The August long weekend is a great time to get away on a short holiday with friends or family. While there are plenty of activities going on in Victoria, you'll find a wonderful assortment of activities to enjoy across the island. It’s going to be a beautiful weekend, with sunshine and hot weather across the whole island.

Explore Victoria

BC Day Market at the Inner Harbour

Running every day all weekend from Friday, July 29th to Monday, August 1st
The harbour fills up with over 120 artisans and crafts people, including first nation carvers and artists. Musicians and street performers will be performing throughout the weekend to provide entertainment. It’s a great time to get out and experience the cultures, arts, crafts and entertainment in Victoria.

Symphony Splash

Sunday, July 31st
In conjunction with the BC Day Market at the Inner Harbour, the Symphony Splash will be providing an afternoon of music on July 31st. The Victoria Symphony will perform on a floating stage in the Inner Harbour, ending with a grand finale performance of Tchaikovsky’s 1812 Overture in time with fireworks.

10th Annual Victoria Accordion Festival

Tuesday, July 26th to Saturday, July 31st
This year the Victoria International Accordion Festival celebrates their 10th year. In the previous nine years, Victoria International Accordion Festival has established itself as one of the most recognized accordion festivals in North America. This year’s celebratory festival is welcoming back the world’s greatest accordionists of our young generation, Grayson Masefield from New Zealand and Jianan Tian from China.

Natural Science Exhibition at Open Space

Ongoing until July 30th
This weekend is the last weekend to visit the Natural Science Exhibition at Open Space. Ontario-based artist Jennifer Willet presents NATURAL SCIENCE, a touring exhibition that connects science and art, while undermining traditional hierarchies between the natural and un-natural worlds.

Discovery Island Kayak Tours

Daily tours all weekend departing from Oak Bay
Enjoy the outdoors and discover something new! This unique kayaking tour through an amazing archipelago of islands along with a hike on Discovery Island (just minutes from Victoria), is a relaxed getaway into nature.

Greater Victoria Shakespeare Festival

Ongoing until July 30th
The Victoria Shakespeare Society is presenting the 26th season of the Greater Victoria Shakespeare Festival. Performed outdoors on the grounds of Camosun College’s Lansdowne Campus, this year’s plays are The Winter’s Tale, and Twelfth Night. With family friendly pricing (children 12 and under are free!) and food service available from Dine-In, the festival promises to be a fun night out for the whole family.

Victoria’s Shakespeare by the Sea

Ongoing until August 7th
Victoria's Shakespeare by the Sea has daily performances at Fisherman's Wharf Park of Othello, Much Ado About Nothing and a locally-written, Shakespeare-inspired play, Richard the Lionhearted. Join them on the lawn for the 5th season of the Vancouver Island Shakespeare Arts' summer productions. Chairs and blankets will be provided.

Harry Potter and the Cursed Child Midnight Release Party

July 30th
For those Harry Potter fans, Russell Books is having a midnight release party of Harry Potter and the Cursed Child on July 30th. Everyone is welcome to celebrate, and there will be butter beer, trivia and games, costumes and more! The new book will be released at 12:01 a.m. on July 31st. Entry is free and the event is suitable for all ages.

BC Day Live Storytelling at the Royal BC Museum

August 1
Helmcken House is filled with stories. For this Have we got a story to tell, they'll be adding some new ones to the mix. Each room of the house will be animated with the domestic storytelling of everyday magic and mishap. On this BC Day, in partnership with the Victoria Storytellers Guild, come celebrate place and belonging through real life stories.

Victoria Flamenco Festival

August 1st to August 7th
The Flamenco Festival kicks things off on BC Day with an exposition of passion and rhythm of flamenco music and dance. The Flamenco de la Isla Society is pleased to offer daily flamenco events that feature a powerful line-up of local, regional, aspiring, and professional flamenco artists. Fiery dance moves, dramatic singing, and guitar improvisation are the flavours of flamenco that you can experience at this popular family friendly event.

Victoria History Walks

There are many walking tours in Victoria that can get you out and about to enjoy the weather, our city and learn a little history about this beautiful island we live on. You can explore everything from Chinatown Walks, Smuggler and Rum Runner Walks and even Ghostly Walks for those brave souls!

Hike Victoria

Go for a guided hike in Victoria with professional photographer, Mark Vukobrat. He loves to share his favourite vistas and Victoria’s hidden gems through expertly guided scenic hikes & walks. His full service guided hikes include door to door service from your hotel, snacks, bottled water and even professional photos of your hike.

Explore Vancouver Island and the Gulf Islands

Salt Spring Island

Escape for the weekend to Salt Spring Island, only a 35-minute ferry ride away and you’ll feel like you have gone hundreds of miles away from home. You can stay at a local Bed and Breakfast, enjoy the famous Saturday Market or take in a wine tour.

Sooke Fine Arts Show

July 22nd to August 1st
This year marks the 30th Anniversary of the Sooke Fine Arts Show and with hundreds of promising local artists, it's sure to be the best year yet! With special events, live music, food, and the ever-popular gift shop, they have activities for the whole family to enjoy.

Sooke Pot Holes

Sooke Potholes Regional Park is located on the banks of the spectacular Sooke River. It’s a great place to gather with family and friends to enjoy the great outdoors. You can picnic or swim in the river, explore the short forest trails, camp under the stars, or enjoy the stunning vistas from one of several viewpoints. The "potholes" are unique geological formations - deep pools in the river rock - that offer some of the best freshwater swimming in the region.

Sunfest Country Music Festival

July 28th to July 31st
On August long weekend Sunfest attracts thousands of Country music fans from all over the island, the province and now boasts an international fan base. Sunfest brings headline acts to the Cowichan Valley and provides opportunities for local artists to share the spotlight. This year is one of the biggest Sunfests yet, and they have moved a new property at Laketown Ranch. Located in Cowichan Lake, this new permanent venue for Sunfest boasts a 172 acre event site, and the ability for the team to build the ultimate festival experience for years to come.

39 Days of July in Duncan

Ongoing until Monday, August 1st
The 39 Days of July is a free, outdoor music festival that takes place on stages throughout downtown Duncan. Over 70% of the entertainment features original music. From folk to electric blues, from indie-rock to alt-country, from Celtic to Klezmer and everything in between, there is something for everyone.

Ladysmith Days

Friday, July 29th to Sunday July 31st
An exhilarating annual event for over 40 years, Ladysmith Days celebrates the abundant pool of resident entertainers in Ladysmith with an exciting line-up of musicians, singers, and dancers. The event kicks off this Friday night with an ice cream eating contest!

Canadian Open Sand Sculpting Competition and Exhibition

Ongoing until August 21st
Head up to Parksville to enjoy the beach and view the amazing Sand Sculptures, built by artists from account the world. Be sure to bring your camera to this amazing event because once the exhibition is over the sculptures are gone forever. And don't forget to bring your own buckets and shovels as you and your family are sure to be inspired to create a little sandcastle magic of your own.

Yoga on the Beach

Friday, July 29th
It's the 5th summer of Yoga on the Beach at the Parksville Community Park. Everyone is welcome and classes are by donation to support local programs. Certified instructors Dr. Barbara Low and Charlotte Crowley lead outdoor sessions on the grass--comfortable hatha style fun for all ages and all experience levels. Enjoy developing strength, flexibility, balance, breathing control, stress management, mental focus, and coordination while you have a great time at the beach.

Coombs Bluegrass Festival

Friday, July 29th to Sunday, July 31st
This year is the 38th Annual Coombs Bluegrass Festival. A fantastic weekend of great music and friendships, in a lovely country location.

34th Annual Filberg Festival

Friday, July 29th to Monday, August 1st
The annual four day Filberg Festival is the art event of the summer! Held each BC Day long weekend, the Festival features over 130 artisans, great food and lively entertainment for all ages at the beautiful 9-acre waterfront Filberg Heritage Lodge & Park.

McLean Mill National Historic Site

July 29th at 11am
Watch steam yarding and loading demonstrations at the McLean Mill National Historic Site in Port Alberni. The McLean "Steam" Sawmill is the only commercial steam-operated sawmill in Canada. You can experience the excitement of steam, as the sawmill cuts wood for demonstration and sale. The resident Tin Pants Troupe makes history come alive as they entertain with stories of days gone by, and guided tours of the site. You'll see the old original buildings and lots of restored logging equipment around the site, including a steam donkey, logging trucks, graders, and lumber carriers.

Horn Lake Caves Provincial Park

Crystal clear water and Vancouver Island’s coolest outdoor adventures make Horn Lake and outdoors-lovers dream. Two beautiful parks offer a wide range of activities for all ages and abilities. You can discover great caving, canoeing, camping and other great outdoor adventures for families and travelers.

Hornby Island Festival

July 28th to August 6th
Artisans and musicians from across Canada take part in this festival providing an assortment of entertainment. The program includes classical, jazz, world beat and traditional genres of music, modern dance, children's programming, theatre and spoken word.

7th Annual Alert Bay 360 Eco Paddle

Sunday, July 31st
The Alert Bay 360 is an eco-tourism based event which encourages a healthy lifestyle, and helps local businesses. It is an annual kayak race around Cormorant Island, and is an event which showcases not only Cormorant Island and those who live there, but also the culture and the many wonders found on Northern Vancouver Island, including the Broughton Archipelago.