From great food, to kayaking the Gorge Waterway, or even pushing a hospital bed down the main road in Sidney, there’s always a way to enjoy the weekend. Here are 19 things to do in Victoria this weekend:
FRIDAY August 26
First ever CIS football game played on Vancouver Island
- What:The UBC Thunderbirds and Manitoba Bison will kick off their 2016 season in an exhibition game at Westhills Stadium in Langford. Proceeds from the game will go to support Greater Victoria Minor Football, Westshore Rebels and the UBC Football Island Scholarship Fund. Game kicks off at 7 p.m.
- Where: Westhills Stadium in Langford
Greek Fest
- What: Annual celebration of Greek culture. Live entertainment, dancing and delicious food from authentic greek food, desserts, baked goods as well as a Greek deli. Lots of activities including a heritage exhibit, arts, crafts, face painting and more. Admission FREE. Event from 11:00-10:00pm ~ OPA! Partnering with Saanich Fire Department to raise funds for the Hot Lunch Program, which provides food for needy school children in Victoria.
- Where: Greek Community Centre, 4648 Elk Lake Drive
Victoria Street Food Festival Friday Truck-Up
- What: Enjoy local street food from a choice of 19 vendors, beverages from Category 12 and Merridale Cider and live music. Event from 11:00am-9:00pm with beverage garden opening at noon.
- Where: Centennial Square
– 12:00pm Isobel Trigger
– 3:00pm Theresa Pasaluko
– 5:30pm Deep Sea Gypsies
– 7:30pm Band of Rascals
30th Annual Victoria Fringe Festival
- What: The largest theatre production event taking over downtown Victoria. Featuring an eclectic mixture of spoken words, drama, musicals, dance, comedy, magic and theatre for young audiences.
- Where: various locations
- Gather at 7:45pm
- I Forgot to Fly Today at 8:00pm
- Little Orange Man at 8:15pm
- Perseus and Andromeda at 9:45pm
*Please refer to website events, showtimes, tickets and locations.
Bites, Brews, Bands on the Barge
- What: Grab some delicious food from our local food trucks and cold beverages from local breweries and ciders. Acoustic Opener (TBA) at 5:30pm and Noah & The Flood will perform at 6:30pm. Event begins at 3:00pm.
- Where: Ogden Point199 Dallas Road
FREE-B Film Festival
- What: The Naked Gun! Showtime 9:00pm (PG 13). Bring chair, blankets, flashlight and snacks.
- Where: Cameron Bandshell, Beacon Hill Park
SATURDAY August 27
Greek Fest
- What: Annual celebration of Greek culture. Live entertainment, dancing and delicious food from authentic greek food, desserts, baked goods as well as a Greek deli. Lots of activities including a heritage exhibit, arts, crafts, face painting and more. Admission FREE. Event from 11:00-10:00pm ~ OPA! Partnering with Saanich Fire Department to raise funds for the Hot Lunch Program, which provides food for needy school children in Victoria.
- Where: Greek Community Centre, 4648 Elk Lake Drive
KOOL Days of Summer Barn-B-Q’s with Red Barn Market
- What: FREE family event from 10:00am-2:00pm. Bouncy castle, carnival games, face painting from 11:00am-1:00pm and a visit with special guest from Enchanted Fables. Esquimalt Parks & Recreation will have a prize wheel with a ton of give aways, plus enter to win KoolFM and Red Barn Market bucks. First 150 receive a free Red Barn Beef and Bacon Burger or Red Barn Cheddar Smokey on a portofino bun. All proceeds to benefit the Tour De Rock.
- Where: Memorial Park, Esquimalt
Victoria Fringe Fest
- What: FREE, fun event from 11:00am-4:00pm introduces children to the magic of the Fringe with live performances, music, puppets, costumes and more. Bouncy castle, arts and crafts, life size cardboard castle, interactive booth and more.
- Where: Market Square
- Winnie the Pooh at 1:45pm
- Gather at 7:45pm
- Bella Culpa at 9:00pm
- I Forgot to Fly Today at 10:15pm
*Please refer to website for events, showtimes, tickets and locations.
Be You
- What: Join in for a day of fun, interactive activities for girls ages 9-16, a campaign to encourage girls to celebrate their individuality and believe in their ability to achieve goals. Live entertainment, influential speakers, photo booth and more. Event from 10:00am-3:00pm. Join the KiSSFM crew at sundown for the viewing of “Mean Girls”, brought to you by Island Movie Nights, don’t forget to wear your onesies.
- Where: Uptown Mall Courtyard
Beach Food Saturdays
- What: Take to the beach and enjoy the sun and delicious food from these local food trucks from 11:00am-7:00pm. The Crispy Fish, Deadbeetz and L’Authentique Poutine & Burgers. Live music performance by Ken Mason from 5:00-7:00pm.
- Where: Esquimalt Lagoon, Ocean Boulevard
SummerFest Saturday – 12th Annual Westshore Rotary Club Chili Cook Off
- What: Get in on the fun, bouncy castle, petting zoo, taekwondo, mascots and more. Silent auction on site. “Salute to Emergency Services” with vehicles from the RCMP, Coast Guard and more. Chili Cook-Off. $7 gets you samples of great chili from every team, a “Vote for the Best” and a hotdog and beverage.
- Where: Millstream Village Shopping Centre
SUNDAY August 28
Greek Fest
- What: Annual celebration of Greek culture. Live entertainment, dancing and delicious food from authentic greek food, desserts, baked goods as well as a Greek deli. Lots of activities including a heritage exhibit, arts, crafts, face painting and more. Admission FREE. Event from 11:00-10:00pm ~ OPA! Partnering with Saanich Fire Department to raise funds for the Hot Lunch Program, which provides food for needy school children in Victoria.
- Where: Greek Community Centre, 4648 Elk Lake Drive
Victoria Comic Book Expo
- What: Buy, sell and trade comic books, graphic novels, paperbacks, toys, non-sports cars and other collectibles. Over 1,000 comic nooks on display from the hottest books of the day to the hard-to-find treasures of the past. Event from 11:00am-4:00pm.
- Where: Comfort Inn & Conference Centre, 3020 Blanshard Road
Victoria Fringe Festival
- What: Welcome to Camp Fringe, over 50 shows with performers from across Canada and around the world taking place in Victoria’s largest live theatre production.
- Where: various locations
- Bella Culpa at 3:45pm
- (i.m)position at 4:00pm
- Little Orange Man at 4:30pm
- Perseus and Andromeda at 5:30pm
- Winnie the Pooh at 6:30pm
*Please refer to website for events, showtimes, tickets and locations.
Bed Races on Beacon
- What: Sidney’s main street will turn into a race track for up to 20 teams of bed races. Funds raised to support the palliative care at Rest Haven Lodge. Stroller racers and face painting for the kids. Event from 12:00-3:00pm
- Where: Beacon Avenue, Sidney
Etsy Outdoor Market
- What: Purchase local handmade items from talented local artists, designers and creators. Market open from 10:00am-3:00pm.
- Where: Centennial Square
Music in the Park
- What: Free, live entertainment. Rukus will be performing from 1:00-4:00pm.
- Where: Veterans Memorial Park, Goldstream Road
