Just like that, April is coming to a close.
Although we are still waiting for the warmer weather, we are hopeful that May will bring us the sunshine we are dreaming of.
This weekend, there are plenty of events to keep you busy, from musical performances, clothing markets, pop up pet photoshoots and more!
Here are 19 things to do in and around Victoria this weekend, April 29th to May 1st:
Odd Creatures Ball at the Victoria Event Centre
This Friday, there is a 19+ musical event happening at the Victoria Event Centre.
The Odd Creatures Ball will feature Hank and Lily, Tarran the Tailor, Jack Garton, Kitty and the Rooster.
Get your tickets now!
- Where: 8 p.m. to 9 p.m., Friday April 29th
- When: Victoria Event Centre, 1415 Broad Street
- Tickets: $25 + tax each. You can get them here!
Hooray for Hollywood
The Peninsula Singers 2022 Spring Show, Hooray for Hollywood, is a tribute to Tinseltown’s most memorable motion picture soundtracks and outstanding Oscar-winning music hits.
It’s a showcase of Hollywood’s best music with dancing, costumes, a show band, guest performers and laughter!
The all ages event supports the Peninsula Hospital & Healthcare Foundation’s Music Therapy Program and the Saanich Peninsula Lion’s Food Bank.
- When: 7:30 p.m. Friday, April 29th and Saturday, April 30th. 2 p.m., Sunday May 1st
- Where: Mary Winspear Centre, 2243 Beacon Avenue
- Tickets: Adults $30, Children $15. You can get your tickets here.
Granville Flea
Vancouver’s newest flea market of vintage streetwear and high fashion fits is coming to Victoria this weekend.
Get your tickets and revamp your wardrobe!
- Where: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturday April 30th.
- When: Victoria Public Market, 1701 Douglas Street
- Tickets: $7.38 each. Get your tickets here.
Pup-Up Pet Photobooth
This weekend, visit A Pet’s Life in Cadboro Bay for professional pet photos.
Take 10% off select brands when you get your pets photo taken.
Paw-rents are also welcome to join in on the fun!
- When: 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., Saturday April 30th
- Where: A Pet’s Life, 2019 Cadboro Bay Road
Eco Fashion Week Fashion Show
This weekend, Eco Fashion Week is hitting the Bay Centre!
On Saturday, there will be a live fashion show to celebrate this year’s fashion revolution by showcasing local and international sustainable designers.
- Where: Bay Centre
- When: 5 p.m. to 7 p.m., Saturday April 30th
- Tickets: $20 each. Get your tickets here!
Khalsa Day Celebrations
Gurdwara Singh Sabha will be hosting Khalsa Day Celebrations this coming weekend on May 1st!
Cecelia Road will be closed off, to allow attendees to freely move around and enjoy the day. There will be several tents set up with a kids area, food, and various other stalls.
The event is open to all and 2000 people are expected to attend!
- Where: Gurdwara Singh Sabha, 470 Cecilia Road
- When: 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Sunday, May 1st
Spring into Hope Concert
This Sunday, the Ukrainian Cultural Centre will be co-hosting a Spring into Hope concert for Ukraine.
All ticket proceeds from the joint Ukrainian and Polish Benefit concert will go to humanitarian aid in Ukraine.
There will be live and local Polish and Ukrainian musicians and dancers!
- Where: White Eagle Polish Hall, 90 Dock Street
- When: 3 p.m. to 6 p.m., Sunday May 1st
- Ticket: $22.23 each. You can get your tickets here.
Learn about workers rights
This Sunday, learn about workers rights on International Workers Day!
Drop in and visit local organizations’ tables, listen to some speakers, and check out workshops to learn about workers rights.
- Where: Fernwood Community Centre, 1240 Gladstone Avenue
- When: 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., Sunday May 1st
Sweet Alibi at Hermann’s Jazz Club
Concerts are back at Hermann’s Jazz Club!
This Sunday, Sweet Alibi will be hitting the stage, touring in support of their fourth studio album, Make a Scene.
- When: Doors 5:30 p.m, Show from 7 p.m. to 9:30 p.m., Sunday May 1st
- Where: 753 View Street, Hermann’s Jazz Club
- Tickets: $18 advance, $20 at the door. You can get your tickets here!
Donate bottles to support BC Children’s Hospital
Did you know that only 40% of kids with mental health challenges in BC are getting the specialised care they need?
You can help fix that.
This April, your spring cleaning and donation of old recyclable bottles and containers can help kids across the province get the help they deserve.
Every month, proceeds from recyclable beverage container donations at Bottle Depots’ three donation bins support a new local charity.
In April, all generated proceeds from those donated, recyclable containers will help support mental health programs at BC Children’s Hospital.
- When: The whole month of April!
- Where: Bottle Depot donation bins located at 3961 Quadra Street, 4261 Glanford Avenue and 655 Queens Avenue
Participate in a free virtual nature challenge
Are you ready to get outside and explore, Victoria?
This week, the CRD and partners are hosting the Greater Victoria arm of the global City Nature Challenge—the perfect opportunity to hunt for wild plants, animals and fungi within the capital region and record them using iNaturalist.
Citizens from over 400 cities around the world are participating in this international bioblitz to celebrate urban nature. Help showcase Greater Victoria’s amazing biodiversity to the rest of the world.
From April 29th to May 2nd, nature lovers across the region will have the chance to spot pollinating insects, migrating birds, native wildflowers, and towering trees while enjoying neighbourhood parks, beaches and more!
Click here for more information!
- When: Friday, April 29th to Monday, May 2nd
- Where: All around the capital region, even your very own backyard!
Watch a movie filmed in Victoria
Call it the Hollywood of Vancouver Island!
With mountain views and historic colonial-style charm, picturesque Victoria continues to draw in movie executives and appear on the big screen.
BC’s capital can be seen in Hollywood hits like Bird on a Wire (1990) and Little Women (1994), as well as the X-Men and Deadpool franchises and comedy classics like Scary Movie (2000) and White Chicks (2004).
You can check out the full list here.
Check out a local coffee roastery
If you’re looking to support local while enjoying your morning cup of coffee, there’s a place where you can find a ton of local roasters all in one place!
The Vancouver Island Coffee Tour Map highlights over 50 independent coffee roasters across Vancouver Island and the Gulf Islands, meaning you could try a coffee from a different local roaster every week of the year!
Check out the link here!
Enjoy some Costco samples
Costco just officially brought back the free samples!
Back in March 2020, Costco eliminated their signature samples to help stop the spread of COVID-19.
So no the next time you head to your Costco (including the Langford location!) a free sample will await you at nearly every turn.
And while the samples make for a great appy, don’t forget to save room for Costco hot dog and ice cream cone!
Snap a photo on an Instagrammable patio
Patio season is almost here (if spring would hurry up)!
Which means it’s time for delicious food and to refresh those Instagram feeds.
It has been a long winter cooped up indoors. We are ready to get outdoors, try some new restaurants and sip cocktails under the sunshine.
Check out our list here!
Watch some of Netflix’s May additions
Netflix has 78 new movies and shows coming your way in May, meaning you can start binge watching this Sunday!
In May, the streaming platform is bringing new seasons of shows you’ve been waiting patiently for, like Season 4, Volume 1 of Stranger Things.
Check out the list here!
Get your tickets to Whistlemania
Spread the word!
Whistle Buoy Brewing is celebrating their birthday, and they want you to be a part of it.
This June, Whistle Buoy will be hosting ‘Whistlemania’, a celebration of beer, music and community in the courtyard of Market Square.
The event will serve cold beers and other beverages all day long in the fully licensed venue, food provided by Wandering Mollusk, Los Panas Kitchen, Hey Happy and giveaways!
- Where: Market Square, Lower Courtyard, #63, 560 Johnson Street
- When: June 25th
- Tickets: $55 plus taxes and fees. Tickets are on sale now here.
Take a walk through Playfair Park
Ready for an afternoon stroll in the park?
It’s no wonder Playfair Park is considered one of Saanich’s best-kept secrets—right now, it boasts a sea of flowers you have to see to believe.
The grounds, sprawled over nearly four hectares just off Rock Street, feature a large grove of mature rhododendrons and azaleas with a Garry Oak meadow and a 300-foot perennial border.
Sierra Club BC says camas are onion-like bulbs with plants growing over 60 centimetres tall. The six-petaled flowers vary in colour, from pale lilac or white to deep purple or blue.
And while it may be tempting to lie in the bed of flowers, Playfair Park-goers should remember to stay on the pathway and keep dogs leashed at all times.
