Come in your best wonders of the ocean costume, and bring your friends, your pets, and your props as we celebrate the opening of the festival with music and creativity. Protect our coast, and make sure to borrow, upcycle and reuse materials for your costumes and floats!

Witness the streets come alive with color, imagination, and maritime magic as the Parade of Whales and Wonder winds through the heart of Tofino.

Following the parade, the celebration continues at the Tofino Community Hall with an indoor market with a diverse array of local products, arts, and crafts. The market promises to be a hub of post-parade energy and creativity, offering a perfect opportunity to connect with the local community.

SEE MAP FOR PARADE ROUTE

Starts: 10 am sharp at Wickaninnish Community School

This event is:
Family Friendly.
Button Event.
Outdoors - prepare for all weather.

Do you want to be part of our legendary parade? - Email us to register your interest.

The deadline for entries is Monday, March 9th.

Indulge your taste buds in a coastal culinary extravaganza at the highly anticipated Chowder Chowdown! Returning this year with even more flavor, this event brings together renowned restaurants from Ucluelet and Tofino to showcase their culinary prowess in crafting the perfect chowder.

Join us for a culinary adventure that goes beyond the ordinary. Each participating restaurant will present tastings of their signature chowder dishes, competing to win the hearts and palates of both judges and the public.

We are thrilled to collaborate with the TUCG to bring back this delectable event. As you savor each spoonful, you'll also have the opportunity to learn more about the importance of choosing wild salmon through our partnership with Get Wild.

The Chowder Chowdown is more than just a culinary competition; it's a family-friendly affair filled with a lively atmosphere and delicious discoveries. Bring your loved ones, enjoy the diverse array of chowders, and cast your vote for the People's Choice Award.

Time: Doors 11:00 am. Winner announced 2:00pm.

Location: Ucluelet

Tickets: TBA

Family Friendly Event.

Nature journaling consists of capturing our observations about the natural world from direct observation. It is a multidisciplinary activity that uses pictures, words, and numbers and that includes curricular tie-ins for science & the arts! You do not need to be an artist to keep a nature journal. All you need is a pencil and a sketchbook... and curiosity!

About the instructor Bea Martin:

Bea is a science illustrator (CMI, certified medical illustrator), visual storyteller, and the recipient of the 2024 Richmond Arts Award in Arts Education. With a multidisciplinary background in art and science, Bea loves observing and sketching wildlife from direct observation. As an educator, she shares her passion for the natural world with her students, and supports their creativity, curiosity, and artistic development with genuine curiosity and endless enthusiasm.

This event is outdoors on the beach and rocks; suitable footwear is recommended.

• Family-friendly, children must be supervised by an adult.

• Art Supplies, you can bring your own OR a limited amount will be available for purchase from Bea onsite for $5 cash only.

• Suggested art supplies for activity: 2B graphite pencils, 8.5 x 5.5 in paper sketch book, Water soluble colour pencils (brand CRAYOLA works well), magnifying lenses, transparent ruler.

• Button event: Suggested donation of $10 Adults 19+, $5 Children + Concessions (By purchasing a button, it gives you access to all button events and raises funds for PRWF).

• Location: Big Beach, Ucluelet

Join us for Art Night - Ucluelet edition! You will watch the sun set on the ocean as you paint from the stunning Wine Cellar at Black Rock Resort.

This ticket includes one happy hour drink token, and food is available to purchase before or during your paint event.

Unleash your creativity at Art Night Live, a social and artistic event where you can enjoy a drink, share laughs, and create your marine acrylic art feature. This popular event, which sold out the last time it came to town, caters to all skill levels, making it the perfect opportunity to express yourself through art.

All materials are provided, ensuring a hassle-free and enjoyable painting experience. Under the guidance of skilled instructors, you'll have the chance to bring your artistic vision to life. Plus, you can take home your unique painting as a memento of this creative evening.

Art Night Live is an exclusive event for adults and youth (13+), providing a relaxed and vibrant atmosphere to socialize with friends, meet new people, and discover the artist within you.

Tickets: $65 includes supplies and 1 drink ticket. Tickets coming soon!

Time: 6 - 8:30 PM

Location: Black Rock Resort - Wine Cellar, Ucluelet

Comber's Beach Cleanup

Winter swell and currents bring in marine debris to our shoreline every year. Help Surfrider Pacific Rim keep our beaches clean whilst also learning how to use the information we collect from the beach, to take action and prevent debris from entering the water in the first place.

Meet in the Comber's Beach parking lot at 9am for a safety briefing before heading to the beach. Suitable for all ages.

Location: Pacific Rim National Park - Make sure to pay for your park pass
Time: 9 - 11am

Join Parks Canada naturalists at the Kwisitis Visitor Centre Observation Deck for some whale spotting from shore. There will be scopes available to search for spouts as the whales make their migration up the coast. Bring your binoculars if you have them.

At 1pm we will start nature journaling for animal signs. See details on event posting.

Family Event.
Free.

Join Parks Canada Marine Biologist, Katrina Kushneryk and artist Bea Martin for Nature Journaling - Animal Signs. The beaches are home to many creatures, marine and terrestrial, and whilst we can’t always see them, there will be signs! You will learn about animal tracks and clues, and since it’s whale fest, we will highlight connections on the beach to the whales just offshore!

Nature journaling consists of capturing our observations about the natural world from direct observation. It is a multidisciplinary activity that uses pictures, words, and numbers and that includes curricular tie-ins for science & the arts! You do not need to be an artist to keep a nature journal. All you need is a pencil and a sketchbook... and curiosity!

About the instructor Bea Martin:

Bea is a science illustrator (CMI, certified medical illustrator), visual storyteller, and the recipient of the 2024 Richmond Arts Award in Arts Education. With a multidisciplinary background in art and science, Bea loves observing and sketching wildlife from direct observation. As an educator, she shares her passion for the natural world with her students, and supports their creativity, curiosity, and artistic development with genuine curiosity and endless enthusiasm.

This event is outdoors on the beach and rocks; suitable footwear is recommended.

• Family-friendly, children must be supervised by an adult.

• Art Supplies, you can bring your own OR a limited amount will be available for purchase from Bea onsite for $5 cash only.

• Suggested art supplies for activity: 2B graphite pencils, 8.5 x 5.5 in paper sketch book, Water soluble colour pencils (brand CRAYOLA works well), magnifying lenses, transparent ruler.

• Button event: Suggested donation of $10 Adults 19+, $5 Children + Concessions (By purchasing a button, it gives you access to all button events and raises funds for PRWF).

• Location: Wickaninnish Beach, Pacific Rim National Park Reserve - Park at Kwisitis Visitor Centre

Join us for an evening with Monday Night Movies as we present some of the best and most recent films about whales.

Location: Clayoquot Sounds Theatre

Tickets: On the door: Adults $12, Seniors & Students $10.

Doors 7:00pm, screening starts at 7:30pm

Embark on a day of maritime exploration at Maritime Kids Day, a special event presented in celebration of Whale Fest! This event offers a fantastic opportunity for children and families to engage with the wonders of the marine world.

Maritime Kids Day features a variety of hands-on educational activities designed for all ages. Join us for an immersive experience in interactive learning that fosters curiosity and wonder for our marine ecosystem.

This year, we are excited to host the SEA DOME with the Ocean Wise team. This 6-metre, portable inflatable planetarium is designed for immersive education about ocean conservation. It features 360-degree, 4K video, showing marine environments like kelp forests, alongside expert-led, hands-on learning with artifacts, aimed at empowering youth to protect the ocean

Plus learn about our coastal ecosystem with Parks Canada, Ocean Networks Canada, DFO and Build-A-Whale with Redd Fish Restoration.

Free face painting with Ethereal Face Painting.

Join us for a family-friendly day of discovery, where children can explore, learn, and appreciate the marine wonders that surround us. Maritime Kids Day is more than an event; it's a celebration of the next generation's connection to the ocean. Be part of this exciting day of maritime education and fun!

Cost: Button Event. Adults $10, Children and concessions $5

Something Fishy is going on and we can’t wait for the return of this much loved event.

Thornton Creek Hatchery will have an open house from 10:00 am - 2:00 pm.

There's a free hot dog BBQ, Hatchery tour and Rubber Fish Race that starts at 1:00 pm. Visitors can "buy" a fish for $2 each or 3 for $5 and there will be prizes for the first 10 fish across the finish line.

In 1981 the Thornton Creek Enhancement Society was formed to operate the hatchery as a DFO Community Economic Development Project focused on enhancing Chinook, Coho and Chum salmon in Barkley and Clayoquot Sounds. In addition to raising salmon fry, our staff conduct snorkel surveys and stream walks, collect valuable enumeration data, genetic samples and other BIO-data for DFO. we work within the traditional territories of the toquaht, ucluthaht and tla-o-qui-aht nations.

Family Friendly event. Unfortunately, dogs are not permitted.

Free entry.

Rubber Fish Race - 1pm

Embark on a day of maritime exploration at Maritime Kids Day, a special event presented in celebration of Whale Fest! This event offers a fantastic opportunity for children and families to engage with the wonders of the marine world.

Maritime Kids Day features a variety of hands-on educational activities designed for all ages. Join us for an immersive experience in interactive learning that fosters curiosity and wonder for our marine ecosystem.

This year, we are excited to host the SEA DOME with the Ocean Wise team. This 6-metre, portable inflatable planetarium is designed for immersive education about ocean conservation. It features 360-degree, 4K video, showing marine environments like kelp forests, alongside expert-led, hands-on learning with artifacts, aimed at empowering youth to protect the ocean

Learn about our coastal ecosystem with Parks Canada, Ocean Wise, Ocean Networks Canada, DFO and Build-A-Whale with Redd Fish Restoration.

Free face painting with Ethereal Face Painting.

Join us for a family-friendly day of discovery, where children can explore, learn, and appreciate the marine wonders that surround us. Maritime Kids Day is more than an event; it's a celebration of the next generation's connection to the ocean. Be part of this exciting day of maritime education and fun!

Time: 10:00AM - 2:00PM

Location: Ucluelet Community Centre, Ucluelet, BC

Cost: Button Event $10 adults / $5 children and concessions

Whale, whale, whale, what do you know? Back by popular demand.

Join us for whale-themed trivia at Ucluelet Brewery with Parks Canada naturalists. This event was full capacity last time so please arrive early if you wish to secure a spot.

Prizes to be won!

Time: 6:00 - 8:00 PM

Location: Ucluelet Brewery. 1601 Peninsula Road.

Cost: Button Event, $10 Adults 19+ , $5 children and concessions

Suitable for families with children

Tune in for a special Speaker Series that will be running during Whale Fest - subject and more details TBA very soon!

The Raincoast Speaker Series is a long-running social and educational phenomenon! They invite you to join experts from around the world for in-depth discussions about locally, regionally, and globally relevant topics. All from the comfort of your home!

The Raincoast Education Society’s mission is to shape an environmentally sustainable future for the
Clayoquot and Barkley Sound region through education and community stewardship.

Join us for a special celebration during Whale Fest as the Ucluelet Aquarium hosts a morning public beach seine at Terrace Beach. This engaging event is free for all attendees!

Ever wondered about beach seines? They offer a fantastic way to collect small, shallow-water animals like perch without causing hook-and-line-related injuries. Watch as the Ucluelet Aquarium staff don their wetsuits and skillfully pull in the seine net to the shore.

Visitors are invited to observe the fascinating array of marine specimens caught in the net and learn more about them from the knowledgeable Ucluelet Aquarium staff members and volunteers. It's a unique opportunity to connect with marine life and deepen your understanding of the delicate coastal ecosystem.

Don't miss this chance to experience the wonders of the ocean up close and gain valuable insights into the marine world. Bring your curiosity and join us for a memorable morning of discovery at Terrace Beach!

Family friendly. Suitable for all ages. Free.