Royal BC Museum

Royal BC Museum Inspiring curiosity through shared stories, nature, history and culture. BC’s provincial museum. The museum was founded in 1886; the archives in 1894.

The Royal BC Museum Corporation is one of the foremost cultural institutions in the world. In 2003 these two organizations integrated to become British Columbia's combined provincial museum and archives, collecting artifacts, documents and specimens of BC's natural and human history, safeguarding them for the future, and sharing them with the world. Through research and education, we strive to bro

aden understanding about our province and inspire curiosity and wonder. We are passionate about sharing British Columbia's story with the millions of visitors who walk through our doors and explore our web site each year. Our archives, exhibits and galleries change and grow as our understanding grows, and we endeavour to share our knowledge in original and exciting ways. Each exhibit and gallery tells important stories about British Columbia and provides an engaging and thought-provoking window on the province's past, present and future. Our archives provide a treasure trove of information for researchers and genealogists through the stories that are preserved here.

National Indigenous Peoples Day is an opportunity to celebrate the strength, diversity, and living cultures of First Nat...
06/21/2026

National Indigenous Peoples Day is an opportunity to celebrate the strength, diversity, and living cultures of First Nations, Inuit, and Métis Peoples, and to continue learning from Indigenous voices.

Thank you to everyone who joined us on Friday for our National Indigenous Peoples Day Open House. We are grateful for the opportunity to come together in celebration, learning, and community. Your presence helped make the day meaningful and memorable.

The Living Cultures and Living Archives video series shares stories grounded in Indigenous knowledge and lived experience:

https://rbcm.ca/living-cultures/

Through artist profiles, Indigenous artists speak to their own cultures and creative practices, sharing the relationships and teachings that shape their work. The Living Archives series centres Indigenous perspectives on collections, bringing forward the knowledge, histories and meanings held within them.

These stories invite reflection and ongoing learning, beyond a single day, through listening and respect to deepen understanding.

Explore more this summer with the Canada Strong Pass!The Royal BC Museum is proud to participate in this national initia...
06/19/2026

Explore more this summer with the Canada Strong Pass!

The Royal BC Museum is proud to participate in this national initiative, making it easier for young people and families to discover Canada’s stories, cultures, and natural history.

✨ FREE admission for children and youth 17 and under
✨ 50% off admission for young adults aged 18–24

Available now through September 7.

Whether you’re planning a family day out, hosting visiting friends and relatives, or looking for something new to explore close to home, there’s never been a better time to visit.

Step into Ancient Egypt: Obsessed with Life, explore the galleries, and discover the stories that shape British Columbia.

Plan your visit today.

No advance registration required. Youth admission tickets can be collected at the box office.

June 21 is National Indigenous Peoples Day, a time to recognize and celebrate the rich cultures, histories, and contribu...
06/18/2026

June 21 is National Indigenous Peoples Day, a time to recognize and celebrate the rich cultures, histories, and contributions of First Nations, Inuit, and Métis peoples across Canada.

Across British Columbia, communities are coming together to honour the day through cultural performances, storytelling, art, music, and opportunities for learning and reflection.

There are lots of opportunities to connect and learn across the province; here are a selection of events over the coming days > https://belongingnetwork.com/article/celebrate-national-indigenous-peoples-day-in-your-community-2/

Join us at the Royal BC Museum for a National Indigenous Peoples Day Open House in Thunderbird Park on Friday, June 19, 11am – 2pm. Visitors can connect with Knowledge Keepers, cultural experts, and community members and learn more about Indigenous histories, languages, and living traditions. Everyone is welcome, it's free to attend - drop in welcome.

Whether you attend an event, explore Indigenous art, or take time to learn, June 21 is an opportunity to celebrate and reflect.

Join us tomorrow, June 13, in the Natural History Gallery at the Royal BC Museum for Maker Saturday as we explore the hi...
06/12/2026

Join us tomorrow, June 13, in the Natural History Gallery at the Royal BC Museum for Maker Saturday as we explore the hidden world of tiny critters and discover how even the smallest creatures play a big role in our forests.

Through hands-on exploration with a powerful Scanning Electron Microscope, visitors will journey from the microscopic to the mighty, uncovering the fascinating connections that link all living things. Along the way, enjoy interactive games and create a fun take-home craft inspired by the world beneath our feet. This drop-in program is perfect for curious visitors of all ages.

It’s a small world after all!

🕐 11 AM – 1 PM
🎟️ Included with admission or membership

A special day in Thunderbird Park.Nearly 50 years after first carving it, master carver Dr. Richard Hunt returned to Thu...
06/12/2026

A special day in Thunderbird Park.

Nearly 50 years after first carving it, master carver Dr. Richard Hunt returned to Thunderbird Park to work on his totem pole once again, having previously repainted it in 2021.

Over the past week, visitors watched Dr. Hunt at work as he refreshed the pole with new sun rays and paint touch-ups to help preserve it for future generations. On Monday, June 8, community members gathered for a traditional ceremony and pole raising to mark the completion of the work.

Thank you to Dr. Hunt and everyone who joined us to witness this important moment.

After Hours is back!Celebrate love, identity, and self-expression at After Hours: Pride! on July 10, 2026. 🌈Join us for ...
06/08/2026

After Hours is back!

Celebrate love, identity, and self-expression at After Hours: Pride! on July 10, 2026. 🌈

Join us for a vibrant, inclusive night dedicated to joy, community, and honouring 2SLGBTQIA+ history and culture. Dance, explore, and connect as the museum comes alive after dark, filled with colour, creativity, and a little bit of magic.

After Hours is now an extended 3-hour experience, so there’s even more time to make new connections, express yourself, and soak up an unforgettable atmosphere of pride and celebration.

Event details:
🍺 Light snacks and drinks available for purchase
🌈 Advance tickets required — no door sales
✨ 19+ event (bring two pieces of ID, including one photo ID)
🎟️ Tickets: $42 (tax included)
💛 Limited pay-what-you-can tickets available
👍 Members receive 10% off

Limited tickets available - get yours now - https://facebook.pulse.ly/dztsdkb7ja
Don’t miss this special night at the museum 💖

06/05/2026

Immerse yourself in ancient Egyptian rituals, beliefs and artistry.

Ancient Egypt: Obsessed with Life is on now at the Royal BC Museum.

To complete the ultimate Egypt experience, Mysteries of Egypt is also now playing at IMAX VICTORIA - the perfect companion to your journey into the ancient world.

Get your combo ticket here > https://rbcm.ca/combo

Ancient Egypt: Obsessed with Life is produced by MuseumsPartner in Austria, in cooperation with the Moesgaard Museum, Denmark.

Join us tonight at the Royal BC Museum for How to Train Your Glider: Adventures with Underwater Robots.As part of Ocean ...
06/02/2026

Join us tonight at the Royal BC Museum for How to Train Your Glider: Adventures with Underwater Robots.

As part of Ocean Week Victoria, enjoy an exciting behind-the-scenes look at underwater robotics.

Get a glimpse into how scientists “train” ocean gliders to travel thousands of kilometres through complex currents, tracking marine heatwaves, mapping ocean eddies, and monitoring the health of BC’s coastal waters.

Featuring Tetjana Ross from the Institute of Ocean Sciences, who leads ocean monitoring programs in the Northeast Pacific using gliders and advanced sensors to study deep-sea change and bio-physical interactions.

This free, interactive talk is a fun and fascinating way to explore the future of ocean science.

📍 Conference Hall, Royal BC Museum
🕡 6:30–7:30 PM
🎟️ Free to attend

Don’t miss this Ocean Week Victoria event—see you there!

Ocean Week Victoria

Our thoughts are with the Tk’emlúps te Secwépemc, neigbouring Nations, and all who mourn on this five-year anniversary o...
05/27/2026

Our thoughts are with the Tk’emlúps te Secwépemc, neigbouring Nations, and all who mourn on this five-year anniversary of the announcement of the discovery of the remains of over 200 children found on the site of the former Kamloops Indian Residential School. It is a grim reminder of this dark chapter of Canadian history. The Royal BC Museum honours all Indigenous nations and works in collaboration to find the truth about the Indian Residential School system and missing children. We will continue to walk this path together.

Address

675 Belleville Street
Victoria, BC
V8W9W2

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