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 for a Christmas vacation that feels like you’ve stepped into a snow globe? Victoria, BC might just be your answer.
As a family travel blogger who lives in Washington State, I’m always on the hunt for festive getaways that don’t require a plane ticket.
Victoria checks every single box. European charm, twinkling lights everywhere, and enough Christmas activities to keep everyone from toddlers to grandparents happy.
We’ve explored Christmas in Seattle (love it) and Vancouver’s holiday magic (also amazing). But Victoria? It hits different.
Maybe it’s the British colonial architecture lit up like a fairytale. Or the fact that you can ride a horse-drawn sleigh past the Parliament Buildings. Whatever it is, this place knows how to do Christmas right.
Butchart Gardens: Where 300,000+ Lights Come to Life
Okay, real talk. This is THE reason most people head to Victoria at Christmas.
The Magic of Christmas at Butchart Gardens runs from December 1 through January 6. They string up over 300,000 lights across the 55-acre property, and the whole theme is the Twelve Days of Christmas. My kids turned it into a scavenger hunt, trying to spot all twelve days.
Their favorite? The two turtle doves… who were literally chatting on cell phones. And the ten lords-a-leaping turned out to be frogs bouncing behind a hedge. Someone on the Butchart team has a serious sense of humor.
Pro tips from a family travel expert: Hit up the cafe first for hot chocolate and gingerbread cookies. They also have scavenger hunt sheets you can grab to make it extra fun for kids.
And here’s something genius I’ve never seen anywhere else… they have buckets of clear umbrellas scattered throughout the gardens. If it starts raining (this IS the Pacific Northwest), just grab one, use it, and return it when you’re done.
The indoor carousel is gorgeous and totally free during your visit. My kids would’ve ridden it all night if I’d let them.
There’s even an ice skating rink where you can bring your own skates or rent them.
When you turn in your completed scavenger hunt at the end, the kids get candy canes. Small touch, but they were SO excited about it.
Admission: $37 for adults, $18.50 for youth ages 13-17, and $5 for kids ages 5-12. Book your Butchart Gardens tickets and transportation here.
Horse-Drawn Sleigh Rides Through Downtown
Remember when I said Victoria does Christmas right? This is what I’m talking about.
We booked a sleigh ride with Tally-Ho Carriage Tours, and the carriage was literally decked out to look like Santa’s sleigh. Plush seats, thick waterproof blankets, the whole deal.
Our tour guide was fantastic. She told my boys all about her horse and didn’t skip a beat when my five-year-old asked approximately 47 questions. We rode through Beacon Hill Park (spotted peacocks!) and past Emily Carr’s house.
Here’s where it got interesting. My five-year-old’s absolute favorite part of the entire Victoria trip? Learning that Emily Carr used to make paint out of monkey poo. He told literally everyone we saw for the rest of the day.
Book the 4pm tour if you can. You’ll see the sights during twilight, then catch all the Christmas lights on the Parliament Buildings and boats in the harbor as it gets dark. It’s basically designed for Instagram, but also genuinely magical.
Cost: Tours range from $150-$310 depending on length (30-90 minutes).
Meet Father Christmas at the Royal BC Museum
Forget Santa. In Victoria, you meet Father Christmas.
On select Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays (December 6-22), the Royal BC Museum hosts Father Christmas in their Old Town exhibit. The staff takes free photos and emails them to you. No sketchy mall Santa backdrop here, just gorgeous Victorian-era decor.
While you’re there, spend time exploring the rest of the museum. My young kids loved panning for gold, the hands-on Maya exhibit, and walking through the big ship display. There’s also an IMAX theater if you have extra time.
Cost: Included with museum admission.
The Truck Light Parade
This one’s uniquely Victoria and honestly pretty cool.
The IEOA Truck Light Convoy happens on December 6, 2025. Basically, a bunch of commercial trucks get completely decorated with lights and drive around Victoria collecting food donations for local food banks.
Even the customs guy at the Clipper terminal told us about it when we arrived. That’s how popular it is.
We only caught a glimpse as trucks were heading to the starting point, but families line the entire route to watch. It starts at 5pm at the Breakwater District and winds through Oak Bay, downtown Victoria, and out to the West Shore communities.
Gingerbread Showcase at Hotel Grand Pacific
If you love creative gingerbread houses (or just like looking at impressive things while supporting a good cause), head to Hotel Grand Pacific.
This annual Habitat for Humanity fundraiser runs from November 21, 2025 through January 4, 2026. Local businesses and community members create elaborate gingerbread displays, and you vote for your favorites by donating.
Last year they raised $125,000. The whole lobby is filled with rows of gingerbread creations, and some of them are seriously impressive. We’re talking multi-story structures, elaborate themes, the works.
Cost: Free to view, donations encouraged.
Festival of Trees at The Bay Centre
While you’re doing your Christmas shopping, pop into The Bay Centre.
They host the annual Festival of Trees (November 15, 2025 – January 5, 2026) to support BC Children’s Hospital Foundation. Over 90 Christmas trees, each decorated by a local business with different themes.
You can vote for your favorite trees by donating, and there are great photo ops set up throughout. Plus, it’s one of the best spots to grab Victoria souvenirs and do any last-minute shopping.
Pro tip: Visit Thursday or Friday evenings for fewer crowds and to see the trees really shine.
Cost: Free to view, donations encouraged.
Christmas Photos Around Victoria
Victoria is ridiculously photogenic at Christmas. Every building has outdoor decorations, shop windows are themed, and there are festive displays everywhere.
I always book a Flytographer session when we travel (save $20 with my link!). This time we did a 60-minute shoot around the Fairmont Empress and downtown Victoria.
Our photographer Stephanie was amazing. I showed up feeling frazzled with my two boys, and she immediately put me at ease. She knew exactly where to take us, how to get the boys to smile, and even handed me a cloth to clean my glasses (mom life, right?).
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 $20 off if you book through this link.
We’ve used Flytographer in Paris, London, and Rome. It’s hands-down the best way to make sure I’m actually IN the photos instead of always being the one behind the camera.
Getting to Victoria from Seattle
Clipper Ferry (My Top Pick)
The Victoria Clipper is the easiest way to get from Seattle to Victoria. It’s a passenger-only boat that leaves from downtown Seattle’s Pier 69.
In December, there’s one sailing per day. You leave Seattle at 8am and arrive in Victoria at 10:45am. Coming back, you depart at 5pm and get to Seattle at 7:45pm. The ride takes about 2 hours and 45 minutes, and you go through customs right at the ferry terminal.
Seating classes:
Economy: Standard seating on the lower deck. Starting from $148 for adults (kids under 12 are 50% off when booking packages).
Vista: Upper deck with extra legroom, window seats, and table seating for families. Additional $10 per way.
Comfort: Priority boarding, leather seats, complimentary drinks and snacks. Additional $25 per way.
We did Vista class at a four-top table on the upper deck, and it was perfect for our family. The kids could spread out with activities, and we had a great view.
They serve food and drinks on board, including Macrina Bakery goods from Seattle. On the way home, they even did in-seat service, which was a lifesaver when traveling solo with small kids.
Parking is only $10 per day at a nearby garage (keep your ticket stub for the discount). You can carry on bags for free or check them for $15 each way.
Sometimes you can even spot orcas from the boat!
Seaplane (The Fastest Option)
If you’re short on time, Kenmore Air flies from Seattle to Victoria in just 45 minutes. You land right in Victoria’s Inner Harbour.
It’s a scenic flight with amazing views, especially at Christmas with all the lights. Fares run around $320 roundtrip, and you’re limited to 25 pounds of luggage per person.
Coho Ferry from Port Angeles
If you’re already on the Olympic Peninsula, the Coho Ferry from Port Angeles is a good option. The 90-minute ride runs multiple times daily on winter weekends.
You can drive your car on or walk on as a passenger. Roundtrip for a vehicle plus driver is $133, additional adults are $38, kids 5-11 are $19, and under 5 are free.
BC Ferry from Vancouver
Already in Vancouver? Take BC Ferries. Multiple sailings throughout the day, and the 1 hour 35 minute ride has beautiful views.
Where to Stay in Victoria at Christmas
Inn at Laurel Point
We stayed at the Inn at Laurel Point, and it was perfect. Just minutes from the Clipper terminal, so we didn’t need to deal with taxis or rentals.
It’s an independent boutique hotel and British Columbia’s first carbon-neutral hotel, which I love. Our newly renovated room faced the water, and the kids spent one entire morning lounging in their adorable kid-sized bathrobes watching boats in the harbor.
The restaurant Aura has incredible food. That granola and coconut yogurt parfait at breakfast? Still thinking about it. And their croissants were perfectly flaky.
On our last night, we ordered room service and ate dinner in bed while looking out over Victoria Harbour. Living our best life.
What really stood out was the service. The staff went above and beyond, helping with bags, calling taxis, and consistently checking if we needed anything. When you’re traveling with kids (especially solo), that level of service makes all the difference.
Fairmont Empress
The Fairmont Empress is iconic and gorgeous, especially at Christmas. They have an indoor heated pool, kids’ activities, kid-size robes, and lots of family amenities.
During December, the Christmas decorations inside are elaborate, and the building is covered in sparkly lights outside. They also do a holiday version of their famous Afternoon Tea.
Where to Eat with Kids
Floyd’s Diner
Hands down our favorite meal in Victoria.
It’s a bright pink building with cool exterior paintings of people like Charlie Chaplin. Inside, it’s filled with fun, kitschy memorabilia.
The staff was incredibly friendly, the food was delicious, and the kid’s menu is hilarious to read. My kids ordered chicken fingers and grilled cheese, loved it so much they asked for to-go boxes (this NEVER happens), and then finished the leftovers an hour later.
They’re already asking when we can go back, so I think it’s becoming a family tradition.
Rebar
A vegetarian restaurant with amazing fresh juice and smoothies. The kids couldn’t get enough of their smoothie, and my Maui Honeymoon juice was exactly what I needed during cold and flu season.
The restaurant is super cute with brightly colored tablecloths, and the corner location is perfect for people-watching.
The Dutch Bakery
An old-school bakery that’s been around since 1956. We grabbed gingerbread cookies for our sleigh ride but ended up ordering fancy macarons, speculoos cookies, and more treats to eat back at the hotel.
Everything was fresh and delicious.
More Things to Do in Victoria at Christmas
If you have extra time, consider the Hop-on, Hop-off tour on the red double-decker buses. There’s indoor seating or you can bundle up on the open-air top deck.
Other winter activities include the Victoria Butterfly Garden, Chinatown (the oldest in Canada), Miniature World, and the Victoria Bug Zoo.
And of course, High Tea is iconic in Victoria. You can do it at the Fairmont Empress (they have a special kid’s version), Abkhazi Garden, and several other spots around town.
Final Thoughts
Victoria at Christmas is honestly one of the most magical places we’ve visited as a family. It has that perfect mix of festive activities, beautiful scenery, and just enough British charm to feel special without being over the top.
The fact that it’s so accessible from Seattle makes it even better. No flights, no long drives, just a ferry ride across gorgeous water.
Whether you’re doing a quick overnight trip or staying for a few days, Victoria knows how to make Christmas special. And if you plan it right (with a stop at Butchart Gardens and a sleigh ride through downtown), you’ll have memories your kids talk about for years.
Trust me. Mine are still talking about that monkey poo paint.
