TEDxVictoria Review

Good Mela Good food .also nice programme Bollywood .

It's ok but one time I was taking a selfie with a friend, and some punk ran up to us wielding he skateboard as if he was going to hit us with it. He claimed that it was illegal to take his picture without his permission. We weren't hurt but it made us a bit uncomfortable.

A welcoming place for those who do not want to live in cheaper smaller towns or in the outskirts of Victoria, where affordable housing is not as scarce. People from all over the country and the world can camp here right in the centre of the City for free. Meals and needles are also delivered, all for free. You then have your full welfare cheque to spend on important things like drugs and cigarettes. The adjacent parkade can be used as a toilet area, or you can subsidize your income by stealing stuff from the cars parked there. Walk a little further away and camp for free in beautiful Beacon Hill Park and you will have free staff to clean up after you and deliver your meals, needles and naloxone kits. The adjacent parking garage would be better suited to camping, especially when it rains and the park soil gets contaminated with toxins and used needles, but the weather in Victoria is great for camping most of the year. And if you stay long enough you will you will be given a free hotel room. Mayor Lisa Helps welcomes everyone to live for free in Victoria, and live free without a need to follow any pesky rules. She has no concern for costs, city beauty, citizen safety or long term solutions.

It's a public square used for festivities.
Only problem is lack of washrooms

Lovely, but badly outdated decor, lot of street people. Still, great venue for outdoor concerts, events

Beautiful and nice meeting new people or just relax spot, most of the time lol

There was a bike to work week celebration station at City Hall and this park is nearby. There is an interesting fountain here. There is also a small amphitheatre and steps to sit on when someone plays music or has a dance demonstration here.

Nice open space for events, relatively clean, but the portapotties in the square make it a lot less inviting.

It could be better, so much potential for a congregating, public space that's dynamic and innovative - it could be a draw in a very walk-able small city downtown core.

Looks nice, however not at all recommended because it's now known as a gathering place for drunks and drug users. I would skip this one.

Got a stage and totem pole and whales statue and a fountain

This was the Plaza Hotel that didn't survive a huge blaze earlier month.

It's ... ah... a city square. Mostly concrete. A fountain. Patch of grass with a tree. What else do you wanna know?

It's my favourite outdoor dancefloor! From the India Mela, to Jazzfest, to the International Overdose Awareness Day and many more opportunities I've had to dance there!

Well done Victoria BC
It was so delightful to see

Great show and music. Awesome interaction with the crowd.

A local landmark popular for events in the spring and summer. The square is enclosed by the Victoria City hall, McPherson Theatre, local shopping, and a convenient parking garage. The fountain is an artistic icon of the city and the park provides important greenspace for this side of the city.

Seems like a nice place, there's cushioning around the orcas so kids don't hurt themselves, but I also did see a drug trade so I mean take it or leave it I guess. Didn't see active using. There was some kind of live music happening at the time which was nice.

Centennial Square has a lot of wonderful displays during the holiday.

There has always been an issue with homeless, drugs in the area but lately the city of Victoria has done a great job cleaning it up and maintaining the area.

For the City of Victoria, that gathering place is Centennial Square, located next to Victoria's heritage City Hall at Douglas Street and Pandora Avenue, in the north end of downtown. The square features a fountain, benches and curved steps, surrounded with trees and planters.Could be great but don't like the normal people who loiter here

There are free smokies and sausages here
Almost every Thursday.

Not the cleanest or most beautiful party of Victoria but it is a wonderful downtown courtyard. Interesting sculptures and lots of people. If sit and eat my lunch here if I worked nearby.

Christmas Lights were magical but there were 3 commercial booths marring our view of the central water area. The lights are secure and well constructed. It was drawing a good cross section of ages and everyone seemed to be enjoying their evening. Weather cooperated.

Good public space. Utilized nicely but needs more support

Beautiful square for events, festivals and general goings on in downtown Victoria!

It's a bit hit and miss...at times the smokers and profanity are too much

It's a little rundown, I think more could be done with this space, and the tables and chairs need to be cleaned.

Good meeting spot, often animated by festivals and good amount of sitting space

Was just walking through and a band was set up and playing, so naturally I wondered over to have a listen. They were really good, covered a lot of good songs plus had some great originals. I didn't catch their name unfortunately. It was a nice little 45 mins detour from my day.

I originally came into Centennial Square as a way through to another location. However, there is a clean public bathroom which I want to note has a #sharpsdisposal bin and a #changingtable , as well as a lovely open area to run around including the "Follow the Pod" sculpture, which provides a lovely photo op. #letsguide

It's nice to chill here

Peace

I have fond memories of a week long celebrations, music,food and meeting old friends and making new ones looking forward to the Seasonal Lights. Hot cocoa and marshmallows. Happy Christmas to you and your family and friends.

A good place to go to events and also to protest for some cause

The Christmas light show was amazing.. also live music!

I like Centennial Square but, be aware it is frequented by Victoria Street folk. It can be a little unpredictable and rowdy at times.

Mexican food celebrations were off the hook . Bands . Food . Atmosphere second to none . Even a beer garden .

Great for going on a break at work n sitting and enjoying brunch

Lots of friendly people and 24hr security guards show much concern and are very helpful

Beside City Hall, it is a venue for summer events. Not always very clean, it isn't the nicest place in town.

Loved the lights here during Christmas time. Was a great new years here!

Was a clean place to grab a seat for a minute to give feet a rest while touring the city.

An interesting spot to see while on your trip to Victoria; during the summer lots of fun events, concerts and activities for all ages are held here. It's also an easy pass through from Chinatown/Government St to Douglas St, with a convenient transit stop for most of the major routes in front of City Hall. The fountain, while a little dated, is still beautiful and architecturally interesting. Kids and adults alike will be mesmerised by the life-sized Orca/Killer whale statues that appear to be rising out of the pavement in front.

Stay clear in the early morning and later hours, though, as some not-so-friendly people gather to do drugs, etc. The city should provide more Security to clear these people out and make it safe for locals and tourists to enjoy all hours of the day, as the fountain is really beautifully lit at night!

Nice feeling being around fellow Victorians celebrating the Christmas season. Missing.....food venders!!!

Nice tree and orca art, good for sitting saw a goose, but half naked woman decided to pee near us on the lawn, and lots of people smoking all around and skateboarding, public washroom was surprisingly well kept and actually really nice 4.5 star bathroom

Can be nice for events however there are lots of people who just loiter here.

Water fountain and new killer whale statues for kids to play on.

Not a good place to hangout at night but lots of stuff going on in the daytime.

Good place to vegan inside look of what's going on in victoria

During the summer there is almost always some music at noon. Better music, food trucks, and beer on the weekend.
Don't mind the regulars.

Not a great place to go unless you are looking for an open air drug market. The homelessness and dispair of Victoria is nowhere more apparent than here. I'm almost uncomfortable writing about it. Not a great place if you have kids with you.