Bring friends and family downtown over the Family Day long weekend, February 16-19 from 5-9 p.m., to enjoy Victoria’s new Winter Arts Festival, a celebration of light, art and storytelling, sculptures, projection mapping, augmented reality (AR) and live performances.
Free to attend, the four-day, family-friendly festival will provide warm spaces to gather, creating a rhythm of indoor and outdoor public art experiences.
The multi-day event kicks off on Friday, February 16 at 5 p.m. at the Winter Arts Hub (506 Herald Street) with a First Nations welcome and live performances on the Showstream Stage. Check out the performance line-up.
Winter Arts Hub
The Winter Arts Hub will serve as a warm gathering spot where the community can come together to celebrate art and performance while enjoying local food vendors, a licensed bar, artisan booths, scheduled live entertainment on an outdoor stage and a kids zone.
The Winter Arts Hub will be an indoor/outdoor space located at Herald Street Brew Works (506 Herald Street), adjacent to the Circulatory Boutique’s parking lot. Check out the performance schedule for the Showstream Stage from February 16-19.
Art Walk and Tours
Experience the Festival’s Art Walk, featuring new and existing public art installations, vibrant displays, pop-up performances and local businesses open late. Explore the Art Walk at your own pace with three online maps or register for a guided tour led by John Adams to discover over 20 art installations based on the theme of "Light and Language".
Art Walk Passport
Enhance your Winter Arts Festival experience with the Art Walk Passport. For pick-up and drop-off at the Winter Arts Hub, collect stamps at five participating Art Walk storefronts for a chance to win FREE Evo Car Share driving minutes.
Warm-Up Locations
It might get chilly while you wander, discovering epic art and tucked away pop-up events, so we've partnered with local businesses, cafes, pubs and restaurants to provide a place on the route to warm up, connect with other attendees and enjoy some local flavour. All warm-up locations are featured on three digital maps. Look for pink lights in the windows of participating businesses.
Family-Friendly Activities
From hands-on art crafting to immersive storytimes and interactive art installations, it’s going to be a fun time for the whole family. Grow virtual mushrooms, play oversized musical instruments and explore over 20 new and existing art pieces along the Art Walk. Venture into participating businesses and City Hall for a cozy break and keep an eye out for delightful pop-up performances. Check out all the family-friendly activities planned.
Pop-Up Event Series
The Art Walk will feature the free Pop-Up Event Series at select locations and storefronts across downtown. Nightly live performances will showcase a diverse array of talent, including musicians, vocalists, drag artists and dancers. Expect performances at venues you know and love, as well as unusual locations you may have yet to discover!
VMF After Dark Victoria
VMF After Dark Victoria, a 19+ ticketed event on Saturday, February 17 from 9:30 p.m.-2:30 a.m. at Hermann's Upstairs Lounge, is a late-night celebration created to spotlight artists from diverse backgrounds, identities and colourful self-expressions.
Winter Arts Fest Dialogue: Light & Language
On Sunday, February 18 from 6:30-8:30 p.m. at the Royal BC Museum, Winter Arts Festival artists, curators and community members are invited to join a conversation on how art, culture and storytelling are crucial to strengthening the social fabric of a just, healthy and equitable society.
Partner Experiences
There are many Partner Experiences to explore at the Winter Arts Festival, including the Power and Joy of Words & Music performance at the Belfry Theatre; guest stars at the Jagasilk Teabar; a floral art opening reception; ocean artwork exhibit; a pop-up library; hands-on lantern making and more!