Gaining the Edge - Tourism StrategyAnnual Events
The Vancouver Island region offers hundreds of events year round. Here is a sampling of popular annual events throughout the year. (events subject to change)
February | March | April | May | June | July | August | September | October | November | December
FEBRUARY
Maple Sugar Festival, Nanaimo
French Canadian Traditions come to life with five days of music, dancing, storytelling, demonstrations, and food sampling at Beban Park.
http://www.francophonenanaimo.org/
Dragon Boat Festival, Nanaimo
The Save On Foods Dragon Boat Festival is a premier summer dragon boat festival in July that started in 2003 by the Nanaimo Dragon Boat Festival Society. The festival takes place in the beautiful Nanaimo Harbour at Maffeo Sutton Park and Pioneer Plaza. www.nanaimodragonboat.com
MARCH
Pacific Rim Whale Festival, Ucluelet / Tofino
Celebrate the gray whale migration, as an estimated 22,000 gray whales make the 16,000 km round-trip journey between their mating and calfing lagoons on the Mexican Baja Peninsula and their summer feeding grounds in the Bering and Chukchi Seas near the Arctic. Daily festival events, educational and fun activities will entertain the entire family. Whale watching opportunities from boat or shore are available.
www.pacificrimwhalefestival.org
Words on the water, Campbell River
The Words on the Water weekend is a presentation of contemporary West Coast writers. The authors will present individual readings and musical entertainment will be interspersed with light readings. This festival is held at the Maritime Heritage Centre.
www.wordsonthewater.ca
APRIL
The Brant Festival, Parksville / Qualicum Beach
Celebration of nature, art, and outdoors that coincides with the migratory visit of over 20,000 Pacific Black Brant Geese. With over twenty events, exhibits, shows, and competitions, the festival brings nature and people together to celebrate Oceanside's diversified wildlife and their unique habitat
www.brantfestival.bc.ca
Silva Bay Wooden Boat Launch and Maritime Festival, Gabriola Island
This event coincides with the end of the semester at the Silva Bay Shipyard School, and involves the boat-building students launching their creations in an exciting display. Other festivities include tours of the visiting vessels, live entertainment on the outdoor stage, the graduation ceremonies and many informative workshop sessions with true maritimers.
www.silvabaymarina.com
Dancing Man Festival, Gabriola Island
Two weeks of folk, rock, blues, and country music. Join in the fun!
www.dancingman.ca
MAY
Annual Shorebird Festival, Tofino
Celebrating the annual migration of thousands of migratory shorebirds with slide shows, lectures, birding outings and other shorebird-related events.
Vancouver Island Festival for Young Audiences, Nanaimo
Entertainers from around the globe at various locations downtown
www.childrensfestival.com
JUNE
Edge to Edge Marathon, Ucluelet / Tofino
Run the official marathon distance between Tofino and Ucluelet. Take on the challenge of the West Coast! Starting at the small village of Tofino, you will run a slightly undulating scenic course through Pacific Rim National Park, finishing in the District of Ucluelet - a perfect Marathon distance through a perfectly "natural" course.
www.uclueletinfo.com
Annual JazzFest International, Victoria
Ten hot days and nights of the coolest music in town. Over 300 regional, national, and international musicians perform jazz, blues, and world music.
www.vicjazz.bc.ca
Sidney Days, Sidney
A weekend of celebration including music, sidewalk sales, parade, beer garden, community dinner, fireworks and more.
www.sidney.ca
Annual ICA Folkfest, Victoria
Victoria’s premiere and longest-running multi-cultural arts festival. Nine days of music, dance, theatre, and food from around the world.
www.icafolkfest.com
Chemainus Daze, Chemainus
Famous pancake breakfast, parade and family fun.
www.chemainus.bc.ca
JULY
Dragon Boat Festival, Nanaimo
Exciting competition of colourful dragon boats.
www.nanaimodragonboat.com
Filomi Days, Port Hardy
Once a year, Port Hardy holds a celebration in Rotary Park on the third weekend of July to acknowledge its natural resource based economy. The three syllables, Fi, Lo and Mi, stand for "Fishing, Logging and Mining". The celebration includes festivities in the park such as activities for children, fundraising concessions, entertainment, beer gardens, a dunk-tank, balloons, bake sales, craft sales, and fireworks. A dance for each age group and a parade are also held on Filomi Days weekend.
www.filomi.com
Pacific Rim Summer Festival, Tofino
A festival of music, dance and the arts, presented in the spectacular setting of the west coast of Vancouver Island. Canadian and international musicians perform chamber and world music.
www.pacificrimsummerfestival.ca
Nanaimo Marine Festival, Nanaimo
Kids’ treasure hunt, beer gardens, sail past parade, Vancouver Island’s biggest summertime fireworks display, and much more.
www.bathtub.island.net
Ukee Days, Ucluelet
Salmon and oyster barbecues, Whiskey Dock Run, kids’ games, live entertainment, exhibits, logger sports, music, and many other activities
www.uclueletinfo.com
AUGUST
The Hornby Festival of the Arts, Hornby Island
Nine-day festival presenting twelve to sixteen amazing concerts. Venues include the Community Hall, or outdoors with a forest or sea backdrop.
www.hornbyfestival.bc.ca
Parksville Beach Festival, Parksville Beach
Three weeks of family beach fun featuring the Canadian Open Sand Sculpting Competition and evening entertainment.
Annual Accordion Festival, Chemainus
Entertainment, workshops, and accordions
www.chemainus.bc.ca
Annual Garden Quilt Show, Duncan
More than 250 entries and growing. Crafters, artisans, and musicians participate in this popular event.
Annual Music Festival, Nanoose Bay
Get your tickets early. Last year’s festival was sold-out show!
www.fairwinds.ca
Annual Kidfest, Parksville
Kids’ sandcastle competitions, storytellers, entertainers, and much more. A great family day on the beach.
www.kidfest.ca
Annual Classic Car Show’n Shine, Chemainus
Over 100 classic and vintage cars plus music and entertainment.
www.chemainus.bc.ca
Victoria Fringe Festival, Victoria
Eleven days of independently produced alternative theatre.
www.intrepidtheatre.com
SEPTEMBER
Vancouver Island Blues Bash, Victoria
Annual blues festival
www.vicjazz.bc.ca
Cowichan Wine & Culinary Festival, Cowichan Valley
Events at local vineyards, wine train, grape stomp, wine auction, and dance
www.wineislands.ca
Adventure Games, Nanaimo
Multiple adventure sporting event includes street luge, mountain bikes, BMX box jumping, fastest man/woman, 5K run, and a wife-carrying competition.
www.islandgames.info
OCTOBER
Annual Gabriola Island Thanksgiving Gallery and Studio Tour, Gabriola Island
Free, self-guided tour featuring over 90 professional artists and craftspeople living and working on Gabriola Island. Studios are open 10 to 4 for the Saturday through Monday of the Thanksgiving weekend
www.gabriolaartscouncil.org
Annual Royal Victoria Marathon, Victoria
Listed as one of the top ten destination marathons by Runner’s World Magazine.
www.royalvictoriamarathon.com
Sidney Fine Art Show, Sidney
Each year the high quality and variety of the art at this show attract collectors, artists, and art lovers from across the Pacific Northwest.
NOVEMBER
Clayoquot Oyster Festival, Tofino
The Clayoquot Festival of Oysters and the Sea is a celebration of the abundance and beauty of the sea. In Clayoquot Sound, oysters give us lots to celebrate about.
www.oystergala.com
Festival of Lights, Ladysmith
Christmas light festival in beautiful historic downtown Ladysmith. Light up Ceremony includes entertainment, concessions, fireworks, Santa, and parade. From the last Thursday in November until the first Sunday in January, Ladysmith comes alive with over 100,000 shimmering lights.
www.ladysmithfol.com
Milner Christmas Magic, Qualicum Beach
See the gardens adorned with beautiful lights, enjoy the musical talents of local musicians, and sample the sweet treats in the tearoom.
www.milnergardens.org
Chemainus Christmas Festival of Angels Lights Up, Chemainus
The town and Waterwheel Park light up for the holiday season. Parade, carolers, treats, entertainment, children’s events, and more.
www.chemainus.bc.ca
DECEMBER
Festival of Trees, Nanaimo
Choose your favourite tree at this popular long-running holiday event. Highlights include a dazzling display of Christmas lights, decorations, and trees – many of which will be raffled off at the Festival.
Harbour Lights Festival, Ucluelet
Celebrate the Christmas season West Coast style! Carol ship sailpast, craft fair, and Christmas by the Sea - a decorating and lighting show.
www.uclueletinfo.com
Christmas at The Butchart Gardens, Victoria
Tens of thousands of lights, strolling carolers, children’s entertainers, the Festive Brass band, and fabulous food. Experience the open air real ice skating rink, and the 12 days of Christmas display throughout the gardens.
www.butchartgardens.com
Milner Christmas Magic, Qualicum Beach
See the gardens adorned with beautiful lights, enjoy the musical talents of local musicians, and sample the sweet treats in the tearoom. The garden is a sensuous delight. Old growth Douglas firs and cedars frame breathtaking views of the Strait of Georgia. The garden lawns slope gently to meet a precipitous bluff which plunges to the beach below.
www.milnergardens.org
Sidney Christmas Writers’ Festival, Sidney
This festival will showcase novelists, humorists, journalists, poets, storytellers and non-fiction writers. The Festival has events for Children, Young Adults and people of all ages–and some of the writers will be doing things outside our expectations.
www.christmaswritersfestival.ca
Christmas at Craigdarroch Castle, Victoria
Craigdarroch Castle is a beautiful historic Victorian-era mansion, built in the 1890s by wealthy BC coal baron Robert Dunsmuir. It is now owned by the Craigdarroch Castle Historical Museum Society and almost totally funded by its 150,000 annual visitors. Visit during the Christmas season and experience music, theatre, children’s entertainment and more at Craigdorroch Castle.