21 things to do in and around Victoria this weekend – September 25th to 27th

Fall is approaching Victoria!

Celebrating the changing seasons this weekend with some food-forward events around town, including the Harvest Festival at Keating Farm and the Cider Festival at Merridale Cidery & Distillery!

If that’s not your jam, check out a reading party at Craigdarroch Castle, the Craft Crawl in downtown Victoria or some fantastic theatre or live music at some of Victoria’s best venues!

Here are 21 things to do in and around Victoria this weekend – September 25th to 27th:

ALL WEEKEND

Victoria Craft Crawl in downtown Victoria

Feeling crafty Victoria?

Celebrate the city’s creative side this weekend by attending the Victoria Craft Crawl, put on by the Victoria Downtown Business Association.

The event highlights creative businesses downtown with a scavenger hunt, with both in-person and online components.

Participants can pick up a Craft Crawl Passport from one of 19 participating downtown businesses and get a stamp from each location for a chance to win a prize.

The Craft Crawl is free and everyone is welcome to participate.

For more information and a list of participating businesses, click here.

• Where: Multiple locations, downtown Victoria
• When: Friday, September 25th to Sunday, September 27th

Women of the Fur Trade at the Belfry Theatre

Catch some theatre at the Belfry!

Set in “eighteen hundred and something”, three very different women with a preference for 21st-century slang sit in a fort on the banks of the Reddish River, sharing their views on life, love and that hot nerd Louis Riel.

In this lively historical satire of survival and cultural inheritance, playwright Frances Koncan shifts perspectives from the male gaze onto women’s power—in the past and present—through the lens of the rapidly changing world of the Canadian fur trade.

Tickets are pay-what-you-want and can be purchased here.

• Where: The Belfry Theatre, 1291 Gladstone Avenue
• When:
  • Friday, September 25th – 8 p.m.
  • Saturday, September 26th – 4 p.m. and 8 p.m.
  • Sunday, September 27th – 2 p.m.

Culture Days Festival by Issamba at Ship Point

Head to Issamba’s Culture Days Festival at Ship Point!

This vibrant, inclusive and family-friendly celebration of multiculturalism features live music, dance performances, cultural demonstrations, children’s activities and a multicultural market.

Visitors can discover traditional foods, handmade crafts, clothing, artwork and unique products while connecting with diverse artists, vendors and communities.

This event is free and everyone is welcome to attend.

• Where: Ship Point, Inner Harbour
• When: Saturday, September 26th and Sunday, September 27th – 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.

FRIDAY

Public Assembly One Year Anniversary at Whistle Buoy

One year ago, it started as a radio show.

A year later, Public Assembly has worked over a dozen events.

The purpose has always been the same, although the form has varied: To experience music, together! To give it our attention, to understand its roots and to move.

To celebrate, Public Assembly will be throwing it down at Whistle Buoy Brewing on Friday, September 25th.

DJs at the event will include Telephones, Bo Meets World, Rena, Robbie and more!

This event is free and everyone is welcome to attend.

• Where: Whistle Buoy, Market Square – 560 Johnson Street
• When: Friday, September 25th – 5 p.m. to 10 p.m.

Art Battle at Magic Box Studios

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 will 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.

Tickets are $32.50 and can be purchased here.

• Where: Magic Box Studios, 429 Hillside Avenue
• When: Friday, September 25th – 6 p.m. to 10:30 p.m.

After Hours: 90s Night at the Royal BC Museum

Bust out your scrunchies, flannel and JNCO jeans—it’s time to party like it’s 1999!

Step back into the ultimate era of neon, mixtapes and iconic pop culture at this totally rad 90s-themed After Hours event.

From throwback tunes to nostalgic games, this night is all about celebrating the decade that gave us Tamagotchis, dial-up internet and the Macarena.

Tickets are $42 and can be purchased here.

• Where: Royal BC Museum, 675 Belleville Street
• When: Friday, September 25th – 7 p.m. to 10 p.m.

Thistle Album Release Party at The Coda

Enjoy a whimsical evening with Thistle and Two Rats Loving for Thistle’s album release.

For months, Thistle has been carefully crafting a storybook world with intention.

From the haunting-folk atmosphere of “Over the Garden Wall” to the seafaring, medieval aesthetic of “Tyrant,” Thistle’s album release party is a culmination and deep dive into the mythology surrounding their music.

Go for the live music, stay for the theatrics, storytelling and pure local artistry.

Tickets are $20 and can be purchased here.

• Where: The Coda, 751 View Street
• When: Friday, September 25th – 9:30 p.m. to 1:30 p.m.

The Alan Jackson Experience at McPherson Playhouse

The Alan Jackson Experience stands as the world’s most critically acclaimed tribute to the country music icon, headlined by the International Singer Songwriter Association (ISSA) Entertainer of the Year, Aaron Halliday.

With over three decades of stage experience, Halliday has meticulously crafted a performance so authentic that audiences often feel they are witnessing the legend himself.

From the unmistakable stage presence to the world-class musicianship of his backing band, the production has earned international recognition as the longest-running and most prestigious Alan Jackson tribute in the industry.

Tickets start at $44.50 and can be purchased here.

• Where: McPherson Playhouse, 3 Centennial Square
• When: Friday, September 25th – 7:30 p.m.

SATURDAY

Victoria Royals versus Vancouver Giants

Catch the Royals as they take on a division rival at the Save-On-Foods Memorial Centre in their home opener!

There are high hopes for the Royals this season, with the CHL ranking the team first overall and naming their squad a “win now” roster.

The team’s got a real shot to win in all this year, make sure to be a part of the action.

They’ll take on the Vancouver Giants, another contender in the division, in what promises to be an early view of who the titans in the West will be.

Tickets start at $22 and can be purchased here.

• Where: Save-On-Foods Memorial Centre, 1925 Blanshard Street

• When: Saturday, September 26th – 6:05 p.m.

Harvest Table: A taste of Vancouver Island at Keating Farm

Head down to Keating Farm for a day of discovery and an unforgettable evening celebrating the harvest of Vancouver Island.

Harvest Table is a new annual celebration of food, farming, community and place, founded by Food Day Canada and Keating Farm.

Head down to Keating Farm in the Cowichan Valley for the family-friendly Daytime Celebration and Community Harvest Meal, or gather at the farm in the evening for the intimate Harvest Dinner.

Go hungry, leave inspired!

Ticket prices vary. For more information and to purchase tickets, click here.

• Where: Keating Farm, 5250 Miller Road
• When: Saturday, September 26th – 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Free clothing giveaway and swap at Shelbourne Street Church of Christ

Looking for a new wardrobe?

Head down to Church of Christ on Shelbourne Street for their annual free clothing swap and giveaway!

Attendees can drop something off if they wish, or simply take a new piece of clothing home.

The event is free and everyone is welcome to attend.

• Where: Shelbourne Street Church of Christ, 3460 Shelbourne Street
• When: Saturday, September 26th – 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Hillside Matsuri 2026 at Hillside Shopping Centre

Calling all cosplayers, anime lovers and Japan enthusiasts!

Check out Hillside Matsuri this Saturday at the Hillside Shopping Centre!

The main stage will feature cosplay events all day long, including a cosplay contest from 12 p.m. to 1 p.m.

There will also be a Pokémon trading room and artist/vendor stands for the collectors.

Get on your outfit and head to Hillside!

This event is free and everyone is welcome to attend.

• Where: Hillside Shopping Centre, 1644 Hillside Avenue

• When: Saturday, September 26th – 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Swimming Upstream Film Screening at The Vic Theatre

Head down to the Vic Theatre for a special screening of The Rewilders, a visually spectacular short documentary that follows pioneering conservationists on three continents working to rewild iconic species like jaguar, elephant, bison and salmon.

Another two short films from Salmon Parks will screen prior to The Rewilders.

Following the screening, there will be a discussion panel.

Tickets are only $10 and can be purchased here.

• Where: The Vic Theatre, 808 Douglas Street
• When: Saturday, September 26th – 7 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 22nd – 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Small Press Fest 2026 at the Greater Victoria Public Library

The annual Small Press Fest is back for another rendition, in partnership with the Greater Victoria Public Library.

In celebration of printed matter, independent publishing and art writing, Open Space will curate a tabling fair of exhibitors.

Join in for another amazing day of small and independent publishing in Victoria!

Click here for more information.

• Where: Greater Victoria Public Library Central Branch, 735 Broughton Street
• When: Saturday, September 26th – 11 a.m. to 4 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, August 22nd – 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

SUNDAY

Reading Party at Craigdarroch Castle

Reading gets social!

You’re invited to a party—a reading party.

Bring a blanket or chair and a book for time to read alongside others, followed by a break to connect with the community.

There will also be coffee, drinks, savoury bites, live music, custom poems, mini astrology readings and the Meant Well Books mobile book shop truck.

This event is free and everyone is welcome to attend.

• Where: Craigdarroch Castle, 1050 Joan Crescent
• When: Sunday, September 27th – 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Rumours Fleetwood Mac Tribute at McPherson Playhouse

VaughnCo Entertainment is bringing the Rumours ultimate Fleetwood Mac tribute show to Victoria!

The group recreates the legendary band in its youthful heyday from 1975-1979. It’s been said imitation is the sincerest form of flattery.

After finding huge success in Los Angeles, selling out their regular Roxy Theatre performances month after month, the band moved from the world famous Sunset Strip to Casinos, Theatres and clubs all over Canada and the United States.

Rumours has meticulously put together a show that spares no detail.

From period accurate equipment and costumes to spot on characterizations and musical performances, Rumours takes you back to a time when music was still an unbridled cultural experience, and bands weren’t afraid to put on a show.

Tickets are $63.75 and can be purchased here.

• Where: McPherson Playhouse, 3 Centennial Square
• When: Sunday, September 27th – 7:30 p.m.

Liminal jazz in an underground parkade with the meating

the meating is a jazz-liminal duo project composed of multi-instrumentalist Marc Micu and electric guitarist Ryan Keating, both based in Victoria.

While active in many projects together as bandmates, the duo decided to initiate the meating over an intense love for jazz, busking and performing across Vancouver Island.

Their music attracted a lot of buzz from passers-by, saying that it is “what the city needs” as it complimented the urban cityscape of Vancouver Island.

Their underground parkade concerts are an ethereal experience that’s not to be missed.

Attendance is free, and more information can be found here.

• Where: CARSA parkade P0
• When:  Sunday, September 27th – 7:15 p.m. to 8:15 p.m.

8th Annual Cider Harvest Festival at Merridale Cidery & Distillery

Head town to Merridale Cidery & Distillery for the annual Cider Harvest Festival, celebrating BC craft cider and harvest season in the Cowichan Valley.

Sample ciders from producers across British Columbia, enjoy live music, explore the orchard and savour farm-crafted food made right at Merridale.

Your ticket will include admission to the Merridale Cider Harvest Festival, access to participating cideries, transportation, a souvenir tasting glass, live entertainment and the opportunity to explore our beautiful orchard setting.

General admission ticket to the festival at $64 and can be purchased here.

• Where: Merridale Cidery & Distillery, 1230 Merridale Road
• When: Sunday, September 27th – 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.

Open Mic Night at Pinhalla

Pinhalla will host performers of all varieties and their supporters to its third Open Mic!

Bring your original music, covers, stand up, poetry, storytelling, magic, juggling, etc.

Sign up in advance by visiting Pinhalla’s sign-up page or sign-up in person at 7:30pm.

Visit the website to reserve a table for your friends and family and go showcase your budding talent!

This event is hosted by vanDriver frontman Paul Surjadinata.

• Where: Pinhalla Pinball Pizzeria, 516 Fisgard Street
• When: Sunday, September 25th – 8 p.m. to 11 p.m.