Festivals, Fairs and Events
On Vancouver Island, BC

Vancouver Island offers a huge variety of festivals, fairs and events year round. Whether you enjoy music festivals, art fairs, or cultural celebrations, there's plenty to choose from!

Locals, as well as visitors to our island, may be pleasantly surprised at just how much festivity this little island offers.

Almost every community, no matter how small, has at least one annual event that celebrates its heritage and history.

And of course most larger cities host a number of festivals, fairs and other events suitable for the whole family.

Some are listed below, and I'll be working feverishly to add lots more links for you to explore. After all, there's so much to do, I'm sure you don't want to miss any of it!

BC Island Festivals Fairs and Events

While you’re here, you’ll want to attend at least one of our family festivals, fairs or events.

Make sure you bring your camera, as there is lots to see and record…

• Pacific Rim Festival – Also known as the Pacific Rim Whale Festival, this festival heralds the beginning of spring. It celebrates the return of migrating whales to Vancouver Island…

• Filberg Festival – Held in Comox, British Columbia, Canada, the festival is one of our biggest art fests. The 4 day event takes place in a 9 acre park and features arts, crafts and music…

• Pink Salmon Festival – Also know as the Salmon Sizzler Festival, this event is held in Campbell River. This event features cooking competitions, brew tasting, seafood tasting, music and dancing.

• Royal Victoria Marathon – An annual race, the marathon has special events for kids, wheelchairs and the visually impaired, in addition to the main race…

• Craig Boddington Fishing Tournament – Sponsored by Black Gold Lodge, Rivers Inlet, BC, this tournament is held in mid-summer and has some really exotic prizes for the winners…

• Port Alberni Salmon Festival – This fun fest on the North Island includes fireworks, barbecue and a fishing derby for…salmon!

• Tofino Shorebird Festival – Held in Tofino on the wild West Coast, in late April or early May, this event features guided bird watching, education and films. The event is free.

• Chinese Dragon Boat Festival – Held in August in Victoria, this is one of the island’s most spectacular events. If you are on island in August, don’t miss this one…

• Nanaimo Chinese Dragon Boat Festival – Coming in July? If so, you can attend the Nanaimo Chinese Dragon Boat Festival and see the dragon boat races there…

• Festival of the Trees – Held on the Vancouver Island University campus in Nanaimo before Christmas. In addition to the decorated trees, this event has gourmet festival foods and it supports students by providing scholarships and aid…

• Saanich Fair – This is a great country fair with cars, quilts, food and animals. One of the interesting things about this fair is the large number of dog events…

• Summer Music Festivals – If you like music, there is sure to be a summer festival that you will enjoy…

This, of course, is just the tip of the iceberg. There are so many festivals fairs and events that it's going to be a huge job to list them all.

But I'm definitely up for the challenge, so do check back soon to see what's new!

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