Things to do in Victoria this January
The new year brings new adventures to Greater Victoria and a host of featured events to nourish your soul, reenergize your body, and spark your creativity. Refresh at a scenic sauna, catch a live performance at an intimate venue and savour farm-to-table flavours at restaurants throughout the city. Home to Canada’s mildest winter climate, Victoria is the perfect place to escape and recharge this January.
Featured Events
Dine Around & Stay in Town
Get ready to treat your taste buds during Dine Around and Stay in Town, one of Victoria’s most cherished foodie festivals. From January 23rd to February 8th, over 60 local restaurants are rolling out special price-fixed menus that make it easy to sample the best of the city’s vibrant food scene. From diner-style brunches to elegant fine dining delicacies, there is something for every budget and palate. During this year's Dine Around and Stay in Town, Victoria’s arts and culinary scenes pair beautifully for guests to enjoy an unforgettable dinner and a show at select venues across the city. Hotels around Victoria are also offering exclusive rates, so you can turn your night out into a cozy getaway. Gather your friends, explore new flavours, and enjoy the warmth of Victoria’s hospitality. We’re sure you won’t leave hungry!
Dine Around Gala Launch
Toast to the taste of Victoria! Victoria’s culinary scene takes centre stage at the Dine Around Gala Launch. On January 22, Crystal Garden transforms into a foodie paradise offering guests the opportunity to sample mouthwatering bites and sips from local restaurants, wineries, cideries, and breweries. Along with the city's best eateries, the Gala is set to host live entertainment, live music and plenty of mingling opportunities with fellow foodies. This event sets the tone for 17 days of delicious dining around Victoria. Grab your tickets today and treat yourself to a memorable evening!
Intention: A Wellness Getaway
Intention returns to Victoria for two weeks from January 5th to 16th, 2026, bringing a variety of workshops, classes, and wellness experiences to help you set your purpose for the year ahead. Enjoy guided tours through the Pacific Northwest rainforest, long table dinners with friends and art therapy classes designed to spark your creativity. Curate your own itinerary with health and wellness experiences that align with your personal goals. Take a day, a weekend, or a week to create memories, make new friends, and let Victoria’s coastal charm set the tone for a year of balance and purpose.
Victoria Whiskey Festival
Sip and savour some of the finest whiskies from around the world at the 20th Annual Victoria Whiskey Festival. From January 15th to 18th, the Hotel Grand Pacific hosts a wide range of masterclasses and grand tastings led by industry experts eager to share their knowledge. This four-day festival invites you into the world of whiskey-making, showcasing how each distillery puts their own unique flair on a timeless spirit.
Local tip: If you are a whiskey lover, don’t miss the heart of the festival, the Consumer Tasting, taking place Saturday, January 17th, featuring an impressive lineup of distilleries and whiskies from across the globe.
Polar Bear Swims
Start the new year afresh, with a cold plunge into the Salish Sea. Across Greater Victoria, the locals welcome the new year head on, by charging into crisp ocean waters on January 1st. Join the Lido Club at Willows Beach in Oak Bay, or the Peninsula Celebrations Society at Glass Beach in Sidney, for a polar plunge. Or make it your own by going for a dip at any of our local beaches and lakes. It’s a fun and invigorating way to start the new year.
Ditch Your New Years Resolution Day (January 17)
Early mornings, extra miles, and fewer calories? Let’s face it, sleep is calling, the couch is waiting, and those brownies are looking better than ever. This January 17th, if there’s a resolution that isn’t working for you, we invite you to ditch it in favour of a little bit of indulgence in Victoria. After all, you’ve made it this far! Get some much-needed rest at a local bed & breakfast or inn, perfect for lazy mornings. Game the day away at Quazar’s Arcade, playing pinball and retro arcade games. Then, nourish your soul with a five-course long table dinner overlooking our picturesque Inner Harbour, and savour the best of Vancouver Island’s culinary scene.
Live Performances
Broadway Victoria Presents TINA – The Tina Turner Musical
Simply the best! That’s what you’ll be saying to anyone who asks you about how much you enjoyed Broadway Victoria’s production of TINA – The Tina Turner Musical. Fresh from a world tour, TINA lands in Victoria, BC for a 6-night run from January 6-11th at the iconic Royal Theatre. TINA covers the inspiring true story of one of the most powerful female vocalists of all time, and her journey to defy racism, sexism, and ageism on her way to being crowned the global Queen of Rock N’ Roll. This global, smash-hit performance racked up 12 Tony Award nominations during its Broadway Run and is certain to be amongst the top performances on the docket during 2026’s theatre year.
The Offspring with Bad Religion
Punk rock icons The Offspring bring their global tour to the Save-on-Foods Memorial Centre for one night only on January 22nd. This time, The Offspring have brought a few more punk rock legends with them, as Bad Religion joins them for the show. Spike your mohawks, find your leathers, and grab your friends, because this isn’t a show you’re going to want to miss, as hits like “Self Esteem” and “Million Miles Away” blow the roof off the joint.
Tom Green Stompin’ Comedy Tour
Canada’s own groundbreaking, edge-pushing comedian, Tom Green hits the stage at the McPherson Playhouse on January 25th. You might remember his offbeat humour from his hit, yet unpredictable, MTV show, his cult-classic films like Road Trip and Freddy Got Fingered, or as one of the pioneers of podcasting. As you’d expect from a jack-of-all trades, Tom’s bringing more than his signature style of comedy, his stand-up set is peppered with stories from his career, and even a few songs from his latest country album.
Snowed In Comedy Tour
Four comedians, one night, and a whole lot of laughs. Playing in over 70 cities across Canada, the Snowed In Comedy Tour visits Victoria one night only on Saturday, January 17th. Four award-winning international comedians, each bringing their own unique styles, come together for one amazing show at the Royal Theatre.
Want a preview of the action? The Snowed In Comedy tour has a YouTube channel that showcases their journey across Canada, and it is comedy gold.
The Planets – Symphony in Space
Experience a musical adventure that’s truly out of this world! On January 24th & 25th, Victoria Symphony presents The Planets – Symphony in Space, transporting its audience through time and space to explore masterful renditions of works by Gustav Holst, Mozart, and Strauss. Don’t miss your favourite film scores from Star Wars, Apollo 13 and Star Trek as you relive Hollywood classics. This concert promises to elevate your senses and ignite your imagination as you journey through the stars.
Health & Wellness
Scenic Saunas
There’s no better way to warm up and restore your body after a cold dip or a cool winter day than by unwinding at one of Victoria’s scenic saunas. These thoughtfully designed spaces offer cold dips, saunas, and relaxation spaces to replenish your body and refresh your mind. With quiet corners and open spaces, each sauna offers the best of both worlds for silent and social sauna seekers. Soak in the views as you bask in Wild Wood Sauna’s picturesque farm-field setting or HAVN’s sprawling views of the Inner Harbour. From Aerth’s Scandinavian-inspired design to Ritual Nordic Spa’s authentic Finnish saunas, you’ll find the perfect environment to restore and recharge this winter.
A Day at the Spa
After the rush of Christmas and the New Year, who couldn’t use a spa day to restore your inner balance? Unwind with a revitalizing facial at Emerald Day Spa, where experts exfoliate and hydrate your skin. Pamper yourself at the Fairmont Spa with a full body scrub, or detoxifying mud wrap inspired by the coastal elements found on Vancouver Island. If you're feeling extra indulgent, Salt and Ivy focus on intention and deep restoration during their facials, body treatments, and massages to leave you refreshed and renewed. You’ll be slipping into peaceful bliss in no time!
Connect with Nature
Let the Pacific Northwest Rainforest be your playground this January. Victoria’s temperate climate invites outdoor enthusiasts year-round to explore the beauty of our rugged west coast. Reconnect with nature as you hike your way along pristine beaches or coastal cliffs overlooking the Pacific Ocean. Discover tide pools, waterfalls, and keep an eye out for whale sightings while trekking through Port Renfrew with Island Trails Ecotours. Along the East Sooke Coast Trail, Rainforest Tours guides you past ancient petroglyphs and windswept bluffs before stopping for lunch with a view of the Olympic Mountains. Whatever journey connects with you, the beauty of the wild west coast will leave you awestruck.
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