Your Guide to Local Entertainment, Festivals and Events

The Victoria entertainment, festivals and events scene offers a great selection for a night out on the town or a family fun day. We are known as the Garden City but we could just as easily be known for our vibrant live entertainment, artisans, festivals and events.

Northwest Deuce Days

Most of the activities identified on our list are annual celebrations that we all look forward to. Get your calendar out and schedule time to take in some very cool experiences. Several of these events attract visitors from across the Pacific Northwest and Lower Mainland. The HSBC Women’s Sevens Rugby tournament draws fans from around the globe.

Get ready for world class entertainment!

Entertainment, Festivals and Events Listing:

Aeriosa (Esquimalt)
Busker fest (Victoria)
Buccaneer Days (Esquimalt)
Christmas Craft Beer Show (Victoria)
Classic Boat Festival (Victoria)
Diner en Blanc (surprise!)
Dragon Boat Festival (Victoria)

Discovery Days at the Victoria Fish and Game Association

Eats and Beats (Colwood)
Goldstream Salmon Run (Langford)
Goldstream Eagle Extravaganza (Langford)
Gorge Canada Day Picnic (Saanich)
Gorge Swimfest (Victoria)
Great Canadian Beer Festival (Victoria)
Highland Games (Victoria)

Canadian try scored at the HSBC Women's Sevens Rugby Tournament in Langford BC

HSBC Women's Sevens Rugby Tournament (Langford)
Luxton Fair (Langford)
Moss Street Paint In (Victoria)
Northwest Deuce Days (Victoria – happens every 3 years)
Oak Bay Tea Party (Oak Bay)
Outdoor Movies (various communities)
Ribfest (Esquimalt)
Rifflandia (Victoria) - cancelled in 2019 but they promise to be back in September of 2020
Rock the Shores (Colwood) - unfortunately this event has been cancelled indefinitely as of March 2019

Fans of art at the Moss Street Paint In

Photo credit: Times Colonist

Ryder Hesjedal's Tour de Victoria (Greater Victoria)
Saanich Fair (Saanich)
Summer Sounds Series (Sidney)
Symphony Splash (Victoria)
TD Victoria International Jazzfest
The Phillips Backyard Weekender
Victoria Day Parade
Victoria Fish & Game Association Annual Outdoor Discovery Day
Victoria Fringe Festival
Victoria Whisky Festival

When planning to attend some of the larger festivals and events in the core that draw crowds in the tens of thousands, it is important to have a strategy for when the show is over.

If you must drive, then parking several blocks away from the celebration area and bringing a wagon or stroller works well.

Check out these folding wagons - so useful for everything from kids to lawn chairs - I keep mine in the back of my car so it is always available.

If you are taking BC Transit home, consider walking to one or two bus stops before your normal stop. You would have a better chance on getting on a bus before it gets too full to accept more passengers. It can sometimes be a lengthy wait (seemingly longer with children or in inclement weather) to get a bus after large events downtown.

Did we miss one of your favourite festivals and events? Use our Contact Us form to tell us about it and include photos if you have them.

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