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

If you are planning a trip to Victoria in February 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 February
  • 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.

If you’re visiting in February, the first thing you will notice is that we can be rather smug about the fact that the rest of Canada is usually under several inches of snow and we are starting to think about spring flowers.

Occasionally it does snow in February but virtually never like the storms you might see elsewhere in the country. In fact, February is the first month when our famous cherry blossoms start to bloom - usually the ones on View Street first, then the rest of the city follows in March and April. 

Thanks to Valentine's Day, many businesses cater to romance in February and feature a variety of specials geared to couples. It is the perfect time for a getaway. Whether it is touring our beautiful city in a horse-drawn carriage (with a cozy blanket of course!) or an oceanfront spa and mineral bath, Victoria is a place for lovers. 

Monday, February 19, 2024 is Family Day which is a statutory holiday. Almost everything is open except for banks and government offices. Some businesses may have reduced hours. Prior to 2019, Family Day was celebrated on the second Monday in the month but was changed to the third Monday to keep it consistent with other provinces.

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Weather in February

Overall, on average the weather in Victoria in February is slightly cooler than January with highs around 6 degrees and lows around minus 1. It is the only month where our average low temperature dips below freezing. It is also a whole lot drier than January with an average of just 70 mm of precipitation - almost always in the form of rain. If it does snow however, it doesn't usually stick around very long because it generally warms up and melts away and we start dreaming of flowers again!

Unfortunately though, every few years in Victoria in February the conditions are ideal for heavy snowfalls and as a city, things can deteriorate quickly. The main reason for this is the lack of equipment to deal with the snow (due mainly to the fact that we rarely need it). So, if it snows, it's either going to melt quite quickly or essentially shut the city down! 

Dressing for the Weather

On warm February days, don't be too surprised to see a few brave souls in their shorts - they just can't wait for spring to arrive! But for many of us here in the Pacific Northwest, we are usually still in our winter gear of toques, sweaters, gloves and scarves. It is ideal to dress in warm layers and a 3-in-1 waterproof jacket (I like this one from Columbia) is perfect along with waterproof footwear (Timberlands are ideal here in Victoria

Not sure what a 3-in-1 jacket is?

  1. A waterproof outer layer (honestly don't even bother if the jacket is not waterproof) that can be worn on its own as a light to medium-weight jacket. Depending on your personal comfort and activity level, you may want a heavier-weight outer layer for the winter months.
  2. A warm, insulated inner layer - sometimes down (or a synthetic insulating material) or polar fleece that can be worn on its own for warmth.
  3. A warm, waterproof coat when you attach the inner layer to the outer layer - usually via a zipper or snaps.

What's in Season

Several of our local restaurants take advantage of local seafood, meats, cheeses, breads, beers, wines and produce. February is still fairly slim for fresh fruits and vegetables but there is a variety of seafood available. Food tours are popular throughout the year and if you love our cuisine, you'll want to grab a copy of this cookbook

Fruits & Veggies

  • Cabbage (savoy and red)
  • Kale
  • Leeks
  • Mushrooms
  • Onions (red/yellow)
  • Parsnips
  • Apples

Seafood & Herbs

  • Clams
  • Cod: Pacific
  • Crab
  • Crab: Dungeness
  • Flounder/Sole: Pacific
  • Mussels
  • Oysters: Pacific
  • Prawns: Jumbo
  • Sablefish (Black Cod)
  • Scallops
  • Shrimp: Side Stripe
  • Shrimp: West Coast
  • Bay Leaves
  • Chervil
  • Cilantro
  • Rosemary
  • Sage
  • Savory
  • Thyme

Things to Do in Victoria in February

By this time of year, "rainy season" is pretty much over and people are starting to spend more time outside. We have a wonderful network of fairly flat and accessible trails throughout the region suitable for every member of the family and many people start taking advantage of them to get back out enjoying nature.

If you appreciate Mother Nature, then a trip to Tofino and Pacific Rim National Park should be on your list. It is about a 4-5 hour road trip from Victoria (although you could fly in a fraction of the time with Tofino Air) and the extraordinary scenery alone is well worth it. It is the final month of storm watching season on the wild, west coast where visitors from across the planet marvel at the dramatic skies and crashing waves of a raging Pacific Ocean. 

Annual Festivals and Events include:

  • 02-Jan-24 to 01-Apr-24 - Annual Lego Exhibition, Sidney Museum 
  • 20-Jan-24 to 20-Feb-24 - Hot Chocolate Festival, various participating vendors
  • 02-Feb-24 to 11-Feb-24 - Victoria Film Festival, The Vic Theatre 
  • 04-Feb-24 - Vancouver Island Dream Wedding Show, G.R. Pearkes Recreation Centre 
  • 14-Feb-24 - Valentine's Day
  • 18-Feb-24 - Lunar New Year, parade and festivities in Chinatown
  • 19-Feb-24 - Family Day
  • 23-Feb-24 to 25-Feb-24 - Victoria Home Renovation & Decor Show, G.R. Pearkes Recreation Centre 
  • 27-Feb-24 to 03-Mar-24 - Pacific Baroque Festival, various locations

I truly hope you enjoy your visit to Victoria in February.

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