This Remembrance Day, honour Canada’s fallen soldiers by attending one of several ceremonies and community events taking place in and around Greater Victoria.
From parades to concerts, there are many ways you can remember those who served.
Here are 11 events happening across Greater Victoria leading up to and on Tuesday, November 11th:
Oak Bay: Concert of Remembrance
Join Canadian College of Performing Arts (CCPA) and the Band of the 5th (British Columbia) Field Regiment, Royal Canadian Artillery for an unforgettable evening of remembrance at the Dave Dunnet Community Theatre on Saturday, November 8th at 7:30 p.m.
This annual concert combines music with poems, letters, and dialogue, demonstrating themes of struggle, loss, and love.
Tickets are available in advance here, or at the door.
- Where: Dave Dunnet Community Theatre, 2121 Cadboro Bay Rd
- When: Saturday, November 8th – 7:30 p.m.
Victoria Chinatown Museum Society: One of Ours Documentary Screening
Victoria Chinatown Museum is hosting an exclusive documentary screening of One of Ours at the Vic Theatre on Monday, November 10th at 6 p.m.
One of Ours is a 40-minute documentary film about the life of Fred Lee, a Chinese Canadian soldier who disappeared in France during World War One.
This event is free, but pre-registration is required. Reserve your spot here.
- Where: Vic Theatre, 808 Douglas Street
- When: Monday November 10th – 6 p.m.
Downtown Victoria: BC Parliament Buildings
Wear your poppy and head downtown to attend Victoria’s main Remembrance Day ceremony at the BC Parliament Buildings.
First, there will be a parade, leading to a service, two minutes of silence at 11 a.m., and finally, a wreath-laying ceremony.
Expect road closures on the following downtown Victoria streets:
- Government Street from Fort to Superior Street
- Belleville Street from Menzies to Douglas Street
- Wharf Street from Fort to Government Street
- Humboldt Street from Government to Gordon Street
Roads will reopen after the parade.
- Where: BC Legislature Cenotaph, 501 Belleville Street
- When: Tuesday, November 11th – 10:30 a.m.
Saanich: Municipal Hall
The District of Saanich is honouring those who served or continue to serve in times of war with a moment of silence and wreath laying at their Remembrance Day ceremony.
This ceremony is from 10:45 a.m. to 11:45 a.m. at the Saanich Cenotaph.
- Where: Saanich Cenotaph, 770 Vernon Avenue
- When: Tuesday, November 11th – 10:45 a.m.
Sidney: Cenotaph at Town Hall
Sidney’s traditional Remembrance Day parade returns, starting at the Mary Winspear Centre, proceeding along Beacon Avenue and Second Street, and concluding at the Cenotaph on Sidney Avenue at 10:50 a.m.
A Service of Remembrance will start once the parade is over, followed by two minutes of silence and a fly past.
Any veterans interested in participating in the parade are asked to meet at the Mary Winspear Centre at 10 a.m., or join the parade at the Cenotaph.
Due to the event, there will be temporary road closures on Beacon and Second between 10:15 a.m. and 10:45 a.m., and Sidney, Third, Fourth, and Mount Baker between 10 a.m. and 12 p.m.
- Where: Cenotaph at the Town Hall in Sidney, 2440 Sidney Avenue
- When: Tuesday, November 11th – 10:30 a.m.
Langford: Veterans Memorial Park
The annual Langford Legion #91 invites Langford residents to their Remembrance Day parade and service, which will be held at Veterans Memorial Park.
The parade starts at the Legion at 9 a.m. travels to the Veterans Memorial Park before returning to the Legion for the service.
At 11 a.m., attendees are asked to respectfully participate in the two minutes of silence.
- Where: Veterans Memorial Park, Aldwynd Road, Langford
- When: Tuesday, November 11th – 9 a.m.
Esquimalt: Memorial Park Cenotaph
Esquimalt residents are invited to join the members of the Royal Canadian Navy, Cadets, Royal Canadian Legion, and Scouts Canada in a Remembrance Day parade and ceremony.
The parade kicks off at the Tudor House 10 a.m., before finishing at the Cenotaph at 10:30 a.m.
- Where: Memorial Park, 1200 Esquimalt Road
- When: Tuesday, November 11th – 10 a.m.
Oak Bay: Oak Bay Cenotaph
The Oak Bay Remembrance Day ceremony takes place at 10:55 a.m. at the 9-foot tall cenotaph, which honours the 97 Oak Bay men and women who lost their lives during World War II.
Everyone is welcome.
- Where: Oak Bay Cenotaph, 2800 Beach Drive
- When: Tuesday, November 11th – 10:55 a.m.
Colwood: Royal Roads University
Join the Colwood community at Royal Roads University for a day of reflection and remembrance.
The ceremony takes place at 10:40 a.m. on the Castle Terrace Lawn outside Hatley Castle, and is co-hosted by Royal Roads University, the Vancouver Island Ex-Cadet Club, and CFB Esquimalt.
There will also be a performance by Victoria Children’s Choir, and a documentary screening of Story Pole: Indigenous Veterans and the Tallest Totem in the World at 11:45 a.m.
The event will close with a special performance by the Pacific Opera Victoria of Remembering Mary’s Wedding.
The Royal Roads University Museum, located on the lower level of the castle, will be open, and includes exhibits of Canada’s military history. Admission is free, and everyone is welcome.
- Where: Castle Terrace Lawn outside Hatley Castle, 2005 Sooke Road
- When: Tuesday, November 11th – 10:40 a.m.
Sooke: Sooke Legion
The Royal Canadian Legion Branch 54 invites all residents to attend their annual Remembrance Day ceremony and be part of their meaningful tribute to Canadian veterans.
The event starts with a parade at Evergreen Plaza at 10:30 a.m, leading to the Cenotaph, where the formal ceremony will commence at 10:50 am.
After the ceremony, residents are invited to Legion Hall for cake and cookies.
- Where: Sooke Cenotaph, 6726 Eustace Road
- When: Tuesday, November 11th – 10:35 a.m.
Fort Rodd Hill and Fisgard Lighthouse: A Day of Remembrance
Commemorate the sacrifices of wartime heroes at Fort Rodd Hill and Fisgard Lighthouse’s A Day of Remembrance.
A variety of activities are scheduled between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m., like Ready to Ration and Hands-on History.
Then, at 11 a.m., a historic weapon demonstration begins. Be prepared for a bang!
- Where: Fort Rodd Hill and Fisgard Lighthouse, 603 Fort Rodd Hill Road
- When: Tuesday, November 11th – 10 a.m.
