Anyone else looking forward to the weekend?
Hopefully you’ve got some time off and plenty of Halloween spirit left to give as the official day draws near—after all, there’s still plenty of seasonal events to soak up before November begins!
Take advantage of the final Sannichton Fright Nights, catch a scary silent film in a gothic building, drive to Metchosin for a witchy market and much, much more.
If you’re looking for something slightly less Halloween-related, there’s also a dark and candy beer festival at Small Gods Brewing, a Barbie-themed DJ night at Quadratic Sound and Merridale is hosting a Spirit and Cocktail Festival.
Here’s 18 things to do in and around Victoria this weekend—October 26th and 27th:
Dark and Candy Beer Fest Weekend
Small Gods Brewing in Sidney is hosting a Dark & Candy Beer Fest, which kicked off on Friday, October 25th and will run until Sunday, October 27th!
They’ve teamed up with five incredible craft breweries to bring guests the best dark and candy-flavoured beers on the market, plus there will be live entertainment from Chase Varnes on Saturday evening.
Come back on Sunday for Noëlle Phillips’ book launch of Brewmasters & Brewery Creek!
$7 full-pour beers and $12 beer floats all weekend long.
- Where: Small Gods Brewing, 9835 Third Street, Sidney
- When: Kicked off on Friday, October 25th and runs until Sunday, October 27th
- Chase Varnes: Saturday from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m.
- Book launch: Sunday from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Bewitched Market in Metchosin
Join Events by L.A. at the Metchosin Community Hall for their Bewitched Market—it kicked off on Friday, October 25th and runs until Sunday, October 27th.
Guests will be treated to a bewitching weekend of magic, where they’ll have the chance to discover all kinds of goodies and meet witches, psychics, energy healers and more from a multitude of vendors.
It’s free admission!
- Where: Metchosin Community Hall, 4401 William Head Road
- When: Saturday, October 25th and Sunday, October 27th from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Haunted Tours at Craigdarroch Castle
Discover the darker side of the 19th century with their new after-hours tour, ‘Curiosities of Craigdarroch,’ running until November 17th.
Led by an expert guide, they’re 90 minutes long and take place from 4 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. from Friday to Sunday.
Take advantage of this unique opportunity to delve into the darker stories surrounding the Dunsmuir family and their experiences during the Victorian era—an era where the Halloween season took on a more morbid tone than we are accustomed to today.
Tours are $32 per person and must be purchased in advance, whether that’s online, by calling (250) 592-5323 or visiting the Castle Visitor Centre.
- Where: Craigdarroch Castle, 1050 Joan Crescent
- When: Friday to Sundays from 4 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.—tours hosted until November 17th
Visit a Pumpkin Patch
If you haven’t picked up your perfect carving pumpkin yet, there’s still time!
Take your loved ones or your special someone to one of Victoria’s iconic pumpkin patches and make the most of your Halloween season.
Pull up your Pinterest boards and get to decorating!
Full article: Here’s where you can find the best pumpkin patches and corn mazes in and around Victoria
Petrified Pub Crawl
Enjoy a spine-tingling evening on Hidden Victoria’s Petrified Pub Crawl!
It’s a guided, ghost-filled adventure through the city’s eeriest parts, where attendees will visit three haunted pubs over the course of three hours.
There will be delicious free food at each stop too, so you’ll get to satisfy your hunger as the guide takes you on a journey through the city’s dark past and eerie encounters.
This activity is for adults 19+, and you can reserve your spot for $35 here.
- Where:
- 7 p.m. tour starts at the Chinatown gate at Fisgard & Government
- 8 p.m. tour starts outside the entrance of the Empress
- When: Whenever you can up until November 2nd
Merridale’s Vancouver Island Craft Spirit and Cocktail Festival
Don’t miss out on this immersive and intimate spirit and cocktail experience!
Merridale’s Vancouver Island Craft Spirit and Cocktail Festival will bring attendees a variety of local distilleries, award-winning cocktails and hand-held bites for you to munch on as you sip on delicious craft drinks.
Gather a group of pals and treat yourselves to some of the best the island has to offer!
Tickets are $95 per person with transport, or $85 per person without transport.
- Where: Merridale Cidery & Distillery, 1230 Merridale Road
- When: Saturday, October 26th from 7 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.
The Charm Offensive with Jim Jefferies and Jimmy Carr
Jim Jefferies and Jimmy Carr will bring The Charm Offensive tour to Save-On-Foods Memorial Centre this weekend.
Both comedians have performed in Victoria before, but now the duo will take the stage at the Blanshard Street arena for a co-headlining performance this year.
- Where: Save on Foods Memorial Centre, 1925 Blanshard Street
- When: Saturday, October 26th at 7:30pm
Fright Nights at Saanichton Corn Maze
Fright Nights in the Haunted Sunflower Field are back due to popular demand!
Join Ocean View Estates for a night full of horror in the sunflowers… if you dare. Walk through twists and turns in a field filled with clowns and zombies and undeniably scary monsters lurking around in the dark.
Fright Nights will take place on four nights this October—October 18th, October 19th, October 25th October 26th—all from 7:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m.
Advanced tickets highly recommended, as this eerie event sells out quickly! Tickets are $25 each and available online.
- Where: Ocean View Estates, 7979 Central Saanich Road
- When: Saturday, October 26th from 7:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m.
Crafted Farmhouse Market in Sidney
Who doesn’t love a good market shop?
Don’t miss out on the opportunity to browse a variety of incredible local vendors at the Crafted Farmhouse Market in Sidney this Friday and Saturday!
Some of the creators will include Evercoast Handmade, Sublime Creative, Cove, Bellamy Home Studio,Van Isle Hairstyle, Buttercream Bliss Bakery, The.Art.Shed, Swallow Jewellery, Sugar Sandwich Designs and more.
Admission is $5 cash at the door, and kids 12 and under get in for free.
- Where: Mary Winspear Centre, 2243 Beacon Avenue
- When: Saturday, October 26th from 10 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Afternoon Tea: Mystical Readings
The Fairmont Empress is launching a special Afternoon Tea this season, where a tea leaf reader will be present in the Lobby Lounge on Saturday to share the art of tasseography with the lucky tea-goers.
From 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., guests will be able to enjoy the hotel’s beloved Afternoon Tea service, with an array of delicate sandwiches, freshly baked scones and an assortment of sweet treats, with the option of having their tea leaves read.
The complimentary tea readings will be provided by Rachael Bruton Haisell, who has been providing readings for over 35 years!
You can reserve your spot here.
- Where: Fairmont Empress, Lobby Lounge, 721 Government Street
- When: Saturday, October 26th from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
All Hallows Eve Dance
As the veils between us and the spirit world grow thin, you’re invited to join The Church of Truth for their All Hallows Even Dance this Saturday!
Whether you’re celebrating Halloween, the ancient Celtic Samhain festival, or marking the transition to autumn, there will be plenty of fun to go around.
There will be fiddle performances, a silent disco, a costume parade, and refreshments available. Guests are also invited to bring food for a potluck-style element to the party too.
Tickets are $18 if purchased in advance, and $20 at the door. Kids get in for $10.
- Where: Church of Truth – Community of Conscious Living, 111 Superior Street
- When: Saturday, October 26th from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Trick or Trash: Halloween Shoreline Cleanup
Trick or Trash! Ocean Wise, ECOP Canada and Peninsula Streams Society welcome you to a shoreline cleanup this Saturday.
Attendees will learn about microplastics and participate in a forage fish survey. Dress in your best sustainable costume and get ready to take action!
Reserve your spot here.
- Where: Regatta Point Park, 521 Craigflower Road
- When: Saturday, October 25th from 9:30 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Haunted Silent Film in Christ Church Cathedral
One of the best parts of Halloween is the scary movies, so don’t miss your chance to catch a special screening at the Christ Church Cathedral!
Internationally-acclaimed organist David Briggs returns to Victoria to put his impressive improvisation skills to the test accompanying the 1931 classic film, Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde.
Tickets are $10 and can be purchased via Eventbrite.
- Where: Christ Church Cathedral, 911 Quadra Street
- When: Saturday, October 26th from 7:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.
CRONE-O-PHOBIA: Preview
Atomic Vaudeville (AV), an organization known for its legendary performances, are celebrating their 20th anniversary Halloween Cabaret this month.
Taking place at the First Met Fellowship Hall for the first time, AV presents CRONE-O-PHOBIA—the 88th installment of the Vaudeville Series and running from Thursday, October 24th to Saturday, November 2nd on select days.
CRONE-O-PHOBIA features Wyrd Sisters Kelly Hobson and Amanda Butler and brings audiences on a journey to the Crone Zone with plenty of cats, tradwives and a bucket of pig’s blood.
Tickets for the preview on Thursday, October 24th are $28, and the remaining dates are priced at $35.
- Where: First Met Fellowship Hall, 932 Balmoral Road
- When: Saturday, October 26th at 7:30 p.m.
Halloween Candlelight Concert Series
If you’re looking to strike whimsy in your Halloween season experiences, look no further.
Fever is hosting their last ‘A Haunted Evening of Halloween Classics’ show on Saturday, and will feature local musicians in St. Ann’s Academy and Auditorium National Historic Site, surrounded by thousands of candles.
The atmosphere is promised to be otherworldly!
Tickets are $39 per person.
- Where: St Ann’s Academy and Auditorium National Historic Site, 835 Humboldt Street
- When: Saturday, October 26th at 6 p.m., 7:45 p.m. and 9:30 p.m.
Archfiend Fest
Celebrate the release of Herald Street Brew Works’ new beer, ‘Archfiend’—an Imperial Stout!
To mark the occasion, they’re hosting an Archfiend Fest, with special dark offerings from Small Gods Brewing, Bayview and Whistle Buoy.
DJ Bill Stuart, 14 Flamingos and Archivists will be providing the entertainment while you sip on delicious craft beer and mingle with pals!
The event kicks off at 3 p.m. and cover is $10 after 6 p.m.
- Where: Herald Street Brew Works, 504 Herald Street
- When: Saturday, October 26th from 3 p.m. until close
Barbieland at Quadratic Sound
Quadratic Sound wanted to mix up everyone’s scary season and toss in a cutesy theme for a Sunday party—welcome to Barbieland!
Express your own inner Barbie, Ken, or whatever fits for you as an individual. There will be a photobooth-esqe area for taking photos of your outfits.
Spinning for you tonight includes DJs Vonnie and Barbie Aphelion!
Tickets are on a $10-$20 sliding scale, and BIPOC & LGBTQIA+ tickets are $5. There is an additional $5 membership fee for non-members.
- Where: Quadratic Sound, 655 Queens Avenue
- When: Sunday, October 27th from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m.
Royal Bay Monster Mash
Get your family together, dress to impress and join your community in participating in the Royal Bay Monster Mash this Sunday!
It will take place in Meadow Park Green in Colwood, and will feature the Royal Bay Bakery, DJ Chris Poynter, warm beverages and treats and much more.
Happening rain or shine!
- Where: Meadow Park Green, 3374 Trumpeter Street, Colwood
- When: Sunday, October 27th from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.
