Victoria's Varied Event Scene
• A WorldWeb.com Travel Guide for Victoria, British Columbia.
At the southern tip of Vancouver Island off the mainland British Columbia coast lies the city of Victoria. It is a place of peace, harmony, culture and history, and is home to an impressive and stunning harbour setting and a mild climate. It's temperate winters mean golf and flowers are year round sights, while its relatively low rainfall, especially in summer, encourages the city to get lively with music, theatre, festivals and events that are often outdoors. From chocolate or chess to oysters or organic living, from masquerade balls or anachists book fairs to flower counts and French fests, the city has an event for everyone.
CULTURAL CELEBRATIONS & ARTISTIC ACTIVITIES
The historic Victoria Highland Games and Celtic Festival starts the cultural celebrations rolling in May. The festival harks back to Scottish roots and has been part of Victoria's festivities since the 1860s. Tartan kilts fly during events like tossing the caber, haggis hurling, pipe band playing and sheep shearing demonstrations.
Mid-June sees the annual First Peoples Festival take place. Running since the late 1980s, the event has afforded visitors with an insight into the culture, drumming and dance of First Nations peoples, as well as the work of carvers, weavers and those who practice aboriginal medicine.
Canada Day, a national holiday, honours the culture and history of the country and in Victoria this means food, music, dance and fireworks over the inner harbour. 2006 saw the introduction of a weekend in July to celebrate Mexican culture and Festival Mexicano was born with traditional music, dance and food featuring in abundance. Victorians also get to experience the culture of India and enjoy the classical and modern music and dance of Bollywood—as well as all kinds of Indian food—at the two-day Indian Mela in late August.
Vancouver Island and the Gulf Islands' artists showcase their creative works at the Sooke Fine Arts Show, which began in the mid 1980s. Over 7,500 visitors from across Canada and the USA attend. In addition, those interested in seeing art in situ at studios in Metchosin and Sooke may wish to visit one or two of the 20 or so artisans that participate in the Stinking Fish Studio Tour.
Beer is part of Victoria's culture for some and since 1993 beer-lovers have been able to quaff the beverage in a hearty fashion for two days at the Great Canadian Beer Fest—held in September and involving the wares of over 45 craft breweries.
SONG, SAXOPHONE, SOUL & SYMPHONIES
Undoubtedly music plays a huge role in the city's summer festivities and ears in the provincial capital are enchanted by music genres that include classical, jazz, folk, electronic and ska. The kick off point is arguably the annual Victoria International Jazzfest in late June, which brings aural entertainment from over 85 different acts over nine days.
In late July, the Victoria Symphony Splash provides classical music and firework entertainment from a barge moored in the harbour, while the annual Ska Festival runs over a long weekend and Victoria sways to the rhythmic beats of ska, reggae, soul Latin, R&B, punk and Caribbean music. Also at the end of July is the annual Electronic Music Festival, which is held in Centennial Square and attracts some 10,000 visitors.
Through July and August several organizations and gardens also have musical entertainment on a regular basis. For example, the Butchart Gardens hosts music and fireworks every Saturday evening and the Conservatory of Music Summer Vocal Academy holds weekly concerts.
Folkwest is a relatively new addition to the music festival experience here and attendees will enjoy strongly rooted folk music as well as artists who express Appalachian, bluegrass, Acadian, Quebecois, Metis and Celtic sounds. On the blues front, blues brothers and sisters are treated to toe tapping tunes over a three-day period at the inner harbour during the annual Vancouver Island Blues Bash in early September.
ACTORS & DANCERS PERFORM
The entertainment mediums of acting and dance bring creative talents to stages around the city. The May Uno Fest is a 10-day celebration of solo theatre performances that have entertained Victorians and visitors since the late 1990s. The introduction of the annual Victoria Fringe Theatre Festival provides at least a week of comedy, improvisation, drama, performance art and dance from around the world with over 60 artists performing.
Those who enjoy both classical and contemporary dance can delight in the Ballet under the Stars, which is performed in Market Square a couple of evenings a week during July and August. And participation is almost unavoidable as ticket holders watch, listen and lose themselves in the performances that form the Passion for Tango Festival and concerts over a weekend in August.
DRAGON BOATS, SHIPS & AUTOMOBILES
The harbour is a dominant part of Victoria's centre and therefore is fitting that boats feature in its calendar of annual events. The Victoria Boat Show, a late spring extravaganza gives participants the chance to view over 150 sailing vessels up close and personal in the city's inner harbour. Towards the end of summer an opportunity to enjoy the sight of older sailing vessels is afforded at the Classic Boat Festival, which began in 1977 and today involves over 100 participants in steamboat parades, a rowing regatta and other contests. Races of a different kind are part of the celebration of Asian cultures at the Victoria Dragon Boat Festival in mid-August, which involves at least 90 teams from across North America competing over the course of a weekend.
If visitors or residents prefer transport on terra firma then the European and Classic Car Picnic may be worth of a viewing. The event, which started life in 2002, features over 200 classic automobiles on display. In addition, Oak Bay Avenue is the location of the Blethering Place Collector Car Festival, which has over 250 collectables with which one can get up close and personal.
LET’S GET PHYSICAL
Grueling sporting activities remind Victorians of their physicality as they participate in or watch the Victoria Marathon and half marathon in October.
If running long distances is not enough of a test, one can always engage in the Sooke Triathlon, which has challenged participants since 1996.
For those wanting mild exercise, the Bike Ride by Scam Theatre on Saturdays in July might suffice. The rides involve biking along a 4-km (3-mi) stretch of the galloping goose trail between small stages to enjoy short performances of music, theatre, dance and storytelling and is suitable for the whole family.
CULTURAL CELEBRATIONS & ARTISTIC ACTIVITIES
The historic Victoria Highland Games and Celtic Festival starts the cultural celebrations rolling in May. The festival harks back to Scottish roots and has been part of Victoria's festivities since the 1860s. Tartan kilts fly during events like tossing the caber, haggis hurling, pipe band playing and sheep shearing demonstrations.
Mid-June sees the annual First Peoples Festival take place. Running since the late 1980s, the event has afforded visitors with an insight into the culture, drumming and dance of First Nations peoples, as well as the work of carvers, weavers and those who practice aboriginal medicine.
Canada Day, a national holiday, honours the culture and history of the country and in Victoria this means food, music, dance and fireworks over the inner harbour. 2006 saw the introduction of a weekend in July to celebrate Mexican culture and Festival Mexicano was born with traditional music, dance and food featuring in abundance. Victorians also get to experience the culture of India and enjoy the classical and modern music and dance of Bollywood—as well as all kinds of Indian food—at the two-day Indian Mela in late August.
Vancouver Island and the Gulf Islands' artists showcase their creative works at the Sooke Fine Arts Show, which began in the mid 1980s. Over 7,500 visitors from across Canada and the USA attend. In addition, those interested in seeing art in situ at studios in Metchosin and Sooke may wish to visit one or two of the 20 or so artisans that participate in the Stinking Fish Studio Tour.
Beer is part of Victoria's culture for some and since 1993 beer-lovers have been able to quaff the beverage in a hearty fashion for two days at the Great Canadian Beer Fest—held in September and involving the wares of over 45 craft breweries.
SONG, SAXOPHONE, SOUL & SYMPHONIES
Undoubtedly music plays a huge role in the city's summer festivities and ears in the provincial capital are enchanted by music genres that include classical, jazz, folk, electronic and ska. The kick off point is arguably the annual Victoria International Jazzfest in late June, which brings aural entertainment from over 85 different acts over nine days.
In late July, the Victoria Symphony Splash provides classical music and firework entertainment from a barge moored in the harbour, while the annual Ska Festival runs over a long weekend and Victoria sways to the rhythmic beats of ska, reggae, soul Latin, R&B, punk and Caribbean music. Also at the end of July is the annual Electronic Music Festival, which is held in Centennial Square and attracts some 10,000 visitors.
Through July and August several organizations and gardens also have musical entertainment on a regular basis. For example, the Butchart Gardens hosts music and fireworks every Saturday evening and the Conservatory of Music Summer Vocal Academy holds weekly concerts.
Folkwest is a relatively new addition to the music festival experience here and attendees will enjoy strongly rooted folk music as well as artists who express Appalachian, bluegrass, Acadian, Quebecois, Metis and Celtic sounds. On the blues front, blues brothers and sisters are treated to toe tapping tunes over a three-day period at the inner harbour during the annual Vancouver Island Blues Bash in early September.
ACTORS & DANCERS PERFORM
The entertainment mediums of acting and dance bring creative talents to stages around the city. The May Uno Fest is a 10-day celebration of solo theatre performances that have entertained Victorians and visitors since the late 1990s. The introduction of the annual Victoria Fringe Theatre Festival provides at least a week of comedy, improvisation, drama, performance art and dance from around the world with over 60 artists performing.
Those who enjoy both classical and contemporary dance can delight in the Ballet under the Stars, which is performed in Market Square a couple of evenings a week during July and August. And participation is almost unavoidable as ticket holders watch, listen and lose themselves in the performances that form the Passion for Tango Festival and concerts over a weekend in August.
DRAGON BOATS, SHIPS & AUTOMOBILES
The harbour is a dominant part of Victoria's centre and therefore is fitting that boats feature in its calendar of annual events. The Victoria Boat Show, a late spring extravaganza gives participants the chance to view over 150 sailing vessels up close and personal in the city's inner harbour. Towards the end of summer an opportunity to enjoy the sight of older sailing vessels is afforded at the Classic Boat Festival, which began in 1977 and today involves over 100 participants in steamboat parades, a rowing regatta and other contests. Races of a different kind are part of the celebration of Asian cultures at the Victoria Dragon Boat Festival in mid-August, which involves at least 90 teams from across North America competing over the course of a weekend.
If visitors or residents prefer transport on terra firma then the European and Classic Car Picnic may be worth of a viewing. The event, which started life in 2002, features over 200 classic automobiles on display. In addition, Oak Bay Avenue is the location of the Blethering Place Collector Car Festival, which has over 250 collectables with which one can get up close and personal.
LET’S GET PHYSICAL
Grueling sporting activities remind Victorians of their physicality as they participate in or watch the Victoria Marathon and half marathon in October.
If running long distances is not enough of a test, one can always engage in the Sooke Triathlon, which has challenged participants since 1996.
For those wanting mild exercise, the Bike Ride by Scam Theatre on Saturdays in July might suffice. The rides involve biking along a 4-km (3-mi) stretch of the galloping goose trail between small stages to enjoy short performances of music, theatre, dance and storytelling and is suitable for the whole family.
Garden Setting
Travel Packages
Boat Tours
San Juan Safaris
New, fast, comfortable & warm 55 foot boat! Knowledgeable naturalists with excellent reputations!
Best Rate Guarantee
Indoor Pool
Quality Inn Downtown Victoria
A full-service hotel located 2 blocks from the Inner Harbour and main attractions!
