Things to do in and around Victoria this September
Victoria Wine Festival
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Things to Do this Weekend in Victoria
- Join the BC Forest Discovery Centre for the Back to School Train from September 5 to 7, 2026.
- Experience The Highwaymen Show at McPherson Playhouse, a lively tribute to outlaw-country legends Johnny Cash, Willie Nelson, Waylon Jennings, and Kris Kristofferson. The performers recreate the icons in their prime through beloved hits and stories about their music and friendship. September 12, 2026, at McPherson Playhouse
- September at IMAX Victoria features F1, Wild Asia, Horse Power, Sea Otters, Mysteries of Egypt, a sensory-sensitive screening of Humpback Whales, and the special event The Art of Adventure. Watch them on a six-storey screen with powerful sound for an immersive cinematic experience.
- Stroll through the Butchart Gardens. Experience dramatic floral displays during the day and subtle plays of light and shadow in the evening, ‘Night Illuminations’.
- Celebrate the timeless music of Chicago and Santana in a double-bill tribute featuring WCC and Moonflower on September 12, 2026. Expect soaring vocals and bold brass alongside blazing guitar, Afro-Cuban rhythms, pounding percussion, and the irresistible energy of classic Latin rock.
- Victoria Symphony opens its season with conductor Christian Kluxen and mezzo-soprano Alex Hetherington in a program featuring works by Kuhlau, Berlioz, Byström, and Beethoven. Hear the concert build from a festive overture and tender summer songs to the radiant energy of Beethoven’s Seventh Symphony. September 13, 2026, at Royal Theatre.
- Hear the Victoria Symphony perform Beethoven’s radiant Seventh Symphony alongside Kuhlau’s festive Elves’ Hill Overture and Britta Byström’s luminous A Walk to Beethoven on September 14th, 2026. Led by Christian Kluxen, the program moves from Danish musical identity to an uplifting celebration of freedom and humanity.
- See Lyle Lovett and His Small Large Band at the Royal Theatre for an evening of distinctive vocals, sharp songwriting, and celebrated storytelling on September 16, 2026. His genre-spanning sound blends country, folk, swing, jazz, and blues with intricate arrangements and superb musicianship.
- See Juno Award-winning singer-songwriter Bahamas at the Royal Theatre on his Industrial Sport & Sound Tour, joined by Mariel Buckley September 18, 2026. Expect laid-back indie folk and rock, smooth guitar work, thoughtful lyrics, and an inviting blend of mellow grooves and understated vocals.
- See the Off-Broadway sensation Menopause the Musical, a spirited comedy about four women who meet while shopping for lingerie and bond over hot flashes, mood swings, memory lapses, and other shared experiences. Familiar pop songs are transformed into cheeky parodies in this funny, uplifting celebration of womanhood and friendship. September 19, 2026
- Tantalize your taste buds at a selection of restaurants in Victoria to taste different kinds of dumplings and more! Dumpling Fest takes place on September 23, 2026.
- Celebrate the Queen of Soul at Aretha: A Tribute, a powerhouse concert featuring classics such as “Respect,” “Think,” “Chain of Fools,” “A Natural Woman,” and “Amazing Grace.” Broadway star Capathia Jenkins and Grammy-nominated Ryan Shaw bring soaring vocals and electric energy, backed by Sean O’Loughlin and the Victoria Symphony. September 19 & 20, 2026
- Run amok with Hokus Pokus Live!, a high-camp drag parody of the beloved Halloween cult classic featuring Ginger Minj, Jujubee, Sapphira Cristál, and Landon Cider. Expect live singing, outrageous comedy, glamorous witches, and a fully scripted theatrical spectacle with some adult themes and language. September 21, 2026
- See Australian comedian Josh Thomas, creator and star of Please Like Me and Everything’s Gonna Be Okay, perform his new stand-up show Jiggle Jiggle. He leaves weighty themes behind for an hour of playful, gleefully silly comedy designed simply to make audiences laugh. September 22, 2026
- Vancouver Island’s Most Celebrated Food & Beverage festival, Brewery and the Beast is on September 27, 2026.
- See some of Canada’s best improvisational comedians transform audience suggestions into spontaneous sketches in The Improvisers on September 11, 2026. The 18+ show blends stand-up and improv into a fast-paced, high-energy evening where every scene is unpredictable and unique.
- It’s time for the Ultimate Toy Fair! Loads of vendors with items for sale, including action figures, vintage toys, Pokemon, models, trains, comics, Barbie, dolls, bears, LEGO, video games, Star Wars, GI Joe, Transformers, vinyl records, diecast cars, Hot Wheels, and more! September 19-20, 2026.
- Follow Simon & Garfunkel’s journey from their beginnings as Tom & Jerry to folk-rock stardom in an immersive concert featuring archival footage, large-scale projections, and classics such as “Mrs. Robinson,” “Cecilia,” and “Bridge Over Troubled Water.” Roger Potter opens with an intimate tribute capturing the spirit and acoustic storytelling of Neil Young. September 15, 2026
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Esquimalt Ribfest
- Get ready for Girls Night Out: Wild Nights, a high-energy, all-male dance revue packed with heart-pumping music, seductive routines, cheeky humour, and boy-next-door charm. This interactive, immersive 19+ show promises a playful and empowering night out with friends. September 24, 2026.
- Hear conductor Christian Kluxen and Canadian violinist Blake Pouliot join the Victoria Symphony for Sibelius’s sweeping Violin Concerto and Dvořák’s beloved New World Symphony. Heino Eller’s luminous Dawn completes a program rich in mystery, homesickness, discovery, and orchestral colour. September 25 to 27, 2026
- Celebrate the music and legacy of country icon Alan Jackson with The Alan Jackson Experience, an internationally acclaimed tribute show. Expect a high-energy evening packed with beloved hits and an authentic recreation of Jackson’s signature sound and style. September 25, 2026
- September 9th, tantalize your taste buds at a selection of restaurants in Victoria to taste different kinds of noodle dishes and more.
- Delicious, house-made brick oven pizzas paired with local live entertainment are what draw foodies to Merridale Cidery during Summer. On September 27th, join in celebrating Merridale’s 8th Annual Craft Cider Harvest Festival. Taste unique and delicious farm-crafted ciders from craft cideries from across BC, meet their makers, and enjoy the orchard.
- See Operating Model Railroads & Displays during the Victoria Model Railway Show on Sunday, September 13th at Mary Winspear Centre.
- Celebrate 25 years of community and culture at the Mary Winspear Centre’s free, family-friendly open house on September 19th, 2026. Enjoy live music, children’s activities, local vendors, historical displays, food trucks, face painting, giveaways, cake, bingo, and a beer garden.
- Celebrate rock legend Joe Cocker with Feelin’ Alright, a powerhouse tribute starring frontman Terry Raible and a sizzling nine-piece band. Expect signature vocals, iconic moves, and hits including “With a Little Help from My Friends” and “Up Where We Belong.” September 20, 2026
- Spend an evening with Grammy-winning trumpeter Chris Botti, one of the most successful instrumental artists of his generation. His expressive playing blends contemporary jazz with pop and classical influences, creating an elegant and captivating live experience. September 26, 2026
- Celebrate Van Morrison’s timeless blend of Celtic soul, jazz, blues, and rock with Moondance: The Van Morrison Songbook. Award-winning vocalist Bruce Coughlan leads an accomplished West Coast band, recreating “Van the Man’s” unmistakable sound with horns, keys, guitar, and rich vocals.
- See acclaimed Canadian comedian and Corner Gas creator Brent Butt bring his sharp observational humour and easygoing storytelling to the stage. Special guest Damonde Tschritter, a Canadian Comedy Award nominee and veteran of The Debaters and Just for Laughs, adds another lively set.
- Celebrate creativity and community at the Lagoon Arts & Culture Festival in Colwood, running September 11 and 12 at the Goldfinch Arts Centre and West Lagoon Park. Enjoy hands-on art activities, a Kids’ Zone, artisan booths, live music, Indigenous performances, and even breakfast with the mayor. With free shuttle service and a vibrant lineup of arts and culture, it’s a weekend full of connection and celebration for all ages.
- Celebrate fall with lanterns, lights, cultural entertainment, and community activities, including food, workshops, and seasonal displays at The Autumn Lantern Festival on September 12th.
The Autumn Lantern Festival
- Parkinson Society British Columbia’s largest fundraising event of the year, Parkinson SuperWalk, takes place on September 12 and 13, 2026.
- Enjoy an intimate dinner cabaret with acclaimed island-raised performer Zachary Stevenson, remembered for The Buddy Holly Story, Ring of Fire, and Dead Ringer. The evening pairs a three-course meal with a lively solo concert of legendary favourites, original songs, and engaging showmanship.
- Journey to Xwe’etay/Lasqueti Island through immersive photography and video exploring its breathtaking landscapes, rich archaeological record, and enduring cultural significance. The exhibition highlights the island’s longstanding relationship with Coast Salish peoples and reveals how archaeology connects people, place, and time. On display at Royal BC Museum.
- Follow Hercule Poirot and Captain Hastings into the snow-capped Swiss Alps for a madcap kidnapping mystery inspired by Agatha Christie’s Poirot Investigates. Recommended for ages 13+, this fast-paced whodunit blends suspense, theatrical invention, and frolicking comedy in the style of The 39 Steps and Baskerville. September 25 – October 25, 2026.
- Step into Emily Carr’s family home and discover for yourself how she emerged from this traditional colonial upbringing to become the internationally renowned painter and writer whose legacy of inspiration grows stronger with the passage of time.
- Hear Juno-winning folk legend Shari Ulrich share the stage with acclaimed folk-bluegrass-Americana quartet The Unfaithful Servants. Individual sets and special collaborations will blend soaring vocals, rich harmonies, violin, piano, masterful musicianship, and heartfelt songwriting. September 26, 2026
- Vox in the Stars is a truly unique musical event: audience and singers come together in the Dominion Astrophysical Observatory for a concert of evocative, celestially-inspired choral music performed under the stars, within the historic Plaskett Telescope dome. September 18 – 20, 2026.
- See Women of the Fur Trade, Frances Koncan’s irreverent comedy exploring Indigenous history through a sharp modern feminist lens. Set in “eighteen hundred and something,” three very different women trade 21st-century slang and candid thoughts on life, love, and the undeniably dreamy Louis Riel. September 8 to October 4, 2026
- Experience boundary-pushing acoustic music from acclaimed musicians Trent Freeman, Allison de Groot, Quinn Bachand, and Clayton Linthicum. Blazing string work, rich traditional influences, and inspired collaboration promise a one-of-a-kind showcase of Canadian virtuosity and innovation. September 26, 2026
- Relive Fleetwood Mac’s youthful heyday with Rumours, a Los Angeles-based tribute that recreates the legendary band’s distinctive sound and stage presence. Expect a hit-filled concert of familiar songs performed with authentic harmonies, musicianship, and classic rock energy. September 27, 2026.
- Celebrate the music and legacy of The Judds and Wynonna with Love Can Build a Bridge, starring Jona Kristinsson as Wynonna and Allison Barlow as Naomi. Live musicians, rich storytelling, soaring harmonies, heartfelt ballads, and country favourites such as “Mama He’s Crazy,” “Why Not Me,” and “No One Else on Earth” bring their enduring bond to life.
- Browse a magick-filled autumn market featuring local witches, makers, and mystics at Metchosin Community Hall on September 19 & 20, 2026. Admission is free, and the first 30 guests each day receive a witchy swag bag.
- Immerse yourself in the Salish Sea’s annual herring spawn through GO FISH, a 14-minute video installation projected across three screens. Breathtaking cinematography and natural sound capture the turquoise waters, teeming marine life, and ecological importance of this extraordinary event near K’ómoks First Nation.
- See Adam Rapp’s Tony-nominated The Sound Inside, a suspenseful character study about an isolated Yale professor and the brilliant, enigmatic student she begins mentoring. As their lives and stories intertwine, an unexpected request tests the limits of their intense bond and what one person may ask of another. September 22 – October 10, 2026
- See powerhouse performer Tymisha Harris bring entertainer, activist, and French Resistance hero Josephine Baker to life in the award-winning biographical musical Josephine. Blending cabaret, dance, drama, and music, the show traces Baker’s remarkable journey from Jazz Age glamour to groundbreaking work in civil rights. September 29, 2026,
- Head to Horne Lake Caves for an adventure deep underground.
- Enjoy the changing season by exploring Beacon Hill Park.
- Browse a magick-filled autumn market featuring local witches, makers, and mystics at Metchosin Community Hall. Admission is free, and the first 30 guests each day receive a witchy swag bag. September 19 & 20, 2026.
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