Open House

Daily until Sept 2, 2024

12:00 - 2:00pm

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Come visit historic Helmcken House, on the east side of the museum building.

Join one of our educators for a guided walking tour of our Native Plant Garden! Learn about the plant neighbours we share here on the BC coast, including some of their Indigenous uses. Approximately eight different plants will be highlighted.

Join us for a tour of protest through music.

From advocating for 2SLGBTQI+ rights and environmental justice to challenging racism and sexism in the music industry, music has long been a powerful tool for resistance and change. This 30-minute guided tour of Beyond the Beat: Music of Resistance and Change takes you on a journey across genres and movements, exploring how music amplifies voices and inspires action. There's something for everyone on this tour through sound and solidarity.

Join us on a journey celebrating the women who have raised their voices in the social and political movements that shape our world.

Music is a powerful force - bringing people together, inspiring action and transforming communities. This 30-minute guided tour of our feature exhibition Beyond the Beat: The Music of Resistance and Change highlights the impact of women in music across genres and causes. Learn how  women have used music to challenge injustice, express identity and lead change.

Maker Saturdays at the Museum

Calling all makers! Join us one Saturday a month this summer for hands-on activities inspired by our feature exhibitions. These drop-in sessions are open to all ages - come get creative, explore and play.

This month, we're exploring the power of music in Beyond the Beat: Music of Resistance and Change. Create your own revolutionary zine, try your hand at songwriting and test your musical knowledge. Join us and discover how music brings us together.

Join the Greater Victoria Public Library  and the Royal BC Museum for a lively and musical family Storytime in the Beyond the Beat: Music of Resistance and Change exhibition at the Royal BC Museum! Gather around for dynamic readings of books all about music — from joyful rhythms to inspiring sounds from around the world.

Chinese peoples have migrated to what is now known as Canada since first stepping foot in Mawaachat/Muchalaht First Nations territories in 1788. 

In this 30-minute tour of the Chinese Canadian Museum's Odysseys and Migration exhibition, journey through key points in Chinese Canadian history, interwoven with the true story of Wong Guey Dang, a Chinese Canadian labourer, restauranteur and great grandfather of the tour guide, Mina Guan.

Wanna reconnect? Tired of online dating? Nervous to put yourself out there? Join us for this exciting new series! With dating apps losing their spark, we're offering a refreshing alternative—an evening of low-pressure connections and inspiring conversations.

From gold rushes to temperate rainforests, British Columbia’s past and present is vast and diverse. Join one of our knowledgeable educators for a highlights-only tour through the museum’s immersive Human and Natural History galleries.

Presented in partnership with the Chinese Canadian Museum

Join us for a special live online program in connection with the exhibition Odysseys and Migration, currently on view at the Royal BC Museum.

Celebrate International Self-Care Month in Old Town!

Join us at our bracelet-making and mindfulness message station, where you can create something beautiful for yourself and share a positive message for someone else to discover.

All supplies are provided - just bring yourself! This relaxing, hands-on activity is perfect for all ages and a great way to slow down, connect and celebrate self-care.  

Join us on a journey into the rich and complex story of Indian Chintz.

On this 30-minute guided experience, you'll uncover the true story of Indian Chintz - a centuries-old textile tradition born in the Indian subcontinent, and shaped by global trade, colonialism and cultural exchange.

Discover how Indian artisans created dazzling multicoloured cottons using intricate hand painted  and block-printed techniques. You'll also learn how these fabrics became luxury items in royal courts and unpack the role of chintz in the rise of fast fashion.

Maker Saturdays at the Museum
Calling all makers! Join us one Saturday a month this summer for hands-on activities inspired by our feature exhibitions. These drop-in sessions are open to all ages — come get creative, explore, and play.

Join artist Jaimie Robson  and build a botanically inspired paper sculpture in this hands-on workshop inspired by her temporary installation Uprooted, on view in the Climate Change Gallery starting on June 27^th. The session begins with a visit to the installation, followed by a creative workshop where participants will craft their own forest-themed paper artworks.

Join University of Victoria pre-service teachers as they share information, challenges and ideas about Climate Justice in animation stations throughout the core galleries.

Join us at the Royal BC Museum for the launch of Celebrating Potlatches, a new children’s book by Samantha Beynon that honours Indigenous stories and traditions.

Enjoy a short presentation, book signing, and a booth from Strong Nations featuring children’s resources.

Eat. Drink. Explore.

Celebrate love, identity, and self-expression at After Hours: Pride—a joyful, inclusive night honoring 2SLGBTQIA+ history, culture, and community. Dance to an all-night DJ set by Efrévescent, enjoy a live performance by Marina Avros, and catch a dynamic drag show by Asian drag king Noah Lott. Take part in a communal art project and connect with local advocates while exploring valuable community resources.

This event is organized with the LGBTQIA+ community and warmly welcomes allies to join in and celebrate together.

Beyond the Beat: Music of Resistance and Change showcases music as a powerful catalyst for social and political change with historical and contemporary examples.  Jodi Giesbrecht  and Lorne Hammond will share about the development of and challenges of creating the exhibit and some of their favorite stories behind the artifacts. 

About the Speaker

Visit our Pride Button Station in the museum and create a button that celebrates love, identity, and inclusion! Choose from colorful designs or craft your own unique message. All supplies are provided, so you can wear your creation with pride or share it with someone special. Fun for all ages!

Join us for an engaging presentation and celebration of the book The Teachings of Mutton: A Coast Salish Woolly Dog, whose pelt lay forgotten in a Smithsonian drawer for 150 years. According to Indigenous oral histories of the Pacific Northwest, this small dog was bred for thousands of years for its woolly fibres, which were woven into traditional blankets, robes and regalia. Authors Liz Hammond-Kaarremaa, Kerrie Charnley, Andrea Fritz, Violet Elliott and Ty Elliot will read excerpts from The Teachings of Mutton, alongside a discussion.