CALENDAR: Winter solstice is at 8:28 a.m. today
THURSDAY, DEC. 21
Chicago. Broadway in Victoria presents Tony award-winning musical set in 1920s Chicago. Through Saturday at Royal Theatre. Tickets at rmts.bc.ca or 250-386-6121.
A Christmas Carol, presented by the Belfry Theatre, held over to Dec. 23. Performance tonight at 7:30 p.m. Tickets at tickets.belfry.bc.ca or 250-385-6815. Family Christmas Carol Sing-Along Concert with the Victoria Philharmonic Choir, Peter Butterfield, Music Director at St. Mary the Virgin Church, 1701 Elgin Rd., 7 p.m. Tickets at vpchoir.ca.
Live Outdoor Nativity Pageant at Topaz Park. Thursday through Saturday at 6:30, 7, 7:30 and 8 p.m. Rain or shine, dress for weather; christmasnativity.ca.
Solstice Stroll, a guided walk for 18 years and up as longest night of the year approaches. 10-11:30 a.m. at Witty’s Lagoon Regional Park. Meet at the Nature Centre off Metchosin Road. Capital Regional District Parks programs, crd.bc.ca/parks or tel. 250-478-3344.
Magic of Christmas at Butchart Gardens, daily through Jan. 6 with festive displays. buchartgarden.com.
A Christmas Carol with Jason Stevens, a one-man rendition of the Charles Dickens’ classic, at Craigdarroch Castle, 1050 Joan Cres. Tonight through Saturday at 6 and 8 p.m. Tickets at thecastle.ca or 250-592-5323.
FRIDAY, DEC. 22
Sleeping Beauty, a Christmas panto at Mary Winspear Centre, today, Saturday and Dec. 29 at 7:30 p.m., Tuesday to Thursday at 2 p.m. Tickets at marywinspear.ca or 250-656-0275. Argentine Tango: Annual Red Shoes
Milonga. Drop-in lesson 7 p.m. followed by Tango Pacifico Milonga 8 p.m. at Café Casablanca, 2524 Bridge St; tangopacifico.com 250-389-0222.
Swing City Christmas Dance at Victoria Edelweiss Club, 108 Niagara St. Night Club Waltz workshop with John de Pfyffer at 8 p.m. and dance 9-11 p.m. 250-920-7556.
Early Music Society presents Vivaldi: Gloria & Magnificat with Monica Huggett, and Pacific Baroque Orchestra at Alix Goolden Hall, 8 p.m., pre-concert talk, 7:10 p.m. Tickets at rmts.bc.ca or 250-386-6121.
Christmas in New York with Micah Barnes (The Nylons) at Hermann’s Jazz Club, 753 View St., 8 p.m. hermannsjazz.com; tel. 250-388-9166.
Cinderella, a panto presented by St. Luke’s Players at St. Luke’s Hall, 3821 Cedar Hill Cross Road, tonight at 7:30. Matinée Saturday, Tuesday, Dec. 30, 31 and Jan. 1 at 2 p.m. Tickets: stlukesplayers.org Live Outdoor Nativity Pageant at Topaz Park on Topaz Ave., Friday and Saturday at 6:30, 7, 7:30 and 8 p.m. Rain or shine, dress for weather; christmasnativity.ca.