Downtown Courtenay Business Improvement Association

‘Tis the season for mistletoe, strings of cranberries and popcorn, warm toques and holiday traditions.  In Downtown Courtenay, the celebrations begin Nov. 26 and 27 with the Christmas Magic Weekend.  Explore downtown during the Walk the Windows sight-seeing tour, downtown’s Christmas Tree Light-Up, and the fabulous finds of the Moonlight Magic Sale. The festivities continue Sunday with the delightful Comox Valley Christmas Parade.

The Walk the Windows contest continues to dazzle with whimsical storefronts decorated with children’s stories in mind.  Vote for your favourite display and be entered to win one of 4 fabulous prizes – runs through to Dec 12.  Festivities wind up on Dec. 31 at New Year’s celebrations in various downtown establishments. For children there’s Spot the Penguin – count how many penguin decorations you can find in the Walk the Windows businesses and enter your guess at Whales’ Tale Toys for a chance to win a big stuffed cuddly penguin.

There’s more festive fun to share with your community with children’s activities at the Courtenay Branch Library, and the Courtenay Museum - entry on Saturday, November 26th will be free to any family that brings a new or used, unwrapped toy or gift for Santa’s Workshop, or a donation for a local food bank.  The Comox Valley Christmas Parade happens on Sunday, and there are many exciting events organized by local business; Downtown Courtenay sparkles with holiday spirit this season.
Enjoy Christmas Squares, entertainment on the sidewalks, plazas and streets of downtown with carolers, bands and more.  Frosty the Snowman brings candy-cane smiles and cheerful greetings from his friend the Christmas Elf. You’ll find perfect gifts in welcoming shops, hearty meals in the restaurants, warming beverages in the coffee shops, and so much more.

We’re closing down the street to vehicle traffic from 4:30 pm to 9:00 pm, to better enjoy the downtown’s Christmas Turn-On ceremony. You’ll share in the beauty of the Comox Valley Christian School’s Bell Choir, while Frosty the Snowman and Courtenay’s newly elected Mayor arrive to light up the festive holiday tree.  Streets and storefront windows glow in the warmth of Christmas lights and downtown plazas once again ring with traditional holiday music.

It’s a holiday tradition for local businesses to get creative with their Christmas window displays. The Walk the Windows tour begins when downtown’s storefronts sparkle with the magic and whimsy of fairy-tales and children’s stories. While strolling along the sidewalks you can enter a ballot with the name of your favourite store window, for a chance to win a $1000.00 Downtown Courtenay shopping spree, a two-day golf vacation for two at Crown Isle Resort, a two-day seaside vacation at Crown Mansion in Qualicum Beach, or a spa vacation at the Kingfisher Resort! This awesome event runs Nov. 26 through to Dec. 12. Ballots are available at all of the 69 participating stores. The top three favourite windows, as voted by the public, will also win three “best-dressed” prizes. Posters are in-store showing the suggested route for visiting all the shop windows. A good place to start is the Comox Valley Art Gallery on Duncan Ave.

Spot the Penguins – for children, this is a new part of Walk the Windows.  While doing the tour, see how many penguin ornaments you see in participating windows and make your guess at Whale’s Tale Toys for a chance to win the big plush penguin.  Not all Walk the Windows stores have penguins, so you’ll have to look closely!

During the Saturday Nov. 26 Moonlight Magic Sale you’ll enjoy sizzling hot savings that can’t be matched, a bounty of yuletide entertainment, children’s activities, and culinary treats.  As you browse the shops you’ll discover unique and heartwarming gifts for everyone on your list, whether you’re looking for trendy or classic apparel, home furnishings and accessories, crafts, books, toys and much more.  There’s always something different to be found in downtown boutique shops that will delight the most discriminating shopper.

On Sunday Nov. 27, it’s the Comox Valley Christmas Parade - A dazzling event for kids of all ages! One of the magical annual events in Downtown Courtenay, this lively parade down Fifth Street is filled with razzle-dazzle. The parade showcases fun floats, jolly displays and sleighs full of local talent - not to mention Santa Claus himself rolling down the street in a bright red fire truck.  This family-focused parade is a holiday treat for kids of all ages, and a great way to jump into the magic of the Christmas season. After the parade children can visit with Santa at the Sid Williams Theatre, and visit the Comox Valley Exhibition’s Live Nativity, with animals to pet and hot chocolate and hotdogs by the Scouts.

5th Street will be closed to vehicle traffic from 4:30 pm until 9:00 pm.