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Weekend activities feature a lot of Christmas cheer

Music, plays and unique activities combine to make for a fun season
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Santa Claus awaits the start of the Island Farm’s Santa’s Light Parade, a full decade ago, in front of the lit up legislature building. (Don Denton/News staff)

With the holiday season fast approaching the activities and events in Greater Victoria are almost too plentiful to list.

Here are a few that caught our eye.

First, let’s look at the Christmas events.

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  • ile the kids are waiting for the parade, kick off the holiday season with cookie decorating, hot chocolate, and a candy buffet at the Fairmont Empress Hotel. The fun starts at 2 p.m. and runs right up to the start of the Santa Claus Parade.
  • The 27th Annual Festival of Trees has transformed the Bay Centre into a lush forest of hand-decorated trees. Go on down and vote for your favourite and make a donation to help sick kids in BC.
  • Once you’ve seen the trees, it’s time to get down to the Parkside Hotel and Spa on Humbolt St. to marvel at the Gingerbread Showcase.ITs an annual initiative of Habitat Victoria. The gingerbread creations are beyond description and are sure to delight all ages.
  • Want to travel back in time to see what Christmas was like at the turn of the century? head to the Royal BC Museum to walk the streets of Old Town and take in the decorations from another era.
  • The Maritime Museum has its own unique program on offer on Saturday afternoon. For only $39.99 you can create your own Nautical Wreath. You get to craft a holiday wreath from a single length of rope, and your fee includes admission to the museum.

In other entertainment, Impulse Theatre’s PEEK-FEST offers exciting looks at work in development from some of the province’s most innovative artists. There are workshops and performances and all the details are available at the Intrepid Theatre Club.

There’s live music at Vista 18 Westcoast Grill and Wine Bar and the Rock Lagoon at the Copper Owl will feature three fantastic and friendly Rock and Roll creatures.

The Copper Owl also features African Boogie on Saturday night; monthly dance opportunity to promote rare African and middle eastern grooves.

The UVic Wind Symphony is presenting a concert at the Farquhar on Friday night and a short drive to Sooke will give you a chance to see a remarkable reworking of the Snow White story on stage at EMCS.

It’s a great season for entertainment so grab an umbrella and go join the fun.