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Victoria, BC - December 2000
By Barbara Ballard
 Victoria Dresses Up for the Holidays
Christmas is coming to Victoria. The Parliament Building's (at the Inner Harbour) 3000 white lights are changed to red and green, and a large tree is lighted on the grounds.
Point Ellice House celebrates Christmas in the British style
(see August 2000 article for house details or go to their website)
When Vancouver Island was a colony of Britain in the late 1800's, the O'Reilly family celebrated in the tradition of their homeland. These traditions are brought back to life today by the decorations: holly and ivy in every room - the holly comes from the original trees planted by Peter O'Reilly.
Family letters and diaries give details of the holidays.
"The shops in town very gay and well stocked - drove to town delivered a lot of holly at St. John's church."
(Peter O'Reilly to Caroline, Christmas 1889)
"...Slight frost during the night...Carry busy preparing her Xmas pies and puddings"
(Peter O'Reilly, Dec. 23, 1870)
"We sang songs and Christmas hymns in which all joined heartily. The dinner was excellent with the exception of the pudding about which there was some mistake!"
(Caroline O'Reilly to Kathleen, 1884)
I really wish she had told us what was wrong with that pudding. Mrs. O'Reilly's original recipe book is part of the collection at Point Ellice house and contains her plum pudding, mincemeat and turkey stuffing Christmas recipes. There's a lot of suet in the mincemeat tarts!
The Christmas tree in the dining room is decorated in the style of the times - garlands strung with popcorn, cranberries and rose hips, cookies and sachets made by the family.
Entertainment of the day consisted of Kathleen and Caroline O'Reilly playing the harp and piano, singing and dancing. Part of the Christmas tradition was playing games: The Minister's Cat, Pass the Slipper and Blindman's Buff.
The Minister's Cat was a word game where one person in a group would start by saying, "The Minister's cat is an awesome cat (or any other adjective beginning with an a) and so on around the circle. The next round would use the letter "b" and then the rest of the alphabet would follow on succeeding rounds.
From December 16-31 (closed December 25), enjoy Christmas at the O'Reilly's at Point Ellice House, 2616 Pleasant St., Victoria from noon to 5pm. Visitors are greeted at the front door of the house and invited to wander at their leisure through the decorated home. A special Christmas Afternoon Tea is served in the barn.
Admission: Adults $5.00 Children under 16 $3.50
Afternoon tea: $16.95, which includes admission to the house.
Information: (250) 380-6506
Note: In calling any of the following phone numbers below long distance, prefix the number with Victoria's area code 250.
Exhibits
Through March 4, 2001
Circus Magicus
Royal British Columbia Museum, 675 Belleville St.
Circus Magicus, the creation of the Musee de la Civilisation in Quebec, features more than 200 artifacts, historical drawings and photographs that reconstruct the thrilling universe of the circus. Some of the objects are as old as 250 years and have been brought together from international museums and private collections. The exhibit is produced in collaboration with Cirque de Soleil. Tickets Available at Tourism Victoria.
Info: (250) 387-3701
Through January, 2001
Jade, the Ultimate Treasure of China
Art Gallery of Greater Victoria
1040 Moss Street, Victoria
Mon - Weds, Fri and Sat 10 am - 5 pm
Thurs 1 pm - 9 pm; Sun 1 pm - 5 pm
Admission: $5 adults, $3 students and seniors
Information: (250) 384-4101
Jade is no ordinary stone to the Chinese. It has been worked and revered in China for use as sacred objects, for treasure and for decoration and ornament since Neolithic times. Chinese emperors valued jade even more than western kings did gold and silver. This exhibit is comprised of 120 exquisite objects of jade from the People's Republic of China. Most pieces are from important archaeological digs. Worth over $37 million, this exhibition represents the finest jade collection to ever go on tour from China.
Events
November 24 to January 1, 2001
Gingerbread Houses
Art Gallery of Greater Victoria
1040 Moss Street, Victoria
Mon - Wed, Fri and Sat 10 am - 5 pm,
Thurs 1 pm - 9 pm, Sun 1 pm - 5 pm
Admission: $5 adults, $3 students and seniors
Information: (250) 384-4101
The Art Gallery of Greater Victoria displays gingerbread houses made by local chefs.
Nov. 27 - Jan. 3, 2001
Festival of Trees
The Empress Hotel
721 Government Street, Victoria
Information: (250) 384-8111
Over 50 Christmas Trees are displayed throughout the Hotel and adjoining Conference Centre. Visitors are invited to vote for their favourite tree.
December 1-24
Free Horse-Drawn Trolley Rides
Information: (250) 360-0789
Sleigh bells ring as horse drawn trolleys take to the streets to bring tradition and cheer to this holiday season. Climb aboard a free trolley at Market Square in Victoria's Old Town and travel to shopping and event destinations in downtown Victoria. The route takes approximately 30 minutes.
December 1-2
The Great Canadian Beer Festival
Victoria Conference Centre
720 Douglas Street
A celebration of the brewer's craft. Only all-natural beers are served - with most of brewers on hand to answer questions. Also on hand will be hop growers, masters, equipment suppliers, brewery manufacturers, beer importers and distributors. Beer samples are $1 each. Admission by ticket only, $15 by mail or from local outlets, no tickets at the door.
Info: (250) 383-2332
December 1-January 6, 2001
Butchart Gardens: Christmas Illuminations
The Butchart Gardens, 800 Benvenuto Avenue
The world renowned Butchart Gardens puts on a very special show of Christmas Illuminations. Areas of the gardens are highlighted by the spectacular glow of hundreds of thousands of coloured Christmas lights. Walking through the gardens in the radiance of these Christmas Illuminations instantly puts one in the mood for celebration. Finish off a tour with a traditional Christmas meal in the Dining Room, or warm up with tea in the Blue Poppy Room.
Info: (250) 652-4422
December 1-31
A Victorian Christmas
Craigdarroch Castle, 1050 Joan Crescent
This very unique attraction is one of Victoria's finest examples of heritage. Built in 1888 by coal baron Robert Dunsmuir as a gift for his wife, this castle has been preserved over the years and has now become a very popular tourist attraction. Decorated in the Victorian style and adorned with hundreds of lights, this attraction is a sight to be seen! Christmas carolers and other entertainment will also be available.
Info: (250) 592-5323
December 2, 3, 9, 10, 16, 17, 23-31 (closed December 25-26)
Treasure Trove of Christmas at Carr House
Emily Carr House
207 Government Street, Victoria
11 am to 4 pm
Admission: Adults $5.35, Students and Seniors $4.28, Children $3.21
Info: (250) 383-5843
Carr House is decorated throughout in a high Victorian style. Tour the birthplace of a great Canadian artist and author, Emily Carr. Indulge in hot cider and goodies in the Breakfast Room. Step back in time to the wonder of Christmas long ago. Sing traditional Christmas carols at the piano in the beautifully appointed parlor. A special feature of this year's Yuletide Season will be the "Small Players Puppet Troupe", a group of puppeteers who regale visitors with traditional Victorian tales and imagery.
December 3-4
A Passion for Classics: Concert III
Farquhar Auditorium, University of Victoria
Victoria Symphony performs Stravinsky, Spohr, Underhill and Haydn. Owen Underhill will conduct, with Ann Elliott-Goldschmid performing on violin. Performances at 2:30 Sunday, 8:00pm Monday. Tickets $29.00, $21.00 and $16.00.
Tickets Available at Tourism Victoria
Info: (250) 385-6515 / 386-6121
December 3-4
Stage Show "Grease"
Starring Cindy Williams and Eddie Mekka.
Royal Theatre, 805 Broughton St. downtown
Tickets on sale at the box office.
Info: (250) 386-6121
December 5-23
A Twisted Christmas Carol
Belfry Theatre
1291 Gladstone Avenue, Victoria
Tickets $14 - $27
Tickets and information: (250) 385-6815
Rock-Paper-Scissors is one of Canada's premier comedy troupes. Hailed by critics as being unique and very funny, A Twisted Christmas Carol is a partly scripted, partly improvised look at the Charles Dickens Classic. Using your suggestions, the Dickens' classic and their own quick wits, RPS crafts a new show every night based on the whims of the audience. A Twisted Christmas Carol is designed for adults, but kids 10 and up will love it too. Nightly performances Tuesday - Saturday at 8pm, matinees on the 20th, and a Sunday evening show, 8pm on December 17th.
December 9
Rita McNeil
Royal Theatre, 805 Broughton Street
For the first time on tour together, Canadian superstar Rita MacNeil and the authentic Cape Breton Miners Chorus "The Men of The Deeps" will entertain in a "Mining the Soul" Christmas.
Performance at 8:00pm. Tickets $45.25.
Tickets Available at Tourism Victoria
Info: (250) 386-6121
December 10-11
Be Enchanted by the Masters: Concert III
Royal Theatre, 805 Broughton Street
Victoria Symphony performs Boccherini, Molter, Chatman, and Beethoven. Performances at 2:30pm on the 10th and 8pm on the 11th. Tickets $29.00, $21.00 and $16.00.
Tickets Available at Tourism Victoria
Info: (250) 385-6515 / 386-6121
December 14-25
12 Days of Victoria Christmas
Chateau Victoria, 740 Burdett Street
A celebration including Christmas festivities and Victorian costumes.
Info: (250) 382-4221
December 15-17
Seagram Pops: Annual Christmas Pops Special
Royal Theatre, 805 Broughton Street
This year Brian Jackson has invited his favourite soprano, Barbara Dunn-Prosser to join us for the traditional musical celebration. Performances at 2:00 Thursday, 8:00pm Friday and Saturday.
Tickets $29.00, $21.00 and $16.00.
Tickets Available at Tourism Victoria
Info: (250) 385-6515 / 386-6121
December 17-30
Gingerbread House Hunt
Downtown Victoria
Info: (250) 360-0789
Seven beautiful and unique gingerbread houses are placed in downtown windows. The contest begins when you visit the first gingerbread house located at the Out of Hand Gallery, 566 Johnson Street. Clues will be left so you can find the remaining gingerbread houses. Vote for your favourite house.
December 20-26
Annual Ships Christmas Lighting Contest
Her Majesty's Dockyard, end of Esquimalt Road
The Canadian Navy go all out and decorate their ships in their annual Ships Christmas Lighting Contest. Come and see Canada's West Coast Fleet at its Christmas best and vote for your favourite ship. The gate to Her Majesty's Dockyard, at the end of Esquimalt Road, will be open to drive-through traffic between 7 and 10 pm, extended until 11 pm on Christmas Eve.
Non-perishable food items or cash donations will be accepted on behalf of the Mustard Seed Food Bank.
Info: (250) 363-2000
December 20-24, 27-31
Christmas Program at Helmcken House
Helmcken House, on Douglas St side of Royal BC Museum
This heritage attraction is one of the oldest pioneer homes in Victoria. Built in 1852, this property has been maintained over the years and now is a historic tourist attraction that many enjoy. Helmcken House has special Christmas tours that involve professional actors demonstrating the celebrations of a traditional Victorian family at Christmas time. Snacks and drinks are available during this tour, and classical decorations enhance this historic setting.
Info: (250) 361-0021
December 21
Winter Solstice Lantern Procession
Victoria's Centennial Square
7:00 p.m.
December 22-23
Handel's Messiah
Royal Theatre, 805 Broughton Street
Tickets and information: (250) 386-6121
The Victoria Symphony performs this Christmas classic with four outstanding soloists from the Victoria Choral Society.
December 28-30
The Nutcracker
Royal Theatre, 805 Broughton Street
Tchaikovsky's classic Christmas tale comes to the Royal Theatre.
Tickets Available at Tourism Victoria
Info: (250) 386-6121
To book a Victoria Christmas hotel reservation, call 1-800-663-3883. For more information about Christmas in Victoria, visit the website at www.tourismvictoria.com, or call (250) 953-2033
Quirky Stuff
January 1
Polar Bear Swim
Elk Lake, Highway 17, Victoria
Join us for a wild and crazy cold dip in Elk Lake. The swim starts at 2:00 pm sharp and there is no admission charge.
©2000 By Barbara Ballard. Reproduction of this work in whole or in part, including images, and reproduction in electronic media, without documented permission from the author is prohibited. Photo credits: courtesy Craigdarroch House; Point Ellice by Phyllis Comrie (cards available at Point Ellice shop); Butchart Gardens
Questions?
If you want more information about this area you can email the author or check out our North America Insiders page.
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