I like celebrations – I like festivity – So I recognize a kindred spirit in the Tofino inhabitants – They like festivity and celebrations too and they know how to celebrate all aspects of life.  From the Pacific Rim Whale Festival, to their Food & Wine Fest, to the Lantern Fest, the Mushroom Fest and numerous Music and Art Festivals, each event is a uniquely amazing adventure.  With natural landscapes like the Pacific Rim National Park Reserve, the Tofino Botanical Gardens and the Pacific Ocean itself as the backdrop for some of these events it’s hard to imagine how they could get any better.Here’s some info on just a few of the festivals that you can look forward to:

Pacific Rim Whale Festival

Ushering in the spring season for thousands of years, the Gray whales migrate north, snuggling up to the west coast shore of Vancouver Island, pausing in the Tofino waters, giving viewers an amazing sight.  Approximately 21,000 Grays, their numbers thankfully increasing due to conservation efforts, make the trek and many can be viewed during the March festival, either from shore, or if you’re like me, you’ll want to hop onto one of the charter boats and take a little drive out to get a bit more up close and personal with these magnificent creatures.

Tofino Food & Wine Festival

Wine tastings, Winemaker’s Dinners, nibbling haute cuisine in the Tofino Botanical Gardens are a ‘foodies’ dream come true and just a few of the wonderful events the Tofino Food & Wine Festival serves up for your pleasure.  Jointly hosted by local restaurants and wineries, the festival celebrates the union of food and wine harvested from its richly sustainable sources.  I can hardly wait to be saying “Bon Appétit” this June.

Pacific Rim Summer Festival

A mainstay on Tofino’s festival circuit, the Pacific Rim Summer Festival presents diverse performances which include: Jazz, Classical, Celtic, Blues and Rock music performances, Visual Art, Spoken Word, Modern Dance, and First Nations performances in venues in Tofino, Ucluelet and the Pacific Rim National Park.

Tofino Art in the Gardens

“Art in the Gardens”, a two day festival held at the Tofino Botanical Gardens is a celebration of both visual and performing arts.  A favorite of the local artists, as well as the patrons, it’s a time when the artists relax as they share their works with one another and us.  And of course, the amazing background settings can’t be beat.

Tofino Film Festival

Celebrating its 12^th anniversary, the Tofino Film Festival is a week-long homage of film in all its genres running the gamut of Hollywood and foreign features, to animations and documentaries and everything in-between.  Who wants to walk the Red Carpet with me this year?

Tofino Oyster Festival

There is an embarrassment of Oyster riches in November, nicknamed Oysterember, by locals in the know. With everything Oyster for this brief period of time, you can attend a Wine & Beer Tasting while slurping the raw oyster bar; tour oyster farms; party in themed-costume; and for the Grand Finale, the Oyster Gala has it all, dancing, dining, contests and oysters, oysters, oysters. With event names like the Mermaid’s Ball and the Oyster Gala, I am so there

For more information on The Festivals of Tofino:

• Pacific Rim Whale Festival: March

• Tofino Food & Wine Festival:  June

• Pacific Rim Summer Festival: July

• Tofino Art in the Garden: September

• Tofino Film Festival: October

• Tofino Oyster Festival: November

Hey, if you’ve been to any of the Tofino Festivals let us know which ones you enjoyed the most.

Just at the edge of the world – situated on the Pacific Rim – is this secluded jewel of coastal Vancouver Island called Tofino. With a population of only 2,000 people, this contrasting combination of communing in solitude with nature, and being pampered in spa resorts makes for a dream vacation spot. In fact, Tofino is so popular that if you’re planning on visiting during the summer months, I suggest you book your reservations soon. There is so much to do in this rural retreat, I think it’ll surprise you.

Tofino is a place where you can go fishing, kayaking, surfing; go bird, bear and whale watching; hiking trails; visiting natural hot springs, hang out in a spa, do some yoga, and have a massage, facial, mani-pedi; attend a festival celebrating any number of things; all while being treated to the breathtaking views of the Pacific Rim.

Looking for something a little different to see on your holiday? There’s the ecologically educational environment of the UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, in Clayoquot Sound, the first designated land of its kind in BC.

Pacific Rim National Park

The Pacific Rim National Park will offer you the most unsullied lands around at the nature reserves so don’t be surprised if you find yourself forgetting your crowded highways and city streets – this is one place where you can relax and breathe in the pristine island air.

Interested in some art? There are numerous Art Galleries, celebrating the First Nations history and culture. And the Botanical Gardens, which encompass a formal garden, forest and seashore, is a work of art and an unexpected treat.

Despite luxurious resorts, spas and cultural events, both artistic and historic, Tofino retains its rustic, friendly and down-to-earth charm. So when you’re ready to feast, you can count on excellent Seafood with an indigenous feel, a variety of cafes and coffee shops serving up everything from pizza and burgers to sushi and burritos, as well as some luxurious resort dining rooms, feeding your soul as well with some amazing views of the Pacific.

And not surprisingly for this warm and friendly town, Tofino has many festivals all year long. From March’s Pacific Rim Whale Festival, to the Tofino Food & Wine Festival, the Pacific Rim Summer Festival, to “Oyster ember” , the Oyster Festival in November, and more, you will always find festival and festivity in Tofino.

Come and enjoy Victoria Island and please tell your friends about us.