Happy New Year's week, Greater Victoria!

We're wrapping up our first four months of bringing you local stories and events—and what a journey it's been.

This week's newsletter is packed: 7 polar bear dips across the region, hockey on New Year's Day, Victoria's first-ever Kwanzaa Bazaar, live blind dates you can watch unfold in real time, and our countdown of the Top 10 News Bites you loved most in 2025. We're also sharing our family's top 3 picks—and yes, we're actually doing all three this week.

Whether you're taking the plunge into icy waters, catching one last glimpse of holiday lights, or looking for something fun to do with the family, we've got you covered.

Let's make this first week of 2026 one to remember. Thank you for being here. 💙

Not a subscriber yet? [Subscribe for free]—don't miss the good stuff happening across Greater Victoria, plus our exclusive book giveaway.