Sea Glass Jewelry Workshop
2026-03-26 17:30 - 19:00, 2026-05-16 14:00 - 15:30 (America/Vancouver) | The Maritime Museum of BC, 744 Douglas Street, Victoria, British Columbia, V8W3M6, Canada
Join us to learn about the history and beauty of sea glass in this hands-on workshop. Design your very own stunning piece of jewelry using locally sourced sea glass. No experience necessary! You’ll leave with a unique and wearable work of art that captures the beauty of the sea.

Community Day - Seas the Break!
2026-03-27 09:30 - 16:30, 2026-03-28 09:30 - 16:30 | The Maritime Museum of BC, 744 Douglas Street, Victoria, British Columbia, V8W3M6, Canada
This Spring Break, join us at the Maritime Museum of BC for three welcoming and creative Community Days, running March 26–28, centred on art, family, and hands-on fun!

Drop in and explore our exhibit ‘1858: Black Routes, Black Roots’, and participate in our craft activities designed to spark creativity for all ages!

On Thursday, March 26th you’ll find crafts, games, and books to enjoy in our gallery! Then on Friday, March 27 from 1:00–4:00 PM, make your own lino-cut stamps, carving your own spring designs to take home! Wrap up the fun with us on Saturday from 1:00–4:00PM and create colourful beaded fish, a playful craft inspired by our love for the ocean!

Come craft, create, and celebrate Spring Break with activities that bring the community together! Fun for kids, families, and everyone who loves to get a little hands-on!

Mini Mariner Mornings - Mythical Seas
2026-03-28 10:00 - 11:00 | The Maritime Museum of BC, 744 Douglas Street, Victoria, British Columbia, V8W3M6, Canada
Join us this week to learn about ocean legends, myths, and stories! We’ll be exploring stories from around the world, including some right in our own backyard here in Victoria! Have fun reading, crafting, and try your best to steal from the kraken’s lair! And finally, creating your own mythical creature and discover what makes a myth so interesting.

This program runs monthly on Saturday mornings (from September to May), with new themes each month. Drop-in anytime between 10:00am and 11:00am, but remember storytime is at 10:30am! Activities are suitable for ages 3-8 years. Parents and guardians must remain at the museum for the duration of the program.

No registration required – Drop-ins welcome!

Museum Closed
2026-03-29 00:00 - 2026-03-30 23:59, 2026-04-05 00:00 - 2026-04-06 23:59, 2026-04-12 00:00 - 2026-04-13 23:59, 2026-04-19 00:00 - 2026-04-20 23:59, 2026-04-26 00:00 - 2026-04-27 23:59, 2026-05-03 00:00 - 2026-05-04 23:59, 2026-05-10 00:00 - 2026-05-11 23:59, 2026-05-17 00:00 - 2026-05-18 23:59 and 3 more dates
The Maritime Museum of BC is open Tuesday – Saturday from 9:30 AM – 4:30 PM.

Fabric Printmaking Workshop
2026-04-11 13:30 - 15:30 | The Maritime Museum of BC, 744 Douglas Street, Victoria, British Columbia, V8W3M6, Canada
Join us for an ocean-inspired printmaking workshop at the Maritime Museum of BC, where you will carve your own linocut stamp and apply it to fabric! This hands-on session invites participants to explore the history and beauty of our rich maritime heritage through creative block printing techniques. Bring your imagination and leave with a practical item for your home or to wear that celebrates the ocean!

Each participant will take home:

4×6” Linoleum block carved with a design of their creation

A cotton tea towel or tote bag, printed with their design

Participants are also welcome to bring additional fabric materials to print on if desired. Maybe you have an old pair of jeans that need some sprucing up, or a stained t-shirt that could be printed over? Feel free to bring those in to print on as well. Please note:

Lighter coloured fabrics will show your design better.

If you decide to purchase something new for the workshop, please wash and dry it before the workshop.

Smooth fabrics that do not possess a heavy texture or stretch are best for use with our inks. Cotton, linen, broadcloth and denim are examples of ideal fabrics for use. Nylon and canvas are not recommended.

Registration includes workshop, all supplies, and admission to the Maritime Museum of BC (valid for 24 hours).

Register Here

Mini Mariner Mornings - Magical Magnets
2026-04-25 10:00 - 11:00 | The Maritime Museum of BC, 744 Douglas Street, Victoria, British Columbia, V8W3M6, Canada
Join us to explore the magical world of magnets and to learn about the cool science behind these neat tricks! Test out magnetic objects, learn navigation with a real compass, and make some art with magnets!

This program runs monthly on Saturday mornings (from September to May), with new themes each month. Drop-in anytime between 10:00am and 11:00am, but remember storytime is at 10:30am! Activities are suitable for ages 3-8 years. Parents and guardians must remain at the museum for the duration of the program.

Living History: Meet Mifflin Gibbs
2026-04-25 11:00 - 15:00 | The Maritime Museum of BC, 744 Douglas Street, Victoria, British Columbia, V8W3M6, Canada
April 25th is your final opportunity to experience 1858: Black Routes, Black Roots exhibit at the Maritime Museum of BC. To bid farewell to this impactful display in style, we’re welcoming an esteemed guest all the way from 1866!

In partnership with Story Theatre and BC Black History Awareness Society, we invite you to step back in time and meet Mifflin Wistar Gibbs, the first Black person to hold elected office in British Columbia.

Through the art of historical interpretation, this “Living History” performance brings the 19th century to life. Mr. Gibbs, who served as a Victoria City Councillor for James Bay, returns to answer questions from his “constituents” and share his pivotal role in shaping Canada.

Co-created by Director Adonis Critter King and Producer Monica Ogden, this program bridges the gap between the past and the contemporary, offering audiences of all ages a chance to learn from our history to build better futures.

Join us for this special closing event:

When: April 25, 2026, 11:00am – 3:00pm with break from 11:45am-12:45pm

Admission to the museum this day will be “Pay what you can!”

Closure: Exhibit Changeover
2026-04-26 00:00 - 2026-04-30 23:59 | The Maritime Museum of BC, 744 Douglas Street, Victoria, British Columbia, V8W3M6, Canada
The Maritime Museum of BC will be closed to the public for our exhibit changeover.

We will reopen on May 1, 2026 with our brand new exhibit:

Getting Tiddley: Navy Uniforms from Cap to Boot

Exhibit Opening - Getting Tiddley: Navy Uniforms from Cap to Boot
2026-05-01 00:00 - 23:59 | The Maritime Museum of BC, 744 Douglas Street, Victoria, British Columbia, V8W3M6, Canada
Step into the boots of a recruit and explore the evolution of the Royal Canadian Navy through the uniforms worn by those who served. From the iconic “square rig” of the 1940s to the high-tech safety gear of today, Getting Tiddley reveals how the navy uniform is a symbol of rank, a tool for survival, and a representation of Canada.

The term “Tiddley” is naval slang for looking smart, neat, and sharp. This exhibition traces that standard of excellence through over eighty years of transformation, highlighting the moments when the Navy began to forge its own path distinct from British traditions.The Maritime Museum of BC is pleased to offer special admission rates for the duration of the exhibition. All active Canadian military personnel, Veterans, and their families will receive 20% off admission. Additionally, any service member who visits the exhibition in uniform will receive free admission for themselves.

This exhibit runs until November 14, 2026.

Pay-What-You-Can Fridays
2026-05-01 00:00 - 23:59, 2026-05-08 00:00 - 23:59, 2026-05-15 00:00 - 23:59, 2026-05-22 00:00 - 23:59, 2026-05-29 00:00 - 23:59, 2026-06-05 00:00 - 23:59
We believe that our maritime heritage should be available to everyone. To ensure our galleries are as inclusive as possible, we have introduced Pay-What-You-Can Fridays.

Every Friday, we invite you to visit the museum and choose an admission price that works for you. This initiative is designed to ensure that everyone in our community can engage with our nautical stories, regardless of financial barriers.

“Sea” you soon!

Mini Mariner Mornings - It's a Pirate's Life for me!
2026-05-16 10:00 - 11:00 | The Maritime Museum of BC, 744 Douglas Street, Victoria, British Columbia, V8W3M6, Canada
Ahoy! Join us this week for a swashbuckling good time! Come aboard and learn how to talk, dress, and move like a pirate! We’ll read about pirate manners, the code they live by, and make our very own hats!

This program runs monthly on Saturday mornings (from September to May), with new themes each month. Drop-in anytime between 10:00am and 11:00am, but remember storytime is at 10:30am! Activities are suitable for ages 3-8 years. Parents and guardians must remain at the museum for the duration of the program.

Sea Glass Jewelry Workshop
2026-06-03 14:00 - 15:15 | Crystal Pool and Fitness Centre, 2275 Quadra Street, Victoria, BC, V8T 4C4, Canada
Join us to learn about the history and beauty of sea glass in this hands-on workshop. Use wire wrapping techniques to design your very own stunning piece of jewelry using locally sourced sea glass. No experience is necessary! You’ll leave with a unique and wearable work of art that captures the beauty of the sea.

Registration includes workshop and all supplies, though participants are welcome to bring their own glass.

Accessibility and Program Notes:

This program takes place in the Brereton Room at the Crystal Pool and Fitness Centre. There are eight stairs to enter the program location. A platform lift is available, please check in with front desk if you would like assistance.

Please refrain from wearing or using strong-scented products while attending this program.

Sensory Considerations: Overhead lighting.

If you would like to request accommodations or more accessibility information, please contact Leah MacInnis at: 250-661-4200 or LMacinnis@victoria.ca

72 hours’ notice is required for a full refund.

REgister Here

Event: Book Presentation with Michael Layland
2026-06-05 14:30 - 15:30 | The Maritime Museum of BC, 744 Douglas Street, Victoria, British Columbia, V8W3M6, Canada
Turmoil: The Life & Times of Philip Hankin is the latest work by award-winning author Michael Layland. Layland will give a talk on the many ships of Philip Hankin sailed on during his time on Vancouver Island, followed by a Q & A.

This event is FREE with museum admission, no registration required. Signed copies of Turmoil will be available for purchase.

About the book:

Hankin’s remarkable life brought abuse, hardship, and controversy, adventure, opportunity, and reward. It earned him a place in BC history as acting head of governments at a tumultuous time, and for recording parts of a 19th century Huu-ay-aht language. This list of common phrases and drawings lay misfiled in a British archive for more than a century until the author unearthed it during his research.

About the Author:

Born and educated in England, Michael Layland trained as an officer and mapmaker in the Royal Engineers of the British Army.

His extensive research of the cartographic and exploration history of Vancouver Island fuelled his first two books: The Land of Heart’s Delight: Early Maps and Charts of Vancouver Island, & A Perfect Eden: Encounters by Early Explorers of Vancouver Island . In the third, In Nature’s Realm, he combined his love of exploration history with a deep, life-long interest in the natural world.
