Explore Victoria This Summer and Check Out These Events
byIt’s no secret that John and I love to get away to Victoria as often as possible. Its beautiful parks, ocean-side walks, ample attractions to brush up on BC’s history, and great food and craft beer are just some of the reasons why. If you’re looking for a summer escape, here’s a list of what’s happening in Victoria this season:
Explore Victoria This Summer
The Royal BC Museum is one of my favourite places in the province and until October 1, 2017 you can check out the Terry Fox: Running to the Heart of Canada exhibition. Start in the First Peoples Galleries, move onto the Modern History, and the Natural History Galleries. It’s fascinating at any age. Catch the Aboriginal Cultural Festival at the museum June 16-18, 2017.
The TD Victoria International JazzFest runs June 23, 2017 to July 02, 2017. This ten-day music festival featuring the jazz, blues and world music of local, Canadian, and internationally acclaimed musicians.
Seals at Fishermans Wharf
Throughout the summer, visit the Bastian Square Public Markets & Sunday Market, on Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays until October 1st. Situated between Government & Wharf Street and Fort & Yates Street, both markets feature a unique selection of locally hand made products in the location where historic Fort Victoria once stood.
Bites Brews Bands on the Barge is a weekly food truck and craft beer collaboration, happening every Friday until September 22, 2017 on the Breakwater Barge. Musicians will entertain while you indulge with Victoria’s finest truck food, craft beer from Phillips, Hoyne, Driftwood, Sea Cider, and Wine from Artisan Wine Store Mark Anthony.
If you’re heading over July 22nd, the Vancouver Island Vegan Association is hosting Vegtoria, Victoria’s Veg Fest 2017! This event will feature your favourite vegan businesses and animal advocacy organizations from across North America, tons of delicious vegan food to eat, prizes, speakers, bands and more.
Finally, celebrate Canada 150 from June 21 through July 1, 2017 with 10 full days of free outdoor events in Victoria’s beautiful Inner Harbour. Celebrate and enjoy our nation and city’s multicultural artistry, and diverse food and beverage offerings, all culminating with a spectacular fireworks display on Canada Day, July 1, 2017.
Your Home Base
We love the Magnolia Hotel. Not only is it award-winning (one of the country’s top Luxury hotels according to TripAdvisor’s® Travelers’ Choice® awards and Condé Nast Traveler for the last FOUR years) it has all the comforts of home, with the perks of being a boutique hotel in the heart of Downtown Victoria.
We’ve spent several getaways there, including our most recent 11th wedding anniversary. Enjoy Spa Magnolia, or happy hour at Catalano Restaurant & Cicchetti Bar, and grab a cup of tea or cider that’s always available in the newly renovated lobby.
In each room you’ll also find super helpful itinerary cards for however you choose to enjoy BC’s capital city.
Right now you can book the Victoria-to-a-TEA package that includes Magnolia’a TEA-rrific Trail Map, a Victorian Tea Flight at Silk Road Tea, breakfast for two, accommodations for two, and more starting at $279 (May/June). Book any package and receive a complimentary breakfast »
Follow the Magnolia Hotel on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
Get There in Style
Downtown Vancouver to Victoria’s Inner Harbour in 35 minutes? You can do that with Harbour Air! Embark from the seaplane terminal at the Vancouver Convention Centre in Coal Harbour, soar over the Salish Sea, see how many Gulf Islands you cruise over, and land in no time in the heart of the city.
We actually just walked from our house in Vancouver, to the terminal, then in Victoria we walked from the Harbour Air terminal to the Magnolia Hotel. It was so easy and so stress-free!
