A Teddy Bear Christmas

Visit the Sidney Museum this month to see their special exhibit, A Teddy Bear Christmas.  This is a fun exhibit for the entire family.  Over 300 Teddy Bears are playing hide-and-seek in the museum.  Also on display are Christmas Tree Traditions from the 1920s to the 1960s.

Admission by donation.

Last Chance Christmas Craft Fair

The Mary Winspear Centre is hosting the Last Change Christmas Craft Fair on December 10th and 11th from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm.  Craft fairs are wonderful places to find perfect gifts for those special people on your list.

All guests and marina staff are invited to share the Christmas spirit by donating to the Kiwanis Toy Drive this season.  The Kiwanis Club is accepting new packaged toys and will be distributing them to local families.  A donation box is located in the marina office foyer.

Please follow the guidelines below:

• New unwrapped packaged toys
• Age groups 0-13 years
• No stuffed toys unpackaged
• Donation Deadline December 15th, 2011

Please give generously!

Every year Butchart Gardens celebrates Christmas with tens of thousands of coloured lights combined with other festive decorations.  Walk through the breathtaking lights and discover the twelve days of Christmas displays tucked away throughout the Gardens.  It is a magical time of year.

Visit the Butchart Gardens from 5:00 to 9:00 pm between December 1st and January 6th and enjoy the beauty of Christmas.

Alberta Ballet’s The Nutcracker

It isn’t Christmas without The Nutcracker.  The Alberta Ballet’s The Nutcracker returns this year to wow audiences again with their spectacular performance of this timeless story.  Performances are scheduled Friday December 2nd through Sunday December 4th, 2011 at the Royal Theatre.

Performance Schedule:

• December 2nd at 7:30 pm
• December 3rd at 2:00 and 7:30 pm
• December 4th at 2:00 pm

Sidneyland – Christmas

For a fun children activity, visit the Mary Winspear Centre on Sunday December 4th from 1:00 to 3:00 pm and 4:00 to 6:00 pm.  The centre will be transformed into a Winter Wonderland of bouncy castles, face painting, games, balloons and much more.

This is a fundraiser for the Youth Arts & Cultural Festival.

For admission details, please visit Sidneyland.

Sidney Sparkles and Sailpast Parade

Join us in celebrating Sidney’s Annual Sidney Sparkles & Sailpast Parade on December 3rd, 2011.  The Sidney Sparkles Santa Parade starts at 5:00 pm and follows the route down Beacon Ave and Second Street.  See the beautifully decorated floats and vehicles decked out in Christmas lighted themes.

The Sidney Sailpast of Lighted Boats Parade starts at 6:15 pm at Van Isle Marina and sails along the coastline past the waterfront.  The best viewing spots are from Port Sidney to Tulista Park.  It wouldn’t be Sidney by the Sea without a Sailpast Parade!

Christmas in the Manger

Get into the Christmas spirit with the Saanich Fair Christmas in the Manger Craft Fair this coming weekend, November 26-27, 2011.  The craft fair is located at the Saanich Fairgrounds on Stelly’s Cross Road.  The craft fair is open from 10am to 4pm with a small admission fee at the door.

Island Farms Santa Light Parade

Nothing says Christmas like the Island Farms Santa Light Parade!  The parade goes through downtown Victoria on November 26, 2011 at 5:45pm.  This is a highly anticipated event that draws more than 40,000 people.  There will be bands, floats and Santa himself in the parade.  This is a great opportunity to get into the Christmas spirit and give by donating nonperishable food items to the Mustard Seed Food Bank.

Water

During freezing temperatures, the water is shut off on all docks.  Please follow weather forecasts and ensure your tanks are full.

Snow

In the event of a snowfall, snow will be cleared from the parking lots and docks (but not boathouses).

Slippery Docks

During the winter, always beware of ice and frost on the docks.

For those of you who enjoy listening to the theatrics of Dave and Morley, join Stuart McLean with guest Hawksley Workman Monday, November 28th, 2011.  Two showings are available at 2:30 pm and 7:30 pm at the Royal Theatre in Victoria.

Stuart McLean first came out with The Vinyl Cafe in 1994 and has enjoyed tremendous success ever since.

For ticket information, please visit the Royal & McPherson Theatre Society.

The Marina Office will be closed Friday November 11th in honour of Remembrance Day.  Please note that we will be open Saturday November 12th.  Our apologies for any inconvenience this may cause.