Celebrating arts and culture

Our seaside community actively supports arts and culture in the municipality. Residents of Greater Victoria and visitors are treated year-round through installations, events and exhibits.

Public art installations are in several areas of the township, each offering insights to local culture and history. The most recent installations are at the Esquimalt Town Square courtyard or visit the Township Community Arts Council’s pirate-themed sand sculpture at Bullen Field.

As restrictions are lifting with respect to COVID-19, we are seeing both indoor and outdoor events and activities increase in our community:

• The Memorial Park Music Fest features live music on Tuesdays at 6 p.m. until the end of August.

• Exhibits, art sales and classes run all year through the Esquimalt Community Arts Hub in addition to community-wide events like the Esquimalt Mural Festival (August 15-28).

• Handcrafted goods and local foods are available Thursdays through the Esquimalt Farmers Market.

• Past and present First Nations culture can be experienced first-hand through Explore Songhees for Indigenous cultural and hospitality experiences. This includes a series of tours, cultural learning opportunities and culinary offerings.

• History buffs can take in Esquimalt’s military culture through the recently reopened CFB Esquimalt Naval and Military Museum.

• Take one or all of our self-guided walking tours and learn more about Esquimalt. Download a copy of the guide or pick one up at Esquimalt Municipal Hall. Esquimalt’s name is derived from a local First Nations expression “Es-whoy-malth,” which means the place of gradually shoaling water. The township is within the traditional territories of the Esquimalt and Songhees First Nations.

More at Esquimalt.ca/ Explore