The holidays are alive with Victorian spirit at Craigdarroch Castle.
Travel back in time to a Christmas season 125 years past when you step into the National Historic Site this month.
“Christmas was and continues to be a magical season at the castle,” says John Hughes, Craigdarroch Castle’s executive director. “Each December the castle is decked with traditional decorations and we fill the month with festive events, including live music, special Victorian-Christmas school programs and classic stage productions.”
Once again Craigdarroch Castle will be home to Oak Bay actor Jason Stevens’ popular one-man production of Charles Dickens’ 1843 classic, A Christmas Carol.
Stevens presents the tale of ghosts, regret, love and Christmas redemption in an intimate, hour-long performance set in the castle’s dance hall.
Stevens’ tour-de-force performance has become a much loved classic event at the castle. Performances continue to Dec. 23 at 6 p.m. and 8 p.m., and are suitable for ages 13 and older.
Guests are invited to arrive a little early and tour the castle.
Also premiering at the castle this December is Radio, Mistletoe and My Man Godfrey by Launch Pad Theatre. This fresh and festive flip of the 1936 screwball comedy My Man Godfrey tells the story of a sprightly socialite who, during an unscrupulous Christmas scavenger hunt, hires a drifter as the family butler only to fall in love with him (much to his dismay).
Fun for the whole family and only at the castle, the show runs Dec. 27 to 30 at 6:30 p.m. Doors open at 6 p.m. for a short tour to the dance hall where the performance takes place. Patrons are invited to arrive early and tour the Castle.
Craigdarroch Castle’s halls will also ring with the sound of festive music this holiday season.
Musicians ranging from jazz artists to medieval folk groups to classical cellists to Celtic bands to Dec. 24 at 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. and Dec. 27 to 30 at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. See a full schedule online at www.thecastle.ca.
These performances are free with castle admission.
Tickets for both A Christmas Carol and Radio, Mistletoe and My Man Godfrey are $20 for adults ($18 for members) and available at thecastle.ca or by calling 250-592-5323.
For events taking place in the dance hall, located on the fourth floor, guests are advised that there are 87 steps and no elevator.
For event tickets or more information, visit www.thecastle.ca