10 things to do in Victoria this May
From fragrant gardens to locally sourced food and beverages, spring is the perfect time to explore this island paradise.
This May, let Greater Victoria’s vibrant events draw you into the city’s unique rhythm and welcoming spirit. Whether you’re savouring Mother’s Day treats, exploring storied museums, or enjoying tea with a view, each moment here invites you to connect more deeply with the place and its people. From exhilarating outdoor activities to creative festivals celebrating innovation and history, Victoria seamlessly blends diverse experiences that make you feel right at home—no matter where you’re from. Come and be part of the movement where every corner offers a new story, and every experience becomes part of yours.
Mother’s Day
Sunday, May 11th is Mother’s Day, and in Victoria, we believe that every mom deserves the royal treatment (at least once per year!). There’s no better place to celebrate mom than in the city built for a Queen. Spend the day surrounded by gardens soaking in the music of the Victoria Conservatory of Music during the Mother’s Day Musical Garden Tour. Stop by the farm at Bilston Creek Farm from May 9-11th for a Mother’s Day Market experience like no other, while you shop for handcrafted gifts. Dig into Mother’s Day brunch at Fireside Grill, enjoying one of the city’s favourite meals while nestled in a Heritage Home. Or treat your mom like the flower she is with afternoon tea in the garden: The Butchart Gardens, a National Historic Site of Canada, welcomes moms for an afternoon tea like no other in their famed Dining Room restaurant for a selection of savoury sandwiches, warm pastries, and house-made treats.
Local tip: Find the perfect Mother’s Day gift at the May Day Spring Fair at Sea Cider Farm & Ciderhouse. At the fair, you’ll find goods from 35 hand-picked local artisan vendors, while enjoying food, cider, ice cream, crafting stations, live music and more!
International Museum Day
In a city ten-thousand years in the making, there are certainly some stories to tell. Greater Victoria is rich with museums to be seen and explored, with a range of everything from diving into our proud maritime history to meeting the mavericks who soared through the skies above. This International Museum Day (May 18th), go on a fascinating discovery of our city’s rich history. Uncover the province’s past at the Royal BC Museum, discover the roots of Canada’s oldest Chinatown at the Victoria Chinatown Museum, or explore the Victorian era through the lens of an aristocratic family at Craigdarroch Castle Historic House Museum.
Thrifty Foods 125th Anniversary Victoria Day Parade
Enjoy a celebration named for a Queen in a city fit for one! The Thrifty Foods Victoria Day Parade returns for its 125th anniversary, marching down Douglas Street in downtown Victoria. Take in this world-class event showcasing culture and the city's finest talents. The fun starts May 19th at 9:00AM.
Teatime
Pinkies up! It’s International Tea Day on May 21st, and there’s so many ways to celebrate in Greater Victoria. Enjoy a gardenside afternoon tea experience at The Butchart Gardens or Abkhazi Garden, sip your steep at the Castle on the Coast - The Fairmont Empress, or settle down for a Victorian era experience at the Pendray Tea House. While you explore the region’s tea scene, you’ll certainly want to slow down, sip, and savour every moment. Looking to bring the flavours of Victoria home with you? Stop by Silk Road Tea, and grab a selection from Canada’s Queen of Tea, or visit Murchie’s Tea and Coffee who have been serving British Columbian’s loose leaf for over 130 years.
National Golf Day
From teatime to tee-time! May 29th is National Golf Day. If you’re elsewhere in Canada, you might not have had a chance to hit the links yet this year, but in Victoria, we never took a break. Our distinctive mild microclimate means we enjoy golf year-round. From mountain top views of the sea below, to seaside courses looking out at the mountains, to forest courses that are teaming with life, there’s a course in Victoria that’s perfect for your playing style, whether you’re pitch and putter or a future PGA-er.
Cirque du Soleil
World-renown Canadian circus arts return to Victoria with Cirque du Soleil’s CRYSTAL. For the first time in the company’s 40-year history, they’re pushing the boundaries of circus arts, adding a dash of Canadiana to their classic acrobatic performance by performing on ice! During this dazzling performance, you’ll see synchronized skating and swinging trapeze, freestyle figures and aerial traps, extreme skating and hand-to-hand, for a breathtaking performance that must be seen to be believed. CRYSTAL tells the story of young misfit who plunges through the ice while skating, falling into a fantastical world that only Cirque du Soleil could create. You don’t want to miss this stunning performance, May 8th – 18th at the Save on Foods Memorial Centre.
Photo credit: Matt Baker & Olivier Brajon. Costumes by Marie Chantale Vaillancourt.
Get sporty!
Sun’s out funs out! With our head start on the sunshine, Victoria bursts through the spring season in full stride, as we hike, bike, and paddle our way through our playground on the Pacific. When you’re surrounded by nature, it’s easy to get caught up moment. Hope you brought your kilt! Check out the 162nd Victoria Highland and Celtic Games and add a dram of Scottish and Celtic culture to your stay with traditional games, music, and heritage inspired events. Don’t miss the Highland fun, from May 17th-18th. Grab your runners, your bike, and your swimsuit and give it your best 70.3 at the Ironman Triathlon on May 25th! Forgot your trunks? No worries, these racers can always use some encouragement at the finish line. The Swiftsure Yacht Race returns from May 31st-June 1st. Backdropped by stunning views of the Olympic mountains, catching the race is a great way to soak in some of Victoria’s best scenery. We recommend grabbing a spot along the beach at Clover Point. Hit the ground running, the Oak Bay half marathon, relay, 10k, and kids 1k returns, Sunday May 25, 2025. Runners have four hours to complete the race and every half-marathon, 10k, and relay racer receives a souvenir medal upon finishing the race, with kids receiving a finisher ribbon. It's the perfect way to gear up for the Royal Victoria Marathon later this year.
Design Victoria
Calling all creatives! The Design Victoria festival takes over the city for four days of inspiration and awe. From May 1st to 4th, you can explore dozens of mostly free events exploring the city’s creative and design sector. Stop in for talks, such as “Outdoor Living by Design” or “Architectural Photography”, pop by an open studio, or get hands-on with a workshop such as “Working with Clay” or “Floral Design and Colour”. There’s a reason why Victoria is known Canada, and world-wide as hub for artisans, creators, makers, and artists. Come see why!
A blast from the past
Hear, ye! Hear, ye! The illustrious Sealion Medieval Market shalt return to Heritage Acres for a glorious day of battle, quaint markets, and grand court. On the thirty-first of May, from the hour of ten in the morn 'til four in the afternoon, partake in the noble arts of sword fighting, archery, and the harmonious sounds of live minstrels. More than thirty skilled local artisans shall array their wares for thy pleasure at this family-friendly faire, inspired by the age of yore. Don thy finest garb, enter into the spirit of days gone by, and wend thy way to this grand celebration of all things Medieval on May 31st.
Esquimalt Buccaneer Days
Arrr mateys, avast ye, Esquimalt Buccaneer Days returns for a day of swashbucklin’ family fun from May 9-11th. Landlubbers beware, this here festival be celebratin’ our grand maritime and naval past! The whole town be donning naval and pirate garb, with scallywags and shipmates alike competin' fer the finest costume treasure! Shiver me timbers, each mornin’ the good folk of Esquimalt be roused at the crack of dawn by a boomin’ loudspeaker bellowin’, “Wakey, Wakey!”. Don't ye dare miss the grand parade, happenin' on Saturday, May 10th, or ye may be forced to walk the plank! Savvy?
Bonus! More great events this May
From cell to civilization
Go on a journey like no other, exploring the incredible story of the rise of humankind. Join acclaimed author, anthropologist, and BBC Broadcaster, Professor Alice Roberts, for her live stage show, “From Cell to Civilization”. This amazing event will cover 3.8 billion years of history as we learn about everything from genetics to archaeology, discovering how we know what we know, and why we think the way we think. This mind-blowing odyssey into humankind is one night only at the Royal Theatre, May 12th at 7PM.
Oyster Day
Shuck’n and slurpen in the city! Oyster Day takes over our plates on May 5th, so we’re sharing some of our favourite places to get our famous Pacific oysters with you. One of the city’s most celebrated restaurants, Marilena Café & Raw Bar, is a great place to experience Canadian seafood. We recommend the Evening Cove oysters from Cortez Island, served with lemon, horseradish, and mignonette. Dive into the bounty of the Island at Shuck Taylor’s. One of Victoria’s favourite spots for a shucking good time, we recommend trying the broiled oysters. Next up on our oyster tour, Finn’s Seafood, Chops & Cocktails, who offer a daily selection of oysters. Whichever oysters you choose at Finn’s we recommend enjoying them cocktail in-hand on their famous waterfront patio. You’re never far from fresh local seafood in Victoria, keep your eyes peeled for daily happy-hour shucks at many local bars and restaurants.
Victoria is synonymous with exploration. A coastal city embedded in a stunning natural landscape, the southern-most part of Vancouver Island is a masterful infusion of culture, nature, and culinary delights. From iconic tours to uncharted adventures, Greater Victoria has so much to discover.
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