21 things to do in and around Victoria this weekend – November 6th to 8th

The weekend has arrived!

The weather may look a little dreary, but there are plenty of things going on in and around Victoria to perk you up.

Festivals, markets and fairs take over the city this weekend, with highlights including the Creative Craft Fair, the Little Fernwood Book Fair, the Victoria International Wine Festival, the Intuitive Arts Festival and the November Orchard Market at Junction Orchard & Cidery!

If you want to hit the town this weekend, there’s plenty of live music, comedy, theatre and stargazing to keep you feeling energized.

Or check out the two Royals games this weekend as they look to continue their strong start to the season!

Before getting started on all the activities this weekend, why not fuel up with some delicious brunch or lunch from Nautical Nellie’s Seafood & Steakhouse, who are just entering their holiday season, or the new Korean BBQ restaurant OX Korean BBQ on Hillside Avenue!

Here are 21 things to do in and around Victoria this weekend – November 6th to 8th:

ALL WEEKEND

Creative Craft Fair at Pearkes Recreation Centre

Every year, the Creative Craft Fair offers a true extravaganza of outstanding arts, crafts and demonstrations with their popular three-day event at Victoria’s Pearkes Rec Centre.

Attended by thousands of visitors each year, the fair offers the wares of over 125 exhibitors.

With artisans presenting crafts, gourmet food, fine art, photography, clothing, glass art, jewelry, bath and beauty products, wine, spirits and fine woodwork.

Admission is $7 for a day pass, or $8 for all three days! Tickets can be purchased at the door.

• Where: Pearkes Recreation Centre, 3100 Tillicum Road
• When: 
  • Friday, November 6th – 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
  • Saturday, November 7th – 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
  • Sunday, November 8th – 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Victoria International Wine Festival at Victoria Conference Centre

Explore the world of wine at Victoria’s leading all-inclusive tasting experience!

The Victoria International Wine Festival is an all-inclusive wine experience held each fall in Victoria, where guests can explore hundreds of wines from around the world in one place.

Designed to be both immersive and approachable, the festival offers the chance to taste widely, connect directly with international producers and discover featured regions through guided seminars and curated experiences.

Whether you’re building your knowledge or refining your palate, it’s a rare opportunity to experience the global wine world in a single, dynamic setting.

Ticket prices vary and can be purchased here. Don’t wait, the event is almost sold out!

• Where: Victoria Conference Centre, 720 Douglas Street
• When: Friday, November 6th and Saturday, November 7th – varying times

Intuitive Arts Festival

Metaphysical enthusiasts in Victoria will get the chance to meet like-minded individuals in the field this weekend!

The festival will deal in all things astrology, palmistry, bodywork, shamanism and more. Festival go-ers will be able to trade rocks, gems and crystals, get psychic readings, learn about Reiki or simply browse the many community vendors at the venue.

Whether you’re a newcomer to the field, a seasoned spiritual seeker or just looking for a unique experience, the festival will allow attendees to meet practitioners, discover new perspectives and contemplate the extraordinary.

There’s no crystal ball required, just an open mind and a little curiosity!

Day passes are available for $14 and day passes can be purchased for $25. Get yours here!

• Where: Da Vinci Centre, 195 Bay Street
• When: Saturday, November 7th and Sunday, November 8th – 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Betrayal at The Belfry 

Catch the Belfry’s newest production!

A woman, her husband and her lover are caught in a game of cat and mouse.

Who’s wise to whom—and who will pay the price for their acts of betrayal?

Widely regarded as one of Nobel Prize winner Harold Pinter’s best works, Betrayal unfolds in reverse, coolly dissecting a seven-year affair from after the final breakup to the first kiss.

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

• Where: The Belfry Theatre, 1291 Gladstone Avenue
• When:
  • Friday, November 6th – 8 p.m.
  • Saturday, November 7th – 4 p.m. and 8 p.m.
  • Sunday, November 8th – 2 p.m.

FRIDAY

Victoria Royals versus Moose Jaw Warriors

Catch the Royals take on the Warriors this Friday at the Save-On-Foods Memorial Centre as the home team looks to continue their strong start to the season.

The Royals will be looking to improve their 9-4 record this season against the Moose Jaw Warriors, who are currently sitting at 7-8 in the WHL standings.

This is the first game of the Royals’ back-to-back this weekend, in which they hope to climb the standings, where they currently sit at  fourth in the western conference.

Tickets start at $20 and can be purchased here.

• Where: Save-On-Foods Memorial Centre, 1925 Blanshard Street
• When: Friday, November 6th – 7:05 p.m.

Dreams – Fleetwood Mac and ABBA Tribute at The Roxy Theatre

Get ready to experience the magic of two iconic bands in one unforgettable night!

This event will be a night filled with nostalgia, great music and unforgettable performances.

Don’t miss out on this incredible opportunity to relive the hits that shaped music history.

Tickets start at $48.95 and can be purchased here.

• Where: The Roxy Theatre, 2657 Quadra Street
• When: Friday, November 6th – 7:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.

Delhi 2 Dublin at Capital Ballroom

For two decades, Delhi 2 Dublin has been at the forefront of South Asian fusion music, creating a global bass sound they call “subcontinental pop.”

The band offers a high-energy blend of bhangra, electronic, hip-hop, reggae and Celtic influences that defies genres.

Delhi 2 Dublin was initially created for a performance at Celtic Fest in Vancouver, and the rest is history.

They’ve become favourites on BC’s west coast, performing at festivals and shows across the province since the band’s inception.

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

• Where: Capital Ballroom, 858 Yates Street
• When: Friday, November 6th – 8:45 p.m.

Fleabane with Boss Saint B and Exit 14 at Open Studios

Hailing from Whitehorse, Fleabane delivers fast and sweaty psych-punk from Canada’s north.

What do you get if you combine a Backstreet Boys fan on the drums, a classically trained vocalist and composer on the bass, and an accomplished metal bass player on the guitar? Fleabane: a psych-punk power trio, obviously.

Fleabane draws its influence from across the music world, and with over 40 years of combined playing and recording experience, the band’s live shows are frantic and captivating.

They’ll share the stage with Vancouver Island-based Boss Saint B and Exit 14, who will be playing one of their first live shows!

Tickets are $15 and can be purchased here.

• Where: The Open Studios, 634 Humboldt Street
• When: Friday, November 6th – 7 p.m.

Improv Against Humanity at Encore Victoria

Improv Against Humanity is the adults-only live comedy show based on Cards Against Humanity.

Select audience members play the game and comedians perform improv based on their horrible, hilarious card combinations!

Tickets are $26.25 and can be purchased here.

• Where: Encore Victoria, 1415 Broad Street
• When: Friday, November 6th – 8 p.m. to 9:20 p.m.

SATURDAY

Geodiversity Fest at Royal BC Museum

Head to Royal BC Museum for Geodiversity Fest!

This event is a free, fun-filled day celebrating the incredible non-living parts of the planet.

Enjoy hands-on activities, guest exhibitors and engaging talks designed for geodiversity enthusiasts of all ages!

Meet experts and ask questions as attendees explore topics like fossils, marine geology, earthquakes, mineral deposits, caving and more.

Deepen your understanding of Earth’s dynamic systems and uncover the stories hidden in rocks, oceans and landscapes.

This event is free and everyone is welcome to attend.

• Where: Royal BC Museum, 675 Belleville Street
• When: Saturday, November 7th – 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Ron James at McPherson Playhouse

Ron James! In Victoria!

One of Canada’s top stand-up road warriors, Ron James, is in the driver’s seat once again and bound full throttle for the ‘big wide open’ with his new show, “The Noise Between Our Ears.”

With a seismic level of socio-political change shifting a reality we long took for granted, what better way to process the cacophonous overload of stimuli than in the language of laughs.

Tickets are $88.75 and can be purchased here.

• Where: McPherson Playhouse, 3 Centennial Square

• When: Saturday, November 7th – 7:30 p.m.

Victoria Royals versus Tri-City Americans

In their second game this weekend, the Royals will take on the Tri-City Americans from Washington.

The Americans are looking beatable this season, with a 6-8 record.

The Royals may be tired after their game on Friday, but the two games this weekend will be an excellent opportunity for the team to rise in the standings, with two teams ahead of them also sitting at 9 wins on the steam.

Tickets start at $21 and can be purchased here.

• Where: Save-On-Foods Memorial Centre, 1925 Blanshard Street
• When: Saturday, November 7th – 6:05 p.m.

The Sylvia Platters, Slugger and Big Deal at Oaklands Community Centre

The Sylvia Platters and Big Deal return to Victoria for an all-ages show with local heavy hitters Slugger!

Keen appreciation for melody and melancholy is The Sylvia Platters’ stock in trade.

Described by Rosy Overdrive as “one of the best guitar pop bands going,” the Vancouver band has been crafting idiosyncratic jangle pop gems since 2014.

Recently joined by longtime friends and new musical collaborators Kyle Schick (guitar) and Ian Fildes (bass), the group is preparing to release five new songs.

Tickets are $15.80 and can be purchased here.

• Where: Oaklands Community Centre, 2827 Belmont Avenue
• When: Saturday, November 7th – 8 p.m.

Star Party at Centre of the Universe

Head to the Star Party at Centre of the Universe!

A star party is a public astronomy event held on Saturdays, where visitors can explore the night sky through telescopes, attend planetarium shows and learn about space.

This Saturday features Geoff Steeves, an associate teaching professor in the Department of Physics and Astronomy at the University of Victoria, where he has taught since 2003.

He is also a first officer at WestJet, flying Boeing 737s out of Vancouver, a second career that gives him a regular view of the night sky.

Tickets are a suggested donation of $10 and can be purchased here.

• Where: Centre of the Universe, 5071 West Saanich Road
• When: Saturday, November 7th – 6:30 p.m. to 10 p.m.

Christos Papadopoulos / The Lion and the Wolf at Royal Theatre 

Artistic Director and choreographer Christos Papadopoulos is a leading figure in Greek contemporary dance.

The recent winner of Sadler’s Wells’ prestigious Rose International Dance Prize, Papadopoulos is renowned for creating minimalist dance works of striking musicality.

In the company’s debut Canadian tour, “My Fierce Ignorant Step” features ten dancers building an ecstatic soundscape of voice and movement rooted in the sonic memories of Papadopoulos’ childhood in Greece.

Tickets to the show start at $35 and can be purchased here.

• Where: Royal Theatre, 805 Broughton Street

• When: Saturday, November 7th – 7:30 p.m.

SUNDAY

Jim Jefferies at Save-On-Foods Memorial Centre

Catch the internationally acclaimed comedian, actor and writer Jim Jefferies as he brings his “Son of a Carpenter Tour” to Victoria!

One of the most provocative, fearless and globally celebrated comedians of his generation, Jefferies continues to sell out theatres around the world with his razor-sharp stand-up and unapologetic perspective on modern life.

Known for pushing boundaries while challenging audiences to laugh at the uncomfortable truths of modern life, Jefferies continues to sell out theatres around the world with his unmistakable blend of brutal honesty, social commentary and explosive punchlines.

Tickets start at $55.75 and can be purchased here.

• Where: Save-On-Foods Memorial Centre, 1925 Blanshard Street
• When: Sunday, November 8th – 7 p.m.

Little Fernwood Book Fair

Head down to Paul Phillips Hall on Sunday for a fun local authors book fair!

Enjoy readings from some great community writers and connect with fellow book lovers.

It’s a perfect chance to discover new stories and support local talent.

Bring your friends, grab a seat and dive into the world of books right here in our neighborhood.

Attendance is free and spots can be reserved here.

• Where: Paul Phillips Hall, 1923 Fernwood Road
• When: Sunday, November 8th – 12 p.m. to 4 p.m.

November Orchard Market at Junction Orchard & Cidery

Orchard Markets are inclusive, family- and pet- friendly days at the cidery!

Browse market booths from some of your favourite vendors, farmers and makers while enjoying cider and bites from Bicycle Pizza and local food vendors.

Also shop with Junction’s resident small businesses on Orchard Lane.

Each market brings something new.

Attendance is free and everyone is invited!

• Where: Junction Orchard and Cidery, 273 Prospect Lake Road
• When: Sunday, November 8th – 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Janky Bungag with Spank Williams and Elli Hart at Lucky Bar

This one’s for the country fans!

A Filipino-Canadian flatpicker out of Vancouver, Janky Bungag makes alt-country for everyday people.

He came up on skateboards and punk rock, works a day job and turns the real texture of city life—rent, romance, vices, good friends, heartbreaks and smoke breaks—into songs anyone can see themselves in, delivered with a picker’s hands and a comedian’s timing.

He’ll be joined by one of Victoria’s great country acts, Elli Hart, as well as Vancouver’s Spank Williams!

Tickets are $20 plus fees and can be purchased here.

• Where: Lucky Bar, 517 Yates Street
• When: Sunday, November 8th – 7:45 p.m.

Kluxen – Ray Chen Plays Mendelssohnat Royal Theatre

Superstar violinist Ray Chen—one of the most celebrated classical artists on the world stage—makes his long-awaited Victoria debut!

Acclaimed for his awe-inspiring technique, deep artistry and magnetic presence both on stage and online, Chen performs Mendelssohn’s beloved Violin Concerto, a perfect showcase for his radiant virtuosity.

The concert opens with Canadian composer Samy Moussa’s Elysium, a luminous vision of reward and renewal.

Bartók’s masterful Concerto for Orchestra, written in exile yet brimming with vitality and hope, concludes the evening and continues the VS’s exploration of the composer’s bold, transformative orchestral works.

Remaining tickets start at $92 and can be purchased here.

• Where: Royal Theatre, 806 Broughton Street
• When: Sunday, November 8th – 2:30 p.m.

Tattoo Your Clothes: Linocut at Simon Says

Tattoo your clothes!

Leave your Black Friday carts empty and get creative with a piece of clothing you already have.

In this three-hour workshop, attendees will explore block printing through the creation of their very own lino stamp and add prints to their piece(s) of clothing.

Attendees will also get a chance to check out other tattoo creations and add some additional creations to their garments.

Tickets are $55 and can be purchased here.

• Where: Simon Says, 560 Johnston Street
• When: Sunday, November 8th – 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.