The wait is finally over and Victoria made sure it was worth it.
For the first time in five years, Symphony Splash made its triumphant return to the Inner Harbour this BC Day long weekend, reclaiming its title as the city’s biggest and most beloved summer event.
The crowd? Absolutely massive.
Shoulder-to-shoulder spectators lined the causeway, streets, and lawns from every angle — a sea of lawn chairs, picnic blankets, and excited faces. Many long-time attendees said it looked like the biggest turnout they’d ever seen.
The last official Symphony Splash took place in 2019, marking the event’s 30th anniversary. After cancellations due to the pandemic and a long pause, Sunday night marked a full-blast comeback, and then some.
And what a return it was.
The Coho ferry helped kick things off with a blast, literally. As the Victoria Symphony performed composer Tobin Stokes’ Inner Harbour Overture on a barge docked in the harbour, the ferry blew its horn at just the right musical moments.
The audience chuckled, the Coho backed out of its dock toward Port Angeles, and the night was officially underway.
The main event began at 7:30 p.m., featuring a performance by the Victoria Symphony that blended grandeur, local pride, and a sense of community tradition. And in a longstanding tradition, the evening closed with Tchaikovsky’s 1812 Overture, complete with a dazzling fireworks display over the harbour.
This year, organizers doubled down by turning Splash into a two-day celebration. Saturday night featured a Latin-themed concert, with the Victoria Symphony joined by Sal Ferreras and Adonis Puentes, the energy was high and so was the dancing.
And on Sunday afternoon, the 91-member National Youth Orchestra of Canada, led by Naomi Woo, delivered the final performance of their 2025 tour.
Meanwhile, just steps away from the water, the Fairmont Empress brought back its iconic garden party viewing event, and it was better than ever.
Guests enjoyed VIP-style comfort from the hotel’s picturesque lawn, sipping bubbly and savouring bites while enjoying a perfect view of the barge concert and fireworks show. It was the ultimate way to experience Symphony Splash in style.
Without further ado, here are some of our favourite photos and videos from the event:
View this post on Instagram
View this post on Instagram
View this post on Instagram
View this post on Instagram
View this post on Instagram
View this post on Instagram
View this post on Instagram
