International Museum Day is May 18, and Greater Victoria museums, art galleries and historic sites are celebrating with a five-day Victoria Heritage Festival beginning Monday, May 14.

The Art Gallery of Greater Victoria, 1040 Moss St., is offering a special series of lectures, performances and discussions throughout the week. Emily Carr House, 207 Government St., hosts actor and artist Molly Raher Newman as Emily and the opportunity for young visitors to "Draw with Emily."

CFB Esquimalt's Naval and Military Museum are showcasing their collection from the days of the Royal Navy to the present, while at Craigdarroch Castle, 1050 Joan Cres., visitors can play "I SPY" throughout the heritage house.

At Craigflower Manor and Schoolhouse at the corner of Craigflower and Admirals Roads, they're celebrating with hands-on "field to table" activities with free admission for visitors who come in historic costumes.

You can take a guided tour of Fort Rodd Hill and Fisgard Lighthouse, 603 Fort Rodd Hill Rd., and kids can try on replicas of military uniforms. At Hatley Park, 2005 Sooke Rd., they're offering a special program featuring the site's long relationship with the movies.

At Maltwood Art Museum at the University Centre an on-going exhibit celebrates the work of 22 University of Victoria retirees.

A special tea and a commemoration of the Point Ellice Bridge disaster are a couple of the offerings at Point Ellice House, 2616 Pleasant St. The Royal B.C. Museum is opening Helmcken House and St. Ann's Schoolhouse for guided visits, and St. Ann's Academy, 835 Humboldt St., is opening a new exhibit called Behind the Veil: Religious Life at St. Ann's Academy 1858-1973.

Also of interest to heritage buffs is this Sunday's Cowichan Valley Heritage House Tour from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m., featuring five heritage homes and buildings of various styles and sizes as well as tea from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. in the gardens of the Cowichan Valley Museum and Archives at the historic Duncan Train Station. Tickets for the tour and tea are $18.

Call 250-746-6612 for more information.