Christmas

The magic of Christmas celebration at the Butchart Gardens includes traditional carollers. (Brendan Mayer/News Staff)

‘Awe-inspiring’: Central Saanich’s Butchart Gardens brightens up for Christmas

The annual holiday celebration runs until Jan. 6

The magic of Christmas celebration at the Butchart Gardens includes traditional carollers. (Brendan Mayer/News Staff)
Traditional carollers sang during the Butchart Gardens light-up event Friday (Dec. 1). (Brendan Mayer/News Staff)

‘Awe-inspiring’: Central Saanich’s Butchart Gardens brightens up for Christmas

The annual holiday celebration runs until Jan. 6

Traditional carollers sang during the Butchart Gardens light-up event Friday (Dec. 1). (Brendan Mayer/News Staff)
As is December custom, the BC Legislature building shines bright for the holiday season, with highlights of red and green and a seasonal light display flowing from its famed fountain. (Courtesy of Emily Vance)

B.C. legislature in Victoria lights up for the season

The 39th annual Christmas Lights Across Canada celebration takes place Dec. 7

As is December custom, the BC Legislature building shines bright for the holiday season, with highlights of red and green and a seasonal light display flowing from its famed fountain. (Courtesy of Emily Vance)
3,200 people registered to visit during the first weekend of the Martini Town Merry & Bright Christmas event that has transformed the studio’s Aldergrove backlot into a winter wonderland. (Dan Ferguson/Langley Advance Times)

VIDEO: With movie magic, B.C. backlot transforms into Christmas wonderland

Martini Town Merry and Bright event will be open Wednesdays to Sundays until Jan. 1

3,200 people registered to visit during the first weekend of the Martini Town Merry & Bright Christmas event that has transformed the studio’s Aldergrove backlot into a winter wonderland. (Dan Ferguson/Langley Advance Times)
Michele Brynes, third-generation co-owner of the Dutch Bakery holds stollen that is a traditional holiday classic. (Ella Matte/News Staff)

Victoria bakery has ‘stollen’ hearts this holiday season

The Dutch Bakery is in high demand in December

Michele Brynes, third-generation co-owner of the Dutch Bakery holds stollen that is a traditional holiday classic. (Ella Matte/News Staff)
Lanny Seaton helped plant this tree. (Tim Collins/ Black Press Media)

Langford Christmas light-up stirs memories of days gone by

Lanny Seaton was a boy when he helped plant the great Christmas tree

  • Dec 1, 2023
Lanny Seaton helped plant this tree. (Tim Collins/ Black Press Media)
Visitors walk down an illuminated path during Milner Christmas Magic 2022. (Milner Gardens & Woodland Photo)

Milner Gardens Christmas Lights brightening Qualicum Beach in December

Festive lights display celebrating 20 years of plugging in the Christmas spirit

Visitors walk down an illuminated path during Milner Christmas Magic 2022. (Milner Gardens & Woodland Photo)
Klaus is an animated adventure comedy that explores how a simple act of kindness always sparks another. (Movie still)

Best Christmas movies to watch this holiday based on movie taste

From Hallmark heartfelt to a Silent Night of retribution, Christmas time brings noteworthy cinema

Klaus is an animated adventure comedy that explores how a simple act of kindness always sparks another. (Movie still)
The magic of Christmas is coming back to Butchart Gardens from Dec. 1 to Jan. 6. (Black Press Media file photo)

Central Saanich’s Butchart Gardens set to light up for magic of Christmas

The official light up event is on Dec. 1

The magic of Christmas is coming back to Butchart Gardens from Dec. 1 to Jan. 6. (Black Press Media file photo)
Operation Christmas Child gift boxes ready for shipping. (Operation Christmas Child photo)

Metchosin inmates help fill 3,233 shoeboxes to brighten up Christmas

Greater Victoria residents stepped up

  • Nov 24, 2023
Operation Christmas Child gift boxes ready for shipping. (Operation Christmas Child photo)
The Lights of Wonder event returns Dec. 1. (Colin Smith Takes Pics photo)

Downtown Victoria lights event returns with free horse-drawn trolley rides

And the lights will be on for the entire month of December

The Lights of Wonder event returns Dec. 1. (Colin Smith Takes Pics photo)
Christmas light tours Victoria. (Tim Collins)

Five out-of-the-ordinary things to do in Greater Victoria for the holidays

Get out this holiday season and enjoy the fun

  • Nov 23, 2023
Christmas light tours Victoria. (Tim Collins)
Oscar and Libby store owner Teri Hustins reports that the store makes a quarter of of their annual income during the 24 days of the holiday season. (Ella Matte/News Staff)

‘Pinched’ Victoria shoppers using credit cards less amid Christmas season

78% of Canadians plan to cut back on holiday spending, according to survey

Oscar and Libby store owner Teri Hustins reports that the store makes a quarter of of their annual income during the 24 days of the holiday season. (Ella Matte/News Staff)
An RCMP officer came to the rescue of two children stranded at Kelowna International Airport (YLW) on Christmas Eve. (Black Press file photo)

Constable Claus saves Christmas for kids stranded at Kelowna Airport

The 12 and 13-year-olds were trying to make it home to Victoria for Christmas from Alberta

An RCMP officer came to the rescue of two children stranded at Kelowna International Airport (YLW) on Christmas Eve. (Black Press file photo)
Brendon Moore celebrates after winning his race during the final race night at the Westshore Motorsports Park Saturday, Sept. 17, as the track shuts down permanently. (Justin Samanski-Langille/News Staff)

The Goldstream Gazette’s most-read stories from 2022

In 2022, helping hands flew meds and pizza to sexy town while cars circuited tracks & secret campsites

Brendon Moore celebrates after winning his race during the final race night at the Westshore Motorsports Park Saturday, Sept. 17, as the track shuts down permanently. (Justin Samanski-Langille/News Staff)
(Black Press Media Creative)

Christmas tree recycling is a good alternative to landfills

Taking down the Christmas tree is only one task after the holiday…

(Black Press Media Creative)
Victoria International Airport air traffic control unit operations specialist Jason Grist watches over the runway on Thursday, Dec. 15. For those who work inside the control tower, Christmas is just another day at the office. (Austin Westphal/News Staff)

YYJ’s holiday heroes work around the clock to keep planes safe

Christmas is just another day at the office for the folks at Victoria International Airport

Victoria International Airport air traffic control unit operations specialist Jason Grist watches over the runway on Thursday, Dec. 15. For those who work inside the control tower, Christmas is just another day at the office. (Austin Westphal/News Staff)
Santa Claus can be seen in many places at this time of year. (Pixabay.com)

QUIZ: How much do you know about Christmas traditions?

There are plenty of celebrations and customs on Dec. 25.

Santa Claus can be seen in many places at this time of year. (Pixabay.com)
(Black Press Media Elves)

NORAD Tracks Santa live: Follow St. Nick as he delivers presents around the world this Christmas Eve

Rest assured, kids of all ages: Santa’s coming this Christmas Eve. That’s…

(Black Press Media Elves)
Baking is a big part of Christmas traditions for some. On the left are Teresa Ackroyd’s gingerbread cookies and on the right is Angela Ferguson’s monkey bread. (Courtesy of Teresa Ackroyd/Angela Ferguson)

West Shore families putting new spins on old Christmas traditions

Welcome to the magic of monkeybread

Baking is a big part of Christmas traditions for some. On the left are Teresa Ackroyd’s gingerbread cookies and on the right is Angela Ferguson’s monkey bread. (Courtesy of Teresa Ackroyd/Angela Ferguson)