The good news keeps on coming!
Over the past few weeks, several highly anticipated events have announced their return to Victoria, following the easing of restrictions across BC.
After a two-year event hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic, fans are eager to get back to enjoying those summer and end of summer events they look forward to every year.
So if you’re into music, food, beer, art or all of the above, check out our list of 9 highly anticipated events returning to Victoria in 2022 (and we’re sure many more are to come):
Phillips Backyard Music Festival
https://www.instagram.com/p/CasPQBxOIW9/
In 2022, Phillips Backyard Music Festival returns with three separate, weekend-long events, featuring international musical headliners and emerging Canadian talent taking to the stage.
Each festival weekend in the Phillips’ Backyard will offer a different mix of music genres, artists, foods and more. So there is sure to be something for everyone!
You can learn about the musical line-ups here.
Phillips Backyard concert series single-day tickets are $70 each and weekend passes are $125.
Can’t choose which weekend you want to attend? You don’t have to!
A 6-pack of tickets, getting you access to all three weekends, is $330.
Tickets for all three festival weekends go on sale at 10 a.m. on Friday, March 4th here.
- Where: Phillips Backyard, 2010 Government Street
- When: Glitterbomber: May 14th and 15th, Tilt!: July 9th and 10th, IMPLOSION EXPLOSION: August 13th and 14th
Victoria’s Ultimate Hobby & Toy Fair
Toy lovers and hobbyists rejoice! The Ultimate Hobby and Toy Fair is returning to Saanich for the first time since 2019.
The event, which usually happens twice a year in spring and fall, features over 200 tables of toy and hobby goodness at Pearkes Arena.
From May 14th to 15th, attendees can browse the collections of seasoned collectors and sellers to talk about the various merchandise from countless fandoms.
In previous years, the event also featured food, drinks, door prizes and a charity silent auction!
More information to come! Stay up to date by following the Ultimate Hobby and Toy Fair’s Facebook page.
- When: May 14th to 15th
- Where: Pearkes Arena, 3100 Tillicum Road
Buccaneer Days
The highly anticipated Esquimalt’s Buccaneer Days has announced its return after a two year hiatus, with dates set for May.
In 2021, a modified and distanced event returned. Although the amusement park rides and food vendors were not present, a parade float made its way through Esquimalt, giving everyone a small taste of the beloved event they look forward to getting back to.
Buccaneer Days features amusement park rides, games, food, vendors, races, beer gardens and more, drawing in neighbours from all around Victoria and beyond.
This year, event organisers have announced it will return May 13th to 15th.
Although not a lot of information is known at this time, more details are said to come soon.
To stay up to date, follow the Esquimalt Buccaneer’s Facebook page!
Victoria Ska & Reggae Festival
The annual Ska & Reggae Festival is back with regional, national and international artists for it’s 23rd year!
For five straight days and nights, attendees will enjoy music, visual art and food at the Ship Point Inner Harbour and other venues to be announced throughout Victoria.
Early Bird Full Festival Passes and VIP tickets will be available soon. According to the event planners, tickets purchased for the 2020 festival (which was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic) will be honoured for this year’s event.
You can stay up to date on ticket information by checking out the event’s website here.
- Where: Ship Point (Inner Harbour) and other venues
- When: June 22nd to 26th
Victoria International JazzFest
This year, JazzFest will return from June 24th to July 3rd!
The ten-day music festival features jazz, blues and world music of local, Canadian and internationally acclaimed musicians.
JazzFest is the longest running multi-day professional music festival on Vancouver Island, celebrating its 39th year!
Check out their website for information on all the shows.
- Where: Royal Theatre, 805 Broughton Street
- When: June 24th to July 3rd
- Tickets: You can get your tickets for various shows here.
Laketown Rock
Back for the first time since their successful 2018 show, the highly anticipated Laketown Rock is a rising favourite among classic rock fans of all ages.
On July 22nd and 23rd, musical acts will hit the stage in Lake Cowichan, bringing the sounds of music back to an eager crowd.
On the first day of the event, acts will include Tom Cochrane with Red Rider, Wide Mouth Mason and Liam MacKenzie & The Moondogs.
The following day will see acts such as John Fogerty, Keb’ Mo’, Big Sugar and Garret T. Willie.
Tickets go on sale at 10 a.m. on Friday, March 18th.
To stay updated you can join their Newsletter, Facebook and Instagram.
- When: July 22nd and 23rd
- Where: Laketown Ranch, 648 – 8811 Youbou Rd, Lake Cowichan
- Tickets: Tickets go on sale March 18th at 10 a.m.
Rifflandia
Although not much information has been released for Riffladia’s 2022 music festival, we do have a date!
From September 15th to 18th, get ready to dance and sing your heart out with the popular music festival’s return.
Artist, food and beverage, and volunteer applications are now open. You can stay up to date on event information via their website, Facebook or Instagram.
- When: September 15th to 18th
Brewery and the Beast
Brewery and the Beast, the annual 19+ beer and meat festival is back, bringing the tastes and smells of BBQ and brews to the city where it was born.
This September, Brewery and the Beast will include food, drinks, live performances and more at a new location—Langford’s Starlight Stadium.
The event will include an opportunity to sample dishes from some of the city’s top chefs as well as a chance to learn about where the meat came from and the cooking process.
Attendees will enjoy a large selection of meat preparations, locally-sourced craft beers, wines, ciders, and non-alcoholic beverages and live entertainment!
Tickets go on sale at 10 a.m. on May 25th.
- When: Sunday, September 25th, 1 p.m. – 4 p.m.
- Where: Starlight Stadium Langford, 1089 Langford Parkway
- Tickets: Ticket sale date and pricing to be announced – register here for email notifications on new information on event details.
Dîner en Blanc
Victoria’s biggest “chic picnic”, Dîner en Blanc Victoria, is finally returning after a two year hiatus!
The rain or shine picnic event is held annually, with the secret location of the event revealed to thousands of eager participants shortly before the event.
Once the location has been revealed, attendees dressed in head to toe white (no ivory, no off-white, and no beige), meet at the location for a giant picnic in a public space.
Attendees must bring their own foldable table, chairs, picnic basket and food. Champagne and wine are the only alcoholic beverages permitted at the event.
Registration for the event has not yet begun, but you can submit your email on their website here to be added to a waitlist. A date has not yet been announced.
