Welcome to February, Victoria!
Kick off this new month by participating in the second annual Hot Chocolate Festival, and start making your own chocolatey bucket list.
Don’t forget about the BC SPCA photo contest—the perfect opportunity for you and your photogenic pet to be featured in their 2026 calendar.
Plus, other events such as Lunar New Year celebrations, ReLove Vintage’s grand opening, Dine Around Victoria and more await your enthusiasm, so get to it and have a wonderful weekend!
Without further delay, here’s 11 events happening in and around Victoria this weekend—February 1st & 2nd:
Victoria’s Hot Chocolate Festival
The second annual Hot Chocolate Festival kicks off this Saturday, February 1st, and it’s set to be a month-long celebration of all things sweet and chocolaty.
Not only will you get to indulge in some of the most unique and delicious hot chocolate creations, but you’ll also be supporting a great cause.
Each purchase will contribute $1 to the BC SPCA Victoria Community Animal Centre!
Back and bigger than ever, they’ll have over 25 local merchants across Greater Victoria joining in this year to offer their own hot chocolate masterpieces, each featuring an artisan twist.
If you wish to check out the full list of participating businesses and to check out the interactive map, you can do so under their ‘Locations’ page.
- Where: All across Greater Victoria and beyond—view the map here.
- When: Saturday, February 1st to Friday, February 28th
Lunar New Year Celebration at Mayfair
Mayfair Shopping Centre invites everyone to join them for their Lunar New Year celebration!
Over the weekend, both Saturday and Sunday, there will be a variety of wonderful events, including Lion Dances, arts and crafts for kids, choir, dances, magicians, face painters and more.
There will be a closing draw on Sunday too, where guests will draw red envelopes for the chance to win gift cards to Mayfair and other sweet items!
All of the events are free.
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- Where: Mayfair Shopping Centre, 3147 Douglas Street
- When:
- Saturday, February 1st from 12:30 p.m. to 4 p.m.
- Sunday, February 2nd from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
BC SPCA Calendar Contest
It’s time for your pet’s close-up!
The annual BC SPCA contest is back—it kicked off on Monday, January 27th and runs until Saturday, February 15th.
All you have to do is sign up and invite your friends and family to donate in support of your photo-ready pet. Then the 12 chosen animals with the most votes will win a full-page feature in their 2026 calendar!
To enter your photo and read more about the rules, you can visit BC SPCA’s website.
- Where: Enter online!
- When: Kicked off on Monday, January 27th and runs until Saturday, February 15th
Dine Around and Stay in Town Victoria
The beloved Dine Around and Stay in Town is back, and will run through to February 9th—a collaboration between Destination Greater Victoria and the BC Restaurant and Food Services Association Victoria Branch.
Over 50 of the city’s top restaurants will highlight their best dishes through three-course menus set at deliciously low prices, paired with an array of both budget-friendly and luxurious “Stay In Town” options at local hotels.
Peruse the full list of Dine Around’s participating restaurants here—with new additions like Table Nineteen, Saxe Point Public House, and Jacks on the Water.
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- Where: All over Greater Victoria!
- When: Kicked off on January 24th and will run until February 9th
LEGO Exhibit at the Sidney Museum
The Sidney Museum has officially welcomed back their famous LEGO exhibit for its 19th year, running from December 20th to March 30th, 2025.
Not only will they return with their usual creative and innovative LEGO splendour, but they’ll be introducing a new feature this year too!
Get ready for the launch of the “Community Creations” display, which includes the LEGO creations of different community members.
Admission to this marvelous exhibit is by donation!
- Where: Sidney Museum, 2423 Beacon Avenue in the lower level of the Old Post Office building
- When: Runs from December 20th to March 30th, 2025—open during museum hours
OUTstages: A Decidedly Queer Theatre Festival
Intrepid Theatre has announced their upcoming 11th annual OUTstages: a decidedly queer theatre festival, running from January 30th to February 9th.
This huge 11th-year celebration will bring dazzling queer performances and adventurous programming to Victoria with a 12-day run of eclectic and electric shows by queer artists from both Vancouver Island and other areas of Canada!
It will be held at both the Metro Theatre and Intrepid Studio, where the atmosphere will thrive with passion, excitement, and sizzling beauty.
Catch a mix of drag, comedy, late-night cabarets, dance numbers, and much more!
OUTstages 2025 will also feature our Pay-What-You-10 $10 tickets, wherein 10% of tickets for shows will be on-sale for just $10.
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- Where: Location will depend on the show, but will be held at the following:
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- Metro Studio Theatre, 1411 Quadra Street
- Intrepid Studio, 1609 Blanshard Street #2
- When: Thursday, January 30th to Sunday, February 9th
The Bankes Brothers at Upstairs
Head downtown to Upstairs Cabaret for The Bankes Brothers and guests, Uncle Strut and OK Charlie!
The Bankes Brothers have been dubbed indie rock darlings, and have been touring globally, selling out gigs in the UK, as well as festivals and showcases across Canada.
Tickets are $20 if purchased online or $25 at the door.
Saturday will be their second back-to-back performance in Victoria, with their first having taken place on Friday, January 31st with special guests Fionn and Wet Future.
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- Where: Upstairs Cabaret, 15 Bastion Square
- When: Saturday, February 1st at 7 p.m.
Black History Month Launch
KWENCH in downtown Victoria will be hosting a Black History Month 2025 Launch!
Attendees will learn more about what BC Black History Awareness Society has been up to over the past year, hear about all of their Black History Month 2025 events, and more.
The upbeat harmonies of Locrian Tones will keep you dancing throughout the evening, and food by House of Boateng is included. Drinks will be available for purchase.
Tickets are free, but you can register your spot via Eventbrite.
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- Where: KWENCH, 2031 Store Street
- When: Saturday, February 1st from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.
ReLove Vintage Loft: Grand Opening
Shoppers and lovers of all things vintage!
The ReLove Vintage Loft is officially opening this Saturday February 1st on Johnson Street in downtown Victoria.
Discover a wide selection of curated vintage and secondhand goodies!
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- Where: 569 Johnson Street, suite 300 (elevator access to 3rd floor)
- When: Saturday, February 1st from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Lunar New Year in Esquimalt
The Township Community Arts Council will be hosting a Lunar New Year’s celebration to welcome the Year of the Snake!
Head over to the Pavilion at Esquimalt Gorge Park and enjoy the festivities.
This event is free to attend.
- Where: Pavilion at Esquimalt Gorge Park, 1070 Tillicum Road
- When: Sunday, February 2nd at 3 p.m.
Book Signing at Mayfair Shopping Centre
BC author Angela Douglas will be in Indigo at the Mayfair Shopping Centre this Sunday!
She’ll be signing copies of her debut thriller Every Fall, which follows the lives of Bree, a former party girl turned stay-at-home mom, and Jake, a dedicated police officer whose life unravels after a tragic incident.
As Jake’s guilt and grief spiral out of control, Bree confronts haunting voices and nightmares while striving to protect her children from the man who once vowed to keep them safe.
This event is free to attend and no registration is required.
- Where: Indigo at Mayfair Shopping Centre, 3147 Douglas Street
- When: Sunday, February 2nd from 12 p.m. to 3 p.m.
