Oysters, long-table Christmas dinners and polar bear dips—it’s time to ring in the New Year!
Cover illustration by Caitlin McDonagh.
Victoria
Dec. 29 | Atomic Vaudeville Cabaret 82, New Year’s Eve Special This performance from award-winning Victoria group Atomic Vaudeville is described as a trip through time and space to explore the wealth gap with Elon Musk, the edge of live entertainment itself, and baby Yoda. General seating is $24 and doors are at 7 p.m. Bon voyage!
Dec. 31 | New Year’s Ile Sausage 2020 Not a typo, but rather an apt play on words, Ile Sausage is Île Sauvage’s meat-forward NYE event that promises all-night charcuterie, a prosciutto cutting from Haus Sausage, live music, the craft brewery’s best sours and two varieties of Tilquin on tap. It’s all happening at their modern tasting room at 2960 Bridge St., and tickets are a very reasonable $37 each.
Dec. 31 | Paul’s Diner NYE 2020 PreParty Long before the ball drops on NYE, the folks at Paul’s Diner by Fol Epi will be putting on a four-course dinner for $45, starting at 6 p.m. Music is on the agenda too, and the revamped restaurant’s Disco at the Diner will feature performances from Edit Vetter, Lito Ford and DJ Trever. Reservations recommended but walk-ins allowed if there’s space.
Dec. 24 | Hanukkah Speakeasy The speakeasy series at the Victoria Event Centre is going all out for a special Hanukkah edition on December 24. Bring your dancing shoes and sequined dresses as live swing jazz band Capital City Syncopators will be performing. Silent film clips will play on in the background, the craft cocktails will be flowing, there will be a Menorah lighting, and many dreidels about. Tickets are $10 at the door and include a free drink ticket (if you know the password).
Dec. 31 | Battle New Year’s Eve This is an Iron Chef, winner-takes-all battle royale between Hanks, *a restaurant and sister spot Nowhere, *a restaurant. Each team will put up a meal of five courses and guests will be judging and voting on all 10 dishes. There’s even a score card of 10 points for taste, 5 for plating and 5 for originality. It’s sold out, but hey, plans change so you better put your name on the waitlist just in case. Tickets are $125 each.
Dec. 28 and 29 | Fresh Oyster Pop-Up by Wandering Mollusk The holidays are all about indulgence, and at Whistle Buoy Brewing, they’re classing up the place with a pop-up oyster event from Wandering Mollusk. Try top-notch oysters sourced from the Salish Sea and pair it with your new favourite beer. The event runs 2:30 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Ucluelet
Dec. 31-Jan. 1 | Pluvio Dine and Stay NYE This Ucluelet restaurant and boutique hotel has been making waves since the moment it opened earlier this year. This all-inclusive event includes a five-course tasting menu, a front-row seat to champagne sabering, gourmet snacks at midnight, an overnight stay in one of their luxury suites next door, breakfast the next day, Bailey’s coffee, and a late checkout (one doesn’t want to have to be rushed after staying up to ring in the new year, does one?). The package starts at $380 for two guests.
Tofino
Jan. 1 | Polar Bear Swim This frigid dip into the Island’s coastal waters has become a whole multi-staged event in Tofino. The 10th annual swim starts off with a beach clean up and “karma table” at 11 a.m. on New Year’s Day and then at 11:30 a.m., participants can get their zen on with some beach yoga from Tofino Yoga. The main event kicks off (or, rather splashes down) at 1 p.m. It’s free of course and all brave swimmers get free hot cocoa (so BYO mug).
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.
