Got plans for the Victoria Day or May “2-4” long weekend?
tripatlas.com/new has put together a 10 fun events and festivals taking place across Canada during Victoria Day weekend. From Ottawa to Montreal, Toronto to Calgary and Victoria – find out about these great events for children, families and adults!
Explore more of Canada’s best attractions and destinations: 10 Amazing Dream Getaways in Canada or 10 Incredible Spa Getaways and Destinations in Canada.
10 Victoria Day Event & Festivals Across Canada
If you’re thinking about a quick weekend getaway, read on for some great travel deals for the Victoria Day weekend! Be sure to visit tripatlas.com/new’s Trip Builder to connect with over 104,000 travel agents and companies ready to offer you their best deals on your trip – save on hotels, all-inclusive vacations, car rentals, flights and more with tripatlas.com/new’s Trip Builder.
Victoria Day Parade in Victoria, BC – What better place to celebrate Victoria Day than in Victoria, British Columbia? The Victoria Day Parade takes place in Downtown Victoria on May 18th. With over 120,000 spectators watching marching bands, floats and clowns, the parade is fun and entertainment for the whole family. Go to www.tourismvictoria.com for more.
Canadian Tulip Festival in Ottawa, ON and Gatineau, QC – Besides Winterlude and Canada Day, the Tulip Festival in Ottawa and Gatineau is the largest event that takes place in the nation’s capital and the surrounding area. The festival goes from May 1-18 this year and features 3 million tulips along a 15km Tulip Route. Go to www.tulipfestival.ca for more. If you book a 2-night package with Ottawa Tourism, you get the 3rd night half price with participating hotels: www.ottawatourism.ca.
Juliana Park Victoria Day Festival in Ottawa, ON – Takes place from May 8-18 on weekends (Friday to Sunday plus Monday the 18th) for families in Juliana Park. The festival includes a petting zoo, face painting, concessions, band shell entertainment and cultural events. Admission is free! Go to www.victoriadayfestival.com for more.
Hot & Dry Weekend in Montreal, QC – Is a festival organized by the Bad Boy Club Montreal (BBCM Foundation), from May 14-18 with all-night parties and events featuring DJ’s from Los Angeles, New York, Paris and Italy. BBCM is a volunteer-based non-profit gay organization giving financial support to groups providing direct care to people living with HIV/AIDS and to gay + lesbian community groups. Go to www.tourisme-montreal.org for more.
La Biennale de Montreal in Montreal, QC – is organized by the Centre international d’art contemporain de Montréal (CIAC) and highlights contemporary Canadian art from established and emerging artists all over the world. Exhibits, conferences, workshops, musical performances and visual art exhibits take place daily beginning May 1-31, 2009 from noon to 7pm. Go to www.biennalemontreal.org for more.
Heritage Park Historic Village & Victoria Day Tea in Calgary, AB – For those living or travelling to Calgary, Heritage Park Historic Village is celebrating their opening weekend with horse-drawn wagon rides and fun, educational activities teaching about the pioneers who settled in Western Canada. Admission is $20 for adults and $15 for children (ages 3-17). At the same time, Heritage Park’s Wainwright Hotel is offering a relaxing Afternoon Tea to celebrate Victoria Day on Monday the 18th for $15.95/person. Go to www.heritagepark.ca.
Toronto Photography Festival in Toronto, ON – Visit Toronto during the Victoria Day long weekend in May and check out Contact 2009, Toronto’s Photography Festival happening from May 1-31. The festival celebrates over 1000 local, national and international artists in over 220 venues across the Great Toronto Area. This year’s festival theme celebrates photography and art when used as a tool for political and social change. Go to www.contactphoto.com for more information.
Fireworks on the beach at Ashbridge’s Bay in Toronto, ON – Experience Victoria Day as a local and head down to Ashbridge’s Bay on Monday the 18th. Bring a blanket and spread out on the beach to watch the fireworks show light up the bay. Great deals for a Toronto Weekend Getaway are also available, starting at $99/night for a 2-night weekend. Go to Toronto Weekend Getaways for more.
Vancouver International Children’s Festival 2009 in Vancouver, BC is taking place from May 11-18. This world-renowned festival of performing arts for children has been educating, entertaining and inspiring audiences since 1978. From music to theatre, storytelling, puppetry, roving entertainers, circus arts and a free outdoor stage featuring some of Canada’s best children’s entertainers – it’s fun for everyone! Go to www.childrensfestival.ca for more.
72nd Victoria Highland Games & Celtic Festival, BC is a two-day event going from May 16-18 in Topaz Park includes a wide range of Scottish and Celtic activities and heavy competition between Team Canada and Team USA. For $8/person, visitors will be entertained by an Address to Haggis (a la Rabbie Burns) twice a day, country dancing, bagpiping, haggis hurling, sheepdog herding, fiddling, historical demonstrations, Scottish and Celtic concessions, a beer garden, a pancake breakfast and lots of events for kids. Go to www.victoriahighlandgames.com for more.