Christmas

Work is underway to bring a Nordic-themed Christmas display to Uptown Shopping Centre. Attractions include a 40-foot ice rink, a hand-painted road mural and a giant Christmas tree. (Black Press Media file photo)

Outdoor skating rink, road mural among holiday festivities at Saanich mall

Santa dons a clear mask for photos at Uptown this winter

Work is underway to bring a Nordic-themed Christmas display to Uptown Shopping Centre. Attractions include a 40-foot ice rink, a hand-painted road mural and a giant Christmas tree. (Black Press Media file photo)
The Sooke Santa Run will head out into the community with Christmas lights and holiday music on Dec. 12, but organizers are asking for donations online for 2020. (Black Press Media file photo)

Sooke to move forward with Santa Run, decked out with lights and music

Event to take place on Dec. 12 around dusk, online donations accepted

The Sooke Santa Run will head out into the community with Christmas lights and holiday music on Dec. 12, but organizers are asking for donations online for 2020. (Black Press Media file photo)
A rendering of Victoria Wonderland, a drive-thru immersive holiday experience coming to the Breakwater District at Ogden Point. (Courtesy of Transcend Victoria)

Immersive, drive-thru holiday light show coming to Victoria

‘Victoria Wonderland’ runs from Dec. 7 to Dec. 31

A rendering of Victoria Wonderland, a drive-thru immersive holiday experience coming to the Breakwater District at Ogden Point. (Courtesy of Transcend Victoria)
Rob Grant and his one-year-old, William, took in the Christmas decorations at Uptown Shopping Centre on Nov. 14 but plan to get their gifts online. (Devon Bidal/News Staff)

Saanich shoppers plan to holiday shop early, online amid pandemic

COVID-19 pushes many to change their Christmas shopping habits

Rob Grant and his one-year-old, William, took in the Christmas decorations at Uptown Shopping Centre on Nov. 14 but plan to get their gifts online. (Devon Bidal/News Staff)
Used.ca launched its new Handmade Market section on Nov. 12 in hopes of supporting more local people and businesses through the holiday season. (Black Press Media news staff)

Used Victoria launches new section for handmade goods

The company hopes to encourage more local shopping this holiday season

Used.ca launched its new Handmade Market section on Nov. 12 in hopes of supporting more local people and businesses through the holiday season. (Black Press Media news staff)
The Sooke Santa Parade planned for Dec. 6 is cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. (Metro-Creative)

Sooke Santa Parade cancelled due to COVID-19

Organizers say they spent months considering ways of throwing the annual event

The Sooke Santa Parade planned for Dec. 6 is cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. (Metro-Creative)
The winner of last year’s Esquimalt tree decorating contest, Operation Christmas Child. (Courtesy Township of Esquimalt)

Esquimalt tree decorating contest lights up online this holiday season

Businesses, non-profits can submit photos for the People’s Choice award

The winner of last year’s Esquimalt tree decorating contest, Operation Christmas Child. (Courtesy Township of Esquimalt)
The Santa Day parade will be held at Edward Milne Community School on Dec. 6 from 4 to 6 p.m. Instead of a normal parade where floats pass by, cars will drive by the floats instead. (Black Press Media file photo)

Drive-by Santa Day parade to be held at Edward Milne

Event takes place on Dec. 6 from 4 to 6 p.m.

The Santa Day parade will be held at Edward Milne Community School on Dec. 6 from 4 to 6 p.m. Instead of a normal parade where floats pass by, cars will drive by the floats instead. (Black Press Media file photo)
Sooke Winter Market will be held at the Sooke Region Museum grounds, located at 2070 Phillips Rd, over four Saturdays leading into winter. The market takes place on Nov. 14, 21, 28 and Dec. 5 (Black Press Media file photo)

Sooke Winter Market makes return after four years

Market takes place on Nov. 14, 21, 28 & Dec. 5 at Sooke Region Museum

Sooke Winter Market will be held at the Sooke Region Museum grounds, located at 2070 Phillips Rd, over four Saturdays leading into winter. The market takes place on Nov. 14, 21, 28 and Dec. 5 (Black Press Media file photo)
Booklet covers for two of the holiday stamps being released by Canada Post on Monday, Nov. 2, 2020. (Canada Post)

PHOTOS: Canada Post releases four new stamps to brighten up the 2020 holiday season

Collection features one Nativity inspired scene and three secular folk artist pieces

Booklet covers for two of the holiday stamps being released by Canada Post on Monday, Nov. 2, 2020. (Canada Post)
Can you spot all 12 Days of Christmas displays at the Butchart Gardens? Jen Blyth photo.

The magic of Christmas returns to the Butchart Gardens

Annual display opens Nov. 27; timed ticket reservations available now

Can you spot all 12 Days of Christmas displays at the Butchart Gardens? Jen Blyth photo.
Can you spot all 12 Days of Christmas displays at the Butchart Gardens? Jen Blyth photo.

The magic of Christmas returns to the Butchart Gardens

The magic of Christmas returns to the Butchart Gardens this holiday season.…

Can you spot all 12 Days of Christmas displays at the Butchart Gardens? Jen Blyth photo.
A cleaner wipes a glass panel at Toronto’s Eaton Centre Shopping mall on Saturday, March 21, 2020. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chris Young

12 weeks of Christmas — retailers speed up holiday plans in a daunting year

Higher than usual unemployment, end of loan deferrals could hamper shopping

A cleaner wipes a glass panel at Toronto’s Eaton Centre Shopping mall on Saturday, March 21, 2020. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chris Young
Light the City takes root in Greater Victoria as pandemic cancels holiday favourite parade, convoy

Light the City takes root in Greater Victoria as pandemic cancels holiday favourite parade, convoy

Five weeks of drive-thru events fill void of IEOA annual Truck Light Convoy, Santa Claus Parade

Light the City takes root in Greater Victoria as pandemic cancels holiday favourite parade, convoy
Bronwen Menzies wants to lift up the spirits in her community by seeing homes lit up with Christmas lights. (Submitted photo)

COVID-19: Vancouver Island woman aims to bring some light to difficult situation

Menzies encourages residents to decorate their homes with Christmas lights

Bronwen Menzies wants to lift up the spirits in her community by seeing homes lit up with Christmas lights. (Submitted photo)
Catherine Holt, CEO of the Greater Victoria Chamber of Commerce. (Contributed)

COLUMN: Good business key to a great community: The Chamber

Greater Victoria Chamber of Commerce CEO Catherine Holt shares her thoughts on 2019

Catherine Holt, CEO of the Greater Victoria Chamber of Commerce. (Contributed)
Families and children enjoy skating around a giant snow globe at G.R. Pearkes Ice Festival on Christmas Eve. (Sophie Heizer/News Staff)

Families take to the ice at Saanich arena on Christmas Eve

Six-day Ice Festival continues on Thursday

  • Dec 24, 2019
Families and children enjoy skating around a giant snow globe at G.R. Pearkes Ice Festival on Christmas Eve. (Sophie Heizer/News Staff)
Alex Burns is running the Christmas Blessings Challenge for the fourth year in a row. (Photo courtesy of Alex Burns)

VIDEO: Saanich mayor helps locals buy groceries during Christmas Blessings Challenge

Mayor Fred Haynes, Royal Oak Country Grocer pay it forward with $25 gift certificates

  • Dec 24, 2019
Alex Burns is running the Christmas Blessings Challenge for the fourth year in a row. (Photo courtesy of Alex Burns)
Saanich Christmas elf Mena Westhaver rests after a long day of delivering socks to the community ahead of Christmas. (Rainforest Communications/Supplied)

Saanich Christmas elf delivers 1,416 pairs of socks to locals just in time for holidays

Care facilities, schools, retirement homes among sock recipients

  • Dec 23, 2019
Saanich Christmas elf Mena Westhaver rests after a long day of delivering socks to the community ahead of Christmas. (Rainforest Communications/Supplied)
It’s common for families to fall back into old patterns when they come together to celebrate Christmas, whether that’s avoiding confrontation or pushing each other’s buttons. (Maggie Morrill/Pixabay)

Plan ahead to avoid family fights at Christmas, says clinical psychologist

Reflect and set boundaries before things get heated

It’s common for families to fall back into old patterns when they come together to celebrate Christmas, whether that’s avoiding confrontation or pushing each other’s buttons. (Maggie Morrill/Pixabay)