5 things to do in and around Victoria this Wednesday, June 24th

This Wednesday is going to be one that goes down in the history books!

With Canada’s most important World Cup game ever, the kick-off of the famous Victoria Ska & Reggae Festival and more events from the TD Victoria International JazzFest, Victoria is going to have some great vibes all day long this Wednesday.

Whether you want to catch some world-class jazz, put on your team colours and head to Market Square or dance the night away at Ship Point, there’s something to get everyone down to downtown Victoria.

Make sure you get out and get involved!

Here are 5 things to do in and around Victoria this Wednesday, June 24th:

Canada versus Switzerland World Cup game at Market Square

FIFA World Cup action is ramping up, and Canada plays perhaps its biggest game yet in the tournament against Switzerland at Noon on Wednesday.

Canada is currently sitting at the top of Group B with a point differential lead against Switzerland.

If they can draw or win this game, they’ll make it out of the group in first place to play against a third seed from another group.

This is a huge moment for Canadian soccer, and you won’t want to miss it.

Market Square will be showing the game on a large screen, with an expected attendance in the hundreds. Bars and restaurants around town will also be participating in the action and the Langford Station will also be playing the games on the big screen.

For a full list of venues playing the matches, take a look at the Downtown Victoria Business association’s website here.

Attendance in Market Square is free and everyone is welcome.

• Where: Market Square, 560 Johnson Street
• When: Wednesday, June 24th – 12 p.m.

Pink Martini for JazzFest at the Royal Theatre

Now in its 31st year, the unstoppable engine of joy that is Pink Martini continues to bring founder Thomas Lauderdale’s mission of multi-cultural connection and inclusion to concert stages on six continents.

Presenting a mélange of catchy old-fashioned pop, global color, foot-tapping big band sound and Hollywood glamour, Oregon’s most famous “little orchestra” performs music that appeals to everyone.

The band features a dozen musicians sharing songs in over 25 languages, and collaborates with a wide variety of gifted singers in performance and across the band’s 10 studio albums.

Pink Martini plans to have a new album out in 2026.

Last appearing at TD Victoria International JazzFest in 2015, the perpetually energetic and evolving band continues to tour internationally including its stop at the 2026 TD JazzFest, sharing its message of global community and joy through its music.

Remaining tickets start at $79.50 and can be purchased here.

• Where: The Royal Theatre, 805 Broughton Street
• When: Wednesday, June 24th – 7:30 p.m.

Bia Ferreira, Split Sphere, Kia Kadiri, Trippycals, Alpha Centauri and Dave O Rama at Ship Point for Victoria Ska & Reggae Festival

Victoria’s 27th Annual Ska & Reggae Festival kicks off with a completely stacked show that will keep everyone moving and grooving from open until close.

Headlining this huge kickoff show is powerhouse Brazilian singer and multi-instrumentalist Bia Ferreira. The festival is excited to welcome this artist to Victoria for the first time.

The first show of the festival will also feature Split Sphere, Kia Kadiri, Trippycals, Alpha Centauri and Dave O Rama.

The festival’s kick-off event is free and everyone is welcome to attend.

• Where: Ship Point, Inner Harbour
• When: Wednesday, June 24th – 4 p.m. to 10 p.m.

Isaiah Collier “Collier plays Coltrane” for TD JazzFest at Studio 919

Chicago saxophonist and self-described “Sonic Scientist” Isaiah Collier has emerged as one of the most dynamic torchbearers of contemporary jazz.

Among his many honors, Collier has been named a Steve Jobs Archive Fellow, “Chicagoan of the Year in Jazz” (2024) and was featured on the front cover of DownBeat Magazine, the world’s oldest jazz publication, in addition to being named Rising Star Tenor Saxophonist in the 2023 DownBeat Critics Poll.

Collier is known for his relentless pursuit of blending the rich traditions of the past with the urgency of the present to forge the sound of the future.

He is also widely known for his powerful ensemble, The Chosen Few, which he last appeared with at TD JazzFest 2023.

His latest album, The World Is On Fire, released in 2024, and this special 2026 festival presentation will explore classic Coltrane works for John Coltrane’s 100th anniversary.

For longtime devotees and new listeners alike, this is an opportunity to witness a generational voice engage directly with one of jazz’s most sacred legacies.

Tickets for the show are $48 and can be purchased here.

• Where: Studio 919, 919 Douglas Street
• When: Wednesday, June 24th – 8:30 p.m.

The Buzzer Show at the Mint

Head down to the Mint for a unique comedy show!

Comedians perform at least three minutes in front of a Gatekeeper with a buzzer. In the third minute of their routines, the Gatekeeper will use the buzzer when the comedian says “Uhm”, “Aaah” or uses the word “like” incorrectly.

One of the comedians who gets through without being buzzed three times will have the opportunity to perform a different routine at the end of the show.

The comedians featured include Jesse Tomes, Andy Stone Warner, Chrystal Mighties, Joey Arruda, Jillian Stanley, Kurtis Beaulieu, Brittany Summerhayes, Beerinder Singh and Emmy Blouin.

This is a new show, from Lucia Ribeiro Comedy and Keithsonic. Help shape the comedy scene in Victoria!

Advance tickets for the show are $15 and can be purchased here.

• Where: The Mint, 1414 Douglas Street
• When: Wednesday, June 24th – 6 p.m.