Christmas

Capital Bike is hosting its traditional festive bike ride – cyclists will decorate their bikes and head out on a 10-kilometre loop around downtown Victoria. (Photo Courtesy of Corey Burger)
Capital Bike is hosting its traditional festive bike ride – cyclists will decorate their bikes and head out on a 10-kilometre loop around downtown Victoria. (Photo Courtesy of Corey Burger)
Santa Claus and firefighters with the Colwood Fire Department travel through the community during a previous Santa Go Round. Santa is set to return to the West Shore this year, starting in View Royal on Dec. 11. (Black Press Media file photo)

Santa Go Round returns to the West Shore this month

Santa joins View Royal firefighters Saturday (Dec. 11) spreading cheer, collecting food donations

Santa Claus and firefighters with the Colwood Fire Department travel through the community during a previous Santa Go Round. Santa is set to return to the West Shore this year, starting in View Royal on Dec. 11. (Black Press Media file photo)
Catherine Crewe of Fernie with the card that she and Nancy Nester of Invermere have been sending back and forth to each other since 1964. Pictured here in 2021. (Scott Tibballs / The Free Press)

60 years of good wishes: Two long-time Kootenay penpals keep a Christmas tradition alive

Catherine Crewe of Fernie, and Nancy Nester of Invermere have been sending the same card back and forth to each other since they were both five years old

Catherine Crewe of Fernie with the card that she and Nancy Nester of Invermere have been sending back and forth to each other since 1964. Pictured here in 2021. (Scott Tibballs / The Free Press)
(Back row, L-R) Grand Forks’ Travis Tysick, wife Rena Bronstein, neighbours Karren Turner, Shirley and Ross Munro and Shane Zorn gather in front of a giant Santa on Valley Heights Drive Tuesday evening, Dec. 7. In the front row (L-R) are Cameron, Shannon and Blake Zorn and the Zorns’ dog, Marty. Photo: Laurie Tritschler

Giant Santas come to Grand Forks neighbourhood

The Santas are massive and somewhat costly, but neighbours say they’re worth it

(Back row, L-R) Grand Forks’ Travis Tysick, wife Rena Bronstein, neighbours Karren Turner, Shirley and Ross Munro and Shane Zorn gather in front of a giant Santa on Valley Heights Drive Tuesday evening, Dec. 7. In the front row (L-R) are Cameron, Shannon and Blake Zorn and the Zorns’ dog, Marty. Photo: Laurie Tritschler
Mohamed Zeid (second from left) with staff members at Pharmasave Sooke, next to one of the three Christmas wish trees. (Bailey Moreton - Sooke News Mirror)

Sooke pharmacy making Christmas wishes come true

Gifts go to Ayre Manor residents, Sooke Christmas Bureau and the women’s transition house

Mohamed Zeid (second from left) with staff members at Pharmasave Sooke, next to one of the three Christmas wish trees. (Bailey Moreton - Sooke News Mirror)
The Malahat SkyWalk will host numerous events over the Christmas season. (John McKinley/Black Press)

Malahat Skywalk gearing up for Christmas

Number of events planned over festive season

  • Dec 7, 2021
The Malahat SkyWalk will host numerous events over the Christmas season. (John McKinley/Black Press)
Grace Sinats (centre) plays Eddie Scrooge, a 17-year-old with a bah-humbug attitude. (Megan Atkins-Baker/News Staff)

Claremont students bring modern version of Scrooge to Saanich

Humbug High, showing Dec. 9 to 11, features in-person and livestream options for audiences

Grace Sinats (centre) plays Eddie Scrooge, a 17-year-old with a bah-humbug attitude. (Megan Atkins-Baker/News Staff)
Virginia MacLeod reads to children during storytime at the Sidney/North Saanich Regional Library. The library is hosting multiple holiday themed events this month. (Black Press Media file photo)

Sidney’s library lines up family holiday activities

Scavenger hunt, story walk planned throughout the month

Virginia MacLeod reads to children during storytime at the Sidney/North Saanich Regional Library. The library is hosting multiple holiday themed events this month. (Black Press Media file photo)
There were several trucks decorated with Christmas lights in the Sooke Santa Claus Parade. (Kevin Laird - Sooke News Mirror)

Sooke sparkles during annual Santa Claus Parade

32 entries were in this year’s parade, led by Naden Band of the Royal Canadian Navy

There were several trucks decorated with Christmas lights in the Sooke Santa Claus Parade. (Kevin Laird - Sooke News Mirror)
Milner Gardens and Woodland entrance sign. (Mandy Moraes photo)
Milner Gardens and Woodland entrance sign. (Mandy Moraes photo)
More than 80 trucks covered in holiday decorations rolled through Greater Victoria’s street Saturday night, during the 23rd IEOA Truck Light Convoy and Food Drive. (Justin Samanski-Langille/News Staff)

PHOTOS: IEOA Truck Light Convoy shines throughout Greater Victoria

More than 80 trucks participated in this year’s parade and food drive

More than 80 trucks covered in holiday decorations rolled through Greater Victoria’s street Saturday night, during the 23rd IEOA Truck Light Convoy and Food Drive. (Justin Samanski-Langille/News Staff)
At more than nine metres wide, the enlarged Colwood Star can be seen from afar, now that it is remounted on the back of Dwayne Gordon and Leah Moreau’s Triangle Mountain home. (Photo Courtesy of Chris Gordon)

Scaled-up Colwood star shines down on city for second year

After receiving plenty of positive feedback last year, homeowners make it bigger and brighter

At more than nine metres wide, the enlarged Colwood Star can be seen from afar, now that it is remounted on the back of Dwayne Gordon and Leah Moreau’s Triangle Mountain home. (Photo Courtesy of Chris Gordon)
Greater Victoria residents are encouraged to light up their properties with holiday decorations this month, and to enter into the Light up the City contest though vicnews.com/contests, with the top-voted displays earning prizes from Helijet International, Peninsula Co-op, and other local sponsors. Pictured is a display from the 2020 contest. (Photo Courtesy of Greater Victoria Festival Society)

Light Up The City holiday decoration contest returns to Greater Victoria

Enter and vote for your favourites at vicnews.com/contests until Dec. 17

Greater Victoria residents are encouraged to light up their properties with holiday decorations this month, and to enter into the Light up the City contest though vicnews.com/contests, with the top-voted displays earning prizes from Helijet International, Peninsula Co-op, and other local sponsors. Pictured is a display from the 2020 contest. (Photo Courtesy of Greater Victoria Festival Society)
Members of the Brentwood Bay Community Association watch as Josh Gait of the Driftwood Communications hangs the first of 14 Christmas lights along West Saanich Road. Christmas decorations have also gone up outside Sidney outside Municipal Hall, along Beacon Avenue and Tulista Park with a large Christmas tree lighting the way along Lochside Drive. (Wolf Depner/News Staff)

Saanich Peninsula lights up as crews prep for Christmas

Community association helps to light up Brentwood Bay

Members of the Brentwood Bay Community Association watch as Josh Gait of the Driftwood Communications hangs the first of 14 Christmas lights along West Saanich Road. Christmas decorations have also gone up outside Sidney outside Municipal Hall, along Beacon Avenue and Tulista Park with a large Christmas tree lighting the way along Lochside Drive. (Wolf Depner/News Staff)
St. Mary’s Church Rev. Canon Craig Hiebert peruses Cartoons from Punch, one of the many collector books available by silent auction during the Christmas books sale at the church on Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. (Christine van Reeuwyk/News Staff)

Vintage reads up for auction during annual Christmas book sale in Oak Bay

Charities on hand to offer information, gift ideas during Dec. 4 event

St. Mary’s Church Rev. Canon Craig Hiebert peruses Cartoons from Punch, one of the many collector books available by silent auction during the Christmas books sale at the church on Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. (Christine van Reeuwyk/News Staff)
Muppet Man of Duncan B.C.’s Helmet Head Canada has shared the locations of this year’s holiday toy drive. (Courtesy of Helmet Head Canada)

Helmet cover company undertaking Vancouver Island hospital toy drive

Donations accepted at Bay Centre, Barnes Harley Davidson, North Oyster Fire Department

Muppet Man of Duncan B.C.’s Helmet Head Canada has shared the locations of this year’s holiday toy drive. (Courtesy of Helmet Head Canada)
Author and book

Nanaimo author pens an instant-Christmas classic with a modern twist!

Christmas is a time of tradition. Most children look forward to enjoying…

  • Nov 29, 2021
Author and book
A group checks out the Whoville display on a truck trailer at Westshore Motorsports Park (formerly Western Speedway) after the annual Truck Light Convoy. This year’s event rolls through Greater Victoria on Dec. 4. (Black Press Media)

23rd IEOA Truck Light Convoy/Food Drive set to wow Greater Victoria after a year away

Lit-up vehicles set to hit the streets again on Dec. 4 after COVID-19 cancelled 2020 event

A group checks out the Whoville display on a truck trailer at Westshore Motorsports Park (formerly Western Speedway) after the annual Truck Light Convoy. This year’s event rolls through Greater Victoria on Dec. 4. (Black Press Media)
Santa traditionally rides in to Oak Bay village atop a fire truck. (Black Press Media file photo)

Oak Bay light up festivities spread out through holiday season

Added over-the-sidewalk lighting amps up party atmosphere on The Avenue

Santa traditionally rides in to Oak Bay village atop a fire truck. (Black Press Media file photo)
Mrs. Claus and Santa Claus wave to onlookers as they make their way down Government Street during the 2021 Peninsula Co-Op Santa Light Parade Saturday, Nov. 27. (Justin Samanski-Langille/News Staff)

PHOTOS: Parade of lights kicks off the holiday season, bringing cheer to downtown Victoria

More than 50 floats and groups participated and hundreds lined Government Street despite heavy rain

Mrs. Claus and Santa Claus wave to onlookers as they make their way down Government Street during the 2021 Peninsula Co-Op Santa Light Parade Saturday, Nov. 27. (Justin Samanski-Langille/News Staff)