Happy Thanksgiving long weekend, Victoria!
While we all dive headfirst into turkey comas and pumpkin pie slumbers, there are plenty of things going on around this fair city of ours aside from feasting on leftovers (not that there’s anything wrong with that!).
From hockey to harvest time favourites, embrace autumn this long weekend with these 18 things to do in and around Victoria:
Marty’s Birthday Party – Victoria Royals vs. Everett Silvertips
It’s everyone’s favourite mascot’s birthday this weekend, and you’re invited!
Join Victoria Royals’ beloved Marty the Marmot for his birthday bash on Saturday, October 11th, presented by Victoria Buzz.
Not only will all of his friends be in attendance, there will be a pre-game plaza party from 2 to 4 p.m., featuring face painting, balloon animals, a bouncy castle and more!
PLUS, you can score yourself a FREE kids ticket with the purchase of a club seat ticket—the more the merrier. Grab yours with a special promo code here!
- Where: Save-On-Foods Memorial Centre, 1925 Blanshard Street
- When: Saturday, October 11th – puck drop at 4:05 p.m.
- Tickets: Grab yours online here!
RuPaul’s Drag Race Tina Burner presents Witch Perfect
The hysterical award-winning spooktacular, Witch Perfect, is an all live-singing, comedy parody based on the cult-classic and audience favorite Disney film Hocus Pocus!
It features Emmy-winning stars from RuPaul’s Drag Race: S13 and All-Stars 10 Tina Burner as Winifred, Season 11, All-Stars S6, and UK vs the World S2’s Scarlet Envy as Sara, and Season 9 and All Stars S8’s Alexis Michelle as Mary.
- Where: McPherson Playhouse, 3 Centennial Square
- When: Saturday, October 11th – 8 p.m.
- Tickets: Grab yours online here!
Apple Harvest Festival
On October 11th from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Ross Bay Villa Historic House Museum presents their annual Apple Harvest Festival!
Join them at the Villa as we celebrate the harvest season. Enjoy apple treats and tea in the beautiful gardens, under the branches of heritage apple trees.
While you’re there, take the opportunity to tour the restored heritage house museum as additional tour times will be offered.
- Where: 1490 Fairfield Road
- When: Saturday, October 11th – 10 a.m.
Spinnakers Soda Fall Flavours Sampling
Join Spinnakers at Root Cellar’s Cook Street Village location this weekend to sample delicious Fall flavours, including:
- Sarsaparilla
- Creamy Red Birch Beer
- Butter Beer
- Cranberry Ginger Ale
Spinnakers are based right here in Victoria, and feature creative, fun sodas!
- Where: Root Cellar, 271 Cook Street
- When: Saturday, October 11th – 11 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Afro-Dancehall at Lucky Bar
Join DJs Lala and Suar3z for Skankin: Afro-Dancehall at Lucky Bar this Saturday!
Tickets are $10 in advance or $15 at the door.
- Where: Lucky Bar, 517 Yates Street
- When: Saturday, October 11th – 10 p.m. – 2 a.m.
Dark Pleasures Ball: Creatures of the Night
Dark Pleasures Ball is your early October excuse to dress feral, decadent, or downright wicked, and then dance like the night belongs to you.
Leather, lace, claws, horns, corsets, fangs… whatever brings your inner creature to life, wear it with pride. The music will pull you in, the dance floor will welcome you!
- Where: The Downbeat Event Centre, 1325 Government Street
- When: Saturday, October 11th – 9 p.m.
Crafts from the Crypt Fair
The spooktacular third annual Crafts from the Crypt Fair on Saturday, October 11th is happening from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. and Sunday, October 12th from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Crafts From the Crypt Fair is a one-of-a-kind Halloween-themed arts and craft event that celebrates all things spooky, metaphysical, mythical and macabre.
Kid-friendly, offering food trucks, Witch’s Brew Mocktail Bar, haunted mini photo sessions, Lil’ Zombie Zone, tarot card readings, on-site tattoos and over 50 craft vendors to delight and fright you! Costumes are greatly encouraged.
- Where: 450 Creed Road
- When: Saturday, October 11th – 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. and Sunday, October 12th – 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Thanksgiving Feast at Merridale
If you’re not opposed to a little trip up-island, join Merridale for a farm-fresh turkey dinner with all the fixings!
Bring the family for a cozy plate of turkey, stuffing, and seasonal sides—or, for groups of 10 or more, book a long table for a family-style feast, just like home (but with no dishes to wash!).
Don’t forget to check out their seasonal drink specials—because turkey is always better with cider in hand.
- Where: 1230 Merridale Road
- When: Saturday, October 11th – Monday, October 13th – 11 a.m. – 8 p.m.
Thanksgiving dinner at Q at the Empress
For those who prefer to eat out, the Q at the Empress is providing a special Thanksgiving menu at the hotel’s main restaurant.
Guests can enjoy dishes like slow-cooked turkey with truffle croissant bread pudding, whipped potatoes, and baby carrots.
Seasonal starters include winter squash bisque and a bright carrot salad. With beautifully made desserts to finish, this is a great way to celebrate Thanksgiving without any effort.
Reserve your table today!
- Where: Q at the Empress, 721 Government Street
- When: Sunday, October 12th & Monday, October 13th
The Witches of the Blackberry Field: Autumn Harvest
Welcome to the WBBF Autumn Harvest Celebration!
The Witches of the Blackberry Field will come together this Thanksgiving weekend to celebrate the harvest.
The event is appropriate for people of all ages. So feel free to bring the kids, and/or your dog—it will also be a pot luck!
Message M Krystalynne O’Hagan on FB, the main event organizer, and she’ll be happy to fill you in on the details and address, as it is not posted publicly.
- Where: Private location, see above
- When: Sunday, October 12th – 1 p.m. to 6 p.m.
Pumpkin Fest at Galey Farms
Pumpkinfest is back and tickets are on sale now!
Join Galey Farms every weekend in October, including Thanksgiving Monday and Pro D Friday.
Healthy outdoor fun for the whole family! Tickets include Farm Train, Corn Maze, Hayride to the Pumpkin Patch, Pumpkin Forest, Ghost Town and Kid’s Haunted House.
- Where: Galey Farms, 4150 Blenkinsop Road
- When: All weekend long – 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Pokemon trade day at BC Hobbies
Does your kid love collecting and trading Pokemon cards? Are you looking for a great, fun environment for them to get all their Pokemon jitters out?
Then you’ll love this special all-day kids event at BC Hobbies! All kids under 12 are welcome.
- Where: BC Hobbies, 1644 Hillside Avenue
- When: Sunday, October 12th – 11 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Donnie Darko | Retromania: Fright Fest at the Vic Theatre
Jake Gyllenhaal sees a creepy bunny, Drew Barrymore schools the weird, and Patrick Swayze hides secrets.
Backed with stars, Donnie Darko bends time, minds, and reality itself in a delightfully dark suburban trip.
Grab your tickets here!
- Where: The Vic Theatre, 808 Douglas Street
- When: Sunday, October 12th – 7:30 p.m.
Music Trivia at Monkey Tree Pub
So much fun, they have to do it weekly!
Sixty Watt is bringing ALL MUSIC TRIVIA to The Monkey Tree every Sunday from 7 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.
Name that tune, finish those lyrics, and test your knowledge!
- Where: Monkey Tree Pub, 4025 Borden Street
- When: Sunday, October 12th – 7 p.m. to 10:30 p.m.
Sunday Night Prime Rib Dinner at the James Bay Inn
No better way to kick off the fall season than to bring back the Sunday Night Prime Rib Dinner!
Starting September 28th, visit the James Bay Inn Restaurant or JBI pub for a house made Prime Rib Dinner. From 6oz to 16oz cooked to your liking, they have the Prime Rib you want and crave.
Starting at $35 – 4:30 p.m. – 9 p.m. No take out and no substitutions.
- Where: James Bay Inn Pub, 270 Government Street
- When: Sunday, October 12th – 4:30 p.m. – 9 p.m.
Skip the stress with a pre-made Thanksgiving meal
If you’re looking to skip hosting this year and dive headfirst into turkey comas and pumpkin-pie overload without all of the elbow grease, we’ve got you covered.
Thankfully, many restaurants in Victoria offer special meal packages for Thanksgiving Day, with options for dine-in AND take-out.
Check out the full list here!
- Where: Various restaurants around Victoria
- When: Sunday, October 12th & Monday, October 13th
All All-You-Can-Eat Mussel Mondays at Sooke Harbour House
Not feeling turkey? We’ve got you!
Dive into deliciousness every Monday at the Copper Room with Sooke Harbour House’s All-You-Can-Eat Mussels for just $40 per person—it’s the ultimate mussel experience!
Bring your friends and family for a fun night out, or make it a cozy date night. Either way, you won’t want to miss this seafood extravaganza!
- Where: Sooke Harbour House, 1528 Whiffin Spit Road
- When: Monday, October 13th – 3 p.m. – 5 p.m.
Friendsgiving at the Gorge
You’re invited to Stieg & Manning’s first of many Friendsgiving events at the Gorge!
Join them at the Gorge Pavilion on Monday, October 13th from 1–3 p.m. for an afternoon of community, connection, and gratitude.
They’ll have:
-
- Complimentary family photos to capture the season (Sign up to secure your spot here)
- Light snacks & treats to enjoy together
- A warm space to gather with friends, neighbours, and community
- Where: Gorge Pavillion, 1070 Tillicum Road
- When: Monday, October 13th – 1 p.m. – 3 p.m.
