We're celebrating turning 80 years old and we have a birthday gift for the community!
We're inviting Victorians to admire world-class art, stroll through magnificent gardens, climb new heights and explore Vancouver Island nature, all free of charge in honour of the Victoria Foundation’s 80th anniversary.
On Saturday, Sept. 17, Victoria Foundation Day will see popular attractions throughout Greater Victoria open their doors and welcome the public for free. Attractions as diverse as the Robert Bateman Centre, Boulders Climbing Gym and Abkhazi Garden are among the 25 participating venues.
Free admission is available all day, and no special tickets are necessary. Even those venues that are typically admission by donation, such as Swan Lake Nature Sanctuary, will have their costs covered for the day.
Victoria Foundation Day celebrates 80 years of connecting people who care with causes that matter®. Participating attractions will offer free admission, parking and/or other perks, helping Victorians to enjoy a day of art, athletics, nature, history and more.
Use the offer to take in some current special attractions and events, such as the Art Gallery of Greater Victoria's new Millenia exhibition, Emily Carr House's "...on a Tangent Tear" display and Heritage Acre's Harvest Fall Threshing.
The Victoria Foundation started in 1936 when Burges Gadsden, a volunteer at a soup kitchen brought to life his vision of a community foundation in BC. Established by an Act of the BC Legislature, the Foundation received its first gift the following year, with Gadsden’s mother, Fannie, donating $20.
Today the Victoria Foundation continues to build a vibrant, caring community for all. We are the region’s largest non-government funder, with assets of over $270 million and annual granting of over $15 million. For the past 10 years, the Victoria Foundation has also produced Victoria’s Vital Signs®, an annual community report card.
For details and hours of participating attractions, please view and/or print the complete list here.