‘Tis the season to twinkle, sparkle and inspire and this annual event offers all of the above—and so much more!
The Festival of Trees has officially returned to the Bay Centre in downtown Victoria and will run until January 5th.
For more than 30 years, the Festival of Trees has been a holiday family tradition bringing together the community with local businesses on Vancouver Island to celebrate their collective support of BC Children’s Hospital (BCCH) by showcasing beautifully decorated trees for all to enjoy over the holidays.
Since the Bay Centre started hosting the annual display in 2015, it has generated over $1.4 million, raising critical funds for the most urgent needs at BCCH.
New in 2024, the Bay Centre announced that they will be overseeing the production of the Festival of Trees in support of BC Children’s Hospital Foundation.
As a signature kick off to the holiday season in the region, Festival of Trees Victoria transforms the Bay Centre into one of the largest Christmas tree displays on the Island with holiday trees on three levels.
You’re invited to enjoy an evening of perusing the twinkling displays and voting for your favourite by scanning one of the QR codes that you’ll find in front of each tree at the Bay Centre or visiting the Bay Centre’s website.
This event is free, family-friendly and an enjoyable way to show kids how they can make a positive impact in the community, even with a very small donation.
Check out these 5 ‘must-dos’ that will enhance your experience at Festival of Trees Victoria:
- Get festive and plug into the Festival of Trees Victoria holiday playlist while touring the trees
- Vote by donation by scanning the QR code next to their favourite trees and support BC Children’s Hospital Foundation
- Make the visit even more memorable with a free holiday photo on select weekends—check out the Bay Centre’s website for dates and times!
- Grab a Festival of Trees inspired treat from Oso Cafe Dessert in the Food Terrace with partial proceeds going to BC Children’s Hospital
- Tag @festivaloftreesvictoria & @thebaycentre in all of your posts on social media
Festival of Trees Victoria is free and open daily during Bay Centre shopping centre hours. Closed Christmas Day and New Year’s Day. You can also enjoy free parking after 4 p.m. weekdays, and first hour free parking on weekends.
Visitors can make their Festival of Trees Victoria visit a Tour & Dine experience by visiting one of the Bay Centre’s 20 eateries. Earls Kitchen + Bar has a Happy Hour menu every day.
If you’re looking for a quieter visit, weekdays after dark is a peaceful time to take in the holiday ambience and enjoy the trees shining their best.
Covering one full city block in the heart of downtown, the Bay Centre has strong roots in the Victoria community and couldn’t be more thrilled to grow this cherished annual tradition that welcomes more than 650,000 visitors to view the tree displays over the holiday season.
Festival of Trees Victoria
- Where: The Bay Centre, 1150 Douglas Street
- When: On now until January 5th – open daily during shopping centre hours
