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

Updated For 2022

If you are planning a trip to Victoria in August, 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

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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 2022 we are expecting 61 ships and over 180,000 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 takes place on this long weekend in August and attracts approximately 100,000 people to the Inner Harbour. The Victoria Symphony, along with special guests, perform from a floating stage in the harbour throughout the day. The event always ends 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.

Fruits & Veggies

Celery
Chard
Corn
Cucumbers
Eggplant
Garlic
Kale
Leeks
Lettuce
Mushrooms
Mustard Greens
Onions (green)
Onions (red/yellow)
Parsnips
Peas
Peppers
Potatoes
Pumpkin
Radishes
Rutabagas
Salad Greens
Shallots
Spinach
Squash (summer)
Squash (winter)
Tomatoes
Turnips
Zucchini

Apples
Apricots
Blackberries
Blueberries
Cherries
Crab Apples
Cranberries
Currants
Figs
Gooseberries
Grapes
Kiwi
Melons
Nectarines
Peaches
Pears
Plums
Prunes
Quince
Raspberries
Rhubarb
Saskatoon Berries
Strawberries

Seafood & Herbs

Clams
Cod: Pacific
Crab
Crab: Dungeness
Flounder/Sole: Pacific
Halibut: Pacific
Herring
Lingcod
Mussels
Oysters: Pacific
Prawns: Jumbo
Prawns: Spot
Sablefish (Black Cod)
Salmon: Chinook/King/Spring
Salmon: Chum
Salmon: Coho (Northern)
Salmon: Pink
Salmon: Sockeye
Sardines: Pacific
Scallops
Shrimp: Side Stripe
Shrimp: West Coast
Spring Dogfish
Tuna: Albacore

Basil
Bay Leaves
Chervil
Chives
Cilantro
Dill
Epazote
Fennel
Lavender
Lemon Grass
Lemon Verbena
Marjoram
Mint
Oregano
Parsley
Rosemary
Sage
Savory
Shiso
Sorrel
Tarragon
Thyme

What's Blooming at Butchart Gardens

Summer at Butchart Gardens is spectacular! Below is what you can expect to see blooming at the Gardens in August.

Acidanthera
African Arrowroot
Angel’s Fishing Rod
Angel’s Trumpets
Angelonia
Bear’s Breeches
Bearded Tongue
Black Mondo Grass
Black-Eyed Susan
Castor Bean
Chilean Rhubarb
Chocolate Cosmos
Cigar Plant
Clerodendrum
Coleus
Common Rose Mallow
Dahlia
Daylily
Delphinium
False Spiraea
Floss Flower

Flowering Maple
Fuchsia
Garden Phlox
Geranium
Glory Bush
Goldenrod
Heliotrope
Hydrangea
Japanese Anemone
Joe Pye Weed
Labelia
Ligularia “The Rocket”
Lords and Ladies
Marigold
Mealycup Sage
Milkweed
Monkshood
Montbretia
New Guinea Impatiens
Obedient Plant

Ornamental Eggplant
Pepper
Plantain Lilly
Purple Threadleaf
Rodgersia
Scarlet Sage
Scotsman’s Purse
Shrub Verbena
Snapdragon
Spiderwort
St. John’s Wort
Stonecrop
Sweet Alyssum
Toad Lily
Tuberous Begonia
Turtlehead
Vervain
Waxleaf Begonia
Yarrow
Zinnia

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. Check out our land activity guide for contact info.

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:

09-Apr-22 to 03-Nov-22 - Cruise Ship Season, Port of Victoria
22-May-22 to 5-Sep-22 - Harbour Ferry Ballet, Sundays at 10:45 am in the Inner Harbour and occasionally on Saturday as well
29-Jul-22 to 01-Aug-22 - Wonderment Series, outdoor public parks and urban space
01-Aug-22 - BC Day, STAT Holiday
05-Aug-22 to 07-Aug-22 - City of Gardens Quilt Show and Sale, G.R. Pearkes Recreation Centre
05-Aug-22 to 07-Aug-22 - 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
07-Aug-22 - Cadboro Bay Festival, Cadboro Gyro Park
07-Aug-22 - Torquemasters Auto Extravaganza, Sidney
13-Aug-22 - Sport and Import Car Show, Saanich Fairgrounds
13-Aug-22 to 14-Aug-22 - Pet-A-Palooza, Bullen Park
13-Aug-22 to 14-Aug-22 - Phillips Backyard, Phillips Brewing & Malting Co., Victoria
13-Aug-22 to 20-Aug-22 - Salish Sea Week of Lanterns Festival, various locations
14-Aug-22 - 1st Annual Field of Dreams Show and Shine, Westshore Parks & Recreation Lower Field
15-Aug-22 to 28-Aug-22 - East West Mural Fest, Esquimalt and Vic West
20-Aug-22 - Ryder Hesjedal Tour de Victoria, various routes and distances, starting and ending at Inner Harbour
21-Aug-22 - 1st Annual Uptown Car Show, Uptown Shopping Centre, on L4 by Whole Foods
21-Aug-22 - 10th Annual Langford Show & Shine, Goldstream Avenue Arch in Langford
24-Aug-22 to 04-Sep-22 - Fringe Theatre Festival, various downtown locations
25-Aug-22 to 28-Aug-22 - Harbour Blues 'n Roots Festival, Ship Point, Victoria