Hold on to your hats, Victoria, this weekend is a whirlwind!
Chuck yourself into the throngs of a legendary book sale, take advantage of BC SPCA discounted adoption fees, attend a Star Wars May the 4th evening at Herald Street Brew Works and more.
There’s also a Pacific FC game this weekend, a spring market at Sea Cider, a couple of Mother’s Day gift workshops and a bundle of live performances.
For all of this and more, here’s 16 things to do in and around Victoria this weekend—May 4th and 5th:
TC Book Sale
In the words of Jack Knox, this book sale is a promised “word nerd heaven.”
This year, the iconic Times Colonist (TC) Book Sale is taking over the Victoria Curling Club on Saturday, May 4th and Sunday, May 5th, and will contain every genre under the sun!
Doors will be open on Saturday from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday.
Prices are unbeatable, with $2 softcovers and $4 hardcovers, you’re not going to want to miss out on the glorious bliss of bibliosmia and digging through the endless heaps of titles.
- Where: Victoria Curling Club, 1952 Quadra Street
- When:
- Saturday, May 4th from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.
- Sunday, May 5th from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Adopt a Pet From BC SPCA
In celebration of Adopt-a-Shelter-Pet-Day on April 30th, the BC SPCA launched a 50% off discount on adoption fees on Thursday, April 25th and it runs until this Sunday!
They have all sorts of animals in their care right now, so don’t miss out on this amazing opportunity to meet your new best friend.
To view all the lovely and cute animals ready for adoption, visit the BC SPCA’s website and filter to your location!
- Where: BC SPCA Victoria, 3150 Napier Lane
- When: Saturday, May 4th and Sunday, May 5th from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m.
A Dictionary of Emotions in War Time
Immerse yourself in a powerful, up-close story regarding the Ukrainian/Russian conflict, hosting by the Help Ukraine Vancouver Island organization.
It’ll be showing at Metro Studio Theatre until Saturday, May 11th.
General admission tickets are $26.25 and can be purchased here.
- Where: Metro Studio Theatre, 1411 Quadra Street
- When:
- Saturday, May 4th at 3:30 p.m.
- Saturday, May 4th at 9 p.m.
- Sunday, May 5th at 3:30 p.m.
Sunset Sips at the Fairmont Empress
Back by popular demand, guests can once again indulge in the elevated night time experience, Sunset Sips!
This incredible experience puts a twist on tradition with tea-infused cocktails and mocktails presented in elegant glass teapots as well as wonderous plates of appetizers.
Bookings are $48 per person and you do so here, as well as view their menu.
- Where: Fairmont Empress, 721 Government Street
- When: Runs Thursday to Sunday from 7:30 p.m. to 11 p.m.
Peninsula Singers at the Mary Winspear Centre
The Peninsula Singers are thrilled to invite everyone to the Mary Winspear Centre for two special performances of song and dance!
Guests will be presented with a musical lineup inspired by the timeless hits that sizzled movie screens and old-fashioned showbiz.
Tickets are $35 for adults and $18 for children.
- Where: Mary Winspear Centre, 2243 Beacon Avenue
- When:
- Saturday, May 4th at 7:30 p.m.
- Sunday, May 5th at 2 p.m.
Mother’s Day Decorating at Hillside Mall
Looking for Mother’s Day ideas?
Hillside Shopping Centre is hosting several incredibly creative workshops to bring you all of the inspiration and come out with something beautiful and heartwarming!
This Saturday, you can participate in a herb-planting workshop from 1:30 p.m. to 3 p.m.—which involves planting herbs into a cute tea cup or tea pot.
The workshop is $10 and all proceeds go towards BC Cancer Foundation VI.
On Sunday, Hillside is hosting a cookie decorating workshop from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., priced at $10 as well, with proceeds going to the same place as the previous.
View all of their upcoming workshops here.
Additionally, there is going to be a photo pop-up on both Saturday and Sunday for $10. The cost includes a 5×7 photo & floral folder frame and a digital version.
You can register for this at their Guest Services desk, or use their walk-in service.
- Where: Hillside Shopping Centre, 1644 Hillside Avenue #21
- When:
- Saturday, May 4th
- Workshop: 1:30 p.m. to 3 p.m.
- Photo pop-up: 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. and 3:15 p.m. to 5 p.m.
- Sunday, May 5th
- Workshop: 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
- Photo pop-up: 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., 1:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. and 3:45 p.m. to 5 p.m.
- Saturday, May 4th
Bach’s Coffee Cantata
Creative collective Gay4Nature invites you to their first-ever touring production across cafes and galleries—choosing Bach’s 30-minute Coffee Cantata as the perfect inspiration for entertainment.
This Saturday is your last chance to catch this enthralling version of Bach’s work, so don’t miss out!
Dive into this revised and whimsical baroque opera about a girl’s unquenchable thirst for coffee, which wonderfully touches on the relationships between daughter and father and the lengths people go to caffeinate themselves.
It’s free to attend!
- Where: Saturday: Friends of Dorothy, 537 Johnson Street
- When: Saturday, May 4th at 11 a.m.
Book Launch With Ren Louie
Ren Louie will be celebrating the launch of his new book, Teachings of the Drum this Saturday!
Hosted by School House Teaching Supplies, everyone is welcome to listen in on the reading and participate in the book signing too.
- Where: School House (located in the Tillicum Centre), 103-3170 Tillicum Road
- When: Saturday, May 4th from 12 p.m. to 3 p.m.
Little Free Library Superheroes Adventure
On Saturday, May 4th, the Superheroes of Victoria and the Greater Victoria Placemaking Network (GVPN) are teaming up to celebrate Free Comic Book Day in armour and style.
To bring extra adventure and excitement to the day, they’ve decided to host a little free library (LFL) superhero expedition for the community!
This means that from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, superheroes will be stationed at five LFLs in Fernwood, where they will be giving out free comic books and graphic novels.
- Where: At five different LFLs all over Fernwood!
- When: Saturday, May 4th from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
May the 4th Costume Party at Herald Street Brew Works
Jedi masters, Siths, Ewoks, Stormtroopers, Wookiees and everything in between, it’s your night to mix and mingle at Herald Street Brew Works’ one-night “Cantina.”
For May the 4th, they’re hosting a Star Wars themed costume party featuring live local bands—Gun Street Ghouls, Odd Sum and Lake Placid.
Tickets are $15 in advance and $20 at the door!
- Where: Herald Street Brew Works, 506 Herald Street
- When: Saturday, May 4th from 7 p.m. to 11 p.m.
Nonline Dating: 2SLGBTQIA+ Connections
Meet other like-minded people at this fun, fast paced in-person dating experience for individuals 30 and up!
This is for connection of any kind, whether it’s romance or friendship, the organizer Kaye saw the need for better 2SLGBTQIA+ opportunities in the city and acted on it.
There’s also a no-pressure matching component by secret ballot, so there’s no need to shy away or feel nervous!
Tickets are $29 per person.
- Where: Victoria Event Centre, 1419 Broad Street
- When: Saturday, May 4th from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.
Cheryl Long at Fortune Gallery
Fortune Gallery invites you to welcome back Cheryl Long for her solo exhibition, Surfacing!
It opened on Wednesday, May 1st—celebrate the launch with Long at this Saturday’s artist talk at 2 p.m.
As described, Cheryl Long is a Salt Spring based artist whose work shows great appreciation for the Canadian landscape.
Her work is inspired by nature as well as her years of being a massage therapist, designer and illustrator to convey anatomy and flowing shapes.
- Where: Fortune Gallery, 537 Fisgard Street
- When: Saturday, May 4th at 2 p.m.
Pacific FC Game
Catch your local soccer team at their upcoming game this Saturday!
They’ll be facing York United FC at Starlight Stadium at 4 p.m.—perfect late-afternoon activity before a good supper.
Ticket prices vary by section, but general admission is $22.
- Where: Starlight Stadium, 1089 Langford Parkway
- When: Saturday, May 4th at 4 p.m.
Sundown Social with Victoria Latin Dance Association
Join the Victoria Latin Dance Association in James Bay for a wonderful evening of socializing and Latin dancing!
To begin the festivities, there will be an auction to help them raise money for our outdoor summer socials this year.
Following the auction, activities include a beginner dance lesson and then a free-for-all mixture of salsa, bachata, kizomba, and merengue.
General cover is $15 or $12 for students—no previous dance experience is required!
Sea Cider Outdoor Market
Come and celebrate spring with Sea Cider at their May Day Fair!
This indoor/outdoor market will feature 30 hand-picked vendors, delicious food options, coffee and cider (of course), live music and more.
Admission is free and all ages are welcome! Dogs are also allowed so long as they’re kept on-leash.
- Where: Sea Cider, 2395 Mt St Michael Road
- When: Sunday, May 5th from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Matthew Good and His Band at Capital Ballroom
Check out Matthew Good and His Band and special guests VILIVANT at Capital Ballroom this Sunday!
Good is a multi-platinum selling Canadian recording artist, best known for his signature vocal style, guitar-driven melodies, and cinematic lyrics.
His career began as the frontman for the Matthew Good Band—one of the most successful Canadian alt-rock bands during the 1990s and early 2000s.
Tickets are $55 and can be purchased here.
- Where: Capital Ballroom, 858 Yates Street
- When: Sunday, May 5th from 8 p.m. to 11 p.m.
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