Welcome to the calendar listings. Theatre, dance, live music, nightspots and other performances appear in day-by-day listings, with family activities and ongoing exhibitions under 鈥淓vents鈥� at the end. To list an event, send details at least one week prior to publication. Post your event .
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FRIDAY
Dance
Lessons
- Argentine Tango. Annual Red Shoes Milonga, wear red shoes or something red! Beginners lesson 8 p.m., followed by Tango Pacifico Milonga at 9 p.m. Cost: $10/$8. Caf茅 Casablanca, 2524 Bridge St. Tel. 250-389-0222 or tangopacifico.com
- VBDS Ballroom Dance open dance practice; singles and couples welcome at Les Passmore Centre, 286 Hampton Rd., 7-9:30 p.m. First visit free. Tel. 250-721-5483. vbds.org
Social
- Swing City Christmas Dance at the Edelweiss Club, 108 Niagara St. Night Club 2 Step workshop with John de Pfyffer, 8 p.m. and dance, 9 p.m.-midnight. Cost: $8/$10. Tel. 250-920-7556.
Fun for kids
- Children鈥檚 events Saturday through Thursday will be carried on the Family 4-1-1 page in Saturday鈥檚 sa国际传媒.
Music
Classical
- 鈥楾was NOT the Night Before Christmas, seasonal works for choir and brass, 7:30-9:30 p.m. at Christ Church Cathedral, 930 Burdett Ave. Tickets: $25/$22/$10 at Ivy鈥檚 Bookshop, Long and McQuade and the Christ Church Cathedral office. Details at capriccio.ca
- Christmas Concert and Sing-a-long, outdoors at Government House bandshell, Rockland Avenue, 7-8 p.m. Dress warmly, bring chair or blanket and flashlight. Limited parking. [email protected]
Folk, Roots, Blues
- Foxglove at the Superior, 106 Superior St. 250-380-9515.
- Tom and Matt at the Bard & Banker Pub, 1022 Government St., 8 p.m. Tel. 250-953-9993; vicpubco.ca
- Lorraine Nygaard First Winters鈥� Night at Hermann鈥檚 Jazz Club, 753 View St., 7:30- 9:30 p.m. Cost: $12. Tel. 250-388-9166; hermannsjazz.com
- Brad Prevedoros at Evedar鈥檚 Bistro, 2829 Peatt Rd., 6-9 p.m. Tel. 250-391-8636.
- Jug Bandits at James Bay Coffee and books, 143 Menzies St., 8 p.m. Donation. Tel. 250-386-4700.
Jazz
- Rosemary Lang at the piano, Delta Victoria Ocean Pointe Resort and Spa, 45 Songhees Rd., 6-9 p.m. Tel. 250-360-2999.
- Aurora Scott Trio at Vista 18, 740 Burdett Ave., 8-11 p.m. Tel. 250-382-9258.
- Chris Millington Trio at the Bengal Lounge, Fairmont Empress hotel, 8 p.m. Tel. 250-384-8111.
- Live Jazz, Pacific Lounge, Hotel Grand Pacific, 463 Belleville St., 8-11 p.m. hotelgrandpacific.com
Pop and Rock
- Pink Mountaintops and guests at the Upstairs Cabaret, 15 Bastion Square, 7 p.m. Tickets: $15 at Lyle鈥檚 Place, Ditch Records and McPherson box office. (250-386-6121). A benefit for Victoria Society For Children With Autism.
- The Drink at Canoe Brewpub, 450 Swift St., 9 p.m. Cost: $5 after 9 p.m.; canoebrewpub.com
- T.G.I. Fridays at Carlton Club Cabaret, 900 Carlton Tce., Esquimalt, 8 p.m. Tel. 250-361-3666.
- Karaoke with Stacie at Army, Navy & Air Force Veterans Unit 12, 753 View St., 8 p.m. [email protected]
- Techcows鈥� End Of the World Party at the Castle Bar, 1900 Douglas St., 9 p.m. Cost: $12; thecastlebar.ca
- Consenting Adults at Swans Pub, 506 Pandora Ave. 9 p.m. Tel. 250-361-3310.
- Younger Than Yesterday at Bartholomew鈥檚, 777 Douglas St., 9 p.m. No cover. 250-388-5111.
Outdoors
Walk, Run, Hike
- Ghost of Christmas Past Walking Tour: Fridays and Saturdays, 7:30 p.m. and nightly, Dec. 27-31. Start at Visitor Info Centre, Government at Wharf Street. Cost: $14/$12. Tel. 250-384-6698. discoverthepast .com
Theatre
- A Christmas Carol presented by the Belfry Theatre, 1291 Gladstone Ave., today, 8 p.m. and Saturday, 4 and 8 p.m. Tickets: $25-$40. Tel. 250-385-6815 or tickets.belfry.bc.ca
- Craigdarroch Castle presents A Christmas Carol, a one-man play by Jason Stevens at Craigdarroch Castle, 1050 Joan Cres., 7 p.m. today, and Dec. 28. Tickets: $20/$15. Tel. 250-592-5323.
- Theatre Inconnu presents A Christmas Carol at Emily Carr House, 207 Government St., tonight, Saturday and Sunday, 2 and 8 p.m. and Monday, 2 p.m. Special performance Monday, 7 p.m. at Little Fernwood Hall, 1923 Fernwood Rd. Tickets: $10/$12/$15. Tel. 250-383-5843 or theatreinconnu.com
- The Gift of the Magi at Chemainus Theatre, today through Dec. 30 at 9737 Chemainus Rd., Chemainus. Tel. 1-800-565-7738. chemainustheatre.ca1
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SATURDAY
Dance
Lessons
- VBDS Workshops Series: Workshop, 1-2 p.m. and Intro to Ballroom, 2-3 p.m. at Les Passmore Centre, 286 Hampton Rd. Cost: $5/$8/$10. Tel. 250-721-5483; vbds.org
Social
- Argentine Tango at Barefoot Yoga Studio, Broad and Yates streets, 9-11:30 p.m. Class with Rene and Hilda, 8-9 p.m. Cost: $8/$10; tangovita.com
- Dance to the music of Backbeat at Royal Canadian Legion, 411 Gorge Rd. E. 8:30 p.m. Tel. 250-384-5213.
Music
Classical
- Vox Humana Choir presents a Child鈥檚 Christmas In Wales, 3 p.m. at St. Mary鈥檚 Anglican Church, 1973 Cultra Ave. Tickets: $20/$15; free for 25 and under at Long & McQuade Music, Tanner鈥檚 Books and voxhumanachoir.ca
- Daniel Lapp鈥檚 ninth annual Home For Christmas with guest, Mae Moore, 2 and 7:30 p.m. at St. Andrew鈥檚 Presbyterian Church, 680 Courtney St. Tickets: $15/$10 /$5/$3 by cash or cheque only at Ivy鈥檚 Books, Hemp & Company or the door (if available).
- Victoria Bach Ensemble presents A Bach Christmas, 7:30 p.m. at the Church of St. John the Divine, 1611 Quadra St. Tickets: $15/$10 at the door. Tel. 250-216 5782.
- Advent at St. Ann鈥檚 Academy: Sing-Along Celebration with the Casavant Organ an afternoon of holiday songs, vintage tree decoration and warm apple cider, 2 p.m. at 835 Humboldt St. By donation or a small non-perishable food item. Tel. 250-953-8829.
Folk, Roots, Blues
- Tom and Matt at the Bard & Banker Pub, 1022 Government St., 8 p.m. Tel. 250-953-9993. vicpubco.ca
- Oliver Swain at the Superior, 106 Superior St. 250-380-9515.
- McKiNLeY WoLf with guest WoLf Jordie Edmonds at the Upper Deck Lounge, 229 Gorge Rd. E., 8 p.m. No cover. Tel. 250-383-8212.
- Saturday Blues Jam with Summer and the Sinners at My Bar and Grill, Howard Johnson Hotel, 310 Gorge Rd. E., 3-7 p.m. mybarandgrill.ca
Funk, Soul and R&B
- The Randy Tucker Band at Swiftsure Lounge, Days Inn on the Harbour, 427 Belleville St., 3-6 p.m. Tel. 250-389-0839.
Jazz
- Rosemary Lang at the piano, Delta Victoria Ocean Pointe Resort and Spa, 45 Songhees Rd., 6-9 p.m. Tel. 250-360-2999.
- Chris Millington with Brent Jarvis at the Bengal Lounge, Fairmont Empress hotel, 8 p.m. Tel. 250-384-8111.
- Aurora Scott Trio at Vista 18, 740 Burdett Ave., 8-11 p.m. Tel. 250-382-9258.
- Edie DaPonte and John MacArthur at Beacon Landing, 2537 Beacon Ave. Sidney, 7-9:30 p.m. Tel. 250-656-2516.
- Stephen Brown and the Bastion Band at Ocean Island Caf茅, 791 Pandora Ave., 8:30-11:30 p.m. oceanisland.com
- Pablo Cardenas Latin Jazz Navidad at Hermann鈥檚 Jazz Club, 753 View St., 8 p.m. Tel. 250-388-9166; hermannsjazz.com
- Live Jazz, Pacific Lounge, Hotel Grand Pacific, 463 Belleville St., 8-11 p.m. hotelgrandpacific.com
Pop and Rock
- Freefall at Swans Pub, 506 Pandora Ave. 8:30-11:30 p.m. Tel. 250-361-3310.
- An&Ben at Canoe Brewpub, 450 Swift St., 9:30 p.m. Cost: $5 after 9 p.m.; canoebrewpub.com
- J-Feud & Natron, A Holiday Jam at the Castle Bar, 1900 Douglas St., 8 p.m. Cost: $8. thecastlebar.ca
- Saturday Slam at Carlton Club Cabaret, 900 Carlton Tce., Esquimalt, 8 p.m. Tel. 250-361-3666.
- Open Music Jam with Ian and Carolynn McDowell, Saturdays, 2-6 p.m. at Red Lion Inn V Lounge, 3366 Douglas St.
- Karaoke with Stacie at My Bar and Grill in the Howard Johnson Hotel, 310 Gorge Rd. E., 8:30 p.m. mybarandgrill.ca
Outdoors
Walk, Run, Hike
- Chinatown Walks: Explore sa国际传媒鈥檚 oldest Chinatown. Meet outside Starbucks, corner of Government and Fisgard streets, Saturday at 10:30 a.m. Cost: $14. Tel. 250-384-6698 or discoverthepast.com
- Garden City Wanderers five/10-kilometre walk. Meet at Harbour Towers, 345 Quebec St. Registration 9:30 a.m. for 10 a.m. walk. Tel. 778-350-0861.
- Outdoor Club: Hike Thetis Lake Park, possible lunch at Six Mile House. See ocv.ca for details.
Theatre
- A Christmas Carol at the Belfry Theatre, final performances, 4 and 8 p.m. See Friday for details.
- A Christmas Carol at Emily Carr House, performances, 2 and 8 p.m. See Friday for details.
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SUNDAY
Music
Classical
- Vox Humana Choir presents a Child鈥檚 Christmas In Wales, 3 p.m. at Alix Goolden Hall, 907 Pandora Ave. By donation; vcm.bc.ca
Country/Bluegrass
- The Moonshiners at Swans Pub, 506 Pandora Ave. 8:30-11:30 p.m. Tel. 250-361-3310.
- Open Country with Cliff Hanson at My Bar and Grill in the Howard Johnson Hotel, 310 Gorge Rd. E., 3-7 p.m.; mybarandgrill.ca
- Bluegrass Jam Night at Ocean Island Caf茅 Lounge, 791 Pandora Ave., 8 p.m. oceanisland.com
Folk, Roots and Blues
- Electric Timber Co. at the Bard & Banker Pub, 1022 Government St., 8 p.m. Tel. 250-953-9993. vicpubco.ca
- Deb Rhymer Band at the Upper Deck, 229 Gorge Rd. E., 3-7 p.m. Tel. 250-383-8212.
- XMas Jam Session with Aaron Watson, Our Final Night at the Superior, 106 Superior St. Tickets: $35. Tel. 250-380-9515.
- The Clover Point Drifters, Yule Tidal Debris performs after open stage, 7:30 p.m. at Norway House, 1110 Hillside Ave. Cost: $5. Tel. 250-475-1355 or victoriafolkmusic.ca
Jazz
- Capital City Synchopators at Hermann鈥檚 Jazz Club, 753 View St. 3 p.m. Cost: $12. Tel. 250-388-9166; hermannsjazz.com
- Jazzy Christmas Tunes with UJAM All Starts at the Art Gallery of Greater Victoria, 1040 Moss St., 2-4 p.m. Gallery admission. aggv.ca
Outdoors
Walk, Run, Hike
- Weekly Bird Walk (for everyone). Every Sunday and Wednesday. 9-10:30 a.m. Meet at the Swan Lake Nature Sanctuary parking lot, 3873 Swan Lake Rd. Tel. 250-479-0211.
Theatre
- Derwin Blanshard鈥檚 Extremely Classy Christmas Program, a new take on the classic 1950s variety talk show, 8-10 p.m. at Victoria Event Centre, 1415 Broad St. Cost: $12, $10 for the overdressed. Details at derwinblanshard.com
- A Christmas Carol at Emily Carr House, performances, 2 and 8 p.m. See Friday for details.
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MONDAY
Music
Jazz
- Christmas Music with Peter Dent at the piano, Delta Victoria Ocean Pointe Resort and Spa, 45 Songhees Rd., 6-9 p.m. Tel. 250-360-2999.
- Flying Saucers at Swans Pub, 506 Pandora Ave. 9 p.m.-midnight. Tel. 250-361-3310.
Pop and Rock
- Swamp Music Players Jam Night at Ocean Island Caf茅, 791 Pandora Ave. 9 p.m. Tel. 250-385-1788.
- Christmas Eve Party featuring Milk Duo with guests, Downtown and Catperson at Castle Bar, 1900 Douglas St., 8 p.m. Cost: $5; thecastlebar.ca
Outdoors
Walks and Runs
- WalkSmart Victoria. Morning walks for ladies, Monday to Friday, 8:50-11 a.m. Meet at Royal Oak McDonald鈥檚 for registration. Details at tel. 250-479-4087, [email protected]
Theatre
- A Christmas Carol, performances, 2 and 7 p.m. See Friday for details.
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TUESDAY
Dance
Social
- Argentine Tango. Christmas Day Tango Pacifico Milonga, 9 p.m., at Caf茅 Casablanca, 2524 Bridge St. Cost: $8; tangopacifico.com or 250-389-0222.
Music
Jazz
- Christmas Music with Rosemary Lang, 12:30-3:30 p.m. and with Peter Dent, 6-9 p.m. at the piano, Delta Victoria Ocean Pointe Resort and Spa, 45 Songhees Rd. 6-9 p.m. Tel. 250-360-2999.
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WEDNESDAY
Music
Folk, Roots and Blues
- Open Mic Night at Ocean Island Caf茅, 791 Pandora Ave. 9 p.m. Tel. 250-385-1788.
- Lola Parks at the Bard & Banker Pub, 1022 Government St., 8 p.m. Tel. 250-953-9993. vicpubco.ca
- Aurora Scott at Swans Pub, 506 Pandora Ave. 9 p.m. Tel. 250-361-3310.
Jazz
- Edie DaPonte and John MacArthur at O Bistro, 500 Oswego St., 6-8 p.m. Tel. 250-294-7500
Pop and Rock
- Boxing Day 5 featuring Fred Everything, Kytami, DJ Nigel, The Electric Timber Company, Moses and Mike Gano at Sugar NightClub, 858 Yates St., 9 p.m. Tickets: $15 at Coastline Surf and Sport, 1417 Broad St.
- Boxing Day Blender! featuring Bedside, Lo Waight, Jesse Manason, DJ All Good, Fight In the Fields and DJ Toby Emerson at Lucky Bar, 517 Yates St. Cost: $5.
Outdoors
Walks and Runs
- Outdoor Club: Mount Doug Park at easy pace, 10 a.m., meet at main parking lot near washrooms. See ocv.ca for details.
Theatre
- Cinderella, presented by the Peninsula Players, traditional fun for all ages, today to Dec. 28, 7:30 p.m. and Dec. 29-31, 2 p.m. at Mary Winspear Centre, 2243 Beacon Ave. Tickets: $18/$15. Tel. 250-656-0275.
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EVENTS
- Live Outdoor Nativity Pageant with over 100 cast and crew, live actors, real animals and vibrant costumes. Friday through Sunday, 6:30-8:30 p.m., Topaz Avenue between Topaz Park and S.J. Willis school. Free, rain or shine. Details at christmasnativity.ca
- Winter Solstice Celebration: Join Louise Taylor, Renee Lindstrom, Joanne Thomson and Steven Graves in creating a Labyrinth in the Yurt, Friday, 8 p.m. at Corunum Centre, 5990 Old West Saanich Rd. Suggested donation $10. Details at corunum.ca or tel. 250-361-7508.
- Winter Wonderland Carnival, Skate with hot chocolate, toboggan run, kids鈥� games and a special visit from Santa. Friday, 5-8 p.m. at Panorama Recreation Centre; panoramarecreation.ca
- Christmas in a Box, a show combining music, painting and poetry, Friday, 7-9 p.m. at Muse Winery, 11195 Chalet Rd. North Saanich. Cost: $15-$20. Details at musewinery.ca
- Fourth annual Christmas Lighted Model Boat Parade, Saturday, 5 p.m. in Harrison Pond on Dallas Road at Government Street. Free. Tel. 250 385-9552.
- Yellow Cab of Victoria presents a charity Christmas Dinner, free for all the less fortunate at First United Metropolitan Church, 932 Balmoral, Saturday, 5 p.m. Tel. 250-360-6662 or 250-881-4443.
- Breakfast with Santa at the Westin Bear Mountain, decorate cookies, write letters to Santa, and visit with Santa himself! Saturday, Sunday and Monday, 10 a.m. Cost: $26/$16; children under six free. Bring a non-perishable food item.
- Christmas at Craigdarroch, 1050 Joan Cres. Tel. 250-592-5323 or thecastle.ca Saturday: 11a.m. Pennyless; 11:30 a.m. Father Christmas; 1 p.m. wrapping paper; 1:30 p.m. Cam and Daisy; 3 p.m. Cookeilidh; 6:15 and 7 p.m. Family Night. Sunday: 11 a.m. Doug Hensley; 11:30 a.m. Jupamda party agency kids show; 1:30 p.m. Jupamda party; 2:30 p.m. Birds on a Wire; 3 p.m. Father Christmas; 6:15 and 7 p.m. Family Night. Monday: 11 a.m. Father Christmas; 1 p.m. Holiday Cards; 3 p.m. Dance Hall Players. Thursday: 11a.m. Linden Singers; 1 p.m. Kid鈥檚 Crafts; 3 p.m. Elaine Kao.
- The Christmas Express at the sa国际传媒 Forest Discovery Centre, 2892 Drinkwater Rd., Duncan, Friday through Sunday, 4-9 p.m. Trains leave every 20 minutes. Cost: $7/$5, under two free. Tel. 250-715-1113 or discoveryforest.com
- Scout Christmas Tree Sale, Friday, 4-8 p.m. and Saturday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. at Canadian Tire, 1519 Admirals Rd. [email protected]
- 26th anniversary of the Magic of Christmas at Butchart Gardens, to Jan. 6, 9 a.m.-9 p.m. Dec. 25, 1-9 p.m. butchartgardens.com
- Butchart Gardens Holiday Lights Tours, Daily at 4:30 and 6:30 p.m. to Jan. 5. 4:30 p.m. tour includes Butterfly Gardens. Tel. 250-386-8652 or cvscruisevictoria.com
- Christmas Past and Present: Fairmont Empress tour of the hotel with guide in period costume, Saturday and Dec. 29 at 11 a.m. Cost: $12. Meet in front of Fairmont Gift Store. Tel. 250-592-9255.
- Festival of Trees at the Fairmont Empress hotel, a collection of over 50 decorated trees benefiting sa国际传媒 Children鈥檚 Hospital. Daily to Jan. 3; fairmont.com/ empress-victoria
- Horse-Drawn Trolley Rides, free, Saturday 11 a.m.-3 p.m. and Sunday noon-4 p.m. Stops at Store Street at Chatham Street; Johnson Street near Wharf Street; Langley Street at Bastion Square and Government Street at Fisgard Street.
- Bear Wear: Holiday teddies are back in the lobby of Hotel Grand Pacific, 463 Belleville St. daily to Jan. 3, 2013. A fundraiser for Children鈥檚 Health Foundation of Vancouver Island. Tel. 250-519-6935.
- Gingerbread Showcase at the Inn at Laurel Point. Vote for your favourite at the Inn at Laurel Point, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. daily to Jan.
- Christmas at the O鈥橰eillys 鈥� Point Ellice House and Gardens National Historic Site, 2616 Pleasant St. Open for Christmas tea and tours, Friday through Sunday, 12-4 p.m. Reservations required. 250-380-6506. pointellicehouse.ca.
- Father Christmas 鈥� A Victorian Experience at the Royal sa国际传媒 Museum, Friday through Sunday, 11 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. royalbcmuseum.bc.ca
- 14th Annual Spirit of Giving by the Mustard Seed at The Bay Centre, Hillside Centre, Mayfair Shopping Centre and Tillicum Centre, daily to Dec. 24. Gifts wrapped in exchange for donation; mustardseed.ca
- Christmasland: Public viewing of Christmas display at 4000 Century Rd., Saturday, 1-4 and 6-8 p.m. Donation to Santas Anonymous and Families in Need. Tel. 250-477-8190.
- sa国际传媒 Aviation Museum Kids鈥� Fest, a fun-filled educational event for kids in grade six and under. Thursday and Dec. 28, 11 a.m.-3 p.m. at 1910 Norseman Rd., Sidney. Tel. 250-655-3300.
- Christmas Eve Family Candlelight Gathering at 2612 Sooke Rd., Monday, 6:30-7:30 p.m. Celebrate the wonder and gift of Christmas. theforgechurch.com
