11 Things to do in Victoria this February
From exquisite eats to cultural celebrations, there’s something for every traveller!
February in Victoria, BC, is a delightful showcase of what makes this city truly special. Enjoy tantalizing cuisine at the Dine Around festival and create heartfelt moments with loved ones on Valentine’s Day and family day. This month’s line-up of cultural and community events offers endless opportunities to experience the city’s unique blend of quirky charm, creativity, and warmth.
Dine Around and Stay in Town
It’s your last chance to dig into Victoria’s favourite foodie festival, with Dine Around and Stay in Town officially winding down on February 9th. If you’ve missed the action so far, or are simply up for seconds, Dine Around is the perfect way to explore the Victoria’s culinary scene, as the city’s best chefs serve up limited time three-course menus. For those looking to add a little extra to their night on the town, be sure to check into the Stay in Town portion of the program, where you can enjoy deliciously low rates on some of downtown Victoria’s top hotels.
Valentine's Day
February is romance month, and there’s no better place to celebrate that special day with your special someone than in Victoria, BC. Looking to add a dash of romance to your vacation plans? We’ve got you covered with this mini–Valentine’s Day itinerary. Start your morning off proper with Afternoon Tea at the Pendray Teahouse, decompress with a massage and a pedicure at the Willow Stream Spa at Fairmont Empress, enjoy an unforgettable evening of soulful vocals with Edie DaPonte’s Let’s Fall in Love performance, and cap it all off with a naughty or nice night at the Inn at Laurel Point.
Lunar New Year
Celebrate the Year of the Snake in Canada’s oldest Chinatown! Victoria’s historic Chinatown bursts at the seems with vibrant energy, colours, and even a dragon or two! The fun begins February 9th at the Gates of Harmonious Interest with an 8-lion performance from the Wong Sheung Kung Fu Club, a dragon dance by the Victoria Chinese Public School, and traditional Chinese dances. Follow along as the parade travels from the 500 Block of Fisgard Street to the Chinese Public School at 636 Fisgard Street. Following the parade, two lion teams will visit local merchants to bless our shops and drive away evil spirits. Following the parade, be sure to explore more of Chinatown and support Chinese-Canadian owned businesses, including a stop at the Victoria Chinatown Museum located down Fan Tan Alley (Canada’s narrowest street!).
Family Day
Grab your little adventurers and start exploring, February 17th is Family Day, and Victoria, BC is teaming with family-friendly activities. Whether you’re a kid yourself, or a kid at heart, every kid loves dinosaurs! Embark on a journey 65-million years in the making with the folks at Dino Lab Inc., a hands-on museum where you can get up close and personal with real dinosaurs at this working fossil restoration lab. For those who like all things creepy-crawly, be sure to check out the Victoria Bug Zoo, with over 50 fascinating species to explore, including stick insects, mantids, and even tarantulas! Channel your inner princess at Ponies and Pipsqueaks, where you can meet, groom, ride, or even have a tea party with one of their many ponies. And for when you’re almost ready to call it a day, be sure to stop by Flying Squirrel Victoria, an indoor trampoline park that’s sure to have your kids bouncing off their walls, not your hotel room’s!
The Debaters, Live
Renowned Canadian comedian Steve Patterson hosts comedian debaters, and rising stand-up stars, Yumi Nagashima and Charlie Demers for comedic stage show that’s a toe-to-toe battle of side-splitting laughs. The program features a stand-up style kick-off, followed by two comedic debates – which are audience judged for logic and laughs. With no two live shows ever being the same, this is a once in a lifetime comedy experience. Grab your tickets to one of two shows, February 9th and 10th at the McPherson Playhouse.
National Pancake Day
We all know pancakes are part of a balanced breakfast… the best part! February 28th is National Pancake Day, in all its syrupy glory. Enjoy the most significant date on the brunch calendar at these fine Victoria eateries. Local favourite, Floyd’s Diner serves up traditional pancakes as well as some unique twists, including apple pie pancakes, banana split pancakes, and cinnamon pancakes – it’s pan-fried perfection. OEB Breakfast Co. stacks ‘em high with their Baked Apple Griddle Stack; dig into the fluffy good stuff, paired with apple topping, of course, and Chantilly cream. Cora Breakfast and Lunch serves up a triple entendre of unique flavours with triple chocolate (cocoa pancake with chocolate chops, bananas, and cocoa-hazelnut custard), strawberry-banana, and blueberry fields (both topped with their unforgettable English cream Cora-style). Possibly the only place in Victoria where you can pair your pancakes with local Vancouver Island smoked salmon, Blue Crab Seafood House serves up their buttermilk pancakes with butter, berry compote, and the classic Canadian accoutrement, maple syrup.
Shane Koyczan
Celebrated Canadian street poet, Shane Koyczan, brings his stand-out performance to The Farquhar at UVic. From his presentation at the 2010 Vancouver Olympics to his 24-million view video “To This Day” to his collaborations with the likes of the Vancouver Opera, David Suzuki, and George Miller, Shane is known for the power in both his voice and spoken words.
Shane Koyczan
Sidney Museum LEGO Brick Exhibition
All in all, it’s just another brick in the…museum! The Sidney Museum’s LEGO Brick Exhibition is back for its 19th year. Hundreds of LEGO creations are on display, with many playing into this year’s theme of “A Hidden World”. Explore the gallery, take in the detail, and enjoy new and returning displays. In addition to this year’s theme, LEGO fans can also enjoy works of architecture, Star Wars, Lord of the Rings, Jaws, plants, animals, and more! New this year, the “Community Creations” display allows visitors to display their own LEGO creations for everyone to enjoy for one month of the exhibit. Explore the world of LEGO, learn the history of the hobby, join in on activities such as “Guess the Bricks”, and bring out the builder in you. The Sidney Museum LEGO Brick Exhibition is on now through March 30th.
Sidney Museum LEGO Brick Exhibition
DWTN Winter Lime
Add a dash of Caribbean heat to your winter with the DWTN Winter Lime. Family Day, February 17th, Ship Point transforms into a Trinidadian and Caribbean cultural market. Dig into authentic Caribbean food – including a complimentary cocoa tea, explore vendors featuring Caribbean and African-Inspired goods, crafts & services, then dance it up to a live DJ featuring Soca Parang. This family friendly event features tons of kid-friendly activities & games. Don’t let the cool February weather keep you locked up, the Winter Lime features outdoor heaters, so you’d swear it felt like you were soaking up the Caribbean sun. In Trinidadian culture, “liming” means relaxing, socializing, and enjoying good company, so come experience the best liming our Island has to offer!
DWTN Winter Lime
The Choirs YYJ Winter Concert with special guests Dana Sipos and Trent Freeman
The winter season means spending a little more time indoors, but that doesn’t have to mean cabin fever! That’s because The Choirs YYJ Winter Concert blows the roof off the place, as they perform hits from the likes of Florence and the Machine, Cyndi Lauper, The Grateful Dead, and more, as original choral and piano arrangements. This year, The Choirs YYJ are honoured to be joined by singer-songwriter Dana Sipos and award-winning Trent Freeman on violin. You don’t want to miss this one-night-only performance, Saturday, February 1st, at the Farquhar Auditorium.
The Choirs YYJ Winter Concert
Artists in residence
Explore the city and our vibrant local arts scene as local artists take over the lobbies of some of Victoria’s most iconic hotels. This January, check out the works of Donna Rose Law at the Fairmont Empress, David Good at the Coast Victoria Hotel & Marina by APA and the Crab Seafood House, Mike Lathrop at the Parkside Hotel & Spa, and Ken McKenzie at the Delta Hotels by Marriott Victoria Ocean Pointe Resort. Donna gathers her inspiration from exploring Vancouver Island and the Gardens of Greater Victoria. David fins his inspiration from what he sees and feels in nature – both the natural and built environment as well as human nature itself. Mike captures the feeling of place with his beautiful landscape art of BC. And, Ken, a master of chalk pastels, uses the energy of local urban landscapes as his subject matter.
Image credit: Mike Lathrop
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