Everything you need to know about Victoria’s 126th annual Victoria Day Parade on Monday

One of Victoria’s most cherished traditions is set to return this Monday, and this year’s event is expected to be the biggest yet.

The 2026 Thrifty Foods Victoria Day Parade will take over downtown Victoria on Monday, May 18th, with organizers expecting a record-breaking number of participants along the parade route.

Just over 4,000 people are expected to march, dance, perform and drive through downtown as part of the 126th annual celebration. More than 80 parade entrants are expected to take part this year.

The parade officially begins at 9 a.m. and, for the first time, will follow an entirely new route through downtown Victoria.

Instead of the long-standing four-kilometre route along Douglas Street, organizers have moved to a shorter 1.6-kilometre route that mirrors the city’s recent Santa Claus Parade route.

The updated route was introduced following increased safety requirements and financial pressures connected to parade planning after the tragic 2025 Lapu Lapu Day festival attack in Vancouver, where 11 people were killed after a vehicle drove into a crowd.

This year’s parade route will begin at Belleville and Government streets before heading north along Government Street to Wharf Street, up Johnson Street and back along Government Street before ending on Chatham Street.

While the route may be shorter, organizers say spectators can still expect plenty of entertainment, floats, marching bands and cultural showcases throughout the morning.

Leading this year’s parade as honorary marshal will be 90-year-old former NHL player Bob Barlow, who still holds the distinction of scoring the fastest first goal in NHL history after scoring six seconds into his first shift with his first shot.

The parade will once again feature the “Victoria Mile,” which raises money for the Parkinson Wellness Group in Victoria. Last year’s event raised more than $73,000 for the organization and organizers are hoping to surpass $100,000 this year.

Despite uncertainty around the long-term future of large-scale parades due to rising costs and evolving safety requirements, organizers say they remain committed to keeping the Victoria Day Parade tradition alive for the community.

Residents planning to attend are encouraged to arrive early, expect road closures throughout downtown and prepare for larger-than-usual crowds due to the anticipated record participation numbers.

Thrifty Foods Victoria Day Parade

• Where: Downtown Victoria beginning at Belleville and Government streets, continuing along Government Street, Wharf Street and Johnson Street before ending on Chatham Street
• When: Monday, May 18th at 9 a.m.