Victoria Winter Guide 2025
Your guide to the ultimate Victoria vacation - EXTRA cozy edition!Winter Activities
Walking Tours
Bundle up and wander through downtown Victoria’s winter charm—twinkling lights, cozy cafés, and the scent of something delicious around every corner.
Off the Eaten Track
Discover Off the Eaten Track Food Tours—Victoria’s original and largest culinary walking tour company. Since 2012, they’ve been offering guided food tours in Victoria, BC that highlight the city’s hidden gems, historic neighborhoods, and locally loved eateries.
Each tour includes delicious tastings, rich storytelling, and insider tips from passionate local guides. Whether you’re a first-time visitor or a local foodie, Off the Eaten Track provides a fun and flavorful way to experience the city like never before.
Cozy Christmas Food Tour
Get into the holiday spirit with our Cozy Christmas Food Tour! You’ll enjoy decadent treats—from savoury cheese and spiced nuts to rich chocolates, hot-drinking chocolate and a seasonal toast—while exploring twinkling streets, boutique food shops, and the city’s iconic holiday sights.
Perfect for food-loving locals who want to celebrate the season with something memorable, photo-worthy and indulgent.
Plus: we donate $2 from every ticket to the BC Children’s Hospital Foundation—so it’s feel-good as well as delicious.
Catch a Show
Victoria’s theatre scene is vibrant and diverse, blending historic charm with contemporary storytelling. From the grand Royal Theatre and the intimate McPherson Playhouse to the innovative Belfry Theatre in Fernwood, the city offers everything from Broadway tours and symphonies to Canadian plays and local performances. Whether you’re looking for world-class productions or community-driven shows, Victoria’s theatres provide a rich cultural experience year-round.
Royal Theatre
The Royal Theatre in downtown Victoria is a beautifully restored Edwardian-era playhouse that’s been entertaining audiences since 1913. With its ornate chandeliers, velvet seats, and grand architecture, it’s the city’s premier stage for everything from Broadway shows and ballet to symphony concerts and comedy. A visit here is both a cultural experience and a step back in time. Browse their calendar today!
McPherson Playhouse
The McPherson Playhouse, affectionately known as “The Mac,” is a charming historic theatre in Victoria’s Old Town. Originally built in 1914 as a vaudeville house, it now hosts concerts, plays, film festivals, and community performances. With its intimate size, ornate details, and rich history, it’s one of the city’s most beloved cultural venues. Check out the upcoming shows here!
Belfry Theatre
The Belfry Theatre, housed in a renovated 19th-century church in Victoria’s Fernwood neighbourhood, is known for its intimate setting and focus on contemporary Canadian plays. With thought-provoking productions and a commitment to local storytelling, the Belfry is a cultural hub that brings fresh, engaging theatre to the heart of the community. See what’s coming up!
Butchart Gardens
A visit to Victoria, BC isn’t complete without experiencing the world-famous Butchart Gardens. Founded by Jennie Butchart in 1904, this former limestone quarry has blossomed into one of Canada’s most iconic horticultural landmarks. Open year-round, Butchart Gardens is especially stunning in the fall, when its vibrant floral displays are transitioning to autumn hues.
Visiting The Butchart Gardens in winter is like stepping into a storybook. The world-famous gardens are transformed into a dazzling display of twinkling lights, colourful ornaments, and festive scenes that bring the holidays to life.
Each pathway glows with charm, from the Twelve Days of Christmas displays to the skating rink and cozy refreshment stands serving hot chocolate and cider. Without the summer crowds, winter offers a more peaceful and intimate way to explore the gardens’ beauty. It’s an enchanting experience that captures the magic of the season and reminds visitors why The Butchart Gardens is one of Victoria’s most beloved attractions year-round.
High Tea
If you’ve made it this far, indulging in high tea is an experience you won’t want to miss. This elegant tradition is a delightful nod to Victoria’s British heritage, and one of the city’s most iconic culinary experiences.
Several renowned afternoon tea spots in downtown Victoria offer a perfect blend of sophistication and charm—complete with fine China, tiered trays of finger sandwiches, fresh-baked scones, and premium teas.
While this activity can be enjoyed year-round, there’s like a warm cup of tea on a cool winter day!
The Empress
For a truly regal experience, don’t miss afternoon tea at the Fairmont Empress—one of the most iconic and luxurious high tea experiences in Victoria, BC. Set in the elegant Lobby Lounge of the historic hotel, this tradition has been delighting guests for over a century.
The Fairmont Empress also offers an exclusive collection of premium loose-leaf teas, served in royal China gifted by Queen Elizabeth herself in 1939, adding an authentic royal touch to this quintessential Victoria afternoon tea experience.
Pendray Inn & Tea House
If you’re looking for a cozier afternoon tea experience, the Pendray Inn & Tea House is the perfect choice. Located in a beautifully restored heritage mansion, the Pendray offers a warm, historic setting that blends charm, comfort, and sophistication.
Guests can enjoy a thoughtfully curated menu of afternoon tea delights, with vegan, gluten-free, and children’s options available—making it one of the most inclusive high tea experiences. For something a little different, the Scottish High Tea is a hearty and flavorful twist on the classic sit-down, featuring unique menu items inspired by traditional Scottish fare.
Winter Artisan Markets
As the weather cools and leaves begin to glow, Victoria’s fall markets come alive with a warm burst of local flavour, art, and community. Whether you’re shopping for crisp fall produce, baked goods, candles, or handcrafted gifts, the range of possibilities is inspiring.
Esquimalt Holiday Market
The EFM Holiday Market is where food lovers do their Christmas shopping, showcasing over 90 beloved EFM vendors from this Summer, Fall, and seasons past. From gourmet treats and artisanal condiments to culinary-inspired gifts like handcrafted pottery, linens & kitchenware, you’ll discover a treasure trove of foodie finds. It’s the ultimate spot to pick up something truly special for your holiday table or that hard-to-shop-for gourmet.
You will also find handmade jewelry, children’s clothing, ornaments, greeting cards, artwork, youth vendors and so much more.
Yuletide Market Series
We are excited to once again have local businesses showcasing their beautiful products across 7 different markets, including a Night Market – the 2025 Yuletide Market Series is not one to miss! Designed as a retail pop-up store, the Christmas craft markets have a rotating list of vendors, ensuring no two market weekends are the same.
Visit the Yuletide Market Series this season and discover why we are one of the most popular Christmas craft markets in Victoria. This is a fantastic opportunity to support and shop local leading into the holiday season.
Victorian Christmas Craft Fair
Since 1994 , families and friends across greater Victoria have made the Victorian Christmas Craft Fair a cherished holiday tradition. This November step into a festive marketplace alive with the charm of Christmas past- where handmade treasures, local artistry , and the warmth of community come together.
Browse the creations of 80 local artists and makers. From hand – thrown pottery, intricate jewelry and timeless woodcrafts to cozy knits and fine art – every booth is filled with gifts made to be cherished
Winter Events
November
- Festival of Trees (November 14 – January 5)
- Wander through the Bay Centre to see over 90 beautifully decorated trees created by local businesses and organizations. Each one is unique, festive, and totally Instagram-worthy. Vote for your favourite and support BC Children’s Hospital
- Gingerbread Showcase (November 21 – January 4)
- An iconic Victoria holiday tradition, Habitat Victoria’s Gingerbread Showcase, presented by Peninsula Co-op and hosted at the Hotel Grand Pacific is back for its 17th year! This is Habitat Victoria’s premier annual fundraising event, helping local families build a foundation through affordable homeownership
- Cozy Christmas Food Tour (November 22 – December 31)
- Soak up Victoria’s holiday charm — the perfect festive outing to make everyone merry and bright. Indulge in the season’s best holiday-themed food and visit local shops to pick-up that perfect gift
- Lights of Wonder (November 30 – December 31)
- Downtown Victoria transforms into a glowing wonderland at Centennial Square! Stroll beneath twinkling tunnels of light, snap magical holiday photos, and enjoy live entertainment and food vendors
December
- Christmas at Butchart Gardens (December 1 – January 6)
- Christmas is a cheerful time of year at The Gardens. Bundle up and stroll through the Twelve Days of Christmas displays to discover each scene while you sing along to the classic Christmas carol
- Christmas Pops with Victoria Symphony (December 6)
- Get into the festive spirit with an evening of holiday classics, sing-along favourites, and heartwarming symphonic cheer. This beloved annual concert brings sparkle and joy to the season — the perfect mix of elegance, nostalgia, and holiday magic
