Weekend Events & Activities in and around Victoria
Weekend events and activities in Victoria including free, fun family & kids’ activities, live music, theatre & performing arts, sports, and exhibitions: Friday, August 4 – Monday, August 7, 2023.
I. Family & Kids Activities
Parksville Beach Festival
Known to locals as Beachfest, this 5 ½ week long family-oriented festival runs from mid July to the third week in August and includes: the Quality Foods Sand Sculpting Competition & Exhibition, Tim Hortons free Summer Concert Series, daily buskers, an artisan market and a special weekend evening light up of the sculptures. Details
Exhibition | July 17 – August 20, 2023 | 9:30 AM – 8:30 PM
Parksville Community Park & Beach, 193 Island Highway East, Parksville
$5 Suggested Donation
Visit Victoria Bug Zoo
See the amazing world of insects, arachnids, and their many-legged relatives. Details
Daily | 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Victoria Bug Zoo, 631 Courtney St, Victoria
Regular Admission $0 – $16
Victoria Butterfly Gardens
Victoria Butterfly Gardens offers a unique opportunity for people of all ages to experience the beauty and curiosity of a tropical jungle up close. Details
Monday – Wednesday | 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Thursday – Sunday | 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Victoria Butterfly Gardens, 1461 Benvenuto Avenue, Brentwood Bay
Regular Admission $0 – $18.50
Kidsdays
The BC Forest Discovery Centre celebrates kids this BC Day long weekend for 3 fun-filled days for families in and visiting the Cowichan Region. Train rides, entertainment, imagination station, and activities for the kids, prize draws, our almost famous BBQ, mini donuts, and a great educational experience, are only a few reasons for kids of all ages to come out to the event. Details
August 5 – 7, 2023 | 10:00 AM – 4:30 PM
BC Forest Discovery Centre, 2892 Drinkwater Road, Duncan
Reduced admission rate of $14 for Adults, $12 for Seniors; $10 for Children from 3 years to 18 years, Children 2 years and under are Free
II. Live Music
Summer Entertainment at The Butchart Gardens
Take in a live performance at the outdoor stage on the Concert Lawn. Details
Wednesday – Friday, August 2 – 4, 2023 | 8:00 PM
Saturday, August 5, 2023 | 7:15 PM
The Butchart Gardens, 800 Benvenuto Ave, Brentwood Bay
Regular Admission
Wonderment 2023
Live electronic & electro-acoustic music. Wonderment is produced by the Garden City Electronic Music Society and supported by The Government of Canada, The Province of British Columbia, BC Arts Council, Creative BC, Capital Regional District, and the City of Victoria. Details
August 4 – 7, 2023
Various Public Parks
Free and Ticketed events
Sunfest Country Music Festival
Sunfest Country Music Festival returns for 2023 with one of the biggest names in the genre, mega star Blake Shelton. Details
August 3 – 6, 2023
Laketown Ranch Music and Recreation Park – Lake Cowichan
$38 & up
Music by the Sea
Music by the Sea features an international company of great artists and offers a unique program of both classical and jazz chamber music ensembles assembled from a resident company. Details
August 1 – 5, 2023 | 8:00 PM
Victoria International Marina, Victoria BC
$110.90 – $170.90 including fees
Emmett Hodgins Quintet
All Victoria grown jazz musicians who are making a name on the Canadian jazz scene, this fast-paced show will feature modern jazz originals and new arrangements. Details
Friday, August 4, 2023 | 7:00 PM
Hermann’s Jazz Club, 753 View Street, Victoria
$20 plus fees/tax
Groove Kitchen: BC Weekend Boogie
Call the crew and rendezvous at Hermann’s Upstairs because these bad mamma jammas are fixin’ to bring fistfulls of funk, loads of Latin, sachets of soul, pounds of pop, and more to keep you on the dance floor!!
New sounds and sensations abound as these seasoned sorcerers listened around to perfect some new jams to make you get down as they’ve done consistently at such shindigs as the TD Victoria International Jazz Fest, Butchart Gardens, the Esquimalt Ribfest, Dragon Boat and more. What are you waiting for? Details
Friday, August 4, 2023 | 8:30 PM
Hermann’s Jazz Club, 753 View Street, Victoria
$20 plus fees/tax
Julio Avila Cuban Band
Bringing the passion of salsa, son, bachata, bolero and cumbia to a special evening at Hermann’s Jazz Club, this Vancouver based band delivers a truly authentic sound of Cuban music. Details
Saturday, August 5, 2023 | 7:00 PM
Hermann’s Jazz Club, 753 View Street, Victoria
$30 plus fees/tax
Tight Hair
Hailing from Victoria, BC, Tight Hair are a bunch of disco-living misfits that utilized the power of FaceBook and roller skates to form an authentic disco band. Fronted by two powerhouse diva vocals and backed by rasping saxophone, trumpet blasts, sweeping analogue synths and raucous guitar riffs, the ‘Hair will send you back to 1975 and the days of Studio 54 in a glitter covered whirlwind! Details
Saturday, August 5, 2023 | 9:00 PM
Hermann’s Jazz Club, 753 View Street, Victoria
$25 plus fees/tax
Canus Red Hot Traditional Jazz Matinee
Our new “CanUS Jazz” front line : Simon Stribling on trumpet and Doug Rhodes, reeds join Al Pease on the front line. A ‘creme de la creme of traditional jazz musicians!
New Orleans Jazz & Dixieland with lots of vocals including Jazzy Three-Part Harmony & a Hot Band. And performing at Hermann’s Jazz Club 1-3 pm August 6 which is a world class show space voted the favourite in all of Canada which has a great menu & bar service. Details
Sunday, August 6, 2023 | 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM
Hermann’s Jazz Club, 753 View Street, Victoria
$15 plus fees/tax
Blues Jam hosted by the Deb Rhymer Blues Band
The Deb Rhymer Band features Kelly Fawcett on guitar, Phil Albert on bass, Andy Graffiti on drums and Deb Rhymer on vocals. Deb and the band have played all the clubs and pubs in the Victoria music scene as well as a number of blues events and festivals. Details
Sunday, August 6, 2023 | 4:00 PM – 7:30 PM
Hermann’s Jazz Club, 753 View Street, Victoria
$5 (and jammers free)
Symphony in the Summer Festival
Join us for a multi-day summer music festival around some of Victoria’s most beautiful locations. Details
July 27 – August 5, 2023
Various locations, Victoria
Free and ticketed events; Free concerts at the Cameron Bandshell & Market Square on August 4 & 5
III. Live Theatre
The Last Five Years
This innovatively constructed American hit musical by Tony award-winning composer and lyricist Jason Robert Brown takes a look at the joys, heartaches, losses, and victories in a marriage over a five-year period. Details
August 1 – 6, 8 – 13, 2023
Roxy Theatre, 2657 Quadra Street, Victoria
$25 – $100
Ghost The Musical
Adapted from the popular hit film of the same name, Ghost The Musical follows Sam and Molly, a young couple whose connection takes a shocking turn after Sam’s untimely death. The bond of love transcends all challenges as Sam, trapped between two worlds, refuses to leave Molly though she is in grave danger. Details
June 23 – August 27, 2023
Friday, August 4 | 8:00 PM
Saturday, August 5 | 2:00 PM & 8:00 PM
Chemainus Theatre, 9737 Chemainus Road, Chemainus
Theatre: $29 – $86; Theatre & Dining Packages: $71 – $132
Parliament Past and Present Travelling Plays
This summer, join the Parliamentary Players on an award-winning interactive theatrical experience that takes visitors around the outdoor grounds of the Legislative Assembly and even back through time! Meet the notorious architect Francis Rattenbury, join the fight for suffrage with MLA Laura Jamieson, or participate in the 1947 Chocolate Bar Protest. Details
Thursday to Monday, June 20 to September 2, 2023
Legislative Assembly of British Columbia, 501 Belleville Street
Free
IV. Sports
Tower Top Yoga
Join us for gentle early morning yoga at the top of the SkyWalk Tower overlooking magnificent island views and breathing in fresh ocean air. Details
Sundays and Wednesdays, June 28 – September 3, 2023 | 8:15 AM – 9:15 AM
Malahat SkyWalk Tower Top, 901 Trans-Canada Highway
$38.95 includes Malahat Skywalk Admission
V. Exhibitions, Festivals & Other Events
Beyond Van Gogh: The Immersive Experience
Through the use of cutting-edge projection technology and an original score, Beyond Van Gogh breathes new life into over 300 of Van Gogh’s artworks. Occupying over 30,000 square feet, Beyond Van Gogh is the largest immersive experience in the country, offering guests ample room to safely enjoy the exhibit. Details
Tuesday – Sunday, June 20 – August 20, 2023
Starry Night Pavilion at Bayview Place, 355 Catherine Street
$28.99 – $73.99
The ReLove Market
Come out and shop some of the finest in secondhand & vintage clothing, accessories, housewares and more. Details
August 5 – 6, 2023 | 12:00 PM – 6:30 PM
60 Johnson St, Victoria
Free
Fireworks at The Butchart Gardens
Bring a blanket or lawn chair and enjoy our world-class firework show with your friends and family. Each show features original aerial and ground displays choreographed to music and designed by Jennie Butchart’s great-grandson Christopher Ross. Details
Saturday, August 5, 2023 | 9:30 PM
The Butchart Gardens, 800 Benvenuto Ave, Brentwood Bay
Regular Admission
Tea at The Empress
A grand tradition for over a century, the world-renowned Fairmont Empress has served England’s most beloved ritual of afternoon tea to famed royalty, celebrities and dignitaries alike. Reinvigorated in our timeless, sophisticated Lobby Lounge, Tea at the Empress will continue this quintessentially Victoria experience. Details
Daily | 11:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Fairmont Empress, 721 Government Street, Victoria
$52 – $142
You might like: Lunch on the Lawn on June 25 to September 30, 2023
Wear2Start Pop Up Clothing Sale
Shop to empower women. Details
August 5 – 6, 2023 | 11:00 AM – 4:00 PM
House of Savoy, 1869 Oak Bay Avenue
Free
Local Folk Fair at Junction Cidery
Join us for MakeShare’s LOCAL FOLK FAIR (Summer Market + Fair) at Junction Orchard + Cidery on SUNDAY, AUGUST 6th from 11-4pm! Details
Sunday, August 6, 2023 | 11:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Junction Orchard + Cidery, 273 Prospect Lake Rd, Victoria
$4 Admission (Under 12 Free)
House Tour
Journey back in time at Ross Bay Villa Historic House Museum, a volunteer-led restoration project and museum located in Fairfield. On Saturdays at 1PM, take the path past heritage apple trees and beautiful gardens, and step into one of only a few 1860s houses still standing in Victoria. From the bright and airy drawing room to the charming children’s bedroom, the house has been restored with extraordinary care to appear as it did when the Roscoe family called it home. Details
August 3 – 4, 2023 | 11:00 AM & 1:00 PM
Ross Bay Villa Historic House Museum, 1490 Fairfield Rd, Victoria
Admission is by donation
Maritime Masterclass: The Weird, The Wacky, The Wonderful: Family Intertidal Exploration
Join environmental educator Stephanie Chong as we practice being good neighbours to our ocean friends. Get an up-close look at some of the creatures, learn about what makes them special, and discuss how we can keep their homes healthy. Details
Friday, August 4, 2023 | 11:15 AM – 12:45 PM
The Maritime Museum of British Columbia, 744 Douglas Street, Victoria
$10 – $20 + GST
Museum Tots: Go for Gold (Rushes)
This weekly program introduces children ages 3 – 5 to the fun world of museum learning. Each week’s program revolves around a new theme, encouraging children to learn through crafts, play, song, and dance. Details
Saturday, August 5, 2023 | 10:30 AM – 11:30 AM
The Maritime Museum of British Columbia, 744 Douglas Street, Victoria
No registration required
Victoria Harbour Ferry Water Ballet
When the harbour ferries were originally brought to Victoria in 1990, the skippers were amazed at their maneuverability. Taking inspiration from the world-famous RCMP Musical Ride, they set out to test their abilities by creating a synchronized performance. With no passengers on board, the captains were able to push the their little boats to the limit, making them twirl around the water in and out of beautifully choreographed sequences. Details
April 8 – September 4, 2023 | 10:45 AM
August 5 – 7, 2023
Inner Harbour (best viewing in front of Steamship Terminal)
Free
Afternoon Tea at The Pendray Tea House
What could be more quintessentially British than Afternoon Tea? By the late 19th century, the concept of an afternoon break with tea and snacks had evolved beyond a simple light meal into a cultural phenomenon, with members of Victorian high society donning their finest to take part in the ritual of socializing over tea and refreshments. The Pendray Tea House offers a choice of delicious teas with an array of different flavours. Details
Monday – Thursday | 11:00 AM to 2:00 PM
Friday – Sunday | 11:00 AM to 6:00 PM
The Pendray Tea House, 309 Belleville Street, Victoria
$24 – $68
Odysseys and Migration
This exhibition recounts some of the unique journeys that are in Chinese Canadian history from the 18th century to the present day. Details
Wednesday to Sunday | 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
10 – 14 Fan Tan Alley, Victoria
Free Admission
Sacred Sundays: Yoga & Ecstatic Dance Movement
Journey through meditation, yoga, and ecstatic dance as you are held in a sacred container to let go and rediscover the light within YOU. Drop into your awareness and explore mindful movement and yoga nidra with Kristyn Rose Yoga accompanied by live music and soulful beats with DJ Andy Pockett. Together, they bring you an authentic yoga and ecstatic dance experience like no other. Join us for an inward journey that invites you to feel deeply, release, and let go of anything that’s no longer serving you. Emerge feeling renewed, cleansed, and with certain transformation. Details
Sundays, July 23 – December 31, 2023 | 2:00 PM – 4:00 PM
Colwood Community Hall, 2219 Sooke Rd
Self-care investment by donation (minimum suggested $10) cash at the door
Government House Public Tours
Join us for a look inside BC’s Government House, the residence of the Lieutenant Governor and the ceremonial home of all British Columbians. Details
Saturday & Monday, August 5 & 7, 2023 | 10:00 AM & 11:30 AM
Government House, 1401 Rockland Avenue, Victoria
Free
Riopelle Dialogues at the Malahat SkyWalk
Join us as we (re)discover the work of Canadian painter Jean Paul Riopelle through Vancouver Island-based artists Laura-Beth McDonald and Juan Ramirez’s project Automatic Landscapes: Exploring the Art of Jean Paul Riopelle through AI. The Malahat SkyWalk is proud to exclusively showcase this inspired and unique artwork in British Columbia. Details
June 20 to September 1, 2023
Malahat SkyWalk, 901 Trans-Canada Highway
Included with General Admission
Angkor: The Lost Empire of Cambodia
Marvel at 120 spectacular artworks and original artifacts from ancient Angkor, never before seen in Canada. See how Cambodian scientists using contemporary technology have expanded our knowledge of this historic site, where research continues to this day. Details
June 2, 2023 to January 14, 2024
Royal BC Museum, 675 Belleville Street
Regular admission
SUE: The T-Rex Experience
Meet SUE, the most complete and best-preserved Tyrannosaurus rex ever found, and journey through Hell Creek, South Dakota, one of the most well documented ecosystems from the age of dinosaurs. Learn how SUE survived their challenging and dangerous world, living to old age despite the odds. Details
June 16, 2023 to January 7, 2024
Royal BC Museum, 675 Belleville Street
Regular admission
Roller Skating @ The Q Centre
Enjoy roller skating every Saturday night at the Q Centre. Details
Saturdays | 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM
The Q Centre, 1767 Island Hwy, Victoria
$12 entry, $6 skate rentals plus tax
Bastion Square Summer Market Series
The Sooke Fine Arts Show provides the opportunity for the finest artists from Vancouver Island and BC’s coastal islands to showcase and sell their work each summer. Details
May 18 – October 1, 2023 | 11:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Bastion Square, Victoria
Free
Sooke Fine Arts Show
The Sooke Fine Arts Show provides the opportunity for the finest artists from Vancouver Island and BC’s coastal islands to showcase and sell their work each summer. Details
July 29 – August 7, 2023 | 10:00 AM – 7:00 PM (Closes at 5 PM on August 1)
Seaparc Leisure Complex, 2168 Phillips Rd, Sooke
Adult (18-64) $15, Senior (65+) $10, Children & Youth (17 and under) Free
Farmers Market
- Esquimalt Farmers Market on Mondays & Thursdays, April – September, 2023. Details
- James Bay Market on Saturdays, May 6 – October 7, 2023 | 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM @ the corner of Menzies and Superior. Details
- Westcoast Outdoor Market – Sunday Morning Market on Select Sundays, June 15 to August 31, 2023 | 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM @ Outside at the Mary Winspear Centre. Details
- Westcoast Outdoor Market – Thursday Evening Market on Thursdays, June 15 to August 31, 2023 | 5:30 PM – 8:30 PM @ Outside at the Mary Winspear Centre.
- Moss Street Farmers Market on Sundays, May 6 to October 28, 2023 | 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM @ Sir James Douglas School. Details
Bookmark this page and check back next week for more weekend activities.
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