The snow is starting to melt and it’s time to take in the gorgeous sunshine while it lasts.
Whether you’ve got a weekend full of activities planned for the family, or are looking for some well deserved R&R, we’ve got a list of events that’ll suit every mood!
So without further ado, here are 25 things to do in and around Victoria this Family Day long weekend:
Wildlife Photographer of the Year Exhibit
Experience the wonders of nature through the lenses of award-winning photographers from around the world. Now in its 54th year, the Wildlife Photographer of the Year competition showcases a global selection of outstanding nature photography. Each photo is presented in a huge backlit display with a caption exploring the image’s compelling story. Travelling from London’s Natural History Museum, this exhibition takes viewers on a visual journey around the world, bringing the talent and vision of each photographer closer to all who visit. The images evoke a wide range of emotions but are always visually stunning and thought-provoking.
- When: Friday, February 15th – Sunday, March 24th
- Where: Royal BC Museum, 675 Belleville St
Saturday Moss Street Market
Every Saturday all year long! Come enjoy fresh, local produce, delicious food and handmade goods with them!
- When: Saturday, 10 a.m. – 12 p.m.
- Where: 1330 Fairfield Rd
Open Mosque Day
Whether you have been to a Mosque before or not, you’re welcome to check out this community gathering that features snacks, friendly faces, Henna tattooing, and more. Volunteers will also help with tours of the Mosque and there will be a display of various culturally thematic items surrounding Islam and Muslims.
“In a world with ever-growing stigma and confusion around Islam and Muslims, we want to open our doors, our minds and our hearts to everyone around us, irrespective of their background and build a stronger community.”
- When: Saturday, 10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
- Where: Masjid Al-Iman, 2218 Quadra Street
Lego Family Day Event
- When: Saturday, 11 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
- Where: Indigo Mayfair, 3147 Douglas St
Isle of Cranes: An Improvised Wes Anderson
Hipsters, comedy lovers, and artiste’s rejoice!
Paper Street Theatre Co. is hosting a run of self-contained Wes Anderson inspired improv shows this week that are sure to mix dry humour with poignant drama.
- When: Saturday, 8:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.
- Where: Intrepid Theatre Company Society, 1609 Blanshard Street
Death by Drag
Check out this heart-stopping drag show hosted by Haus of Ockult and Indeed Victoria.
The night will include performances by local LGBTQ+ artists and special guest Divine Intervention.
- When: Saturday, 7:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.
- Where: Indeed Victoria, 751 View Street
Be My Valentine
Just because Valentine’s day is behind us doesn’t mean that the romance has to end!
Grab your lovebird and head to Elements Casino for a night of steamy live R&B music, champagne, chocolate, roses, and more.
- When: Saturday, 6:30 p.m. – 11:00 p.m.
- Where: Elements Casino Victoria – 1708 Island Highway
Valentine’s Pink and Red Social Skate
February Social Skate is Valentine’s theme! Wear pink and/or red! Bring your Valentine’s date for a skate! $10 entry $5 skate rental. Family Skate from 7-8:45 and Adult/Teen (16+) Skate from 9:15-11.
- When: Saturday, 7 p.m. – 11 p.m.
- Where: CDI College, 950 Kings Rd
Drag Bingo: Winter Pride with Mina Mercury
They’ve got none other then Electra Socket and guest host Mina Mercury hosting the evenings BINGO FUN! Have your chance at winning some incredible prizes from their sponsors plus help the organizers raise money for the Victoria Pride Society Youth Initiative!
- When: Saturday, 7 p.m. – 10 p.m.
- Where: Paparazzi Night Club, 642 Johnson St
Night Shift: Swing Fling
Slip on your dancing shoes and get ready to hop the night away at the hottest party in town. Learn some swing steps with a dance lesson then put your moves into practice on the dance floor with The Capital City Syncopators in “Old Town”. Don’t worry if you don’t have a partner: that’s what swing is all about! Strike a pose in their photo booth, learn a little about consensual dance and discover some vintage hair and make-up tips and tricks.
- When: Saturday, 8 p.m. – 12 a.m.
- Where: Royal BC Museum, 675 Belleville St
Andrew Rivers & Cory Michaelis at Hecklers
The hilarious Andrew Rivers and Cory Michaelis are live at Hecklers tonight!
Combined, the comedians have over 30 million views on their Comedy Specials from Dry Bar Comedy.
- When: Saturday, 9:00 p.m. – 10:45 p.m.
- Where: Hecklers Sports Bar and Comedy Club, 123 Gorge Road East
Vanic – Victoria
Future Bass and trap producer Vanic returns to Capital Ballroom with support from William Black on Sat., Feb. 16th for another highly anticipated night. Doors open at 10 p.m.!
- When: Saturday, 10 p.m. – 2 a.m.
- Where: Capital Ballroom, 858 Yates St
Stolen Sisters Memorial March
Gather with members of the community for the annual Stolen Sisters Memorial March, which honours the memories of Indigenous women, girls, and two-spirited people who have gone missing or been murdered in Canada.
The walk will start outside Our Place and end in front of the Legislature.
- When: Saturday, 11:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.
- Where: Our Place Society, 919 Pandora Avenue
Victoria Flea Market 2019
Start your Sunday at the Church of the Treasured Find. The Vic Flea is the Sunday morning hangout for local buyers and sellers of all things rare and desirable. Find vintage, repurposed, refreshed and handmade treasures for house and garden. Come check out the treasures that draw the crowds every week and talk with the old timers about local history and other weird stuff.
- When: Sunday, 9 a.m. – 2 p.m.
- Where: 411 Gorge Rd E.
Island Mystery SUP Tour/Race Series
Tour or Race 8 times this winter/spring! Amazing locations. Your own pace. Great draw prizes. Points and series winners weighted heavily toward participation. Paddle slowly or race. Up to you. Draw prizes at final race/tour. More races = more chances to win.
- When: Sunday, 9:30 a.m.
- Where: Gonzales Beach, 1809 Crescent Rd
Victoria Comic Book Expo
Come and explore one of Victoria’s largest comic book expos!
Find the hottest books of the day and hard-to-find treasures of the past and join a vibrant community of comic book readers to buy, sell, and trade your comics or graphic novels. Toys, cards, and other collectibles will also be on display!
- When: Sunday, 11:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
- Where: Comfort Inn & Suites, 3020 Blanshard Street
Island Beer and Spirits Festival
Check out one of the island’s largest drink events at this year’s 10th annual Island Beer and Spirits Festival.
Dozens of the island’s largest breweries, distilleries, and cideries are participating.
- When: Sunday, 2:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.
- Where: Distrikt Nightclub, 919 Douglas Street
Drag Sunday
Come down and enjoy a beautifully orchestrated evening of Drag Performances. Drag Sunday plays host to local Victoria Drag Queens, Kings, and Things. Expect some gag-worthy performances as these shows are uncensored and un-moderated, so you never know what you’re going to see. Victoria’s Famous Shelita Cox hosts your Sunday nights with Guest Co-Hosts, and rotating performers every Sunday!
- When: Sunday, 10 p.m.
- Where: Paparazzi Night Club, 642 Johnson St
Family Day at the Market
Join the Victoria Public Market for a fun filled Family Day at the Market! On Monday February 18th from 11am – 2pm, the organizers be hosting a FREE Family Day event featuring Live Music, Magic Shows, Balloon Twisting, and a FREE Photobooth! Bring the whole family down for some lunch and fun!
- When: Monday, 11 a.m. – 2 p.m.
- Where: Victoria Public Market, 1701 Douglas St
FREE! Family Day 2019
This Rec Centre has all sorts of excitement in store for our 2019 Family Day Event. Join them for Kindergym, Skating, Swimming as well as a variety of games and activities that you can do as a family – and do it all for FREE. Activities take place at both the Esquimalt Recreation Centre and Archie Browning Sports Centre.
- When: Monday, 11 a.m. – 2 p.m.
- Where: Esquimalt Parks and Recreation, 527 Fraser St
Family Arts Festival
This fun-filled family event is a celebration of imagination, creativity and discovery. Kids of all ages will enjoy a wide variety of activities led by Arts Centre staff and guests from Greater Victoria’s arts community.
- When: Monday, 11 a.m. – 3 p.m.
- Where: Cedar Hill Rec Centre, 3220 Cedar Hill Rd
Family Day: The Backyardigans
The Backyardigans, an animated series from Nickelodeon and Nelvana, introduces kids to their five new pals: quick-moving penguin Pablo; mellow moose Tyrone; thrill-seeking, purple-spotted creature Uniqua; lady-like hippo Tasha; and Austin, the new kangaroo on the block. For the Backyardigans gang, daily backyard play dates bring fantasy to life. Each musical adventure encourages kids to develop their imaginations and express themselves creatively as they sing and dance along with the gang.
- When: Monday, 11 a.m. – 4 p.m.
- Where: Mary Winspear Centre, 2243 Beacon Ave
Africa Dances Workshop
Merlin Nyakam is one of the world’s best dancers in West African dance styles, Merlin teaches dance styles from Cameroon, Senegal, Guinea, Ivory Coast. Merlin mixes traditional with modern dance.
- When: Monday, 6 p.m. – 8 p.m.
- Where: Dance Victoria, #111-2750 Quadra St
Wes Anderson Film Night
FREE movie, snacks and conversation. Prize for best costume. Doors at 7pm, Film starts at 7:30. The entrance to the Odd Fellows Hall is mid-block on Douglas between Yates and Johnson. There is an intercom.
- When: Monday, 7 p.m. – 9:30 p.m.
- Where: Independent Order of Odd Fellows, 1315 Douglas St
The Sült Mine Comedy Open Mic
Come stay warm, eat some pierogies, and watch live stand up comedy downtown.
Sült has got the inimitable Rosa Graham hosting, and everyone’s favourite sad-boy Matt Basky closing.
- When: Monday, 7:30 p.m.
- Where: SüLT Pierogi Bar, 609 Yates St
