A Summer of Classical Music Across Vancouver Island

The Victoria Symphony returns with its Symphony in the Summer Festival, bringing orchestral performances to some of the region's most distinctive venues. Spanning late July through early August 2026, the festival features four concerts showcasing classical masterworks and contemporary compositions at intimate and grand settings alike.

Festival Venues and Programs

The festival opens on July 30 at Christ Church Cathedral with conductor Andrei Feher leading a program featuring Beethoven's Symphony No. 8—described as "among his most playful works, reflecting a moment of ease in the composer's life." The evening pairs this with contemporary Canadian composer Kelly-Marie Murphy's "On Rethinking Heroism in the 21st Century" and Poulenc's Sinfonietta.

The following evening brings another cathedral performance with Mozart's Violin Concerto No. 1 featuring Victoria Symphony Principal 2nd Violin Kimberly Durflinger as soloist, alongside Weiner's Serenade for Small Orchestra and Dvořák's Czech Suite, described as evoking "rolling landscapes and serene nights."

On August 6, the festival moves to The Butchart Gardens with conductor Giuseppe Pietraroia and violinist Malak El Ouadghiri, with admission included in garden entry. The festival concludes August 9 in Qualicum Beach at the Civic Centre, featuring the same conducting and violin pairing.

Accessibility and Ticketing

Tickets for cathedral performances went on sale June 2. The Butchart Gardens concert is included with garden admission, while Qualicum Beach tickets are available at The Mulberry Bush Book Store. The Victoria Symphony box office can be reached at 250-385-6515 during regular business hours (Monday–Friday, 9am–12pm and 1pm–4pm, excluding holidays).