21 things to do in and around Victoria this weekend – July 10th to 12th

Buckle in for a big weekend, Victoria!

With Phillips Backyard Music Festival and the Victoria Pride Parade both taking place, it feels like we hit the peak of summer in the city.

With unreal concerts from Chance the Rapper, Modest Mouse, Father John Misty, Angine de Poitrine, Wolf Parade, Sudan Archives and so many more on the horizon, this weekend is going to be one for the books.

It’s also the culmination of Victoria Pride, with the parade and festival happening on Sunday, so there’s no reason to not get out and get involved with the community this weekend.

If those aren’t for you, there are plenty of other events to get out and enjoy, from free outdoor concerts, to family-friendly markets to SKAMpede and Whistle Buoy Brewing’s Victoria Stampede.

Everything is pointing to this weekend being the highlight of the summer in Victoria!

Luckily, we’ve compiled all of these events into a list to make life easy—check out these 21 things to do in and around Victoria this Weekend – July 10th to 12th:

ALL WEEKEND

Phillips Backyard Music Festival

It’s finally here, the Phillips Backyard Music Festival is back!

This year, organizers seemed to have their finger on the pulse of the global music scene, absolutely knocking it out of the park with the lineup.

On Friday, Chance the Rapper will be headlining, with openers Duckwrth and Cartal Madras. This is going to be a show with a ton of energy, and for Chance fans, this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to see the rapper in action.

Saturday will see Father John Misty give Victoria a quintessential summer festival experience with hits like “Real Love Baby.” Sudan Archives will also be performing, and is also a huge get for the festival after her album release in October last year. Jon and Roy will be joining them on stage, with chill hits like ‘Nothing but Everything.’

Sunday will be the finale and the pièce de résistance of the festival, with Modest Mouse headlining and the eclectic and wildly popular Montreal band Angine de Poitrine making an appearance during a busy year of shows all over the world.

Wolf Parade will also be performing on Sunday. The band is having a bit of a moment, coming back into the spotlight after a song was featured on the massively popular TV show Heated Rivalry. 

Each day will have other performances on the main stage earlier in the day, and performances on their ‘Music BC Stage,’ featuring various local acts.

• Where: Phillips Brewing Co., 2010 Government Street
• When: Friday, July 10th to Sunday, July 12th

SKAMpede with Theatre SKAM

SKAMpede, now in its 18th year, is an annual professionally curated outdoor performance festival.

It is fun for the whole family, providing engaging live entertainment for the many communities of Victoria.

This year’s festival, running from July 10th to 12th, will feature eight 10-minute works presented by local performers as well as artists from across the province.

New this year is a performance hub at Regatta Point Park on Saturday and Sunday.

Audiences can choose between two different tours, Selkirk and Central, each consisting of four shows each, as well as a choice between cycling or pedestrian tours.

At the festival, patrons depart in groups of fifteen from the festival hub. On each tour, audiences watch a mix of original works of comedy, music, dance, theatre, poetry and other artistic practices.

Tours run simultaneously and continue throughout the weekend, so that audiences can see every performance SKAMpede has to offer.

Friday night is the preview; each tour departs five times from 5 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. On Saturday and Sunday, tours depart 12 times each from noon until 5:10 p.m.

• Where: Visit the website here for a map of launch points.
• When: Friday, July 10th to Sunday, July 12th

FRIDAY

Green Party Party at the Fernwood Community Centre

The Green Party is taking over the Fernwood Community Centre outdoor space with DJs, local artists, games and local organizations for an evening of connection and disconnection on the dance floor!

Head down and hang, meet people and collect some art!

They’ll also be celebrating the one year anniversary of Emily Lowan’s campaign for the party’s leadership.

Tickets for the Green Party Party are on a sliding scale starting at $10 and can be purchased here.

• Where: The Fernwood Community Centre, 1240 Gladstone Avenue
• When: Friday, July 10th – 6 p.m. to 10 p.m.

Stringo Bingo (Music Bingo Live) at the Mint

Join this string quartet for a night of unforgettable fun as they bring favourite hits to life—from ABBA and the Backstreet Boys to Chappell Roan, Daft Punk and beyond—all reimagined in lush, live string arrangements.

It’s bingo meets concert—where every tune could win you a prize!

Grab your friends, test your music knowledge, and experience the joy of hearing pop classics like you’ve never heard them before!

Tickets are $25 and can be purchased here.

• Where: The Mint, 1414 Douglas Street
• When: Friday, July 10th – 6:30 p.m.

Yes and Yesteryear: An Improvised Jane Austen at Emily Carr House

Join Paper Street Theatre as they attempt to improvise their way through the conventions and manners of proper society.

One knows that aside from the security of the hearth, social standing and familial responsibilities the sensibility of the heart is of great importance to a young lady.

And that generally, a suggestion or two is always greatly appreciated.

Join Paper Street’s cast of landed gentry as they attempt to improvise their way through the conventions and manners of proper society and all the unforeseen complications such constraints provide.

It’s sure to be an outing Jane Austen, or Emily Carr, would be delighted to attend!

Tickets are $28 plus fees and can be purchased here.

• Where: Emily Carr House, 207 Government Street
• When: Friday, July 10th – 7 p.m. to 8 p.m.

After Hours: Pride at the Royal BC Museum

Celebrate love, identity and self-expression at After Hours: Pride!

This vibrant, inclusive event is all about joy, community and honouring 2SLGBTQIA+ history and culture.

Dance, explore and connect in a night filled with colour, creativity, and pride.

Light snacks and drinks will be available for purchase.

Remaining tickets are $42 and can be purchased here. You’ll need to purchase in advance though, as no door tickets are available.

• Where: The Royal BC Museum, 675 Belleville Street
• When: Friday, July 10th – 7 p.m. to 10 p.m.

GAYBAR Pride Edition at the Capital Ballroom

Victoria’s hottest party is back! GAYBAR’s fourth instalment is bringing the house music and energy you love.

This Pride, get ready to dance with some of Canada’s top DJs.

Headlining the show is Jesse Hills, a long-time Vancouver DJ veteran bringing you unforgettable high-energy house beats.

From Calgary is queer icon Karla Marx, serving deep groove blends that will keep you dancing all night long.

Last but certainly not least, Mr. Moe is representing the Victoria local scene by spinning intoxicating electronic tunes that’ll keep the dance floor energy high.

Advance tickets are $30 and can be purchased here.

• Where: The Capital Ballroom, 858 Yates Street
• When: Friday, July 10th – 9 p.m. to 2 a.m.

SATURDAY

Whistle Buoy Brewing’s Victoria Stampede Big Patio Day

Yeehaw!

Get ready for the Victoria Stampede folks, Whistle Buoy’s got DJs and bands throughout the day, cold beer, hot food and a great excuse to dress in your finest western wear.

Approximate times for performers are Pony Gold at 4 p.m., Braden Lam at 5:30 p.m., Janky Bungag at 6:30 p.m. and Whisky Business at 8 p.m.

Bring your dog, bring the fam, whatever feels right, just go hang!

Tickets are $5 at the door.

• Where: Whistle Buoy – Market Square, 560 Johnson Street
• When: Saturday, July 11th – 12 p.m. to 10 p.m.

15th Annual ALS Fundraiser at Lyall Street Service Show n’ Shine

Roll up to Lyall Street Service with your favourite ride (two or four wheels) for a good cause!

Attendees can expect live music, great coffee, ice cream and hundreds of amazing vehicles to admire.

There will be a BBQ by donation, and all donations go directly to the ALS Foundation of BC.

This event is free and everyone is welcome to attend!

• Where: Lyall Street Service, 1480 Lyall Street
• When: Saturday, July 11th – 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Blossom Your Pride with the Downtown Victoria Business Association

Join the Downtown Victoria Business Association in celebrating Pride at the Yates Street Community Garden!

This will be the sixth annual Blossom Your Pride event.

The free celebration is for all ages and features live music, sweet treats, coffee, bouquet-making and more!

There will also be live music by Emma Kennedy and Desirée Wallace.

Come out and bloom exactly as you are!

The event is free and no registration is required.

• Where: Yates Street Community Garden, 1014 Yates Street
• When: Saturday, July 11th – 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

Siibii x LOV x Kiva Mh Live at Studio 919

Catch Siibii, LOV and Kiva Mh live at Studio 919 for a vibe-packed night you can’t miss!

All three of these Indigenous artists are up-and-coming, catch them early before they take over!

Join in as they bring the vibes live and direct. It’s all about good music, great energy and hanging out with cool people. Don’t miss out on this awesome event — it’s going to be unforgettable!

Tickets for this show are $15 and can be purchased here.

• Where: Studio 919, 919 Douglas Street
• When: Saturday, July 11th – 9 p.m. to 11:30 p.m.

Pop-Up Outdoor Piano Concert: Brooke Maxwell at Estevan Village

Join Oak Bay Parks, Recreation and Culture for a free outdoor piano concert featuring acclaimed local musician Brooke Maxwell as they celebrate the unveiling of Oak Bay’s newest public piano, beautifully created by local artist Kelsey Moore.

Bring a lawn chair, settle into the park and enjoy an afternoon of outstanding live music in a beautiful outdoor setting.

As a composer, arranger, sound designer and performer, Brooke Maxwell is one of Victoria’s most celebrated musical talents. He is the co-creator of the internationally acclaimed musical Ride the Cyclone and recently produced the show’s cast album.

Brooke performs regularly throughout Vancouver Island with The Beautiful Maladies, The Chuckleberries and Wild Honey Pie, and is a familiar face at his musical home base, Pagliacci’s.

Whether you’re a longtime fan or discovering his music for the first time, this special pop-up concert promises an enjoyable and memorable afternoon for all ages.

Organizers encourage bringing your own lawn chair and umbrella.

This event is free and everyone is welcome to attend!

• Where: Estevan Village
• When: Saturday, July 11th – 3 p.m. to 4 p.m.

Neurodivergent Nature Walk at Esquimalt Gorge Park

This is a low-pressure guided nature walk.

Walk around a park with a series of guiding prompts to connect with nature through the senses.

The event will last approximately one hour. Attendees will walk around the Esquimalt Gorge Park, using a series of guiding prompts and the senses to connect with nature.

This event is geared towards neurodivergent adults, but anyone who would like to join is welcome.

This walk will be done mostly in quiet (although vocal stimming is absolutely welcome!) with an optional ‘share back’ time at the end.

Meet new people, or don’t! You can show up in a way that feels comfortable to you.

Admission is $10 and can be purchased here.

• Where: Esquimalt Gorge Park & Pavillion, 1070 Tillicum Road
• When: Saturday, July 11th – 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.

Mike Edel Backyard Show

Mike Edel is a Canadian singer-songwriter-producer based in Bellingham, Washington, making folk and Americana records with open space and lyrics that look directly at things.

His latest, “What If Where We Started Is Where We End,” feels like a late drive and a long exhale and his new single.

This show will be at a backyard in Saanichton. The exact address will be emailed to ticket holders 48hrs and 2hrs in advance. The location/venue is an active flower farm and will be amazing!

Tickets are $12 for kids 12 and under and $20 for adults and can be purchased here. Babies are free!

• Where: Address will be sent to ticket holders in advance.
• When: Saturday, July 11th – 7:30 p.m. to 9 p.m.

Kinky Boots at the Royal Theatre

Get ready to kick up your heels, Victoria!

Broadway in Victoria presents the Victoria premiere of Kinky Boots — the hilarious, high-octane, high-heeled musical sensation that took Broadway, London’s West End, and the Grammy, Tony, and Olivier Awards by storm at the Royal Theatre.

Featuring a fabulously foot-forward score by pop legend Cyndi Lauper, Kinky Boots tells the extraordinary true story of Charlie Price, an unlikely dreamer who joins forces with the fabulous and fearless Lola to save his family’s failing shoe factory.

What follows is a joyous, show-stopping celebration of reinvention, acceptance and the transformative power of a great pair of boots.

Because when you change your mind, you change the world — and when you change your shoes, anything is possible.

Tickets start at $78.25 and can be purchased here.

• Where: The Royal Theatre, 805 Broughton Street
• When: Saturday, July 11th – 1 p.m.

SUNDAY

Victoria Pride Parade 2026

The Victoria Pride Parade is back!

The Parade is the culmination of the Victoria Pride experience, and is always an absolute riot.

This large, colourful parade—with as many as 140 entries and upwards of 80,000 spectators—is one of everyone’s favourite moments of the year.

This year, the parade is approximately 90 minutes and will start at the corner of Government Street and Johnson Street, then head down to Wharf Street, where it will follow the waterfront until Belleville Street, before turning on Menzies Street and ending on Superior Street.

• Where: Starts at Government and Johnson Street, ends on Superior Street
• When: Sunday, July 12th – 11 a.m.

Victoria Pride Festival 2026

Join the Victoria Pride Society at MacDonald Park in James Bay for an afternoon of Pride Festivities!

Opening at 11 a.m., the festival will have a quieter atmosphere.

All vendors will be open and available for those who would like to enjoy the festival with less stimulation.

Entertainment will kick off at 12 p.m.

There will be fabulous drag performers, DJs and a whole host of other talented performers! There will also be over 130 vendors and a large food court with everyone’s favourite local eats.

There will also be a traditional bar as well as a sober bar, mixing up some special non-alcoholic beverages.

Take advantage of the shaded areas in front of the stage or have a break in the quiet, low sensory Chill Zone tent away from all the hustle and bustle.

The kid’s area will feature a stage with performances and Drag Story time, crafts and inflatable bouncy castle and obstacle course.

Come as you are, and celebrate community, love and Pride!

• Where: Macdonald Park, 212 Niagara Street
• When: Sunday, July 12th – Gates open at 11 a.m., celebrations start at 12 p.m.

3rd Annual ‘Local Folk’ Summer Fair at Sea Cider Farm & Ciderhouse

Join in for this one-of-a-kind summer celebration, at MakeShare’s ​third Annual ‘Local Folk​’ Summer Fair at Sea Cider Farm & Ciderhouse!

Come for the whole day! Drink, eat, play, shop craft and enjoy the stunning setting, with ocean views and ​vendors​, activities ​and entertainment ​spread amongst the beautiful orchard ​and forest grounds​, all within the ciderhouse and pavilion!

The majority of activities will take place outdoors, with two bars (one in the courtyard and one in the Pavilion) with more seating (for eating and drinking) inside the Pavilion.

Admission is $5 at the door, children 12 and under are free!

• Where: Sea Cider Farm & Ciderhouse, 2487 Mount Saint Michael Road
• When: Sunday, July 12th – 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

July Orchard Market at Junction Orchard and Cidery

The Junction Orchard and Cidery is holding their July Market!

With artisan vendors, great local food and great music, these markets are fun for the whole family.

Benson Town will be performing from 12:30 p.m. to 3 p.m., and Nate Silas will be on stage from 3:15 p.m. to 5:45 p.m.

The market is free and everyone is welcome to attend.

• Where: Junction Orchard and Cidery, 273 Prospect Lake Road
• When: Sunday, July 12th – 12 p.m. to 6 p.m.

Mysteries of Egypt at IMAX Victoria

Mysteries of Egypt transports audiences to a distant time and place where the Nile River Valley cuts an emerald swath through the desert sands.

With its dedicated team of scientists, Mysteries of Egypt explores the magnificent architectural feats, awe-inspiring legends and amazing history of the ancient Egyptian civilization.

Float down the lush Nile and soar over the Valley of the Kings, as stars Omar Sharif and Kate Maberly explore the latest discoveries and uncover many of the mysteries that surround these ancient peoples.

Make sure to check out the Ancient Egypt exhibit while you’re there!

Ticket prices vary and can be purchased here.

• Where: Royal BC Museum, 675 Belleville Street
• When: Sunday, July 12th – 10 a.m., 1 p.m. and 6 p.m.

Victoria Garden Party at Ross Bay Villa

Experience a Victorian garden party!

Enjoy a cup of tea and a piece of strawberry pound cake while listening to award winning fiddlers on the lawn.

Stroll through heritage ornamental and vegetable gardens.

Tour the beautifully restored interior of one of the oldest houses in Victoria, from the bright and airy drawing room to the cozy children’s bedroom.

Take in the intricate details of handmade wallpaper, imagine having tea with the Roscoe family and journey back to the days of early Victoria.

Entrance to the grounds is free. House tours by donation. $7.50 for tea and cake.

• Where: Ross Bay Villa, 1490 Fairfield Road
• When: Sunday, July 12th – 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.