Join us for a whale-themed trivia at the legendary Tofino Brewing Company.

Parks Canada’s Team will be hosting the popular trivia to test your knowledge of all the Whaley important facts surrounding our oceans. This event is always a huge hit and hits full capacity!

Time: 3:00 - 5:00 PM

Location: Tofino Brewing Company

Cost: Free, suggested $5 donation

Free parking is available.

Join us for the final day of the festival as we gather at the Kwisitis Visitor Centre and Wick Beach for family fun activities and bring back the Tug-O-Whale challenge! Who will win the bone of contention? Bring your teams and sign up for the challange.

Activities for the day:

Children’s Beach Hunt: 10 - 11
Whale Spotting on the Kwisitis Visitor Centre Observation Deck: 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Nuu-chah-nulth Teachings in a Modern Time with Nicki Love McCarthy in the Kwisitis Visitor Centre: 11 -12 p.m.
Tug-O-Whale: 12-12:30pm

It’s art, with a splash of aquarium and a pallet full of fun!

Art Night hosts Ty and Ginja are back and they know how to throw a paint party! What could be better you ask? Well, this year, we decided to host this event at Ucluelet Aquarium. We are excited to share our passion for art and love of the ocean with you!

This event is for all levels of paint skills and is better suited for adults. Expect a lot of laughs, music, and a bar to enjoy a bevy as you paint away. You will also leave with a wealth of knowledge about the coastal ecosystem of the Pacific Northwest and how you can help to protect it.

All art supplies are included in the price.

This will be a ticketed event with some proceeds raised going back to the festival and aquarium.

Ages 19+
GET YOUR TICKETS HERE $50

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 12:30pm 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:12:30 - 2:30pm

Unleash your creativity at Paint Night Live, a social and artistic event where you can enjoy a drink, share laughs, and create your octopus 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.

Paint 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: $45 includes $10 donation to PRWF. Available here.

Time: 8:00 - 10:00 PM

Location: Located in The MAQ Hotel, 120 First St, Tofino, BC V0R 2Z0

Food and Drinks are available for purchase the the Bear Restaurant

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.

At The Sea with Jim: 12pm performance.
Kids are the real stars at a Jim Raddysh’s performances – a concept Jim hasbelieved in since the start of his solo entertainment career. During Jim’s “At the Sea” concert children will be invited to join him on stage to be part of the show.

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.

Cookie decorating provided by Gray Whale Deli. Snacks and sandwiches are available to purchase by cash.

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 ($5 suggested minimum donation per person)

Immerse yourself in an evening dedicated to the science and conservation of whales at West Coast Guide Forum, a collaboration with Whales of Clayoquot and Barkley. This event provides a unique opportunity for professionals and anyone interested in marine conservation to connect, share knowledge, and network with like-minded individuals. Bar available in the room and food service is available downstairs in Shelter restaurant.

Mark Sawyer - Whales of Clayoquot and Barkley: Update on whale research and sightings in Clayoquot and Barkley Sound and expectations for the 2025 season.

Guest Speaker TBA - stay tuned!

Location: Tofino, Upper Shelter Restaurant, above Tofino Resort and Marina.

Time: Doors 6:00 PM, Talk starts 6:30PM then follows a 15 minute break between speakers.

Tickets: Free, no reservations, limited seating. Suitable for youth +.

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

Join us for whale-themed trivia at Ucluelet Brewery. 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: Free, suggested $5 donation

Suitable for families with children

Join Jennifer Yakimishyn, Marine Ecologist from Pacific Rim National Park Reserve and learn about the

science and conservation happening to protect the endangered southern resident killer whales and their

habitat.

Kwisitis, or the "other end of the beach" in the Nuu-chah-nulth language, is a fitting name for this iconic west coast building perched at the south end of Wickaninnish Beach in beautiful Pacific Rim National Park Reserve.

The outside deck is the perfect year-round spot to view whales, storms and surfers alike. Inside the centre, exhibits about the land, sea, sky and people of the area await you.

• See the giant murals of marine mammals and the rainforest.

• Take a photo in front of the large whale tail.

• Listen to stories of the First Nations of this coast.

• Explore a replica of a First Nations longhouse and whale hunt.

• Examine tracks of bears, wolves, cougars and other critters that use our beaches.

• Learn about the fascinating history of the west coast.

• Find out how salmon nurture the rainforest.

This event is:
Family Friendly
Button Event

The Sea Change Panel is a dynamic event where experts come together to discuss the latest research on topics related to the ocean, marine ecosystems, or environmental science. During the panel, specialists share their insights on emerging findings, new technologies, and innovative approaches in marine studies. After the presentations, the audience can ask questions, provide feedback, or suggest ideas, fostering an interactive and collaborative exchange.

This year’s topic is the Gray whale UME (unusual mortality event) that stretched over a 5 year period between 2019 and 2023. Now declared over, what have we learned from this event and how are gray whales recovering?

We are thrilled to be joined by the following experts who will deliver a short presentation remotely on their research:

Dr. Aimée R. Lang - Marine Mammal Genetics Program, NOAA. "Monitoring abundance and calf production in eastern North Pacific gray whales: The importance of long-term time series.”
Dr. Trevor Joyce - Cetacean Health and Life History Program, NOAA. “Understanding the role of Arctic sea ice in gray whale habitat use and population dynamics.”
Dr. Clara N. Bird - Marine Mammal Institute, Oregon State University. Clara will be discussing her PhD and postdoc research in the use of drones to study gray whale behavioral ecology and foraging activity.

Joining us in person for the evening as our hosts are Mark Sawyer and Ashley Hoyland, of Whales of Clayoquot and Barkley.

This format encourages knowledge sharing and helps bridge the gap between experts and the public while sparking meaningful conversations about the future of marine conservation.

Time: Doors 6:30, start 7:00 pm. Run time approx. 2 hours.
Location: Clayoquot Sound Theatre.

This is a button event.
Suitable for adults & youth.

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.

At The Sea with Jim: 12pm performance.
Kids are the real stars at a Jim Raddysh’s performances – a concept Jim has believer in since the start of his solo entertainment career. During Jim’s “At the Sea” concert children will be invited to join him on stage to be part of the show.

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.

Cookie decorating provide by Gray Whale Deli

Tofino Fire Crew will be cooking away hot dogs as a fundraiser for the TVFD.

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 ($5 suggested minimum donation per person)

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

This year’s lineup includes 2 award winning films and a special guest speaker, The Orca Man.

• Ocean Souls is an emotive cetaceans documentary, showing the largest diversity ever seen on film and highlights new science. Cetaceans, despite looking so different to us, are possibly our closest relatives in terms of cognitive abilities and family ties. The film focuses on the concept of family, something every human can relate to, including chapters on emotions, language, social organisation, intelligence and human interaction. In the same way Live Aid united the world's best musicians, Ocean Souls united over 100 filmmakers, 25 of the world’s best scientists and several experts, a truly unprecedented collaboration.

• Managed to Extinction (short film) pairs indigenous visionary Jay Julius with orca scientist Dr. Deborah Giles in the Pacific Northwest, as both work to address the shared extinction threat faced by Southern Resident Killer Whales, and the Chinook salmon they need to survive. It is a sequel to Call of the Orcas, with a forward looking invitation to consider the potential of pairing science and indigenous knowledge. Director - Jessica Plumb.

• The Orca Man - Frederick is a wildlife guide and orca enthusiast and will share his knowledge about the killer whales we see in Clayoquot Sounds. He will answer any questions you have about these fascinating creatures. Follow him on Instagram @The.Orca.Man

Location: Clayoquot Sounds Theatre

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

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

Join us as interpreter Silva Johansson leads you along the Wild Pacific Trail past the "Pass of Melfort" shipwreck site to the lighthouse that was built as a result. History comes to life in the story of the sinking of the "Pass of Melfort" — the tragic event that inspired the building of the lighthouse. Learn about the wild storms and coastal geography that doomed so many ships and survivors in the “Graveyard of the Pacific”. Walk starts at the Whale lot trailhead on the Lighthouse Loop, in Ucluelet. 

Family Friendly

Button Event

Meet at Wild Pacific Trail - Whale Parking lot (Lighthouse Loop)

Join The Orca Man to learn about the world of Orcas, with particular attention to the Transient ecotype that frequently visits this coastline. Fred will also take us on a journey of our relationship with these animals over the years.

Orca Man has a community of over 500,000 people on his social media, drawing in people from all over the world with his engaging and educational content.

This talk will be at Raincoast Education Society’s new office space at the Amphitrite Light. After the presentation, you can walk along the Wild Pacific Trail and look for spouts of migrating whales.

This event is Family Friendly.

Button Event.

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 Pacific Rim Rotary Club 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 Community Centre, Main Hall

Tickets: $15 minimum donation on the door

Family Friendly Event.

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.

Please note that this is not a partnered Whale Fest Event, but a donation is being made to the festival. Tickets are available to purchase at the Clayoquot Sound Theatre.

Musical Tea for Peace Tour is a combination of the art of music with the art of tea, raising awareness for critical charities like Save the Children and this time local charity Friends of Clayoquot Sound and Pacific Rim Whale Festival, having connected with whale conservation many years back. We wish to contribute to a bit more peace in the world, and share and connect with people over tea and musical performance.

Who?

- Truth and Dolphin (Slam poetry-theatre-folk)

- Dante DeCaro: Solo, formerly of Wolf Parade & Hot Hot Heat

- Aidan Thorne: Solo, of ZuZu's Petals & the Flowering Eyeballs

AND

- Herb the Third shall be serving aged tea from the Kung Fu Tea Board. 
- @ChocolateTofino will be there sampling Maccha Choclate collab (with @JagaSilk) by donation!

Tickets:

$25 includes a $5 donation split between the @FriendsofClayoquotSound and the Whale Festival, as well as music and sips of incredible aged tea

Doors at 6:30 with the music at 7 pm. Preconcert tea talk at 6:45

Dr. Darling is a pioneer field researcher on cetaceans specializing on grey and humpback whales. His research has appeared on numerous television programs and in magazines including National Geographic and played a central role in establishing the Important Cetacean Area program at Pacific WildLife. He is also the Co-founder and Director of Whale Trust, based in Maui, which specializes in Humpback Whale research.

Jim will take us on a journey through his award winning film, The Island of Whales and, give an update on grey and humpback whale research in Clayoquot Sound.

This event will be hosted at the Remote Passages Marine Excursions office on Wharf Street.

This is a button event and is family friendly.

NEW FOR 2025! Vancouver Island Concert Band will be joining us for our Parade of Whales and Wonder!

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 10th.