2008 Events
Highlights of the events that have firm dates in the Greater Victoria area ...for a full listing, visit the Tourism Victoria events web page.
Click on the months below to see activities and events for the next year. We will update these as soon as information becomes available
January | February | March | April | May | June | July | August | September | October | November | December
January
February
February 1st-10th: 14th Annual Victoria Film and Video Festival
Over 150 films will be featured at four downtown venues at this ten day festival. The Annual Victoria Film and Video Festival is great for movie buffs who are in town to escape the winter blasts elsewhere. The full program and ticket purchase is available online, at the link above.
21st February-9th March: Dine Around & Stay in Town
One of the great things about escaping to Victoria in the Winter off-season are the great values to be had. One of these is the Dine Around & Stay in Town program where local restaurants offer special three course menus at $15, $25 and $35. The restaurant menus are excellent value and allow the opportunity to try the more exclusive restaurants at a price that does not "break the bank". This year there are 50 restaurants involved, offering 79 menus. Reservations are required ahead of time for this program by calling the restaurants and hotels directly. When you combine this program with the Be a Tourist in Your Own Home Town at the beginning of March, you can save a lot of money. When you consider that you will also be enjoying the flowers and cherry blossom in bloom, this makes coming to Victoria at this time of year very compelling.
27th February - March 2nd: Be a Tourist in Your Own Home Town
A $9 ticket, or a five pak for $36.00, gets free admission into many entertainment venues. There are free and special offers on numerous attractions as well as you being enrolled in many free draws for prizes. Be a Tourist in Your Own Home Town is actually open to anyone (despite the name!). When combined with the Dine Around & Stay in Town program, this makes coming to Victoria at this time of year a great idea!
March
April
May
24th-26th May: The 65th Swiftsure International Yacht Race
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One of the oldest yacht races on the North American calendar. Between 175 and 200 boats will race this year. Three races are run with the 140 nautical mile Swiftsure Lightship Classic being the most famous. An additional feature this year will be that many boats will be equipped with transponders to allow for their tracking on a special web site. This is a great festival as thousands of people gather on the Dallas Road waterfront to watch the start, supervised by the Canadian Navy and Coastguard. A must-see event if you are in town.
Late May : 17th Annual Bastion Square Cycling Grand Prix
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Whether you are racing or watching, the action is only inches away. Racing on a short, fully enclosed 900 metre loop through Victoria's historic Bastion Square, this European-style event features thrills and spills. Check out the infamous “Crash Corner” at Yates and Wharf Streets, witness the “prime” and finish line sprints at Fort and Langley Streets, or enjoy a bite to eat or a cup of java at the many “course-side” outdoor cafes along the route. Thousands of spectators line the route to watch riders reach speeds of 65 km/hr, side to side. This is a great event to watch, for spectators of all ages! Exact date will be posted as soon as we know.
June
June 26th -29th: Tall Ships Festival
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The series of races along the west coast of Canada and the United States, will kick-off with a Tall Ships Festival in the coastal city of Victoria, British Columbia, June 26 -29, 2008. More than two dozen tall ships from around the world are expected to sail into Victoria’s Inner Harbour. The ‘Garden’ city is first port of call in the 2008 race series. With a rich maritime history and the mildest climate in Canada, Victoria will stage a family-friendly Tall Ships Festival that will feature ship tours, concerts, art displays and children’s programs.
A successful festival in 2005 generated more than $5 million for the local economy, and showcased Victoria as an international destination of choice -- a reputation that continues to gain momentum with mariners from around the world.
June 30th -September 1st: Fireworks Saturdays at The Butchart Gardens
Amazing displays of fireworks magic. For close to 30 years, Fireworks Saturdays at the Butchart Gardens has "wowed" night visitors in July and August, as they have been thrilled by the pyrotechnic marvels of one of the most extravagant firework displays in North America. A must-see if you are in town.
July
August
Early August: Victoria Symphony Splash
The Annual Victoria Symphony Splash festival is back again for the 18th year in the Inner Harbour. This is one of the highlights of the Victoria summer, attracting over 40,000 fans to the free festival, held on a barge in the Inner Harbour, opposite the provincial legislature buildings and the Empress Hotel. A magical, must-not-miss event with a spectacular fireworks display at dusk during the grand finale!Late August- Early September: 22nd Annual Victoria Fringe Festival
The Victoria Fringe Theatre Festival celebrates its 22nd anniversary this year. Anything goes at this annual alternative theatre festival. The festival is a summer's-end 12-day celebration of some of the most innovative theatre offered anywhere in the country at eight locations throughout downtown Victoria. Exact dates yet to be set.
September
October
October 12th: 28th Annual Royal Victoria Marathon
Even if you are not a runner, the Annual Royal Victoria Marathon is an event you should not miss. Listed as one of the top 10 destination marathons in North America by Runners World Magazine, the course is one of the most spectacular in the world. Runners follow the coast road from downtown, against the backdrop of the Olympic mountains and Mount Baker as they wend their way through some of the most beautiful (and expensive!) suburbs in Victoria.
November