Annual pageant plays out with llamas, donkeys and baby Jesus
The First Christmas Nativity Pageant, an annual live outdoor event, returns to Topaz Park from Friday to Sunday.
It鈥檚 the 32nd year of the pageant, which attracts an estimated 5,000 visitors annually and is presented by members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints and friends.
Except for the coldest years, a real baby portrays the newborn Jesus in the manger (up to three babies usually take turns in the role). The pageant has been running for so long that one baby Jesus of yore sometimes returns to play King Herod, the angel Gabriel or one of the three kings.
The show has a cast and crew of about 100 volunteers and members of the church, along with a menagerie of four-legged members such as sheep, llamas and donkeys.
The audience sits on uncovered bleachers and chairs set around an improvised stage for the four shows staged at night.
Admission is free, but those wishing to show their appreciation are encouraged to make a donation to their favourite charity or food bank.
Performances take place at 6:30, 7, 7:30 and 8 p.m. on Friday, Saturday and Sunday at the south end of Topaz Park on Topaz Avenue. Visitors are asked to access the park from Quadra Street. The venue is wheelchair-friendly. Parking is free at the park or the adjacent S.J. Willis Alternative School. For more information, go to .
Guided forest walk ideal way to welcome solstice
Enjoy the quiet of the forest at Solstice Stroll, an adult guided walk the day before the longest night of the year, at Witty鈥檚 Lagoon Regional Park in Metchosin on Friday morning.
Take a leisurely forest walk with a CRD Regional Parks naturalist and discover the plants and animals that call the park home at this time of year.
It鈥檚 the last program of the year for CRD Parks naturalists, who are taking a break over the holidays.
The adult walk 鈥� for participants 18 and older 鈥� runs 10 to 11:30 a.m. Friday. Meet at the Witty鈥檚 Lagoon Nature Centre off Metchosin Road.
Participants are advised to wear sturdy footwear and dress for the weather, as programs take place rain or shine.
The park is served by sa国际传媒 Transit routes No. 54 and No. 55.
Walkers are asked to arrive 10 minutes before the start of the program and to leave pets at home. For more information, go to .
Singalong carol concert a high note of the season
Come help raise the roof with song at the Victoria Philharmonic Choir鈥檚 Family Christmas Carol Singalong Concert on Friday at St. Mary the Virgin Church in Oak Bay.
The event is an opportunity to belt out traditional Christmas carols in harmony with singers young, old and in-between.
There will be traditional Christmas carols aplenty with the Victoria Philharmonic Choir, conductor Peter Butterfield and organist Michael Molnar, but you can also expect to hear a choral piece or two for the first time, tiny conductors and a few surprises.
This concert sells out every year, so don鈥檛 wait too long to get your tickets.
Tickets are $20 for adults, $10 for students and free for children under 13.
Doors open at 6:30, with the concert starting at 7 p.m. Friday at St. Mary the Virgin Church, 1701 Elgin Rd. Tickets are available at Ivy鈥檚 Bookshop, Munro鈥檚 Books, Tanner鈥檚 Books and online at .
TC鈥檚 Jack Knox to read at Sunday service
Hear the story of the birth of Jesus in short Bible readings interspersed with Christmas carols and well-known hymns at the Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols, Sunday at Christ Church Cathedral.
Readers this year include the sa国际传媒鈥檚 Jack Knox and Richard Watts and CBC Radio host Gregor Craigie.
At the service, the cathedral will debut a new carol written by Vancouver Symphony Orchestra鈥檚 Bramwell Tovey.
The service is free to attend. It runs 4:30 to 6 p.m. Sunday at Christ Church Cathedral, 930 Burdett Ave. For more information, go to christchurchcathedral.bc.ca.
Light of the season remembered with lighting of candles
Join in church services with lighted candles 鈥� symbolizing Christ as the light of the world 鈥� at several churches on Christmas Eve.
鈥� Carols in the Candlelight is a traditional service of readings and carols at First Metropolitan United Church. Embrace the joy and beauty of the Christmas season with the Sanctuary Choir, guest soloists and instrumentalists. Enjoy pre-service music by the Brass Quintet from 7 to 7:30 p.m.
The service runs 7:30 to 8:30 p.m. at First Metropolitan, 932 Balmoral St. For more information, go to .
鈥� Grace Lutheran Church hosts its Christmas Eve Candlelight Service with communion, carols and the reading of a special Christmas message.
The inclusive family service runs 7 to 8:30 p.m. at the church, 1273 Fort St. For more information, go to .
鈥� St. Luke Cedar Hill is holding three services on Christmas Eve 鈥� a child-friendly Christingle Carol Service, a family service and a Choral Christmas Eve Service.
The children鈥檚 service includes carols and runs from 4 to 5 p.m.
At the Family Communion Service, you can hear carols and seasonal music played by harpist Josh Layne at 6:30, followed by the service with candles, carols, a soloist and a choir at 7 p.m.
The final service, also including candles, carols, a soloist and a choir, runs from 10 to 11 p.m. Dec. 24.
For more information, go to .
Work off the eggnog with fun, games and skates at Oak Bay rec centre
Stay active by joining Santa and his elves for a swim, or lace up a pair of skates for holiday-themed ice activities 鈥� such as reindeer games and go-go-stop Santa鈥檚 sled 鈥� at the Oak Bay Recreation Centre, Saturday to Dec. 31.
Skate while listening to great Christmas music, then get crafty in the off-ice craft station.
Swimming with Santa is set for Saturday and Sunday, and skating is Sunday to Wednesday, including Christmas and Boxing Day. There are also drop-in fitness and tennis programs on Dec. 25.
Regular drop-in rates are $6.75 for adults, $5.25 for seniors and students, $3.40 for children, or $13.50 for a family of five. On Christmas Day, admission is free with the donation of a non-perishable food item. The events run at various times. For more information, go to .
