CALENDAR: Christmas shows
SUNDAY, DEC. 16
Yellowpoint Christmas Spectacular, 12th annual celebration of music, dance, lights and decorations at the McPherson Playhouse. 3 p.m. Tickets at rmts.bc.ca or tel. 250-386-6121.
The Storybook Nutcracker, presented by Ballet Étoile, 2 p.m. at the Mary Winspear Centre, Sidney. Tickets at marywinspear.ca.
Crafty Christmas in the Square with festive wreathmaking, gingerbread cookie decorating, and a range of craft activities for children. Plus: a mix of folk, bluegrass, Celtic and traditional holiday music performed by Coastline, Oliver Swain Trio, Eryn Sharpe Trio, and Adam Bay. 12-4 p.m. under the archway in Centennial Square.
Ice Sculpture Demonstrations in Centennial Square. Sunday and Dec. 23, 1:30-3 p.m.
Greater Victoria Police Chorus Christmas Concert at the Salvation Army Citadel, 4030 Douglas St., 2:30 p.m.
December at Point Ellice House. Winter and Christmasthemed displays. 1-5 p.m. at 2616 Pleasant St.
Via Choralis Chamber Choir with Sooke Philharmonic Orchestra perform Handel’s Messiah at St. Elizabeth’s Church, 10030 3rd Ave., Sidney, 2:30 p.m. Tickets at sookephil.ca and viachoralis.ca.
Pancakes in Pajamas With Santa. Stay in your jammies and join Santa for brunch at the Hotel Grand Pacific, 10 a.m.-12 p.m. Tickets at eventbrite.ca; all proceeds support Children’s Health Foundation of Vancouver Island.
Newcombe Singers and Brass, an afternoon of seasonal works, carols, trumpets, trombones and horns at St. Mary’s Church, 1973 Cultra Ave., 3 p.m.
The Ladies of Jazz: Maria Manna, Maureen Washington and April Gislason at the Osborne Bay Pub, 1534 Joan Ave., Crofton, 2-4 p.m. Tel. 250-324-2245; osbornebaypub.com.
Ensemble Laude presents Glimmer at Alix Goolden Performance Hall, 907 Pandora Ave., 7:30 p.m. Tickets at tickets at ensemblelaude.org.
Lights on the Gorge. Lantern-making, singing, storytelling and Mummers’ Play by Quicksbottom Morris. 1:30-5:30 p.m. at the Victoria Canoe and Kayak Club, 355 Gorge Rd. West; gorgetillicum.ca.
Forest Festivities. A drop-in event for all ages to make recycled cards, doing crafts and making a small green swag. 11 a.m.-2 p.m. at the Beaver Lake Nature Centre, all materials supplied. Capital Regional District Parks programs, crd.bc.ca/parks, tel. 250-478-3344.
MONDAY, DEC. 17
Eighteen-piece Island Big Band Jazz, a fundraiser for the Mustard Seed Food Bank and The Salvation Army at Hermann’s Jazz Club, 753 View St., 8 p.m.; hermannsjazz.com.
Toys ’n’ Teddy Bears of Christmas Past Exhibit, with a focus on toys from the 1970s to 1990s. On display at the Sidney Museum, 2423 Beacon Ave., Sidney to Dec. 31.; sidneymuseum.ca.
Gingerbread Showcase. Habitat for Humanity Victoria brings together professional and amateur bakers while raising funds to build homes for families. Daily to Jan. 6 at the Parkside Hotel and Spa, 810 Humboldt St. Free; habitatvictoria.com.
The Magic of Christmas at The Butchart Gardens. Enjoy the colourful lights, carollers, ice skating, festive fare and stroll through the Twelve Days of Christmas display. To Jan. 6; butchartgardens.com.
> timescolonist.com/events