Congrats on making it to another gorgeous summer weekend, Victoria!
Get together with loved ones and soak up the sun while you attend the Harbour Blues ‘n Roots Festival, jump on an adventure course at WildPlay, celebrate Ukrainian culture, and much more.
If you’re looking for other unique live performances, this weekend is the last chance to catch SNAFU’s New Earth Bandits 2, and KWENCH is hosting a spicy karaoke, burlesque and drag fundraising night!
Plus, this Sunday is National Waffle Day, so don’t forget to treat yourself to a delectable sweet or savoury doughy waffle.
For all of this and more, here’s 12 things to do in and around Victoria this weekend—August 23rd and 24th:
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.
Tickets are available for purchase online!
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- Where: Ship Point, Wharf Street
- When: Kicked off on Friday, August 22nd and run until Sunday, August 24th
Victoria Fringe Festival
This year marks the 39th annual Victoria Fringe Festival, which hits the city on Wednesday, August 20th and runs until Sunday, August 31st.
The Fringe always brings a burst of creative energy to the city’s atmosphere, and this year is no exception. There will be everything from dance and comedy to drama, spoken word and site-specific shows.
Some of this weekend’s highlights include Shade Apparel, 1ForUOne4Me, A Waste of Stage Time, Water People and many more.
All tickets must be purchased in advance, either online or in person at the Intrepid Theatre box office. There’s also a one-time payment of $5 for your festival membership button, which is required to see shows.
- Where: Locations vary by performance
- When: Saturday, August 23rd and Sunday, August 24th—showtimes vary
Visit WildPlay
Join the crew at WildPlay and say hello to adventure!
Choose between an incredible variety of activities, including axe throwing, adventure courses, bungy jumps, the primal swing and more.
Plus, if you use the code BUZZ20 at checkout, you’ll get a 20% discount!
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- Where: WildPlay Victoria, 1767 Island Highway #15
- When: Saturday, August 23rd and Sunday, August 24th from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.
SNAFU’s ‘New Earth Bandits 2’
The SNAFU Society of Unexpected Spectacles is returning to Victoria with the second set of New Earth Bandits 2 shows, running from Thursday, August 21st to Sunday, August 24th.
Attendees will wander the trails, encountering giant puppets, aerial silk performances, live music with original songs, dance, clowning and more.
In truly choose-your-own-adventure style, you pick which paths you take and which performers you interact with, which will shape your experience.
Tickets are $30 for general admission and can be purchased here. This event is happening rain or shine!
- Where: Macaulay Point Park, 304 Clifton Terrace
- When: Kicked off on Thursday, August 21st and runs until Sunday, August 24th (all shows start at 6:30 p.m.)
Vancouver Island Dragon Boat Festival
Don’t miss out on the Vancouver Island Dragon Boat Festival, taking place this weekend on Victoria’s Gorge Waterway!
Hosted by Fairway Gorge Paddling Club, there will be 36 teams from across Vancouver Island, lower mainland, Washington and Oregon competing in a variety of races.
Highlights include 100m Knockouts on Saturday, 1500m Guts & Glory on Sunday, and much more. Check out their full schedule here!
- Where: Gorge Waterway, 2940 Jutland Road
- When: Saturday, August 23rd and Sunday, August 24th—race times vary
Book Signing at Mountain Galleries
Join the Fairmont Empress for the opportunity to meet world-renowned conservation photographers Paul Nicklen and Cristina Mittermeier at Mountain Galleries!
They’ll be signing a limited number of books, which celebrate the beauty of our world through their lens. A limited quantity of titles will also be available at the event for purchase. Bring your own book copies, if you have them.
This event is free to attend, but be sure to RSVP to snag your spot!
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- Where: Fairmont Empress, Mountain Galleries, 721 Government Street
- When: Saturday, August 23rd at 11 a.m.
Karaoke Tease: Salty Broad Productions
This Saturday, August 23rd, Salty Broad Productions is presenting ‘Karaoke Tease’ at KWENCH—bringing a saucy mashup of burlesque, drag, dance, high-camp cabaret energy and karaoke.
Who’s singing, you may ask? You are! Audience members provide the epic vocals while an all-star lineup of performers improvise larger-than life numbers to bring each song to life.
The lineup includes Sylvester Staletto, Titty Titty Bang Bang, Holy Shirt, Henrietta Dubet, Lil’ Jam Jam and more.
General admission tickets are $30 in advance and $35 at the door.
All of the proceeds will go towards the remount of Hail Santa: A Salty Broadmas Holiday Spectacular (happening December 18th to 20th), which will double as a farewell to The Metro Studio Theatre.
- Where: KWENCH, 2031 Store Street Suite A
- When: Saturday, August 23rd at 8 p.m. (doors open at 6 p.m.)
Free-B Film Festival: Clue (1985)
The 26th annual Free-B Film Festival, a series of free outdoor movie screenings, has its last showing this Saturday!
Rediscover an old childhood favourite, or introduce yourself and friends to a classic gem for the first time—either way, unwind and enjoy the magic of the movies in the fresh air!
Saturday’s screening will feature Clue (1985).
- Where: Cameron Bandshell in Beacon Hill Park, 250 Bridge Way
- When: Saturday, August 23rd at 9 p.m.
Peninsula Country Market
The Peninsula Country Market began in 1991 and has become a community gathering place for locals and visitors alike every year!
Spend every Saturday until October 11th shopping local artisan goods, fresh produce and indulging in one of their many food options.
Additionally, they have a variety of live entertainment and activities, including a new educational activity in their kids zone!
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- Where: Saanich Fairgrounds, 1528 Stelly’s Cross Road
- When: Saturday, August 23rd from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Vancouver Island Feast of Fields
This Sunday marks the 24th annual Vancouver Island Feast of Fields event, and will be hosted at Heritage Acres in Saanichton.
This three-hour gourmet harvest festival highlights connections between farmers and chefs, field and table, and farm and city folks. Stroll listening to music as you sample some of the top creations from chefs, bakers, vintners, brewers and more!
Regular admission is sold out, but VIP packages are still available for just over $214.
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- Where: Heritage Acres, 7321 Lochside Drive, Saanichton
- When: Sunday, August 24th from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. (VIP get early access starting at 12 p.m.)
Ukraine’s Independence Day Celebration
The Ukrainian Canadian Congress, Victoria Branch, invites everyone to join them in celebrating Ukraine’s Independence Day.
There will be family competitions with prizes, potluck area, a kids’ zone, live performances, a themed photo area and much more!
Ukrainian Independence Day allows us to celebrate Ukraine’s vibrant culture, and its resilience as Russia wages war on their country.
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- Where: Beckwith Park, 857 Beckwith Avenue
- When: Sunday, August 24th from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m.
National Waffle Day
Waffle lovers of Victoria, listen up!
Breakfast food can be enjoyed any time of day, and when it comes to waffles, there are plenty of options that can take your favourite breakfast dish to the next level.
Another bonus? They don’t have to be sweet—restaurants all around Victoria offer delicious savoury options too!
In honour of the upcoming National Waffle Day on Sunday, August 24th, we’ve compiled a list of 6 places in and around Victoria to satisfy your waffle cravings.
Highlights include Scoop and Waffle in Sidney, Jam Cafe, John’s Place and more!
Full article: 6 must-try waffle spots in Victoria to satisfy your cravings ahead of National Waffle Day
- Where: In and around Victoria!
- When: Sunday, August 24th
