Summer weekend in Victoria
How locals do summer in Victoria — patios, beaches, festivals and the long-evening rituals that only happen in July and August.
Top spots in Victoria
Inner Harbour
FamilyDowntown
Buskers, water taxis and the iconic Empress.
Magic of Christmas at Butchart
FamilySaanich
Twelve days of carols, ice rink, lights.
Cherry Blossom Count
OutdoorsCity-wide
Victoria literally counts blossoms every March.
Dallas Road
OutdoorsJames Bay
Cliffside walk with Olympic Mountain views.
Mount Douglas
OutdoorsSaanich
20-min hike to a 360° view of island and ocean.
Fisherman's Wharf
Food & DrinkHarbour
Floating-house pier with fish & chips and seals.
Where to eat
Brasserie L'École
$$$French · Chinatown
Old schoolhouse, frites that ruin you for others.
Olo
$$$West Coast tasting · Chinatown
Island seafood + foraged everything.
Pagliacci's
$$Italian / live music · Downtown
Since 1979 — jazz, garlic toast, lineup.
Red Fish Blue Fish
$$Sustainable seafood · Harbour
Shipping-container takeaway, peerless fish tacos.
Live & on stage
Rifflandia
Royal Athletic Park · Sep 11–14 · Indie / Electronic
Symphony Splash
Inner Harbour · Aug 3 · Classical / Free
TD Victoria International JazzFest
Various · Jun 20–29 · Jazz
Victoria Ska & Reggae Fest
Ship Point · Jun 18–22 · Ska / Reggae
Frequently asked
- Standouts right now: Inner Harbour, Dallas Road, Fisherman's Wharf. The shortlist is curated by people who live in Victoria and refreshed regularly so it reflects what's actually open and worth your time.