Vancouver Island celebrates the holidays in lights

Is there anything more welcome as we navigate the dreary fall and winter days than seeing our favourite places in a whole new light? Or many lights!

With the holiday season here, join us as we take spin around some of the Island’s favourite illuminated events and attractions…

Butchart Gardens delights with lights, decorations & music

Celebrate the holiday season with the perennial purveyor of holiday cheer, the Butchart Gardens’ Magic of Christmas. The showcase of twinkling lights, festive greenery and magical displays kicks off Dec. 1 with the official light up at 5 p.m. and continues through Jan. 6. Experience the Twelve Days of Christmas as you stroll through the colourful holiday displays, taking in the holiday cheer and seasonal sounds with live performances from traditional carollers and festive brass.

The Gardens will be open 3 to 9 p.m. with viewing until 10 p.m. Visitors are encouraged to reserve their date and time to visit with timed entrance tickets, available online. The Dining Room and The Blue Poppy Restaurant, the Coffee Shop, The Seed & Gift Store and the Rose Carousel are also open – visit butchartgardens.com for details.

Victoria’s Lights of Wonder returns

Lights of Wonder returns to Downtown Victoria’s Centennial Square this holiday season, delighting locals and visitors alike with the brilliant selfie-worthy lighting displays and entertainment.

Hosted by the Downtown Victoria Business Association, Greater Victoria’s largest, free outdoor light display opens following the Santa Claus parade Nov. 30 and continues through to Dec. 31.

The family-friendly outdoor holiday wonderland features themed light exhibits, four interactive light tunnels and a 40-foot festive tree, plus live weekend entertainment and warm nibbles.

The lights turn on at 4 p.m. every day, delighting guests until 9 p.m. Sunday through Thursday, until 10 p.m. Fridays & Saturdays, and to 12:20 a.m. New Year’s Eve.

Entertainment includes music, dance, and depending on the day, free horse-drawn trolley rides and a Mr. Booth Photobooth.

In addition, beginning Dec. 20, Lights of Wonder also features a ferris wheel – the perfect pay to enjoy the spectacle from an entirely new perspective!

The DVBA first brought a ferris wheel to the community hub in 2012, and it became a tradition until 2016. The ride will be free, with charitable donations gratefully accepted on behalf of local nonprofits.

“The business community is excited to invite Victorians to shop, dine and visit downtown this holiday season. Our team is thrilled to bring back an old favourite, the ferris wheel, as part of Lights of Wonder this year! Bring the whole family downtown to enjoy the season while supporting local,” DVBA CEO Jeff Bray said in a news release.

For a full schedule of events and to plan your visit, check out downtownvictoria.ca/lights-of-wonder

IEOA Truck Parade

The 26th annual IEOA Truck Parade & Food Drive returns to Victoria’s streets Saturday, Dec. 7.

Hosted by the Island Equipment Owners Association, the family-favourite parade features 80 hardworking trucks, adorned with decorations and festive lights.

Slowly rolling along a 35-kilometre route through Greater Victoria, dump trucks, equipment trailers, crane trucks, firetrucks, coast guard vessels, mixer trucks, military and transit vehicles, and more delight parade-goers while collecting donations for local food banks. Santa will enjoy the ride on his mobile toy shop trailer.

Find a route map, GPS link to track the trucks’ location and food donation details at ieoa.ca.

Historic Ladysmith celebrates the season in lights

Anyone travelling through south-central Vancouver Island will want to divert off the highway and take in the spectacle that is the Ladysmith Festival of Lights.

Continuing through the second Sunday in January, the festival lights up the historic downtown with thousands of twinkling lights, creating a sensational setting to shop, enjoy a night out, or simply stroll the decorated streets and soak in the spirit of the season.

Learn more at ladysmithfol.com

Milner Gardens’ festive display shares magic of the holidays

Magical memories await this holiday season with a visit to the magnificent Milner Gardens in Qualicum Beach.

The gardens’ West Coast woodland and garden will be a-glow with thousands of twinkling lights and festive displays, delighting visitors from 5 to 8 p.m. (with viewing until 8:30 p.m.) Dec. 5 to 8, 12 to 15 and 19 to 22.

You can even enhance your visitor experience by purchasing a pair of Holiday Specs, holographic glasses that transform lights right before your eyes! The glasses are available at the Welcome Centre and Gingerbread House Gift Shop ($4 for one, or three for $10.)

Santa & Mrs. Claus will also be stopping by for a visit – see them in the Gazebo in the Children’s Food Garden.

Refreshments are available for purchase and admission is by donation – suggested $8/adult, $4/child or $20/household, but all are welcome!

Find Milner Gardens at 2179 Island Hwy W., in Qualicum Beach.

Plan your visit at milnergardens.viu.ca/special-events, including details about parking and accessibility.

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