Victoria's Arts and Cultural Festivals & Events

Victoria Film Festival - February 3-12, 2012

Big screens, small screens, mainstream and obscure. The Victoria Film Festival is a ten day celebration of film allowing you an opportunity to see films you otherwise might not have the opportunity to. Join film fans and film makers for the highlight of the winter.

Victoria Tea Festival - February 18-19 , 2012

The Victoria Tea Festival is the largest public tea exhibition in North America and is hosted in a beautiful city renowned for its heritage with tea. Consumers and businesses alike can indulge in an educational tea experience exploring the traditions and trends of tea, while supporting a worthy cause - Camosun College Child Care Services. The weekend event features tea tastings, delectable tea-food selections, complimentary presentations on a variety of topics, opportunities to purchase hundreds of teas, tea-related products, and exquisite tea wares.

Greater Victoria Performing Arts Festival - March ?? - May ??, 2012

For six weeks from March to May, several thousand Victoria-area performers and students of music, dance and theatre arts are on stages throughout the city receiving adjudications from renowned experts in the arts. 

Victoria International Cycling Festival - June 1- June 24, 2012

The Victoria International Cycling Festival brings together the unique, vibrant and varied cycling cultures of beautiful Victoria, British Columbia into a complete celebration of pedal power pride. Join Victoria's own Ryder Hesjedal for his "Tour de Victoria" and world famous FreeRider Jordie Lunn for his dirt jump competition on the grounds of the Empress.

Jazzfest international - June 22 - July 1, 2012

"Ten hot days and nights of the coolest music in town." Enjoy over 80 high calibre individual jazz performances taking place in numerous indoor and outdoor venues/stages with over 325 musicians. A series of free admission performances in Centennial Square will also take place during the daytime with ticketed and cover charge performances scheduled in various theatres, clubs and restaurant venues in the evenings. Workshops by visiting musicians as well.

Victoria Pride Week - July ???, 2012

Pride week just got bigger with 10 days worth of events celebrating our gay and lesbian community all leading up to a Pride Parade and afternoon festival on July 10. Don't miss the Big Gay Dog Walk July 3rd!  The Victoria Pride Society is committed to bringing family centered events to our community all year round.

Canada Day - July 1, 2012

Victoria's annual celebration of our beloved nation, featuring our "Eh-rated" fireworks display!

Fireworks at The Butchart Gardens - Saturdays June 30 - September 1, 2012

Enjoy superb fireworks in The Gardens' magnificent setting. Every summer Saturday night these lavish shows dazzle visitors with their unique blend of spectacle and music. Bring warm clothing and, if desired, a cover to sit upon the ground. Blankets are available for purchase on site. Consider a lovely summer Saturday picnic available on the Residence Lawn. 

Enjoy a short video clip of this famous fireworks display. Each year the show changes and the video clip offers you a glimpse of part of a display you might see.

Victoria International Buskers Festival - July 20-29, 2012

From July 15th to July 24th, 2011, Victoria comes alive with one of the world’s most unique festivals featuring a range of performers from around the world. Event stages will be found along our downtown Inner Harbour, in Bastion Square and in Centennial Square. Great fun for everyone!

Taste - Victoria's Festival of Food and Wine -  July 19-22, 2012

Taste uncorks Thursday July 19, 2012 with an evening tasting of more than 100 British Columbia wines and local cuisine prepared by top Vancouver Island chefs.  Not just a wine festival, this culinary tourism experience is an extra long weekend of tastings, seminars and events...a festival with a culinary conscience! Event tickets sell quickly!

Ska Festival July XXX, 2012

If you don't know why not go?  Enjoy the beat down on ships point when Victoria's Ska Society liven up the harbour each July.

23rd Annual Moss Street Paint In - July 21, 2012

One Saturday each year the Art Gallery of Greater Victoria teams up with over 100  professional and emerging artists from Victoria and surrounding areas to turn Moss street into the world's largest outdoor art gallery. Artists display and produce their work on Moss Street between Fort Street and Dallas Road while visitors roam up and down learning and interacting  with the artists face to face. The Paint-In is a free and fun-filled community-based art awareness and education event that sees 35,000 visitors and receives support from the City of Victoria.

Victoria Electronic Music Festival -  July ???, 2011

The Victoria Electronic Music Festival is a week-long showcase of cutting edge DJ's, Producers & live acts both locally and abroad.  Live and outside Sat & Sunday from Noon - 10pm then 6 afterparty venues to choose from.

23rd Annual Symphony Splash - Aug 5, 2012

Beginning at 2pm, the Inner Harbour will become an outdoor concert stage, with children’s activities, local food vendors, and live music. The 23rd annual Victoria Symphony Splash spectacular finale of the evening will feature Maestra Tania Miller leading the Victoria Symphony and a host of special guests.
Victoria Symphony Splash is the largest annual symphony event in North America, attracting up to 40,000 Victoria residents and visitors. The unique setting for the performance is on a barge moored in Victoria’s Inner Harbour, in front of the picturesque Provincial Legislature.

FREE B Movie Festival - Friday and Saturday nights throughout August

Bring your own snacks, blankets and flashlights. Playing at the Cameron Bandshell in Beacon Hill Park, the whole family will enjoy these hidden treasures from moviemaking history!  Shows start at 9pm.

Dragonboat Festival -  Aug 17-19, 2012

Be part of an ancient tradition! Come down to the Inner Harbour for exhilarating dragon boat races, cultural entertainment and crafts for the whole family. Free Admission.

23rd Annual Fringe Festival - August ?? - September ?, 2012

The Victoria Fringe is an eleven-day, un-juried international theatre festival, featuring 40 comedy, drama, dance, and spoken word companies from around the world in six or more downtown venues. The festival attracts over 15,000 ticketbuyers to hundreds of performances. Fringe membership is $5, and then tickets are $9 or less at the door, with a 10-show Frequent Fringer pass available for only $65. Have a look at last year's Fringe Website!

Blues Bash - September 1-3, 2012

This Labour Day weekend festival is a celebration of blues and R & B music with afternoon free and evening ticketed performances. Features more than 14 individual bands over three afternoons and three evenings. The main outdoor stage of this festival is located at Victoria's Inner Harbour at Ship Point with other venues used for late night entertainment.

Rifflandia 4 Music Festival - September ??-?? 2012

New Acts, New Venues and new wristbands on sale sometime soon.