21 things to do in and around Victoria this weekend – August 7th to 9th

Here’s to another big weekend!

This weekend, there’s music aplenty on Vancouver Island.

Huge names like CeeLo Green, Josh Groban, David Foster and others will take to the stage at Victoria’s Inner Harbour, and Nanaimo’s Blues Festival is already in full swing!

If that’s not your jam, the Perseid meteor shower is expected to give a dazzling show for stargazers, or there are markets and festivals all around the city.

Victoria Buzz is dedicated to helping everyone make the most of living in this city, so we’ve compiled a list of some of the best events happening below.

Without further ado, here are 21 things to do in and around Victoria this weekend – August 7th to 9th:

ALL WEEKEND

Island Star Party at St. Stephen’s Anglican Church

Catch the Perseid Meteor Shower!

The public is invited to this year’s Island Star Party, which will take place under dark skies on the grounds of St. Stephen’s Anglican Church in Saanichton on the nights of Friday, August 7th and Saturday, August 8th.

Lots of amateur astronomers will be there to talk about astronomy and to help attendees observe celestial objects after dark.

There will be activities organized for the afternoons. Camp overnight, or just drop in for an evening of fun and fascination.

The event will be free for drop-ins, with a $20 suggested donation for campers.

• Where: St. Stephen’s Anglican Church, 7921 St. Stephens Road
• When: Friday, August 7th – 2 p.m. to Sunday, August 9th – 12 p.m.

Nanaimo Blues Festival in Maffeo Sutton Park

The Nanaimo Blues Festival is back!

All weekend long, the Nanaimo Blues Fest will be featuring some of the greatest blues musicians from Vancouver Island and beyond.

Some fantastic performers will be taking to the stage, including the Teeny Tuckers Band, Blackburn Brothers, Samantha Fish, Crystal Shawanda, The Soul Shakers, Lady A., Jimi and many more.

There will also be an afterparty on Saturday night and a bass workshop with Russell Jackson.

The festival takes place from Thursday all the way through to Sunday, so if you’re in the area, be sure to check it out!

Ticket prices vary and can be purchased here.

• Where: Maffeo Sutton Park, Nanaimo
• When: Thursday, August 6th to Sunday, August 9th

Cat Video Fest at The Vic Theatre

Whether you’re a dedicated cat parent or just someone who spends way too many hours scrolling through TikTok at 3 a.m., it’s time to take your obsession to the big screen.

CatVideoFest 2026 is coming to The Vic Theatre, and they’ve traded the high-brow cinema for high-speed zoomies!

Expect 75 minutes of pure, unadulterated feline chaos—from “Olympic-level” jump fails and questionable life choices to those “no thoughts, head empty” stares that everyone knows and loves.

It’s a joyous communal experience where the only thing louder than the soundtrack will be the collective “awwws” and belly laughs from the audience.

Tickets are only $14.29 and can be purchased here.

• Where: The Vic Theatre, 808 Douglas Street
• When: Saturday, August 8th and Sunday, August 9th – 3 p.m.

Victoria Rock N’ Gem Show at Eagle Ridge Park

• Where: Eagle Ridge Centre, 1089 Langford Parkway
• When:
  • Friday, August 7th and Saturday, August 8th – 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
  • Sunday, August 9th – 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

FRIDAY

Labyrinth for the Free-B Film Festival at Beacon Hill Park

The Victoria Film Festival (VFF) is producing an outdoor cult classic film fest all August long.

Their ‘Free-B Film Festival’ will bring moon men, monsters and more to the Cameron Bandshell in Beacon Hill Park every Friday and Saturday as part of their month-long event.

The six free nights of “B-movie treasures” will be held over three weekends, beginning Friday, August 7th.

This Friday, catch Labyrinth, in which David Bowie leads a cherished fantasy adventure that is celebrating its 40th anniversary.

Before each film, catch a pre-show serial of Radar Men from the Moon from 8:30 p.m. to 9 p.m.

• Where: Beacon Hill Park, 100 Cook Street
• When: Friday, August 7th – 9 p.m.

Wild Card Revue at the Loft Pub

Attendance is free, although there is a voluntary $10 cover.

• Where: The Loft Pub,
• When: Friday, August 7th – 7 p.m. to 10 p.m.

Music in the Garden at Abkhazi Garden

Live instrumental music returns to Abkhazi Garden! 

Every Friday afternoon until August 21 from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. ,musicians from the Victoria Conservatory of Music and the Jubilee Clarinet Choir perform in the heritage garden created by Prince Nicolas and Princess Peggy Abkhazi.

This Friday’s show will feature the Jubilee Clarinet Choir.

Admission is by donation at the gate.

• Where: Abkhazi Garden, 1964 Fairfield Road
• When: Friday, August 7th – 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.

Free outdoor screening of Brave at Bullen Park 

Esquimalt Parks & Recreation’s popular summer movie series is back!

Bring a camping chair and/or a blanket and enjoy an outdoor movie experience! Each week there will be a local food truck to cater to all your snack needs.

This week, catch Brave. 

Merida is a skilled archer and impetuous daughter of King Fergus and Queen Elinor.

Determined to carve her own path in life, Merida defies an age-old custom sacred to the uproarious lords of the land: massive Lord MacGuffin, surly Lord Macintosh and cantankerous Lord Dingwall.

Merida’s actions inadvertently unleash chaos and fury in the kingdom, and when she turns to an eccentric old Witch for help, she is granted an ill-fated wish. The ensuing peril forces Merida to discover the meaning of true bravery in order to undo a beastly curse before it’s too late.

Attendance is free and everyone is welcome!

• Where: Bullen Park, 527 Fraser Street
• When: Friday, August 7th – 8:30 p.m. to 11:30 p.m.

Between Two D’s Featuring The Big D’s and Guru at the Downbeat

Starting within the expansive spectrum of House music and building into a hypnotic Techno frenzy, get ready for Guru and The Big D’s.

The Big D’s, made up of Dylprickle and Sleepy, are two absolute masters of their craft.

Starting within the expansive spectrum of House music and building into a hypnotic Techno frenzy, these two never fail to bring sheer fire to the dancefloor.

Joined by Guru, who began his musical journey in the world of Techno, this stands to be a rare experience as they push the limits of Techno, Tech-House and all things to get you stomping the floor.

If you have been there for any edition of Back 2 Back, you know this is a night of spontaneity.

Tickets are only $10 and can be purchased here.

• Where: The Downbeat, 1325 Government Street
• When: Friday, August 7th – 9 p.m. to 2 a.m.

SATURDAY

Arts and Music in the Gardens at the Horticulture Centre of the Pacific

If you love to support local artists and vendors, listen to live music, and stroll through the Gardens, head to Arts and Music in the Gardens!

This year, the centre will be hosting a sustainable Floral Art Installation Competition during the festival.

Check out each installation and vote for your favourite!

Tickets for the event are $12 and can be purchased here.

• Where: Horticulture Centre of the Pacific, 505 Quayle Road
• When: Saturday, August 8th and Sunday, August 9th – 9 a.m. to 4 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 in their third game back after the World Cup break.

Inter Toronto is just above them in the standings, with a record of three wins, four draws and six losses.

Catch the home team and help them break their losing streak this Saturday!

Tickets start at $25 and can be purchased here.

• Where: Starlight Stadium, 1089 Langford Parkway
• When: Saturday, August 8th – 2 p.m.

David Foster 40th Anniversary Celebration free concert in the Inner Harbour

Head down to the Inner Harbour for a free concert!

Taking to the stage will be David Foster himself, along with CeeLo Green, Josh Groban, The Tenors and others.

This concert is in celebration of the David Foster Foundation’s 40th anniversary, and follows a sold-out Gala on Friday night, at which Nickelback’s Chad Kroeger and Maroon 5’s Adam Levine and James Valentine will be performing.

The free concert in the harbour is going to be a busy one, so make sure to get there early!

For more information on anniversary celebration, click here.

• Where: Inner Harbour
• When: Saturday, August 8th – 7:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m.

Planes, Trains and Automobiles for the Free-B Film Festival at Beacon Hill Park

Their ‘Free-B Film Festival’ is back on Saturday night for another flick!

This time, they’ll be showing Planes, Trains and Automobiles starring the late great Canadian John Candy.

For those who haven’t seen it, the story centres a Chicago advertising man who must struggle to travel home from New York for Thanksgiving, with a lovable oaf of a shower-curtain-ring salesman as his only companion.

Remember that before each film, catch a pre-show serial of Radar Men from the Moon from 8:30 p.m. to 9 p.m.

• Where: Beacon Hill Park, 100 Cook Street
• When: Friday, August 7th – 9 p.m.

Pete Murray at the Capital Ballroom

Pete Murray is Australia’s best kept secret.

With four consecutive number one albums, 17 Aria Award nominations and selling over one million albums in his home country, he is an undeniable musical icon down under.

Now, he is entering a bold new era of creative liberation and stepping onto the global stage.

As a premier live draw delivering a masterclass in storytelling, Pete is ready to bridge his multi-platinum roots with a fresh, fiercely independent future for an international audience.

Tickets are $25 plus fees and can be purchased here.

• Where: The Capital Ballroom, 858 Yates Street
• When: Saturday, August 8th – 8:15 p.m.

Summer Fireworks Saturdays at the Butchart Gardens

Join The Butchart Gardens on August 1st for a spectacular summer fireworks beginning at 9:45 p.m. sharp.

Before the show, catch Mostly Motown performing at the outdoor stage at 6:45 p.m.

These events take place on Saturday evenings, from July 4th to September 5th. Bring a blanket or lawn chair and enjoy this world-class fireworks show with friends and family.

Each show features original aerial and ground displays designed and choreographed to music by Jennie Butchart’s great-grandson, Christopher Ross. Fireworks are included with admission to the gardens.

Ticket prices vary and can be purchased here.

• Where: The Butchart Gardens, 800 Benvenuto Avenue
• When: Saturday, August 8th – 9:45 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, August 8th – 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

SUNDAY

Cadboro Bay Festival at Cadboro-Gyro Park

Head down to Cadboro Bay for a day filled with live music, community drumming, delicious food, engaging kids’ crafts and informative interactive booths!

Connect with ocean sports enthusiasts, learn about marine wildlife and discover how you can enjoy and support our oceans.

This great annual event celebrates ocean recreation and sustainability.

Cadboro Bay sees pleasure craft moorage, recreational ocean rentals and families swimming and playing on the beach.

Plus, somewhere in the depths of the Bay lurks the Cadborosaurus…

This event is free and everyone is welcome to attend. For information on how to get to the event and a full schedule, visit the website here.

• Where: Cadboro-Gyro Park, Sinclair Road
• When: Sunday, August 9th – 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

PKOLS Market at Lambrick Park

Head down to Lambrick Park and support food sustainability in your community!

Every Sunday from May 31st to September 13th, the PKOLS market takes place at Lambrick Park.

The focus is on locally grown vegetables, fruit and handcrafted goodies from the Saanich farm community.

There is also live music and food trucks.

The market is free and everyone is welcome to attend.

• Where: Off of Feltham, near the tennis courts at Lambrick Park
• When: Sunday, August 2nd – 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

The Haven at the Summer Sounds Concert Series at Beacon Park

Local favorites, The Haven specialize in rock and contemporary music.

This Sidney-based band has a wide range of influences and a real passion for creating fun and memorable performances.

They bring the energy to every venue they play!

Attendance is free at these events.

• Where: Beacon Park, 9801 Seaport Place
• When: Sunday, August 9th – 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.

Mosh the Rock Island MetalFest in Fred Milne Park

Sooke is set to shake when Mosh the Rock Island MetalFest 2026 takes over Fred Milne Park!

This all-ages, family-friendly outdoor metal festival brings together a stacked lineup of international, national and regional talent for a full day of crushing riffs, pit energy,and community spirit on the West Coast.

Headlining the festival are Vancouver’s Multiple Juno Award-winning metal heavyweights Anciients.

Joining them as co-headliners are Arrow In The Quiver (Vancouver), The Rising Fall (Chicago, Illinois) and Squidhammer (Watertown, Pennsylvania), delivering a powerful blend of progressive, extreme and modern metal.

There are several other supporting acts.

In addition to the music, festival-goers can enjoy food trucks, local vendors and a licensed beer garden, making it a full festival experience in a scenic coastal setting.

Tickets are $25 for youth under 17 and $50 for adults. Purchase yours here.

• Where: Fred Milne Park, 2249 Sooke River Road, Sooke
• When: Sunday, August 9th – 11 a.m.

Bowker Creek Brush-Up in Oak Bay

Head down to the shady banks of Bowker Creek Park, where over 60 artists will interact with the public while demonstrating their art!

Enjoy paintings, drawings, ceramic artistry, jewelry, photography and more!

This event will feature well-known, established artists, emerging artists and talented youth artists.

Kids (and the young at heart) can try their hand making art in an art booth provided by Recreation Oak Bay.

Everyone is welcome to attend this event.

• Where: Bowker Creek Park, 1732 Armstrong Avenue
• When: Sunday, August 9th – 11 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.