21 things to do in and around Victoria this Father’s Day weekend – June 19th to 21st 

Happy Father’s Day weekend, Victoria!

With the TD Victoria International JazzFest, Sweet Street, the World Cup and so much more going on over the weekend, there are plenty of events to take your dad (or yourself) to this weekend!

We’ve compiled a list of some of our favourite things happening in and around the city this weekend.

Whether you want to get out in the sunshine and enjoy some free jazz events, head to one of the local markets or celebrate National Indigenous People’s Day at the Victoria Native Friendship Centre, there is something going on for everyone.

Make sure you get out and get involved in the community this weekend!

So without further ado, here are 21 things to do in and around Victoria this weekend – June 19th to 21st:

ALL WEEKEND

TD Victoria International JazzFest

JazzFest is finally here!

The festival will be taking over the city for a 10-day event full of the coolest music you’ll hear in the city all year long.

This weekend, you can catch headliner M.E.B. (Miles Electric Band) at the Royal Theatre on Friday, June 19th.

This talented band full of Miles Davis alumni honours The Chief himself, while mixing in some newer tunes for a show that is bound to be spectacular.

The David Santana duo will be supporting M.E.B.

The weekend will also feature several other acts, including Djabe at the Coda on Saturday, June 20th, Elysia Biro at Studio 919 on Sunday, June 21st and free performances at the Cameron Bandshell in Beacon Hill Park all weekend long.

For a full schedule and to buy tickets, check out the TD Victoria International JazzFest website here.

• Where: Varying locations
• When: Varying times

Children’s Garden Gnome Hunt at Butchart Gardens

Ten garden gnomes have escaped from The Seed & Gift Store and are hiding throughout the gardens.

From Friday, June 19th to Sunday, June 21st, the Butchart Gardens invites children ages 17 and under to collect a map from the admission gate or visitor information centre and help find the missing gnomes.

Mark the locations of where you spot them on the map. Once you’ve found all 10 gnomes, return the map at the visitor information centre to receive a special gift.

Admission to The Gardens is required and can be purchased here.

• Where: The Butchart Gardens, 800 Benvenuto Avenue
• When: Friday, June 19th to Sunday, June 21st – 9 a.m. to 10 p.m.

FRIDAY

National Indigenous People’s Day at the Victoria Native Friendship Centre

Celebrate National Indigenous People’s Day at the Victoria Native Friendship Centre!

Join the community for an afternoon of culture, connection and celebration.

Fun activities include an Indigenous Artisan Market, food and ice cream, Tipi teachings, Lahal, learning stations, crafts, a kids area and performances.

The event is free and everyone is welcome to attend!

• Where: The Victoria Native Friendship Centre, 231 Regina Avenue
• When: Friday, June 19th – 11 a.m.

Wet Hot Summer Solstice at Junction Orchard and Cidery

Head down to the Junction Orchard and Cidery for Wet Hot Summer Solstice: A Magical Burlesque Evening.

Featuring nine of the wettest, hottest performances from your hosts and local burlesque talent, including Angel Baby, Stella Cans, Slippy Ciggy, Cuntastrophe, Scarlet Desire and Crimson Canine.

This one is going to be spicy.

Doors are at 6:30 p.m. so guests can enjoy the beautiful Junction Orchard and order stone-fired pizza from Bicycle Pizza and Junction cider.

Last call for pizza will be at 7:45 p.m., so get there early to secure your spot and enjoy a lovely dinner before the show! The show will start at 8 p.m.

General admission tickets are $28, and VIP tickets are $45. Get yours here.

• Where: Junction Orchard and Cidery, 273 Prospect Lake Road
• When: Friday, June 19th – show starts at 8 p.m.

Art Battle – June Championship at the Capital Ballroom

Art Battle is live, competitive painting like you’ve never seen before.

In three fast-paced rounds, artists battle the clock and each other to create their best work in just 20 minutes.

As they paint, attendees move around the easels, witnessing the creative process up close.

Grab a beverage, cast your vote to help decide the winner and bid in a silent auction to take your favourite piece home.

This event is the annual championship, where top artists from the past year compete for a chance to win a free trip to Toronto and represent Victoria at the Art Battle National Championship!

Tickets for the event are $26.15 plus fees and can be purchased here.

• Where: The Capital Ballroom, 858 Yates Street
• When: Friday, June 19th – 7 p.m.

Pride Eve: A Pre-Pride Drag Dance Party at Paul Philips Hall

Kick off Pride season with a night of drag and dancing at Pride Eve, a pre-Pride dance party celebrating community, self-expression and getting the party started early.

Join us at Paul Phillips Hall for an intimate, high-energy evening featuring two drag performers, DJ NessT keeping folx on the dance floor and a cash bar serving canned cocktails, mocktails and cider.

This is a come-as-you-are, dance-all-night kind of vibe.

No parade crowds yet, just good music, great performances and even better energy.

Whether you’re warming up for Pride week or just looking for a fun night out with your people, Pride Eve is your invitation to show up, show out and start the celebration early.

Remaining tickets start at $40 and can be purchased here.

• Where: Paul Philips Hall, 1923 Fernwood Road
• When: Friday, June 19th – 7:30 p.m. to 11 p.m.

SATURDAY

Sweet Street at the Westshore Town Centre

Get ready for a Sweet escape!

Westshore Town Centre’s much-anticipated Sweet Street is back at the Cineplex parking this weekend.

With over 40 vendors serving up tasty treats, as well as a sweet DJ and tasty dessert-themed cocktails by Ryes & Shine Distillery, this is going to be a deliciously good time.

Make sure to check out our contest article here to find out how to win one of four $100 gift cards to the Westshore Town Centre.

Victoria Buzz will also be on site, so come say hi and enter to win in our draw prize! Just make sure to bring some treats along with you!

The event is free and everyone is welcome to attend.

• Where: Westshore Town Centre, 2945 Jacklin Road – Cineplex parking lot
• When: Saturday, June 20th – 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Canada Dry Victoria Dragon Boat Festival

Since 1994, the Victoria Dragon Boat Festival has been a celebration of local culture and connection with the Chinese community.

Soak in the sun at the Island’s signature dragon boat festival; enjoy unique cultural activities and performances plus exciting races in the heart of Victoria’s Inner Harbour—all for free!

It’s a celebration of sport, culture, diversity and community for everyone of any age and background.

Inspired by roots in Victoria’s Chinatown, as well as commitment to community, the Victoria Dragon Boat Festival invites you to head down to the inner harbour and celebrate!

The event is free and everyone is welcome to attend. For a full schedule of boat races, click here.

• Where: Inner Harbour and Ship’s Point
• When: Saturday, June 20th – 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Pride Beach Party at the Capital Ballroom

Welcome summer, Pride and some beachy vibes!

Fruit Music DJ will be turning Capital Ballroom into a high-energy queer dance club with non-stop pride pop anthems.

When things can’t get any hotter, the iconic Ket Bush will take the stage for an unforgettable number along with some extra special performances by Sylvester Stalletto, JJ Rabbit, Imanii and Aria Okay.

Remaining tickets for the show start at $19.60 and can be purchased here.

• Where: The Capital Ballroom, 858 Yates Street
• When: Saturday, June 20th – 9 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 school 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 school grounds, surrounding boulevards and Porter Park
• When: Saturday, June 20th – 10 a.m. to 2 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, June 20th – 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

pARTy! with the Victoria Arts Council

A unique fundraiser brought to you by Victoria Arts Council—all funds raised support artists!

Every ticket guarantees an artwork!

The show is limiting their sales to 126 tickets. Each ticket enters you into a raffle and once your number is called you get to select from one of 189 artworks contributed by 63 local artists.

Join the pARTy! and get your ticket! They can be purchased for $40 here.

• Where: 955 Wharf Street
• When: Saturday, June 20th – 7 p.m. to 11 p.m.

Vintage Fair and Maker’s Market at Lazy Susan’s

Island Vintage is back with another event!

The Vintage Fair and Maker’s Market will take place at Lazy Susan’s,

The event will feature vendors with everything vintage, retro, collectibles, atomic era, pinup, rockabilly, tiki, toys, collectibles, housewares, kitchenware, Pyrex, vinyl, pop culture, clothing, shoes, accessories, jewelry, antiques, pop culture, memorabilia, mid century modern, art, photography, crafts, makers and more!

The fair admission is free and everyone is welcome to attend.

• Where: Lazy Susan’s, 2039 Oak Bay Avenue
• When: Saturday, June 20th – 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Writing Workshop: The Pinecone & The Pen at Emily Carr House

An inspiring writing workshop for connecting with the natural world.

Follow in Emily Carr’s footsteps and explore nature’s many wonders through writing.

Experience how the flow of your pen can transport you to the heart of a pinecone, or whisk you away into the starry sky.

This is a workshop for anyone who wants to simply delight in a morning of writing, or who wants to elevate their ability to capture natural moments in their stories.

Tickets are $43.93 and can be purchased here.

• Where: Carr House National Historic Site, 207 Government Street

• When: Saturday, June 20th – 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.

Victoria’s Wingstock at the Roundhouse

Who doesn’t love a good chicken wing? How about wings, craft drinks, live music and a good cause?

The Victoria Firefighters Association is presenting the third annual Victoria Wingstock!

After last year’s rave reviews you don’t want to miss this!

Wings and other tasty treats from local restaurants and craft beverages from BC breweries, distilleries, wineries and cideries all in one place!

Live music will be provided by Victoria’s own Luke Lampard.

Proceeds from this event will benefit the charities supported by the Victoria Fire Fighters Charitable Foundation.

Tickets are $92.07 and can be purchased here.

• Where: The Roundhouse, 369 Catherine Street
• When: Saturday, June 20th – 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.

Strawberry Tea and Bazaar at Knox Presbyterian Church

Head down to the Knox Presbyterian Church for their annual Strawberry Tea and Bazaar!

Enjoy delicious treats and browse the unique stalls for some fun shopping.

With jewelry, arts and crafts, plants, baking, strawberry shortcake, tea and coffee, this is a great way to spend a Saturday afternoon.

The bazaar is free and everyone is welcome to attend.

• Where: Knox Presbyterian Church, 2964 Richmond Road
• When: Saturday, June 20th – 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.

SUNDAY

Uptown Multicultural Festival

It’s the return of the Uptown Multicultural Festival.

A vibrant, family-friendly event that brings the community together to celebrate the diversity in art, music, dance and food with vibrant cultural traditions from around the world.

Attendees can explore interactive booths and displays lining the middle of Uptown Boulevard.

Vendors will include local cultural and community groups such as Friends of Gashora, Vancouver Island Hispanic Network Society, Nova Jewelry, Niloo Persian Desserts and many others!

The main entertainment stage will feature a full schedule of music, dance and art performances, located in the same spot as the annual Tree Light up.

Enjoy acts such as the O’Brien School of Irish Dance, Chinese Opera Club, a Fashion Show, Mariachi band and more

The event is free and everyone is welcome to attend.

• Where: Uptown Boulevard, 3440 Saanich Road
• When: Sunday, June 21st – 11 a.m.

Unboxed by Nature art exhibit at Little Fernwood Gallery and Paul Philips Hall

Everyone is welcome to Unboxed by Nature’s multi-media art exhibition, a two-day celebration of creativity and community spanning the summer solstice.

Doors open Sunday, June 21st and the experience runs straight through to the night of Monday, June 22nd.

Across both days attendees can expect visual art, spoken word, live music, dance and movement, creative writing, improv and open mic.

Day one moves from an open house and a workshop with the artist into a spoken-word set and an evening secret show.

Day two picks right back up, building through an open mic, collaborative dance and a closing concert: Unboxing the Sound of Love.

Walk the room, meet the work, take part in a workshop or just linger. There’s space to connect and share honest stories.

100% of profits support Canadian mental-health initiatives. Entry is by donation, tickets can be purchased here.

• Where: Little Fernwood Gallery and Paul Philips Hall, 1923 Fernwood Road
• When: Sunday, June 21st – 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.

National Indigenous Peoples Day: A Celebration of Culture, Music and Art at Alix Goolden Hall

Celebrate National Indigenous Peoples Day with a free afternoon of music, culture and community at the Victoria Conservatory of Music.

Workshops will include learning an ancestral song, Métis jigging, a youth-led Bone Game, a collaborative beat and lyric cypher and presentations of music videos created by students from Craigflower Elementary and the ȽÁU, WELNEW Tribal School.

Workshops require registration, which can be done here.

• Where: Alix Goolden Hall, 900 Johnson Street
• When: Sunday, June 21st – 12 p.m. to 4 p.m.

Read-in at the Ross Bay Villa

Head down to Ross Bay Villa Historic House Museum for a literary escape.

Join others who, like the Roscoes, the Villa’s original Victorian family, are “exceedingly fond of literature.”

Bring a book (and a cushion or blanket) and read in the oasis of calm that is Ross Bay Villa’s Victorian garden.

Drop in for a chat with others who seek escape from this modern world or quietly enjoy an afternoon among other bookworms.

Tea and cookies will be available by donation for those fatigued by philosophy, perplexed by plot or exhausted by erudition.

Admission is free for this outdoor event.

• Where: Ross Bay Villa Historic House Museum, 1490 Fairfield Road
• When: Sunday, June 21st – 12 p.m. to 4 p.m.

Welcome the Summer Solstice at Finnerty Gardens

An afternoon of flowers, beach time, creativity and connection. Celebrate the longest day of the year with a gentle joyful gathering in nature.

Do you want to gather in the community and celebrate the solstice together?

Head down to an afternoon inspired by the healing arts and connecting with nature. Join the Centre for Earth and Spirit society in movement, singing, artistic expression, storytelling and silence.

Everyone aged 12 plus is welcome.

Coordinators, Renate and Hillary will be facilitating a walking meditation and watercolour painting (no art experience required) at Finnerty Gardens.

From there, board a private bus to Island View Beach where attendees will celebrate the sun , with the sand between their toes, hear a short solstice story and then be led in song by local artist, Iris Moore.

Tickets are $12 and can be purchased here.

• Where: Finnerty Gardens (exact location shown on map in ticket link)
• When: Sunday, June 21st – 1 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Looking for even more events happening around Greater Victoria? Be sure to check out the Buzz Bulletin and, if we missed something, let us know in the comment section below by sharing your event happening this weekend!