Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
actual birthday was May 24, the event is celebrated with a public holiday on the Monday
preceding May 25.)
Although most visitors associate Victoria with afternoon tea at the Empress, cowboys
know Victoria as an important early-season stop on the rodeo circuit. Sanctioned by
the Canadian Professional Rodeo Association, the
Luxton Pro Rodeo
(Luxton Rodeo
Grounds, 250/478-4250, third weekend in May) features all traditional events as well as
trick riding and a midway. Access to the grounds, west of the city toward Sooke, is free,
but admission to the rodeo costs $20 per person.
Hosted by the Royal Victoria Yacht Club and with more than 60 years of history
behind it,
Swiftsure International Yacht Race
(finishes at Inner Harbour, 250/592-9098,
www.swiftsure.org
,
last weekend of May) attracts thousands of spectators to the shoreline
of the Inner Harbour to watch a wide variety of vessels cross the finish line in six different
classes, including the popular pre-1970 Classics division.
Summer
At
Victoria Jazzfest International
(downtown, 250/388-4423,
www.jazzvictoria.ca
, last
week of June), more than 300 musicians from around the world descend on the capital for
this weeklong celebration at various city venues.
At
Symphony Splash
(Inner Harbour, 250/385-9771,
www.victoriasymphony.ca
,
first
Sun. in Aug.), the local symphony orchestra performs from a barge moored in the Inner
Harbour to masses crowded around the shore. This unique musical event attracts upwards
of 40,000 spectators who line the shore or watch from kayaks.
Thewatercomesaliveduringthe
Victoria Dragon Boat Festival
(InnerHarbour,250/
704-2500,
www.victoriadragonboat.com
,
middle weekend of Aug.), with 90 dragon boat
teams competing along a short course stretching across the Inner Harbour. Onshore enter-
tainment includes the Forbidden City Food Court, classic music performances, First Na-
tions dancing, and lots of children's events.
The
Victoria Fringe Theatre Festival
(throughout the city, 250/383-2663,
www.victoriafringe.com
, last week of Aug.) is a celebration of alternative theater, with
more than 350 acts performing at venues throughout the city, including outside along the
harborforeshoreandinsideattheConservatoryofMusiconPandoraStreet.Allticketsare
around $12-18.
