What's happening in Victoria
Here is some information about some of our annual events:


Annual FLOWER COUNT
February 21 - 26,
"Mission Control" located at Victoria Eaton's Centre
1150 Douglas Street
Contact: (250) 384-3211
In February residents of Victoria drop to their knees in their front gardens, back gardens and city parks...and begin counting flowers.
Flower Count Week involves hundreds of dedicated residents.
The enthusiasm for this tongue-in-cheek promotion of Victoria is evident in the number of flowers counted.
Call 360-BUDS with your count!

Annual GREATER VICTORIA PERFORMING ARTS FESTIVAL
April 1 - May 26
Various Venues
Contact: (250) 592-8884
Categories in the Festival include: dance, piano, vocal, brass, woodwinds, speech, strings, accordion, ukulele, harp, classical guitar, choral and bands.
Festival highlights, studio dance highlights and honor performances.
Single Admission approximately: Adult $3, Students and Seniors $2.

Annual TERRIFVIC JAZZ PARTY
April 26 - 30
Various Venues
Contact: (250) 953-2011
20 red-hot jazz bands.
Cruise the venues! Boogie on the dance floors! Great fun!
Free shuttle service
7 venues throughout Victoria.
Admission approximately $15 - $90.

VICTORIA CONSERVATORY OF MUSIC'S ANNUAL GARDEN TOUR
May
Various Venues
Contact: (250) 386-5311
Take advantage of The Victoria Conservatory of Music's Annual Garden Tour.
Some of the finest private gardens in Victoria open their gates to the public.
This is a self-drive event.
Map is provided with Admission purchase.
Admission is approximately $25. Contact the Victoria Conservatory for Admission purchasing outlets 386-5311.

22nd Annual LUXTON PRO RODEO
May
Corner of Sooke and Luxton Road
Contact: (250) 478-2759
Featuring World and Canadian Champion Cowboys.
Rodeo events start at 2pm daily.
Free grounds admission to midway, craft sale, petting farm, blacksmith and antique farm equipment.
Parade starts 10am Saturday.
Opens 12 noon daily.
Dances on Saturday and Sunday.
Free parking off of Highway #14.
Admissions at gate, adults $11 (12 and under free with adult). Students and seniors $9.

VICTORIA HARBOUR FESTIVAL
May
Inner Harbour
Contact: (250) 472-1690
A ten-day celebration bridging two holiday long weekends, Canada's Victoria Day and the U.S. Memorial Day.
Featured under the festival umbrella are many fun filled activities, from the city's namesake Victoria Day Parade to harbour activities and the internationally renowned Swiftsure International Yacht Race.
Free outdoor Main Stage performances by headline entertainers will take place at Ship's Point from 7 to 10pm each evening.
Set against Victoria's spectacular harbour where the stage meets the sea.
Admission free

Public performances, exhibits, readings and dramatic presentations run nightly.

102nd Annual VICTORIA DAY PARADE
May
Douglas Street
Contact: (250) 382-3111
The ever-popular Victoria Day Parade begins 9am, Monday, May 24th. Departs from the Mayfair Mall on Douglas Street.
Grab your spot early to enjoy the marching bands and floats from Victoria, the Island, BC and Washington and Oregon states as they perform down Douglas Street to Humboldt St. in downtown Victoria.

Annual SWIFTSURE INTERNATIONAL YACHT RACE
May
Juan de Fuca Strait
A fleet of the most competitive racing sailboats on the Northwest Coast converges for the annual Swiftsure International Yacht Race.
The challenge, hosted by the Royal Victoria Yacht Club, attracts about 200 boats in the short, middle and long distance events that take competitors across juan de Fuca Strait and back.

BASTION SQUARE CYCLING GRAND PRIX
End of May
Contact: (250) 360-BIKE
Victoria is the unofficial cycling capital of Canada.
Features professional riders, as well as those in categories 1 and 2, the next notches down from the pro.
Criterium-style race, featuring a closed-loop circuit on city streets.
Routes snake their way not only through downtown Victoria, but north into Saanich, west into the Highlands, even as far as North Saanich, which is 65km from the provincial legislature.

MILL BAY COUNTRY MUSIC FESTIVAL
End of May - Early June
Kerry Park Arena
1035 Shawnigan Mill Bay Road
Contact: (250) 743-2295
Enjoy a variety of Island talent.
Headliners vary year to year.
Pancake breakfasts, auction, dance lessons and much, much more.
Admission prices approximately $22 for all day and evening pass.

38th Annual OAK BAY TEA PARTY
June
Willows Beach, Oak Bay
The biggest party of the year in Oak Bay, this annual event includes food, entertainment and a midway.

BUCCANEER DAYS
June Archie Browning Sports Centre, Esquimalt
Esquimalt's community festival includes a parade, kids' games and a midway all weekend.

Annual SUMMER IN THE SQUARE
Mid June until September
Centennial Square
Centennial Square comes alive with music, dance, theatre and other free entertainment all summer long.

16th Annual JAZZFEST INTERNATIONAL
June
Various Venues in Downtown Victoria
Contact: (250) 388-4423 or Toll-Free 1-888-671-2112
Victoria will host the 15th annual festival.
Features over 50 performances of jazz, blues and world music with over 200 musicians.
Free and ticketed performances.
Admission range from $8 - $39.
Special performance by jazz guitarist Pat Metheny at the Royal Theatre ($53-$68)
Returning is the exciting and popular Decidedly Jazz Danceworks.

27th Annual FOLKFEST
June
Ship's Point, Inner Harbour
Dozens of free performances.
Focus is on professional and amateur multicultural entertainment, food and festivities.

SOOKE REGION MUSEUM OPEN HOUSE & SALMON BBQ
June
Sooke Region Museum, 2070 Phillips Road, Sooke
Contact: (250) 642-6351
Historical craft demonstrations, museum tours and traditional native foods.

SHOWTIME at the BUTCHART GARDENS!
June - September
800 Benvenuto St Saanichton
Contact: (250) 652-4422
Visit in the evening and enjoy this wonderful outdoor dance variety show in a beautiful garden setting.
Afterwards enjoy the gorgeous night illuminations.
Show runs June 29 to September 4, Monday to Friday at 8:30pm.
Admission costs during the summer months are approximately $18.00 for adults, $7.75 for juniors (13-17) and $2.00 for children (5-12) and entertainment is included in this cost.

Annual SIDNEY DAYS
June/July
Tulista Park, Sidney and Downtown Sidney
The annual Sidney Days party kicks off Wednesday night with a community dinner, Canada Day ceremonies (with a cake), entertainment and fireworks.
The main events on July 1 at Tulista Park are the Family Festival and the Children's Festival, which run noon to 5 pm.
On July 4, grab your wallets and head to the heart of Sidney for Sidewalk Day.

THE GREAT CANADIAN FAMILY PICNIC
July
Beacon Hill Park
Contact: (250) 744-3200
Featured attractions are 25+ local artists, Lots of entertainment, including clowns, Cross Canada You Paint It Mural, buskers and stage entertainment.
Feast on the huge Canada Day Cake.
Free admission.


VICTORIA SUMMER THEATRE
July - September
McPherson Playhouse
Contact: (250) 480-0794

CANADA DAY CELEBRATIONS
July
Juan de Fuca Recreation Centre, 1767 Island Highway
Contact: (250) 478-1130
Family fun day with entertainment, food and games.

ROYAL VICTORIA FLOWER AND GARDEN FESTIVAL
July
Royal Roads University
2005 Sooke Road
Contact: (250) 881-7469
Three wonderful days for new and experienced gardeners featuring beautiful display gardens, daily seminars and more.
5th annual event.
Special evening seminar $10. All 30 other seminars free with admission.
Admission is $7.50 adults, youths (12 - 16) $3.00, children free when accompanied by an adult.

34th Annual STRAWBERRY FESTIVAL
July
Elk/ Beaver Lake Park, District of Saanich
Contact: (250) 475-1775
A good old fashioned family picnic at Beaver Lake Park from 9am to 4pm.
Join in on the pancake breakfast and enjoy live entertainment nature displays and activities.
Children can participate in pony rides, story telling and face painting.
End the day at 3 p.m. with fresh strawberries and ice cream.
Admission is free.

10th Annual VICTORIA SHAKESPEARE FESTIVAL
July - August
St. Ann's Academy Auditorium
Contact: (250) 360-0234
Matinee 2:30pm; Mainstage 8:00pm and Late Night 11:00pm.
All Shows take place St. Ann's Academy Auditorium.
Tickets approximately: $5 for matinees; $13 for mainstage performances (seniors/students pay $11) and $10 for late night show.

SUMMER CATHEDRAL FEST
July
Christ Church Cathedral, 912 Vancouver Street
Contact: (250) 385-6515
Orchestral, chamber and recital concerts from the Victoria Symphony.

ALL SOOKE DAY
July 1
2259 Phillips Road
Contact: (250) 642-5775
Welcome to Sooke Flats and enjoy the day viewing competitive logging events and crafts.
7am Pancake Breakfast.
Enjoy with your family the children's games and activities, food and refreshments.
A free shuttle bus from the free parking areas.
Open from 7am - 5pm.
Admission is approximately $6 adults, $3 students and seniors and children under 12 free

13th Annual MOSS STREET PAINT-IN
July 1
Moss Street
Contact: (250) 384-4101
1:00pm - 4:00pm
More than 75 well known and emerging artists work at "stations" along Moss Street using a wide variety of media and style.
Beer garden and food stations are open noon - 8:30pm and the popular dance, featuring the bank "Kumbia", begins at 5pm in the art gallery parking lot.
In 1997 a record 25,000 people attended this free, annual festival of the visual arts.

Annual "A Bite of Victoria" Food Festival
July 1
Government House
Contact: (250) 386-6368
11:00am - 3:00pm
A showcase of Victoria restaurants and eateries.
Tasty variety of food and beverages for sampling.
Buskers, musicians and local artists at work.
No admission charge and only $1 per "Bite" ticket.

11th Annual SYMPHONY SPLASH
August 6
Inner Harbour
Contact: (250) 385-6515
On Sunday, August 6th, 7:30pm the eleventh annual "Splash" will take to the water.
As the sun sets across Victoria's Inner Harbour the crowd awaits the tuning of the strings and the flare of the brass that sounds the beginning of Victoria's most anticipated and popular summer event.
Seated on board a barge moored in mid-harbour, members of the Victoria Symphony delight the large crowd with their perfect blend of orchestra classics and popular favorites.
It's a magical evening that continues right through to the finale.
This spectacular event attracts yearly crowds of over 40,000.
Admission is free.

16th Annual FIRST PEOPLES FESTIVAL
August,
Royal BC Museum and Surrounding Sites
Contact: (250) 384-3211
A spectacular and colorful showcase of First Nations art, history, culture and traditions.
Sites also include Mungo Martin House in Thunderbird Park.

Annual DRAGON BOAT FESTIVAL
August
Inner Harbour
Contact: (250) 472-BOAT
The Dragon Boat Festival has ancient Chinese cultural and spiritual roots and has been celebrated in North America only in recent years.
The centre piece of the Festival is the famed Dragon Boat races where crews of 24 paddlers race head-to-head in a 650 metre sprint, in full dragon Boat regalia with timing drums thumping away.

VICTORIA FRINGE THEATRE FESTIVAL
August - September
Various Venues in downtown
Contact: (250) 383-2663 or Toll-Free 1-888-FRINGE2
See the best in innovative theatre during this exciting summer festival.
8 locations throughout downtown all within walking distance.
All admission prices are approximately $8 or less or buy a flexible pass.

WESTSHORE SUMMER FESTIVAL
August
Juan de Fuca Recreation Centre, Lower Park
Contact: (250) 478-8384
Arts and cultural festival with food, activities and live entertainment.
The day ends with a spectacular evening performance with the Victoria Symphony Orchestra.

VANCOUVER ISLAND BLUES BASH
September
Various Locations in Downtown Victoria
Contact: (250) 388-4423 or Toll-Free 1-888-671-2112
Featuring "the blues" in all shades for your soul.
Presents performances of regional and international bands, performing blues and R&B.
Free performances will take place in the afternoons at Ships Point, in Victoria's Inner Harbour, as well as paid admission performances in the evenings at various clubs in downtown Victoria.

133rd Annual SAANICH FALL FAIR
September 2 - 4,
Saanich Fairground
1528 Stelly's X Road.
Contact: (250) 652-3314
The North and South Saanich Agricultural Society presents the annual Saanich Fair.
Western Canada's Oldest Continuous Agricultural Fair.
For over 130 years members of the community have joined together to present the annual fall fair.
See everything from the farm!
Watch the judging, enjoy the midway, farm games, pumpkin contest.
Lots of food and great family fun!
Free Parking.
Grounds open 9am - 9pm Friday and Saturday and 9am - 6pm on Monday.

Annual CLASSIC BOAT FESTIVAL
September 2 - 4
Inner Harbour
On Labour Day weekend, the Inner Harbour is a forest of spruce masts and wooden bulwarks as the Times Colonist and the Victoria Real Estate Board present the Classic Boast Festival.
Over 100 boats, all built before 1955, line the docks for a maritime open house.
Special events include the sailpast and the Sunday schooner race.

FAMILYFEST 2100
September
Cedar Hill Recreation Centre, 3220 Cedar Hill Road
Contact: (250) 595-7121
Victoria's biggest family celebration will feature an indoor playground and children's entertainment.
Over 25 cultural, educational and community exhibitors on-site.

SOOKE FALL FAIR
September
Sooke Community Hall, Eustace Road, Sooke
Contact: (250) 642-6351
Country fair with exhibits of flowers, baking, vegetables, needlecraft, photography, etc.

METCHOSIN DAYS
September
Municipal Hall, 4450 Happy Valley Road,
Contact: (250) 478-6179
Experience rural Metchosin and enjoy country fun for the whole family.

LUXTON FALL FAIR
September
Luxton Fairgrounds, 1040 Marwood Road
Contact: (250) 478-4250
Family fun with midway rides and games accompanied by local art, crafts and animals.

3rd Annual EMILY CARR FESTIVAL OF THE ARTS
October
Emily Carr House
Contact: (250) 383-5843
With activities centering on Emily Carr House, this second annual festival celebrates the life and works of Victoria's best-known artist.
Events include walking tours, art talks and tours of Ross Bay Cemetery, where Carr is buried.

20th Annual ROYAL VICTORIA MARATHON
October
Victoria
Contact: (250) 382-0042
The 20th running of the Royal Victoria Marathon returns to familiar streets and famous scenery of Victoria and Oak Bay.
Marathon starts at 8:00am, Sunday.
Race length is 42.195 kilometres.
Race starts on Government Street between the legislative buildings and the Royal British Columbia Museum.
The out and back trek follows the outside perimeter of James Bay neighbourhood (past Fisherman's Wharf, the Canadian Coast Guard base, the Ogden Point "Love Boat" docks, and the breakwater) onto Dallas Road, past Beacon Hill Park, Clover Point, the Ross Bay Cemetery and around the desirable Hollywood Crescent area.
Call 382-8181 to register or be a spectator and come on by and cheer on the marathoners.

SALMON RUN
Mid-October to Mid December
Goldstream Provincial Park
2930 Trans Canada Highway
Contact: (250) 391-2300
In Goldstream, salmon appear about mid-October, and may be seen for about nine weeks, the dates varying from year to year.
Every autumn millions of Pacific salmon forge their way up the myriad streams of the Pacific Northwest to spawn and die.
Of the five kinds of North American Pacific salmon it is the Chum salmon that is most abundant in this river, though you may also see some Coho and Chinook salmon, as well as the Steelhead and the Cutthroat trout.
You will miss much, though, if you visit Goldstream and notice only the salmon. Their spawning is only the most obvious and dramatic episode in a complicated interplay between many creatures of forest, stream, air and sea, and the forces of nature.
The Freeman King Visitor Centre is open daily during the peak of the salmon run. Naturalists are there to answer your questions and there are displays to tell more about the salmon. Access to the Centre is by a 10 minute walk downstream from the picnic ground.
Admission is free.

7th Annual GHOST BUS TOURS
October
Haunted spots throughout Victoria
Contact: (250) 598-8870
The Old Cemeteries Society will take participants on a spooky tour of Victoria's favourite haunts.
Tickets go on sale Oct 14 at Bolen Books for this dreadfully popular visit to local haunted houses, creepy alleyways and graveyards.

THE GREAT CANADIAN BEER FESTIVAL
November
Victoria Conference Centre
Contact: (250) 595-7729
Website: islandnet.com/pwacvic/presto00.html
A celebration of the brewer's craft.
Only all-natural beers are served - with most of brewers on hand to answer questions, and accept compliments.
Also on hand will be hop growers, masters, equipment suppliers, brewery manufacturers, beer importers and distributors.
Beer samples are still only $1 each.
Admission by advanced ticket for $10 by mail or from local outlets.
Admission includes Festival Guide (who's who and pouring what) and a souvenir 4-ounce tasting glass.

SANTA CLAUS PARADE
November
Streets of Victoria
Contact: (250) 383-4334
Saturday, November 27th at 5:00 pm.
Parade starts at Government and Belleville Streets, up Government to Fisgard, over on Fisgard to Douglas Street and down Douglas Street to Humboldt.
Floats, bands, clowns, Santa Claus and much more!
Immediately after the Parade, the Downtown Victoria Association holds its annual Christmas Festival in Market Square with Bands.
Admission if free.

Annual CHRISTMAS FESTIVAL
November
Market Square
560 Johnson Street
Contact: (250) 383-4334
Immediately after the Annual Santa Claus Parade, the Downtown Victoria Association holds it's annual Christmas Festival at Victoria Eaton Centre.
Bands, entertainers, magicians, free candy canes and Santa of course!
Fun for the whole family!
Admission is free.

4th Annual "A VICTORIA CHRISTMAS"
November - January
Various Venues
Contact: (250) 953-9000
The Christmas spirit shines brighter this year with more lights, more decorations and more to see and do than ever before.
Christmas festivities galore. Horse-drawn carriage rides; wreath making; carolling; theatre; craft fairs; Festival of the Trees; gingerbread making and shopping are just some of the festivities.
Fun for the whole family!
Admission prices vary and many events are free!

Annual CHRISTMAS AT BUTCHART GARDENS
December 1, - January 7,
Butchart Gardens, 800 Benvenuto
Contact: (250) 652-4422
Tens of thousand of lights hail the arrival of the holiday season at Victoria's most famous gardens.
This winter wonderland is made even brighter by strolling carollers, children's entertainers, the Festive Brass Band and fabulous food.

Annual EAGLE EXTRAVAGANZA
Mid-December
Goldstream Provincial Park
Contact: (250) 478-9414
As the spawning salmon die off, after their annual return to the Goldstream River, over 200 bald eagles move into Goldstream Provincial Park. The great birds of prey start arriving late November and hang around until the fish are thoroughly picked over in January.
Visitors to the Nature House can learn more about eagles and other birds of prey or catch one of the free interpretative programs.
Visitors are advised to come with binoculars to view these magnificent birds.
There is a special eagle viewing platform.
January is the month for viewing the eagles. Each Saturday and Sunday speakers will discuss the daily life of eagles.
Visitors can view the eagles December 12-February 28 from 9 am to 4 pm daily.
Admission is by donation.