Victoria in July
Discover the Spectacular Things to See and Do During Your Visit
If you are planning a trip to Victoria in July 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 July
- what are some things to do
- and what local food is in season
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Canada hot air balloonsJuly is simply gorgeous here in the Pacific Northwest. Summer is in full gear, students are out of school, heading to camps, off to work or out to discover the world. It is exciting time with so many things to do and countless ways to spend long, warm summer days.
I grew up in a much hotter climate with terrible humidity and it seemed that we spent our time figuring out where the best air conditioning was. Not here in Victoria. Air conditioning is rarely needed, although the climate is changing and we tend to see at least one stretch of extremely hot weather each summer. For the most part though, you can be outdoors enjoying a variety of activities without overheating almost every day in the summer. I encourage you to enjoy some of those activities and you can use Viator to compare prices of our most popular activities.
July is normally extraordinarily busy with cruise ship arrivals and in 2024, we are expecting 57 ships with over 170,000 passengers disembarking to discover our beauty.
July 1st is Canada Day - a national statutory holiday - and my favourite day of celebration of the entire year. Canada Day celebrates our birth as a nation - 157 years old in 2024 - and is a time for community activities and fireworks. Because it is a stat holiday, banks and government offices will be closed.
Two very popular activities are the Gorge Canada Day Picnic and the festivities at the Inner Harbour.
For the picnic, Gorge Road is closed between Tillicum and Admirals and vendors line the path along the banks of the Gorge waterway. With no vehicular traffic, it creates a terrific opportunity for people to wander about, enjoy the festivities and support local small businesses and artisans.
The festivities in the Inner Harbour change from year to year. For several years prior to Covid, people were invitied to participate in the "Living Flag" where individuals would don either a red or white t-shirt and be strategically placed on the lawns of the BC Legislature in the shape of a Canadian Flag. Sadly this activity has not made a return but new events and activities are organized each year. With over 60,000 people expected downtown on Canada Day, it will be a great atmosphere!
Weather in July
Victoria in July is perfection. Summer flowers still hold their vivid colours, the days are long, sunny and warm and the chance of rain is negligible. The average high temperature at this time of the year is nearly 24 degrees with lows between 12 and 13. The average precipitation is just 1 mm, making it the warmest and driest of any month.
Dressing for the Weather
The dog days of summer are here. Sleeveless or short-sleeved tops, shorts or capris and sandals are the clothing of choice in Victoria in July. Locals love the cooler evenings which are ideal for sleeping, but we do acknowledge that some visitors can find it a little chilly once the sun goes down. It never hurts to have a light jacket or sweater handy. You will also notice there is almost always a light ocean breeze so it can sometimes feel slightly cooler than the actual temperature, especially by the water.
What's in Season
Several of our local restaurants take full advantage of the abundant local seafood, meats, cheeses, breads, beers, wines and produce. In Victoria in July, we are experiencing a explosion of fresh fruits and veggies and local food tours are a big hit! Be sure to get to one of our local farmers markets for the best of what's in season.
Fruits & Veggies
- Beans
- Beets
- Broccoli
- Cabbage (savoy and red)
- Carrots
- Cauliflower
- Celery
- Chard
- Corn
- Cucumbers
- Garlic
- Kale
- Leeks
- Lettuce
- Mustard Greens
- Mushrooms
- Onions (green)
- Peas
- Peppers
- Potatoes
- Radishes
- Salad Greens
- Spinach
- Squash (summer)
- Tomatoes
- Turnips
- Zucchini
- Apples
- Apricots
- Blackberries
- Cherries
- Currants
- Gooseberries
- Nectarines
- Raspberries
- Rhubarb
- Saskatoon Berries
- Strawberries
Seafood & Herbs
- Clams
- Cod: Pacific
- Crab
- Crab: Dungeness
- Flounder/Sole: Pacific
- Halibut: Pacific
- Lingcod
- Mussels
- Oysters: Pacific
- Prawns: Jumbo
- Prawns: Spot
- Sablefish (Black Cod)
- Salmon: Chinook/King/Spring
- Salmon: Chum
- Salmon: Coho (Northern)
- Salmon: Pink
- Salmon: Sockeye
- Scallops
- Shrimp: Side Stripe
- Shrimp: West Coast
- Spring Dogfish
- Tuna: Albacore
- Bay Leaves
- Basils
- Chives
- Cilantro
- Dill
- Epazote
- Fennel
- Lavender
- Lemon Grass
- Lemon Verbena
- Marjoram
- Mint
- Oregano
- Parsley
- Rosemary
- Sage
- Savory
- Shiso
- Tarragon
- Thyme
What's Blooming at Butchart Gardens
July is spectacular at Butchart Gardens. The largest variety of flowers are in full bloom in every colour of the rainbow. Keep reading here to see what's blooming in every season at Butchart.
- Acidanthera
- African Arrowroot
- Angel’s Fishing Rod
- Angel’s Trumpets
- Angelonia
- Bear’s Breeches
- Bearded Tongue
- Black Mondo Grass
- Black-Eyed Susan
- Castor Bean
- Chilean Rhubarb
- Chocolate Cosmos
- Cigar Plant
- Clerodendrum
- Coleus
- Common Rose Mallow
- Dahlia
- Daylily
- Delphinium
- False Spiraea
- Floss Flower
- Flowering Maple
- Foxtail Lily
- Fuchsia
- Garden Phlox
- Geranium
- Glory Bush
- Heliotrope
- Hydrangea
- Japanese Anemone
- Labelia
- Ligularia “The Rocket”
- Marigold
- Mealycup Sage
- Milkweed
- Monkshood
- Montbretia
- Nectaroscordum
- New Guinea Impatiens
- Obedient Plant
- Ornamental Eggplant
- Pepper
- Plantain Lily
- Purple Threadleaf
- Rodgersia
- Scarlet Sage
- Scotsman’s Purse
- Shrub Verbena
- Snapdragon
- Spiderwort
- St. John’s Wort
- Stock
- Sweet Alyssum
- Sweet Pea
- Tuberous Begonia
- Vervain
- Waxleaf Begonia
- Yarrow
- Zinnia
Things to Do in Victoria in July
July is definitely a time to get outside and enjoy the many activities happening around the region. From our very patriotic Canada Day celebrations to the artistic showcase of the Moss Street Paint-In, you'll love being in Victoria in July. Be sure to check Viator to find the best deals on some of our most popular activities.
If you are interested in walking or going for a bike ride, we have a fantastic network of flat and accessible trails throughout the region.
The main trail is the Galloping Goose Trail which connects to the Lochside trail heading to Sidney and the E&N trail that goes through View Royal and Esquimalt. The entire network connects Sidney to Sooke.
You'll see families and people of all ages out and about on their scooters and bikes or walking or jogging.
The network of trails goes right through our downtown core and now includes easy access to our dedicated bike lanes.
There are several places to rent bikes if you want to join them but one of the most popular activities is to join a history and highlights bike tour.
Another great spot for a stroll in the downtown core is around the inner harbour and either on to the David Foster Walkway to the east or the West Song Walkway to the west.
Annual Festivals and Events in Victoria in July include:
- 14-Apr-24 to 27-Oct-24 - Cruise Ship Season, Port of Victoria
- 12-May-24 to 02-Sep-24 - Harbour Ferry Ballet, Sundays at 10:45 am in the Inner Harbour and occasionally on Saturday as well
- 27-Jun-24 to 07-Jul-24 - Victoria Pride Festival, various locations
- 30-Jun-24 to 01-Jul-24 - Sidney Days & Canada Day, Beacon Avenue
- 01-Jul-24 - Canada Day
- 01-Jul-24 - Gorge Canada Day Picnic, Gorge Road between Tillicum and Admirals
- 01-Jul-24 - Memorial Dragball Game, Victoria West Park
- 03-Jul-24 - Big Gay Dog Walk, Banfield Park
- 05-Jul-24 to 07-Jul-24 - The Phillips Backyard Weekender, Philips Brewing & Malting Co.
- 07-Jul-24 - Pride Parade, Starting at Fisgard and Douglas
- 07-Jul-24 - Pride Festival in the Park, MacDonald Park
- 12-Jul-24 to 14-Jul-24 - SKAMpede, along paved commuter and recreational trails, including the Galloping Goose Regional Trail, the Songhees Walkway, and the David Foster Walkway in the downtown core
- 20-Jul-24 - Moss Street Paint-In, Moss Street
- 27-Jul-24 - Eats and Beats at the Beach, The Beachlands, Royal Bay
- Jul-2025 - Northwest Deuce Days, Victoria’s Inner Harbour and Legislature Grounds (held every 3 years)
- Cancelled for 2024 - Victoria Flamenco Festival, Cameron Bandshell and Centennial Square
I truly hope you enjoy your visit to Victoria in July.
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