Date
| Festival
| Comments
|
January 1 |
Polar Bear Swim |
Join us for a wild and crazy cool dip in Elk Lake off of the Patricia Bay Highway.
Polar Bear Swim starts at 2:00pm sharp (free admission)
|
late February |
Flower Count |
Victoria residents count flowers in their gardens and in city parks...and begin counting flowers.
Call 360-BUDS with your count to "Mission Control" at Victoria Eatons Centre (1150 Douglas Street).
Info: (250) 384-3211
|
early April
- early May |
Greater Victoria Performing Arts Festival |
Festival covers categories including: accordion, bands, brass, choral, classical guitar, dance, harp, piano, speech, strings, ukulele, vocal and woodwinds. Admission generally: Adult $3, Students and Seniors $2. Info: (250) 592-8884
|
mid-April |
Dance Arts |
8 days of dance performances, provincial competitions, master classes and workshops.
Sessions afternoons and evenings at the University Centre Auditorium (Finnerty Road). Admission $3 per session. Info: (250) 721-4578
|
late April |
Terrifvic Jazz Party |
Festival features 20 red hot jazz bands at 7 venues througout Victoria. Admission $15 -
$90, with free shuttle service. Info: (250) 953-2011
|
late April-Early May |
UNO Festival of Solo Performance |
UNO is a festival with the spotlight on single performers, providing an
exciting theatrical forum for both world-class and emerging writers and performers.
14 productions at two venues: Open Space (510 Fort Street) and Kaleidoscop Playhouse (520 Herald Street). Tickets $8 - $16
(or festival pass). Call (250) 383-2663 or Toll-Free 1-888-FRINGE2.
|
early May |
Victoria Conservatory Of Music's Annual Garden Tour |
Tour some of the finest private gardens in Victoria open their gates to the
public. Drive yourself to the various gardens, using a map provided with $25 Admission purchase.
Info: (250) 386-5311
|
late May |
8th Annual Manulife Literary Arts Festival |
Big-name Canadian and international authors from Canada get together for five days of readings, talks and question periods
|
late May |
24th Annual Luxton Pro Rodeo |
Rodeo events, featuring World and Canadian Champion cowboys, start at 2pm daily.
Admission $12 for adults $11, students and seniors $9, and children 12 and under free with adult.
Free grounds admission to midway, craft sale, petting farm, blacksmith and
antique farm equipment. Corner of Sooke and Luxton Road with free parking off of Highway #14.
Info: (250) 478-2759
|
late May |
Victoria Harbour Festival |
A ten day celebration beginning with a Victoria Day Parade, followed by harbour activities,
and the famous Swiftsure International Yacht Race, on Memorial Day. Free
evening outdoor Main Stage performances at Ship's Point each evening. Info: (250) 472-1690
|
late May |
BC Festival Of The Arts |
A thousand of BC's most talented musicians, dancers, singers, writers, composers, filmmakers,
actors and artists get together for workshops, classes and performances.
Public performances, exhibits, and readings are held nightly at various venues.
Info: (250) 920-4118
|
late May |
103rd Annual Victoria Day Parade |
The Victoria Day Parade, celebrating the birthday of Queen Victoria, begins 9am, Monday, May 24th.
THe parade route is along Douglas Street, starting at the Mayfair Mall to
Humboldt St in the downtown. Marching bands and floats from around BC and Washington and Oregon states participate in this parade.
Info: (250) 382-3111
|
late May |
Swiftsure International Yacht Race |
The most competitive racing sailboats on the Northwest convergefor the annual Swiftsure International Yacht Race.
The Royal Victoria Yacht Club hosts 200 boats in the various distance events
to sail across Juan de Fuca Strait and back.
|
End of May |
Bastion Square Cycling Grand Prix |
Criterium-style race, featuring a closed-loop circuit on city streets, for
professional bicycle racers. Routes go through downtown Victoria, north into
Saanich and North Saanich, and west into the Highland. Info: (250) 360-BIKE
|
End of May - Early June |
Mill Bay Country Music Festival |
Enjoy Island talent plus headliners at Kerry Park Arena (1035 Shawnigan Mill Bay Road). Events also include pancake breakfasts, auctions, dance lessons.
Admission $22 for all-day pass. Info: (250) 743-2295.
|
early June |
39th Annual Oak Bay Tea Party |
The biggest party of the year in Oak Bay. This annual event, held at Willows Beach, includes food,
entertainment and a midway.
|
mid June |
Buccaneer Days |
Esquimalt's community festival includes a parade, kids' games and a weekend midway. Activities centred around the Archie Browning Sports Centre, Esquimalt
|
mid June |
Van Isle 360 Yacht Race |
Nanaimo Sailing Association hosts a 580 mile race around Vancouver Island, in
ten legs. Spectators can follow the race via road to all the ports-of-call. Info: 250-754-9236
|
late June -
early July |
15th Annual Jazzfest International '99 |
Over 50 performances of jazz, blues and world music with over 200 musicians,
with both free and ticketed performances (admission $8 - $39). Perormances at
various venues in Downtown Victoria. Info: (250) 388-4423 or Toll-Free 1-888-671-2112
|
late June - early July |
26th Annual Folkfest |
Dozens of free performances at Ship's Point, Inner Harbour.Both professional and amateur multicultural entertainment, food and
festivities.
|
early
July - early September |
Showtime At The Butchart Gardens! |
Enjoy this wonderful outdoor evening dance variety show in the garden setting
of Butchart Gardens (800 Benvenuto) followed by gorgeous night illuminations.
Shows run Monday to Friday at 8:30pm. Entertainment admission $15.50 for adults,
$7.75 for juniors (13-17) and $2.00 for children (5-12. Info: (250) 652-4422
|
end of
June- early July |
Sidney Days |
Sidney Days party kicks off Wednesday night Canada Day ceremonies, entertainment and fireworks.
Family Festival and the Children's Festival are on July 1 at Tulista Park.
On July 4, head to the heart of Sidney for Sidewalk Day, for great shopping.
|
July 1 |
The Great Canadian Family Picnic |
Over 25 local artists, buskers and clowns provide entertainment, including
the Cross Canada You Paint It Mural and the huge Canada Day Cake. Free
admission to Beacon Hill Park. Info: (250) 555-1212
|
early July |
Victoria Latin Festival |
Bringing together 26 country’s rhythms, Performers, dances, songs & more! Victoria’s first FREE Latin Music Festival will be held in Market Square.
Call 388-3839 or visit Mister Salsa at #206-1483 Douglas St. Victoria.
|
mid July |
7th Annual Royal Victoria Flower And Garden Festival |
Three wonderful days for gardeners to look at beautiful display gardens and enjoy daily seminars.
Held at Royal Roads University(2005 Sooke Road). Admission is $7.50 adults, youths (12 - 16) $3.00, children free when
accompanied by an adult. Special evening seminar $10. All 30 other seminars free with admission.
Info: (250) 881-7469
|
mid July |
35th
Annual Strawberry Festival |
Old fashioned family picnic at Beaver Lake Park (District of Saanich) from 9
am to 4 pm. Free admission gets you a pancake breakfast, live entertainment, nature displays,
children's pony rides, story telling and face painting, ending with fresh strawberries and ice
cream (at 3 pm). Info: (250) 475-1775
|
mid July -
mid August |
11th Annual Victoria Shakespeare Festival |
This year, a version of Shakespearean spoofs, pefromed at St. Ann's Academy Auditorium.
Matinee 2:30pm; Mainstage 8:00pm and Late Night 11:00pm. Admission: $5 for matinees; $13 for mainstage performances
(seniors/students pay $11) and $10 for late night show. Info: (250) 360-0234
|
mid July |
All Sooke Day |
Sooke Flats (2259 Phillips Road) hosts competitive logging events and crafts. A family day with children's games and activities, food and refreshments.
Open from 7am - 5pm with a free shuttle bus from the free parking areas. Admission is
$6 adults, $3 students and seniors and children under 12 free, Info: (250) 642-5775
|
mid July |
14th Annual Moss Street Paint-In |
Over 75 well known and emerging artists work at "stations" along Moss Street using a wide variety of media and
style, viewed by over 25,000 spectators between 1 pm and 4 pm. Beer garden and food stations are open noon - 8:30pm
in the art gallery parking lot. Info: (250) 384-4101
|
late July |
Summer Cathedral Fest |
Orchestral, chamber and recital concerts from the Victoria Symphony, held at Christ Church Cathedral, 912 Vancouver Street
Info: (250) 385-6515
|
mid July |
"A Bite of Victoria" Food Festival |
A showcase of Victoria restaurants and eateries at Government House, offering a variety of food and beverages for sampling.
Buskers, musicians and local artists liven up the atmosphere from 11:00 am -
3:00 pm. No admission charge and only $1 per "Bite" ticket. Info: (250) 386-6368
|
end July -
early August |
14th Annual SOOKE FINE ARTS '99 |
The largest juried art show on Vancouver Island, Sooke Fine Arts '99 features
hundreds of paintings, sculpture, photography and a variety of other media.
|
early August |
12th Annual Symphony Splash |
As the sun sets across Victoria's Inner Harbour (at 7:30 pm), members of the Victoria
Symphony seated on a barge in mid-harbour, play a blend of orchestra classics
and popular favorites. Free admission event attracts yearly crowds of over 40,000.
Info: (250) 385-6515
|
August |
17th Annual First Peoples Festival |
Showcase of First Nations art, history, culture and traditions around the Royal BC
Museum, at Mungo Martin House in Thunderbird Park. Info: (250) 384-3211.
|
mid August |
Annual Dragon Boat Festival |
The Dragon Boat Festival, with its ancient Chinese cultural and spiritual roots,
features races with crews of 24 paddlers race head-to-head in a 650 metre sprint, in full dragon Boat regalia
with timing drums thumping away. Info: (250) 472-BOAT
late August
- early September |
Victoria Fringe Theatre Festival |
See the best in innovative theatre during this exciting summer festival, at 8 locations
around downtown. Admission: $8 or less or buy a flexible pass. Info: (250) 383-2663 or Toll-Free 1-888-FRINGE2
|
late August |
Westshore Summer Festival |
Arts and cultural festival with food, activities and entertainment,
including an evening performance with the Victoria Symphony Orchestra. Juan de Fuca Recreation Centre, Lower Park
Info: (250) 478-8384
|
September |
Vancouver Island Blues Bash |
Featuring blues and R&B performances of regional and international bands,
with free performances at Ships Point (in Victoria's Inner Harbour) in the afternoons.
Paid admission performances in the evenings at various clubs in downtown
Victoria. Info: (250) 388-4423 or Toll-Free 1-888-671-2112
|
early September |
132nd Annual Saanich Fall Fair |
Western Canada's Oldest Continuous Agricultural Fair at the Saanich Fairground
(1528 Stelly's X Road). See everything from the farm, with judging, midway, farm games, pumpkin contest.
Open 9 am - 9 pm Friday & Saturday and 9 am - 6 pm on Monday. Free Parking. Info: (250) 652-3314
|
early September |
Classic Boat Festival |
On Labour Day weekend, the Inner Harbour is a forest of spruce masts and wooden
bulwarks as over 100 boats, all built before 1955, line the docks for a maritime open house.
Special events include the sailpast and the Sunday schooner race.
|
mid September |
FamilyFest |
Victoria's biggest family celebration with indoor playground and children's entertainment.
Over 25 cultural, educational and community exhibitors at the Cedar Hill Recreation
Centre (3220 Cedar Hill Road). Info: (250) 595-7121
|
mid September |
Sooke Fall Fair |
Country fair with exhibits of flowers, baking, vegetables, needlecraft and
photography at Sooke Community Hall (Eustace Road, Sooke). Info:
(250) 642-6351
|
mid September |
Metchosin Days |
Experience rural Metchosin and enjoy country fun for the whole family at the
Metchosin Municipal Hall (4450 Happy Valley Road). Info:(250) 478-6179
|
mid September |
Luxton Fall Fair |
Family fun with midway rides and games accompanied by local art, crafts and
animals at the Luxton Fairgrounds (1040 Marwood Road, Luxton).
Info: (250) 478-4250
|
early October |
4th Annual Emily Carr Festival Of The Arts |
Activities around Emily Carr House celebrate the life and works of Victoria's best-known artist.
Events include walking tours, art talks and tours of Ross Bay Cemetery, where
Carr is buried. Info: (250) 383-5843
|
mid October |
19th Annual Royal Victoria Marathon |
The 19th running of the Royal Victoria Marathon through the streets of Victoria and Oak
Bay. The race starts on Government Street between the legislative buildings and the Royal
British Columbia Museum. The route follows the outside perimeter of James Bay neighbourhood
onto Dallas Road, past Beacon Hill Park, Clover Point, the Ross Bay Cemetery and around
the Hollywood Crescent area. Info: (250) 382-0042 or 382-8181 to register.
|
mid-October |
Salmon Run |
In Goldstream Provincial Park 92930 Trans Canada Highway), salmon appear about mid-October, and may be seen for about
nine weeks, the dates varying from year to year. There are five kinds of North American
Pacific salmon, though on this river the Chum salmon are most common, with
some Coho and Chinook salmon, as well as the Steelhead and the Cutthroat trout.
Naturalists and displays at the Freeman King Visitor Centre answer your
questions. Free admission. Info: (250) 391-2300
|
mid November |
The Great Canadian Beer Festival |
Only all-natural beers are served, with the brewers on hand, as well as hop growers, masters, equipment suppliers, brewery
manufacturers, beer importers and distributors. Admission $10 and beer samples $1 each.
At the Victoria Conference Centre. Info: (250) 595-7729.
|
late November |
Santa Claus Parade |
Floats, bands, clowns, Santa Claus and much more! Parade starts at 5 pm at Government and Belleville Streets, up Government to Fisgard,
over on Fisgard to Douglas Street and down Douglas Street to Humboldt. Parade
is followed by the Christmas Festival in Market Square, with bands. Free admission.
|
December 1 - early January |
Christmas At Butchart Gardens |
Tens of thousand of lights hail the arrival of the holiday season at Victoria's
famous Butchart Gardens (800 Benvenuto). Strolling carollers, children's
entertainers, the Festive Brass Band and fabulous food enhance the experience.
Info: (250) 652-4422
|
Mid-December |
Annual Eagle Extravaganza |
As the spawning salmon die off, after their annual return to the Goldstream River,
over 200 bald eagles move into Goldstream Provincial Park. The eagles arrive late
November and hang around until January. There is a special eagle viewing
platform (bring binoculars). Admission is by donation. Info: (250) 478-9414
|
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