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Explore: Sooke and Sidney Santa parades, carolling, Sea of Lights

Carillonneur to lead Carol-along The Royal B.C. Museum is hosting a series of events, some with holiday themes and some without. It begins Sunday with the 13th annual Carol-along with the Carillon in the museum plaza from 4:30-5:15 p.m.
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Marri Todd and Dave Harvey prepare their boat Distraction ahead of last year's Royal Victoria Yacht Club's Sea of Lights parade.

Carillonneur to lead Carol-along

The Royal B.C. Museum is hosting a series of events, some with holiday themes and some without.

It begins Sunday with the 13th annual Carol-along with the Carillon in the museum plaza from 4:30-5:15 p.m. The carolling will be led by provincial carillonneur Rosemary Laing and the Newcombe Choir. Free hot chocolate and cookies will be provided.

On Dec. 6, Father Christmas will be welcoming children in the museum’s Old Town exhibit, and will continue to be there every Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. until Dec. 22. Entry is included with admission or membership.

Also starting Dec. 6, Christmases of the past will be celebrated at historic Helmcken House on the museum site, from noon to 4 p.m. until Jan. 5. Entry is included with admission or membership, or by donation.

Another feature is a Dec. 12 museum happy hour without a trace of Santa.

Guests are invited to the Natural History Gallery from 5:30-7 p.m. for what is described as a “festive non-holiday party.”

Cost is $10 per person, with food and drinks available for purchase.

Child-minding will be available from 5-7 p.m. for $15 per child.

Wonder Sundays will be held every Sunday in December from 1-3 p.m. in the museum’s new Learning Centre. The family-oriented sessions will look at things such as the art and science of snow and cold, the peculiarities of penguin feet and the benefits of blubber, as well as the seven basic snowflake shapes. Entry is included with admission or membership.

Also of note, the museum’s feature exhibition Maya: The Great Jaguar Rises closes Dec. 31.

Santa parades in Sooke and Sidney

The Sooke Santa Parade starts at 5 p.m. Sunday, leaving on a route that takes it from Sooke Elementary School on Sooke Road and ending at Townsend Road.

Members of the public are encouraged to bring along lights and glow sticks to brighten the occasion.

The parade is hosted by the Sooke Lions Club.

The Sidney Sparkles Christmas Parade, presented by the Peninsula Celebrations Society, also makes its annual appearance Sunday at 5 p.m. The parade begins on Resthaven Drive and turns onto Beacon Avenue. It travels the length of Beacon before making a right turn onto Second Street and finishing at Ocean Avenue.

About 15 minutes after it is over, the Lighted Boat Parade begins. The public is encouraged to move to the Beacon and Bevan wharves, and to the waterfront around Beacon Park, to view the event.

Participating boats will be tied up at Port Sidney Marina’s main dock and will be lit at dusk. In the event of bad weather, the boats will stay at the dock but will be available for viewing.

Yacht club’s Sea of Lights

On Dec. 6, the Royal Victoria Yacht Club’s annual Sea of Lights hits the water, with boats leaving the Ripon Road club at 6:45 p.m. and passing Cattle Point about 7 p.m. There will be good viewing at Willows Beach about 7:15 p.m., with the Kiwanis Club offering hot chocolate by donation at the Willows Beach pavilion.

The boats turn around and sail past Cadboro Bay’s Gyro Park about 7:45 p.m.

Hot chocolate and coffee donated by Cadboro Bay businesses will be served.

Jingle Mingle Thursday at the Empress

The calendar is filling up with pre-holiday events, including the 13th annual Jingle Mingle, tonight at the Fairmont Empress Hotel from 5 to 8:30.

Tickets are $195, with proceeds going toward cancer care. The event has raised more than $7.5 million since its inception.

Go to bccancerfoundation.com/signature-event/jingle-mingle for tickets.

Marine Light Up shines in the Inner Harbour

On Friday, take in the Greater Victoria Harbour Authority’s annual Marina Light Up Kick-off from 5 to 6:30 p.m. at the causeway’s marina dock, below the Fairmont Empress Hotel.

There will be free hot chocolate while it lasts.

Choirs celebrate the season at Christ Church Cathedral

Saturday features University of Victoria choirs, with more than 250 voices, performing a concert called ‘Tis the Season at Christ Church Cathedral, 930 Burdett Ave.

Taking part will be the UVic Chorus, Chamber Singers and Vocal Jazz Ensemble, directed by Adam Con, Susan Young and Wendell Clanton. Also on tap will be the UVic brass players and an appearance by a cappella group Fifth Street — made up of UVic alumni.

Proceeds from donations will go to UVic choirs and the cathedral music program.

School choirs carol at Victoria City hall

At Victoria City Hall, Carolling Week with local schools goes Dec. 2, 3, 4 and 6. Ron Berod is back for his 40th year on keyboards, while CFAX 1070’s Al Ferraby will be serving as emcee for the 15th time.

Guests are invited to sing along. Here is the schedule:

Dec. 2
noon — George Jay Elementary School
12:25 p.m. — McKenzie Elementary School
Dec. 3
noon — Marigold Elementary School
12:25 p.m. — Torquay Elementary School
Dec. 4
noon — Strawberry Vale Elementary School
12:25 p.m. — Margaret Jenkins Elementary School
Dec. 6
noon — Glenlyon Norfolk School
12:25 p.m. — Gordon Head Middle School