Victoria in August:
Discover the Spectacular Things to See and Do During Your Visit

If you are planning a trip to Victoria in August 2024, then you’ve probably got questions like:

• what’s the weather going to be like
• what to pack and what to wear while you are here
• what’s happening in Victoria in August
• what are some things to do
• and what local food is in season

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

Gorge waterway at the Tillicum Road Bridge

August is pretty much of a repeat of July with long, warm summer days. It does start to get dark in the evenings a little earlier than in July with the sun setting around 9:00 pm at the beginning of August and closer to 8:00 pm by the end of the month. Towards the end of August you may occasionally feel like "fall is in the air" but trust me, there is still plenty of summer ahead!

Here in Canada our school year is September through June so August is a busy time for families trying to get the last of the summer fun in while preparing for kids who are going back to school and off to college. 

August is normally a repeat of June and July as far as the number of cruise ship arrivals. In 2023 we are expecting 56 ships and over 160,000 passengers to disembark and discover our beauty. 

The first Monday in August is BC Day which is a provincial statutory holiday. Almost all shops and activities remain open on this holiday however banks and Government offices will be closed. 

The renowned Symphony Splash took place on this long weekend in August for many years however has been replaced with a week long festival called Symphony in the Summer. The event attracts approximately 100,000 people to the Inner Harbour. The Victoria Symphony, along with special guests, typically perform from a floating stage in the harbour with the event ending with a performance of Tchaikovsky's 1812 Overture with fireworks.

Grab a lawn chair or blanket and stretch out on the lawns of the BC Legislature to enjoy. Or get down early enough and rent a canoe or kayak and watch from the harbour. It is a magical site!  

Weather in August

Victoria in August is just as beautiful as July. The vivid summer flowers are starting to fade but they are replaced with the rich, bold colours of fall with golden yellow, burnt orange, copper and burgundy. The days are sunny and warm and the chance of rain is slim. The average high temperature in August is 23 degrees with lows around 12. The average precipitation is just 2.5 mm, making it one of the warmest and driest of the year. 

Get down to Esquimalt Lagoon for driftwood art and the Bark Birds

Dressing for the Weather

We wait all year for these warm summer days. Sleeveless or short-sleeved tops, shorts or capris and sandals are the clothing of choice in Victoria in August. Locals love the cooler evenings which are ideal for sleeping, but we do acknowledge that some visitors can find it a little chilly once the sun goes down. It never hurts to have a light jacket or sweater handy. You will also notice there is almost always a light ocean breeze so it can sometimes feel slightly cooler than the actual temperature, especially by the water.

No need to take your picnic lunch when you go to this park on Fridays and Saturdays in the summer.

What's in Season

Residents and local restauranteurs take advantage of all the abundant seafood, meats, cheeses, breads, beers, wines and produce. In Victoria in August, we are experiencing one of the most plentiful months of fresh fruits and veggies. Be sure to get to one of our local farmers markets for the best of what's in season and take part in one of our extremely popular food tours. 

What's Blooming at Butchart Gardens

Summer at Butchart Gardens is spectacular! There is a large variety of flowers in full bloom and in every colour of the rainbow. Below is what you can expect to see blooming at Butchart Gardens in August. Keep reading here to see what's blooming in every season at Butchart.  

Things to Do in Victoria in August

August is definitely a time to get outside and enjoy the many activities happening around the region. From the numerous music and arts festivals to the focus on our furry friends at Pet-a-Palooza, you'll love being in Victoria in August. 

My furry friend Sophie lounging on the cool grass on a warm summer day

If you are interested in walking or going for a bike ride, we have a fantastic network of flat and accessible trails throughout the region.

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 can also rent a bike or join a guided bike tour.

Canoers in the Upper Harbour with their furry friend

You'll see families and people of all ages out and about on their scooters and bikes or walking or jogging or stopping to pick blackberries! No summer is complete without going out to pick fresh, wild blackberries.

There are numerous spots throughout the city - on public property - where you are welcome to help yourself. Many of those spots are along the network of trails. Take a handful to enjoy while you are stopped or pick a bucket for jams and jellies.

Note - blackberry bushes are full of thorns - serious pickers should be prepared with long sleeves and gloves. 

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 but the history and highlights guided bike tour and guided family tours are the most popular for tourists. 

Another great spot for a stroll in the downtown core is around the inner harbour and either on to the David Foster Harbour Pathway to the east or the West Song Walkway to the west. Victoria in August is a great time to explore!

Look who we met while on a Gorge boat cruise!

Annual Festivals and Events in Victoria in August include: 

• 11-Apr-23 to 29-Oct-23 - Cruise Ship Season, Port of Victoria 
  
• 14-May-23 to 04-Sep-23 - Harbour Ferry Ballet, Sundays at 10:45 am in the Inner Harbour and occasionally on Saturday as well 
• 27-Jul-23 to 05-Aug-23 - Symphony in the Summer Festival, ticketed and free events throughout downtown Victoria
• 04-Aug-23 to 07-Aug-23 - Wonderment Series (live electronic and electro-acoustic music), outdoor public parks and urban spaces
• 01-Aug-23 - BC Day, STAT Holiday
• 06-Aug-23 - Torquemasters Auto Extravaganza, Sidney
• 06-Aug-23 - Cadboro Bay Festival, Cadboro-Gyro Park
  
• 11-Aug-23 to 13-Aug-23 - Phillips Backyard Weekender, Phillips Brewing & Malting Co., Victoria 
• 12-Aug-23 to 13-Aug-23 - Pet-A-Palooza, Bullen Park
• 13-Aug-22 - 2nd Annual Field of Dreams Show and Shine, Westshore Parks & Recreation Lower Field
• 19-Aug-23 - Ryder Hesjedal Tour de Victoria, various routes and distances, starting and ending at Inner Harbour
• 20-Aug-23 - 11th Annual Langford Show & Shine, Goldstream Avenue Arch in Langford
• 21-Aug-23 to 26-Aug-23 - Salish Sea Week of Lanterns Festival, various locations
• 23-Aug-23 to 03-Sep-23 - Fringe Theatre Festival, various downtown locations  
• 24-Aug-23 to 27-Aug-23 - Harbour Blues 'n Roots Festival, Ship Point, Victoria
• 26-Aug-23 to 27-Aug-23 - Vancouver Island International Dragon Boat Festival, Inner Harbour
• 05-Aug-22 to 27-Aug-22 - B-Film Festival, Cameron Bandshell in Beacon Hill Park, Fridays and Saturdays in August (2023 dates to be confirmed)
  
• 15-Aug-22 to 28-Aug-22 - East West Mural Fest, Esquimalt and Vic West (2023 dates to be confirmed)
• 21-Aug-22 - 1st Annual Uptown Car Show, Uptown Shopping Centre, on L4 by Whole Foods (2023 dates to be confirmed)

I truly hope you enjoy your visit to Victoria in August 2023.

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