Happy holidays, Greater Victoria!
This week's packed with events that’ll inspire your family's inner architects, twinkling winter wonderlands with poutine and live music, and theatrical puppets whose noses grow with every fib. Whether you're looking to skate under the lights, see live theatre, or simply fill the limbo—that unanchored stretch of time between Christmas and New Year's—we've got you covered.
Inside this week's issue: We're giving away 10 personally autographed hardcover books from a Greater Victoria author who's topped the New York Times bestseller list, plus why your favourite beach log has a secret, and the latest on Esquimalt's deer debate.
Let's make this week wonderful! 💙
Not a subscriber yet? [Subscribe for free]—don't miss the good stuff happening across Greater Victoria (and our exclusive giveaway!).
🔔 CONTEST RULES UPDATED DECEMBER 23, 2025
WIN AN AUTOGRAPHED BOOK FROM GREATER VICTORIA’S OWN NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLING AUTHOR
The Prize: 10 personally autographed hardcover copies of The Sea Captain's Wife by Tilar J. Mazzeo (value: $50 each)
We're thrilled to partner with Tilar J. Mazzeo—New York Times bestselling author and Greater Victoria resident—to give away 10 signed copies of her latest book, a true story of mutiny, love, and adventure at the bottom of the world.
Bonus: Winners can request a personalized inscription (your choice of message, within reason) or let Tilar surprise you with something special!
HOW TO ENTER:
🎯 You're Automatically Entered!
Every Greater Victoria Scoop subscriber receives 1 automatic entry in our draw. If you're subscribed, you're already in—no action needed!
New subscriber? Just subscribe—you're entered!
🚀 Want Better Odds? Get Bonus Entries!
Share the Greater Victoria Scoop with people who'd enjoy it and earn 3 bonus entries for every verified signup you refer. No limit!
Example: Refer 3 friends who subscribe and verify = 10 total entries (1 automatic + 9 bonus). See instructions below.
STEP 1: Get Your Unique Referral Link
Click the button below:
What happens next:
A new (signup) web page will open
Look at the address bar at the top of your browser (where website URLs appear)
Your unique referral link is IN that adddress bar
It will look something like: victoriascoop.ca/subscribe?ref=YOUR_CODE
Your unique referral link can also be found anytime in your Account Profile
Copy your link:
Click once in the address bar to highlight the entire URL
Copy it (Ctrl+C on PC or Cmd+C on Mac, or right-click and select "Copy")
Save it somewhere handy—you'll be sharing this link!
Can't find it? Remember: you can access your referral link anytime by logging into your Account Profile.
STEP 2: Share Your Link
Send the link you just copied to family, friends, neighbours, or coworkers via email, text, or social media.
STEP 3. They Must Complete ALL of These Steps ✅
For their signup to count as 3 bonus entries for you:
✅ They click/paste your referral link into their browser
✅ They enter their email on the signup page
✅ They open the confirmation email from us
✅ They click "Confirm Subscription" in that email ← Critical!
⚠️ Important: Without that final confirmation click, the signup doesn't count as bonus entries for you.
No limit—the more verified signups you refer, the better your odds!
If you directly sign up a friend (with permission) using your unique referral link: They must still open up the email we send them and click “Confirm Subscription”
THE DRAW:
🎯 Monday, January 19, 2026
⏰ All referrals must be verified by 11:59 PM on Sunday, January 18, 2026
✨ Winners will be notified by email on January 19th and will have 7 days to respond
Meet Tilar in person? Winners can choose to pick up their book at her University of Victoria public talk on January 20, 2026 (more details on this talk will be provided in future Scoop issues).
THE FINE PRINT:
Eligibility: Greater Victoria Scoop subscribers, 18+, reside in British Columbia (for shipping purposes)
What counts: All subscribers receive 1 automatic entry. Only verified referrals count as bonus entries (referred subscribers must click the confirmation link in the email we send them).
What doesn't count: Self-referrals, duplicate emails, or suspicious activity. We verify all entries and reserve the right to disqualify questionable submissions.
Winner announcement: First names (or middle names if preferred—last name optional) will be published in our January 27, 2026, issue.
Questions? Reply to any newsletter or email [email protected]
Already subscribed? You're entered with 1 automatic entry! Click the button above to get your referral link and earn 3 bonus entries for each friend who subscribes and verifies.
Not subscribed yet? Subscribe now to enter—you're automatically entered when you subscribe!
💙
Markets & Makers
Sidney: 20th Annual LEGO Brick Exhibit Dec 20-April 26 @Sidney Museum, 2423 Beacon Ave. Want to build, create, and display your creation at the exhibit? If yes, click here.
Saanich: Craft & Connect Dec 25 (Thur) @Luther Court Society Lounge, 1525 Cedar Hill Cross Rd 3-4pm
Victoria: Moss Street Market Dec 26 (Sat) @Sir James Douglas School, 1330 Fairfield Rd 10am-1pm
Arts & Entertainment
Central Saanich: A Child’s Christmas in Wales Dec 23 (Tue) @173 Cultra Ave, Saanichton, 7:30pm
Victoria: The Sound of Music (19+) Dec 23, 27 & 29 (Tue/Sat/Mon) @The Vic Theatre, 808 Douglas St. 6pm
+ Friday Dinner & Drag Dec 26 (Fri) @537 Johnson St 6:30-9:15pm
+ Majesties Request: Music of The Rolling Stones Dec 27 (Sat) @Fernwood Inn, 1302 Gladstone Ave
+ The Gift of the Nutcracker Dec 28-30 (Sun-Tue) @Royal Theatre, 805 Broughton St 7:30pm
Sidney: Pinocchio the Panto Dec 26-28 (Fri-Sun) @Mary Winspear Centre, Charlie White Theatre, 2243 Beacon Ave
Active & Outdoors
Langford: Outdoor Skating at City Rink Winter Wonderland Dec 24 & 28 (Wed & Sun) @City Centre Park, 1089 Langford Parkway (tip: fill out the digital liability waiver beforehand)
Sooke: Boxing Day Run Dec 26 (Fri) – Sooke Trail and Road Runners @2633 River Rd 10am
Saanich: Ice Festival Public Skating Until Dec 27 @Pearkes Arena, 3100 Tillicum Rd
North Saanich: Winter Wonderland Public Skating Until Jan 1 @Panorama Rec Centre, 1885 Forest Park Dr 11am-3pm
Central Saanich: Ice Skating at Butchart Gardens Until Jan 6 @800 Benvenuto Ave, Brentwood Bay
Holiday Magic
View Royal: Light Up View Royal Dec 22 to Jan 2 – Take the Festive Tour and Vote!
Colwood: Christmas Lunch Dec 25 (Thur) @510 Mount View Ave 12pm
Victoria: Festive Bricks of Giving Until Dec 28 – Lego Displays & Interactive Play Stations @The Parkside Hotel, 810 Humboldt St. 9am-8pm
+ Lights of Wonder Until Dec 31 @10 Centennial Square
+ Festival of Trees Until Dec 31 @Bay Centre, 1150 Douglas St
+ Gingerbread Showcase Until Jan 4, 2026 @Hotel Grand Pacific, 463 Belleville St
Sooke: Festival of Trees Until Dec 26 @SEAPARC Rec Centre, 2168 Phillips Rd
North Saanich: Gingerbread House Challenge Until Dec 31 @Panorama Recreation, 1885 Forest Park Dr (houses displayed all December)
Esquimalt: Christmas Tree Village Until Jan 2 @Esquimalt Rec Centre, 527 Fraser St
Central Saanich: Lights Display at The Butchart Gardens Until Jan 6 @800 Benvenuto Ave, Brentwood Bay 3-9pm
Family Fun: Our Top 3 Picks
Three unique family experiences we're excited about this week:
1. 🧱 LEGO Dreams Come to Life in Sidney!
The 20th Annual LEGO Brick Exhibit returns to Sidney Museum (Dec 20-Apr 26)! Explore incredible displays AND submit your family's original creation for the Community Creations showcase. Got a master builder at home? This is their moment to shine alongside fellow brick artists. Your masterpiece could be museum-famous for 4-6 weeks!
2. 🎡 Lights of Wonder Magic Continues!
Centennial Square transforms into winter wonderland central through Dec 31! Ride the Ferris wheel, catch live mariachi and jazz performances, grab poutine and ice cream, snap photos in the FREE booth, and challenge friends to giant Jenga. Dec 26-30 brings daily entertainment, food trucks, and that iconic Ferris wheel spinning until 10 PM. Pure holiday joy!
3. 🤥 Pinocchio's Nose Grows in Sidney!
Watch Pinocchio the Panto at Mary Winspear Centre (Dec 26-28)! This mischievous wooden puppet—whose nose betrays every fib—adventures through chaos with Jiminy Cricket, Henry the Panto Horse, and the fabulous Dame Bella. Will he become a real boy? Come find out in this delightfully silly retelling perfect for families who love theatre, laughter, and a little magic!
News Bites
Your Favourite Beach Log Has a Secret
Those peaceful driftwood logs on our beaches? They're secretly bulldozing marine life. UVic researchers discovered that over 90% of beach logs move during storms, grinding across rocks and wiping out up to 80% of barnacle populations. Fewer barnacles mean less food for shorebirds—which the authors suggest explains why some bird populations have dropped 50% since 1970.
Full research in Marine Ecology or see UVic Science Communications Summary
Esquimalt Switches to Monitoring-Only for Deer Management
Esquimalt is shifting from contraceptives to monitoring-only for deer management, saving $75,000 annually while staff survey residents and develop a comprehensive plan for council to reconsider next year. The contraceptive program had reduced fawn births by 28% over three years. Mayor Barb Desjardins was the lone vote to continue, noting residents regularly raise concerns about safety and garden damage. One couple got stuck with a $300 bill to dispose of an injured deer in their yard. Oak Bay discontinued a similar program, and UVic researchers say they're hearing from Oak Bay residents that deer are becoming a problem again.
Read the full story in the Times Colonist
Have a wonderful festive week Greater Victoria! 🎄
