Well hello there, weekend in Victoria! How good to see you again.
The city brings plenty of fun to be had and some lovely weather to enjoy it in—so, gather your friends and family and get out onto the town!
Cowichan is hosting their 40th Island Folks Festival, the beloved TD Paint-In is taking over Moss Street, there’s a vibrant Japan Fest happening, and much more.
Plus, Sunday marks National Ice Cream Day, don’t miss out on all of the fantastic local ice cream hotspots to check out!
Without further delay, here’s 14 things to do in and around Victoria this weekend—July 20th and 21st:
Cowichan Folk Guild: 40th Annual Islands Folk Festival
Promising fantastic food, music and camaraderie, the Cowichan Folk Guild is thrilled to have everyone back for the 40th annual Islands Folk Festival.
It kicked off at Providence Farm in Duncan on Friday, July 19th and runs until Sunday, July 21st, featuring a lineup of local, national and international artists.
Since its inception in 1984, this rich celebration of folk music and culture has become a staple community event—drawing in thousands of attendees every year!
Ticket prices vary depending on the package you’re after, and you can take a look at those, here.
- Where: Providence Farm, 1843 Tzouhalem Road, Duncan
- When: Kicked off on Friday, July 19th and runs until Sunday, July 21st
Yellow Wolf Inter-tribal Powwow: Honouring Wətanmy
Join the Sampson family and fellow community members in honouring Wətanmy at an inter-tribal powwow this weekend!
The Honouring Wətanmy Powwow serves as a way to commemorate and continue the teachings of Alice “Wətanmy” Sampson, an ancestor on the Nez Perce side of the Sampson family, and to continue a tradition that Wətanmy held dear.
This event kicked off on Friday, July 19th and runs until Sunday, July 21st at Tsartlip Soccer Field in Brentwood Bay, and is a drug, alcohol and pet-free zone.
In addition to dances and honourings, there will be a variety of vendors to browse, food to try, camping and much more!
Check out the full schedule, here.
- Where: Tsartlip Soccer Field, 800 Stelly’s X Road in Brentwood Bay
- When: Friday, July 19th to Sunday, July 21st
Check Out the Buck Moon
Our next full moon, commonly known as the Buck Moon, will reach its peak in the early morning hours of Sunday, July 21st.
According to NASA, the moon will appear full for around three days from Friday evening to Monday morning, so you’ll have plenty of opportunities to catch its glow!
The name ‘Buck Moon’ stems from the Algonquin tribes, who lived in what is now the northeastern United States. Early summer marks when the new antlers of a buck deer push out of their foreheads.
- Where: Get to the best viewpoint!
- When: From Friday evening to Sunday after dusk
Supers Take the Field
Superheroes of Victoria are celebrating their 15th anniversary with a massive super summer kids day this Saturday!
Some of the day’s highlights include a dunk tank, inflatables, a variety of food vendors with tasty treats, circus performers, martial arts demonstrations, a DJ and many interactive games.
Plus, there will be around 25 to 30 of the Superheroes walking around, including Batman, Wonder Woman, Spiderman, Captain America and more!
This event is by donation and proceeds go towards the BC Children’s Hospital Foundation.
- Where: Starlight Stadium, 1089 Langford Parkway
- When: Saturday, July 20th from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Art Gallery Paint-In
Celebrate with the Art Gallery of Greater Victoria as they ring in their 35th TD Paint-In event!
It has become the largest summer arts festival on Vancouver Island, and draws in around 40,000 visitors annually to explore and experience the art along Moss Street.
Additionally, there will be live performances and curated guided tours for guests to enjoy as well.
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- Where: Art Gallery of Greater Victoria, 1040 Moss Street
- When: Saturday, July 20th from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Entwined 2024
After a successful first year, this will mark Langford’s second annual Fibre Arts Market!
This event is described as the bringing together of a diverse community of talented fibre artists, artisans, and vendors from all corners of the fibre arts world.
You’ll find a wide variety of knitting, crochet, weaving, spinning, and more—in fact, over 25 vendors will be present, full to the brim with exceptional creations!
There will also be food trucks and live music for your enjoyment.
- Where: Langford Station, 720 Station Avenue, Langford
- When: Saturday, July 20th from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
The Lab: 2nd Annual Yoga Festival
After a successful first year, The Lab invites everyone to their second annual Yoga Festival—happening on Saturday, July 20th in Saanich’s Hyacinth Park.
Escape the city and join them for a day filled with tranquility and connection with body and nature, surrounded by the beauty of the park’s lush greenery.
The festival will include a multitude of wellness classes offered by a lineup of skilled instructors, live entertainment—including both DJ and acoustic sets, lawn games and more!
They offer experiences suitable for all ages and welcome families to come and join in on the fun together.
Tickets for the Yoga Festival are $95 for adults and $20 for children 15-years-old and younger.
- Where: Hyacinth Park in Saanich, 800 Marigold Road
- When: Saturday, July 20th from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Japan Fest
Catch Victoria’s Japan Fest, presented by The Victoria Nikkei Cultural Society and FUDO Japanese Restaurant!
It’s a vibrant festival celebrating Japanese culture with vendors, and a multitude of performances including Japanese drumming by Uminari Taiko, Japanese folk dancing, Martial arts demonstrations and more.
Plus, dig into their delicious food offerings such as sushi, krokke, musubi kaikigori (snow cones) and more!
It will take place on Saturday, July 20 at the Broadmead Village Shopping Centre from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. in the courtyard outside FUDO.
- Where: Broadmead Village Shopping Centre outside of FUDO, 777, 425, Royal Oak Drive
- When: Saturday, July 20th from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Women of Rock Tribute Show
Don’t miss out on this epic opportunity to see The Women of Rock—a world-class, multi-tribute show from Las Vegas that has toured across the US and Canada.
Hosted by Totally Tom Petty and his Show Band, you’ll catch favourites like Hit Me With Your Best Shot and Heartbreaker by Pat Benatar, Back on the Chain Gang and Brass in Pocket by The Pretenders, I Love Rock and Roll and I Hate Myself for Loving You by Joan Jett, and many more!
Presented by Las Vegas Show Productions, this is a unique opportunity to receive a taste of Vegas without straying too far from home.
Tickets are $45 and can be purchased here.
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- Where: The Platinum Room, Elements Casino, 1708 Island Highway
- When: Saturday, July 20th at 7:30 p.m.
Yes and Yesteryear: An Improvised Jane Austen at the Emily Carr House
Step back into the romantic and powerful era of Jane Austen in a play at the Emily Carr House—held on Fridays and Saturdays from Friday, July 12th to Saturday, July 27th.
With the gorgeous historic Emily Carr House as the backdrop and surrounded by lush greenery, this is sure to be a special show.
Produced by Join Paper Street Theatre, the cast will treat audiences to a fully improvised show, creating on-the-spot bits and banter as they work through the conventions and constraints of proper Jane Austen society.
Tickets are $28 and include complimentary lemonade and cucumber sandwiches.
- Where: Emily Carr House, 207 Government Street
- When: Saturday, July 20th at 7 p.m. (2 p.m. showing is sold out)
365 Pro Wrestling Match
365 Pro Wrestling presents their Saturday destination fight at White Eagle Polish Hall!
Bring your buddies and watch some good live pro wrestling.
Tickets are $30 for front row, $20 general admission and $15 for youth.
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- Where: White Eagle Polish Hall, 90 Dock Street
- When: Saturday, July 20th at 7:30 p.m. (doors open at 6:30 p.m.)
Jill Tyler-Dolan: Book Launch
Join Jill Tyler-Dolan as she launches her first poetry book at Coles Bookstore!
The Hummingbird’s Garden is dedicated to her uncle and grandma, allowing her to share how special they are to her through this collection.
She’ll be reading a passage or two as well! Free to attend.
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- Where: Coles Bookstore, Westshore Town Centre, 2945 Jacklin Road
- When: Saturday, July 20th from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
National Ice Cream Day
Did someone say ice cream?
You’ve heard it before and we’ll say it again—you scream, we scream, everyone screams for ice cream!
Get yourself some frozen happiness in a cone or a cup and beat the heat this National Ice Cream Day in and around Victoria this Sunday, July 21st.
No matter the weather, everyone is happy while enjoying a delicious ice cream treat, so grab one for yourself and a loved one and continue on your summer journeys!
Less talk, more eat…
Full article: 14 best places in Victoria to get your ice cream fix for National Ice Cream Day
Oak Bay Collector Car Festival
The popular annual Oak Bay Collector Car Festival is returning for its 24th year on Sunday, July 21st, where attendees will be greeted by over 300 unique cars!
Starting bright and early at 10 a.m., visitors can walk along sections along blocks of Oak
Bay Avenue, Monterey to Mitchell Street plus portions of Hampshire Road and Elgin Street to view the extensive lineup of collectors and vintage cars.
This year marks the first festival being held in the absence of its founder, Ken Agate, who passed away in September.
This event is free to attend—just bring your wonderful self and dress for the weather.
- Where: Down and around Oak Bay Avenue
- When: Sunday, July 21st at 10 a.m. (cars are to arrive at 8 a.m. for parking direction)
