Looking for a magical Christmas vacation spot? Find out all the best things to do during Christmas in Victoria BC with kids during the holiday season. Scroll for all the best events and activities!
This Christmas in Victoria, BC post was written by PNW travel expert Marcie Cheung and contains affiliate links which means if you purchase something from one of my affiliate links, I may earn a small commission that goes back into maintaining this blog.
Looking forward to spending Christmas in Victoria BC?
My family lives in Washington State, and we love doing all the fun Christmas events in Seattle. From epic light shows and Santa breakfasts to the infamous Teddy Bear Suite, Seattle knows how to bring in the holiday spirit.
In the past, we’ve also done Christmas activities in Vancouver, British Columbia. They have a fabulous Christmas Market, a little train through Stanley Park, and unbelievable holiday lights at Capilano Suspension Bridge Park.
However, there has been one place on my Christmas season bucket list for a while: Victoria, British Columbia.
Located on the tip of Vancouver Island, Victoria feels like a tiny European city on water with gorgeous architecture, stunning gardens, and adorable boats.
It’s also one of the best places to experience Christmas in Canada! There are so many holiday activities in the area and lots of great places to go Christmas shopping. Lots of Christmas cheer indeed!
Scroll down to find out some of the top festive events in Victoria, British Columbia, and how to plan a winter weekend getaway this holiday season.
Best Ways to Spend Christmas in Victoria BC
THE BUTCHART GARDENS
One of the main reasons we wanted to go to Victoria, British Columbia, for the Christmas season was to experience The Magic of Christmas at The Butchart Gardens.
The theme is the Twelve Days of Christmas, and each year, they add more and more twinkling lights for a truly spectacular experience.
We headed straight for the cafe to get hot chocolate and seasonal treats like gingerbread cookies as soon as we arrived. We also picked up a scavenger hunt form so we could check off everything we experienced.
Our first stop was checking out the beautiful Christmas display train window. We were surprised to spot Spider-Man, Minions, the Incredibles, and other characters sprinkled through the display!
Then, we headed into the gardens to wander through the lights display and discover each day of Christmas. Our favorites included the two calling birds (who were on their cell phones) and the ten lords-a-leaping (which were frogs jumping up and down behind a hedge.)
I was completely impressed that they have tons of buckets of clear umbrellas set up all over the gardens in case it rains, and families can use them as long as they want and then put them back when they are done.
We also took a few moments to ride on their indoor historic carousel. It’s absolutely beautiful, and the kids could have ridden it all night long!
Also, they have a skating rink set up where you can bring your own skates or rent them.
At the end of the night, we turned in our completed scavenger hunt forms, and the kids received candy canes. It was a day well spent, and we felt the Christmas spirit of the place.
Get your discounted tickets and transportation for The Butchart Gardens.
SLEIGH RIDE
There’s something so magical about riding around town in a horse-drawn carriage. We did a carriage ride in Stanley Park in Vancouver a few years ago, and that was pretty cool, but this one takes the cake!
First of all, the carriage is outfitted to look like a real sleigh! And the seats are plush and super comfy. They even have thick, waterproof blankets to keep passengers toasty warm.
Our tour guide was fantastic! She told my boys all about her horse Apollo and answered their questions.
Then, she toured us around Beacon Hill Park (where we saw tons of peacocks!) and showed us the house where Emily Carr (famous Canadian painter) lived.
She also told the boys about how Emily Carr used to make paint out of monkey poo, which ended up being my 5-year-old’s favorite part of the entire trip!
We went on the 4 p.m. tour, which is strongly recommended. It’s right at dusk, so you’ll be able to see the sites for the first half of the tour, and then you’ll be wowed by the Christmas lights at the legislative building and on the boats for the last part of the tour.
Find out how to reserve holiday activities like the horse-drawn carriage rides in Victoria, BC.
TRUCK PARADE
Something that is pretty unique to Victoria is its annual Truck Light Convoy and Food Drive. Basically, it’s a bunch of trucks that are all decorated and lit up, and they drive around Victoria for a few hours collecting food for local food banks.
It’s so popular that even the Customs guy at the Clipper told us all about it as soon as we docked in Victoria!
We saw a bunch of trucks driving to the starting point as we were walking back to our hotel from our sleigh ride. If my 3-year-old wasn’t falling asleep, we would have found a spot to sit and watch the full parade.
Read more about the IEOA Truck Light Convoy and Food Drive.
MEET FATHER CHRISTMAS AT THE ROYAL BC MUSEUM
My family loves meeting Santa multiple times each Christmas season. We visit him at Christmas events and other holiday activities at department stores and wave to him in parades.
But this was our first time meeting Father Christmas!
On select dates/times, the Royal BC Museum in Victoria, BC, hosts Father Christmas in their Old Town exhibit area (which is all decorated for Christmas.) Staff members will take free photos and email them to you.
You’ll want to set aside some time to explore the rest of the museum, too. I was surprised by how much my young kids enjoyed it.
Their favorite areas were panning for gold, touching the hands-on displays in the Maya: The Great Jaguar Rises exhibit, and walking through the big ship.
They also have an awesome IMAX theatre there. If we had more time, we would have stayed and watched one of their films.
GINGERBREAD HOUSES BY HABITAT FOR HUMANITY
If you enjoy looking at innovative gingerbread showcase while supporting Habitat for Humanity, you’ll want to head to Hotel Grand Pacific.
For the past few years, this annual gingerbread showcase has been held at Parkside Hotel & Spa. It’s an easy walk, just a few blocks up from the Fairmont Empress Hotel.
We went there last 2019, and it was a sight to behold! They have an entire lobby area with rows of gingerbread houses created by local businesses and community members.
As soon as you enter, you’ll be given a ballot where you can vote for your favorite gingerbread houses and an envelope for your donation to Habitat for Humanity.
We’re hoping that Hotel Grand Pacific will live up to the hype. But based on past experiences, this is one event you shouldn’t miss. It’s a festive event, plus it’s for a good cause!
FESTIVAL OF TREES AT THE BAY CENTRE
While I wouldn’t normally recommend visiting a shopping center in December, The Bay is definitely worth a stop.
It’s completely decked out in festive decorations, and they host an annual Festival of Trees, which supports BC Children’s Hospital Foundation.
Each Christmas tree has a different theme and is decorated by a local business. Shoppers can vote for their favorite trees by donating money.
They also have some pretty Christmas photo ops set up. Plus, the Bay Centre is one of the best places to pick up Victoria souvenirs and gifts or do last-minute holiday shopping for families!
Sadly, we ran out of time to experience this first-hand, but I’ve been drooling over the photos on Instagram.
Christmas Photos in Victoria, British Columbia
Because Victoria is such a beautiful city, you might consider taking photos of your Christmas card here. There are many outdoor decorations on buildings, and many businesses have festive decorations and themed light exhibits in their window displays.
We hired Stephanie from Flytographer to do a 60-minute holiday photoshoot around the Fairmont Empress and downtown Victoria. She is AWESOME!
Book a Family Photo Shoot
Whenever we travel, we almost always book a family photo shoot with Flytographer. They are super easy and affordable AND guarantee that I’ll be in some photos. You can get $25 off if you book through this link.
I admit, I felt like a hot mess mom when I arrived with my two boys. She put me at ease immediately (even handing me a cloth to clean my glasses) and helped keep an eye on the kids as we walked all over downtown Victoria, stopping quickly to snap a few pics.
She knew exactly where to go and how to get the boys to crack a smile.
Flytographer is headquartered in Victoria, BC, but they have locations worldwide. We’ve used them in Paris, Maui, London, and New York City. It’s easy to select your photographer, route, and holiday photo package on their website.
Save $25 on your Flytographer photoshoot
How to Get to Victoria, BC
CLIPPER VACATIONS FROM SEATTLE
The most popular way to Victoria from Seattle is by taking the Clipper. This passenger-only boat is docked by the cruise ship terminals. Guests can park in a nearby garage for a discounted rate.
In December, they only offer one sailing per day. You’ll depart Seattle at 8 a.m. and arrive in Victoria at 10:45 a.m. Coming back, you’ll leave Victoria at 5 p.m. and arrive in Seattle at 7:45 p.m. You’ll go through customs right at the ferry terminal.
On Clipper Vacations, you’ll choose from several sailing classes:
Economy
Roundtrip fares:
- $120 advanced booking for adults ages 12+ ($160 standard)
- $60 advanced booking for kids ages 1-11 ($80 standard)
- Kids under one year old are free but don’t get a seat
Vista
For an additional $10 per way, you can upgrade to Vista class and enjoy spacious leather seating, extra legroom for window seats, locally sourced food and beverage items for purchase, and table/group seating for families.
Roundtrip fares:
- $140 advanced booking for adults ages 12+ ($180 standard)
- $80 advanced booking for kids ages 1-11 ($100 standard)
- Kids under one year old are free but don’t get a seat
Comfort
For an additional $25 per way, you can upgrade to Comfort class and enjoy priority boarding, leather seating, complimentary non-alcoholic drinks and snacks, and locally sourced food and beverage items for purchase.
Roundtrip fares:
- $170 advanced booking for adults ages 12+ ($210 standard)
- $110 advanced booking for kids ages 1-11 ($130 standard)
- Kids under one year old are free but don’t get a seat
My family sat at a 4-top table in Vista class on the upper deck, and it was quite comfortable.
It’s a 2-hour-and-45-minute ride from Downtown Seattle to Victoria Harbour, and sometimes you can see orcas from the boat!
They have a few places to charge electronics on the Clipper and a decent menu of food and beverages. They even have baked goods from Macrina Bakery in Seattle!
On the boat ride home, they offered in-seat service where staff took your food/drink order and delivered it to your seat. This was immensely helpful when traveling alone with small children.
It’s free to carry on bags (they even have luggage racks on the lower level), or you pay $15 each way to check your bag.
Find out how to book tickets for your ride on Clipper Vacations.
SEAPLANE
The fastest way to Victoria from Seattle is by seaplane. It’s a 45-minute scenic flight to Victoria’s Inner Harbour, and it’s a truly unique experience, especially during the Christmas season with views of twinkling lights and festive decorations along the way.
Kenmore Air offers a few flights per day. The airfare changes, but I saw some for about $320 roundtrip. You are also limited to 25 lbs of luggage per person.
Find out more about booking tickets for Kenmore Air Seaplanes.
COHO FERRY FROM PORT ANGELES
When my husband and I visited Victoria, BC, a few years ago, we drove to Port Angeles, WA, and took the ferry to Victoria.
This option is great if you are already on the Olympic Peninsula or the surrounding area. Otherwise, you’ll probably need to catch a ferry to get to Port Angeles, which can add a lot of time during peak hours.
With the ferry, you can drive your car over to Victoria, or you can park your car in Port Angeles and walk on as a passenger.
On winter weekends, the ferry leaves Port Angeles in the early morning and early afternoon and Victoria in the late morning and late afternoon. The ride is 90 minutes long and fairly smooth.
Roundtrip Fares
- 1 Vehicle (18 feet or under) + driver = $133
- 1 Additional adult passengers (ages 12+) = $38
- 1 Child passengers (ages 5-11) – $19
- 1 Child passengers (ages 0-4) = Free
You’ll definitely need to make your ferry reservation ahead of time.
Find out more about the Coho Ferry.
BC FERRY FROM VANCOUVER
If you are already in Vancouver, BC, your best option is to take BC Ferries. They have multiple sailings throughout the day, and the ride is 1 hour and 35 minutes, offering beautiful views of the area and sometimes even Christmas spirit on board with festive decor during the holiday season.
Find out more about BC Ferries.
Where to Stay During Christmas in Victoria BC, with Kids
INN AT LAUREL POINT
We were lucky to be hosted at the Inn at Laurel Point, just minutes from the Clipper terminal.
The Inn at Laurel Point is an independent boutique hotel run by a board of directors. Because they aren’t chain hotels, they have a lot of freedom to improve their hotel when they see fit.
They are the province’s first carbon-neutral hotel and a social enterprise committed to reducing waste as much as possible.
We stayed in their newly renovated tower, and the kids loved our spacious hotel room so much that we decided to lounge around (in their adorable kid-sized robes) one morning. Our room faced the water, and we could see the boats coming in and out and lots of beautiful buildings on the other side of the bay.
Their restaurant Aura also was renovated, and the food is outstanding. We enjoyed breakfast there one morning, and I’m still thinking about that granola and coconut yogurt parfait. And they had the flakiest croissants!
We ordered room service and ate dinner in bed on our last night, looking out on Victoria Harbour. We were living the good life!
The Inn at Laurel Point staff really go above and beyond to make sure guests feel taken care of. And it wasn’t just because we were being hosted. I lingered in the lobby a bit and heard them greet several guests by name and give them the same amazing level of service we received.
When traveling with kids (especially solo), staying somewhere with excellent service is a priority. They helped me with my bags, called me taxis, held my coat and luggage, and consistently checked in to see if we needed anything.
During the holiday season, it’s also home to the Santa Brunch. And they have decorated Christmas trees on every floor. It’s quite a festive event!
FAIRMONT EMPRESS
My husband and I stayed at the Fairmont Empress on our babymoon a few years ago, and it was lovely. This hotel had a $60 million renovation a few years ago and is one of the most famous hotels in Victoria.
They have an indoor heated pool, kids’ activities, kid-size robes, and lots of other family amenities, making it perfect for the whole family.
During December, guests enjoy the elaborate Christmas decorations inside as well as sparkly Christmas lights on the outside of the building.
They also host several Christmas events, including a holiday twist on their popular Afternoon Tea. This festive experience offers seasonal treats and decorations, truly bringing out the Christmas cheer and making it one of the most memorable Victoria Christmas activities.
Where to Eat During Christmas in Victoria BC, with Kids
FLOYD’S DINER
We had the BEST time at Floyd’s Diner. I cannot stress enough how friendly the staff is and how tasty our food was.
It’s a bright pink building with cool exterior paintings of people like Charlie Chaplin. Inside, you’ll see lots of kitschy memorabilia.
They offer an array of classic American dishes and an extensive drink menu (their London Fog was delish!)
But the real draw is their kid-friendly menu (which is absolutely hilarious to read!) My kids ordered chicken fingers and grilled cheese and loved it so much that they asked for a to-go box (which never happens!) And they proceeded to finish eating their leftovers an hour later!
The kids have already asked when we can head back to Floyd’s Diner, so I think it’s going to be one of our family traditions when we visit Victoria, BC! It’s no wonder why it’s one of the top breakfast places in Victoria!
REBAR
For some super fresh fruit juice and smoothies, head to Rebar. It’s a vegetarian restaurant with some of the best beverage selections in Victoria.
The kids couldn’t get enough of their smoothie, and my Maui Honeymoon juice gave me a much-needed vitamin boost during cold and flu season.
The restaurant is also super adorable. They have brightly colored tablecloths, and their corner location is great for people-watching.
DUTCH BAKERY
If you are looking for an awesome bakery with yummy treats, plan a stop at The Dutch Bakery. It’s an old-school bakery that started in 1956, and it feels very nostalgic inside.
We stopped here to grab gingerbread cookies to eat on our sleigh ride but ended up ordering some fancy macarons, speculoos cookies, and more treats to eat back at our hotel.
What Else to Do in Victoria, BC, with Kids in the Winter
If you have extra time in Victoria, you might want to take a Hop-on, Hop-off tour on one of the red double-decker buses.
They have indoor seating on the main level, or you can bundle up and go on the open-air top deck. It’s a fun way to take in the holiday wonderland sights with the whole family.
Plus, there’s also the Victoria Butterfly Garden, the oldest Chinatown in Canada, Miniature World, and the Victoria Bug Zoo.
One of the most iconic things to do in Victoria is High Tea, and it’s a must-try, especially if you’re staying in the Hotel Grand Pacific.
In addition to the Hotel Grand Pacific, it is offered at the Fairmont Empress Hotel (including a special kid’s version), Abkhazi Garden, and several other spots around town.
Tourism Victoria, Clipper Vacations, Inn at Laurel Point, The Butchart Gardens, Floyd’s Diner, and Re-Bar hosted my family on this press trip. All opinions are my own.