The New Year鈥檚 Day levee is an enduring Canadian tradition, with the first held in 1646 by the first governor of New France, Charles Huault Montmagny, at Chateau Saint-Louis in Quebec City.
It is believed the Royal Navy hosted Victoria鈥檚 first levee in 1840.
Traditionally, on the first day of the new year, the governor general, provincial lieutenants governor, military establishments and some municipalities open their doors to greet the public.
Here is a list of levees scheduled in Greater Victoria:
GOVERNMENT HOUSE
10 a.m. to noon, 1401 Rockland Ave.
Lt.-Gov. Judith Guichon and her husband Bruno Mailloux open the doors to Government House for their first New Year鈥檚 Day levee.
Guichon will deliver her remarks at 11:30 a.m. and guests are encouraged to arrive early.
The public and visitors can enjoy light refreshments and the music of the Naden Band of Maritime Forces Pacific and the Canadian Scottish Regiment Pipes and Drums. Food contributions or donations to support local food banks are encouraged and accepted at the door.
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CITY OF VICTORIA
Noon to 1:30 p.m., Victoria聽City聽Hall Antechamber 1.
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TOWNSHIP OF ESQUIMALT
1 to 2:30 p.m., Municipal聽hall聽council chambers, 1229 Esquimalt Rd.
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DISTRICT OF SOOKE
10 a.m. to noon, council chambers, 2205 Otter Point Rd.
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MARITIME MUSEUM OF sa国际传媒
11 a.m. to 4 p.m., 28 Bastion Sq.
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HMCS MALAHAT COMBINED MESSES LEVEE
9 to 10 a.m., The Wardroom, 20聽Huron St.
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THE CANADIAN SCOTTISH REGIMENT (PRINCESS MARY'S) AND 5th sa国际传媒 FIELD ARTILLERY REGIMENT
10 to 11 a.m., Bay Street Armoury, 715 Bay St.
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11 (VICTORIA) SERVICE COMPANY, 39 SERVICE BATTALION, 11 VICTORIA FIELD AMBULANCE, 39 SIGNAL REGIMENT AND 12 MILITARY POLICE PLATOON
10:30 a.m. to noon, Lt.-Gen. E.C. Ashton Armoury, 724聽Vanalman Ave.
Note: Dress for civilians attending military levees is jacket and tie for men and appropriate equivalent for women.
As an alternative to the typical levee, two municipalities are hosting activity-based celebrations instead:
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DISTRICT OF OAK BAY
12:30 to 7:30 p.m., Oak Bay Recreation Centre, 1975 Bee St.
12:30 p.m.: Mayor and council will lead a community walk.
1:30 p.m.: People can meet and greet the mayor and council.
1 to 3:45 p.m.: Free fitness studio orientations (Please pre-register: 1 to 1:45 p.m., 2 to 2:45 p.m. and 3 to 3:45 p.m.)
1:30 to 3 p.m.: Free skating.
1:30 to 3 p.m.: Free tennis (no court bookings).
2 to 3 p.m.: Free jazzercise in the indoor sports field
3 to 5 p.m.: Free kids鈥� fun swim.
3:15 and 5:15 p.m.: Free children鈥檚 movies in the Sports View Deli.
Donations will be accepted for Kids Sport on New Year鈥檚 Day.
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DISTRICT OF SAANICH
10 a.m. to noon, Saanich Commonwealth Pool, 4636 Elk Lake Dr.
Free family swim.
