It might be your first time — or it could be an annual tradition for your family — but the First Christmas Nativity Pageant at Topaz Park, Saturday to Monday, is a performance worth seeing every year.
Presented by members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and friends, the event is unique in that it is a live outdoors event with a cast that includes live actors, llamas, donkeys and a baby Jesus.
This is the 33rd year of the pageant, which attracts an estimated 5,000 visitors to relive the story of the birth of Jesus Christ with narration from the Bible.
The show is made possible through the efforts of up to 100 volunteers and members of the church assuming a number of roles as cast or crew.
They are joined by a menagerie of farm animals, including sheep, llamas and donkeys.
Except during a cold snap, a real baby portrays Jesus in the manger. Up to three infants will take turns in the role.
The pageant has been running for so long that some of the babies have returned to play in other supporting roles, such as King Herod, the angel Gabriel or one of the three kings, in subsequent years.
You will enjoy the play on uncovered bleachers and chairs set around an improvised stage.
Admission is free. The pageant is a gift by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to you. They don’t take donations for themselves. They suggest those wishing to show their appreciation make a donation to their favourite charity or food bank.
Performances take place at 6:30, 7 and 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, Sunday and Monday at the south end of Topaz Park on Topaz Avenue.
Visitors are asked to access the park from Quadra Street. The venue is wheelchair-friendly. Parking is free at the park or the adjacent S.J. Willis Alternative School. For more information, go to christmasnativity.ca
Solstice solace and family-friendly carolling
Find solace or the sound of happy children at two services leading up to Christmas at St. Luke Cedar Hill Anglican Church.
Find peace at a busy time of the year at the Longest Night Service at St. Luke’s Cedar Hill on Sunday.
The holiday season can be hard for some people due of loss or changes in their lives.
The Longest Night Service — a service of Light in the Midst of Darkness — is an opportunity to enter gently into a quiet holy time.
The service is led by the priests and pastors from St. Luke’s Anglican Church and the Lutheran Church of the Cross with a message of remembrance and hope.
Light refreshments will be served after the service.
The service will be held at 7 p.m. on Sunday.
Gather up all your children for a child-friendly Christingle carol service on Christmas Eve.
The Christingle service is an interactive service especially for children — but enjoyed by people of all ages.
It is a time to remember the birth of Jesus, to sing carols, and to be reminded to carry the light of Christ (Christingle) into the world.
During the service children help by adding figures to the empty crèche. Younger children receive Christingle oranges.
The service starts at 4 p.m. Dec. 24, and is about an hour long.
Both services take place at St. Luke’s Church, corner of Cedar Hill Cross Road and Cedar Hill Road (enter the parking lot off Cedar Hill Cross Road).
For more information, go to stlukesvictoria.ca
Centennial Square lights up
See Centennial Square transformed into a seasonal wonderland at Lights of Wonder, with a holiday light display, live entertainment and warm nibbles, Friday to Jan. 4.
The downtown square has been transformed into a winter wonderland, with themed light exhibits, four interactive light tunnels and a 12-metre festive tree.
Organizers boast that this is Victoria’s largest free outdoor light display.
Specialty vendors and performers will entertain visitors Thursday through Sunday, with a Giving Booth open to accept donations for local charities.
This weekend, Theatre SKAM will present performances and storytelling. They will be joined by Pace Musical Theatre on Friday and Little Crow on Saturday.
The event is hosted by the Downtown Victoria Business Association.
The event is free to visit. It is open 4 to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 4 to 9 p.m. Sunday to Thursday untiJan. 4. It will be closed Dec. 25 and 31.
For more information, go to lightsofwonder.ca
Hanukkah marked with public lighting
Help bring light to a dark place by joining Victoria’s Jewish community in a public Hanukkah Menorah Lighting on Sunday at Centennial Square.
Join the Congregation Emanu-El Synagogue and use your inner light to help illuminate a path of hope amid the darkness.
The musical headliner will be the Victoria High Rhythm and Blues Band.
Sufganiyot (traditional doughnuts) will be served to enhance the holiday spirit.
The family-friendly event is free to join. It runs 5 to 6:30 p.m. Sunday at Centennial Square.
For more information, go to congregationemanuel.ca
Observatory makes a (long) night of it
Bundle up the whole family to celebrate the longest night of the year at Winter Solstice on Observatory Hill on Saturday.
Hosted by the Friends of the Dominion Astrophysical Observatory, the fun-filled evening includes planetarium shows, star gazing (weather permitting), dome tours and children’s activities.
There will be a presentation by astronomy enthusiasts Jason Beaman and Lauri Roche.
Enjoy hot chocolate and light snacks.
Although the event is free, donations are greatly appreciated. The event runs 6 to 9 p.m. Saturday at the Dominion Astrophysical Observatory, 5071 West Saanich Rd. Tickets available at Eventbrite.ca. For more information, go to centeroftheuniverse.org
Tofino Botanical Gardens ablaze with festive feel
Take in a family-friendly celebration of light and art at the Tofino Winterlights festival underway at the Tofino Botanical Gardens.
The festival features exhibits created by thousands of twinkling lights, live entertainment, children’s activities as well as warm beverages and treats for purchase.
Admission is $15 for adults, free for children 12 and under. It runs 5 to 9 p.m. nightly until Jan. 5 at Tofino Botanical Gardens, 1084 Pacific Rim Hwy., Tofino.
For more information, go to tofinowinterlights.com
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