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Monthly Updates

Regular posts on upcoming Victoria events, published the week prior to the beginning on the month.

Victoria Events for December 2011 #MUVMonthly

Nov 29th, 2011
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Welcome to our Monthly Update this is our regular update with the highlights of the upcoming month. And as the year comes to a close, Merry Christmas and Happy New Year from MeetupVictoria. We wil be here for you in the new year with another 12 months of great free, family friendly events.

Special Days and Holidays

  • 22 – Winter solstice
  • 25 – Christmas
  • 26 – Boxing Day
  • 31 – New Years Eve

The Season is upon us

The Christmas season comes firmly into view with the openning of the
- Festival of Trees (Fairmont Empress)
- Bear Wear (Grand Pacific)
- Gingerbread Houses (Laurel Point)

Parades and Lights Galore

The first Saturday in December (3rd) is loaded with reasons to get out and meet your neighbours. The lights will be out with the IEOA Lighted Truck Parade leaving Ogden point at 5:45 PM making their way through greater Victoria ending at Western Speedway at 8:15PM. The Lighted Ships Sailpast will light up in the inner harbour at 7PM. Sidney will sparkle with the Santa Parade and Sailpast. Langford will light up at Veterans Memorial Park also on December 3rd.

Downtown Victoria kicks it up with the spirit of Christmas Downtown all month. This includes the Skating rink at Centennial Square (open daily), horse-draw trolley rides on the weekend, and keep and eye out for the folks giving out the 2 hour free parking at downtown parkades.

Victoria Events for November 2011 #MUVMonthly

Oct 29th, 2011
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Special Days and Holidays

  • 6 – Daylight Savings (Fall Back 1 hour)
  • 11 – Rememberance Day
  • 24 – Thanksgivings (US)

Welcome to our Monthly Update this is our regular update with the highlights of the upcoming month. As the haunting events of Halloween pass at the end of October we head into the beginning of the Christmas events starting in the middle of November.

Remembrance Day
But before we hit the merryment we have one very important stop. On November 11th we stop to remember the sacrafices that Canadians have made. Please find your local cenetaph, most services start between 10:30 and 10:45.

The Season is upon us
The Christmas season comes firmly into view with the openning of the festive fundraisers which provide a great evening stroll around the inner harbour.

The big kickoff to Christmas will be November 26th with the Centennial Square Christmas Tree Light-Up followed by the Island Farms Santa’s Light Parade starting at 5:45.

Two more parade slide just into December with the IEOA Lighted Truck Parade and the Lighted Ships Sailpast the following Saturday (Dec 3rd) but more on that next month.

Victoria Events for September 2011 #MUVMonthly

Aug 31st, 2011
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Welcome to our Monthly Update this is our regular update with the highlights of the upcoming month. In addition to the regular markets, the musical events, we add a major events and those recurring events starting this month. While summer may look like it is in the rear view mirror, the start of school doesn’ t end the great fun in the South Island.

Special Days and Holidays

5 – Labour Day
23 – First day of Fall
Events

As the summer holidays come to a close for many, the Labour Day weekend has a few more days of great events to enjoy before the routine of school days come back. A

The Inner Harbour will host 2 events for the Labour Day weekend. Victoria Classic Boat Festival will have events Friday, Saturday and a sailpast at 10:30 AM on Sunday. The Vancouver Island Blues Bash hosts free shows at Ship’s Point in the Inner Harbour Saturday, Sunday and Monday in addition to their paid shows.

Greekfest starts August 30th and goes through the long weekend with food and free entertainment at the Greek Orthodox Church and Community Centre.

The Saanich Fair will entertain all ages Saturday, Sunday and Monday and you get free admission for those under 6.

And if you feel like re-investing that ferry fare you saved, there is great entertainment at the Victoria Fringe Festival which runs Aug 25 to Sept 5.

While this is a busy weekend it marks the end to some regular events. So while your down at the harbour, why not take in the last Harbour Ferry Ballet of the season on Sunday at 10:45. Don’t worry, they’ll be back in the calendar come next spring.

Most of the Markets continue through September with some going until the end of October. This is a great time to get out for local produce that is coming in with the start of fall. But before we get to fall, the last official weekend of summer (17,18) is full of great events. The Luxton Fall Fair  runs Friday through Sunday and many will take to the street Sunday for the Terry Fox Run.

And if running is your thing, this time of year has a number of events such as the Lands End Half Marathon and the Great Lake Walk which are good ways to get ready for the Goodlife Victoria Marathon but more on that next month. For a good running calendar, check out the event listing at the Prairie Inn Harriers website

Victoria Events for July 2011 #MUVMonthly

Jun 28th, 2011
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June sees the school year coming to and end.. and will lead us into another great Victoria Summer..


Special Days and Holidays

  • 1- Canada Day
  • 4 – Independence Day (US)

Canada Day will be the cornerstone event for July with many events around Greater Victoria. The Inner Harbour will be the focus of Victoria’s Canada Day events

  • A Flavour of Canada
  • (Ship Point)
  • 11:00am to 8:00pm
  • Monster Mural
  • (Legislature Lawns)
  • 12:00pm to 4:00pm
  • DVBA Living Flag
  • (Legislature Lawns)
  • 2:00pm to 3:00pm
  • Main Stage Concert
  • (Legislature Lawns)
  • 3:00pm to 10:20pm
  • Fireworks
  • (Inner Harbour)
  • 10:20pm

The Burnside Gorge Community will host the Gorge Canada Day Picnic that will start with a Parade at 9AM and  host events all along the Gorge from Admirals to Tillicum. The good folks of Sidney will show there Canada Day spirit with a parade of their own along Beacon Avenue as part of Sidney Days. If you want to see a Big Canada Birthday Cake head out to Canada Day at Fort Rodd Hill.

Victoria Pride Week also starts on the 1st with a week of events ending with the Pride Parade on July 10th.

The theme for the rest of July is Music. Jazzfest continues a number of venues around downtown victoria with music uncluding free concerts in Centennial Square. Summer in the Square Lunchtime Concerts starting July 5th noon – 1 p.m. in Centennial Square. That will join the Friday, Saturday and Sunday “Music in the Park” which started June 24th and will run through September 5th. The Victoria International Buskers Festival will provide entertainment downtown from July 15th to July 24th. The Victoria Symphony will add their musical talents to the mix with Summer Concerts series around town July 19 to 24th.

 

Victoria Events for June 2011 #MUVMonthly

May 27th, 2011
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June sees the school year coming to and end.. and will lead us into another great Victoria Summer..


Special Days and Holidays

  • 19 – Father’s Day
  • 24 – St-Jean Baptiste

We kick off June with Bike to Work week, so expect some more two wheel transport out there. And even if you don’t need to bike to work, there is nothing better than a weekend ride around Greater Victoria’s trail system.

June will see some great events highlighting the communities around Greater Victoria. The first weekend of June will have the Oak Bay Tea Party. Esquimalt get’s their turn the following weekend (10-12) with Buccaneer Days. Fernwood gets hopping with Fernfest on June 24th and 25th.

Jazzfest will fill a number of venues around downtown victoria with music starting June 26th.

 

Victoria Events for May 2011 MUVMonthly

Apr 27th, 2011
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If you aren’t already into the swing of spring, then this month is the month to start. With the big Victoria Day weekend the events are the big highlight. Our friends south of the border have Memorial Day weekend to look forward to.


Special Days and Holidays

  • 1 – May Day
  • 8 – Mother’s Day
  • 23 – Victoria Day (Stat holiday)
  • 30 – Memorial Day (U.S.)

May Day (1st) will also see the TC 10K race with the streets of downtown Victoria, James Bay and Fairfield filled with the runners, walkers and rollers.

The second weekend in May will focus on Mother’s day for many but we also see Quadra Village Day and the opening of the markets around the Capital Region.

The Times Colonist Book Sale anchors the 3rd weekend of the month with the annual literacy fundraiser held in the Victoria Curling Club May 14 and 15. For those wishing to donate drop off your items April 30th or May 1st, also at the curling club.

That leads us to the main event with  Victoria Day Weekend

While the Island Farm’s Victoria Day Parade is the anchor event on Monday, the weekend will be full of events. The Luxton Rodeo and the Celtic Festival run all weekend. 

We will end the month by the water with Swiftsure Weekend and the Selkirk Waterfront Festival.

 

Victoria Events for April 2011 Monthly Summary

Mar 29th, 2011
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Special Days and Holidays

1 – April Fool’s Day

22 – Good Friday

24 – Easter

This April will have a number of ‘events’ of the political kind but get out and support your local community events too. We will finish the month with the longer of the long weekends of the year with most getting Good Friday and Easter Monday off.

Check out the various Easter Eggstravaganza at your local community centre. The Lions Club hosts the Easter Egg Hunt at Esquimalt Gorge Park at noon on Easter Sunday.
The Greater Victoria Performing Arts Festival continues through May 14th with a wide range of music and performing arts.
The half-day markets are back at Moss Street every Saturday in April from 10am to noon.
If you enjoy searching out the bargins, try Esquimalt’s Giant Garage Sale which kicks off at 9AM on Saturday April 9th.
 

District of Saanich is looking for input on their Master Plan for the Parks and Recreation Department. Open house sessions will take place at each recreation centre  5:00pm – 8:00pm, with presentations at 5:30pm and 7:00pm between April 4th and 7th.

 

And just a friendly reminder, before you give them your vote, you need to give your favorite governments your money. Tax deadline is April 30th but no worries we are back next month with a bunch of free and family friendly events next month. Happy Easter!

Victoria Events for March 2011 Monthly Summary

Feb 28th, 2011
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Special Days and Holidays

13 – Daylight Savings Time

15 – Ides of March

17 – St Patricks Day

March should bring some bussle back to the streets of Victoria, especially after our recent flash of winter weather. Be A Tourist In Your Own Hometown kicks of March 2nd with many holding tickets to some of Victoria’s best know attractions.
Dining Out for Life fundraiser runs March 24th. Many fine establishments around the Captial Region will contribut 25% of food proceeds to help in the fight against AIDS and AIDS Vancouver Island.
For those lookign to get active, the Coast Capital Free Swims and Free Skates contiue with Skates at SEAPARC, Pearkes, and Panorama; and Swims at Crystal Pool, SEAPARC, Panorama and Juan de Fuca. So many chances to get out and have some fun with the whole family.. on the cheap!
Speaking of getting out on the cheap, CRD parks offer a number of free activities in our regions parks. This month includes the Art in the Park at Beaver Lake on March 17th, Spring Fling at King Regional Park on March 19th, and Brilliant Birds at Witty’s Lagoon on March 21st. Check the Website for thee complete list of events.
And for the Arts, March 25th will see the start of the Greater Victoria Performing Arts Festival which will run through May 14th with a wide range of music and performing arts.
And the Markets are still around, the Sidney Winter Market is on Sundays throughout March, the Victoria Public Market takes over Market Square on Saturday March 19th and 26th, and the North Saanich Farmers Market ‘Spring Market’ runs March 12th.

    Victoria Events for Feburary 2011 Monthly Summary

    Jan 27th, 2011
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    Special Days and Holidays

    3 – Chinese New Year

    14 – Valentine’s Day

    We have successfully made the transition to 2011, hopefully no one is still writing the wrong year on anything… The days are getting a little longer and the events are getting a little more plentiful.
    Since Feb 1st is also the first Tuesday of February, we start with the regular Donation Day at the Art Galley of Greater Victoria. Admission is by donation the first Tuesday of each month so check out your art galley. There is also a drop in tour the same day “Emily Carr: On the Edge of Nowhere“.
    And art is also on the Agenda for Artist for Aids event at  the Macpherson Playhouse. And the good folks at Saanich Parks and Recreation also let us know that The Gallery Café: Cedar Hill Recreation Centre will be hosting an Art Exhibit by Sylvia Bews- Wright form  February 2 – 28.
    Esquimalt will be hosting a Community Open House on their Centennial Celebrations for 2012 on Tuesday, February 8 at Esquimalt Municipal Hall.
    On the 11th and 12th the inner harbour gets taken over by hockey as the National Street Hockey Championship.
    And if you want to get on some real ice, the folks at Coast Capital sponsor Free Swims & Skates at Recreation Centres all around Greater Victoria.
    And while its not exactly free, it is a cheap way to see great attractions in Victoria: The annual Be A Tourist In Your Own Hometown tickets are on sale all this month for use between March 2nd and 6th.
    For updates throughout the month, check back on our blog (http://meetupvictoria.com/blog), twitter account (http://twitter.com/meetupvictoria) and on Facebook at (http://www.facebook.com/meetupvictoria)

    Victoria Events for January 2011 Monthly Summary

    Dec 27th, 2010
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    HAPPY NEW YEAR Victoria – Looking forward to a great 2011!!

    Special Days and Holidays

    1 – New Years Day

    14 – Ukrainian New Year (and other Orthodox/Gregorian Calendar followers)

    (Feb) 3 – Chinese New Year

    With the Holidays over there is a general lull in local events while everyone rests and recuperates. Many of our local businesses might even take a wee break in January or February. For example the MV Coho will be docked for it annual refit work January 24th to Feburary 7th. So this is a good time to do a big shout out to all the service folks that make Victoria such a great place. IT’s amazing that many of our restaurant, hotel, and other service providers also give there free time to support local events and charities.
    So thanks to them, and hope you have a rest before the tourist and traveling season starts.
    Events
    The Main Events will be loaded up front with the Annual New Year’s Day Levee at Local, Provincial and Military locations around Victoria. This unique Canadian event is held across the country and will see Government House and many Muncipal Hall’s throw their doors open to one and all.

    Levee Events in the Capital Region (events will be added as the are announced). Most comprehensive list is at Maritime Forces Pacific website

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