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

If you are planning a trip to Victoria in July 2023, 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 July
• 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.

Canada hot air balloons

July is simply gorgeous here in the Pacific Northwest. Summer is in full gear, students are out of school, heading to camps, off to work or out to discover the world. It is exciting time with so many things to do and countless ways to spend long, warm summer days. 

I grew up in a much hotter climate with terrible humidity and it seemed that we spent our time figuring out where the best air conditioning was. Not here in Victoria. Air conditioning is rarely needed, although the climate is changing and we tend to see at least one stretch of extremely hot weather each summer. For the most part though, you can be outdoors enjoying a variety of activities without overheating almost every day in the summer. I encourage you to enjoy some of those activities and you can use Get Your Guide to compare prices of our most popular activities. 

July is normally extraordinarily busy with cruise ship arrivals and in 2023, we are expecting 60 ships with over 175,000 passengers disembarking to discover our beauty. 

Paddlers on the Gorge

July 1st is Canada Day - a national statutory holiday - and my favourite day of celebration of the entire year. Canada Day celebrates our birth as a nation - 156 years old in 2023 - and is a time for community activities and fireworks. Because it is a stat holiday, banks and government offices will be closed.

Two very popular activities are the Gorge Canada Day Picnic and the Coast Capital Savings Living Flag. 

For the picnic, Gorge Road is closed between Tillicum and Admirals and vendors line the path along the banks of the Gorge waterway. With no vehicular traffic, it creates a terrific opportunity for people to wander about, enjoy the festivities and support local small businesses and artisans.

Vendors line the banks of the Gorge during Canada Day celebrations

For the living flag, there are two ways to participate. Either gather a group of 10 or more friends and you will be given priority placement in the flag, or get in the individual t-shirt lineup for your chance at a red or white t-shirt and a spot in the flag. Official photo is at 2:00 p.m on the lawns of the BC Legislature. Covid derailed this activity for a couple of years and it has not happened for a couple of years. Hopefully 2023 it makes a triumphant return!

Weather in July

Thousands of people in the Inner Harbour enjoying the festivities of Deuce Days

Victoria in July is perfection. Summer flowers still hold their vivid colours, the days are long, sunny and warm and the chance of rain is negligible. The average high temperature at this time of the year is nearly 24 degrees with lows between 12 and 13. The average precipitation is just 1 mm, making it the warmest and driest of any month. 

Shades of yellow

Bee stopping for lunch

Dressing for the Weather

The dog days of summer are here. Sleeveless or short-sleeved tops, shorts or capris and sandals are the clothing of choice in Victoria in July. 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.

Iconic Victoria - flowers and the Empress!

What's in Season

Several of our local restaurants take full advantage of the abundant local seafood, meats, cheeses, breads, beers, wines and produce. In Victoria in July, we are experiencing a explosion of fresh fruits and veggies and local food tours are a big hit! Be sure to get to one of our local farmers markets for the best of what's in season. 

Lemons

Apples

Apples

Blackberries

What's Blooming at Butchart Gardens

July is spectacular at Butchart Gardens. The largest variety of flowers are in full bloom in every colour of the rainbow. Keep reading here to see what's blooming in every season at Butchart. 

Things to Do in Victoria in July

July is definitely a time to get outside and enjoy the many activities happening around the region. From our very patriotic Canada Day celebrations to the artistic showcase of the Moss Street Paint-In, you'll love being in Victoria in July. Be sure to check Viator to find the best deals on some of our most popular activities. 

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'll see families and people of all ages out and about on their scooters and bikes or walking or jogging.

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 one of the most popular activities is to join a history and highlights bike tour.  

Another great spot for a stroll in the downtown core is around the inner harbour and either on to the David Foster Walkway to the east or the West Song Walkway to the west. 

Plasterman (who sadly passed away on Aug 6, 2020) at work on the causeway.

Annual Festivals and Events in Victoria in July 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 
  
• 22-Jun-23 to 02-Jul-23 - TD Victoria International JazzFest, Centennial Square and various downtown locations
  
• 29-Jun-23 to 09-Jul-23 - Victoria Pride Festival, various locations
• 30-Jun-23 to 01-Jul-23 - Sidney Days & Canada Day, Beacon Avenue
  
• 01-Jul-23 - Canada Day
  
• 01- Jul-23 - Living Flag, BC Legislature lawn
• 01-Jul-23 - Gorge Canada Day Picnic, Gorge Road between Tillicum and Admirals 
• 01-Jul-23 - Memorial Dragball Game, Victoria West Park
• 06-Jul-23 - Big Gay Dog Walk, Clover Point
• 07-Jul-23 to 09-Jul-23 - SKAMpede, along paved commuter and recreational trails, including the Galloping Goose Regional Trail, the Songhees Walkway, and the David Foster Walkway in the downtown core
• 07-Jul-23 to 09-Jul-23 - The Phillips Backyard Weekender, Philips Brewing & Malting
• 09-Jul-23 - Victoria Pride Parade, Douglas Street between Fisgard and Inner Harbour
• 09-Jul-23 - Pride Festival in the Park, MacDonald Park
• 15-Jul-23 - Moss Street Paint-In, Moss Street
  
• 22-Jul-23 to 29-Jul-23 - Victoria Flamenco Festival, Cameron Bandshell and Centennial Square
• 29-Jul-23 - Eats and Beats at the Beach, Ocean Boulevard, Esquimalt Lagoon
• Jul-2025 - Northwest Deuce Days, Victoria’s Inner Harbour and Legislature Grounds (held every 3 years)

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

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