This year’s Santa Claus Parade, set for next weekend, is back to a pre-pandemic number of entries, many of them signing up at the last minute, says the organizer.
The parade will begin at 5 p.m. Nov. 26 at the corner of Belleville and Government streets and travel up Humboldt Street and along Douglas Street before ending at Fisgard Street.
Kelly Kurta, executive director of the Greater Victoria Festival Society, which organizes the event, says this year’s parade will feature 64 entries, 10 more than last year.
For the first time this year, the parade will not travel the length of Government Street, using Douglas Street for the majority of the route.
“We’re excited with the new route, because it will be safer and less congested than before,” said Kurta.
After the parade, Santa and Mrs. Claus will be on hand to greet visitors at the Hudson Holiday Plaza at the Victoria Public Market, with pictures by donation, she said.
“But it’s fine if you can’t donate. We just want people to have fun and get a picture.”
There will be entertainment and vendors on site.
People are encouraged to bring a non-perishable food item for the Mustard Seed and an unwrapped toy for the Helmet Head toy drive.
For more information, go to gvfs.ca.
Meanwhile, Oak Bay Village is welcoming the return of the Oak Bay Light Up on Nov. 27, after a two-year pandemic-related gap.
To celebrate the 20th event, organizers have planned a variety of music, activities, street food and entertainment.
The Kiwanis Club of Oak Bay is hosting a Letters to Santa letter-writing and decorating station, including a special direct-to-the-North-Pole mailbox.
Children can make a mini door swag at Oak Bay Flower Shop or create a Christmas craft with Oak Bay United Church. Oak Bay Recreation will be hosting street games for youth.
Live music runs 3 to 6:30 p.m., with a street-style musical Christmas party with Daniel Lapp and special guests.
Food trucks expected to be in attendance include Saltchuck Pies, Snap Dawgs Mobile Doggery and Holy Cow Mini Donuts.
At 5 p.m. the village will be lit by thousands of Christmas lights, closely followed by Santa arriving on an Oak Bay Fire truck.
Photos with Santa will follow, with donations to support the Oak Bay Fire Department non-essential equipment fund.
For more information on the Oak Bay Christmas Festival and other events, go to visitoakbayvillage.ca.
Other events on the holiday calendar:
• On Thursday, Nov. 24, Ladysmith will be illuminated with thousands of twinkling Christmas lights. Drive or walk down First Avenue to take it all in. Find out more at ladysmithfol.com.
• The Annual IEOA Truck Light Convoy and Food Drive is set to begin in the Breakwater District at 5:40 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 3, and features up to 80 vehicles. With the closing of the Westshore Motorsports Park, the route through Langford has been revised this year, and the convoy is expected to finish on Westshore Parkway at Langford Lake Road at approximately 8:30 p.m. Go to ieoa.ca to see the route map and more details.
• The 2022 Annual Langford Lightup will be held Saturday, Dec. 3, 6-8 p.m. at Veterans Memorial Park at Aldwynd Road. Find out more at langford.ca.
• Sidney Sparkles Christmas Parade is set for Saturday, Dec. 4, starting at 5 p.m. The parade begins along Resthaven Drive and turns onto Beacon Avenue. For more details and route map, go to peninsulacelebrations.ca.
