Seasonal festivities begin kicking off in Westshore

The holiday season is arriving, and Westshore municipalities have a calendar full of festive events planned for families to enjoy. Langford, Sooke, Metchosin, and Colwood—plus Westshore-adjacent Esquimalt—are all putting up sparkling lights and inviting everyone to fun-filled activities for all ages to celebrate the season.

In an economy where families are ever more mindful with their expenses, municipally sponsored events provide accessible entertainment. They're a way for a wide range of people to enjoy a season that can often be expensive, and as stressful as it is cheerful.

“Faced with higher living costs and a rising unemployment rate, it’s no surprise that many Canadians are planning to scale back their holiday spending plans this year,” Sal Guatieri, BMO’s senior economist, said in an October press release.

To combat increasing prices, 41% of Canadians said they’ll be spending less money on fewer gifts. On that front, free local events may be able to provide the gift of a holiday experience that takes some of the economic pressure off for parents in the region. walk to the events, parking is relatively easy and free, and it feels good to celebrate in your own community.” 

“Given the ongoing affordability challenges that many Langford residents are facing, our goal this year was to remove any potential financial barriers by providing activities that are 100% free for everyone,” Coun. Colby Harder said in an email to the Westshore.

“I’m delighted to see our efforts go towards helping people spend time making memories together, rather than spending money.”

She’s asking residents “keep an ear out in your neighbourhood” for roaming carol singers from Spencer Middle School's PACE program and to try riding the newly added carousel in Veterans Memorial Park.

“I’m the biggest kid in my family – I love seeing all the lights and decorations everywhere,” fellow Langford councillor Mary Wagner told the Westshore. “I think people really value celebrating close to home right here in Langford.  Many of us walk to the events, parking is relatively easy and free, and it feels good to celebrate in your own community.” 

Here is a list—which may be updated in the coming weeks—of the holiday events being put on by Westshore municipalities:

Langford 

Winter Festival. Langford will transform into a wonderland again during its Winter Festival that will showcase an array of diverse attractions that combine long-standing seasonal favourites with new additions suitable for families and people of all ages. New attractions this year include a holiday carousel, a Lego exhibit, matinee movie screenings of the holiday favourite The Polar Express, and new interactive holiday lights displays illuminating the city. 

Annual Langford Light Up. Light Up events will be held at two locations;  Langford Station Arts and Cultural District (720 Station Ave.) and Veterans Memorial Park. 

Langford Station: Musical performances, food trucks, a holiday market, and fun activities for all ages. Exciting activities there will include performances from PACE Musical Theatre, Ablaze Choir, Pacific Edge Chorus, a balloon artist, food trucks, a holiday market, and much more. Sat. Dec. 7 / 3-7pm

Veterans Memorial Park holiday market, musical performances, cookie decorating, hot dogs, and free hot chocolate! Don’t miss Santa’s arrival on the Langford Fire Truck at 5:15 pm and the much-anticipated Sequoia Tree lighting at 7:15 p.m. The tree-lighting will be followed by a decorated truck parade sponsored by the Island Equipment Owners Association. For the third year running, Santa will be available for photos at the Tinsel Gazebo which will feature hundreds of tinsel ornaments and holiday lights. Sat. Dec. 7 / 5-8pm.

A Lego exhibit inspired by Langford during the holidays will be on display at Westshore Town Centre from Sunday Dec. 8 to Dec. 22. Hours: Sundays 12-5pm. Monday to Wednesday 1-6 pm. Thursday & Friday 3-8pm.

Live professional ice carving at the Station on Dec. 14 & 21, and at the Light Up.

Carousel in the Park. The Carousel is the newest holiday feature and will be at Veterans Memorial Park. Riders can enjoy carollers and a hot drink from Morning Star Coffee’s mobile cart.  Admission to the carousel is free, though there will be volunteers on site to collect donations of non-perishable food items for the Goldstream Food Bank. Friday Dec. 20 / 1-8pm. Weekend Dec. 21 & 22 / 12-7pm.

Teen Winter Ice Skating. Sooke School District students will be able to enjoy outdoor ice skating at City Centre Park on certain Saturdays.

Full Langford Winter Fest info here.

Colwood 

Christmas Light Up at Colwood City Hall. Hot chocolate, hot dogs, grilled by municipal councillors and staff will be served alongside other treats generously provided by Colwood businesses like the Red Barn Market and Royal Bay Bakery. Thursday Dec. 5 / 6-8pm

This year, the Colwood Light Up event will have elementary school choir performances from Wishart, Sangster, Colwood, David Cameron, and John Stubbs. Volunteers from West Shore Parks & Recreation, Citizens Environment Network in Colwood, will help kids make nature-inspired, environmentally friendly Christmas crafts they can share with family and friends.

Kids in Colwood will be able to count on their own visit from Santa as part of the magic of the season.

Metchosin

Christmas Spirit Market. Metchosin will be holding its 2nd annual market at the Metchosin Community Hall at 4401 4401 William Head Road. Sat. Dec. 7 to Sun. Dec. 8 / 10am-4pm

Sooke 

Breakfast with Santa. The Sooke Lions Club and the District of Sooke are providing a free breakfast with Santa that will include pancakes, pork sausages, fresh strawberries, orange slices and whipped cream, served with orange juice, hot chocolate, coffee and tea — and candy canes. Organizers are accepting donations to the Sooke Christmas Bureau. Saturday Dec 7 / 9-11am.

Breakfast and parade info here.

Santa Claus Parade. The Sooke parade begins at 5 pm and leaves from Journey Middle School. The Sooke Lions and EMCS Leadership team will be serving hot chocolate, hot dogs and cookies before and after the parade.  Sunday Dec. 8 / 4-6pm. Photos with Santa are available until 4:30 pm, when Santa goes to join the parade.

There will also be a Christmas Crafting Station and a children's choir will entertain prior to the parade arriving at Sooke Library. Dec. 3, 2024 – January 3, 2025  from 12:30-10pm. 

This year has a new route and its Silver Bells theme celebrates the silver anniversary (25 years) of Sooke being incorporated as a district.

View Royal

View Royal typically hosts a holiday Light Up contest for local light displays, but 2024's has not yet been announced.

Highlands

Highlands Volunteer Fire’s charitable Santa Run. Firefighters will drive Santa around and collect food bank donations. Dec. 14. See the route and more info here.

Firefighters also hosted a Photos with Santa event last Sunday (photo below via Highlands Fire Rescue Facebook)

Esquimalt

Holiday Wonderland. The Recreation Centre Atrium and Archie Browning Sports Centre in Esquimalt will be transformed into a holiday wonderland full of lights and decorations at the ninth annual Christmas Tree Village. Tuesday Dec. 3, 2024 – Jan. 3, 2025 from 12:30-10pm 

Skate with Santa: Dec. 7, 2:30-4pm.

Family Jolly Jingle Story Mingle: Dec. 14, 7-8pm 

 Annual Esquimalt Celebration of Lights is Dec. 1, with performances starting at 3 at Archie Browning, parade starting 5pm at Canteen Rd., and Santa + carols at 5:30pm.

Free Christmas Sing-Along on Dec. 23 at Esquimalt Rec. 6-8pm

More local events will be added.