Cheers to another weekend’s arrival, Victoria!
Now’s the time to gather with friends and loved ones, bask in the sunshine and enjoy everything the city has to offer.
Dive into the wide-variety of events and activities happening throughout the city, including the South Island Dragon Boat Festival, an classic car show, a classic roaring 20s and 30s jazz performance and much more.
If you’re in a shopping mood, there’s an Indigenous pop-up artisan market and a plus size clothing swap happening too!
For all of this and more, here’s 9 things to do in and around Victoria this weekend—July 13th and 14th:
South Island Dragon Boat Festival
The South Island Dragon Boat Festival is to host over 700 athletes over a two-day race along the Selkirk Waterway near Jutland Road in recognition of victims of Breast Cancer.
From Saturday, July 13th until Sunday, July 14th, Vancouver Island residents and visitors are invited to witness the lively and impressive boat races, as well as participate in the festivities to follow.
There will be a beer tent, retail and craft vendors and food vendors available on both days—cheer on your chosen teams and stay refreshed during and after!
Their full schedule is available in PDF and can be downloaded, here.
- Where: Fairway Gorge Paddling Club, 2940 Jutland Road
- When: Saturday, July 13th and Sunday, July 14th
Victoria Wave Rave
Join other fellow paddlers for the first ever Victoria Wave Rave!
Attendees are invited to paddle along the Gorge waterway to some sweet beats, with some fun stops along the way to dance, hydrate and snack.
Dress in your best summer and nautical-themed attire—deck out your paddle board while you’re at it!
This event is free to attend and is open to everyone, but some paddle experience is required. For full list of rules and information, check out their event page.
- Where: Banfield Park, 521 Craigflower Road
- When: Saturday, July 13th from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Club Voltaire at Hermann’s Jazz Club
Head over to the iconic Hermann’s Jazz Club for their Club Voltaire night!
Get ready for stunning instrumentalism and soaring vocals as musicians perform in the style of Django Reinhardt and Stephane Grappelli—popular in the clubs of France in the 1920s and 30s.
Jazz artists include Richard Moody on violin and vocals, Adam Dobres playing guitar, Paul Dowd on guitar and Oliver Swain with bass and vocals.
Tickets are $30 and can be purchased online or in-person.
- Where: Hermann’s Jazz Club, 753 View Street
- When: Saturday, July 13th from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. (doors open at 5:30 p.m.)
Yes and Yesteryear: An Improvised Jane Austen at the Emily Carr House
Step back into the romantic and powerful era of Jane Austen in a play at the Emily Carr House—held on Fridays and Saturdays from Friday, July 12th to Saturday, July 27th.
With the gorgeous historic Emily Carr House as the backdrop and surrounded by lush greenery, this is sure to be a special show.
Produced by Join Paper Street Theatre, the cast will treat audiences to a fully improvised show, creating on-the-spot bits and banter as they work through the conventions and constraints of proper Jane Austen society.
Tickets are $28 and include complimentary lemonade and cucumber sandwiches.
- Where: Emily Carr House, 207 Government Street
- When: Saturday, July 12th at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m.
Classic Chrysler Car Show
Check out these classic cars, with food vendors, live music and a lot of fins and chrome at Victoria Association for Community Living!
Admission is by donation and proceeds go towards Community Living Victoria.
- Where: Victoria Association for Community Living, 3861 Cedar Hill Cross Road
- When: Saturday, July 13th, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Champ Promotions Boxing – Canada vs Germany
The Eagle Ridge Community Centre is hosting a collaborative boxing event!
Champ Promotions, Boxing Canada and 94 Forward present an international event where Canada’s U-19 National Boxing Team will face off against the German U-19 National Team.
There will be a total of 11 bouts scheduled, including both male and female bouts in various weight classes!
Tickets are just over $26 and can be purchased via Eventbrite.
- Where: Eagle Ridge Community Centre, 1089 Langford Parkway
- When: Saturday, July 13th from 6 p.m. to 10:30 p.m.
Plus Size Clothing Swap
Looking to revamp your wardrobe?
The Oaklands Community Association is hosting a Plus Size Clothing Swap for sizes XL+ / Size 14+ only.
Please make sure clothing donations are clean and free of damage. Accepting clothes for all genders.
- Where: Oaklands Community Centre, 1-2827 Belmont Avenue
- When: Saturday, July 13th from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Midnight Mixer at The Mint
The Midnight Project is thrilled to have everyone over at The Mint for their Midnight Mixer this Saturday!
Come for the house, garage and bass music, and stay for the rad company, drink specials and giveaways.
This is a free/by-donation show upon entry, with the suggested donation amount set at $10. All of the proceeds go toward increased production value for future Midnight Project shows.
- Where: The Mint, 1414 Douglas Street
- When: Saturday, July 13th from 8 p.m. to 12 a.m.
Indigenous Pop-Up Market
Hillside Shopping Centre will be hosting a Indigenous Pop-Up Market!
Come support over 25 Indigenous artists selling homemade jams, Bannock, art, beadwork, cedar bark weaving, tattoos, body care, herbals and much more.
- Where: Hillside Shopping Centre, 1110 Hillside Avenue
- When: Sunday, July 14th from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
