We’re here to welcome 2024, Victoria!
One of the things we love about ringing in a new year is giving ourselves something to look forward to; something to plan for and grow in our excitement.
The result is a compilation of daring spectacles, unbelievable sights, magical moments, and core memories waiting to happen!
For example, witness the beauty of Cirque du Soleil in all of its glory, catch famous country singers at Sunfest music festival, prepare yourself for a Victoria-centered Hockey Day in Canada, and much, much more.
If any of these sparked your interest, you’ll want to see the rest of the list too!
Here’s 18 epic events coming to Victoria in 2024 that you won’t want to miss:
Motorsports Spectacular
Start your engines and grab your earplugs—there’s a monstrously cool and loud motorsport event coming to Victoria in January!
Back by popular demand, this event has been dubbed the Motorsports Spectacular, and will be invading the Save-On-Foods Memorial Centre from January 5th to 6th.
There will be a total of three shows to choose from, and you’ll be joined by a collection of motorsport enthusiasts cheering nearly as loudly as the engines’ collected roar!
Featured in the lineup are bone-crunching monster truck racing, a wheelie contest, high-flying freestyle motocross action, and more thrill-a-minute, death-defying stunts.
Ticket prices start at $15 for kids and $30 for adults and you can purchase them here.
- Where: Save-On-Foods Memorial Centre, 1925 Blanshard Street
- When:
- Friday, January 5th at 7 p.m.
- Saturday, January 6th at 1 p.m.
- Saturday, January 6th at 7 p.m.
Cirque du Soleil
Life is a spectacle—especially when Cirque du Soleil is part of it!
The largest theatrical producer in the world announced their famed show ‘Corteo’ will be returning to the Save-On-Foods Memorial Centre for seven performances from January 11th to 14th, 2024.
Directed by Daniele Finzi Pasca, this surreal production first featured in Montreal in 2005, and has since become one of Cirque du Soleil’s most popular shows, airing in over 64 cities in 20 countries on four continents.
Tickets for this wonderful event are available online.
- Where: Save-on-Foods Memorial Centre, 1925 Blanshard Street
- When:
- Thursday, January 11th, 2024 at 7:30 p.m.
- Friday, January 12th, 2024 at 7 p.m.
- Saturday, January 13th, 2024 at 11 p.m., 3 p.m. and 7 p.m.
- Sunday, January 14th, 2024 at 1 p.m. and 5 p.m.
Hockey Day in Canada
Hockey fans and supporters, you won’t want to miss this—Hockey Night in Canada is coming to Victoria!
The days-long celebration will peak on Saturday, January 20th at Ship Point in the Inner Harbour. A traditional welcoming from the Songhees and Esquimalt Nation will commence as the Stanley Cup is paddled into the Victoria harbour.
Later in the evening, spectators are invited to the Save-On-Foods Memorial Centre to witness the Victoria Royals in action!
Victoria will be the central hub for the broadcast and will feature the events and all seven Canadian NHL teams taking part across the country.
The variety of other events will include school visits and hockey camps for kids, NHL Alumni/Celebrity game at the Save-On-Foods Memorial Centre, a banquet hosted by Sportsnet commentators, and more!
Tickets and other information will be available here.
- Where: Ship Point, Inner Harbour
- When: January 20th, 2024
Victoria Film Festival 2024
Starting on Friday, February 2nd and running until Sunday, February 11th, the beloved Victoria Film Festival (VFF) will once again take over the city for their 30th year!
The festival is highly-anticipated every year—showing both Canadian and international films across multiple screens around Victoria.
Bring your pals and discover movies you might not catch anywhere else!
More information and tickets will be available on their website as we near the date.
- Where: Featured in multiple theatres around Victoria
- When: Friday, February 2nd to Sunday, February 11th
Chelsea Handler
Victoria is about to become the epicenter of laughter as the irreverent and wildly popular Chelsea Handler extends her Grammy-nominated Little Big B*tch Tour into 2024.
The tour, presented by Live Nation, has been met with overwhelming enthusiasm from fans across North America, prompting the addition of 15 new dates for the coming year.
Get ready to mark your calendars because Chelsea Handler will be gracing the Save-On-Foods Memorial Centre on Friday, March 8th, 2024, for a night of non-stop laughter and wit.
Known for her unapologetic and fearless humor, Handler’s unique brand of comedy has made her a household name, and fans can’t get enough of her quick wit and candid observations.
Ticket prices will depend on seat selection, but they at start around $55!
- Where: Save-On-Foods Memorial Centre, 1925 Blanshard Street
- When: Friday, March 8th, 8 p.m.
Stars on Ice
Stars on Ice has captured the hearts and attention of many and for good reason!
Watch a beautiful array of performances from many of the reigning World Champions and best in the figure skating industry.
In addition to this event’s tremendous cast, fans will be thrilled to learn that the iconic Kurt Browning, a staple of Stars on Ice since its debut in 1991, has taken the reigns as Director and Choreographer of the upcoming production.
Included in the star-studded lineup includes two-time Olympic Silver Medalist, three-time World Champion and seven-time Canadian Champion Elvis Stojko, Olympic Gold and Silver Medalist, three-time World Champion, and ten-time National Champion Patrick Chan, and many more!
Tickets prices will depend on seat selection, but general adult admission is as low as $32. You can purchase them here.
- Where: Save-On-Foods Memorial Centre, 1925 Blanshard Street
- When: Thursday, May 16th at 7 p.m.
Victoria Highland Games
The longest continually running Highland Games in North America, the 161st Victoria Highland Games & Celtic Festival will take on Saturday, May 18th and Sunday May 19th at Topaz Park!
The Saturday, May 11th Tartan Parade will add community hype as we gear up for another incredible year of family-focused Scottish and Celtic arts and culture—including pipe band competitions, Scottish Highland dancing competitions, Heavy Events (e.g. caber toss, hammer throw), Scottish country dancing, fiddling performances, and much more.
Come for the music, the history, and the unique experience that the Victoria Highland Games offers!
You can read about the full list of events and entertainment on their website as well as purchase tickets.
- Where: Topaz Park, Topaz Ave & Finlayson Street & Blanshard Street
- When: Saturday, May 18th and Sunday, May 19th
Whistlemania
Every year, Whistle Buoy Brewing has been celebrating its brewing birthday and you’re invited to party with them!
This June, Whistle Buoy will once again host ‘Whistlemania’, a celebration of beer, music and community in the courtyard of Market Square.
Last year brought endless cold beers and other beverages all day long, some delicious food to satisfy all your needs, and bucketloads of entertainment!
The exact date is to be announced, but it has historically occurred sometime around June.
- Where: Market Square, Lower Courtyard, #63, 560 Johnson Street
- When: June 2024 (exact date to be announced)
TD Victoria International JazzFest
This incredible Jazz Festival is the longest running music festival on Vancouver Island!
Tune in for the most wonderful celebration of jazz and it’s ever-expanding and all-encompassing genre in the best way possible—watching it live.
JazzFest pulls in over 40,000 a year and is an integral part of the local, national, and international jazz scene, and the highlight of the Victoria Jazz Society’s annual presentations.
More information on the lineup and tickets will be announced soon. You can stay up to date here.
- Where: Multiple hotspots/theatres around town!
- When: Friday, June 21st to Sunday, June 30th
Langford Beer Festival
The Victoria Beer Society has confirmed that this incredible craft beer-centered event will be returning for their third year in the summer of 2024.
Join them at Starlight Stadium on Saturday, July 13th for a day filled with musical performances, entertainment, your favourite food trucks, and most importantly…beer!
More details are yet to come, so make sure you’re checking their website for more information and ticket availability.
- Where: Starlight Stadium,
- When: Saturday, July 13th from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Sunfest Country Music Festival
Slip on your cowboy boots, yank on the denim, and pull on the plaid—we’re going country!
Attracting country fans from all over the world, Sunfest has gained a huge name for itself in the festival world, and for good reason.
Sunfest not only attracts a massive and highly energized crowd, it also pulls in some of the most iconic stars of the genre!
Come watch legends like Keith Urban, Lee Brice, The Reklaws, and many more! You can view their full lineup and any additions they make here.
There are plenty of ticket packages to choose from and prices will depend on how many performances you wish to view as well as whether you plan on camping too!
- Where: Laketown Ranch Music & Recreation Park, 8811 Youbou Road #648, Lake Cowichan
- When: Thursday, August 1st to Sunday, August 4th
Vancouver Island Dragon Boat Festival
The Vancouver Island Dragon Boat Festival combines the best that Vancouver Island’s dragon boat community has to offer—including the best race venue, the island’s most-experienced race management team, and the safest fleet of dragon boats.
Plus, spectators and attendees can enjoy a fantastic line-up of entertainment, food, family activities and dragon boat cultural events!
The official date has yet to be posted on their website, but you can stay up to date as more information becomes available.
- Where: Victoria’s Inner Harbour
- When: August 2024
Phillips Backyard Music Festival
Quickly growing and in high-demand, Phillips Brewing presents fans and audiences with Phillips Backyard Music Festival in the back parking lot of the brewery.
It’s all outdoors and is absolutely packed with incredible musicians, craft beer, food trucks, and plenty of fun.
It’s primarily a standing-room-only festival with limited seating but that hasn’t stopped anyone and it won’t stop you—rain or shine, get out there and dance!
Past lineups have included Future Islands, The Beaches, Bryce Vine, Peach Pit, St. Paul and the Broken Bones, Charlotte Day Wilson, Current Swell, and many more.
They’ll bring both new and emerging artists as well as some of your favourites!
- Where: Phillips Backyard, 2000 Government Street
- When: August 2024
BC Lions vs. Ottawa Redblacks in Royal Athletic Park
Football fans rejoice!
Touchdown Pacific will bring the BC Lions to our very own Royal Athletic Park on August 31st 2024 to play against the Ottawa Redblacks as part of OK Tire Labour Day Weekend.
In order to welcome as many guests as possible, the stadium will be expanded to fit around 10,000 to 14,000 people—which includes standing room.
This will be the Touchdown Series’ first foray into the West Coast and will serve as another milestone for Canadian football in British Columbia.
More information will be released as we near the date, but you can check out the full BC Lions schedule here!
- Where: Royal Athletic Park, 1014 Caledonia Avenue
- When: Saturday, August 31st at 4 p.m.
Saanich Fair
This year will mark the 156th annual Saanich Fair, a true community staple for residents and visitors alike!
As the oldest and largest agricultural fair of its kind on the island, the Saanich Fair brings together communities, showcasing the region’s rich agricultural heritage and offering a delightful blend of entertainment and midway rides.
It always occurs over Labour Day long weekend, so you can expect more details to roll out later 2024!
Stay up to date on their website.
- Where: Saanich Fairgrounds, 1528 Stellys Cross Road, Saanichton
- When: Labour Day long weekend (around the first weekend in September)
Esquimalt Ribfest
Although an official 2024 Ribfest has yet to be announced, there were mentions of the event taking place again on their Facebook page!
This highly anticipated event brings visitors a weekend of BBQ ribs, local entertainment, craft beer, cider and wine, free kid’s activities, local arts, and vendors.
It draws huge crowds and is a fun, family-friendly event!
Plus, other than operating costs, all proceeds are funnelled back into the community through the Esquimalt Firefighter’s Charitable Foundation. Proceeds go to local charities and school-sponsored activities for our community’s youth.
- Where: Location to be announced—last year’s was held in Bullen Park, 527 Fraser Street
- When: September 2024
Rifflandia
After 2023 Rifflandia’s smashing success, the city and the organizers look forward to 2024 being another epic year of growth in popularity and bringing in more epic names.
We saw acts like Run The Jewels, Paris Hilton, Herbie Hancock, Iggy Pop, Diplo, Melanie C, KALEO, and even Suicidal Tendencies share the stages!
Although the exact date for this year’s event hasn’t been confirmed, audiences can anticipate another September lineup of shows.
You can stay up to date on lineup and ticket releases on their website!
- Where:
- Electric Avenue: Phillips Backyard, 2010 Government Street
- The Park: Royal Athletic Park, 1014 Caledonia Avenue
- When: September 2024
Victoria International Wine Festival
Dates have yet to be officially announced, but it’s expected to take place around the end of September and is something absolutely worth getting excited about!
It is Victoria’s first exclusive international wine tasting festival and focuses on showcasing wines from around the world.
Purchase of a ticket gives you access to the tasting room, an on-site liquor store to buy your favourites, and the chance to talk to plenty of experienced wine makers and experts!
Pay close attention to their website for ticket launch because this event sells out fast.
- Where: Location to be confirmed, but 2023’s was in the Victoria Conference Centre, 720 Douglas Street
- When: September 2024
