Enjoy the Holiday Festivities in Victoria BC

Have you ever experienced the holiday wonderland of Victoria BC during the Christmas and New Year's season? To feel the true warmth of our city is to absorb the incredible festive displays and genuine community spirit.  It truly does impart the true meaning of the season, with genuine warmth and gracious hospitality. The holidays in Victoria are all wrapped up in the lights, trees, music, parades, gifts, and of course our famous west coast festive cuisine.  At Ashcroft House Bed and Breakfast you will be surrounded by the warmth and decor of the season. You might even try your hand at painting an ornament for our tree while you curl your feet up in front of the fireplace and plan the next day's holiday adventures.

Victoria BC's Christmas Lights and Trees

Our Inner Harbour landmarks always place us into the spirit with their attractive light displays. The two most famous images of Victoria BC's Inner Harbour are the amazing stone architecture of the Parliament Buildings framed in their golden lights and the ivy covered Empress Hotel. Their incredible seasonal displays are a must on your twilight stroll around the harbour.  For more festive lights the 12 days of Christmas at Butchart Gardens are not to be missed!

I can't imagine maintaining the golden light display let alone creating the holiday greens and reds that frame the amazing stone structure for the Christmas season. If you have never had the opportunity to tour our British Columbia Legislative Buildings they are open for you to tour during the holidays from 9-5pm Monday to Friday, excluding all statutory holidays. Public tours are run every hour depending on bookings though there is a guaranteed tour at 4pm. You really must see that marble!

Victoria BC's other famous picture?   Well that would be none other than the ivy covered Empress Hotel. Did you know that this classic structure is actually built on reclaimed land? It really is amazing what they could do with mud flats in 1901. From the birth of this grandiose hotel Victoria hospitality was to be redefined. The opulence of the day is still evident as you stroll through the grand lobby and picture the Queen at tea. The holiday lights on the Empress Hotel are still a marvel yet the best experience is a trip through the lobby enjoying the 70+ uniquely decorated Christmas trees. Trimmed exclusively by local businesses and organizations with all proceeds benefiting the BC's Children's Hospital you really must take a walk through. The tour is free from mid November through the first week of January. Please don't forget to cast that vote for your favourite! Maybe we'll see the Ashcroft House B&B tree up soon.

World Famous Butchart Gardens must be the on the top of the holiday light tour! If you have never seen their holiday light display then this would be an excuse all on its own to re-discover Victoria and the southern Vancouver Island! In all its holiday glory, no one else but the Butchart Gardens could ever depict the 12 days of Christmas as eloquently and artistically. Faith, hope, and love abound in the serenity of the winter gardens. Never forget that our west coast climate gives gardening no season, even winter in Victoria has its own splendour!