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The holiday season is officially in full swing, and this week proves it! We've packed 31 events into this edition – from craft fairs overflowing with local treasures to festive family adventures.
Our Family Fun picks include not one, but TWO magical weekend markets, plus a free storytelling celebration. And in News Bites? A couple who ditched the traditional wedding reception for Costco (genius or madness—you decide!), and the surprisingly practical reason Oak Bay & Esquimalt deer are on contraceptives.
Whether you're hunting for unique gifts, seeking family adventures, or just love a good local story, we've got you covered. Let's dive in! 🎄
Markets & Craft Fairs
Saanich: Craft & Connect Nov 20 (Thur) @Luther Court Society Lounge, 1525 Cedar Hill Cross Rd 3-4pm
+ Cedar Hill Holiday Market Nov 22 (Sat) @ Cedar Hill Rec Centre, 3220 Cedar Hill Rd 10am
Esquimalt: Esquimalt Farmers Market Nov 20 (Thur) @Esquimalt Rec Centre 4:30-7pm
+ Annual Holiday Market Nov 23 (Sun) @Esquimalt Rec Centre 11am-5pm
Langford: Magic of Christmas Artisan Market Nov 21-23 (Fri-Sun) @ Eagle Ridge Centre, 1089 Langford Parkway
Metchosin: Yuletide Market Series Nov 21-23 (Fri-Sun) @Bilston Creek Farm, 4185 Metchosin Rd
Sidney: Christmas Art & Craft Fair Nov 21 (Fri) @ 2410 Malaview Ave 10am-3:30pm
+ Annual Kick-Off to Christmas Nov 21 (Fri) @Downtown Sidney 5-8pm
+ 2025 Annual Christmas Bazaar Nov 22 (Sat) @Mary Winspear Centre, 2243 Beacon Ave 9am-2pm
Colwood: Cheeky Birds Christmas Market Nov 22 (Sat) @ 2221 Rooke Rd 10am-4pm
Victoria: West Coast Winter Market Nov 22 (Sat) @Oaklands Community Centre, 1-2827 Belmont Ave 11am-4pm
+ Moss Street Market Nov 22 (Sat) @Sir James Douglas School, 1330 Fairfield Rd 10am-1pm
+ The Owl Designer Fair 2025 Nov 22-23 (Sat/Sun) @ Fernwood Community Centre, 1240 Gladstone Ave 10am-4pm
Arts & Culture
Sooke: Burger, Beer & Trivia Night at the Legion Nov 18 (Tue) @ Sooke Legion 5:30pm
Colwood: Open Mic & Music at the Goldfinch Arts Centre Nov 19 (Wed) @170 Goldfinch Rd 6:30pm to 8:30pm
Oak Bay: NEWSIES Musical! Nov 20-23 (Thur-Sun) @Dave Dunnet Community Theatre, 2121 Cadboro Bay Road
Victoria: Colin Mochrie & Brad Sherwood: Asking for Trouble – From TV’s Whose Line Is It Anyway? Nov 20 (Thur) @Royal Theatre, 805 Broughton St 8pm
+ Themed Trivia Night: F.R.I.E.N.D.S Edition Nov 23 (Sun) @The Mint, 1414 Douglas St 7-9pm
Sidney: The Comic Strippers Nov 22 (Sat) @Mary Winspear Centre, Charlie White Theatre, 2243 Beacon Ave 7:30pm
Esquimalt: Murder Mystery Night Nov 22 (Sat) @Archie Browning Arena, 1149 Esquimalt Rd 6:30-9:30pm
Holiday Magic
Saanich: Frosted Family Fun Nov 22-23 (Sat/Sun) @3170 Tillicum Rd 1-4pm
Central Saanich: Candy Cane Lane Winter Festival Nov 22-23 (Sat/Sun) @Saanich Fairgrounds, 1528 Stellys Cross Rd (Saanichton) 9:30am-4pm
Victoria: Santa and Superhero Pancake Breakfast Nov 23 (Sun) @Da Vinci Centre, 195 Bay Street (Vic West)
North Saanich: Gingerbread House Challenge Until Dec 31 @Panorama Recreation, 1885 Forest Park Dr (return to Panorama by Dec 1 for Santa display/challenge with prizes – houses displayed all December)
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Outdoor & Nature Adventures
Saanich: Exploring Indigenous Perspectives through Storytelling (Guided Storytime) – All Ages Nov 22 (Sat) @Francis/King Regional Park (off Munn Rd). Explore the cultural significance of birds and animals, through a First Peoples lens. 11am-12pm
+ Wonderful Woodpeckers (Guided Walk) – All Ages Nov 23 (Sun) @Francis/King Regional Park (off Munn Rd). Learn the tricks of the woodpecker trade and how to identify them by sight, sound, and habits. 10am-11:30am
Family Fun: Our Top 3 Picks
Three family experiences we're excited about this week:
🎄 Candy Cane Lane Winter Festival (Nov 22-23, Sat/Sun, 9:30am-4pm)
Holiday magic takes over the Saanich Fairgrounds with two halls packed full of local artisans offering unique Christmas treasures! Kids enjoy crafts, cocoa, face painting, and Santa photos, while adults can sip mulled wine and browse one-of-a-kind gifts for everyone (even pets!). Festive music, seasonal scents, and local makers create the perfect holiday shopping atmosphere.
✨ Frosted Family Fun (Nov 22-23, Sat/Sun, 1-4pm)
Step into Kaleidoscope Theatre's magical winter celebration at Tillicum Centre (upper level by Winners)! This free event brings stories and festive cheer to life through storytelling, dress-up, games, and family entertainment. Register in advance or walk in—it's the perfect indoor adventure where creativity and imagination soar!
🎁 Esquimalt's Annual Holiday Market (Nov 23, Sun, 11am-5pm)
Over 90 local makers gather at Esquimalt Recreation Centre with handmade jewelry, clothing, ornaments, artwork, and more! Enjoy live music, browse youth vendors, and grab delicious bites from food trucks. Admission by donation makes this a budget-friendly way to support local talent and find unique gifts.
News Bites
Birth Control for Deer? Oak Bay's Garden-Saving Solution Shows Results
Remember Oak Bay's controversial deer cull in 2015? There's a gentler approach now—contraception! Between 2019 and 2021, 120 female deer received immunocontraceptive injections as part of the Oak Bay Urban Deer Project. The results? A nearly 50% drop in adult deer density within four years and a 60% reduction in fawns after the first year. However, when booster shots decreased in 2021, fawn numbers rebounded quickly in 2022. The report recommends repeating the program every five years with annual boosters for lasting effectiveness. Meanwhile, Esquimalt's similar deer contraception program treated 40 does and early reports suggest that it's working—full results expected before Christmas!
[For more info read Jeff Bell's article in the Times Colonist]
Love in Aisle 5: Couple Celebrates Wedding at Courtenay Costco 🛒
A couple skipped the traditional reception and headed straight to Courtenay Costco after tying the knot on October 25th – complete with "Bride" and "Groom" name tags! Staff and shoppers erupted in cheers as the newlyweds celebrated with cake and hot dogs at the food court. One witness called it "the most Vancouver Island thing ever," while another joked they're "so smart—now they can save for a house!" [Read the full story here]
And they're not alone – other couples have actually gotten married at Costco in both California and Australia! Maybe add Costco to your venue list? 😉
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⭐ A Few More Events Across Greater Vic ⭐
🏵️ View Royal: Bingo Wednesday Night (Nov 19)
🤼 Victoria: Pro Wrestling Island Rumble (Nov 21)
⛸️ North Saanich: Pro-D Day $2 Skate (Nov 21)
🏊 North Saanich: Pro-D Day $2 Swim (Nov 21)
👯 North Saanich: Double Trouble Matching Outfits Skate (Nov 22)
🌊 See you next week!
