Your Guide to Canada Day in Victoria, BC

HAPPY CANADA DAY!

ON JULY 1ST

Victoria Canada Day 2022

July 1st, noon – dusk

After two hiatus years, Canada Day celebrations are coming back to Victoria’s beautiful Inner Harbour, at Ship Point! The open-air venue will be the canvas for a plethora of multicultural performances, family-friendly activities, Flavours of the World international food court and food trucks, and of course… the spectacular fireworks display! 

The day will take off with an Indigenous traditional canoe protocol and Welcome Ceremony, as well as a performance by the Lekwungen Dancers. The Kid’s Zone will offer plenty of kid-friendly activities, sponsored by The Bateman Foundation and Gallery.  The Victoria Bug Zoo will also be bringing Arthropod specimens to teach folks about their importance to our ecosystems, as well as bringing fun prize draws and bug games. Don’t miss Central Walk’s booth, where they will be giving away $25,000 in gift cards – wow! These gift cards will be redeemable at a special event they are hosting at Mayfair Shopping Centre on July 2nd. At 9PM, beloved Victorian blues musician Jesse Roper will be performing his own version of rock n’ roll to engage the crowd before the grand fireworks display. For more information on downtown’s free signature Canada Day event, visit Canada Day Victoria’s schedule and website!

Canada Day Community Breakfast at Huntingdon Manor

July 1st, 8AM – 11AM

Pancake breakfasts and Canada Day go together like gravy and cheese curds (see what we did there?)! To celebrate our nation, the Huntingdon Manor Hotel will be hosting a Community Pancake Breakfast in their gardens overlooking Victoria’s beautiful Inner Harbour. Aside from pancakes, there will also be entertainment, activities, face painting, and a vintage photo booth on site. Located near to the core of Canada Day festivities in downtown, it’s a great way to ring in July 1st celebrations. 

Gorge Canada Day Picnic

July 1st, 8:30AM – 4PM

This beloved Canada Day event extends along Gorge Road West from Tillicum road all the way to Admirals for the one of the largest “picnics” you’ve ever seen!  There are plenty of events in the works for the Gorge Canada Day Picnic, including a Canada Day Parade, a pancake breakfast, a car show, an art show, voyageur canoe rides on the Gorge, a market, the open-house of Craigflower School House… and much, much more! Come out for a lovely day kid-friendly day at the Gorge, there’s plenty to see and do. 

Sidney Days and Canada Day

June 30th from 7:30-10:15pm, and July 1st from 8AM-4PM

Sidney by the Sea is the charming port city just half an hour north from Victoria, acting as the main port-city and linkage between us and the mainland. Sidney Days & Canada Day celebrations are their annual July 1st ceremony, playing at Beacon Park!  On the evening of June 30th, come down to Beacon Park for opening ceremonies, live music by the Bankes Brothers, and of course – fireworks! 

On July 1st, wake up bright and early for pancake breakfast at the Mary Winspear Centre, Sidney’s Canada Day Parade at 11:30 AM, and a Family Fun Fair at Iroquois Park. 

Eat Like a Canadian Foodie Walking Tour

July 1st, 2:30pm – 5pm

Grab a fork, grab your family, and take to the streets of Victoria with Off the Eaten Track Tours this July 1st!  A limited time feature to this day, walk from Fisherman’s Wharf to Government Street trying out all the Canadian classics – poutine, Bannock and berries, a “double double” ice cream bar, Nanaimo bars, ice wine, and of course… maple syrup!  Get to know classic Canadian flavours at seven local Victorian eateries, all while exploring Victoria’s fascinating architecture and history. 

Canada Day at Fort Rodd Hill and Fisgard Lighthouse NHS

July 1st, 10am – 4pm

Come celebrate Canada’s special day with Parks Canada staff and the 5th (B.C.) Regiment of RCA over at beautiful Fisgard Lighthouse National Historic Site. There will be live music at 11AM, special interpretive programs are throughout the site, and heritage-themed ice cream and soda will be served at the Canteen. Make sure to stop by the lighthouse for the annual photo opportunity with the giant Canada flag!

Before and After Canada Day

The Butchart Gardens Outdoor Summer Concert Series 

July 1st to September 3

Come to The Butchart Gardens on Friday and Saturday evenings all summer, for live performances in what is arguably Victoria’s most stunning, floral open-air stage.  Their kick-off performance starts on Canada Day itself with performers Big Little Lions – a blissful marriage of new folk and sophisticated pop. Each performance starts at 8PM and is included for all those who hold a 12 Month Pass!

TD Victoria International Jazz Fest

June 24 – July 3

With Canada Day performances at Bullen Park (FREE!) from noon – 8:30

The TD Victoria International JazzFest is a music festival spanning ten hot days and nights of the coolest tunes in town! Jazz, blues and international music collide in Vancouver Island’s longest running multi-day music festival, presented and produced by Victoria Jazz Society. There are several venues where Jazz Fest is playing out, including Hermann’s Jazz Club, the Royal Theatre, Beacon Hill Park, and more. For the full detailed lineup, please see their schedule online.  Attracting over 40,000 people to the heart of Victoria every year, the TD International Jazz Fest keeps the live jazz scene alive!

Victoria Harbour Ferry Water Ballet

From April to October

With a Canada Day performance July 1st at 10:45 AM

Have you ever seen a boat dance? Well now you can (for free!), along Victoria’s Inner Harbour! Our beloved Victoria Harbour Ferries (also known as water taxis, or “pickleboats”) dance and twirl across our waters to choreographed classical music, giving you a quirky, light-hearted, pinnacle-Victorian experience that you won’t easily forget. Head over to the Steamship terminal for the best seats in the house!

Caravan Stage Company Presents: Virtual Rogues

June 28 – July 10th, 10PM – 11:30

If you’re looking to be ‘wow’ed – your search is over.  New to Victoria as of this year, The Caravan has been bringing theatre to communities around the world since 1970 – first by horse drawn wagon, and now, by tall ship.  Virtual Rogues is their largest spectacle to date – featuring aerial acrobats swinging from an old growth tree, an albatross puppet graces the stage, singers perform and digital displays flash across the stage – a massive pirate ship called the “Amara Zee”.  This will be the last chance to watch such a performance, as this is their farewell tour!  
The tickets are pay-what-you-can at the door.  The performance runs for 90 minutes with no intermission.  As this is an outdoor theatre, you should bring your own chair, cushion, picnic baskets, and snacks.  Enjoy this highly unique spectacle!

HAPPY CANADA DAY!