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

Updated for 2022

If you are planning a trip to Victoria in September 2022, then you’ve probably got questions like:

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  • 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 September
  • what are some things to do?
  • and most importantly, what food is in season?

If you’re coming in September, you are in for a real treat with some of the best weather our region experiences; peak season is just behind us - it is busy but not overly crowded, there is still plenty of things to do and there is an abundance of fresh seafood and produce available to tantalize your taste buds.  

The first Monday in September is Labour Day and is a national statutory holiday that has its origins in the labour union movement. Most shops and activities will still be open however they may operate on reduced hours. Banks and Provincial and Federal offices will all be closed

September 30 is the National Day for Truth and Reconcilation, a day that honours the lost children and survivors of residential schools, their families and communities. It is also Orange Shirt Day - an Indigenous-led grassroots commemorative day. You can purchase orange shirts directly from the organization to ensure all the money raised goes to the intended recipients. September 30 has been formally recognized since 2021 as a Federal statutory holiday but is not yet a Provincial statutory holiday. Call ahead to check hours of operation if you are planning to visit a government office or bank on this day.

With 69 scheduled arrivals in September, cruise ship season is still well underway. Although cruise season is typically starting to wind down in September, in 2022 Victoria will see 7 more stops than we saw in August. Victoria expects to welcome over 100,000 visitors throughout the month of September from the various cruise ships who will be in port between 4 and 16 hours each. 

Weather in September

The weather in September averages a very comfortable high of 20 C while cooling down nicely for sleeping to 10 C. With average precipitation of 41mm, it is possible it will rain occasionally while you are here but for the most part, we are still experiencing warm, dry weather. 

As Autumn approaches, the foliage begins its dramatic colour changes before the leaves begin to fall. 

Dressing for the Weather

Although I tend to wear my sandals well into the fall (I practically live in my birkenstocks), many people are opting for closed toe shoes by September. For walking around Victoria and seeing the sights, comfortable walking shoes are your best bet and I rely on my SAS shoes. They are made in the USA and have a wide variety of widths to fit even the most hard-to-fit. Waterproof footwear is usually not necessary at this time of the year.

You will likely be most comfortable in a short-sleeved top and shorts/capris during the day however once the sun sets, the evenings will cool down quickly. A polar fleece jacket is common attire for the locals on a cool day or evening. I personally wear one by Columbia.

Although the chance of rain isn’t very high in Victoria in September, you may still want to pack a lightweight waterproof jacket just in case. Helly Hansen are budget-friendly and popular out here, but if you can afford it, I recommend an Arc’teryx jacket. They are stylish, functional jackets designed and tested here in British Columbia.  

Finally, you may want an umbrella or packable, waterproof hat like this very fun and cleverly designed Hairbrella.

What's in Season

Several of our local restaurants reinvent their menus seasonally to take advantage of local seafood, meats, cheeses, breads, beers, wines and produce. September is a month of abundance with the following foods in season:

Fruits & Veggies

  • Artichoke
  • Beans
  • Beets
  • Broccoli
  • Brussel Sprouts
  • Cabbage (green)
  • Cabbage (savoy and red)
  • Carrots
  • Cauliflower
  • Celery
  • Chard
  • Corn
  • Cucumbers
  • Eggplant
  • Garlic
  • Kale
  • Leeks
  • Lettuce
  • Mustard Greens
  • Mushrooms
  • Onions (green)
  • Onions (red/yellow)
  • Parsnips
  • Peppers
  • Potatoes
  • Pumpkin
  • Radishes
  • Rutabagas
  • Salad Greens
  • Spinach
  • Squash (winter)
  • Tomatoes
  • Turnips
  • Zucchini

  • Apples
  • Blueberries
  • Crab Apples
  • Cranberries
  • Figs
  • Grapes
  • Melons
  • Pears
  • Plums
  • Prunes
  • Strawberries

Seafood & Herbs

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

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

What's Blooming at Butchart Gardens

I highly recommend you tour Butchart Gardens on your trip to Victoria in September and here's a list of the beautiful flowers you can expect to see in bloom. 

  • African Arrowroot
  • Angel’s Trumpets
  • Angelonia
  • Bearded Tongue
  • Black-Eyed Susan
  • Castor Bean
  • Chilean Rhubarb
  • Chocolate Cosmos
  • Cigar Plant
  • Common Rose Mallow
  • Dahlia
  • Daylily
  • Delphinium
  • Floss Flower
  • Garden Mum
  • Garden Phlox
  • Geranium
  • Glory Bush
  • Goldenrod
  • Heliotrope
  • Hydrangea
  • Japanese Anemone
  • Labelia
  • Lords and Ladies
  • Marigold
  • Mealycup Sage
  • Michaelmas Daisy
  • Monkshood
  • Montbretia
  • New Guinea Impatiens
  • Obedient Plant
  • Ornamental Eggplant
  • Pepper
  • Purple Threadleaf
  • 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 September

The quintessential Canadian bucket list item – salmon fishing – is a perfect expedition in Victoria in September. Other highlight activities include Butchart Gardens (see above for what's blooming), a tour of Craigdarroch Castle or Hatley Castle (or both) and a visit to China Town.  

Festivals and Events in Victoria in September

  • 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
  • 24-Aug-22 to 04-Sep-22 - Fringe Theatre Festival, various downtown locations
  • 02-Sep-22 to 04-Sep-22 - Classic Boat Festival, docks at inner harbour, Victoria
  • 03-Sep-22 to 05-Sep-22 - Saanich Fair, Saanich Fair Grounds, North Saanich
  • 03-Se[-22 to 04-Sep-22 - Sooke Music & Arts Festival, John Phillips Memorial Park, Sooke
  • 05-Sep-22 - Labour Day, Federal STAT Holiday
  • 09-Sep-22 to 10-Sep-22 - Great Canadian Beer Festival, Royal Athletic Park, Victoria
  • 09-Sep-22 to 11-Sep-22 - Esquimalt Ribfest, Bullen Park, Esquimalt
  • 10-Sep-22 to 11-Sep-22 - In Sight Festival, Fort Rodd Hill and Fisgard Lighthouse NHS, Colwood
  • 15-Sep-22 to 18-Sep-22 - Rifflandia, Royal Athletic Park and Electric Avenue venue, Victoria
  • 17-Sep-22 - Autumn Lantern Festival, Gordon Head Recreation Centre & Lambrick Park, Saanich
  • 17-Sep-22 - Arts & Culture Festival, Fisherman's Wharf Park
  • 18-Sep-22 - Dream Wedding Show, G.R. Pearkes Recreation Centre, Saanich
  • 18-Sep-22 to 24-Sep-22 - Victoria International Wine Festival, various locations, Greater Victoria
  • 25-Sep-22 - Brewery & The Beast Victoria 2022, Starlight Stadium, Langford
  • 30-Sep-22 - National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, Federal Stat Holiday
  • 30-Sep-22 - South Island Powwow, Royal Athletic Park, Victoria 
  • 2022 cancelled - Victoria Baby & Family Fair, G.R. Pearkes Recreation Centre, Saanich

I truly hope you enjoy your visit to Victoria in September 2022.

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