21 things to do in and around Victoria this May long weekend – May 15th to 18th

Happy May long weekend, everybody!

Isn’t it great to get an extra day off every now and again?

Use that extra time this weekend to get out and get involved in the city. It’s this time of year that makes us feel so grateful about the community we have here, so get out and support it!

Whether your plan is to soak up the atmosphere and insight at one of the weekend-long festivals like Menopolooza or the Victoria Highland Games, hit one of the beautiful weekend markets or have the night of your life at one of the many concerts happening, there’s something going on for everyone this weekend!

Here are 21 things happening in and around Victoria this weekend – May 15th to 18th:

ALL WEEKEND

Menopolooza Spring 2026

Menopolooza is happening this weekend, Victoria!

This two-and-a-half day conference brings awareness and education to menopause and the female midlife experience, taking place at the Victoria Conference Centre from May 15th to 17th.

Weekend tickets for Menopolooza are available now for $475 and there are still tickets available! Get yours here before the event sells out.

• Where: Victoria Conference Centre, 720 Douglas Street
• When: Friday, May 15th to Sunday, May 17th – various times

163rd Victoria Highland Games

The 163rd Victoria Highland Games & Celtic Festival returns this weekend!

This is the longest continually running Highland Games and Celtic Festival in North America, and will take place on Saturday, May 16th and Sunday, May 17th at Topaz Park.

Attendees gather from all around to see the culturally rich festival with family-friendly activities and entertainment in celebration of Scottish and Irish arts and culture.

Highlights include the Women’s World Championships, the Highland dance competition and various musical performances.

Tickets come as day passes, weekend passes or specific event passes and can be purchased via Eventbrite.

• Where: Topaz Park (Topaz Avenue, Finlayson Street and Blanshard Street)
• When:
  • Saturday, May 16th 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.
  • Sunday, May 17th 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Luxton Spring Fair at Luxton Fairgrounds

The Luxton Spring Fair is on!

Head down to the Luxton fairgrounds for your favourite rides, games, midway treats, antique farm equipment and blacksmithing demonstrations!

Amusement rides are provided by West Coast Amusements.

Admission to the grounds is free, and single-day unlimited ride passes are $50, and you can purchase yours here.

• Where: Luxton Fair Grounds, 1040 Marwood Avenue
• When:
  • Thursday, May 14th – 3 p.m. to 10 p.m.
  • Friday, May 15th – 3 p.m. to 11 p.m.
  • Saturday, May 16th – 12 p.m. to 11 p.m.
  • Sunday, May 17th – 12 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Ship Point Market 

Overlooking the Causeway Marina, Ship Point Market is located on Ship Point Pier in the Inner Harbour, near the Empress Hotel and the BC Legislature.

Visitors enjoy beautiful scenery, unique artwork and Victoria’s vibrant downtown harbour.

Stop by the Ship Point Market this summer and meet local artists, purchase unique, locally crafted items and enjoy the vibrant harbour’s atmosphere.

The market is free and everyone is welcome to attend.

• Where: Ship Point, 812 Wharf Street
• When: Saturday, May 16th and Sunday, May 17th – 10 a.m. to 10:30 p.m.

May Orchard Market at Junction Orchard

Orchard Markets are inclusive, family and pet friendly days at the cidery!

Browse market booths from some of your favourite vendors, farmers and makers while enjoying cider and bites from Bicycle Pizza and local food vendors.

Shop with Junction’s resident small businesses on Orchard Lane. Each market brings something new. Mark your calendar and experience the best of our community!

Entry is free and everyone is welcome.

• Where: Junction Orchard, 273 Prospect Lake Road
• When: 
  • Friday, May 15th – 3 p.m. to 6 p.m.
  • Saturday, May 16th – 12 p.m. to 6 p.m.
  • Sunday, May 17th – 12 p.m. to 6 p.m.

FRIDAY

Dead Churches at the Coda

Dead Churches is taking their Americana-infused punk rock ‘n’ roll on the road in May to promote their debut EP “Fear and Faith”.

This is their first ever tour and includes eight dates in BC. Their first stop is in Victoria at the Coda.

They’re bringing along their Vancouver friends, The Fomites, to give everyone a masterclass in niche horror movie references and relentless, ripping punk rock.

Victoria local pop-punk rocker, Jesse Heinz promises to set the tone and bring the energy at the start of the night.

This is your chance to rebel against the tech giants, foster community and support local artists.

See you in the pit!

Tickets are $20 and can be purchased here.

• Where: The Coda, 751 View Street
• When: Friday, May 15th – 6 p.m.

SATURDAY

Big Patio Days at Whistle Buoy

Head down to Whistle Buoy for the first installation of Big Patio Days of the year!

Each year they pick a few sunny days to extend their beautiful patio in market square to host a full day of live music, lawn games, warm food, cold beer and friendly vibes.

This is always a great way to discover new music and support the arts without breaking the bank.

This weekend’s event will feature artists Juice, Silverware and Earthly Delights.

Five dollars will get you into the venue with re-entry permitted from 12 p.m. to 10 p.m.

• Where: Whistle Buoy, Market Square, Lower Courtyard, 560 Johnson Street
• When: Saturday, May 16th – 12 p.m. to 10 p.m.

Blue Moon Marquee at Capital Ballroom

Blue Moon Marquee writes and performs original compositions influenced by anything that swings, jumps or grooves.

A.W. Cardinal (vocals/guitar) and Jasmine Colette (Jasmine Ohlhauser) a.k.a. Badlands Jass (vocals/bass/drums) have played for a vast gamut of crowds at jazz clubs, lindy hop dance halls, folk venues, blues haunts, hospitals, prisons, markets, motorcycle joints, dive bars and prestigious festival stages.

Tickets for the show are $39.50 plus fees and can be purchased here.

• Where: Capital Ballroom, 858 Yates Street
• When: Saturday, May 16th – 8 p.m.

The Hip Experience at the McPherson Playhouse

Check out a Tragically Hip tribute at the McPherson Playhouse!

Dedicated to faithfully recreating the live sound and energy of The Tragically Hip. Hailing from Toronto, the band is led by frontman Derek Lathrop and features some of the city’s finest musicians, including Dave Deveaux on lead guitar and vocals, Ian B. Garcia on rhythm guitar and vocals and Paul Whiteside on bass and backing vocals.

Renowned for their meticulous attention to detail, The Hip Experience delivers note-for-note renditions of hits from every album in The Tragically Hip’s catalog, capturing the essence of the original performances while connecting with audiences through their own dynamic stage presence.

Remaining tickets start at $46.75 plus fees and can be purchased here.

• Where: The McPherson Playhouse, 3 Centennial Square
• When: Saturday, May 16th – 7:30 p.m.

Gordy Dodd’s One World Multicultural Festival at the Parliament Buildings

Head down to the legislature for an unforgettable day of culture, community and celebration!

This beloved multicultural celebration invites Victoria residents and visitors alike to come together for a lively showcase of culture, creativity and community.

Held in the heart of the city, the event highlights the traditions, stories, and talents of diverse cultures through music, dance, food and art, creating an atmosphere that’s as welcoming as it is vibrant.

Whether you’re stopping by to enjoy the performances, sample global flavours or simply soak up the festive energy, this annual gathering is a joyful reminder of the many cultures that help shape Victoria.

Enjoy music, dance, food and traditions from around the world.

Free and open to all — let’s celebrate unity in diversity!

• Where: Legislative Assembly of BC, 501 Belleville Street
• When: Saturday, May 16th – 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Alice in Wonderland with Victoria Ballet at the Royal Theatre

“Imagination is the only weapon in the war with reality.”

Follow Alice down the rabbit hole and discover a whole new world of fantasy and frivolous fun.

Set to a score by Benjamin Britten the choreography is playful and quirky with some unforgettable characters such as the Queen of Heart or the Mad Hatter and more.

Tickets start at $18.50 plus fees and can be purchased here.

• Where: The Royal Theatre, 805 Broughton Street
• When: Saturday, May 16th – 2 p.m.

Roller Derby Triple Header at the Victoria Curling Club

Join the Eves of Destruction on Saturday for a stacked triple header at Victoria Curling Club, featuring three back-to-back games and a full night of hard hits, fast jams and nonstop energy.

Watch the rising talent of Rotten Apples, the hard-hitting Daisy Pushers and the relentless Belles of the Brawl for one electric evening of derby.

General admission is $20 advance or $25 at the door, seniors and students pay $15 advance or $20 at the door, and children 10 and under are free. Get your tickets here.

• Where: Victoria Curling Club, 1952 Quadra Street
• When: Saturday, May 16th – 3 p.m.

Beehive Wool Shop 120th Anniversary Tea Party

Beehive Wool Shop, one of Victoria’s oldest and most beloved shops, is celebrating their 120th anniversary.

The anniversary celebration welcomes longtime customers, local makers, neighbours, artists and friends of Beehive.

The event will include an evening of tea, anniversary cake, gluten-free treats, conversation and stories regarding the relationships and traditions that have defined the shop for more than a century.

Admission is free and everyone is welcome to attend!

• Where: Beehive Fibre Arts Centre, 1205 Blanshard Street
• When: Saturday, May 16th, from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m.

Spring Fling Burlesque at the Victoria Conservatory of Music

Step into a world where the bees are buzzing, the bunnies are bouncing and the flowers aren’t the only things in full bloom.

Spring Fling is a garden party of delights, blending strip tease with irresistible charm. There will be burlesque, drag and comedy.

At this springtime soiree, performers are ready to shake off the winter chill and bring you a night of playful flirtation, blooming beauty and cheeky charm. Booties will spring and clothes will fling!

Tickets are $40 and can be purchased here.

• Where: Victoria Conservatory of Music, 900 Johnson Street
• When: Saturday, May 16th – 7:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m.

Moss Street Market

Moss Street Market is back in full swing!

This year, Moss Street Market is celebrating its 35th season of offering local and organic farm-fresh produce, local foods, handmade crafts, artisanal clothing, inspiring services and community education.

The market takes place May through October, every Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on the Sir James Douglas Sschool grounds—rain or shine.

Enjoy the sunshine and grab some local produce and crafts.

The market is free and everyone is welcome to attend.

• Where: Sir James Douglas Sschool grounds, surrounding boulevards and Porter Park
• When: Saturday, May 16th – 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

The Flower Shop Dance Party

Let me introduce you to the Flower Shop. A concept. A movement. A sober dance party for the gentle rebels. The strong yet playful.

Coming to life from seed, this sober daytime dance party is ready to blossom with you!

Born out of a desire to reclaim dance experiences and sober party events that centre women, trans and non-binary people to create a safer, freer dance experience.

Tickets are $20 for children aged 5-15 and $45 for adults. Purchase yours here.

• Where: The Church of Truth, 111 Superior Street
• When: Saturday, May 16th – 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.

James Bay Market

Head down to the James Bay Market at the corner of Superior and Menzies for one of Victoria’s favourite local shopping experiences.

Just steps from the iconic BC legislature, this vibrant market features vendors from across Vancouver Island offering handcrafted jewellery, knitting, body care products and locally sourced food and beverages.

• Where: Corner of Superior and Menzies
• When: Saturday, May 15th – 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

SUNDAY

The Gondoliers at the Mary Winspear Centre

The Gondoliers, or The King of Barataria, is a Savoy Opera, with music by Arthur Sullivan and libretto by W. S. Gilbert.

It premiered at the Savoy Theatre in London on December 7th, 1889 and ran for a very successful 554 performances (at that time the fifth longest-running piece of musical theatre in history), closing on June 30th, 1891.

This was the twelfth comic opera collaboration of fourteen between Gilbert and Sullivan.

The Gondoliers is the main 2026 presentation of the Victoria Gilbert and Sullivan Society. Join them for an evening of song, dance and humour such that only the operas of Gilbert and Sullivan can provide.

Tickets are $4.20 for children, $25.20 for students or $51.45 for adults. Get yours here.

• Where: The Mary Winspear Centre, 2243 Beacon Avenue
• When: Sunday, May 17th – 2 p.m.

Pacific FC versus Inter Toronto at Starlight Stadium

Catch Pacific FC take on Inter Toronto at Starlight Stadium in Langford!

Pacific FC is still looking for their first win of the season at zero-and-four, and hopes to do it against an Inter Toronto team with two wins, zero losses and two ties.

Tickets for the game start at $25 and can be purchased here.

• Where: Starlight Stadium, 1089 Langford Parkway
• When: Sunday, May 17th – 2 p.m.

The Virgin Suicides at the Vic Theatre

Head down to the Vic Theatre for retromania! May 17th’s theme is “The Girls Aren’t Alright.”

In this dreamlike tragedy, first-time director Sofia Coppola explores the mystery of the Lisbon girls, led by Kirsten Dunst.

James Woods and Kathleen Turner preside over a house of secrets, while Josh Hartnett’s magnetic Trip Fontaine and a group of obsessed neighbourhood boys piece together fragments of lives they adored but never understood.

Tickets are $14.29 plus fees. Purchase yours here.

• Where: The Vic Theatre, 808 Douglas Street
• When: Sunday, May 17th – 7:30 p.m.

MONDAY

The Victoria Day Parade

The Victoria Day Parade is back!

This year, the parade will feature a new route.

Taking place in downtown Victoria this May long weekend, this year will mark the 126th time this cherished parade will take place.

This world-class event showcases our diverse cultures and celebrates with various community partners and out of town guests!

The parade is free and everyone is welcome to attend!

• Where: Starting at Belleville Street and Government Street to Wharf Street, up Johnson Street, then back along up to Government Street before ending on Chatham Street
• When: Monday, May 18th – 9 a.m.