19 things to do in and around Victoria this weekend — May 8th to 10th

Happy Mother’s Day weekend, Victoria!

With the start of Buccaneer Days and more markets than you can shake a bouquet of flowers at, there’s no shortage of activities for you and mom to get up to this weekend.

Whether you’re planning a fun day for your mother at Butchart Gardens or looking for things to do for yourself and friends, there’s plenty going on this weekend for everybody.

Here are 19 things to do in and around Victoria this Mother’s Day weekend  –  May 8th to 10th:

ALL WEEKEND

Buccaneer Days in Esquimalt

Buccaneer Days are back!

Head down to Esquimalt and enjoy events happening all weekend long.

Highlights on Saturday include a community breakfast, the costume contest and music bingo.

Sunday features a Mother’s Day brunch, Little Bucc’s Olympics and a skydiving showcase!

The midway carnival will be happening throughout the weekend.

Most events at the festival are free, however some do require advanced registration. For a full schedule of events, click here.

• Where: Archie Browning Sports Centre, 1151 Esquimalt Road
• When: Thursday, May 7th to Sunday, May 10th – varying times

Mother’s Day Musical Garden Tour with Victoria Conservatory of Music

Treat someone special to a Mother’s Day weekend of music, beauty and inspiration at the 44th annual Mother’s Day Musical Garden Tour.

This beloved annual fundraiser supports the Victoria Conservatory of Music’s mission to bring excellence and accessibility to music education, performance, and wellness in your community.

Explore nine stunning private gardens across Greater Victoria, each alive with spring blooms and featuring live performances by talented students and faculty from the Victoria Conservatory of Music.

From classical to contemporary, enjoy soloists, duets and small and large ensembles performing in these beautiful outdoor settings.

Wander at your own pace and soak in the unique combination of landscape design and live music.

Make this Mother’s Day unforgettable with a weekend of gardens, music and giving back to your community.

Tickets are $50.86 and can be purchased here.

• Where: Varying locations
• When: Saturday, May 9th and Sunday, May 10th – 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Mother’s Day Market at Bilston Creek Farm

Take mom out to a cozy market!

Bilston Creek Farm offers a local market experience like no other.

The beautiful custom built barn is the ideal setting for a market filled with local makers offering an array of handcrafted, thoughtful gifts.

Spend a memorable day exploring the Mother’s Day Weekend Market and find the perfect gift for that special someone in your life.

Tickets are available for $5 at the door, or can be purchased online here.

• Where: Bilston Creek Farm, 4185 Metchosin Road
• When: May 8th to 10th – 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Beside Myself at the Belfry Theatre

Get out and enjoy some local theatre.

hapax theatre is pleased to present Beside Myself by Jennifer Wynne Webber, an intimate and powerful play about identity, mental health, and the search for self on your own terms.

The story follows Hally, a recent widow who leaves Saskatchewan to live on a sailboat off the coast of British Columbia.

With the help of the ancient myth of Halcyon, the language of particle physics and the ghost of her wife Wade, Hally navigates grief, memory, and transformation.

Poetic, funny and deeply human, Beside Myself weaves myth, science, and raw emotion into a moving story about loss, resilience, and reclaiming yourself.

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

• Where: The Belfry Theatre, 1291 Gladstone Ave
• When: Thursday, May 7th to Saturday, May 9th – varying times

Upstairs – Downstairs at Craigdarroch Castle 

Head down to Craigdarroch Castle for an Improvised British drama in a real-life castle!

Step inside the world of aristocrats, servants, secrets and social scandal as Craigdarroch Castle becomes the setting for a fully improvised period drama inspired by Downton Abbey.

When tradition clashes with change, our household on the brink must navigate love, loyalty, ambition and class—with no script!

This performance takes place throughout Craigdarroch Castle with scenes unfolding in different rooms of the historic home.

The audience will move from space to space during the approximately one-hour performance, following the lives of both “upstairs” and “downstairs” as their stories collide.

Tickets are $38.54 and can be purchased here.

• Where: Craigdarroch Castle, 1050 Joan Crescent

• When: 

• • Friday, May 8th – 7 p.m. to 8 p.m.
  • Saturday, May 9th – 5 p.m. to 6 p.m. and 7 p.m. to 8 p.m.

City in Colour at the Royal Theatre

Head down to the Royal Theatre and catch City and Colour!

Dallas Green, known as City and Colour, is an acclaimed singer, songwriter and performer whose seven studio albums have earned him five Junos, including two Songwriter of the Year awards, and multiple Platinum certifications.

His emotionally rich songwriting has built a devoted global fanbase and led him to share stages with P!nk, Coldplay, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Neil Young and more.

Tickets start at $109 and can be purchased here.

• Where: Royal Theatre, 805 Broughton Street
• When: Friday, May 8th and Saturday, May 9th – 8 p.m.

SATURDAY

Mother’s Day Market in Langford

Head down to Langford Station for their annual Mother’s Day Market!

The event will include local vendors, food trucks, crafters and more.

Go and spend some time with mom and treat her to some locally-made goodies!

Everyone is welcome and this event is free to attend.

• Where: Langford Station, 720 Station Avenue
• When: Saturday, May 9th – 11 a.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, May 9th – 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Victoria Tartan Parade

Get your tartan out and celebrate Scottish and Celtic heritage at the Victoria Tartan Parade!

The parade will start at Centennial Square and finish at the legislature grounds, where local Scottish and Celtic groups will perform.

This event will introduce the Victoria Highland Games, which will take place next weekend.

This event is free and everyone is welcome to attend. If you have Scottish heritage and own a family tartan you are encouraged to wear it!

• Where: Centennial Square to the Legislative Grounds
• When: Saturday, May 9th — 11 a.m. to 12 p.m.

Pacific FC versus Cavalry FC

Pacific FC takes on Cavalry FC this weekend for their 5th match of the season!

The team is still looking for their first win of the year, and will be trying to best the three-and-two Cavalry FC.

They’re back to Starlight Stadium in Langford after a couple of matches played at Royal Athletic Park in recent weeks.

Tickets start at $25 and can be purchased here.

• Where: Starlight Stadium, 1089 Langford Parkway
• When: Saturday, May 9th – 4 p.m.

Quadra Village Day

Quadra Village Day is the exciting, annual community building celebration of the Quadra Village neighbourhood!

Go out and meet your neighbours at this free, family-friendly event.

Go for the free pancake breakfast, snacks and coffee (available to all from 10:00am-11:00am), and stay for the live music and performances!

The event will feature interactive art, plant potting, carnival games, inflatables, henna and face paint, community booths and more!

This event is free and everyone is welcome to attend.

• Where: 901 Kings Road
• When: Saturday, May 9th – 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Science Rendezvous for kids at UVic

Join Science Venture and the University of Victoria for a free day of exploration related to Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM).

Full of fun activities, exciting demos and interesting research!

For kindergarteners to Grade 12 students, educators and science enthusiasts of all ages.

This event is free and no registration is required.

• Where: Bob Wright Centre UVic, 3800 Finnerty Road
• When: Saturday, May 9th – 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Rockabilly Rumble Vintage Fair at Da Vinci Centre

Head down to the Da Vinci Centre for a vintage fair!

The fair will feature local vendors, food trucks, a Makers Market and a concert at 12:30 p.m. by Atomic Cocktail Duo.

The evening concerts are all ages, and Hangten Hangmen, The Cavaleros and Dogwood and the Shakers will be performing.

Tickets for the fair are $5 and can be purchased at the door. Children 12 and under are free.

Tickets for the evening concerts are $20 and can be purchased here.

• Where: The Da Vinci Centre, 195 Bay Street
• When: Saturday, May 9th
• • Fair 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
  • Live music 6 p.m. to 11 p.m.

Dungeons, Yes and Dragons at Theatre SKAM

Garden City Improv will be hosting Dungeons Yes, And Dragons, a one-of-a-kind improv comedy experience inspired by the world’s greatest roleplaying game.

Join them for an evening of improv comedy, epic storytelling and outrageous characters beloved by D&D fans!

Tickets are $25 each and can be purchased here.

Bringing your party to the show? Use the code “DNDPARTY” at checkout to get four tickets for $80!

• Where: Theatre SKAM, 849 Fort Street
• When: Saturday, May 9th – 8:30 p.m.

Goldstream Farmers Market

The Goldstream Farmers Market is a vibrant community farmers’ market in the heart of Langford, where everything is homemade, handmade or homegrown.

Browse a rotating lineup of local vendors offering seasonal fruits and vegetables, fresh-baked breads and treats and unique handcrafted items.

It’s a welcoming place to shop local, discover small businesses and connect with neighbours week after week.

The market is in a different location this year to accommodate renovations to Veterans Memorial Park. The new location is at Danbrook Park, 744 Danbrook Avenue.

The market is free and everyone is welcome to attend.

• Where: Danbrook Park, 744 Danbrook Avenue
• When: Saturday, May 9th – 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

SUNDAY

Mother’s Day Cake Decorating with Linda and Darling Cake Company

Celebrate Mother’s Day with something a little sweeter than flowers

Join in for a relaxed, hands-on cake decorating workshop led by Robyn from Darling Cake Co.

This experience is designed for mothers and their older children, or for loved ones looking to gift a meaningful, creative afternoon to a mother or mother figure.

Each guest will decorate their own 4-inch round cake, choosing between chocolate or vanilla, with Robyn as your guide and plenty of room to make it your own.

Think beautiful buttercream, edible flowers, sprinkles, and a calm, welcoming space to slow down and celebrate your mom!

Remaining tickets to this event are $125 and can be purchased here.

• Where: Esquimalt Gorge Park & Pavilion, 1070 Tillicum Road
• When: Sunday, May 10th – 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

Royal Bay Crit bicycle race

The 3rd edition of the Royal Bay crit race is back on Sunday!

Crit, or a criterium, is a 30 to 90 minute high-intensity bike race.

Join in on a new loop (one block south) for this unique and fun oceanside crit course in the heart of Royal Bay!

There’s a huge purse for the event, with over $2,500 in cash and prizes!

There will be an A, B and C field for racers, and a women’s field for the first time this year!

The event is free to attendees. For racers, registration is $30 for adults and $15 for those under 19. You can register using this link.

• Where: Royal Bay, starting at Quarry Street
• When: Sunday, May 10th – 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Stay Awhile Ceramics Pop-up at Ecologyst

Stay Awhile Ceramics is a local, small ceramics business run by the lovely Megan, who has been selling her art for almost two years now.

Megan’s creativity is unmatched, and her ceramics and social media are a perfect showcase of that.

Join Ecologyst in celebrating, supporting and admiring this local creative by going to their pop-up!

You’ll be able to see and purchase Megan’s hand-made ceramics, along with some beautiful and sustainable clothing from Ecologyst.

Entrance to the pop-up is free!

• Where: Ecologyst, 52 Johnson Street
• When: Sunday, May 10th – 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Spotlight Cabaret Series at Artemis Whisky Bar

Every artist remembers their first stage.

The lights, the music, the moment breath catches and the world narrows to movement, apparatus and the courage to be seen.

Spotlight is where those moments happen.

Head down to Artemis Whiskey Bar for an intimate setting and enjoy an afternoon performance.

​Spotlight offers emerging performing artists a platform to share their artistry in a supportive, community-centered environment.

Regularly showcasing PoleCoven’s Captivate student performers, Lucent Productions is expanding to include emerging artists looking for a bar-show audience to try a new piece of work.

​​Audience members can expect an interactive experience, with performers moving throughout the space.

The remaining tickets for this event start at $31.50 and can be purchased here.

• Where: Artemis Whiskey Bar, 27-560 Johnson Street (the bar is a speakeasy, we’ll leave it up to you to figure out how to get in!)
• When: Sunday, May 10th – 2 p.m.