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This week, Greater Victoria is serving up monster truck mayhem, '80s roller skating vibes, and the return of a popular charity fundraiser. Whether you're crushing cars or crafting (free) ice cream sundaes, there's something wonderfully fun happening in every corner of our region.
Our Family Fun picks range from freestyle motocross to FREE teen movie nights with DIY sundae bars (parents, you're welcome). And in News Bites? How Rubik’s Cube is thriving in our digital age, and new choirs that celebrate wonky singing.
Let's dive in! 🌊
Not a subscriber yet? [Subscribe for free] and you’ll be automatically entered to win an autographed $50 book. (Entries close Sunday!)
📚 FINAL WEEK: $50 BOOK GIVEAWAY
Your last chance to win one of 10 autographed hardcover books by New York Times bestselling author Tilar J. Mazzeo (value: $50 each).
Make it a thoughtful gift for the book lover in your family!
BONUS: The author presents at UVic on January 20th. If you win, get your book signed in person!
HOW TO ENTER:
Subscribe to Greater Victoria Scoop (free!) by Sunday, January 18
Already a subscriber? You're automatically entered!
Earn 3 bonus entries for every friend who subscribes using your referral link
Contest closes Sunday!
Family Fun: Our Top 3 Picks
Three unique family experiences we're excited about this week
🛼 Friday Night Roller Skating in Saanich
Jan 16 (Fri), 6:30-8:30pm @Pearkes Rec Centre
Roll into the weekend! Skate rentals available ($8, sizes J13-M13) or bring your own inline skates. Drop-in fun for the whole family—from kiddos gliding around to parents showing off their old-school moves. Who's ready to bring back the '80s?
🎬 FREE Movie & Sundaes for Teens in Sidney
Jan 16 (Fri), 6-8pm @Greenglade Community Centre
Teens ages 11-16: Grab your friends for a movie night with cozy seating, chill vibes, and a DIY ice cream sundae bar. Pick your toppings, craft your ultimate sundae, and settle in for a popular teen film. It's free and fun. (Reservations recommended!)
🚗 Monster Trucks Roll in Victoria
Jan 17-18 (Sat-Sun) @Save-On-Foods Memorial Centre
600 tons of dirt. Five massive monster trucks (hello, Rockstar and Spitfire!). Freestyle motocross flying through the air. Car-crushing, wheelie contests, and 15,000 horsepower of pure adrenaline. This Motorsports Spectacular is LOUD, thrilling, and guaranteed to make your kids say, "that was AWESOME!"
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Active & Outdoors
Victoria: Free Dance Days: 10-Day Festival Jan 16-25 – Click the Dance Days Calendar.
Saanich: Taking a Lichen to Nature (Guided Adult Walk) 18 Years+ Jan 17 (Sat) @Francis/King Regional Park 1:30-3:30pm ($8 pre-register)
+ Magnificent Mosses (Guided Walk) – All Ages Jan 18 (Sun) @ Elk/Beaver Lake Regional Park 1:30-3pm (Meet at Nature Centre/Beaver Beach Parking Lot)
Arts & Entertainment
Victoria: Live Pro Wresting Jan 16 (Fri) @First Met Hall 932 Balmoral Rd
+ Snowed in Comedy Tour Jan 17 (Sat) @Royal Theatre, 805 Broughton St 7:30pm
+ Motorsports Spectacular: Monster Trucks Jan 17-18 (Sat-Sun) @ Save-On-Foods Memorial Centre
Esquimalt: Music Bingo Jan 17 (Sat) @Archie Browing Arena 6:30-10:30pm
Metchosin: Life Drawing/Portraits with Live Models Jan 20 (Tue) @Arts & Cultural Centre, 4495 Happy Valley Rd 10am-2pm
News Bites
From Budapest to Greater Victoria: One Kid's New Rubik's Cube Obsession
The puzzle that stumped its own inventor for a month is thriving in Greater Victoria. Last week, nearly 80 competitors gathered for a World Cube Association competition in Victoria—including a middle school student from Greater Victoria competing for his first time. Now hooked, he's sharing his cube journey on his new YouTube channel "Question Mark Cubing." Not bad for a toy created 51 years ago by Budapest architecture professor Erno Rubik, now 81, who initially couldn't solve his own "spatial logic toy." Today, the Cube is finding new fans faster than ever—proof that our digital age hasn't killed the appeal of analog puzzles, it's amplified it.
Langford and Sidney Launch "Wonky Notes Welcome" Choirs
Can't carry a tune? Perfect—you're exactly who these new choirs want. Sharon Marnell is bringing the UK's "Tuneless Choir" movement to Greater Victoria with launches last week in Langford (Thursday) and Sidney (Wednesday). The goal isn't perfection—it's joy, confidence, and "wonderfully imperfect" singalongs. Marnell's English choir once opened for the Proclaimers at a 15,000-person festival. Her advice? Sing loud, sing wonky, and have fun.
[Full story - Times Colonist]
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Community & Creative
*University of Victoria: Lansdowne Public Lecture by NYT Bestselling Author Tilar J. Mazzeo – “Courage in Forgotten Spaces: Tales of Mutiny, Rescue, and Resistance Across Continents” Jan 20th at 4pm (Free to Public). UVic Campus, Elliot Building, Room 167. Refer a friend to the Greater Victoria Scoop for a chance to win her latest book, personally autographed for you!
Esquimalt: Pierogi Fest 2026 Jan 14 (Wed) @3-1048 Tillicum Rd 5:30pm
Victoria: 20th Annual Victoria Whiskey Festival Jan 15-18 (Thur-Sun) @Hotel Grand Pacific
+ Intention: A Wellness Getaway in Victoria Until Jan 18 (Sun) @Hosted by Destination Greater Victoria (see link for details)
Sidney: FREE Movie & Sundaes: Teen Lounge Ages 11-16 Jan 16 (Fri) @Greenglade Community Centre, 2151 Lannon Way 6-8pm
Saanich: Victoria Model Railway Club Jan 16 to Feb 28 @3170 Tillicum Rd
Central Saanich: ‘Cozy Rituals’ Mini Retreat at Sea Cider Jan 18 (Sun) @Sea Cider Farm & Ciderhouse, 2487 Mt St Michael Rd 11am-3pm
🌅 On the Horizon
Planning ahead? Here are a few events worth noting for the coming weeks:
Victoria: Victoria’s Annual Dine Around and Stay in Town Jan 23 to Feb 8 (60 restaurants participating) Check them out!
+ Victoria Film Festival 2026 Feb 6-15 @Check out the entire festival programs for a film that catches your eye!
+ Gabby’s Dollhouse LIVE! March 14 (Sat) @Save-On-Foods Memorial Centre 4pm
Have a great week Greater Victoria! 💙
