Things to do in Victoria this August
Explore Victoria this August with top activities, from outdoor adventures to music festivals and food tours.
In Victoria, BC, say so long to the same old, same old this August and say hello to a vibrant celebration of artistry, flavour, music, and community spirit, all set against our wildly beautiful coastal backdrop. Whether you have a taste for rockin’ festivals, crave new flavours, or love unforgettable waterfront moments, Victoria is ready to sweep you off your feet in the most wonderfully unexpected ways. Dive in. Your best summer stories are waiting to be written here.
Celebrate local
BC Day
When you live in a province as beautiful as British Columbia, it’s hard not to be proud of it. And while so many people wish they could jam-pack a day with hidden gems from every nook and cranny of the province, the vast geography of BC makes it impossible (did you know BC is comparable to the size of Nigeria? Or Great Britain, Ireland, and Belgium combined?). But as the province’s capital, Victoria is a hub for the stories, art, food, and history, that makes this place so special. So, let’s celebrate this beautiful place, from our little slice of it! Whether you’re unearthing the province’s roots at the Royal BC Museum, exploring historic gardens at The Butchart Gardens, learning about local marine life at the Shaw Centre for the Salish Sea, discovering the story of one of Canada’s most famous artists and poets at Emily Carr House, or savouring flavours in Canada’s oldest Chinatown, you’ll see that Victoria is the beating heart of Canada’s Pacific coast. Celebrate your BC Day long weekend, August 4th, in the city that BC calls home.
Flavour Trails
Take a bite out of Greater Victoria with a self-guided tour of the region’s agricultural heartlands. Discover one of six, or all of six, routes through the Saanich Peninsula, Westshore, and Southern Gulf Islands, as you sip and savour your way through the region. While you explore, you’ll taste distinctive flavours that only Greater Victoria can produce, meet chefs, growers & cider makers, and connect with the natural beauty that surrounds us on the South Island, all as the harvest season begins to unfold. If you’re in town August 9th and 10th, be sure to make your way to the Saanich Peninsula for the Central Saanich Festival, where you can explore the region and take in tours, tastings, and workshops, and maybe even pick-up a feature product that’s offered nowhere else.
Saanich Fair
Get your country on at the Saanich Fair. The Saanich Fair is Western Canada’s oldest agricultural fair, which have been hosted at the Saanich Fair Grounds since 1868. Starting August 30th to September 1st, the Saanich Fair returns, and this year there’s even more to enjoy. The midway is back with five more rides than last year, the Agriplex welcomes new barnyard animals, live music takes over the stage, and of course, there’s games of chance so that you can showcase your skills and win that giant plush bear for that special someone. If you have kids in tow, be sure to stop by the Tiny Town Kid Zone featuring a carousel, bouncy castles, face paint, ponies, race cars, and much more. Don’t miss the fun, get your tickets now and avoid the lines with express lane access.
Classic Boat Show
Anchors away! It’s another classical moment on Victoria’s charming Inner Harbour as The Maritime Museum of British Columbia’s Classic Boat Show takes over our waterways. What exactly is the Classic Boat Show you ask? Think show and shine, but saltier. This three-day event runs from August 29th to 31st and features 100 classic vessels, sea shanties, and even a good old fashioned Sail Past and Sail Race.
Vibe to live music
Symphony Splash!
Symphony Splash is back with… well, a splash! Victoria’s favourite classical music festival returns to the Inner Harbour and is expanded to two days over the BC Day long weekend. This free to attend festival features the Victoria Symphony, the National Youth Orchestra of Canada, Juno-award winning Indigenous vocalists Caleigh Cardinal and Shawknee Kish, BC Entertainment Hall of Fame percussionist Sal Ferraras, Cuban vocalists Adonis Puentes, and a Latin Sextet, performing live on a floating stage along Victoria’s Iconic Inner Harbour waterfront. Catch the show from the Lower Causeway, the BC Parliament lawn, or floating from a kayak on the Harbour.
Local tip: Enjoy lunch on the water during Symphony Splash! with a picnic box from L'Apero Bistro. Pre-order yours for just $25. Deadline for orders is July 15th.
Phillips Reverb Backyard Music Festival
Make some noise! The mighty Phillips Brewing & Malting Co.’s Backyard Music Festival returns for its second weekend of the summer with a lineup that punches well above its weight. Catch acts such as Peach Pit, Phantogram, The Roots, Sombr, Børns, and Danielle Ponder, and more. Join the Phillips crew in the backyard of their iconic brewery and soak in summer vibes and heavenly hops as you rock out to one of the most stacked lineups in Victoria’s festival scene. Reverb weekend blows the lid off the barley hopper from August 8th to 10th.
Photo credit: Christina Blackwood Photography
Harbour Blues n’ Roots Festival
Even in the summer heat, Victoria remains cool. The Harbour Blues n’ Roots Festival brings fresh licks and smooth grooves to Ship Point for three nights of unforgettable music, August 22nd – 24th. This year’s mainstage features famed acts like The Harpoonist & The Axe Murderer, Shemekia Copeland (daughter of famed blues legend Johnny Copeland), and Bywater Call, or you can check out free-to-attend performances from the likes of the Tom Lang Band, Becky Prokova, Big Hank & The Smokin’ Hot Toasters, and more. With tickets to all three nights starting for just $99, this might be one of the most affordable music festivals around.
Photo credit: Alan Heartfield
SoberFest
If you haven’t noticed, August in Greater Victoria means music, with three major music festivals taking centre stage. While every music festival is a time to party, in Victoria, we know how to have a good time without a drink. SoberFest brings an all-star lineup to Starlight Stadium for one day, August 2nd, for an alcohol, marijuana, and drug-free, family-friendly festival that helps support individuals in our community struggling with recovery. When you do good things, you attract good people, which is why SoberFest has brought in a stellar lineup featuring superstars like Serena Ryder, The Strumbrellas, Yukon Blonde, Snak The Ripper, and more. More than just music, SoberFest also brings together some of Greater Victoria’s best food trucks and makers with a curated open-air vendor market. Sobriety has never sounded so good!
Photo credit: Colin Smith (@colinsmithtakespics)
Fuel the roar of the crowd
Canada Dry Victoria Dragon Boat Festival
In Victoria, fun on the water never stops! Don’t miss the action of the Canada Dry Victoria Dragon Boat Festival, as race days take over the Inner Harbour on August 8-9th. Best of all, it’s absolutely free! For over 30 years, the Dragon Boat Festival has celebrated Victoria’s local culture and connection with the Chinese community through sport, arts, and culture. Cheer on iconic dragon boat racers on the harbour, catch exciting music and cultural shows, check-out marketplaces and bars, or even watch an outdoor screening of Kung Fu Panda; all that and so much more!
Little League Canadian Championship
Step up to the plate, Victoria—it's time for a home run of a week as the nation's finest young sluggers swing into town for the Little League Canadian Championship, July 29th to August 7th! This is your chance to catch the future all-stars as they round the bases, chasing their dreams on the road to the Little League World Series. Slide into Layritz Park, rally your friends and family, and root, root, root for tomorrow’s MVPs as they take a swing at baseball glory! Hosted by the Layritz Little League, this event promises all the hits, high-fives, and heart-pounding action you can handle. Don’t strike out—be part of the excitement and cheer on Canada’s rising baseball legends!
Find something a little different
Victoria Fringe Festival
Forget feeling cringe, it’s time to Fringe! The Victoria Fringe Festival returns for 12 days of over-the-top fun from August 20-31st. Back for it’s 39th anniversary, the Fringe Festival brings live performances ranging from spoken word to drama, dance, comedy, and magic, to downtown Victoria and even a few hidden-gem venues across the region. This is a must-see event for anyone looking to connect with the eccentric, eclectic, and quirky side of Victoria’s incredible arts scene.
Day of the Dog
Woof woof! If you ask me, the best day of the whole summer is the Day of the Dog, paws down! Mark your calendars for August 17th and leash up your humans, Oak Bay Ave will be bursting with wagging tails, belly rubs, and treats from 12:00 to 4:00PM. It’s Victoria’s most dog-friendly festival and the biggest party for pups and their people anywhere in North America. Trust me, you’ll want to sniff around early because there’s so much to do! There’s a pawsome VIP area just for us, a dog pie eating contest (yum!), an 80ft pool with the coolest canine cabanas to lounge in, and even a superhero-themed photobooth for those insta-worthy shots. Don’t forget to strut your stuff in the fashion shows, compete for Best in Show, or join in the hilarious running of the bulls (bulldog races—I call dibs on first place!). If you’re a pup who’s feeling zen, try yoga with adoptable humans. It’s a tail-waggin’, treat-munchin’, fur-flying festival you won’t want to miss. See you there!
Local tip: In a city as pet friendly as Victoria, you might be able to argue that it’s always the Day of the Dog! Explore our Pet Friendly Victoria Itinerary and find top-rated pet-friendly accommodations, dining, and things to do.
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