12 things to do in and around Victoria this weekend—June 1st and 2nd

The weekend at last, Victoria!

It certainly wasn’t the warmest end-of-May we could’ve hoped for, but there’s still plenty of sunshine to be had as we tip-toe into June.

Don’t miss out on events such as Sooke’s secret garden tour, the Ocean Week kickoff, a cultural festival and more!

Plus, the community favourite  Oak Bay Tea Party is returning this weekend with its classic Tea Party Parade and Midway rides—and Pacific FC will

For all of this and more, here’s 12 things to do in and around Victoria this weekend—June 1st and 2nd:

Oak Bay Tea Party

Join the residents, business owners and regulars at Willows Beach from Friday, May 31st to Sunday, June 2nd for a weekend of family-friendly fun at the Oak Bay Tea Party!

Attendees can expect delectable food choices, floating tea cup challenge, live performances, a kids’ craft centre, fair rides and more.

Don’t forget about their beloved event tradition and star of the annual event, the Tea Party Parade on Saturday, June 1st!

It departs from Windsor Park at 10:30 a.m., winding through the streets of Oak Bay and ending at Willows Beach.

For the Oak Bay Tea Party’s full schedule and times, visit the entertainment section of their website, here.

• Where: Willows Beach, Oak Bay
• When: Kicks off on Friday, May 31st and runs until Sunday, June 2nd
  • Midway: Kicks off on Friday from 4 p.m. to 10 a.m.
  • Parade: Saturday, June 1st at 10:30 a.m.

Mini Entrepreneur Market at Deep Cove Market 

Help cheer on our young creatives!

Stop by the Deep Cove Market in North Saanich to support the young makers and entrepreneurs at the upcoming kids market day.

Bring some cash and help encourage the dreams and aspirations of the youth. Specifically, you’ll be interacting with more than 20 young business enthusiasts aged 15 and under that are ready and eager to show you what they’ve been up to!

Some products you will find include jewelry, woodworking items, plants for sale, slime and playdough, fresh produce, pottery and much more.

In the spirit of the event, Deep Cove Market will be donating 10% of all sales to the Children’s Health Foundation of Vancouver Island, and Victoria Party Rentals has donated all the tables for the event.

• Where: Deep Cove Market, 10940 W Saanich Road, North Saanich
• When: Saturday, June 1st from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Brentwood Bay Festival

The annual Brentwood Festival is back and kicks off at 8 a.m. with a pancake breakfast. Following that, the parade will take place at 10 a.m. and an array of events until later that afternoon. From live music and games, there will be something for everyone!

• Where: Deep Cove Market, 10940 W Saanich Road, North Saanich
• When: Saturday, June 1st from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

• Where: Brentwood Bay (from Bayside Middle School to West Saanich at Clarke)
• When: Saturday, June 1st from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Bassland II: The Wubs Strikes Back

If you’re up for a wee road trip, Duncan is hosting an outdoor Star Wars-themed bush rave with a variety of DJs set to rattle the ground and get you moving!

Not only will this be a three-day bass fest, it’s also a camping-based event, so you’ll be staying on site, right close to the action.

With themed decor, a beautiful hand-built stage, and an out of this world lineup of DJs, you’ll be transported to a galaxy far, far away full of endless adventure!

Tickets will be available at the door and are $55 for a day pass and $80 for the whole weekend.

• Where: Location to be announced.
• When: Friday, May 31st to Sunday, June 2nd

Ocean Week Victoria

Ocean Week Victoria is back to provide the perfect opportunity to celebrate our deep blue neighbour and all the creatures that live there.

From Saturday, June 1st to Sunday, June 9th, Ocean Week will be hosting a number of events—including educational and recreational activities that explore and interact with the ocean.

To kick off this week of family-friendly fun and engagement, they’re hosting a family-oriented beach day and paddleboarding event on Saturday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m at Cadboro Bay Beach.

If you wish to take a look at their full list of events and times, you can do so here—some of the activities will require registration ahead of time, so keep an eye out for that!

• Where: In and around Victoria!
• When: Saturday, June 1st to Sunday, June 9th—varying event dates and times

Folktoria

Bring your family and friends to Centennial Square this weekend to celebrate Folktoria!

For several years, they’ve been bringing cultural heritage to the hearts of the community—building relationships and understanding through information, dancing, food, music, games and more.

This event is free to attend!

• Where: Centennial Square
• When: 
  • Saturday, June 1st from 12 p.m. to 8 p.m.
  • Sunday, June 2nd from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.

The Garden Tour and Concert

The Sooke Philharmonic Society is thrilled to announce the much-awaited return of its annual Sooke Secret Garden Tour (SSGT) scheduled for Saturday, June 1st and Sunday, June 2nd.

And that’s not all! All lucky attendees will have the chance to catch an outdoor garden concert on Sunday, June 2nd at 4:30 p.m. conducted by Yariv Aloni.

This year’s tour is said to feature eight glorious gardens as well as three special destinations, including Sooke Region Museum (where the tour will start), Artisans Garden and Woodside Farms.

Tickets are just under $44 and can be purchased online or at the Pharmasave in Sooke, 6716 Westcoast Road.

• Where: Tour starts at Sooke Region Museum, 2070 Phillips Road, Sooke
• When: 
  • Tours: Saturday, June 1st and Sunday, June 2nd from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
  • Concert: Sunday, June 2nd at 4:30 p.m.

Luca Fogale at McPherson Playhouse 

Hailing from Burnaby, BC, Luca Fogale is here to provide comfort and sanctuary in his powerful notes and vulnerable lyrics.

Head over to McPherson Playhouse to catch Fogale perform, with special guest Haley Blais.

Tickets start at $26.25 and can be purchased here.

• Where: McPherson Playhouse, 3 Centennial Square
• When: Saturday, June 1st at 8 p.m.

Trail Care Day

On Saturday, June 1st, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., Trans Canada Trail in collaboration with Capital Regional District (CRD) will be hosting a ‘Trail Care Day’ event for International Trails Day.

It will take place on the Galloping Goose Regional Trail on the south side of the Selkirk Trestle, where volunteers will be participating in the care and maintenance of this beautiful path.

This will include the removal of invasive species and garbage, with two cleanup events starting at 10:30 a.m. and 11:45 a.m.

If you wish to learn more about Trans Canada Trail and the locations that are participating in Trail Care Day, you can do so on their website, here.

• Where: Galloping Goose Regional Trail on the south side of the Selkirk Trestle
• When: Saturday, June 1st at 10 a.m. (signup and information) to 1 p.m.

Latin Funk Night

Pablo Cardenas presents Latin Funk Night at Victoria Event Centre—the chance for the community to enjoy funk, soul, R&B and raggae hits in Cuban and Latin Style.

Performed by The West Coast Cuban Orchestra, they’ll bring you a world-class show that flawlessly bridges genres and keeps you moving!

Tickets are $24 in advance and $30 at the door.

• Where: Victoria Event Centre, 1415 Broad Street
• When: Saturday, June 1st at 8:30 p.m. (doors open at 7:30 p.m.)

Pacific FC vs. Cavalry FC

Let’s show some team spirit!

Come down to Starlight Stadium with your loved ones and cheer on the local Pacific FC team as they face Cavalry FC.

Tickets start at $10 and you can purchase them here.

• Where: Starlight Stadium, 1089 Langford Parkway
• When: Saturday, June 1st at 4 p.m.

Victoria Children’s Choir

Support the Victoria Children’s Choir by attending their Sounds of Spring concert this Sunday!

The choir is made up of 180 choristers aged 7 to 20-years-old from throughout Greater Victoria, all studying and performing an array of contemporary and classical repertoire from around the world.

The choir tours internationally, and is regularly invited to collaborate with renowned musicians, including the Victoria Symphony, Pacific Opera Victoria, Victoria Jazz Society, and Victoria Baroque!

Tickets are around $27 and can be purchased here.

• Where: Alix Goolden Performance Hall, 900 Johnson Street
• When: Sunday, June 2nd at 3 p.m.