Where to get your on-theme holiday party outfit, where to go in your holiday outfits, and all the holiday markets you can handle.
Cover illustration by Caitlin McDonagh.
Victoria
Nov. 21-30 | Victoria Costumes Closing Out Sale Every decade, every theme, every novelty, every holiday—you name it, Victoria Costumes has it. This dress-up mainstay is closing in the new year and looking to send all their costumes off to good homes. Everything is 25 per cent to 50 per cent off, and appointments are recommended. Stock up for holiday parties, your birthday, Halloween next year or for any Saturday where you feel like a costume is a good idea (and it almost always is).
Nov. 28 | PechaKucha Victoria PechaKucha is a Japanese storytelling format where a presenter shows 20 slides for 20 seconds of commentary each. This evening of creative show and tell is hosted by Paper Street Theatre at co-working and cool community space Kwench, with 11 local presenters—from music directors to community builders to artists—all tapped to impress and inform you. Doors open at 7 p.m., and tickets are $18 in advance.
Nov. 29-30 | Christmas Craft Beer Show It’s the most wonderful time of year—and with beer too. Thirty-six or more of your favourite microbreweries and cideries from Western Canada are gathering under one roof for the Christmas Craft Beer Show, including Moon Under Water, Vancouver Island Brewing, Yellow Dog, Off the Rail and Central City Brewers and Distillers. It all goes down at the Save On Foods Memorial Centre and tickets are $45.
Nov. 30-Dec. 1 | The Nerdy Days of Christmas Craft Fair Star Trek, Star Wars, Battlestar Galactica, Harry Potter, Mario—this special edition holiday craft market is packed with self-described nerdy crafters and artists. Come find cute gifts for your family and new character bobbleheads for the bookshelf. It takes place at the Lower Level Market Square (no Marauder’s Map required) and entry is by donation with 100 per cent of the proceeds going to the Victoria Hospitals Foundation.
Salt Spring Island
Dec. 1 | 8th Annual Chili Cook Off It’s the kind of charming community event that’s right up there with vegetable growing contests and hoedowns. Except at this one, you’ll be under the twinkly lights of Centennial Park sampling and judging the best chili the island has to offer. Plus, you’ll get to sit next to a toasty fire with a warm cup of hot apple cider. Runs 4-6 p.m. and proceeds benefit the Salt Spring Island Food Bank.
Nanaimo
Nov. 26 to Dec. 24 | Best Coast Pop-Up at Woodgrove Centre Like the name implies, this well-curated pop-up market features carefully selected vendors, all bringing you the best version of their West Coast. You’ll find jewellery, food, home decor and zero waste vendors to check out from now until Dec. 24.
Tofino
Nov. 29 | TofinoEats Chef Series: Chef Mariana Gabilondo and Chef Paul Moran Anyone who loves Vancouver’s Mezcaleria should be excited about this special foodie head-to-head event hosted by 1909 Kitchen. Get ready for some excellent Mexican cuisine (you can see the full menu on the event link) and fab cocktails, including an introduction to Mezcal flight.
Dec. 1 | Forager’s Excursion and Dinner with 1909 Kitchen’s Paul Moran He’s a chef, he’s a forager, he’s Paul Moran and your guide for a coastal foraging excursion on the Island’s wet, west coast. You’ll learn how to harvest shellfish sustainably and then after your morning out, you’ll regroup back at the restaurant that night for dinner at 6 p.m. to eat your spoils. Tickets for this tide-to-table chef feast are limited and cost $129 per person.
Campbell River
Nov. 27-30 | Banff Mountain Film Festival World Tour Campbell River is next on the Banff Mountain Film Festival World Tour. (For a refresher about the event, head here.) A handful of films will screen over three adrenaline-fuelled nights starting Nov. 27, plus one on Quadra Island on Nov. 30.
Nov. 29 to Dec. 24 | Artisans’ Market For something a little less adrenaline-fuelled but—depending on your idea of fun—no less inspiring, make your way to the Artisans’ Market at the Campbell River Art Gallery. From now until Dec. 24 (take note you last minute shoppers) a selection of works from regional and local artisans will be up for grabs.
Know of an event or cool gathering that we missed? Email us at breakwater@gmail.com, or keep us in the loop on Instagram and Facebook.
