Victoria’s festivals and events create a vibrant city filled with culture year-round. Theatre enthusiasts won’t want to miss the Fringe Festival or Uno Fest, and music fans have plenty of events to choose from, including those that focus on classical, jazz or indie rock.
French Fest and Victoria Highland Games and Celtic Festival celebrate francophone and Scottish heritage with music, performances and food.
TD Art Gallery Paint-In (July): One hundred professional and up-and-coming artists bring their studios to the streets for 30,000 to 40,000 event attendees to admire. Walk past art displays and chat with artists about their works and methods.
Victoria Fringe Festival (August/September): Enjoy hilarious, quirky, off-beat and always original plays in 17 venues around town. Close to 50 plays are presented, and admission is reasonable (100 per cent of proceeds go to the artists).
Victoria Jazz Festival (June/July): During the Jazz Festival, more than 60 world-renowned performers play close to 100 shows (many free) in over 10 venues. Past musicians have included George Benson and Al Di Meola.
Victoria Dragon Boat Festival (August): Follow the sound of beating drums to the Inner Harbour and watch close to 100 dragon boat teams compete on the 500m/1,640ft course. For a break from the action, listen to live music, go on a free walking tour of Chinatown, or take the family to the children's area.
Fall Festivals and Events (September – November)
Great Canadian Beer Festival (September/October): Thirsty? Close to 200 beers from Canada, the United States and Belgium are on tap at BC’s most prestigious beer festival. Buy tickets early; this event sells out every year.
Rifflandia (September): Dance the night (and days!) away with more than 150 performers. This four-day festival features a heavy blast of indie rock, along with music ranging from punk to bluegrass. A single wrist band provides access to more than 10 venues. Past performers have included Tegan and Sara, DJ Z-Trip and Men Without Hats.
ROMP: A Festival of Independent Dance (September/October): Watch up-and-coming choreographers, dancers and visual artists showcase their talents in intimate venues. Workshops, discussion groups and dance lessons round out the festival.
Winter Festivals and Events (December – February)
The Magic of Christmas (December/January): Tens of thousands of lights turn The Butchart Gardens into a winter wonderland. Stroll along lit walkways and marvel at the 12 Days of Christmas displays, listen to carollers or skate around the outdoor rink.
Spring Festivals and Events (March – May)
Unofest (May/June): Unofest celebrates individuality – literally. Solo performers from across North America perform one-person shows ranging from comedy to performance art.
Victoria Highland Games and Celtic Festival (May): Don a kilt and head to Tropez Park to celebrate Scottish culture at the Victoria Highland Games and Celtic Festival. Enjoy highland dancing, hear pipe bands and Celtic rock, and watch sheep herding, haggis hurling and caber tossing competitions.
Victoria French Fest (May): Celebrate francophone culture from around the world with French films, comedians and live bands. Enjoy French food ranging from sugar pies from Quebec to the exotic fruits of the West Indies, and take the little ones to the children’s area.
Show Less