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Victoria in February: Discover the Spectacular Things to See and Do During Your Visit

If you are planning a trip to Victoria in February 2024, then you’ve probably got questions like:

what’s the weather going to be like
what to pack and what to wear while you are here
what’s happening in Victoria in February
what are some things to do
and what local food is in season

Disclaimer: I receive a small commission from some of the links on this page.

Late February day overlooking Victoria from Mt Tolmie

If you’re visiting in February, the first thing you will notice is that we can be rather smug about the fact that the rest of Canada is usually under several inches of snow and we are starting to think about spring flowers.

Occasionally it does snow in February but virtually never like the storms you might see elsewhere in the country. In fact, February is the first month when our famous cherry blossoms start to bloom - usually the ones on View Street first, then the rest of the city follows in March and April.

Thanks to Valentine's Day, many businesses cater to romance in February and feature a variety of specials geared to couples. It is the perfect time for a getaway. Whether it is touring our beautiful city in a horse-drawn carriage (with a cozy blanket of course!) or an oceanfront spa and mineral bath, Victoria is a place for lovers.

Monday, February 19, 2024 is Family Day which is a statutory holiday. Almost everything is open except for banks and government offices. Some businesses may have reduced hours. Prior to 2019, Family Day was celebrated on the second Monday in the month but was changed to the third Monday to keep it consistent with other provinces.

Weather in February

Overall, on average the weather in Victoria in February is slightly cooler than January with highs around 6 degrees and lows around minus 1. It is the only month where our average low temperature dips below freezing. It is also a whole lot drier than January with an average of just 70 mm of precipitation - almost always in the form of rain. If it does snow however, it doesn't usually stick around very long because it generally warms up and melts away and we start dreaming of flowers again!

City of Victoria in February whose trees have not yet woken up to spring.

Unfortunately though, every few years in Victoria in February the conditions are ideal for heavy snowfalls and as a city, things can deteriorate quickly. The main reason for this is the lack of equipment to deal with the snow (due mainly to the fact that we rarely need it). So, if it snows, it's either going to melt quite quickly or essentially shut the city down!

Quiet Fisherman's Wharf on an early February morning

Dressing for the Weather

On warm February days, don't be too surprised to see a few brave souls in their shorts - they just can't wait for spring to arrive! But for many of us here in the Pacific Northwest, we are usually still in our winter gear of toques, sweaters, gloves and scarves. It is ideal to dress in warm layers and a 3-in-1 waterproof jacket (I like this one from Columbia) is perfect along with waterproof footwear (Timberlands are ideal here in Victoria)

Not sure what a 3-in-1 jacket is?

A waterproof outer layer (honestly don't even bother if the jacket is not waterproof) that can be worn on its own as a light to medium-weight jacket. Depending on your personal comfort and activity level, you may want a heavier-weight outer layer for the winter months.
A warm, insulated inner layer - sometimes down (or a synthetic insulating material) or polar fleece that can be worn on its own for warmth.
A warm, waterproof coat when you attach the inner layer to the outer layer - usually via a zipper or snaps.

Mt Baker in the distance on an early February evening

What's in Season

Several of our local restaurants take advantage of local seafood, meats, cheeses, breads, beers, wines and produce. February is still fairly slim for fresh fruits and vegetables but there is a variety of seafood available. Food tours are popular throughout the year and if you love our cuisine, you'll want to grab a copy of this cookbook.

Fruits & Veggies

Cabbage (savoy and red)
Kale
Leeks
Mushrooms
Onions (red/yellow)
Parsnips

Apples

Seafood & Herbs

Clams
Cod: Pacific
Crab
Crab: Dungeness
Flounder/Sole: Pacific
Mussels
Oysters: Pacific
Prawns: Jumbo
Sablefish (Black Cod)
Scallops
Shrimp: Side Stripe
Shrimp: West Coast

Bay Leaves
Chervil
Cilantro
Rosemary
Sage
Savory
Thyme

Things to Do in Victoria in February

By this time of year, "rainy season" is pretty much over and people are starting to spend more time outside. We have a wonderful network of fairly flat and accessible trails throughout the region suitable for every member of the family and many people start taking advantage of them to get back out enjoying nature.

Lone tree in the late February sun

If you appreciate Mother Nature, then a trip to Tofino and Pacific Rim National Park should be on your list. It is about a 4-5 hour road trip from Victoria (although you could fly in a fraction of the time with Tofino Air) and the extraordinary scenery alone is well worth it. It is the final month of storm watching season on the wild, west coast where visitors from across the planet marvel at the dramatic skies and crashing waves of a raging Pacific Ocean.

Annual Festivals and Events include:

02-Jan-24 to 01-Apr-24 - Annual Lego Exhibition, Sidney Museum
20-Jan-24 to 20-Feb-24 - Hot Chocolate Festival, various participating vendors
02-Feb-24 to 11-Feb-24 - Victoria Film Festival, The Vic Theatre
04-Feb-24 - Vancouver Island Dream Wedding Show, G.R. Pearkes Recreation Centre
14-Feb-24 - Valentine's Day
18-Feb-24 - Lunar New Year, parade and festivities in Chinatown
19-Feb-24 - Family Day
23-Feb-24 to 25-Feb-24 - Victoria Home Renovation & Decor Show, G.R. Pearkes Recreation Centre
27-Feb-24 to 03-Mar-24 - Pacific Baroque Festival, various locations

I truly hope you enjoy your visit to Victoria in February.