Updated for 2021
If you are planning a trip to Victoria in March, then you’ve probably got questions like:
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If you’re visiting in March, you'll notice that we can be rather smug about the fact that we are counting flower blooms while the rest of country is counting inches - or even feet - of snow! It's true, in early March each year, the entire region is encouraged to participate in counting flower blooms and recording the count on the Victoria flower count tracker. That's right - our flowers have their own website and in 2020, we counted nearly 46 billion (with a "b") blossoms!
Depending on the year, Easter may or may not fall in March. In 2021, Good Friday is in April. There are no statutory holidays in March 2021.
As of 2021, British Columbia still recognizes Daylight Savings Time although our Government has been engaged in public consultation and we may choose to abolish this tradition. For now though, the clocks are set to move ahead one hour on Sunday, March 14, 2021.
Spring is such a beautiful time here in Victoria. The days are longer and brighter and warmer and drier. People are anxious to get outside and with good reason. The grass is green, the trees are budding and the spring flowers are blooming. Find our favourite spots to see cherry blossoms. It is the calm before the storm. Soon the first cruise ship will arrive and the city will be bustling with activity until October. UPDATE: Sadly, the 2021 cruise season officially ended on February 4, 2021. The Canadian Government announced cruise ships carrying 100 or more people will remain prohibited from operating in Canadian waters until February 2022 due to COVID-19.
Things start warming up nicely in Victoria in March with average highs of 11 degrees and lows between 1 and 2 degrees. It is also considerably drier with average precipitation of 21 mm. The chance of snow in March is extremely remote.
One of my favourite sounds at this time of year is the snap, crackle and pop of the pine cones opening up. I can watch the puff of pollen being released into the air and listen to the delightful sounds from my deck. It is a wonderful reminder of the new season unfolding. If you haven't heard this beautiful spring sound, get yourself to a park - such as Beacon Hill on a warm early spring day and listen to the trees come to life. Check TourScanner to find the best deals on city tours.
Most of us are ready to ditch the winter gear in favour of lighter jackets and sweaters. Those of us who wear a 3-in-1 jacket usually separate the layers at this time of the year and either wear the fleece by itself or the waterproof jacket by itself. You do not usually need both layers in March during the day although there is a good chance you may want both when it cools down in the evening.
Not sure what a 3-in-1 jacket is? Refer to Victoria in February for a description.
Several of our local restaurants take advantage of local seafood, meats, cheeses, breads, beers, wines and produce. March is still slim pickings for fresh fruits and vegetables but there is a variety of seafood available. Food tours are always popular with locals and city guests. Check TourScanner for the best deals.
Fruits & Veggies
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Seafood & Herbs
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Locals love to get outside and enjoy nature in Victoria in March and we encourage you to as well. Check TourScanner for a great selection of outdoor and sports activities in the area. We have a wonderful network of fairly flat and accessible trails throughout the region suitable for every member of the family.
The main trail is the Galloping Goose Trail which connects to the Lochside trail heading to Sidney and the E&N trail that goes through View Royal and Esquimalt. The entire network connects Sidney to Sooke.
You'll see families and people of all ages out and about on their scooters and bikes or walking or jogging.
The network of trails goes right through our downtown core and now includes easy access to our dedicated bike lanes.
There are several places to rent bikes if you want to join them. Check out our land activity guide for contact info.
In addition to getting outside, it seems we really like thinking about beer in March! Just check out all these beer-related activities below.
UPDATE: Victoria in March 2021 is a bit of a bust with all the cancellations - join us for our beer festivities in 2022.
Festivals and Events include:
I truly hope you enjoy your visit to Victoria in March.
Feb 25, 21 10:43 AM
Discover an impressive array of beach art at Esquimalt Lagoon
Feb 20, 21 04:36 PM
Discover all the best Victoria restaurants and pubs for everyone in your party - even the picky ones!
Feb 20, 21 04:17 PM
Come discover the oldest pub in British Columbia and the rest of the pubs in Victoria.