Everything happening for Winter Arts Fest this weekend

Turns out festivals aren’t just for the summertime—Victoria’s Winter Arts Fest (WAF) is taking place this weekend throughout downtown. Hosted by the organizers of Vancouver Mural Fest, this three-day event will feature public art displays, light installations, cozy winter drinks, and family-friendly activities. The best part? Most of these events are free to take part in.

Go at your own pace to check out the pop-up installations in the city, following these three digital maps. If you’re feeling chilly, warming stations hosted by local cafes and businesses are also flagged on the map. Get an Art Walk Passport to collect stamps at each stop for a chance to win free Evo driving minutes.

All WAF events will start after 5pm, running throughout the long weekend.

Check out our roundup of everything happening for Winter Arts Fest:

Arts Hub

All ages

Located at Herald Street Brew Works, this will be the main gathering place for WAF. Mingle with the community, sample local food, explore artisan booths, and listen to live music. For the little ones, there will be an outdoor Kids Zone with a chalk colouring board; for adults, there will be a mulled wine station and bar. Open all weekend. [Free entry]

Walking tours

All ages

WAF has partnered with John Adams, historian, and founder of Discover The Past Walking Tours, for four nights of public art walking tours in downtown Victoria. Meet at the entrance to Market Square at 6pm. The tour lasts 90 mins. All weekend. [By donation]

Pop-up events

All ages

You may stumble upon these shows if you're downtown this weekend, or you can find them throughout your Art Walk journey. Catch live music, drag performances, and dancing at different venues and unusual locations. All weekend. [Free]

Tea Service with Guest Stars at Jagasilk Teabar

All ages

The tea bar will serve freshly milled matcha, precisely brewed kombucha, and kung fu tea, with themes such as “ceremony” and “ancient tea” each night. All weekend. [Free]

MOVE37XR: The Dreaming

All ages

Explore these immersive experiences at Haus of Owl where art, technology, ecology, consciousness, and human connections blend in a celebration of creativity and collaboration. All weekend. [Free]

WAF After Dark

19+

Head to Hermann’s Upstairs after exploring the city on Saturday for a night of dancing and eclectic art. Three distinct rooms will feature music from house and techno to reggaeton. Expect dancers and drag performers to move about from room to room. There will be an ambient and downtempo zone featuring an interactive live painting experience. Saturday, Feb. 17 at 9:30pm. [$30]

Tiny Flwrs Opening Reception

All ages

Head to Habit Coffee, grab a warm drink, and enjoy a live performance followed by the reception for Tiny Flwrs, showcasing the beauty of regenerative farming and floral design. Saturday, Feb. 17 at 6pm.[Free]

Art Soiree at Avenue One

All ages

See the captivating work of Taryn Wells, while enjoying live music throughout the evening. Saturday, Feb. 17 at 5pm. [Free]

Dialogue: Light and Language

All ages

Join this community conversation at the Royal BC Museum to discuss themes of winter, storytelling, and public art. The evening will kick off with a keynote presentation from multidisciplinary artist Ruby Singh who will discuss his latest projects. Sunday, Feb. 18 at 6pm. [Free]

Lantern Making with Ann K. Chou

All ages

Go to NeighbourSpace to learn how to make a lantern while exploring its historical and cultural significance. Supplies will be provided but we encourage you to bring your own. Monday, Feb. 19 at 5pm. [Free]

The Power and Joy of Word & Music

19+

Celebrate the power and joy of words and music with the BC Black History Awareness Society. Author and actor Addena Sumter-Freitag will share her poems and stories, followed by Island jazz star Maureen Washington, who will treat us to a soulful performance with her band. Monday, Feb. 19 at 7pm. [$10]