Christmas in Victoria

Here's whats on Santa's checklist of things to do in our capital city ....


FESTIVAL OF TREES TOUR & TEA

The Fairmont Empress Hotel in Victoria, BC is poised to mark its 100th anniversary in January 2008, but will first celebrate the festive holiday season. From November 20, 2007 - January 7, 2008, The Fairmont Empress will host the annual Festival of Trees; a fundraiser for BC Children's Hospital where local businesses sponsor and decorate dozens of trees that deck the halls of the hotel. WalkAbouts Tours offers year-round historical tours of The Fairmont Empress and this year will present a new Festival of Trees Tour and Tea. Visitors will enjoy a guided tour of the hotel hearing stories of Christmas past and present followed by the world famous ritural of afternoon tea at The Fairmont Empress. Offered Wednesdays, tours are at 10:30 am and tea at 12:15 pm for $49.00 CDN ($5.00 supports the Christmas Children's Hospital Fund). Reservations are recommended and can be made by calling 250-995-4688 or 250-592-9255. For more information visit www.fairmont.com/empress and www.bcchf.ca/getinvolved/events/festivaloftrees/victoria.



OAK BAY CHRISTMAS FESTIVAL

Kicking off November 25, 2007, the 7th Annual Oak Bay Christmas Festival will be held in Victoria, BC. Thousands of lights will adorn buildings, trees and lampposts along Oak Bay Avenue and this year all buildings will be dressed in energy-efficient LED lights for the first time. Musical entertainment, giant games, a fire show and kids flower arranging workshop round out the light-up. Additional festival events include: Oak Bay Studio Tour (November 24-25); Parade of Lighted Trucks (December 1); Art on the Avenue Gallery Walk and Ottavio Tasting Evening (December 6); Sea of Lights Parade of Lighted Boats (December 7); and A Christmas Carol at The Blethering Place (December 13 and 20). Oak Bay is one of Victoria's oldest and best known neighbourhoods filled with beautiful character homes, gardens and sandy beaches. Oak Bay Village, a quaint strip of Oak Bay Avenue, is lined with unique shops and galleries. Shopping is unhurried and sidewalks fill with chatting friends and acquaintances, as do the coffee houses, tearooms and pubs. Visitors can overnight at Oak Bay's only accommodation - Oak Bay Guest House. For more information visit www.oakbaytourism.com.


GO SKATING IN A GARDEN

Victoria, BC boasts the mildest climate in Canada and celebrates a green Christmas so the opportunity to ice skate outdoors is a novelty for both residents and visitors alike. Back by popular demand for its third year, an outdoor skating rink with a capacity for 50 people will be featured at The Butchart Gardens from December 1, 2007 - January 6, 2008. A National Historic Site of Canada, The Butchart Gardens began in 1904 with an effort to beautify a worked-out quarry and today, a visit to The Gardens during the holidays is a tradition for many. The Gardens are transformed into a remarkable display of thousands of twinkling lights and seasonal decorations. The Butchart Gardens is open 365 days a year including Christmas day. Skate rentals are available and sessions begin on the hour and last 40 minutes. Reservations and group bookings are also available. For
more information visit www.butchartgardens.com.


DISCOVER THE PAST WITH CHRISTMAS WALKING TOURS

During the month of December 2007, visitors to Victoria, BC can explore the history of Christmas in British Columbia's most haunted city with a Ghosts of Christmas Past walking tour led by John Adams of Discover the Past. The 90-minute tour is offered Saturdays at 7:30 pm plus December 27-31 and provides new insights into Victoria's ghosts and legends by focusing on stories of the supernatural at Christmas. The legend of Christmas Hill, the ghosts of Helmcken Alley, Adelaide Griffin (Victoria's first documented ghost sighting at Christmas 1861) and the Christmas Eve assassination on the steps of the Roman Catholic cathedral in 1890 are included. The Ghosts of Christmas Past tours begin at the Tourism Victoria Visitor Centre at the Inner Harbour. Tickets are purchased from the guide before the tour and reservations are not required. Group bookings are also available. Discover the Past also offers additional walking tours throughout the holiday season including Christmas in Old Victoria, Chinatown and Old Cemeteries Society Christmas tours. For more information visit www.discoverthepast.com.


CHRISTMAS AT CRAIGDARROCH CASTLE

Craigdarroch Castle in Victoria, BC will be splendidly decorated for the Christmas season in grand Victorian style from December 2, 2007 - January 5, 2008. While touring the Castle, visitors are invited to take in one of 65 performances of seasonal music, storytelling and children's entertainment; all of which are included with regular admission. New this year, Craigdarroch Castle will be open on select Friday evenings: December 14, 21 and 28 for visitors to enjoy the Castle in its glittering nighttime finery. Craigdarroch Castle is an 1890's mansion built by wealthy coal baron, Robert Dunsmuir. It is a stunning example of the finest architecture, materials and craftsmanship available in the Victorian era with exquisite stained-glass windows, woodwork and period antiques. An oak staircase allows visitors to climb 87 steps to the Tower for the best views in Victoria. For more information visit www.thecastle.ca.


Filed by Holly Lenk, Tourism Victoria.