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This week celebrates cultures from around the world: Lunar New Year dragon dancers at the Royals game, Black History Month tours and talks, Indigenous storytelling walks, Afro-Brazilian dance workshops, and yes—even an Elvis Presley tribute. Not bad for a small city on an island.
Meanwhile, Canada's Olympic teams chase gold medals in hockey and curling (medal games all week), a 75-year-old paraglider survived a dramatic cliff rescue thanks to quick-thinking friends and a knife-throwing RCMP officer, and Port Angeles is throwing Victorians a welcome party complete with marching bands. There's also still time to hit 20+ hot chocolate spots before the festival ends February 28.
From legendary singer tributes to IMAX shark documentaries, there's something for everyone this week.
Want the full list of what’s happening this week? [Subscribe for free] and don’t miss the good stuff happening across the 13 municipalities of Greater Victoria.
Family Fun: Our Top 3 Picks
Three unique family experiences we're excited about this week
Feb 20 (Fri), 7:05pm @Save-On-Foods Memorial Centre
Hockey meets heritage! The Royals celebrate Lunar New Year with special warm-up jerseys (up for auction Friday at noon), and the first 1,000 fans score lucky red envelopes—one containing a suite night prize. Watch dragon dancers and cultural performances before puck drop, plus take home New Year scroll calligraphy. It's hockey, culture, and family fun rolled into one unforgettable night.
Feb 20-Mar 15 @Royal BC Museum
Experience BC's biggest screen with classic IMAX documentaries plus new additions like Coral Sea and Secrets of Great Salt Lake. Kids will love Superpower Dogs, Butterfly Journey, and Shark Kingdom—stunning films made for the big screen. Plus, Lasting Impressions 3D brings iconic art to life for older kids and adults. Three weeks of jaw-dropping visuals the whole family can enjoy.
Through Feb 28 @20+ local Victoria businesses
There is still time to turn February into a hot chocolate adventure! 20+ Victoria businesses are creating signature cocoa creations, with $1 from each cup supporting BC SPCA animals. Make it a family challenge: play Hot Chocolate Festival Bingo (downloadable card available) and see how many locations you can visit together. Delicious drinks, happy animals, and quality time.
Smart starts here.
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Canada at the Olympics
Ice Hockey Gold Medal games: Women (Feb 19) | Men (Feb 22)
Curling Gold Medal games: Men (Feb 21) | Women (Feb 22)
Go Canada Go!
Active & Outdoors
Greater Victoria: Victoria Pathfinders Walking Club – Walks this week: Saanich Cedar Hill (Feb 18 & 23), Esquimalt (Feb 21), and Victoria Fairfield (Feb 22)
Saanich: Exploring Indigenous Perspectives through Storytelling (Guided Walk) Feb 21 (Sat) @Elk/Beaver Lake Regional Park 11am-12pm
+ Magnificent Mosses with Power To Be (Guided Walk) – All Ages Feb 21 (Sat) @Francis/King Regional Park 1:30-3:30pm
+ Look Who’s Talking (Guided Walk) – All Ages Feb 22 (Sun) Mount Work Regional Park 1:30-3pm
Arts & Entertainment
Sooke: Afro-Brazilian Dance Feb 18 (Wed) @Sooke Region Museum, 2070 Phillips Rd 6:30-7:30pm
Oak Bay: Karaoke Drop-in Feb 18 (Wed) @ 1442 Monterey Ave 3-4:30pm
Victoria: Amazing Stories Feb 18-21 (Wed-Sat) @Intrepid Theatre Club, 1609 Blanshard St 8pm
+ Legends Show (Elvis, Roy Orbison, Patsy Cline, Hank Williams) Feb 19 (Thur) @McPherson Playhouse, 3 Centennial Square 7pm
+ Forever Seger: The Silver Bullet Experience Feb 20 (Fri) @McPherson Playhouse, 3 Centennial Square 7:30pm
+ No Man’s Land Film Festival Feb 20 (Fri) @Vic Theatre, 7-9:30pm
+ IMAX Victoria Film Festival Feb 20 to Mar 15 @Royal BC Museum, 675 Belleville St
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News Bites
🪂 Paraglider Rescued After Cliff Crash Near Duncan
A 75-year-old Chemainus paraglider is expected to fully recover after crashing into Mount Prevost's cliffs back on Feb 6. When the pilot hung suspended for nearly an hour, fellow paragliders bushwhacked up the mountain and climbed down to reach them. Rock climber Matthew Clark cut them free using a knife thrown by RCMP, preventing suspension trauma. Cowichan and North Shore Rescue teams completed the steep-terrain extraction. Friends plus pros equals incredible save.
[Full story - Tofino/Ucluelet Westerly News]
💛 Port Angeles Throws Welcome Party for Victoria Neighbours
Port Angeles is rolling out the red carpet for Victorians! When the first Coho sailing arrives February 19, passengers will be greeted with live music, friendly "Ask an American" booths, and a marching band. The Washington city—fondly called Victoria's "lost American suburb"—wants to celebrate decades of friendship between the communities. While cross-border travel dipped recently, Port Angeles locals are determined to preserve the bond. Their message? Politics fade, but good neighbours are forever.
[Full story - Saanich News]
Community & Creative
Victoria: Lunar New Year 2026 – Victoria Chinatown Museum Feb 17 (Tue) @10 Fan Tan Alley 11am-5pm
+ Victoria Royals Lunar New Year Celebration Game Feb 20 (Fri) @Save-On-Foods Memorial Arena 7pm (many Lunar New Year activities throughout the game)
+ 2026 Lunar New Year Parade & Blessing of Merchants Feb 22 (Sun) @Victoria’s Chinatown
+ Guided Cemetery Tour of Black History Graves Feb 22 (Sun) @1495 Fairfield Rd 2-4pm
+ Hot Chocolate Festival Until Feb 28 Play Hot Chocolate Festival Bingo – click here for card.
Colwood: Black Legacies in Canada and the Academy Feb 18 (Wed) Black History Month Keynote @Royal Roads University – Virtual Event (Register Online) 11am-12pm
Central Saanich: Butchart Gardens Job Fair Feb 18 (Wed) @800 Benvenuto Ave, Brentwood Bay 5:30-7:30pm
🌅 On the Horizon
Planning ahead? Here are a few events worth noting:
Saanich: The Victoria Women’s Expo Mar 7-8 @Pearkes Rec Centre, 3100 Tillicum Rd
Victoria: The Wizard of Oz: Young Performers Edition Mar 10-11 @McPherson Playhouse, 3 Centennial Square
Sidney: Crafted Farmhouse Market Mar 13-14 @Mary Winspear Centre, 2243 Beacon Ave
⭐ Greater Victoria Scoop subscribers save 15% on everything at ‘From Scales to Tails’ except live animals— each visit, all year long!
📍 Website: From Scales to Tails | Address: 5471 Hamsterly Road | Phone: 250-590-0517
Have a great week Greater Victoria! 💙
