A January Guide to Victoria

WELLNESS & SEASONAL RESET

Intention Wellness Week

This January, Victoria is kicking the new year off strong with an Intention Wellness Week. With experiences designed to support rest, reflection, and renewal - Intention Wellness sets the tone for 2026. One highlight of the week is Steam and Steep, a collaboration between Aerth Sauna and the Pendray Tea House. This experience begins with a 90-minute sauna session featuring heat, cold contrast therapy, and intentional rest, followed by a curated tea service at the Pendray Tea House. The combination of sauna and tea creates a grounding winter ritual that feels both restorative and uniquely Victoria. 

Scenic Saunas and Spas

Victoria’s scenic sauna culture continues to grow. Locations such as HAVN, Wildwood Sauna, Aerth Sauna, and Ritual Nordic offer waterfront or nature-inspired settings that make winter sauna sessions especially memorable. These experiences are well suited to January’s cooler temperatures and quieter atmosphere.

For those looking to unwind indoors, Victoria’s spa scene provides a wide range of options. Emerald Day Spa offers a calm, intimate setting in the heart of downtown, Free Spirit Spa is a relaxing day spa offering a variety of wellness treatments, including facials, massages, and botanical body therapies that help guests unwind and rejuvenate. The Fairmont Spa at the Fairmont Empress delivers a classic luxury experience overlooking the Inner Harbour. Salt and Ivy Spa adds a modern touch with treatments designed for relaxation and rejuvenation, making spa visits an ideal way to balance active winter days.

CULINARY WORLD

Dine Around Stay In Town 

Upon popular demand, the renound culinary experience - Dine Around and Stay in Town - returns in late January, inviting locals and visitors to explore Victoria’s culinary scene through prix fixe menus and seasonal hotel packages. It’s an opportunity to try new restaurants, revisit favourites, and enjoy the city’s food culture at a more relaxed winter pace.

Dine Around Gala 

The festivities begin with the Dine Around Gala, where local restaurants, wineries, breweries, and cideries come together for a lively evening of tastings and entertainment. It’s a celebratory way to kick off the festival and sample a wide range of flavours in one place.

Victoria Whisky Festival 

Another January favourite is the Victoria Whisky Festival, which brings whisky enthusiasts together for tastings, seminars, and special events featuring distillers from around the world. The festival’s main tasting event is a highlight for both seasoned collectors and curious newcomers.

Pendray Tea House 

For a slower and more traditional dining experience, the Pendray Tea House offers Sunday Roast and Scottish High Tea throughout the winter season. Served in a historic setting overlooking the Inner Harbour, these meals provide a comforting and elegant way to enjoy a winter afternoon or evening.

LIVE SHOWS & ENTERTAINMENT

Victoria’s performance calendar remains active in January, with a range of touring shows and live entertainment options. Broadway Victoria presents TINA – The Tina Turner Musical, bringing the story and music of the legendary performer to the Royal Theatre for a high-energy theatrical experience.

Music fans can catch The Offspring with Bad Religion as they bring their iconic punk rock sound to Victoria for a night of high-energy live music. Comedy also features prominently this month, with the Tom Green Stompin’ Comedy Tour and the Snowed In Comedy Tour offering plenty of laughs at local venues.

For something more immersive and atmospheric, The Planets – Symphony in Space pairs orchestral music with stunning visuals, creating a multisensory performance that feels especially fitting for winter evenings.

OUTDOOR EXPERIENCES

January also brings classic winter traditions to Victoria’s shores. Polar Bear Swims take place at beaches across the region, inviting brave participants to start the year with a refreshing plunge into the ocean. Whether you take part or simply watch from shore, these events add a sense of community and seasonal fun to the New Year.

Victoria’s mild climate makes it easy to stay connected with nature throughout the winter months. Guided experiences with Island Trails Ecotours offer opportunities to explore local trails and landscapes with knowledgeable guides, while Rainforest Tours highlight the lush coastal ecosystems that thrive year-round on Vancouver Island. These excursions provide a refreshing contrast to indoor activities and showcase the natural beauty that surrounds the city.

A Relaxed Start to the Year

January in Victoria is about balance between rest and activity, indulgence and renewal, culture and nature. From sauna and tea rituals to live performances, seasonal dining, and rainforest walks, the city offers endless ways to begin the year feeling refreshed and inspired.