Township of Esquimalt

The seaside community of the Township of Esquimalt actively supports arts and culture in the municipality. Residents of Greater Victoria and visitors are treated year-round to arts and culture 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. Esquimalt Council adopted a Public Art Policy in 2016 to ”cultivate a more vibrant community full of visually exciting and identifiable spaces where art in all its forms is incorporated into everyday life.” Highlights include:

• Outdoor concerts, theater performances, and creative displays can be seen in the warmer months. Many are organized through the Township Community Arts Council (TCAC) which partners with artists and other volunteer groups.
• Events such as Memorial Park Music Fest, Esquimalt Arts Festival, Bard Across the Bridge, Splash! of Paint, Sculpture Splash! and many others bring people together for outdoor music, theatre, art exhibitions, paint-ins and sculpture extravaganzas.
• 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 and Urban Arts Tour.
• Handcrafted goods are available weekly 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 CFB Esquimalt Naval and Military Museum.