With so many holiday events happening in Halifax over the next few weeks, deciding what to do, rather than finding something to do, will be the challenge most people face.

If you’ve ever wondered what a Victorian Christmas was like, the Halifax Citadel National Historic Site is celebrating its 20th annual Victorian Christmas.

“Let the spiced apple cider warm your hands and the sound of carolling children warm your heart,” says an advertisement for the event happening on Nov. 28 and Nov. 29. There will be Victorian games and performances by local choirs and dance groups.

Also on Nov. 28 is the Christmas tree lighting ceremony at the Grand Parade. Join Mayor Peter Kelly and members of the regional council for live music and fireworks.

“It’s a family-oriented event with a wonderful Christmas program,” says event co-ordinator Mike Gillett in an e-mail. “It can draw up to 10,000 people.”

If you’re looking for an opportunity to wear a kilt, the Amethyst Scottish Dancers of Nova Scotia are putting on their third annual yuletide show. This year’s theme is “An East Coast Christmas” and it’s happening Nov. 29 at the Rebecca Cohn Auditorium.

“We’ve had marvellous feedback” says the group’s publicist, Gerry MacPhail. “Everybody who has seen it in the last two years has loved it and I think this year will be our best yet.”

MacPhail says it’s a great opportunity for Scots to “shed their trousers and don their kilts.”

The holidays wouldn’t be complete without a showing of The Nutcracker. Symphony Nova Scotia will present the holiday ballet classic from Dec. 4-12 at the Rebecca Cohn Auditorium.
For those of Jewish faith, the lighting of the menorah to celebrate Chanukah will happen Dec. 14 at the Grand Parade. There will be a reception in City Hall after the menorah lighting.
There will also be lots of Christmas concerts happening, including shows by The Rankin Sisters and John Gracie. The Rankin Sisters will be playing Dec. 16 at the Cohn, and John Gracie will be performing at the Schooner Showroom at Casino Nova Scotia on Dec. 18.