The Road to Festival Pleasures
Nestled along Canada’s west coast, Vancouver Island is a paradise of pristine coastlines and emerald forests, where the ever-present Pacific Ocean shapes the scenery and tempers the climate. Condé Nast Travelermagazine’s 2010 Readers’ Choice Awards ranked Vancouver Island in the top three “Top Islands of North America” category.
The beauty and bounty of this region has long been a draw for foodies, artists and artisans. Throughout the year, Vancouver Island hosts different festivals that appeal to all.
Pacific Rim Whale Festival (mid March to early April)
The northward migration of an estimated 21,000 Gray whales along the west coast of Vancouver Island has heralded the coming of spring for thousands of years. If you want a closer look at these magnificent animals, venture out to the open Pacific Ocean on one of the local charter boats offering scheduled whale watching tours from Tofino or Ucluelet.
For more information visit: www.pacificrimwhalefestival.com
Swiftsure Sailing Race (May)
A fleet of the most competitive racing sailboats converges on Victoria for the annual Swiftsure race, the longest-running yacht race in the Pacific Northwest. The challenge, hosted by the Royal Victoria Yacht Club, attracts around 200 boats in the short, middle and long-distance events that take competitors out and across the Juan de Fuca Strait and back, providing spectators with a colourful display of boats and spinnakers. For more information visit: www.swiftsure.org
Food & Wine Festival(June)
Join us in Tofino for a weekend of food and wine events focused on the best of British Columbia. Guest winemakers from the Okanagan, Lower Mainland, Gulf Islands and Vancouver Island will migrate to the wild west coast to showcase their best. Local chefs will be creating canapes and feature dinners alongside winemakers, highlighting the marriage between food and wine! For more information: www.tofinofoodandwinefestival.com
Jazz Fest International(June)
Lovers of jazz can take in music by jazz performers from around the world when they grace Victoria’s stages for 10 days and nights in June. Various indoor and outdoor venues in downtown Victoria host the festival as the city heats up with more than 250 of the world’s best jazz, blues and world beat artists.
For more information visit: www.vicjazz.bc.ca
BC Shellfish Festival (June)
Celebrating the best BC has to offer from the world of food and beverage, this two-day festival takes place the third weekend of June every year. The biggest shellfish party on the West Coast celebrated in the heart of Canada’s oyster growing capital – the Comox Valley. Join us for multiple events including culinary demos, live entertainment, competitions and of course, lots of fresh shellfish straight from the ocean to your plate. For more information visit: www.bcshellfishfestival.ca
Filberg Festival(August)
The Filberg Festival, reputed to be the best Arts and Crafts festival in the Pacific Northwest, offers an amazing selection of the finest quality work by BC resident artists, from pottery to handmade toys. This outdoor show and sale is displayed in the gardens of Comox Valley’s historic Filberg Lodge. Entertainment is local provided in many musical styles from a number of musicians.
For more information visit: www.filbergfestival.com
Symphony Splash(August)
One of the grandest events in Victoria’s summer season is the annual Symphony Splash. The Victoria Symphony Orchestra performs on a floating stage secured in Victoria’s beautiful Inner Harbour. The free show traditionally climaxes with a resounding rendition of Tchaikovsky’s 1812 Overture amidst a dazzling display of fireworks and booming cannons.
For more information visit: www.victoriasymphony.ca
Clayoquot Oyster Festival – Tofino(November)
Love oysters? Then head for the extremely popular Clayoquot Oyster Festival. Held during the 3rd week of November on the west coast, you’ll learn how oysters grow in Vancouver Island’s Clayquot Sound and sample plenty of mouth-watering oyster appetizers. During this festival, don’t miss the Oyster Farm Tour! On the farm you will have a chance to visit a working oyster farm, where a local oyster grower will show you the various aspects of oyster growing. For more information visit: www.oystergala.com
While attending one of the many festivals in Vancouver Island, discover these “Special Places” and others on Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canada and enjoy the very finest resort and hotel destinations for your next vacation.
Victoria
- Abigail’s Hotel
- Brentwood Bay Resort
Sooke
- Sooke Harbour House
Parksville
- Tigh-na-mara Seaside Spa Resorts
- Beach Club Resort
Courtney
- Old House Village & Spa
- Kingfisher Oceanside Resort & Spa
Gulf Islands
- Pender Island / Poet’s Cove Resort & Spa
Discovery Islands
- Quadra Island / April Point Resort & Spa
Nimmo Bay
- Nimmo Bay Resort
Tofino & Ucluelet
- Clayoquot Wilderness Resort
- Wickaninnish Inn
- Black Rock Oceanside Resort
- Eagle Nook Resort & Spa
Readers of the prestigious Condé Nast Traveler magazine ranked Vancouver Island third best island in North American to visit. (# 3 Island North America Conde Nast 2010 Reader’s Choice Awards)
Suggested Minimum Travel Days
- Victoria – 2 days
- Gulf Islands – 1 to 2 days each
- Cowichan Valley – 1.5 to 2 days
- Nanaimo – 1.5 to 2 days
- Parksville/Qualicum Beach – 3 days
- Port Alberni & Pacific Rim – 2-3 days
- Comox Valley — 1.5 to 2 days
- Campbell River – 1.5 to 2 days
- North Island – 2 days
Contact Us
Trisha Larsen
Vancouver Island Special Places
Tel: 778-478-4016
E-mail: trisha@specialplacesvi.com
www.specialplacesvi.com
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