Helmcken House offers glimpse of Christmases past
Take the whole family for a glimpse of Christmases past at Helmcken House Old-Fashioned Christmas, on the grounds of the Royal B.C. Museum, until Dec. 31.
Until the end of the year you can visit Helmcken House, one of the oldest house in B.C. still on its original site. Visitors can step back a century and a half in time to see Christmas traditions of 19th-century Victorians.
The interior of the historic house has been decorated with displays of Christmas crackers, cards and carols.
With the re-imagination of the Old Town gallery at the museum, Helmcken House is the only display where visitors can view period Christmas decorations this year.
The original owner of the house was Dr. John Helmcken, a surgeon who married the daughter of Gov. James Douglas in 1852. He is remembered for his role in negotiating British Columbia’s entry into Canadian Confederation. He died in 1920 and is buried in Ross Bay Cemetery.
Admission is free. The house is open from noon to 2 p.m. daily until Dec. 31. It is located on the grounds of the Royal B.C. Museum, 675 Belleville St.
For more information, go to royalbcmuseum.bc.ca.
Old Music for the New Year at Christ Church Cathedral
Start the year off with some classical music as Christ Church Cathedral hosts Old Music for the New Year: Christmas Pastorales from Middle Europe, performed on original and reproduction baroque instruments at the cathedral on Jan. 1.
The free New Year’s Day concert has become of the city’s treasured traditions, attracting about 500 music lovers to the cathedral.
This year’s program features rarely performed pastorals by the Bohemian composer Joseph Anton Sehling.
Performers include Rachel Allen (soprano), Cassidy Stahr (alto), Marc Destrubé (baroque violin), Kathryn Wiebe (violin), Natalie Mackie (viola da gamba) and Christina Hutten (organ).
The concert is presented in partnership with the Pacific Baroque Festival, an annual festival hosted by the Victoria Conservatory of Music in collaboration with the cathedral.
Support for the concert is provided by Raymond James Generational Wealth Management.
Admission is by donation. The concert runs 2:30 to 3:30 p.m. Jan. 1, 2024 at Christ Church Cathedral, 930 Burdett Ave. For more information, go to www.christchurchcathedral.bc.ca. The concert will also be livestreamed at christchurchcathedral.bc.ca/live for those unable to attend.
Catch the Festival of Trees until Jan. 3
Take the whole family to the Festival of Trees — featuring more than 70 festively decorated trees — in support of B.C. Children’s Hospital, at the Bay Centre, now until Jan. 3.
You can explore the sparkling forest (see it after dark for a truly magical experience) and vote for your favourite tree. You can vote onsite by scanning the QR code located on the floor decal in front of the tree of your choice.
Take part in a Festival of Trees Scavenger Hunt for a chance to win a $500 Bay Centre gift card.
Visit one of the tip tap machines on levels 2 and 3 to make a donation to B.C. Children’s Hospital Foundation with the proceeds going towards cancer research.
Viewing of the trees is free. The trees are located on levels 2 and 3 of the Bay Centre, 1150 Douglas St.
