Things to Do in Victoria This July

Celebrate Canada Day

Spending your Canada Day long weekend in B.C.’s capital city offers so much to see and do. With celebrations kicking off on Friday night and carrying through until Monday, make sure you check out our dedicated blog so you don’t miss out on the action.

Image by @j_gibzzphoto

Catch Downtown Victoria Buskers Festival

Catch the incredible international performers during the Downtown Victoria Buskers Festival! Free, fun, and family-friendly, don’t miss this epic event happening July 3 – 7.

Image via @downtownvictoriabc of the Magic Breakers

Chase waterfalls

Summer on Vancouver Island was made for picnics on the beach, exploring new places and chasing waterfalls. A mini road trip between Victoria and Port Renfrew along the Pacific Marine Circle Route will lead you to some incredible west coast waterfalls. From a cascading waterfall at Mystic Beach to a secret waterfall at Sombrio, this adventure isn’t just about the destination.

Insider tip: Need a place to unwind after a day of adventures? Kick back and relax in one of Wild Renfrew’s seaside cottages!

Image by @ianterrisphotography

Celebrate love

Victoria Pride Week is June 30-July 7. Victoria is proud to be an inclusive and welcoming destination that celebrates love year round! We definitely celebrate a little harder during Pride Week so don’t miss out on your chance to watch a game of dragball or dance in the pride parade.

Image courtesy of @victoriapridesociety

Picnic under the fireworks

Each summer The Butchart Gardens puts on a spectacular firework show on Saturday evenings. With so much going on at The Gardens this summer, make a day of it and take time to smell the roses, indulge in gelato and dance to live music before settling in for a picnic under show-stopping fireworks. Find the entertainment and firework schedule here.

Insider tip: Hang back after the fireworks and take time to wander through the night illuminations.

Attend Phillips Backyard Weekender

Every year Phillips Brewing puts on an epic backyard bash! Between July 26-28, discover this outdoor music festival against the backdrop of this iconic local brewery. It’s a summer highlight for locals and visitors alike. You can grab your tickets here.

Image courtesy of @backyardwkndr

Get your adrenaline pumping

Get your summer thrills on the adventure course at WildPlay Victoria this summer! Get your adrenaline pumping as you walk across suspension bridges, scale nets, bound across obstacles, whiz through treetop canopies and more!

Insider Tip: Catch Wildplay’s new shuttle from Downtown Victoria for round trip transportation to your day of adventure.

Image by @maile_modelling

Watch the Harbour Ferry Ballet

From afternoon tea to hanging baskets, Victoria has an undeniable charm and The Water Ballet is certainly one of those. Watch the Victoria Harbour Ferries perform a carefully choreographed ballet in the Inner Harbour on Saturdays and Sundays at 10:45 a.m. throughout the summer. The best seat in the house (read: harbour), is the Steamship Grill, so make a morning of it over mimosas.

Image by @traveling_mama_

Visit the Royal BC Museum

Ready for an afternoon in the shade? Check out the Royal BC Museum and explore their interactive and family-friendly exhibits, get behind the scenes on one of their signature tours and uncover the mysteries of the Ancient Mayan culture.

Insider tip: Catch a double feature at IMAX Victoria after your day of exploring the museum. 

Get off the beaten path

Victoria’s downtown core is vibrant and exciting but Victoria’s charming culture extends far beyond Government Street to neighbourhoods like funky Fernwood, James Bay, Vic West, Fairfield, Oak Bay and Esquimalt. If you truly want to experience the vibrancy of Victoria, we encourage you to explore beyond the harbour. Find more about Victoria’s neighbourhoods here.

Sip & Savour

When it comes to local eats, Victoria has quickly risen in status as a foodie destination. From an enviable climate that has allowed the farm-to-table movement to flourish, to Pacific waters offering a bounty of fresh seafood, to historic roots that have influenced a sophisticated afternoon tea culture, Victoria has a unique offering not found anywhere else. Find out more about sipping and savouring your way through Victoria here.

Image by @seaciderhouse

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