While Seattle puts on a spectacular fireworks display and offers a wide range of rowdy celebration choices to welcome in the New Year, if romantic and tranquil is more your style, consider an enchanting alternative: New Year’s Eve in Victoria. Leave the big crowds behind, hop on the Victoria Clipper, and enjoy the scenic ride to the British Columbia capital!
In this magical city, you can enjoy a romantic dinner, live music for dancing, and a midnight champagne toast. The next morning, perhaps indulge by ordering breakfast in bed followed by a wellness-enhancing activity or two. A cozy New Year’s Eve in Victoria minus the chaos might just be the perfect way to kick off 2025. Whatever you have in mind, there’s sure to be something that fits the bill on this list.
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New Year’s Eve Dinner & Roaring ’20s Gala at the Fairmont Empress
One of Victoria’s most iconic landmarks, the Fairmont Express will host an epic New Year’s Eve celebration. Guests can step back in time to the roaring ’20s with the “A Roaring New Year: Cocktails & All That Jazz.” This glamorous Gatsby-themed celebration requires a secret password for admission adding to the romantic factor. Starting at 8 p.m., it includes delicious bites throughout the evening, along with music and dancing.
Of course, there’s no better place to spend the night than the Empress. It’s renowned for its luxurious rooms, legendary afternoon tea, and lavish spa. One of the best spas in all of Canada, spend New Year’s Day indulging in the ultimate pampering with over 10 different types of massage, a Finnish-style sauna, and much more.
New Year’s Eve Dinner at Villa Eyrie
Just 30 minutes from downtown Victoria, Villa Eyrie promises a romantic NYE. A getway with your loved one like no other, it’s nestled in the tranquil wilderness. Breathe in the fresh mountain air from one of Canada’s most beautiful resorts, with nearly every room boasting awe-inspiring breathtaking views. And, for an extra-special celebration, the on-site Alpina Restaurant will offer both three- and five-course dinners. Mains include options like the BC Halibut with green parsnip risotto, and the Cowichan Valley Venison topped with Wild BC Mushroom Duxelles.
Waking up to 2025, you might head to the Tuscan Spa for a mountainside treatment using organic ingredients combined with local island herbs – and, a 180-degree view.
Stay at Oak Bay Hotel and you can not only look forward to a legendary New Year’s Eve dinner, but also relaxing in three, custom-designed mineral-rich pools tucked along the Salish Sea. Look forward to a five-course tasting menu with wine pairings selected from the Wine Spectator Award of Excellence wine cellar, served in the in-house theater. It includes a toast with local sparkling wine and a live jazz band for dancing. After a relaxed morning you can head to one of the waterfront pools or the eucalyptus-infused sauna.
Vinyasa & A Kombucha Toast
New Year’s Eve doesn’t always have to involve alcohol. Why not celebrate in a way that enhances your well-being? An all levels vinyasa class, followed by breath work and meditation will be hosted by Caleigh Hunter at One Yoga Victoria. It starts at 10:30 p.m. and runs through 12:15 a.m. with Kombucha served for toasting to the New Year. It’s also a great way to celebrate community by bringing an item to help create an alter. You’ll have time for reflection, intention setting, and journaling – another great way to start out 2025 on a positive note.
New Year’s at the Courtney Room
If you’re looking for that perfect relaxed evening of fine dining to ring in the New Year, the Courtney Room will offer a fabulously curated Chef’s Tasting Menu. Just two blocks from the Inner Harbour, it was named the Winner of Restaurant of the Year at the 2024 YAM Magazine Best Restaurant Awards. Featuring modern Pacific Northwest cuisine, you might start with fresh-shucked oysters and craft cocktails followed by sustainable seafood or in-house dry aged natural beef alongside fresh, local produce.
NYE Wonderland in Downtown’s Centennial Square
Head downtown and you can enjoy a wonderland with Centennial Square transformed for the holidays, including New Year’s Eve. There will be themed light exhibits, interactive light tunnels, a massive 40-foot tree, and live entertainment. Plus, from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. free (donations suggested) rides on the Ferris wheel can be enjoyed too. The entertainment kicks off at 6 p.m. and runs through midnight.
New Year’s Eve at Hotel Grand Pacific’s Fathom
Celebrate the coming of 2025 with a memorable evening at Fathom. Located at the Hotel Grand Pacific, it will include live music featuring the John Lee Trip from 9:30 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. Be sure to grab your glass of complimentary sparkling wine for the New Year’s Eve toast!
WinterLURE Exclusive Patio Dining Domes
While it’s not just for New Year’s Eve, the WinterLURE tables at LURE restaurant offer an ideal venue for a NYE dinner. Available between November and March, the eatery’s waterfront patio features exclusive winter wonderland-inspired domes. You can dine beneath twinkling lights inside your cozy dome for a unique dining experience with a view. The domes overlook the breathtaking Inner Harbour and include the Chef’s special six-course dinner menu with an optional wine pairing.
Side note: Although it’s not yet been announced, the bar usually hosts a live DJ along with creative cocktails for NYE sipping as you count down to 2025.
Irish Times New Year
For a New Year’s Eve with an Irish twist, celebrate at the Irish Times Pub. You can even ring in the New Year twice as they’ll be doing the Irish countdown at 4 p.m. with Ireland eight hours ahead of Victoria, and then once again at local midnight time. Live music, confetti cannons, and plenty of Guinness (along with a wide range of other beers). As they say, “Come for the Guinness, stay for the Craic!”