We hope you’re enjoying the longer and warmer days as we get closer to summer’s official start date!
Nothing quite screams nice weather like the abundance of outdoor festivals Vancouver Island has to offer this time of year, and we wanted to highlight a few.
From the famed Rifflandia, Phillips Backyard and Sunfest, to the smaller (but richly celebrated) Cowichan Valley Bluegrass, JazzFest and more.
Get together with a group of friends and turn a regular weekend into a time of connection, community and great music!
Here’s 11 festivals happening in and around Victoria this year, from June to September:
Cowichan Valley Bluegrass Festival
The Cowichan Valley Bluegrass Festival welcomes visitors and island residents alike to tune in from Friday, June 13th to Sunday, June 15th.
The festival is genre-specific to bluegrass and Appalachian-style “old-time” music, which is different than what music fans find at traditional folk festivals.
Their 2025 lineup features Sweet Sally, The Kody Norris Show, The Doggone Brothers Band, Murfitt and Main and more!
Festival passes range from a low of $30 on Sunday to $160 for a full weekend.
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- Where: Laketown Ampitheatre, 8811 Youbou Road #648, Lake Cowichan
- When: Friday, June 13th to Sunday, June 15th
Victoria Ska & Reggae Festival (SkaFest)
This year will be the 26th Skafest and will take place primarily down in Victoria’s Inner Harbour, featuring numerous free-to-attend shows during the day with paid shows taking place through the evening at a few different venues.
The festival will take place between June 18th and 22nd this year and all shows except for a club concert on Thursday will be open to all ages.
Their headliners include Propaghandi, The Pharcyde and Jakobs Castle.
Ticket prices vary and can be purchased online.
- Where: Ship Point, Inner Harbour on Wharf Street
- When: Wednesday, June 18th to Sunday, June 22nd—showtimes vary
TD Victoria JazzFest
Welcome back the TD Victoria JazzFest—the longest running multi-day music festival on Vancouver Island!
From Friday, June 20th to Sunday, June 29th, get ready for many incredible days of high-caliber artists performing in both outdoor and indoor venues.
Similar to previous years, there will be a wide variety of both ticketed and free shows, all of which will be in their calendar.
Additionally, they’ll offer workshops and clinics with acclaimed jazz musicians throughout the festival, too!
For ticket information, you can visit their website.
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- Where: Locations vary by event
- When: Friday, June 20th to Sunday, June 29th
Great Canadian Bash
Don’t miss the Great Canadian Bash! It’s an outdoor, classic rock concert that will take place at Starlight Stadium, and celebrates Canadian music, food and summer!
Co-headlining performances include iconic Canadian rock groups Big Sugar and Trooper, with a pre-party BBQ performance by Nautical Disaster, Canada’s preeminent Tragically Hip tribute band.
Standard tickets are just over $30 and can be purchased here.
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- Where: Starlight Stadium, 1089 Langford Parkway, Langford
- When: Saturday, June 28th at 4:30 p.m. (doors open at 3:30 p.m.)
Phillips Backyard
The festival series is split up into two weekends and takes place over the course of two weekends in July and August.
The ‘Tilt!’ lineup for July 4th to 6th will see Cold War Kids, Unknown Mortal Orchestra and G-Easy headline the stage in Phillips Brewing’s backyard.
Other artists playing Tilt! include Snotty Nose Rez Kids, Haviah Mighty, Band of Skulls, Two Feet and Young Friend.
Phillips Backyard’s ‘Reverb’ will take place from August 8th to 10th, and will be headlined by Peach Pit, Phantogram and The Roots.
Vancouver’s own Peach Pit are an indie-rock band known for their modest, mellow, jangly sound that has elements of pop, rock and surf music.
Ticket prices are up, and single day passes are $119.24, and a weekend pass is $285.76.
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- Where: 2010 Government Street
- When:
- Tilt!: July 4th to 6th
- Reverb: August 8th to 10th
Victoria Folk Music Festival
This year’s Victoria Folk Music Festival will take place on Saturday, July 5th in the Royal Athletic Park!
The world-class lineup includes Frazey Ford, Joel Plaskett, Kacy & Clayton, Harry Manx, Ferron, Old Man Luedecke, Vince Vaccaro, Canadian Beauty, Daneil Lapp’s BC Fiddle Orchestra and more.
This family-friendly event brings together the best in folk, roots, and Americana music.
General admission tickets are around $86.50 and can be purchased via Eventbrite.
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- Where: Royal Athletic Park, 1014 Caledonia Avenue
- When: Saturday, July 5th from 12 p.m. to 10 p.m.
Sunfest Country
Treat the leather on your cowboy boots, it’s time for Sunfest Country music festival!
This year’s event will take place from Thursday, July 31st to Sunday, August 3rd—bringing attendees some of the best of country.
Catch featured performers such as Pony Gold, Chase Rice, Tim Hicks, the Coal Dust Gang, Ashley Cooke, Jaimeson Rhy and more!
Ticket prices vary depending on the festival experience you’re after! If you’re hoping to go for the day or camp for the weekend, there’s separate passes for your needs.
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- Where: Laketown Ampitheatre, 8811 Youbou Road #648, Lake Cowichan
- When: Thursday, July 31st to Sunday, August 3rd
SoberFest
If you’re in need of a fun, festival atmosphere but don’t want the substances that come with it, SoberFest is an alcohol, marijuana and drug-free zone!
This festival celebrates recovery, and raises funs to help send people to treatment so they can attain the necessary resources without the financial stress.
According to their website, SoberFest has assisted 40 people as a result of the fundraising so far!
Everyone is welcome in joining them in supporting this important cause, and having a lot of fun while doing it.
General admission tickets are $60, and other ticketing information can be found at checkout.
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- Where: Starlight Stadium, 1089 Langford Parkway
- When: Saturday, August 2nd from 1 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Laketown Shakedown
This year’s Laketown Shakedown will take place from Friday, August 8th to Sunday, August 10th!
Their lineup features top talent such as The Glorious Sons, Sam Roberts Band, Garret T. Willie and more.
Plus, one of Canada’s highest selling rock acts, Nickelback, will be headlining at the festival this year—marking their first return to the island in 20 years!
Ticket prices vary depending on your festival experience. On top of tickets to see the lineup, there’s parking and camping passes available as well.
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- Where: Laketown Ampitheatre, 8811 Youbou Road #648, Lake Cowichan
- When: Friday, August 8th to Sunday, August 10th
Harbour Blues ‘n Roots Festival 2025
At Harbour Blues ‘n Roots Festival 2025, some of the biggest names in the business will be coming down to Victoria’s Ship Point in the Inner Harbour from Friday, August 22nd to Sunday, August 24th.
The big names who will be gracing the stage at Ship Point will be The Harpoonist & The Axe Murderer, Shemekia Copeland and Bywater Call. Those prestigious acts will be joined by local bands Wet Future, James Vickers Band and Slim Sandy’s Atomic Cocktails.
There will also be free shows taking place at Ship Point on Saturday and Sunday, between noon and 5 p.m.
Tickets are available for purchase online!
- Where: Ship Point, Wharf Street
- When: Friday, August 22nd to Sunday, August 24th
Rifflandia
This year will see the 15th rendition of Rifflandia take over Victoria with a special celebration of music, food, comedy and more.
This year the festival will be from Thursday, September 11th to Sunday, September 14th.
Performers include Maribou State, Charlotte Cardin, Alessia Cara, TroyBoi, Hollow Coves, JP Saxe and many more!
Plus, for this year’s ticket sales, 15% of the proceeds will go to the newly established Rifflandia Foundation.
The Foundation will then distribute the money raised to 15 local community organizations who make an impact on all facets of life in Victoria.
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- Where: Matullia Lands at Rock Bay, 502 Pembroke Street
- When: Thursday, September 11th to Sunday, September 14th
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