21 things to do in and around Victoria this weekend – July 24th to 26th

The weekend is finally here!

Whistle Buoy’s Big Patio Days is on again this weekend, this time featuring a surf rock theme. The Vancouver Island Dragon Boat Festival is also taking place, as well as the Sooke Fine Arts Show, a witches market in Metchosin, an Indigenous Music Festival in Hampton Park, CHURCH cabaret at the Vicious Poodle and so much more.

While Thursday saw some rain and a thunderstorm, it’s mostly been a bit of a scorcher here in Victoria over the last week. This weekend, there are a ton of events that will chill you out, or some to get you even sweatier. Take your pick, Victoria!

Here are 21 things to do in and around Victoria this weekend – July 24th to 26th:

ALL WEEKEND

Vancouver Island Dragon Boat Festival

The Vancouver Island Dragon Boat Festival combines the best that Victoria has to offer—a great race venue, run by an experienced race management team.

The event’s unique selection of race formats will challenge recreational and competitive teams alike. The events will include  500 metre, 200 metre, 100 metre races, a flag relay followed by a final 500 metre race for the top three finishing women’s and mixed teams.

There will also be food trucks and vendors on site.

While registration is full, anyone is welcome to head down to the Fairway Gorge Paddling club and spectate.

• Where: Fairway Gorge Paddling Club, 2940 Jutland Road
• When: Saturday, July 25th and Sunday, July 26th

Summer Witches Market at Metchosin Community Hall

Join in for a magic-filled summer market featuring talented witches, makers and mystics!

This is the second weekend of the market, and will feature witchy swag bags for the first 30 guests each day, free spell stations and some talented makers and mystics.

Admission to the market is free and everyone is welcome to attend.

• Where: Metchosin Community Hall, 4401 William Head Road
• When: Saturday, July 25th and Sunday, July 26th – 10 a.m. to 4 p.m

FRIDAY

Sooke Fine Arts Show Purchaser’s Preview at Sooke Fine Arts Society

The Sooke Fine Arts Show provides the opportunity for the finest artists from Vancouver Island and BC’s coastal islands to showcase and sell their work each summer.

The show is Vancouver Island’s longest-running juried fine art show and celebrates its 40th anniversary in 2026.

Be one of the first of 9,000 guests to lay eyes on hundreds of original works of fine art before the show opens to the public!

The 2026 show kicks off with the exciting purchasers’ preview event—an exclusive, ticketed event that allows early access to the 2026 artworks.

Tickets include wine and hors d’oeuvres, and are $60 plus fees per person. Purchase yours here.

If you’re not interested in the purchase’s preview, there are several other events taking place during the showcase, which can be found by clicking here.

• Where: Sooke Fine Arts Society, 2168 Phillips Road
• When: Purchaser’s Preview Friday, July 24th – 7 p.m. to 10 p.m.

CHURCH Cabaret at the Vicious Poodle

CHURCH is an all-queer cabaret and Victoria’s favorite Friday Night Drag Show.

Showcases take place at 9 p.m., 10 p.m. and 11 p.m.

This show allows for time to mingle, flirt and dance before, in-between sets and after the show. Drop in anytime between 8 p.m. and midnight for a fun entertaining night on the town.

Every showcase is unique, diverse and highly entertaining.

Attendees can expect to see drag queens, kings, things and monsters. If you’re lucky, you might catch some burlesque, boylesque, draglesque, improv, stand-up, clown, puppetry and other forms of queer performing arts.

This event has no cover charge although patrons are encouraged to tip both the performers and servers.

• Where: The Vicious Poodle, 726 Johnson Street
• When: Friday, July 24th – 8 p.m. to 12 a.m.

Improv: The Musical at Theatre SKAM

Head down to Theatre SKAM for a hilarious night of musical comedy!

Presented by Garden City Improv, Improv: The Musical, a fully improvised musical theatre experience with songs, stories and characters made up entirely on the spot, based on audience suggestions!

Tickets are $25 and can be purchased here.

• Where: Theatre SKAM, 849 Fort Street
• When: Friday, July 24th – 8:30 p.m. to 9:40 p.m.

Yoga Babes at Paul Phillips Hall

A chill postpartum class for you and your babe!

Join a laid back class where attendees can bring their babies and connect with other parents in your community.

At the start of class, discuss postpartum topics, tips and support, then move into guided stretching and yoga.

No previous yoga experience required, and the class is suitable for babies from newborns to crawling — and there is now a gated area for the crawlers to hang out in!

It’s okay if you are running late, have a fussy baby or need to spend most of class feeding them — this is a space for you to feel relaxed and comfortable, whatever that may look like. This is an inclusive and supportive group.

All classes are led by lovely teacher and local mama Roxie Fehr.

• Where: Paul Phillips Hall, 1923 Fernwood Road
• When: Friday, July 24th – 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

Dysaynia Album Release at Lucky Bar

Head down to Lucky Bar for an album release party!

Dysania is headlining the event, with featured guests Stank and Standard Issue Pleasure Model also taking the stage.

Dysaynia was the winner of The Zone’s Band of the Month in August last year, blending heavy riffs and shoegaze elements for a classic 90s metal mixed with nu-metal feel.

Tickets are $15 and can be purchased here.

• Where: Lucky Bay, 517 Yates Street
• When: Friday, July 24th – 7 p.m. to 10:30 p.m.

SATURDAY

Surf Rock at Whistle Buoy’s Big Patio Days in Market Square

Each year Whistle Buoy picks a few sunny days to extend their beautiful patio in Market Square to host a full day of live music, 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, the theme is Surf Rock!

With Oily James, Low Alamode and Wet Souls taking the stage after a hot week in Victoria, this is going to be a fun one.

Five bucks will get you into the venue with re-entry permitted from noon-10 pm.

• Where: Whistle Buoy, Market Square, Lower Courtyard, 560 Johnson Street
• When: Saturday, July 25th – 12 p.m. to 10 p.m.

Indigenous Music Festival at Hampton Park

Check out the Indigenous Music Festival, celebrating Indigenous performers from across Vancouver Island and beyond.

Attendees will enjoy live performances, an Indigenous market and food for purchase from local vendors.

This year’s event is moving to a one-day format and is welcoming Indigenous artists from outside of Vancouver Island for the first time.

Taking the stage this year will be Victoria’s Own OTR and The James Vickers Band, as well as the internationally acclaimed The Spiritual Warriors.

Everyone is welcome to attend this free festival.

• Where: Hampton Park, 1040 McKenzie Avenue
• When: Saturday, July 25th – 4 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Central Saanich’s 75th Anniversary Celebration at Centennial Park

Central Saanich is celebrating 75 years of community, connection and service.

Join them for a free, family‑friendly celebration featuring live local music, food vendors, community activities and more!

There will be live music and food trucks all day long at Centennial Park, as well a story time with the GVPL, a mascot party, a dance-off, picnic games, beer garden and more!

Admission to the celebration is free and everyone is welcome to attend.

• Where: Centennial Park, 7526 Wallace Drive
• When: Saturday, July 25th – 12 p.m. to 8 p.m.

James Bay Market

Head down to the James Bay Market at the corner of Superior and Menzies Streets 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 27th – 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

6th Annual Summer Fair at Mount St. Mary Hospital 

Join residents, families, staff, volunteers, local businesses and community members for a fun-filled day of entertainment, food, shopping and community spirit.

Mount St. Mary Hospital is home to more than 250 residents, many of whom are living with dementia, Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, stroke-related conditions and other complex health needs.

Funds raised through this year’s fair will support renovations to resident rooms, kitchens, hallways and common spaces on the fifth floor. These improvements will help create a safer, brighter and more welcoming home for the residents who live there every day.

Admission to the fair is free and everyone is welcome to attend.

• Where: Mount St. Mary Hospital,  861 Fairfield Road
• When: Saturday, July 25th – 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

11th Annual Eats & Beats Beach Party in Colwood

Picture yourself with your favourite people on the sunny beach by the ocean, cold beverage in hand, grooving to the summertime tunes of some of the best local bands.

Sample international flavours from all your favourite food trucks, enjoy an ice cold beverage, get into some cornhole and other beach games and just chill to the tunes.

Attendees can dance by the ocean all day to an incredible line up of amazing musical styles by the most talented local bands: rock classics by Kooler, pop country by Whiskey Business, Latin vibes by TRIPPYCALS, funk and soul grooves by Blase Blase and iconic Canadian tunes with Nautical Disaster.

The party is free and everyone is welcome to attend!

• Where:The Beachlands, 298 Beachlands Boulevard
• When: Saturday, July 25th – 1 p.m. to 7 p.m.

A Midsummer Night’s Dream at Craigdarroch Castle

Up and down, up and down.

Let the Greater Victoria Shakespeare Festival lead you up and down with a modern production of one of Shakespeare’s most beloved and unique comedies: A Midsummer Night’s Dream.

In this production of A Midsummer Night’s Dream, two worlds collide; one of wealth and privilege and another full of powerful, natural magic. While the concept was inspired by environmental and social justice, this version fully embraces the raucous comedy in this play. This 90-minute romp is packed full of action, romance, music, magic and even puppets!

Four young lovers, a community theatre troupe and a group of warring fairies. By the end you’ll agree, lord, what fools these mortals be!

Tickets are $30 for the public, $25 for those aged 25 and younger and free for children under 15 or BIPOC individuals. Purchase yours here.

• Where: Craigdarroch Castle, 1050 Joan Crescent
• When: Saturday, July 25th – 7 p.m.

Improv All-Stars at Theatre SKAM

The funny improv show that pairs Victoria’s up-and-coming improv talent with veteran improvisers!

This event will include Kevin Matviw of The Second City and Just For Laughs Toronto.

Tickets are $15 and can be purchased here.

• Where: Theatre SKAM, 849 Fort Street
• When: Saturday, July 25th – 8:30 p.m. to 9:40 p.m.

Free Community Pollinator Garden Workshop with Oak Bay Coolkit

Learn how pollinator gardens and naturescapes support biodiversity and resilience and discover how you can help care for your local green spaces.

Get involved in the Midland Pollinator Corridor Project supported by local residents, explore an interactive map of Oak Bay’s pollinator gardens and take part in a hands-on pollinator gardening workshop with experts on native and invasive plants.

Attendees will also have the opportunity to view the Oak Bay heat map to see which neighbourhoods are most vulnerable to extreme heat.

Help support biodiversity, climate action and community stewardship while learning practical gardening skills.

The event is free and everyone is welcome to attend.

• Where: Corner of Lansdowne Road and Midland Road
• When: Saturday, July 25th – 10 a.m. to 12 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, July 25th – 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

SUNDAY

The Sunday Six Pack Volleyball Tournament at Reynolds Park

Head down to Reynolds Park for a competitive atmosphere with social time to chill and hangout between games!

This is a co-ed threes volleyball tournament, with multiple live DJs, a concession stand and great vibes.

Build your own team to win it all or come as a single and get placed with a team!

Registration is $60 per team – $10 per extra player to a maximum of five total players per team. Register here.

• Where: Reynolds Park, 3928 Lasalle Street
• When: Sunday, July 26th – 10:45 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Summer Sounds Concert Series with The Sutcliffes in Beacon Park

Head down to Beacon Park in Sidney for an outdoor concert!

Experience the unforgettable classics that defined a generation.

The Sutcliffes bring listeners back to those magical music days that The Beatles defined so well.

Don’t miss this one!

The concert is free and everyone is welcome to attend.

• Where: Beacon Park, 9801 Seaport Place
• When: Sunday, July 26th – 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.

Kamloops NorthPaws versus Victoria HarbourCats at Royal Athletic Park

Catch the Kamloops NorthPaws take on our very own Victoria HarbourCats at Wilson’s Group Stadium in Royal Athletic Park!

Sunday’s game will be a matinee, but they’ll also be playing evening games on Friday and Saturday. At Sunday Matinee games, young fans (and the young at heart) can run the bases after the game!

Tickets start at $15 and can be purchased here.

• Where: Royal Athletic Park, 1014 Caledonia Avenue
• When: Sunday, July 26th – 1:05 p.m.

From Italy to the Island: Victoria’s Italian Settlers Cemetery Tour at the Ross Bay Cemetery

Go on a cemetery tour at the famous Ross Bay Cemetery!

During and after the 1858 gold rush, many Italians settled in Victoria.

They became important members of the community in business, the arts and community service.

Giovanna Greco will tell the stories of some of the early Italian settlers who came to Victoria and made it their home.

Tickets are $5 and can be purchased here.

• Where: Ross Bay Cemetery main gate, 1495 Fairfield Road
• When: Sunday, July 26th – 2 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.