Now in its 45th year, the Victoria Classic Boat Festival, run by The Maritime Museum of BC, returns to the Inner Harbour this Labour Day weekend from 30 August – 1 September 2024.
Spend your weekend viewing 80 beautiful and history-rich heritage vessels, expertly restored, rebuilt, and painstakingly maintained. Docks are open 9 AM – 8 PM on Friday and Saturday, and 9 AM – 6 PM on Sunday. Admission is open, with a $5 dock donation suggested to keep this Victoria classic event sailing into the future.
So many exciting Festival highlights for 2024! Hotly anticipated is the return of 1897 sailing vessel Dorothy—fresh off a summer of touring other festivals, youth sailing programs, and regattas on the Salish Sea. A full weekend schedule of live music awaits right on the docks! The Festival’s new Artists Aboard Program features four local maritime artists sketching on the docks and creating new works from their weekend of experiences. Visitors are encouraged to come down for the boats, music, and to talk with the artists documenting these vessels.
As always, the Sunday Sail Past and Sail Race is a beloved tradition, with vessels saluting Honorary Commodore Robert G. Allan and registered sail boats embracing the wind in pursuit of coveted sailing awards. Refuel throughout the weekend at the Yacht Dogs Cafe right on the docks, featuring hot dogs and corn on the cob.
About the Victoria Classic Boat Festival
The Victoria Classic Boat Festival is a spectacular annual gathering of vessels of a Classic design, both new and old, power and sail. Vessels attend from all over the Pacific Northwest, with the occasional visiting vessel from distant oceans. Each year during the Labour Day weekend, approximately 10,000 visitors tour the docks and the boats on display. The public is invited to view the boats while they are moored at the Inner Harbour docks. Many owners generously offer tours of their boats.
Brittany Vis, Executive Director of the Maritime Museum of BC and Festival Administrator, noted that “the Pacific Northwest is blessed with an enormous number of traditional boats – from sailboats, to workboats, to cruisers”
“The Festival began in 1977 with the idea that our maritime heritage must not only be preserved, but also celebrated,” Vis said, “This special 45th celebration in the Inner Harbour, the Festival’s open docks, events, and activities serve to engage our community and visitors with our maritime history, culture, arts, music, and its ongoing story. ”
Public Events
The Lekwungen Nations’ Welcome Ceremony will be held on the docks on Friday, August 30 at 12:00 PM to open the Festival—salute vessel Midnight Sun will bring Honorary Commodore Robert G. Allan to meet Lekwungen representatives for a traditional welcome to their territories from the water.
The Sail Past and Sail Race starting at 11:00 AM on Sunday, September 1 are traditional sailing events where spectators can watch the parade of ships from the Inner Harbour—ships follow the salute vessel Midnight Sun out into the Salish Sea. There are three recommended vantage points for the public: Barb’s Fish and Chips at Fisherman’s Wharf, the Ogden Point Breakwater, and Clover Point. Stick around to catch the Sail Race when power vessels return to the harbour!
The Yacht Dogs Cafe is open on the floating dock directly beside the Causeway ramp. Hot dogs, veggie dogs, and corn on the cob is $5; cold drinks, coffee, donuts, and chips are $3. Open Friday from 10:00 – 8:00 PM; Saturday from 9:00 AM – 8:00 PM; and Sunday from 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM.