Victoria Day is right around the corner! The most exciting news is the annual parade is back this year after two years’ pause. Besides the parade, below are activities and ideas for the long weekend to celebrate and unofficially start the summer!

3rd Annual Victoria Day Douglas Mile

Kick off the parade by running a mile down to the City Hall! This is a fantastic chance for you to run or walk down Douglas Street starting from Douglas at Summit, stopping in front of the City Hall and getting involved in the parade. Warming up your body while supporting Parkinson Wellness Projects! Each participant can get a pair of OUTWAY souvenir socks for free as part of the registration.  Register and view details of the running here.

The 122nd Victoria Day Parade

Let’s welcome back the Victoria Day Parade! There is going to be a big parade featuring hundreds of floats, beginning at Mayfair Mall and going down Douglas Street all the way to Humboldt Street. Join the line at 9 am, celebrate with frontline workers from various businesses and organizations, and shout out loudly for your favourite floats or marching bands. After the parade, take a rest at some spots around the Empress Hotel like Cora, 10 Acre Restaurants or Noodlebox and be ready for the party after it!

Festival of Performance

There are free performances all weekend long from 12 to 5 p.m. at the Parliament buildings. Come and celebrate with marching bands travelling from various places! On Monday, there is live entertainment at Centennial Square near Victoria’s City Hall from 12 to 4 p.m. You can enjoy the performances, engage in activities, and get delicious treats for free!

Why not use the extra day off to visit some spots you have not explored downtown?

Frickin’ Delights Donuts

632 Yates St | Website 

Do you know that there is a new little donut shop open in downtown Victoria? Frickin’ Delights Donuts offers house-made donuts that are 100% vegan and flavours changing every week. These donuts are light, crisp on the outside and moist on the inside, they truly are frickin’ delicious! Start your morning with these special donuts and a cup of coffee from this sweet new shop!

Yalla

1011 Blanshard St | Website 

Looking for a trip for your taste buds? Yalla is here for you! Using local ingredients, Yalla serves goodies with mouthwatering Middle Eastern flavours that can bring you a different culinary experience. Try their delicious Hawaij Spice Fries, classic Shawarma and Falafel all at once or on different days. Whichever order you decide, enjoy these exotic cuisines in the holidays!

The Poke Lounge

866 Yates St | Website 

As we are heading into the summer, it’s great to have some fresh food like poke. The Poke Lounge has an amazing selection of protein and toppings to satisfy your needs. If you cannot decide what to put in your bowl, their Signature Bowls are always great option! Stop by the shop and fuel your long weekend with fresh and delicious poke bowls!

Flourish BeauTea

667 Fort St | Website 

Flourish BeauTea provides naturally brew based and refreshing beverages. This locally-owned shop has a diversity of drinks with seasonal specials on its menu that go along well with other meals. They are now offering 100% dairy-free iced fruity and energizing series of coffees such as pineapple, mango and peach coffee. Take advantage of this long weekend to check out these seasonal drinks and have a tea-riffic time!

Some events that help you indulge in the holidays!

Mostly Motown f. Nadine Florence!

May 21, 8 p.m. | Hermann’s Jazz Club | Website 

Back by popular demand!
The Hits of The Temptations, Marvin Gaye, Tammi Terrell/The Four Tops, Smokey Robinson and the Miracles, Martha and The Vandellas, Stevie Wonder and more!

Weekend with tango

May 21 – May 22, Multiple Times | 1303 Broad Street | Website 

• Saturday, 21st of May
  5pm-6pm solo technique all levels ( no partner required)
  6.30pm-7.30pm for couples only ( experienced dancers, intermedia level )
• Sunday, 22nd of May
  11am-12pm solo technique all levels ( no partner required )
  12.30pm-1.30pm for couples only ( experienced dancers, intermedia level ) Please register before the workshop.

Hip Hop Beach

May 22, 10 p.m. – May 23, 2 a.m.| Upstairs Cabaret | Website

Hip Hop Beach will be a hip hop and rap infused party with a twist. It will be Hawaiian and beach wear theme. It will be decorated accordingly to enhance the environment. Dress creatively because their will be professional videographers and photographers on site and it will make the whole night a lot more fun if everybody commits! 100% chance of getting leid! (Not 100, I only have around 200 to give out).

Water Ballet

May 23, 10:45 a.m.| 470 Belleville St | Website 

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.

Looking for other inspiration to celebrate with families? Here we go!

1. Shop at the Victoria Public Market: Shopping always brings happiness, especially shopping for local goodies. Come into the Victoria Public Market and find something fun or grab a tasty snack!
2. An afternoon at the Victoria Bug Zoo: Bring the family to the Victoria Bug Zoo, an amazing world of insects, arachnids, and their many-legged relatives! Spending an afternoon here with the staff to explore nature and these small little critters.
3. Whalewatching and eco-tours: Create a memorable experience with your loved ones on the water by taking one of the whale watching and wildlife tours with SpringTide! Book the tours now to reserve the spots and be ready for the adventure.
4. Visit Miniature world: Plan a day at the Miniature World and walk down its road, step into the smaller world, and appreciate the fantasy of the dioramas!
5. A Museum Day: There is an exhibition in the Maritime Museum of BC just starting on May 17, which is called “Queer at Sea: Tales from the 2SLGBTQ+ Community”. You can learn more about the history and culture of Queer and trans communities in the exhibition. Besides, the exhibition about bats is now at the Royal BC Museum. Plan your visits to these museums and engage yourself in learning!