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Your Guide to Local Events and Festivals in Victoria

The entertainment, events and festivals in Victoria 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.

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Northwest Deuce Days 2019

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 and Northwest Deuce Days draw fans from around the globe.

Get ready for world class entertainment!

Events and Festivals in Victoria:

NOTE: All events and festivals were impacted by COVID-19 in 2020 and some continue to be affected in 2021. We expect a return to normal in 2022 and will update as information becomes available. Contact event sponsors for confirmation before making plans.

Aeriosa (August, Esquimalt)
Buskerfest (July, Victoria)
Buccaneer Days (June, Esquimalt)
Christmas Craft Beer Show (November/December, Victoria)
Classic Boat Festival (August/September, Victoria)
Diner en Blanc (June, surprise location!)
Dragon Boat Festival (August, Victoria)

Discovery Days at the Victoria Fish and Game Association

Find tickets for shows, events and festivals in Victoria.

Eats and Beats (July, Colwood)
Gingerbread Showcase (November to January, Victoria)
Goldstream Salmon Run (October to December, Langford)
Goldstream Eagle Extravaganza (December/January, Langford)
Gorge Canada Day Picnic (July, Saanich)
Gorge Swimfest (July, Victoria)
Great Canadian Beer Festival (September, Victoria)
Highland Games (May, Victoria)

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

HSBC Women's Sevens Rugby Tournament (May, Langford)
Luxton Fair (September, Langford)
Moss Street Paint In (July, Victoria)
Northwest Deuce Days (July, Victoria – happens every 3 years; next one scheduled in 2022)
Oak Bay Tea Party (June, Oak Bay)
Outdoor Movies (Summer, various communities)
Ribfest (September, Esquimalt)
Rifflandia (September, Victoria) - 15-18 September 2022
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 (August, Greater Victoria) - held in October 2021 but may revert back to August in 2022
Saanich Fair (August/September, Saanich)
Summer Sounds Series (July/August, Sidney)
Symphony Splash (August, Victoria)
TD Victoria International Jazzfest (June, Victoria)
The Phillips Backyard Weekender (July, Victoria)
Victoria Day Parade (May, Victoria)
Victoria Fish & Game Association Annual Outdoor Discovery Day (June, Langford)
Victoria Fringe Festival (August, Victoria)
Victoria Whisky Festival (January, Victoria)

When planning to attend some of the larger events and festivals in Victoria 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 (we use ours for so many things and I love that it folds up for storage) or stroller works well.

If you are taking BC Transit home, consider walking to one or two bus stops before your normal stop or before where the large crowds are. 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.

Our handy monthly guides will help you plan your visit to Victoria with everything you need to know about the weather, how to dress, foods in seasons and even more events listed for each month.