Loosen your waist-bands! Gourmet waffles, truffle dinners and holiday treats ahead.
Cover illustration by Caitlin McDonagh.
Victoria
Dec. 20 | Indigenous Artists’ Winter Solstice Pop-Up Knotty by Nature Fibre Arts is putting on a much buzzed-about two-day market on the winter solstice exclusively showcasing Canadian Indigenous artists. Look out for pottery, jewellery, textiles, beadwork and more from Coastal Bead Collective, Renegade Rose Artistry, Far Out Art, May Sam (a Cowichan Elder and artist), Avadon Pottery, Lady Bear Designs, Uumati and more. Runs Friday, Dec. 20 from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. and from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 21. 1919 Fernwood Rd.
Dec. 20 | Pinot Girls Series: Christmas Chocolates, Desserts and Wine If the promise of the three best holiday food groups wasn’t enough to get you in the door, the ethos behind Pinot Girls will: this women-supporting-women series features a new female entrepreneur every month, along with a new winery setting and discussion. This holiday iteration is all about the Christmas table, features Fitzpatrick Wines and offers up the afore-promised chocolates, desserts and wine. Find the event at Tudor House Liquor Store; tickets are $20.
Dec. 20-21 | Holiday Dream Coffees for Coffee Lovers Because we all need extra motivation to get out of bed in December, Hey Happy kicks off its special holiday menu of crazy over-the-top drinks that runs Dec. 20 to 31. On the menu? White chocolate peppermint mochas, and butterscotch praline lattes served with shortbread.
Dec. 21-29 | Broomsticks and Floo Powder, a Potter Palooza at the Vic Theatre Some events require high heels and buttoned-up shirts, while others afford a more casual attire of sweats, university hoodies and terry-cloth robes—a Harry Potter marathon (that’s eight two-hour-plus movies) is surely such a PJ-forward occasion. There will be games, prizes, butter beer and snacks. All ages welcome, “muggles tolerated” and tickets are available for single showings ($10 to $15) or for the whole shebang.
Dec. 21 | Roller Christmas Show and December Social Skate Roller Skate Victoria’s most recent class of fledgling blade runners will be performing dazzling in-motion routines for a end-of-year holiday show on Dec. 21 at 5:30 p.m. The performance is $10 in advance, and there’s also a social skate op which is $15 in advance, but if you want to hit both, for $25 you’ll also get your skate rental thrown in for free. (Not to mention there are group discounts for families too.) , Plus, the live vinyl DJ will be taking requests all night long and there will be drinks and snacks on-site.
Dec. 22 | Waffle Sunday This cozy Oak Bay coffee shop cooks up waffles fresh off the griddle with a variety of bar mixologist-level ingredients. You can get the basic with salted butter and maple syrup, but past waffle specials have included cranberry compote-topped waffles with douglas fir whipped cream and a mandarin orange syrup (priced around $10.50). Hide and Seek releases the upcoming surprise waffle menu a few days prior on Instagram, but co-owner Jamie Owens says this Sunday you can expect something festive, “maybe a chocolate orange, gingerbread or winter spiced apple.” We’ll see you there.
Cowichan
Dec. 21 | Deerholme Farm Truffle Dinner Could there be a tastier pair of words than “truffle dinner?” This farm-to-table series features a multi-course tasting menu built around foraged wild food and of course, truffles. Expect offerings like truffle vinaigrette winter salad with pork belly lardons, or beef tenderloin, truffle gnudi, roasted squash and bordelaise sauce. Theteam cooks and prepares everything a la minute, The truffles start landing on tables at 5 p.m. and the dinner wraps up around 9 p.m. Tickets are $125 per person (and selling fast).
Tofino
Dec. 18 | Wolf in the Fog Community Christmas Dinner Wolf in the Fog is putting together a very special seasonal dinner from scratch. On Wednesday, Dec. 8 head chef Nicholas Nutting and his team are cooking a traditional turkey feast with all the fixings and tasty sides that is free for those in need and by donation for those who just want to give back a little this Christmas. Added bonus: all proceeds from the meal will benefit local charities in Tofino and nearby communities.
Dec. 20 | Home for the Brewlidays This community get together is a collaboration from new zero-waste concept shop Frankly Tofino and Tofino Brewing Co.There will be a holiday market and board swap with food and plenty o’ craft suds. The event runs 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. and door donations go towards the Wickaninnish Elementary School’s garden program. The event is waste-free so bring your own cups for drinks and bags for shopping.
Salt Spring Island
Dec. 21 | Winter Solstice Dinner with Chef Josh Blumenthal Francis Bread has teamed up with Chef Josh Blumenthal once more to host this special island diner. Blumenthal is based on Galiano Island where he runs the Trincomali Supper Club (he previously worked at Pilgrimme) and is an avid forager, so you can expect a big dose of the local terroir in his dishes. Tickets are $75.
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.
