 per child under 12. You can choose to attend on December 3rd, 10th, or 23rd, but you must book your visit in advance. 
  
  
• Dickens Fair – 140 Oswego Street, Victoria, BC V8V 2B1
  If you're still looking for a few gifts to round out your holiday shopping list, consider stopping by the Dickens Fair at the James Bay Community Centre.
  
  On December 7th from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., the centre's multi-purpose rooms will be filled with local vendors selling things like handmade jewelry, blankets and knitwear, woodworks, and other one-of-a-kind treasures. Pick up something to munch on from one of the on-site food and drink vendors and enjoy a few hours browsing for goodies you won't find anywhere else. Tickets are $3 at the door ($3.50 if paying with credit or debit), and kids under 12 get in for free. 

Easy access to fun celebrations like these is just one of the many benefits of life in Victoria. Contact us today for more information on our current roster of local homes and see how easy it is to join this cosy, coastal community.