Discover Victoria & Butchart Gardens Holiday Lights

DISCOVER VICTORIA & BUTCHART GARDENS HOLIDAY LIGHTS

https://discovervancouvertours.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/©DestinationBC-JordanDyck-Couple-EmpressHotel.jpg

Empress Hotel | ©Destination BC - Jordan Dyck

©The Butchart Gardens

https://discovervancouvertours.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/©DCT-LisanneSmeele-VictoriaParliament.jpg

Parliament Building | ©Lisanne Smeele

https://discovervancouvertours.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/©DCT-LisanneSmeele-VictoriaInnerHarbor.jpg

Inner Harbour | ©Lisanne Smeele

https://discovervancouvertours.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/China_town_destinationbc_tanyagoehring.jpg

Victoria Chinatown | ©Destination BC - Tanya Goehring

Overview

Get into the Holiday Spirit, Canadian-style! Christmas in Victoria, BC is the most wonderful time of the year, as the tree-lined streets are adorned with lights and other festive displays. Marvel at the views of the Inner Harbour and the renowned Fairmont Empress Hotel lit up, walk along the Victorian-style downtown to learn about the heritage of one of the most beautiful cities in the world. Don’t forget to explore Chinatown and squeeze into Fan Tan Alley, the narrowest street in North America!

This full-day tour includes admission to The Butchart Gardens to enjoy the Magic of Christmas, and many other festive sightseeing stops in the capital of BC. Travel in a small group of maximum 24 guests.

Itinerary

Please note that this is a sample itinerary and it is subject to change due to unforeseen circumstances, such as weather or road closures.

Vancouver to Victoria (Roundtrip)

https://discovervancouvertours.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/©DCT-LisanneSmeele-VictoriaParliament-Winterjpg.jpg

Parliament Building

Inner Harbor*

©The Butchart Gardens

Depart from your preferred pick-up location in downtown Vancouver (please arrive 15 minutes prior to your scheduled departure)
Take a scenic ferry ride aboard BC Ferries and through the beautiful Gulf Islands, from Vancouver to Victoria
Enjoy a scenic coastal drive through the beautiful communities of James Bay
Stop at Beacon Hill Park and Mile 0, the start of the Trans Canada Highway
Join a sightseeing tour of downtown Victoria, including the Inner Harbour, Government Street, Chinatown, Empress Hotel, and the Parliament
Enjoy free time in the capital of BC. Option to visit the Royal BC Museum (additional cost) or the Inn at Laurel Point to view the Annual National Gingerbread Showcase
After the sun sets, soak in the beautiful holiday lights as you drive to The Butchart Gardens
A visit to The Butchart Gardens Magic of Christmas is included, which features colourful lights, carollers, and festive fare, as well as the Twelve Days of Christmas displayed throughout the gardens
Return on the 7pm ferry back to Vancouver
Arrive in downtown Vancouver at approximately 9:30pm

*Photo courtesy of ©Destination BC / Jordan Dyck

Roundtrip ferries to Victoria

Admission to The Butchart Gardens

Tour of downtown Victoria

Optional activities

Tour of Victoria

Upon arrival in Vancouver Island, you will travel to Victoria’s Inner Harbour. Along the way, you will visit the top sightseeing locations, including Mile 0, Ogden Point, Fisherman’s Wharf, the Empress Hotel and Historic Chinatown, including the famous Fan Tan Alley and its shops.

Downtown Victoria

Enjoy free time to explore the capital of British Columbia on your own. Whatever your purpose is for visiting Victoria today, our guide is ready to assist you with suggestions on the best restaurants, top breweries, shops and hidden gems.

Butchart Gardens

Visit the renowned Butchart Gardens (admission included). This National Historic Site began with an exhausted limestone quarry that was transformed into the now picturesque Sunken Garden. Today, the garden showcases 55 acres of themed garden displays, including a Japanese Garden, Italian Garden and Rose Garden. During Christmas time, the entire area is covered in magical holiday displays and festive lights – a view you do not want to miss!

Victoria to Vancouver

Relax as we cruise back to the Mainland in the evening. Explore the outside decks and views, and wind down with the scenic sailing aboard BC Ferries back to where your tour began.

Private tours of this popular route are available. Speak to an agent to inquire about booking this package as a private tour for your group.

FAQs

What are The Butchart Gardens and their Christmas lights?

The Butchart Gardens is a world-renowned botanical garden located near Victoria, BC. In the beginning, it was a limestone quarry that was transformed into 55 acres of stunning displays of plants, flowers, and landscaping, featured throughout the year. During the Christmas season, The Butchart Gardens hosts the “Magic of Christmas” event, where the gardens are adorned with colourful holiday lights, carollers perform, and visitors can enjoy festive fare. Additionally, the Twelve Days of Christmas-themed displays are featured throughout the gardens, adding to the holiday spirit.

What is the weather like in Victoria in December?

During the winter months, Victoria experiences mild, coastal, and often rainy weather. The temperatures typically range from around 2°C to 8°C (36°F to 46°F). Weather in the Pacific Northwest is unpredictable, and rainfall is common during this time of year, so it’s recommended to bring waterproof clothing and/or an umbrella. The climate in Victoria is relatively temperate compared to many other parts of Canada, making it a great destination for a holiday tour!

What luggage am I allowed to bring on this tour?

In order to ensure a comfortable experience for all guests, we can only accept a small backpack and handbag per person on our day tours. We recommend bringing a daypack that is compact and easy for you to carry during the day.

If you require luggage storage while on tour, we offer secure lockers that can be pre-arranged at $15 per day. Please contact us in advance for more information.

Are there any age restrictions to join this experience?

Our Discover Vancouver Tours have no age restrictions, and we offer special rates for children (3-12 years old), youth (13-18), seniors (65+), and students 19 or older with a valid student ID.

Babies and toddlers aged 0-2 travel for free, and are expected to sit on their guardian’s lap during the tour, as car seats are not provided.

Duration

14 Hours (Full day)

Size

GUIDED (Max. pax: 24)

Adult (19+)

From* CA$249/pp

Senior (65+)

From* CA$244/pp

Youth (13-18) / Student

From* CA$209/pp (Student ID required for 19+)

Child (3-12)

From* CA$169/pp

*Prices are in Canadian Dollars and include taxes. Online booking fee excluded.

Book Now

December 7, 14 & 21 | See confirmation email for exact departure times

Pick Up Times

7:00am

Library Square

7:15am

Canada Place

7:20am

Hyatt Hotel

7:20am

Fairmont Hotel Vancouver

7:30am

Sheraton Wall Centre

All of the available pick-up locations are located in downtown Vancouver. Please refer to your confirmation email for final schedule, and arrive at least 15 minutes prior to your departure. Missed departures will not be refunded.

https://discovervancouvertours.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/Screenshot-2022-07-12-at-10.50.04-AM-1-e1657681093727.png

Highlights

Enjoy scenic roundtrip coastal ferry rides across the Salish Sea and through the Gulf Islands
Join a sightseeing tour of downtown Victoria, including Mile 0 and Historic Chinatown
Option to visit the Annual National Gingerbread Showcase
Have free time to explore, eat and shop in historic downtown Victoria
Visit The Butchart Gardens Magic of Christmas: a National Historic Site showcasing over 900 species of plants, lit up by thousands of Christmas lights & sceneries

Inclusions

Deluxe mini-coach transportation with air conditioning and large windows
Roundtrip ferry rides from Vancouver to Victoria
Experienced, fun and friendly tour guide
On board commentary provided by your driver/guide
Admission to The Butchart Gardens Christmas Lights
Sightseeing coach tour of downtown Victoria
Discounted admission to the Royal BC Museum if you book in advance

What to Bring:

Warm clothing and layers, including a winter coat, gloves, a scarf, and a hat
Comfortable walking shoes or boots
Rain gear such as waterproof jacket and/or umbrella
Backpack
Reusable water bottle and snacks
2 pieces of ID
Camera (recommended)
Phone charger (recommended)
Christmas Spirit!

Optional Add Ons

We highly recommend booking your optional activities in advance to get the best rates (subject to availability). You can add them online at the time of booking or after you get your confirmation email. You can also contact us directly and we will book them for you. Availability on tour is very limited.

Discover Canada Tours has been awarded the Safe Travels certification by World Travel & Tourism Council. Discover Canada Tours adheres to the strictest safety protocols to ensure the safety of all our guests. We follow the guidance of our provincial and federal governments as well as industry standards. Travel with Confidence with Discover Canada Tours.

Aodán

20:29 25 Jun 24

I went on the Rockies Classic Summer tour and had a terrific time throughout. From booking the trip with the helpful assistance of Cian to embarking on an action-packed few days of adventure, everything was brilliant. The experience was topped off by the best tour guide, Chris. I would highly recommend this tour

Nancy Held

01:37 25 Jun 24

Great overview of Toronto for those who only have half a day. Shiloh was an excellent tour guide and we appreciated being able to stop and take photos!

Anthony Scott

13:49 23 Jun 24

Our Discover Canada day tour to Victoria where we toured downtown and went to Butchart Gardens was great! It was lead by our tour operator, Shiloh, who was always on time, always in a great mood, was super educated on the history of the area, and was an overall great guy! The tour was a lot of driving and his stories and personality helped pass the time quickly. We would highly recommend this smaller tour over some of the larger ones in the area. Happy touring!

Floriane Prieux

13:21 22 Jun 24

I did 2 day tours with them and I highly recommend this company!! They were very helpful and nice at the agency when I booked my tours.I went to Vancouver Island with KIM and I loved it! We took the ferries to Victoria and we had time over there to enjoy the city. Kim was super funny and knows this place so well! She made this long day very fun and interesting. She is a super tour guide, very passionate with little fun stories for each place. Plus the Butchard garden was just amazingly beautiful and they also had super delicious ice cream. Thank you very much Kim for all the tips and your good vibes!I also went to Whistler with IAN and it was such a great day too! We first went for the Sea to Sky gondola and to see Shannon Falls. Then we had lots of time to explore Whistler so it was very nice. Ian is super fun and has lots of knowledge about everything! He was very funny and gave us a lot of tips during the day. I can tell he is a very good tour guide as he remembered all the names in our group! Also very passionate about his work.I want to THANK them both for these 2 incredible days because of them and the splendour of Canada of course!!!Merci beaucoup et à bientôt!Floriane, the frenchie

Sara Paglione

06:12 20 Jun 24

The Tofino tour was a wonderful experience discovering wild beaches and bears during the bus trip. Special thanks to our tour guide Janelle who gave us useful tips during the visit 🙂

Robyn Chisler

05:57 06 Jun 24

Had a great day out with Discover Canada to Victoria and Butchard Gardens. Our guide Kim was very informative. Very long day that went really quickly

Rogan Tse

18:53 25 Apr 24

I joined Discover Whistler & Sea to Sky Gondola day tour. Burnie is our tour guide and driver. He’s always been very helpful and friendly. He told us some fun fact about Canada and B.C. just like a walking wikipedia.

Hong-An Nguyen

00:27 17 Oct 23

What a amazing tour! Spectacular views for days, the Rockies had me awestruck with its beauty. The tour I went on was 4 days Rockies Summer Classic. It was packed with activity. This did not mean it was rushed, we were given plenty of time to enjoy each stop. The hotels were good quality and comfortable.Our guide, Ben, was awesome. He kept us on track, entertained and clearly loved sharing the Rockies with the group. Yee, our driver, was a great driver and efficient with loading and unloading the bags. Thanks, Ben and Yee!!!

Catherine Slater

13:01 25 Sep 23

Went on Rockies Premium tour commencing 18 September. Thoroughly enjoyed it. We stayed at very good hotels, travelled with a nice crowd of fellow travellers 25 in all and saw some amazing sights. Will and Sabio we're very good as driver/guide. Would recommend this trip if you want to see the Rockies.

Matthew Staninger

15:34 22 Sep 23

The bus tour was full of information and was completely the best way to go when doing a day trip in Victoria. René was an incredible guide who was timely, safe, highly informative, and entertaining. If you only have 1 day toward your trip to use for Victoria, I highly recommend this option!Having the ability to take the bus lane saved a lot of time in traffic, and the guide took the back roads through Vancouver Island, showing much more than the highway.

Joanne Pickering

03:14 22 Sep 23

Completely recommend this tour and this tour company. Very professional. When I was in the wrong pickup location, they called to find me to make sure I didn't miss the bus. Our driver Bernie was outstanding. He provided great commentary throughout the day, and interacted well with the guests. He was a real champ handling the situation when the vehicle battery died just before disembarking from the ferry on the way home. Had about 2 1/2 hrs of free time in Victoria, and about 1 1/2 hrs at The Butchart Gardens. I was afraid there would not be enough time at the gardens, but it turned out to be just the right amount of time to see everything, with time to browse the gift shop afterwards. The ride on BC Ferries was also quite enjoyable, and got to take in a beautiful sunset at the end of a long day!

Darryl Thompson

17:32 15 Jul 23

We had an amazing experience touring Victoria Island with Discover Canada Tours. Victoria city is very clean and beautiful, while The Butchard Gardens are truly spectacular.Ian was our bus driver and he was the perfect tour guide. Knowledgeable, funny, and entertaining the whole day long. This tour is well organized and run like clockwork. I highly recommend this tour company to anyone. They know what they're doing and how to make sure everyone has a good time.

Geoffrey Scoates

23:23 19 May 22

Our run group did a trip up Wine Country and I cannot speak more highly about the team that took us. Graham and Joe were fantastic. The trip ran smoothly and took care of all the details.I would definitely go on a trip with them again in the future

Rosana Elizondo

02:52 12 Apr 22

Amazing experience! My guide was Megan, and she was fun and very kind all the trip! 🙂 I recommend it 100%

S W

16:08 31 Mar 22

This was the first trip I have taken but myself.The itinerary was full and busy with lots of interesting things to see and information from Jordan, the guide.The hotels were all very good, clean and staff friendly and helpful.The meals included were both good.I would highly recommend the tour for a fun filled short getaway.

Marvin Bonani

18:43 21 Jun 21

It was a very funny camping adventure. Everyone was kind and in a good mood. We had a great time.

Discover Victoria & Butchart Gardens Holiday Lights

Soak up the holiday spirit and enjoy the Magic of Christmas in the City of Gardens