Things to Do During Victoria Day – May Long Weekend in Victoria – May 19 to 22, 2023

May Long Weekend Events & Activities in Victoria

Friday, May 19– Monday, May 22, 2023

A go-to list of family activities and events taking place during May long weekend in Victoria: Friday, May 19 – Monday, May 22, 2023

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I. Family & Kids Activities this weekend

Island Farms Victoria Day Parade

The Thrifty Foods 123rd Victoria Day Parade presented by CHEK TV on Monday May 22, 2023 starting at 9am – Douglas and Finlayson to Douglas and Courtney. The Greater Victoria Festival Society will host a world class event showcasing our diverse cultures and celebrating “That 70’s Parade)with various business and non-profit organizations. Details

Monday, May 22, 2023 | 9:00 AM

Douglas and Finlayson to Douglas and Courtney

Free

Canvas Family Fest

JOIN US for the 8th annual Canvas Family Fest! Bring your whole family for a FREE fun filled day with over 20 games, prizes, arts & crafts booths, inflatables, face painting, free food, and live music. Details

Monday, May 22, 2023 | 11:00 AM – 3:00 PM

Veterans Memorial Park, Aldwynd Road, Victoria

Free

Beacon Hill Children’s Farm

Enjoy farm animal experience in the city. The hands-on experience, particularly with the most popular feature that is the goat petting area, encourages children be compassionate toward living creatures. Our goal is to help children develop a respect for animals that will remain with them for life. Details

Daily | 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM

Beacon Hill Children’s Farm, Circle Dr, Victoria

By donation; The suggested amounts are $6.00 for adults and $5.00 for children.

Victoria Highland Games and Celtic Festival

This is one of the oldest festivals in North America. The festival regularly attracts around 25,000 people to the Topaz Park events each year. The celebration of Scottish and Celtic music, arts, and culture starts off with a Tartan Parade through downtown Victoria the Saturday before the Games weekend, and includes a series of performing arts activities. Details

May 20 – 21, 2023

Topaz Park, Victoria

Free and ticketed events

Luxton Spring Fair

Come for carnival midway rides, heritage museum, antique farm equipment and more. Details

May 18 – 21, 2023

Luxton Fair Grounds, 1040 Marwood Ave, Langford

All Day Ride Wristbands $45.00 per day, Free Grounds Admission All Weekend

Museum Tots: All Abroad the Steamship

This program introduces children ages 3 – 5 to the fun world of museum learning. Each week’s program revolves around a new theme, encouraging children to learn through crafts, play, song, and dance. Details

Saturday, May 20, 2023 | 10:30 AM – 11:30 AM

The Maritime Museum of British Columbia, 744 Douglas Street, Victoria

Regular admission: Adult $10.00, Senior/Student $8.00, Youth $5.00, Child (under 12) – Free

II. Live Music

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Emily Carr String Quartet Mendelssohn Series 6: The End (and the Beginning)

Join us for music by the Romantic era’s most talented siblings! This sixth and final concert in the Emily Carr String Quartet’s Mendelssohn Series concludes with Fanny Mendelssohn’s Quartet in E-flat major and her brother Felix’s String Quartet No. 6. Although she lived in the shadow of her brother’s fame, Fanny Mendelssohn has finally been recognized as a prodigious composer in her own right. To conclude the series, flute virtuoso Mark MacGregor will join the quartet for The End of the World (or else the beginning) by the Vancouver-based composer Jennifer Butler. Details

Friday, May 19, 2023 | 5:00 PM

Christ Church Cathedral Victoria, 911 Quadra Street Quadra & Rockland, Victoria

$30 regular / $10 students

Classic Concert Series – Riddles & Romance

Arts & Culture Colwood Society presents the second in their classical concert series Cascadia Strings Quartet: Riddles & Romance. Music of Mozart, Stravinsky, Caroline Shaw & Tchaikovsky. Details

Saturday, May 20, 2023 | 02:00PM to 03:30PM

St John the Baptist Heritage Church, 537 Glencairn Lane, Colwood

$25.00

The Attila Fias Group: Moon River

Featuring soulful jazz singer from Toronto, Sam Broverman and special guest, emotive chanteuse, Edie Daponte. Details

Friday, May 19, 2023 | 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM

Hermann’s Jazz Club, 753 View Street, Victoria, BC

$35 plus fees/tax

Pink Moon: Nick Drake Tribute

Oliver Swain, Adam Dobres, Ashley Wey and Tia Greenwood recreate some of history’s most ethereal and impressionist music with Pink Moon a Tribute to Nick Drake. Having received little recognition in his own lifetime outside of musicians circles, Nick Drake’s music reached new audiences in the 1990’s and he is now widely considered one of the greatest songwriters and guitar players of his generation. Details

Friday, May 19, 2023 | 8:00 PM

Hermann’s Jazz Club, 753 View Street, Victoria, BC

$28 plus fees/tax

David Vest

Saturday, May 20, 2023 | 8:00 PM

Hermann’s Jazz Club, 753 View Street, Victoria, BC

$25 plus fees/tax

Carmanah – Our Last Show

With Special Guest Aidan Knight. After nearly ten years of being a staple in the west coast music community, Carmanah is announcing their last show at Victoria’s McPherson Playhouse on May 20, 2023. Details

Saturday, May 20, 2023 | 8:00 PM

McPherson Playhouse, 3 Centennial Square, Victoria, BC

Tickets starting at $35.00

The Beautiful Maladies

The Beautiful Maladies have been bringing the music of Tom Waits to live audiences since 2015. With continual sold-out shows at Hermann’s Jazz Club, the band is now touring Vancouver Island, with eyes on the mainland. Details

Saturday, May 20, 2023 | 8:30 PM

Hermann’s Jazz Club, 753 View Street, Victoria, BC

$30 plus fees/tax

Shanna Dance: A salute to Ella Fitzgerald

Come join one of the superb vocal stylings of Shanna Dance in a salute to the great Ella Fitzgerald songbook. Details

Sunday, May 21, 2023 | 1:00 PM

Hermann’s Jazz Club, 753 View Street, Victoria, BC

$15 plus fees/tax

Blues Jam Hosted by the Deb Rhymer Blues Band

The Deb Rhymer Band features Kelly Fawcett on guitar, Phil Albert on bass, Andy Graffiti on drums and Deb Rhymer on vocals. Deb and the band have played all the clubs and pubs in the Victoria music scene as well as a number of blues events and festivals. Details

Sunday, May 21, 2023 | 4:00 PM – 7:30 PM

Hermann’s Jazz Club, 753 View Street, Victoria, BC

$5 (and jammers free)

Mike Clement Trio

BC-born Mike Clement is a fiery up-and-coming guitarist currently based in New Orleans. Since the release of his debut album Unfinished Business, which boasts international radio play and critical acclaim, Clement has been performing extensively and is finally making his return home to BC to perform his new music for the first time on the spring tour. Featuring the incomparable John Lee on Organ and the grooving Graham Vilette on drums, expect to be floored by instrumental virtuosity while dancing in your seat. Details

Sunday, May 21, 2023 | 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM

Hermann’s Jazz Club, 753 View Street, Victoria, BC

$20 plus fees/tax

III. Theatre/Performing Arts

Murder on the Orient Express

Just after midnight, a snowdrift stops the Orient Express in its tracks. The luxurious train is surprisingly full for the time of the year, but by the morning it is one passenger fewer. An American tycoon lies dead in his compartment, stabbed eight times, his door locked from the inside. Isolated and with a killer in their midst, the passengers rely on detective Hercule Poirot to identify the murderer – in case he or she decides to strike again. Details

May 18 – 21, 2023

Mary Winspear Centre, 2243 Beacon Avenue, Sidney, BC

$22 – $25

Witch

Silverman has taken a 17th century play (The Witch of Edmonton by Rowley, Decker, & Ford) and infused it with modern sensibilities and vernacular to give us a comedic fable with serious undertones. Opportunism is creating havoc in the Duke’s household as Satan’s apprentice works her mischief, and Elizabeth – the village outcast with more sense than all combined – creates a magic that threatens to derail the best laid devilish plans. Details

May 3 – 20, 2023

Theatre Inconnu, 1923 Fernwood Road (across the street from the Belfry Theatre)

$14 regular (adults), $10 seniors (60+) /students/unwaged

Gaslight

Bella Manningham believes she is living an idyllic married life with her charming husband Jack, but is she? Items disappear, pictures move, and the gaslight dims. Bella worries that her grip on reality is slipping, and she will drive Jack away. Secrets from the past reveal themselves as Bella searches for answers in this exciting new adaption of the classic thriller Angel Street. Age Recommendation: 14+. Details

May 17 – 21, 24 – 28, 2023

Chemainus Theatre, 9737 Chemainus Rd, Chemainus BC

Theatre: $25 – $72; Theatre & Dining Packages: $67 – $120

Come From Away

This New York Times Critics’ Pick takes you into the heart of the remarkable true story of 7,000 stranded passengers and the small town in Newfoundland that welcomed them. Cultures clashed and nerves ran high, but uneasiness turned into trust, music soared into the night, and gratitude grew into enduring friendships. Details

May 10 – 24, 2023

Royal Theatre, 805 Broughton Street, Victoria

Tickets are $169.75 or $159.75 (no discounts)

IV. Sports/Games & Related Events

Victoria Day Douglas Mile

The Victoria Day Parade is back for the 124th running and so is the Douglas Mile on Monday, May 22nd, 2023.

The Victoria Day Douglas Mile is your opportunity to run or walk down Douglas Street starting at Summit & Douglas to the finish line at City Hall in front of the Victoria Day Parade. Details

Monday, May 22, 2023 | Start Time: 8:45 AM

Downtown Victoria, Victoria, BC
The race will start at Douglas and Summit and will finish at City Hall.

$20 – $30

V. Exhibitions, Festivals & Other Events

Blood Donor Clinic on Monday, May 22, 2023 ~ 12:00 PM – 6:00 PM

Dinosaurs of BC

Dig into prehistoric British Columbia and get up close and personal with “Buster”, the Iron Lizard of the Sustut River, and the other dinosaurs that once roamed the province’s highest peaks, densest forests and most remote river basins. Through research done by the Royal BC Museum’s palaeontology team, we’re learning just how many ancient creatures once called these lands home. Details

April 17, 2023 – January 7, 2024

Royal BC Museum, 675 Belleville Street, Victoria, BC

Regular admission $11 – $18

Sacred Journey: Travelling Exhibit

An ancient tradition nearly lost to history, Sacred Journey tells the story of the repression and resurgence of ocean-going canoes and their vital link to the Indigenous Peoples of the Pacific Northwest.

This traveling exhibit shares First Nations and Native American Tribes stories of their healing journey, as told by leaders in today’s canoe resurgence. Sacred Journey combines art, immersive audio, video displays, and interactive experiences for a breathtaking showcase of the strength and determination of First Nations culture. Details

May 5–October 29, 2023

Royal BC Museum, 675 Belleville Street, Victoria

Regular admission $11 – $18

Harbour Ferry Water Ballet

When the harbour ferries were originally brought to Victoria in 1990, the Skippers were amazed at their maneuverability. Taking inspiration from the world famous RCMP Musical Ride, they set out to test their abilities by creating a synchronized performance. With no passengers on board, the Captains were able to push the their little boats to the limit, making them twirl around the water in and out of beautifully choreographed sequences. And so began the affectionately named Water Ballet. Details

April to October, 2023 | 10: 45 AM
May 21 – 22, 2023

Inner Harbour, Victoria, BC

Free

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See Flowers at The Butchart Gardens

Located just outside the city, this magnificent garden is a delight to visit, no matter the age. Spend the day in this beautiful and relaxing atmosphere of this stunning natural area.The spring display showcases approximately 300,000 bulbs of tulips, daffodils, hyacinths, and more. Details

Daily | 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM, with viewing until 5:00 PM

Butchart Gardens, 800 Benvenuto Avenue, Brentwood Bay

Adult $36.50, Youth $18.25, Child $2.00, including tax

Enjoy a walk at the Abkhazi Garden

Enjoy the lush greenery and views at the Abkhazi Gardens. Have a light snack at the tea house and spend some time relaxing in this intimate garden. Details

Daily | 11:00 AM – 5:00 PM

Abkhazi Garden, 1964 Fairfield Road, Victoria

Admission is by a suggested donation of $10 per person

Workshop: Sea Lanterns

Transform a simple mason jar into your own “sea lantern” while learning how lighthouses have been instrumental in keeping mariners safe here since the 1800s. Details

Saturday, May 20, 2023 | 2:00 PM – 3:30 PM

The Maritime Museum of British Columbia, 744 Douglas Street, Victoria

$29.99 + GST per person

Go Fishing

Cast a line and reel in that big catch at BC Provincial Parks. However, please obey any fishing location restrictions in the park.

Visit Victoria Bug Zoo

Discover around 50 tropical bugs that include giant walking sticks, praying mantis, glow-in-the-dark scorpions, hairy tarantulas, and Canada’s largest ant colony. Details

Monday – Friday | 11:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Saturday – Sunday | 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM

Victoria Bug Zoo, 631 Courtney Street, Victoria

Adult $16, Senior/Student $12, Youth $8, Child (4 and under) Free

Discover Nature Attractions

Victoria has many green spaces to explore. With a stunning harbour, dense forests, and historic buildings offering unforgettable views, there are many things to enjoy in this beautiful city.

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Shop at the Victoria Public Market

Shop the local produce and wares from the Victoria Public Market! Shop flowers, decor, food, produce, and more. Details

Mondays – Saturdays | 11:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Sundays | 11:00 AM – 5:00 PM

The Hudson, 6-1701 Douglas Street, Victoria

Visit Beacon Hill Park

Beacon Hill is the perfect place to spend some quality time with the family. The park has two playgrounds, a water park, a putting green, a baseball diamond, tennis courts, cricket pitch, lawn bowling, gardens, footpaths, and sports fields for running and playing. Details

Explore Victoria Butterfly Gardens

See thousands of tropical butterflies f;y in a vibrant jungle at the Butterfly Gardens. You can also find poison dart frogs, flamingos, tropical ducks, tropical birds, tropical flowers, carnivorous plants, and fruits of the world. Details

Monday – Wednesday | 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Thursday – Sunday | 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM

Victoria Butterfly Gardens, 1461 Benvenuto Avenue, Brentwood Bay

Adult $18.50, Seniors (65+)/Students (with valid ID)/Youth $14.50, Children (5-12) – $7.50, Infants (0-4) Complimentary when accompanied by an adult (18+)

Go SUPing

Stand-up paddleboarding is a great activity for all ages. Explore stunning locations across Victoria, including Elk Lake, Beaver Lake, Thetis Lake, and the Gorge. SUP paddleboards are available to rent. Details

Visit Provincial Parks

Provincial Parks are great places to spend your day with nature. They offer many activities for a multi-day adventure that makes the journey worthwhile. Enjoy hiking, biking, canoeing, fishing, birding, wildlife viewing, and more. Details

Wild Play

Enjoy zip-lining, log ladders, ziplines, axe throwing, rope swings, and much more at the WildPlay Elements Park. Details

May 19 – 22 | 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM

15-1767 Island Hwy, Victoria

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We do try to make the listings as accurate as possible, but there may be typographical/oversight errors or events may be cancelled or postponed without any notice. Verify all details from concerned event Websites/officials.