10 Things to do in Victoria this July

July 1st 

Canada Day is celebrated on July 1st each year, marking a day when the nation comes together for a day of reflection, community connection, and of course… fun! In our community-minded city of Victoria, events span various pockets of the city, bringing together our neighbourhoods, residents, and visitors from around the globe in celebration.

Victoria has a number of spirited events in store for July 1st, whether you’re spending it downtown or a little further out. Check out our list below:

Canada Day Performances at the BC Parliament Buildings – The event starts with Indigenous protocol and Welcome Ceremony at noon and ends with fireworks at 10:20pm. Head to their website for the full event schedule! 

Canada Day Drumming – morning of July 1st. Head over to the BC Legislature Grounds by 10:45 am to drum together as a community. The drumming will bring forward a Lion Dance by the Wong Sheung Kung Fu Club!  

Canada Day at Huntingdon Manor Hotel and Pendray Inn and Teahouse: Free Pancake Breakfast! The event at the beautiful Pendray grounds will also feature children’s activities, artist booths, and live entertainment. 

Canada Day at Victoria International Marina - a sustainable event, live music performances, a sustainable tasting menu, and an art exhibition, raising awareness about ocean conservation.

Canada Day at Fort Rodd Hill and Fisgard Lighthouse – live music, heritage-themed ice cream and soda, a giant Canadian flag by the lighthouse, and special interpretive programs will be held at this National Historic Site. 

Fireworks at the Butchart Gardens – pack your lawn chairs! Fireworks begin at 10:15pm sharp, following a concert held by Tropic Mayhem.

For even more Canada Day events, check out our Canada Day Page. Here in Victoria, we are honoured to be working, playing, and learning on the traditional lands of the Lekwungen-speaking Coast Salish peoples. We are grateful for the life and experiences these Nations and this land have presented us and carry this close to us while we partake in our July 1st events.

July 7th, 8th, 9th 

Phillips Backyard Concerts are officially BACK in July – and with such a crowd-pleasing lineup! Their first of the series, “Tilt” kicks off the weekend of July 7th, with headliners including Lord Huron, DJ Pee. Wee (the alter ego of Anderson .Paak), and Bahamas. 

Dance the night away to familiar tunes and new-to-you artists, with a cool crisp Phillips brew in hand. We recommend trying their namesake Tilt Lager for the occasion. 

July 9th

The largest display of Pride on the island! This year’s parade will be led by the Songhees Nation and Indigenous & Two-Spirit Guests of Honour. The parade route has changed this year, so be sure to check Victoria Pride Society's event page before you head out to celebrate. 

PS: If you see us Destination Greater Victoria folk in the parade, wave us down! We can’t wait to show you the surprises we have in store. 

July 15th, 11am - 4pm

The TD Art Gallery Paint-In brings over 160 Vancouver Island artists in a grand celebration of art. Artworks, sculptures, crafts, and mixed media fills the streets of Moss Street, drawing 30,000 visitors annually! 

If you’re an artist yourself, seeking inspiration, or have a blank wall to fill in in your home – you won’t want to miss this day hosted by the Art Gallery of Greater Victoria. 

July 22nd – 29th 

Southern Spain meets Victoria in this vibrant festival, where musical performances, outdoor shows, workshops, and dances sweep the city. This will be the festival’s eleventh iteration, and whether you’re new to flamenco or a seasoned expert, there’s a music-filled event for everyone. 

While many of their events are free, some are ticketed. Head over to their website for the full schedule.
 

Starts July 27th

This festival will make you smile from ear-to-ear. From July 27- August 5th, fall in love with Victoria through the beautiful sounds of the Victoria Symphony and others, taking place at different venues around town. The music crescendos into a grand finale that takes place each year in an iconic Victoria setting.

This year, two free full orchestral concerts will also take place in garden-filled Beacon Hill Park. Bring your own chair or picnic blanket, your reusable water bottle, waste-free snacks, and enjoy a pleasant classical concert in the heart of our Garden City.

July 29th, 5pm-7pm

Victoria’s newest gluten-free bakery is hosting a series of workshops! Learn to make wild fermented, vegan, gluten free breads & more using minimal ingredients and wild culture in this hands-on workshop hosted by the Art of Slow Food. Take home your own gluten free sourdough starter and bake something from scratch!

These workshops are jam-packed with detailed information, hands-on baking, and creating. Beware: feed your baked goods to your celiac/GF friends, and they won’t stop begging you to make more! 

until August 20th

Beyond Van Gogh Victoria brings Vincent Van Gogh’s iconic pieces to life on an interactive and immersive light display, held at the Starry Night Pavillion at Bayview Place. 
Stand under the twinkling starry night and walk through almond blossoms as cutting-edge projections and an original score breathes new life and enlarged detail into over 300 of Van Gogh's artworks. At the end, be treated to a one-of-a-kind VR experience that transports you into the world of Van Gogh. 

Visit their website for more information and tickets!
 

All Month

The new Parliamentary Past and Present Travelling Plays take visitors around the Legislative Assembly grounds and even back through time! The Travelling Plays are a perfect complement to the free guided tours of the Parliament Buildings.

Recently, they took home two awards at the recent Heritage B.C. Conference: the Honour Award, and Nicholas Guerreiro (scriptwriter and program director) was presented with the Emerging Heritage Professional award. Come see this new, award-winning experience for yourself!

All Month

New restaurant alert! Be one of the first to dine at this highly anticipated Toptable restaurant, opening its doors June 28th. Marilena features mouthwatering cuisine prepared by Chef Eligh (who is originally from Victoria!), served in an elegant setting. Think: fresh, local and globally sourced seafood, creative plating, and not just one, but TWO very impressive wine cellars (one white, one red).

 
It’s very soon going to be one of Victoria’s top hotspots, so get your reservations in!