December is Victoria’s busiest month for live music, and the Victoria Symphony leads the way with four holiday programs. Here’s the 2026 lineup of Christmas concerts, carols and holiday theatre. For ballet, see the Nutcracker in Victoria.
Christmas Concerts 2026 at a Glance
| Date | Show | Venue |
|---|---|---|
| Sat Dec 5, 7:30 PM; Sun Dec 6, 2:30 PM | Christmas Pops with Steven Page (Victoria Symphony) | Royal Theatre |
| Wed Dec 9 | Holly Jolly Christmas | McPherson Playhouse |
| Fri Dec 11 and Sat Dec 12, 7:30 PM; Sun Dec 13, 2:30 PM | Messiah by Candlelight (Victoria Symphony) | Christ Church Cathedral |
| Sat Dec 12 | Yellowpoint Christmas Spectacular | McPherson Playhouse |
| Wed Dec 16, 3:00 and 7:30 PM | Christmas Pops with the VS | Mary Winspear Centre, Sidney |
| Wed Dec 16, 7:30 PM | Jann Arden and Her Holiday Orchestra | Royal Theatre |
| Fri Dec 18 | Candlelight: Christmas Classics | Alix Goolden Performance Hall |
| Fri Dec 18 and Sat Dec 19 | A Very Mary Christmas! (Victoria Gay Men’s Chorus) | Langham Court Theatre |
| Sat Dec 19, 7:00 PM; Sun Dec 20, 2:30 and 7:00 PM | Home Alone in Concert (Victoria Symphony) | Royal Theatre |
Victoria Symphony Holiday Concerts
Christmas Pops with Steven Page
The Barenaked Ladies co-founder joins the symphony for his hits plus holiday favourites, on December 5 and 6 at the Royal Theatre.
Messiah by Candlelight
Handel’s Messiah by candlelight in Christ Church Cathedral, with local choirs and four soloists. It has sold out two years running, so book early. December 11, 12 and 13.
Christmas Pops with the VS
Conductor Giuseppe Pietraroia brings a carols-and-classics program to Sidney’s Mary Winspear Centre on December 16, and to the Qualicum Beach Civic Centre on December 17.
Home Alone in Concert
John Williams’ score played live to the film. A great family pick, December 19 and 20 at the Royal Theatre.
Carols and Church Music
Christ Church Cathedral’s Christmas Lessons and Carols is a Victoria tradition, usually on the Sunday before Christmas. See Christmas church services and carols.
Holiday Theatre
- Blind Date at the Belfry Theatre, December 2 to 20: an improvised romantic comedy, pay-what-you-can pricing on some nights.
- A Very Mary Christmas!: the Victoria Gay Men’s Chorus’s first concert, at Langham Court Theatre on December 18 and 19.
- A Christmas Carol: versions of Dickens’ story pop up around town each December. Craigdarroch Castle has hosted a one-man show in past years. See Christmas at Craigdarroch.
Tickets
For the Royal Theatre and McPherson Playhouse, buy from the Royal & McPherson Theatres box office (rmts.bc.ca). For symphony concerts, buy from victoriasymphony.ca. Avoid resale sites, which often charge well above face value.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Christmas concerts are in Victoria in 2026?
The Victoria Symphony’s Christmas Pops with Steven Page, Messiah by Candlelight and Home Alone in Concert, plus Jann Arden, the Yellowpoint Christmas Spectacular and Candlelight: Christmas Classics.
When is Messiah by Candlelight 2026?
December 11 and 12 at 7:30 PM and December 13 at 2:30 PM, at Christ Church Cathedral.
Part of: Victoria Christmas Guide 2026
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