|
Calendar of Events for Victoria and Region
Victoria, British Columbia was designated 'Best City in the Americas' by the readers of prestigious Conde Nast Traveler Magazine in 2005 and 2006. Vancouver Island was selected as 'Best Island Destination in North America' by the same readers. This is a region where there is a constant hum of stimulating cultural, sporting and recreational events. Check our list of 'Happenings' to see if we can help you make a visit to our island community as thrilling and memorable as possible.
We aim to provide a reasonable list of major events on this page. For a more detailed list you can also see Tourism Victoria's list of Current Events.
JANUARY
Victoria Film Festival. Victoria's biggest and longest running film festival. Over 160 films in 2008. Tickets priced from $9.00. Phone for details (250) 389-0444.
Check our local playhouses and event centres for theatre, music, dance and art exhibitions. Royal Theatre and McPherson Theatre Belfry Theatre Save on Foods Arena Art Gallery of Greater Victoria
FEBRUARY
Check our 'Specials' page for Valentine's specials!
Chinese New Year Celebrations with Victoria's vibrant Chinese community and our exceptional Chinatown in the heart of downtown.
Victoria's Tea Festival.
MARCH
Belfry Theatre Festival.06
Festival.06 Pass (any three shows) Season Ticket Holders - $45.00; Adults - $51.00 Single Tickets: $16 - $20
APRIL
9th Annual Victoria International Walking Festival April 21 – 23
What a great way to explore one of the world's most charming and beautiful oceanside cities! Join walkers from around the globe for a weekend of health, happiness, and harmony in beautiful Victoria. http://www.walkvictoria.ca
MAY
Whale Watching Season Begins! Early May through September
Visit the world of our orcas, the Killer Whales, with a three or more hour trip aboard one of the many whale watching operators in Victoria. Learn from trained and experienced naturalists about this dramatic and exciting animal while you have a great time exploring Victoria's waterfront aboard safe and comfortable vessels. Ask us to book a tour for you.
Swiftsure International Yacht Race May 27 – 29
The 63rd Swiftsure International Yacht Race includes a return of some of the classic racing yachts from the 1950s and 60s and many land-based activities for the whole family around Victoria's Inner Harbour. The Swiftsure International Yacht Race is one of North America’s most challenging overnight offshore competitions. The Juan de Fuca Strait’s daunting combination of occasional fog, unpredictable winds, strong tides and tricky currents tests seamanship, strategy, stamina, tactics, and teamwork. http://www.swiftsure.org
Vancouver Island's biggest sailing event ... 63 years running! See the race from one of our ocean view rooms! Book early to get the best view.
JUNE
Tall Ship Festival, June 26 - 29th.
See Victoria's most exciting summer event for 2008: the return of the Tall Ships Festival. More than two dozen tall sailing ships will invade Victoria's beautiful downtown Inner Harbour  for four days of nautical events. Victoria is the first port in the 2008 series of races and world events for these ships. Included in the tour will be many historic and important ships, including Lady Washington, a 112 foot, two masted brig from Aberdeen, Washington, Hawaiian Chieftan, a 65 foot, gaff rigged, two masted ketch from Aberdeen, Washington, and R. Tucker Thompson, an 85 foot, gaff rigged schooner from Whangerei, New Zealand. The Tall Ships Festival will feature sail pasts, ship tours, a variety of shipboard experiences, pirate school, concerts, theatrical performances, art displays and childrens' programs. We're especially hopeful that the mock battles will again be staged along the Dallas Road waterfront, with good visibility from our property! Follow this link for more information. Tall Ships Festival Tickets can be purchased online for $10 per day or $25 for the full, four days.
Enjoy the stunning illuminations at Butchart Gardens each evening from mid-June to mid-September. This is a special and unique experience, a favourite time for many folks who love this amazing garden.
Victoria's 22nd Annual Jazzfest International, June 23 – July 2
22nd Annual Jazzfest International June 23 – July 2
Enjoy 10 days and nights of the coolest music in town. The biggest summertime music festival on Vancouver Island, Jazzfest promises jazz, blues, gospel, and world beat music of the highest calibre. More than 250 musicians in more than 60 performances entertain at venues around the city. http://www.jazzvictoria.ca
ICA Folkfest June 30 – July 9 Inner Harbour & Centennial Square
Experience Vancouver Island's largest multi-cultural arts and food festival. Enjoy over 200 performances at two different venues. $13.00, Day Pass - $5.00 www.icafolkfest.com
JULY
Butchart Gardens Fireworks Displays
July – September, Butchart Gardens
Outstanding, highly-acclaimed fireworks in Butchart Gardens' magnificent setting every Saturday night over the summer months . Lavish shows dazzle visitors with their unique blend of spectacle and music. Bring warm clothing and a cover to sit on the ground.
Victoria Flower & Garden Show
July
Juried display gardens, more than 150 exhibitors, chamber music, and strawberry tea.
Moss Street Paint-In
Moss Street Paint-In July 15 Over 100 artists gather to exhibit their work and demonstrate their techniques outdoors along the scenic, tree-lined Moss Street. Meander along with the expected crowd of up to 20 000 from the Art Gallery of Greater Victoria to Dallas Road. http://www.aggv.bc.ca
Luminara Victoria July 26, 2008 5 - 11pm
Beacon Hill Park and St. Ann's Academy
Started as a humble lantern festival a few years ago, this has become a magical spectacle of thousands of handmade paper lanterns combined with family-based activities, live music, pageantry and performance art. 2008 marks the 9th annual festival!
Walking with our Ancestors
End of July, Thunderbird Park, Royal British Columbia Museum
Canada's largest urban annual celebration of aboriginal tradition, art and culture. Showcases talents of 350 aboriginal artists, storytellers, dancers, musicians and fashion designers.
Sooke Fine Arts 2006
Late July, Sooke Arena
This exhibit features the work of more than 200 artists of the region. Watercolor, acrylics, installations, sculpture, photography, traditional and modern abstract and realistic.
AUGUST
Symphony Splash 2006 Inner Harbour, August 6, 7:30 pm
The highlight of the August long weekend is Symphony Splash. Victoria's Inner Harbour is transformed to a concert venue of gargantuan proportions. The orchestra and guest performers are set up on a barge directly in front of the Parliament Buildings. Powerful speakers carry the sound to the thousands who ring the harbour to listen. The concert traditionally closes with The 1812 Overture, complete with guns and the carillon. This free event is not to be missed.
The dragons return to Victoria’s Inner Harbour. Teams from across North America will race across a 500-metre.gif) Laurel Point to the Royal London Wax Museum. This is the only dragon boat festival in Canada to take place in a working harbour. Be sure to the Taoist priests “awaken the spirit of the dragon” in an ancient and colourful rite that blesses the dragon boats on Friday afternoon. The races begin early the next morning and finish with the fastest competitors fighting for supremacy on Sunday afternoon. In addition to the thrilling races, spectators can enjoy a variety of live performances on two entertainment stages, participate in fun Asian crafts in the Kids’ Tent, or savour tantalizing dishes in the Forbidden City’s food court. salt-water course, paddling from
Victoria's Fringe Theatre Festival
Various locations around Victoria
Independently produced alternative theatre from around the world; of the oldest Fringes in Canada. Several downtown locations, all within walking distance.
Phone: 250- 383-2663 for more information.
SEPTEMBER
The Inner Harbour of Downtown Victoria's Annual Classic Boat Festival
Up to 100 classic and power boats from throughout the Pacific Coast and beyond. Includes parade up Gorge Waterway, Schooner Cup, Classic Open Sail races, and sailpast.
Saanich Fall Fair
Saanich Fairgrounds. Western Canada's oldest continuous agricultural fair, with a midway, livestock and produce competitions.
OCTOBER
Royal Victoria Marathon
Downtown streets and waterfront areas.
Race length is just over 42 kilometres along the Victoria waterfront, through James Bay neighbourhoods, onto Dallas Road, past Beacon Hill Park, Clover Point, Ross Bay Cemetery and Hollywood Crescent area. Check our availability and last minute specials for this special weekend.
Haunted Horse Drawn Trolley Tours
 Take a ride back in time with Victoria Carriage Tours. Meander the dark streets of the James Bay district and hear the spooky stories of this most haunted neighbourhood on the west coast. Enjoy a 50 minute, fully narrated tour, with stories and anecdotes from local historian and ghost guru, John Adams, whose detailed research helps bring the true life of early Victoria residents to life. Informative, fun … spooky!
Tours run from October 22 to 30th each hour from 6pm through 9pm. We can reserve ahead for you. Just email to let us know which day, which hour and how many guests! Cost: $15 per person. (Seniors $11)
NOVEMBER
18th Annual Out of Hand Christmas Craft Fair
November
Over 150 professional craftspeople from across Canada. Victoria Conference Centre.
DECEMBER
Butchart Gardens, The Twelve Days of Christmas
December 1 – the first couple of days in January
Spectacular lighting and decorations make the gardens a magical and wondrous place. Strolling carollers, a festive brass band and children’s entertainment add fun and creative interest to a visit. Bring your skates and enjoy few turns on the outdoor ice rink created each December for an unusual and special treat.
A Touch of Saltspring, Christmas Craft Fair
Artisans from Saltspring Island and other Gulf islands show and sell handmade crafts. Candles, stained glass, wooden bowls, chocolates and wonderful preserves, gourmet sausage and cheeses, clothing and wooden toys and more! There’s something for every age and every taste. Located at the Panorama Leisure Centre near Victoria International Airport. Call 250-655-6351.
Christmas at Craigdarroch Castle Beautifully decorated for the festive season. Visit and enjoy seasonal music, theatre and storytelling, including a formal Curator’s Dinner on December 10th, Sweet Night Music on December 17th and Hogmanay, a Scottish New Year’s Celebration on December 31st. Call for details 250-592-5323.
Inner Harbour Promenade Dickens’ theme with costumed buskers, carollers creating an old-time Christmas walk!
Lighted Ship Parade Magical parade through Victoria’s fabulous Inner Harbour.
Annual Navy Ships’ Lighting Contest See our hearty mariners’ festive work with the ships and buildings of CFB Esquimalt.
Handel’s Messiah Victoria Symphony at the Royal Theatre.
|
