HAPPY NEW YEAR! 2023 Chinese New Years Celebrations

Photograph courtesy of https://hungfut.ca/

WHEN: Sunday Jan 29th, 2023, 12pm – 3:30pm

WHERE: Chinatown (Fisgard St. & Government St.)

2023 is the Year of the Rabbit! Come celebrate in Canada’s oldest Chinatown. At the Gates of Harmonious interest, you will see the Lion dance parade and Kung Fu demonstrations. Join the celebration that the Lion will bless the merchants, scare away evil spirits from the past year, and bring good luck for the new year!

For more details, please visit: https://hungfut.ca/news-events

Event will proceed rain, shine, or snow.

The teahouse at Abkhazi Garden

Photo Curtesy of Abkhazi Teahouse

Drinking hot tea, eating sandwiches and enjoy old-fashioned Christmas cake is the perfect activity on a cold day in Victoria. Just an 8-10 minute drive from the Royal Scot Hotel is the teahouse at Abkhazi Garden. They are offering their seasonal four-course Festive Christmas High Tea over this holiday season until December 31st. Warm up and enjoy the calm atmosphere, food and gardens.

Where: 1964 Fairfield Rd. Victoria, BC Canada V8S 1H4

When: Open Wednesday to Sunday 11am-5pm

Admission: $65 per person

Reserve a table: (778) 265-6466

Visit https://www.abkhaziteahouse.com/teahouse-menu to see the full menu and other teas!

Holiday Shopping in Victoria

Photograph curtesy of Black Ball Ferry Line

Stressed about your holiday shopping list?

All within a reasonable distance from the Royal Scot Hotel and Suites is a variety of shopping locations! From fresh baked goods and book stores to presents for your outdoor friends and relatives. Take your pick of what downtown Victoria has to offer. We suggest walking or driving down Government Street to find some local and souvenir stores or head over to the Bay Centre to enjoy the Festival of Trees while finding gifts for your loved ones.

Don’t forget to take a peek inside our gift shop to look at some mugs, jewelry, wallets and more!

Feel free to ask our Front Desk staff for more recommendations and directions or visit the link below for more information.

https://www.tourismvictoria.com/blog/your-downtown-victoria-bc-shopping-guide

A Winter Dream-Victoria Harbour Lights

Illustration courtesy of Victoria Harbour Lights

Less than a five-minute walk from The Royal Scot Hotel, Victoria Harbour Lights is offering A Winter Dream. A 45-minute narrated seasonal story that will get you in the holiday spirit! The story includes an interactive light display and music all while you’re taking a scenic ride on the Victoria harbour ferry.

WHEN: The ferries will run from December 2nd-23rd and the 26th– 31st from 5pm-9pm.

ADMISSION:

Adult (18+): $35

Youth (13-17): $20

Child (2-12): $10

Infants: Free

Tickets can be purchased online at www.victoriaharbourferry.com or by phone (250) 514-9794.

Lights Of Wonder

Image courtesy of Downtown Victoria Business Association

From December 15th-31st Centennial Square will transform into a beautiful outdoor winter wonderland. The square will be decorated in multiple light displays, a 40-foot tree and offer lots of music, entertainment and treats! Some activities include a silent disco, dance performances and a daily Giving Booth.

If you’re looking for a memorable New Years Event, head over to the square December 31st to celebrate the start of the New Year!

Make sure to visit https://downtownvictoria.ca/lights-of-wonder/ to learn more.

Festival of Trees

Image courtesy of Sergej Krivenko/The Bay Centre

The holiday season has finally arrived in Victoria, bringing with it a number of festive events and must-see displays, including the Festival of Trees! This annual tradition has been delighting residents and visitors for the last 27 years, and transforms the Bay Centre (located in the downtown core, just minutes away from the Royal Scot) into a forested wonderland of uniquely decorated trees.  The event runs during Centre hours from November 17th to January 3rd and gives visitors to the Bay Centre the opportunity to vote on their favourite trees, as well as collecting donations for the BC Children’s Hospital.  This year the money raised will go towards research into childhood diabetes, so if you’re in town, consider stopping by, casting your votes and supporting a good cause while taking in this magical display!

More information can be found at the Bay Centre website or at the BC Children’s Hospital event page.

IEOA Truck Light Convoy and Food Drive Event

Photograph courtesy of Jim Bradley

The 23rd Annual Truck Light Convoy will be coming to Victoria on December 3rd 2022! In this holiday event, local businesses decorate trucks of all kinds with the best and brightest light displays imaginable before taking to the roads for a festive tour of the city. This year the convoy will be departing at 5:40 PM from the Breakwater District in James Bay (a short distance from where our hotel is conveniently located along the inner harbor) and will finish almost 3 hours later at the Westshore Parkway.  Not only is this colourful convey fun to watch, but it also raises donations for local food banks, making this annual tradition a delight on multiple levels.

Visit the official website at ieoa.ca for more information.

40th annual Santa Light Parade is returning to the Westshore

The picture is courtesy of Doug Clement/Victoria Buzz

Are you ready to light up the city and kick off Christmas with the most beloved parade?

Santa is coming to town to help glow-up our homes with festive Christmas lights.

When: November 26th, 2022 (Saturday) at 5 PM

Where: just a block from us at Government and Belleville Streets

Hurry up and book your stay with us to celebrate the beginning of this magic festive time!

The detailed parade map can be found on the website of the Greater Victoria Festival Society https://gvfs.ca/gvfs_events/1136-2 .

Beyond Van Gogh Exhibit is now coming to Victoria!

This picture is courtesy of https://www.blogto.com/arts/2020/02/van-gogh-exhibition-toronto/

When: Dates and times will be announced

Where: Starry Night Pavilion at Bayview Place at 355 Catherine Street, Victoria BC

Admission: Tickets are for specific times and can be purchased online

A new truly immersive experience is waiting for you! Beyond Van Gogh shows a new type of art which consists of both still and moving art. The masterpieces now freed from frames and flow across multi-surfaces projection around you. You will feel as you have stepped directly into a Van Gogh painting! Don’t miss this chance to dive into over 300 amazing artworks including “The Starry Night” and “Sunflowers”.

DURATION: The visit will take around one hour with final entry one hour before close.

More info: https://vangoghvictoria.com

ROBERT BATEMAN: HEART AND HOME EXHIBIT

This picture is courtesy of https://www.pengal.com/artists/robert-bateman-prints

When: June to February, 2023 / Tuesday to Saturday 10AM – 4PM. 3rd Thursday of the month 4 – 7PM (late night admission by donation).

Where: 470 Belleville St, V8V 1W9 (1 minute walk from Royal Scot!)

Admission: Children (0-4) $0, Youth (5-16) $6, Seniors/Students $8.50, Adults $10

Autumn for eating, autumn for exercising, autumn for reading, and autumn for ART!

The Robert Bateman: Heart and Home exhibit shows the soul, inspirations and connections of an artist steeped in nature. It captures the love that Robert Bateman shares with his people. You will meet his extraordinary beautiful artworks which capturing the fleeting moments of light in the natural world.

Visit the link below for more information:

https://batemanfoundation.org/exhibits/robert-bateman-heart-and-home/