Dec 2 - Lit-up trucks, a stuffed bus, & Santa on a fire engine

Good morning !

December is underway, and with it some of Greater Victoria’s biggest holiday-season events and initiatives. Today we have a round-up of those, and plenty of the smaller events.

— Cam

Today’s approx. read time: 6 minutes

🌡️ Weather Forecast

Today: 🌥️ 10 / 5

Tomorrow: 🌧️ 11 / 6

Monday: 🌧️ 9 / 7

7-day forecast

NEWS

Early presents: Some of the biggest local holiday events launch this weekend

Lights of Wonder now up all month

The Centennial Square light display kicked off last night, weeks earlier than in previous years. Programming in the square continues tonight, and resumes Fri.-Sat. this month and then every day starting on Dec. 21. Offerings include trolley rides and photos, entertainment starting at 6pm, and, tonight, a cosplay contest befitting the day’s “Nerdy Nights Under the Lights” theme. [Schedule]  

Stuff the Bus is today, but no Santa Bus this year

A double-decker at Tillicum Mall today (9am-3pm) will be collecting donations of non-perishable food, new unused toys, and clothing; these will go to the Mustard Seed Food Bank and the Salvation Army. Meanwhile, also today, Langford is trying to stuff the Langford trolley for the Goldstream Food Bank.

However, the free Santa Bus (with the big red nose and sometimes antlers) will not make its usual annual experience. Citing existing fleet and resource challenges, BC Transit is unwilling to take a regular bus out of its standard service.

Westshore Winter Fest & Langford Light-Up

Langford’s big kick-off runs 3-7pm at the Langford Station, and 5-8pm at Veterans Memorial Park with activities like crafts, ice carving, live performances, food trucks, ice skating, wreath making, a tinsel gazebo, a holiday market, and more. Free hot dogs and hot chocolate. Santa arrives on a fire truck at 5:15pm, then the Langford tree is lit, and then an 8pm parade.

Read the full info at the Westshore.

WinterFest (the other one) at the Museum

RBCM hosts an all-day partly outdoor cultural event with Celtic music, highland dancers, lion dances, drumming, and more today. Tomorrow will have flamenco, taiko, Cuban jazz, drag, and caroling. A one-man Pride and Prejudice then runs both nights in the Old Town exhibit. [Schedule]

IEOA Truck Parade & Food Drive

This year’s route begins at Ogden Point at 5pm, runs along Dallas, through Oak Bay and downtown, and then over to the Westshore before wrapping up in Colwood at 8pm. See the route here and the food drive and livestream info here.

Truck Light Convoy rolls into its 25th year

The annual 80-truck convoy—one of the classic local signs of the holiday and winter seasons—has now run for a quarter-century. The parade portion was cancelled in 2020 due to COVID, but the food drive component still ran, and fundraised $18,500 for local food banks.

For that first year back, in 2021, Capital Daily talked to some of the drivers involved. All of the lights and decorations displayed on the trucks are bought and constructed by the drivers and their families, which can run them thousands of dollars for the more extravagant displays.

Pulling it off in time is also no small feat for drivers who are usually using their trucks for work right up until Friday before having to get them fully parade-ready on Saturday.

Read that story here. 

Find more seasonal events below in Things to Do.

⚠️ Capital Bulletin

High tide warning: A special weather statement for south coast flags high water on the peninsula and Gulf Islands today and tomorrow morning, and into Mon.-Tues. 

Storms coming to the Island, starting early this coming week.

Holiday CounterAttack spot checks are in place for the next month in ICBC-police save driving campaign. 

NEWS

Local environmental group’s melting ice stunt targets government climate policy 

Local lows haven’t dipped below zero degrees, but ice came to the Legislature lawn on Thursday. The environmental group Climate Justice Victoria (CJV) set up a large ice sculpture there, as “a symbol of the limited time that we have to act on the climate crisis and to demand the BC government freeze their LNG and fracking expansion plans.”

The action, timed in conjunction with the COP28 international UN climate conference in Dubai, was intended to spotlight both BC’s gas infrastructure moves and various other levels of government’s climate approaches. 

Activists argued locals should reject the idea that their individual behaviour can be enough to cause or prevent major climate change. Instead, CJV’s Mary Stewart told Capital Daily that the public should “[hold] governments and corporations to account” and “think about who really has the power and control to do what we demand.”  

More on the event and on local governments’ climate policy in the full story here. 

SPONSORED BY BELFRY THEATRE

A WONDERHEADS Christmas Carol opens today

“If Pixar ever decides to go into the theatre business, they better call Wonderheads first.” Calgary Herald

Praised by the CBC as “Pure magic” and the Globe and Mail as “Powerful, surprising and moving,” these acclaimed artists open their captivating holiday masterpiece, A WONDERHEADS Christmas Carol, at the Belfry today.

This astonishing production features glowing ghosts, 10-foot-tall puppets, and not a word of dialogue.

There are lots of treats in store for audiences as they are whisked away with Ebenezer Scrooge on his magical Christmas Eve adventure. Prepare to laugh, cry, and be utterly enchanted this holiday season!

The Belfry offers pay-what-you-want tickets to all performances. Some performances are sold out.

⭐️ Capital Picks

🐌 See the striking spiral snail shell, up close, of the largest land snail in BC. Photo by Heath Bleau on Saysutshun / Newcastle Island.

🎃 Wrap up fall with homemade dessert using this recipe for Pumpkin Spice Coffee Cake. [Tasting Victoria]

🌹 Holiday blooms: Why settle for dull & ordinary when you can splash some colour into this holiday season? Dive into the wonderful world of florals from The Root Cellar Potting Shed! Picture this: vibrant arrangements that'll make your heart skip a beat and your space glow with festive cheer! Whether it's for your pals, family, or to give yourself an extra dose of happy - these blooms are it! Call us at (250) 477-9495 ext 9 to book your custom florals today or swing by our stores to take your pick! Learn more here.*

😊 Now hiring: Corporate Controller - Hospitality at Westin Bear Mountain Resort & Spa

*Sponsored Listing

🗞️ In Other News

Langford left wondering why Victoria got CFL game
In Jan., it looked like the league had an eye on Starlight Stadium to host the first Touchdown Pacific game, but Wednesday it was announced the BC Lions and Ottawa Redblacks’ regular-season tilt would be played at Royal Athletic. Langford has reached out to the Lions to find out what happened, but hasn’t heard back. [CHEK]

BC Ferries renames ship to honour Indigenous heritage
The MV Kuper will now be known as the Pune’luxutth, which is the Hul’qumi’num’ word for Penelakut, the name chosen by the Penelakut Tribe. Kuper was associated with the former residential school of the same name, cultural assimilation, and a painful history. [BC Ferries]

🗓️ Things to do

 🎷 Big Hank’s Christmas Show: The big band will put on a bluesy Christmas show at Hermann’s Jazz Club tonight. Doors 5:30pm, show 7pm.

🎁 Christmas Spirit Market: Shop local goodies at Metchosin Community Hall today, 11am-5pm. First 30 people will receive a free gift bag.

⛸️ Esquimalt Skate with Santa: Hit the ice with Santa Claus today, with hot chocolate provided by the Esquimalt Lion’s Club, at the Archie Browning Centre. 2:30-4pm.

🎄 Saanichton Community Christmas: This annual Christmas party today at Saanichton Village will include carriage rides and cookie decorating, 9am-1pm.  

🎤 Feed The Need Food Drive: See Nautical Disaster perform songs from The Hip and fundraise for 100.3 the Q’s food drive tonight at Hermann’s Upstairs. Doors 7pm, show 8:30pm.

🛍️ Winter Bazaar: Check out 90+ artisans and makers at this market happening at Gorge Park Pavillion today and tomorrow, 11am-5pm.

🎶 Songs for a Winter’s Night: The Victoria Children's Choir will perform two festive matinee concerts at Alix Goolden Hall today and tomorrow. Doors 2:30pm, show 3pm.

🎮 Nerdy Days Christmas Fair: Get some nerdy crafts at this 10th annual fair, happening on the lower level of Market Square today and tomorrow, 11am-4pm.

🏨 Habitat for Humanity Gingerbread Showcase: 15th Gingerbread sculpture competition at Hotel Grand Pacific. Vote for your favourite sculpture themed around family traditions. 

👀 In Case You Missed It

Thursday’s headlines: Victoria couple wins $5M in lotto, BC Ferries’ Coastal Renaissance will not be ready for Christmas, man dressed as Santa arrested, and more. [Nov 30] 

UVic postpones games vs.Thompson Rivers after TRU athlete killed, and two more injured, in Kamloops crash.

Ferry won’t be back until new year; repairs continue for Coastal Renaissance. [Vancouver Sun]

That’s it!

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