20 Things to Do in and around Victoria this weekend – July 3rd to 5th

Another week is in the books!

There is so much to be excited about this weekend.

Pride kicked off in Victoria on Wednesday, and i-Land festival will be celebrating down at Ship Point and other locations all weekend long.

This is a wonderful opportunity to celebrate and learn more about the queer and Caribbean communities here in Victoria and on Vancouver Island.

Also, with Canadian spirit high, Team Canada will take on Morocco at the World Cup on Saturday, and the ever popular Saanich Strawberry Festival will  take place on Sunday.

We’ve compiled a list of some of our favourite things happening this weekend, so take a look and make sure to get out and get involved in your community, Victoria!

Here are 20 things to do in and around Victoria this weekend – July 3rd to 5th:

ALL WEEKEND

i-Land Fest at Ship Point

The famous i-Land Fest is finally back!

There will be events happening all weekend long to celebrate Caribbean heritage and culture right here in Victoria.

The festival is highly anticipated, and bound to be an incredible experience full of great costumes, dancing and cultural celebrations.

The focus of the festival will be free celebrations down at Ship Point, which will include music, vendors, live performances, a kids zone, merch booth, beer garden and more!

Keep your eyes peeled on this list for other official events happening at different venues throughout the city.

The festivities at Ship Point are free and everyone is welcome to attend.

Get down to the Inner Harbour and celebrate your Caribbean neighbours!

• Where: Ship Point, Inner Harbour
• When: 
  • Friday, July 3rd – 2 p.m. to 10 p.m.
  • Saturday, July 4th – 2 p.m. to 10 p.m.
  • Sunday, July 5th – 12 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Junction Fest at Junction Orchard and Cidery

Junction Orchard and Cidery is celebrating their second annual Junction Fest!

They’ll have family-friendly activities happening all weekend long. Attendees can look forward to bouncy castles, lawn games, a splash zone, a magician, acrobats, face painting and live music.

Bicycle Pizza will be dishing out pizzas and Switchback coffee will be serving up drinks all weekend.

This event is free and everyone is welcome to attend.

• Where: Junction Orchard and Cidery, 273 Prospect Lake
• When: Friday, July 3rd to Sunday, July 5th – 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Interstellar at IMAX Victoria

IMAX Victoria is showcasing some of Christopher Nolan’s best work ahead of the release of his new film, The Odyssey.

This weekend, catch Interstellar!

While you’re there, remember that youth can visit the Royal BC Museum at free or discounted rates thanks to the Canada Strong Pass.

Tickets for IMAX screenings vary. Prices can be found here.

• Where: Royal BC Museum, 675 Belleville Street
• When: Friday, July 3rd to Sunday, July 5th – 7:15 p.m.

FRIDAY

Music in the Parkade with the meating at UVic Carsa Parkade

The meating is a jazz ambience project by flugelhorn player Marc Micu and jazz guitarist Ryan Keating.

Both playing regularly in many different bands and genres, Marc and Ryan formed the meating with a shared love of jazz and performing in beautiful spaces.

They encourage everyone to bring their own chair.

The event is free and everyone is welcome to attend. For those driving, it is encouraged to park on P1 of the parkade.

Click here for an Instagram video describing the location of the venue.

• Where: UVic Carsa Parkade, level P0
• When: Friday, July 3rd – 7:15 p.m. to 8 p.m.

i-Land Fest Glow Fete at Sticky Wicket Rooftop Patio

Head to The Sticky Wicket Rooftop Patio for a Glow party to kick off i-Land Fest!

This will be a high-energy rooftop fete with DJ Abel and DJ Real West bringing pure Caribbean vibes all night long.

Tickets are $20 advance and can be purchased here. They will be more expensive at the door.

• Where: Sticky Ticket Rooftop Patio, 919 Douglas Street
• When: Friday, July 3rd – 7:15 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Straight Cold Players at the Mint

Head down to the Mint for a show featuring the Straight Cold Players.

Attendees will enjoy R&B, jazzy soul and Brazilian tunes.

General admission tickets are $20 and can be purchased here.

• Where: The Mint, 1414 Douglas Street
• When: Friday, July 3rd – 6 p.m.

Nick Stone & The Gems, Dysaynia and SHARON Live! at the Encore

Check out The Encore for an exciting showcase of musicians!

Vancouver indie rockers Nick Stone & The Gems are hitting the road again on their western Canadian “Lost Gems” tour!

They’ll be joined by local legends Dysaynia and SHARON for a wild night to remember.

Tickets are $15 and can be purchased here.

• Where: The Encore, 1415 Broad Street
• When: Friday, July 3rd – 7 p.m.

Shabuya at Little Fernwood

Head down to the Paul Phillips Hall in Little Fernwood for an alternative hip-hop show!

The concert will feature DJ F**cked and DJ Cackled, and is going to be a riot.

Tickets are $10 and can be purchased here.

• Where: Little Fernwood, 1923 Fernwood Road
• When: Friday, July 3rd – 7:45 p.m. to 10 p.m.

Emo Night at the Capital Ballroom

Emo Night Live is back at Capital Ballroom!

Hosted by emo/pop punk band poor sport, this high-energy night will showcase an incredible lineup of local talent covering all the iconic hits from the golden era of emo and pop punk.

From My Chemical Romance and Taking Back Sunday, to Blink-182, Jimmy Eat World, Underoath and Simple Plan—there’s something for every emo kid at heart.

Come scream, sing and cry along to all your favourites.

Tickets are $20 and can be purchased here.

• Where: The Capital Ballroom, 858 Yates Street
• When: Friday, July 5th – 9 p.m.

SATURDAY

Canada versus Morocco World Cup match at Market Square

Canada continues its Cinderella run at the World Cup this weekend against the powerhouse Moroccan team.

After beating South Africa in the Round of 32, Canada has advanced to the Round of 16 for the first time, with an opportunity to stun the world and make it to the top eight at the tournament.

This will be the most difficult match of the tournament so far for Canada, but with the country behind them we’re all hoping they can pull out a miracle.

In Victoria, Market Square is where the heart of the action will be taking place, with a large screen and attendance expected to be in the thousands.

Many pubs, restaurants and other venues around the city will also be showing the match, including Langford Station, Boomtown, Herald Street Brew Works, the Irish Times, the Local and many more.

Get your team colours on and make sure you catch the game and support team Canada!

• Where: Market Square, 720 Johnson Street

• When: Saturday, July 4th – 10 a.m.

Pride in the Word at the Victoria Conference Centre

Join the Pride Society of Victoria for a night of captivating queer literary readings at the Victoria Conference Centre!

The society will welcome many great writers and speakers who will be presenting their work for our community audience.

Live captioning will be available during the event. Captioning services are provided by Kali Morrison and Chloe Burritt through Island Deaf and Hard of Hearing Centre.

All tickets are on a pay-what-you-can model. The suggested donation for tickets is $10 to 40.

Organizers encourage folks to purchase their tickets within their means and for folks who are able to donate more, it is greatly encouraged so that they can continue to showcase and share these events for everyone!

Tickets can be purchased here.

• Where: Victoria Conference Centre, 720 Douglas Street
• When: Saturday, July 4th – 7:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m.

i-Land Fest Grand Parade

Get ready for the 2026 i-Land Fest Grand Parade!

Join in as downtown Victoria comes alive with the rhythm, colour and spirit of the Caribbean.

Attendees can expect vibrant costumes, high-energy vibes and nonstop soca as the festival takes over the streets in true carnival style.

Whether you’re participating or cheering from the sidelines, this is a celebration you don’t want to miss.

Everyone is welcome to attend the parade, which will start at Centennial Square and finish at Ship Point.

• Where: Centennial Square to Government Street to Ship Point
• When: Saturday, July 4th – 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

Wheelies 12th anniversary Parking Lot Fest

Head down to Wheelies Motorcycles & Cafe and celebrate their 12th anniversary with a festival in their parking lot!

Musical acts will feature Black Wizard, Worse, Ever Age, Franklin, Tremblers of Sevens, Heliophage and Black Skulls.

Tickets are $46.13 and can be purchased here.

• Where: Wheelies Motorcycles & Cafe, 2620 Rock Bay Avenue
• When: Saturday, July 4th – 5 p.m.

LampPost Club Night – Jorts Edition at 650 Yates Street

LampPost is back with another event for the community!

They’ll be putting on another event at their newest venue, 650 Yates Street.

Get your best pair of jorts on and meet them on the dance floor.

Tickets are $15 and can be purchased here.

• Where: 650 Yates Street
• When: Saturday, July 4th – 10 p.m. to 3 a.m.

Celebration of Canadian Art at LIVERY

Join artists, collectors and art lovers for an exciting evening celebrating contemporary Canadian art, featuring works by some of Canada’s biggest and most acclaimed artists.

Explore the current exhibition and a special video art screening while enjoying drinks, snacks and music.

The showcase will feature work by Kent Monkman, Betty Goodwin, David Blackwood and many more.

The event is free and everyone is welcome to attend.

• Where: Livery, 721 Johnston Street
• When: Saturday, July 4th – 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.

HEAT: A Summer Fashion Show at Fernwood Skate Park

Experience the heat!

HEAT is a fashion, music and arts show taking place at Fernwood Skatepark, bringing together local fashion designers, models, bands, DJs and visual artists.

This event is a snapshot of streetwear fashion and art in Victoria.

The runway starts at 7:30 p.m. and the afterparty starts at 8 p.m.

Attendees are free to arrive at the skatepark for 6:30 p.m. to snag a preferred seat, boogie to some music by DJ Nitro, grab a mocktail from Softer Drinks and get a Vic Fits glitter tattoo or tramp stamp!

Tickets are $25 and can be purchased here.

• Where: Fernwood Skate Park, 1240 Gladstone Avenue
• When: Saturday, July 4th – 6:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m.

SUNDAY

Saanich Strawberry Festival at Beaver Beach

Mark your calendars for Strawberry Fest 2026!

Join Saanich in celebrating the 59th annual Strawberry Festival.

This family-friendly, fun, free event features live music, kids’ activities, information booths, arts and craft stations and of course, the traditional servings of strawberries and ice cream.

Everyone is invited to attend this free event.

• Where: Beaver Lake Regional Park, 728 Beaver Lake Rd, main parking lot
• When: Sunday, July 5th – 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Pride at Sappho’s Island: An all-Sapphic burlesque show at the Other Guise Theatre

Here in time for Pride, Sappho’s Isle is breaking its hiatus just for the sapphics!

Grab your Pride flags and celebrate at Victoria’s only all-sapphic burlesque show.

According to organizers, the first Pride was a riot and they are back to uphold that tradition. Indulge in an evening of revolution, revelry and of course, all things sapphic.

Pride at Sappho’s Isle is a burlesque variety show put on by Ink Splatters Productions, a queer-focused production company started by Missy Ink.

The show will feature Holly Shirt, Khushi, Stella Cans, Rani Riot, Charlie Chapstick, Your Royal Hiney and Missy Ink, hosted by Wander Lost. There will also be local sapphic vendors.

The show will run approximately two hours, with eight acts and a 15-minute intermission.

Remaining tickets start at $35 and can be purchased here.

• Where: The Other Guise Theatre, 716 Johnson Street
• When: Sunday, July 5th – 8 p.m.

Pacific FC versus Halifax Wanderers at Starlight Stadium

Catch Pacific FC take on the Halifax Wanderers at Starlight Stadium!

World Cup fever is taking over Victoria, and now fans have the opportunity to catch our very own professional soccer right here at home.

The team is still looking for their first win of the season, and needs all the support they can get if they’re going to take home the win against the Wanderers.

Support your local team!

Tickets start at $25 and can be purchased here.

• Where: Starlight Stadium, 1089 Langford Parkway
• When: Sunday, July 5th – 3 p.m.

Reading Party at St. Ann’s Academy

The third annual reading party is here and everyone is invited!

The event is organized by Meant Well Books, Victoria’s only mobile book shop.

Grab your book and a picnic blanket and head to the field in front of St. Ann’s Academy for an afternoon of reading, connection and enjoying sweet treats.

Bring a book and a blanket and enjoy the company of others. This event is for everyone and there is no cost. This time there are a few more exciting additions.

• Where: Field in front of St. Ann’s Academy, 835 Humboldt Street
• When: Sunday, July 5th – 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.