Victoria Events
Classic Boat Festival
The Classic Boat Festival is presented by the Victoria Real Estate Board.
Every Labour Day Long Weekend Victoria’s Inner Harbour is the place to be when classic sail and power boats from throughout the Pacific Coast and beyond arrive for the Classic Boat Festival. This is the premier wooden boat show in the Pacific Northwest, drawing more than 200 vessels in a wide variety of categories from Steam Launches to gaff rigged Schooners.
This show breaks boats into three categories; sail, power and steam. Forty boats were entered in the sail category, ranging in vintage from 1897 to the 50's and in length from 30 to 85 feet. Dorothy, a 30 foot fantail cutter, was built in Victoria in 1897 by shipwright John Jacobson. Dorothy is the oldest floating Canadian sailing vessel in British Columbia and was donated to the Maritime Museum of British Columbia in 1995.
The highlight of the festival takes place on Sunday mornings with the Sailpast. All vessels leave the Inner Harbour to take the salute from the Honorary Commodore. On the Sunday afternoon, spectators enjoy the annual Schooner Cup and Classic Open Sail races. On the Saturday afternoon, spectators can see the delightful parade of steamboats cruising the Gorge Waterway. The steamboats leave the Inner Harbour around 2 p.m. There is no admission charge for spectators to view the vessels in the Festival.
Polar Bear Ice Festival
The Polar Bear Ice Festival is back.
You can skate outside under the moon, stars and possibly gently falling snow on the Polar Bear Ice Terrace. With each admission dollar spent, you will receive the equivalent value in Polar Bear Bucks, which may be redeemed at any Bear Mountain restaurant until January 31.
The Polar Bear Ice Terrace is open daily from 10:00am to 10:00pm, weather and ice conditions permitting. General Admission: $10.00 / Children 4 and under free.
Family Pass: $25.00 - valid for up to 5 family members. Limited quantities of skate Rentals are available at $3.00/pair.
On weekends you can Skate with Santa or visit the Polar Bear Ice Den. You can also take a not so chilly Polar Bear Swim in our heated outdoor saltwater pool. Admission is $15.00. Watch for Santa to make a poolside visit.
Other activities include a Breakfast With Santa, Polar Bear Putting (New this year), Cocktails and Caroling as well as special celebrations for New Years Eve and New Years Day.
Please visit the website below for detailed information about the Polar Bear Ice Festival.
Bear Mountain Resort is thrilled to again be partnering with Santas Anonymous so that partial proceeds from various Polar Bear Events will be going towards Santas Anonymous.
Come view our display of beautifully decorated trees between December 1 and 15 and "adopt" a Santas Anonymous Bear. Register your adoption at the Front Desk, then return your unwrapped gift to the Front Desk anytime before 4:00pm on the 15.
