10 things to do in Victoria this April
From top eateries across the city to sports in the dazzling sun, here are 10 things to do in April.
April in Victoria, BC, unfolds with a blend of cultural richness and natural beauty, offering something for every adventurer. Whether you’re exploring serene gardens or indulging in the local culinary scene, the month invites a deep dive into the city’s unique charm. Let us be your guide as you explore a city unlike any other on a unforgettable journey, creating memories that linger long after the visit.
Easter
Hoppy holidays! That’s right, it’s that special time of year, Easter falls on Sunday, April 20th. Kick off the season early with “Jumpin’ into Easter” Cookie Class at Bilston Creek farm on Saturday, April 12th. In this two-hour workshop you’ll learn all the basics about decorating sugar cookies, and create some fun Easter themed cookies to eat immediately… I mean take home with you. Or visit the farm April 19th and 20th for an Easter weekend eggstravaganza! Easter Weekend at Bilston Creek Farm includes a kids bunny hunt and spring seed planting station. For the grown ups, Sea Salt Chocolate will be on location selling their incredible Easter chocolates. Admission to the farm is free, kids’ activities are just $5 per child. Kick off Easter morning right, it’s going to be a busy day, with Easter Brunch at the Oak Bay Beach Hotel in their stunning dining room. The experience features a live pianist, and each guest will receive a small take-home gift. Make sure you book early, this one’s sure to sell-out!
Local Tip: It’s not Easter without chocolate… lots of chocolate. Check out the National Historic Site, Roger’s Chocolates for a great selection of locally made chocolate. Or join the folks at The Chocolate Project, where you can taste, learn, and shop for some of the finest chocolate from around the globe.
Earth Day
Earth. Victoria would be nowhere without it. So, let’s celebrate our home and our environment which makes it so magical, this Earth Day, April 22nd. On Earth Day, it’s okay to take your time, to stop and smell the roses, and breathe it all in. Got somewhere to be? Consider renting a bike from Cycle BC, or a kayak from Ocean River Sports. Resale shop ‘til you drop at House of Savoy or Turnabout. Celebrate Earth Day at an Earth Day Festival in Saanich. Or dine sustainably, at a place like 10 Acres Bistro, who source their food from their farm that’s just down the street, not driven in from miles away.
Victoria Cocktail Week
Raise a glass to Victoria Cocktail Week, running from April 13th to 20th. This weeklong celebration of Victoria’s cocktail and craft spirits scene is the perfect time to sip, savour, and socialize your way through the city’s best nightlife. Partake in signature events such as the Forjado Tequila Cocktail Crawl or the Phillips Old Town Cocktail Crawl, educate yourself through masterclasses, bartender pop-ups, and skill-sharing workshops, or make your own itinerary exploring the work of Victoria’s top cocktail bars. Celebrate Victoria one sip at a time, as our city’s greatest mixologists put a distinctively South Island spin (one part beach fire, two parts garden essence) on craft cocktail culture.
National Pet Day
Woof woof! Looking for a pawsome adventure or just want to sniff around? Victoria is the ultimate spot for us furry friends! With National Pet Day coming up on Friday, April 11th, let's wag our tails and visit some of the best pet-friendly spots in Victoria. Right in the heart of downtown, but just a short trot to two of Victoria’s loveliest parks, St. Anne’s Academy and Beacon Hill Park, the Chateau Victoria Hotel & Suites rolls out the red carpet for dogs. They provide doggie-friendly rooms stocked with towels, treats, dishes, cozy bedding, and even waste bags. Victoria is known as Canada’s Garden City, and a trip here isn’t complete without stopping by The Butchart Gardens (A National Historic Site). Great news, pups can tag along! Just keep your human at the end of a short leash (one metre) and explore 55 acres of stunning gardens. If water adventures are your thing, the Victoria Harbour Ferries welcome good doggos aboard. Hop on and ride over to Fisherman’s Wharf, where you’ll find a floating neighborhood and delicious Fish N’ Chips at Barb’s. And after a day full of adventures, there’s nothing like grabbing sunset cocktails on the patio at the Fairmont Empress, where you and your humans can watch the boats dance in the Inner Harbour. Woof-tastic views guaranteed! It’s sure to be a tail-wagging day out with the family.
TC 10K
Enjoy a self-propelled tour of Victoria like no other. Join over 8,000 people for the TC 10k, and run, or walk, through some of Victoria’ best sights on a ten-kilometre route through the city. The fun kicks off at the historic BC Parliament Buildings, weaving through downtown along Wharf Street and Yates Street, before heading into local neighbourhoods, polka dotted with heritage homes, eventually bringing you out along Dallas Road for a seaside run with breathtaking view of the Salish Sea and Olympic Peninsula, on your way back to the Parliament Buildings. This is a great way to spend a morning exploring Victoria, feeling the pulse of the city, and starting your day off energized! Register in advance and receive an exclusive t-shirt, finisher medal, racing bib with timing tag, and some post race snacks. Didn’t bring your runners? Well, we hope you brought your voice! Find a spot to cheer-on the runners and watch the race unfold, hunker down at the finish line and cheer your friends on as they finish, sit along Dallas Road and soak in the views, or find some race-side live music. Don’t miss the fun, Sunday, April 27th.
Local Tip: You’re going to need to recharge after that big run. Grab brunch nearby at the Steamship Grill & Bar, Pendray Tea House, or Cora Breakfast and Lunch.
World Art Day
Whether you’re an aspiring artist or an art aficionado, Greater Victoria’s art scene is sure to inspire and impress. And with World Art Day splashing its way into our calendar on April 15th, we’ve assembled a guide to enjoy some of the city’s best artwork. Head over to the Art Gallery of Greater Victoria (AGGV), who house their gallery in a combination of contemporary exhibition spaces and the remarkable 1889 Spencer Mansion. The AGGV is the largest public art gallery on Vancouver Island, with one of the most extensive collections in Canada, and features one of the only authentic Shinto shrines outside of Japan. Or if you’re looking to take some art home with you, check out one of Victoria’s many galleries, such as the Mark Loria Gallery, who specialize in contemporary Indigenous art from the Northwest Coast of Canada, Studio 106 and their extensive collection of Canadian art inspired by the natural world, or a truly local selection at Art in the Barn. Can’t get enough art? Lucky for you, Victoria is one big public art gallery, check out our guide to 17 must-see pieces of public art in Victoria.
Local tip: If you missed World Art Day in Victoria, don’t fret. Because Urbanite is back, April 25th, after a 5-year hiatus! Urbanite is Victoria’s hottest night of art and mingling, where you can enjoy a late-night art party at the AGGV.
National Picnic Day
Spring is here, and Victoria is out of the cold a little earlier than the rest of Canada. Make the most of our sneak peak of sunshine by celebrating National Picnic Day on April 23rd. In Victoria, you can wander rugged coastlines and pocket beaches, venture through the rainforest to hilltop viewpoints, or meander through a lush urban oasis in the heart of the city, but which ever you choose, be sure to pack a picnic! Check out our guide to Picnics in the Park and discover some of our favourite places to explore and some of the best local shops from which to pack your picnic basket.
Local tip: Pack that picnic basket with local goodies from the Root Cellar!
Eggs Benedict Day
When you’re as active as we are, you need something great to fuel your day, and then you need to smother that in hollandaise, and that’s why Victoria does brunch like no where else. So, there’s no better place to celebrate Eggs Benedict Day (April 16th) than here in Canada's Brunch Capital. In an ode to our favourite meal of the day, here are a few of our favourite spots to grab an eggs benedict. Tuck into a unique blend of locally sourced ingredients and West African flair at House of Boateng, we recommend the Crab Benny with roasted yam, crab salad, and mango-habanero hollandaise. Have a classic diner experience at Floyd’s Diner, who can’t be missed with their bright pink exterior, in a throwback to all things delicious. At Floyd’s you can’t go wrong with a Homer Benny, featuring roasted chicken, bacon, homemade hollandaise and Cajun spice. We all know that brunch pairs best with a beer, so tuck into a benny at Spinnaker’s Gastro Brewpub, Canada’s oldest brewpub. At Spinnaker’s, whichever benny you choose, just be sure to pair it with one of their house-made craft beers. Compliment your brunch with a harbourfront view at Fathom. Fathom’s yuzu hollandaise can’t be missed. Inspired by the water that surrounds us, we recommend Fathom’s smoked salmon benny.
Catch a live show
Greater Victoria dances to a rhythm all its own. The city’s pubs, concert halls, and streets are filled with an infectious hum from a live music scene that must be heard to be believed. Join us as we stomp, clap, and sing our way through Victoria with these great live musical events. A one-man show like no other, Martyn Joseph takes the stage April 24th, for an energetic evening of mind-blowing singing and guitar. Dene musicians Sechile Sedare bring their blend of harmony, nostalgia, and hope, to Victoria to share stories of their family history, connections to the lands, and the twists and turns of fate, live at UVIC on April 25th. Celebrate the best music there is, Canadian music, with Daniel Lapp’s Joy of Life Concerts from April 25-26th. Daniel teams up with the BC Fiddle Orchestra, the Old-Time Dance Band, members of Folkestra, and the Joy of Life Choir for an unforgettable evening of big-band energy. Embark on a musical journey through time with Eh bien, dansez maintenant! | Doulce Memoire and discover what Rennaissance dance was at its highest level, as you explore a performance of 15th and 16th century music led by Denis Raisin Dadre, April 11th.
Europa Super Circus
For the first time ever, Europe Super Circus brings their high-flying show to Canada. This world-class performance features some of the best circus performers from around the globe, including aerial artists, tight-wire acrobats, roller skaters, clowns, and of course, FMX riders in the Wheel of Death! Don’t miss the show beneath the big-top at the Saanich Fair Grounds from April 4-14th, it’s sure to be an unforgettable evening filled with thrilling performances and whimsical delight.
Europa Super Circus
Make your family weekend one for the books by making a getaway to Greater Victoria. From transportation, to accommodation, to entertainment, Victoria is a family-oriented destination that appeals to all ages and interests.
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