5 things to do in and around Victoria this Friday, October 16th

The weekend is here already!

This Friday, things start to get a little frightening in Victoria, with a devilishly seductive drag and burlesque show at Alix Goolden Performance Hall.

There is also some fantastic live music happening across the city this Friday, with shows at McPherson Playhouse, Royal Theatre and Upstairs.

Or be the envy of your green-thumbed friends and attend the first day of the Victoria Annual Orchid Show & Tropical Plant Sale!

Here are 5 things to do in and around Victoria this Friday, October 16th:

Victoria Annual Orchid Show & Tropical Plant Sale

Plant lovers, get ready for a colourful weekend!

For those who love growing things, the Victoria Annual Orchid Show & Tropical Plant Sale will set down roots at Our Lady of Fatima Church at 4625 Elk Lake Drive from October 16th to 18th.

The showcase will highlight exotic orchid displays from a family that includes more than 30,000 species and 100,000 hybrids globally, many of which are not locally available. Alongside the exhibition will be a sale featuring a variety of tropical plants.

Guests can pre-order specific plants from the vendors to ensure they get the rare plants they are after and avoid lines at the event. Pre-ordering can be completed on the event website here.

Admission to the showcase is $10 for adults, and $8 for students and seniors. Visitors can also receive a $1 off coupon by clicking here.

• Where: Our Lady Fatima Church, 4625 Elk Lake Drive
• When: Friday, October 16th – 1 p.m. to 7 p.m.

Dance with the Devil – Reap what you sow at Alix Goolden Performance Hall

There’s no better time than Scary Season to indulge in the darker side of life.

Pandora’s Box Cabaret will lean into temptation and present two nights of a sin-filled production at one of Victoria’s most historic venues.

Hosted by the Devil himself, the show will blend burlesque, drag and dance into a wicked night of variety performances.

Pandora’s Box performers will bring each of the deadly sins to life, revealing new temptations and torments at every stage of the performance.

Tickets prices vary and can be purchased here.

• Where: Alix Goolden Performance Hall, 900 Johnson Street
• When: Friday, October 16th – doors at 7 p.m., show starts at 8 p.m.

Hot 2 Go Chappell Roan Tribute Show at Upstairs Entertainment

Head to Upstairs for a local band Hot 2 Go for a night full of all your favourite Chappell covers!

Dressing up for the event is highly encouraged, whether it’s Halloween, Chappell-themed or both.

Tickets are $20 and can be purchased here.

• Where: Upstairs Entertainment, 15 Bastion Square
• When: Friday, October 16th – 7 p.m. to 10 p.m.

Il Trovatore at Royal Theatre

Catch Pacific Opera Victoria at Royal Theatre!

One of Verdi’s most thrilling operas, Il Trovatore is an epic tale of love, vengeance and fate, driven by soaring melodies, explosive emotion, and unforgettable choruses—including the iconic “Anvil Chorus.”

In this passionate masterpiece, devotion and obsession collide with devastating consequences.

Tickets start at $20 and can be purchased here.

• Where: 805 Broughton Street
• When: Friday, October 16th – 7:30 p.m.

Maria Bamford at McPherson Playhouse

Maria Bamford, one of the most innovative and critically acclaimed comedians of her generation, is bringing her live stand-up comedy to Victoria for one night only.

Revered for her personal, experimental and fearless comedy, Bamford has built a singular career by transforming conversations around mental health into powerful, hilarious and profoundly human performances.

Her work has earned widespread critical acclaim for its originality, vulnerability and emotional intelligence—cementing her status as one of the most important voices in modern comedy.

As a trailblazer in the stand-up world, Bamford was the first female comic to record two half-hour Comedy Central Presents specials and starred alongside Patton Oswalt, Zach Galifianakis and Brian Posehn in the influential stand-up collective The Comedians of Comedy.

She also created and starred in the cult-hit web series The Maria Bamford Show, famously playing every character herself.

Tickets to the show start at $56.75 and can be purchased here.

• Where: McPherson Playhouse, 3 Centennial Square
• When: Friday, October 16th – 9:30 p.m.