- Capital Daily
- Posts
- Jan 6 - January events in Victoria
Jan 6 - January events in Victoria
Traffic delays coming to Douglas at Burnside. One person killed in Saanichton fire.
Capital Daily Team
January 06, 2026
Good morning !
Did you miss us? We’re back from a restful holiday break and ready to share Victoria news with you throughout 2026!
— Robyn
Today’s approx. read time: 6 minutes
🌡️ Weather Forecast
NEWS
Events happening in Greater Victoria this January
Snowed In Comedy Tour comedians. Photo: Snowed In Comedy Tour
January invites you to embrace the new year with open arms and an open calendar. While the post-holiday month can often feel a bit sleepy, Victoria will be buzzing with a variety of events.
From the soaring sounds of Tina Turner's story at the Royal Theatre and intimate jazz sessions at Hermann's to forest adventures and comedy nights, there are plenty of ways to chase away the winter blues.
Whether you're seeking an outdoor experience, world-class music, or simply a good laugh with friends, this month delivers countless ways to connect, create, and kick off 2026 with intention and joy.
⚠️ Capital Bulletin
Missing person: Treshaun, 28, last seen Sept. 9 in Rockland area. [VicPD]
Missing person: Patricia, 30, from North Cowichan/Duncan area was last heard from on Nov. 26. [RCMP]
Galloping Goose closed between Cecelia and Gorge East. Detour via Waterfront. [CRD]
Saanich road closure:
Iona between Cedar Hill X and Broadmead, through Jan. 16, 24/7, for sidewalk work
Driving today? Check the current traffic situation via Google.
Support local journalism by supporting Capital Daily. Become a Capital Daily Insider member today and help bring local stories to life.
NEWS
Underground cable replacement to close lanes on Douglas between Topaz and Burnside
Douglas and Burnside intersection. Photo: Google Maps
The Christmas rush is over, and we’re in the tourist shoulder season, so it’s probably the best time for an annoying—albeit necessary—traffic inconvenience. Expect some delays starting next week if you use Douglas between Topaz and Burnside.
Beginning Monday, BC Hydro will be digging up the street to replace a corroded underground transmission cable that runs from Victoria to Esquimalt.
In August 2023, a circuit failed in Arbutus Park near the shoreline of the Gorge Waterway and Cecelia Creek, and when BC Hydro went to repair it, they found widespread corrosion on the cable’s outer sheath, the utility said.
The cable runs 2.7 km between Horsey Substation near Topaz and the Esquimalt Substation by Dominion, meaning it goes underwater below the Gorge.
If you cycle, you likely have noticed that a section of the Galloping Goose through Viaduct Park (between Cecelia and Gorge East) has been closed since mid-November.
That’s part of the prep work—where the steel sections of the sheet pile shoring were welded to form a continuous, stable wall that will be pushed up to 10 metres into the ground to keep out groundwater during soil excavation.
Back to Douglas, BC Hydro said it expects the major corridor to be a construction zone for five weeks, with excavation work forcing lane closures during daytime hours.
And if you’re wondering: no, they can’t do this work at night for safety reasons, BC Hydro said.
For the first week, two southbound lanes and one—or possibly two—northbound lanes are expected to be open, but you won’t be able to turn onto Topaz from Douglas, and you’ll have to detour using Blanshard, Nanaimo, or Quesnel. There will be no left turns from Douglas northbound onto Burnside.
The second phase, starting the week of Jan. 19, will be down the middle of the street, but two lanes are slated to remain open in both directions. Again, you won’t be able to turn onto Burnside, which will be the scene of the third phase.
Electronic signboards were expected to be installed yesterday.
Construction in the Gorge Waterway—adjacent to the Selkirk Trestle—is scheduled for the summer, so expect barges, excavators, and silt curtains to dot the waterway for three to 10 days.
BC Hydro said it issued a notice to all water recreation groups and businesses on Dec. 8.
SPONSORED BY CONTINUING STUDIES AT THE UNIVERSITY OF VICTORIA
AI can do that? Discover the possibilities
“One person realized AI could generate knitting patterns and another used it to help plan her wedding,” shares Peter Scott, an instructor with Continuing Studies at UVic.
As tools like ChatGPT and Gemini become mainstream, more people are seeking practical training to build hands-on AI skills they can use in their work and everyday lives.
“The number of things AI can do for you is far bigger than I could ever imagine,” describes Peter.
It’s no surprise that practical AI training is growing. Whether you want to develop your skills for personal or professional use this year, here’s one way AI can support you with your goals.
⭐️ Capital Picks
🏮 Oldest Chinatown in Canada: A closer look at Fan Tan Alley over the decades. [Facebook photos]
🧑🏫 Glenlyon Norfolk School empowers students to lead with confidence. Attend an upcoming Open House to see how IB learning and belonging shape extraordinary futures.*
🐐 A running start to 2026: See the goats at Beacon Hill Children’s Farm kick off the year with a mini stampede. [BHCF]
🎄 Enjoy the final day of The Magic of Christmas at The Butchart Gardens. 3pm - 9pm with viewing until 10pm. Pets welcome after 8pm.*
*Sponsored Listing
SPONSORED BY DANCE VICTORIA
Belle Spirale Brings Ambitious Double-bill to Victoria
Worlds are born and collide in Belle Spirale Dance Projects' UNIVERSUS (Vancouver), a striking double bill choreographed by Alexis Fletcher and Fernando Hernando Magadan. Featuring eight powerful dancers, the work explores resilience, balance, vulnerability, and our place in a changing world. On January 16 at the McPherson Playhouse.
🗞️ In Other News
One dead after house fire in Saanichton
A man, 60, is dead after an early Sunday morning blaze burned through a home on Genoa Place. Two other men were in the house—one escaped through a window, and the other was rescued by fire crews. Both surviving men were treated by paramedics, with one sent to the hospital in critical condition. Central Saanich Fire Chief Stacey Lee said the blaze was well underway when crews arrived, and the home was destroyed. [Times Colonist]
Police search for suspect after teen assaulted
A 14-year-old boy in Saanich was attacked from behind, knocked to the ground, and punched several times by an adult male before having his phone stolen. Another suspect, an adult female, was seen waiting in the car. The assault happened Dec. 1 and was caught on a security camera. [CTV]
Victoria business owner feels left hung out to dry by 911
The owner of a dry cleaning business on Blanshard says he’s lost confidence in E-Comm, which directs callers in the 911 system. Peter Quakenbush of One Hour Dry Cleaners says five times in the last five years he’s called 911 only to be hung up on or directed to call VicPD’s non-emergency number. He says most recently—last month—he was threatened outside his store by a man with a stick. E-Comm says an error was made, and the company is using it as a training lesson so that it isn’t repeated. [CHEK]
Enjoying our newsletter? Help us make it even better!
Become an Insider member and help keep local journalism and storytelling alive in the Capital Region.
SPONSORED BY 825 FORT
Contemporary Rentals. Heritage Soul.
825 Fort welcomes residents February 2026, offering 119 rental homes in downtown Victoria's most walkable neighbourhood. From heritage studios to penthouses, each suite features air conditioning, concrete construction, and modern design. Rooftop amenities, bike storage, Modo car share, and pet-friendly living complete this character-filled community by The Salient Group. Register here.
🗓️ Things To Do
🌊 Coastal Forest Bathing at Malahat SkyWalk: Start the year with a self-guided forest immersion experience high above the Salish Sea, complete with complimentary hot tea and intention-setting along elevated walkways. Daily in January. 9am-3pm. [Info]
🧱 20th Annual LEGO Brick Exhibit: Celebrate two decades of impressive LEGO builds and community creations from local builders at this beloved annual showcase at the Sidney Museum. Now through April 6. [Info]
🎤👠 Tina: The Tina Turner Musical: Experience the electrifying story of the Queen of Rock n' Roll in this Pulitzer Prize-winning musical, featuring her most beloved hits, at the Royal Theatre. Now through Sunday. Various showtimes. [Info]
🖌️ A Living Legacy: Elizabeth Carefoot: Discover 60+ years of vibrant artistic work from BC legend Elizabeth Carefoot, with all proceeds supporting the Gage Gallery in this special no-commission sale, plus an opening reception tomorrow. 5-7:30pm. Artist talk on Sunday. 1-2pm. [Info]
🎶 Sing Together: Join this welcoming community singing event where songs are taught by call and response—no experience needed—at Cordova Bay United Church tomorrow. 6:30-7:30pm. [Info]
🎨 Art Battle Victoria: Live, competitive painting. In three fast-paced rounds, artists battle the clock and each other to create their best work in just 20 minutes at Capital Ballroom. Sat. 7pm. [Info]
👀 In Case You Missed It
Sea lion ‘bachelor party’ hits Trial Islands. [Times Colonist]
First 2026 sighting of Bigg’s orcas off BC’s coast. [CTV]
Bear spray incident at Mayfair Shopping Centre: patrons hit at food court. [VicPD]
6 things that will cost more in BC in 2026. [Vancouver Sun]
Island Venezuelans react to US incursion back home. [CHEK]
New from Mateína: A zero sugar, organic yerba mate that delivers clean, balanced energy — no crash, no weird ingredients. Just fuel that works.*
Sabayon’s has opened in the Bay Centre. [Details]
Island Olympian: Victoria cross-country skier Amelia Wells to compete for Canada in February’s Winter Olympics in Italy.
*Sponsored Listing
That’s it!
If you found something useful, consider forwarding this newsletter to a fellow Victorian.
And before you go, let us know:
What did you think of today's newsletter? |