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.  

Disclaimer: I make a small commission from some of the links on this page.

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!

Events and Festivals in Victoria:

NOTE: All events and festivals were impacted by COVID-19 in 2020 and some may continue to be affected in 2021. We'll update as information becomes available but you should contact the 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)

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)

• 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 should be 2022)
• Oak Bay Tea Party (June, Oak Bay)
• Outdoor Movies (Summer, various communities)
• Ribfest (September, Esquimalt)
• Rifflandia (September, Victoria) - cancelled in 2019 with a promise to be back in September of 2020. That didn't happen due to COVID-19 but we're hoping for 2021!
• Rock the Shores (Colwood) - unfortunately this event has been cancelled indefinitely as of March 2019

Photo credit: Times Colonist

• Ryder Hesjedal's Tour de Victoria (August, Greater Victoria)
• 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 or stroller works well. 

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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