By Anna Hakim & Perry Fanthorpe · Happy Homes Team – eXp Realty | AI Certified Agents · Victoria, BC · Instagram · Facebook

Celebrate Together

Festivals & Events

Victoria knows how to celebrate. Music, arts, food, and community: the festival calendar is packed from spring through fall.

Thanksgiving Week October 8 – 14, 2026 Updated October 8

A Marathon-Sized Thanksgiving Weekend Takes Over Downtown

Thanksgiving weekend is the marquee event of the fall: the 46th Royal Victoria Marathon fills downtown from Friday, October 9 through Sunday, October 11, with the marathon, half marathon, 8K, Island Savings 5K, and Thrifty Foods Kids Run finishing at the Legislative Grounds. The Victoria Festival of Authors opens its 11th edition on Thanksgiving Monday, October 12, with 50+ writers across 21 events. Car fans gather at the VIRPCA Cars & Coffee at Uptown Mall on Sunday morning, and the Torquemasters hold their AGM plus monthly meeting on Tuesday, October 13. The Broadmead Saturday Night Car Meetup at Royal Oak Drive hosted its final 2026 gathering in late September and returns every spring. Galey Farms keeps its corn maze and fall festival running through the month, and the Rocky Horror Picture Show returns to The Vic Theatre on October 17 for the Halloween season.

Celebrate

Fri Oct 9 – Sun Oct 11

Royal Victoria Marathon Weekend

The 46th edition takes over downtown over Thanksgiving: marathon, half marathon, 8K on Sunday, plus the Island Savings 5K and Thrifty Foods Kids Run on Saturday at the Legislative Grounds. The marathon and half are sold out; spectating is free.

Sun Oct 11 · 9 AM

VIRPCA Cars & Coffee

Uptown Mall, 3440 Saanich Road, Victoria. The Vancouver Island Region Porsche Club hosts a free Sunday-morning gathering of enthusiast cars from every marque at Whole Foods' neighbour. Year-round, rain or shine.

Mon Oct 12 – Sun Oct 18

Victoria Festival of Authors

The 11th edition brings 50+ writers across 21 events in Greater Victoria and online, opening Thanksgiving Monday with readings, panels, and conversations with Canadian and international authors.

Fall–Winter 2026

Last updated: October 8, 2026

Major Festivals

October 9 – 11

Community

Royal Victoria Marathon Weekend

Start and finish at the Legislative Grounds, downtown Victoria

The 46th Royal Victoria Marathon weekend takes over downtown over Thanksgiving: the marathon, half marathon, and 8K on Sunday, October 11, plus the Island Savings 5K and Thrifty Foods Kids Run on Saturday, October 10, with the race expo at Crystal Gardens. The marathon and half marathon are sold out, but the 5K, kids run, and cheering crowds are open to everyone.

Event details & tickets

October 12 – 18

Arts & Culture

Victoria Festival of Authors

Venues across Greater Victoria

The 11th Victoria Festival of Authors returns for a week of readings, panels, and conversations with Canadian and international writers: 50+ authors across 21 events in Greater Victoria and online. One of the island's literary highlights of the fall season, opening Thanksgiving Monday, October 12.

Event details & tickets

October 17 – 31

Arts & Culture

Rocky Horror Picture Show at The Vic Theatre

The Vic Theatre, 808 Douglas Street, Victoria

The cult classic returns to Victoria's oldest continuously operating movie theatre for the Halloween season with shadow casts, costume contests, and sing-along screenings through October 31. An enduring Victoria Halloween tradition.

Event details & tickets

Year Round