Another weekend is upon us!
We’re already mid-way through May and the events are returning in abundance, including many annual favourites that haven’t been seen since the pandemic began.
From the return of the TC Book sale to Victoria’s Ultimate Hobby and Toy Fair, there’s so much to do in Victoria this weekend – rain or shine!
Esquimalt Bucaneer Days
From May 13th to 15th, WCA is bringing more rides, games and fun as part of Esquimalt Buccaneer Days, happening at Archie Browning Sports Centre and Bullen Park.
The well-known event celebrated since 1966 faced cancellation and more modified schedules in the past two years due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Along with a carnival, the Buccaneer Days Parade is back and cruises down Esquimalt Road this Saturday, May 14th, closing off the road to traffic between Dominion and Admiral Roads from 9:45 a.m. to noon.
- When: Friday, May 13th to Sunday, May 15th
- Where: Archie Browning Sports Centre & Bullen Park, Fraser Street, Esquimalt
Cineplex movies $2.99 on Saturday
Cineplex is offering $2.99 movies at participating theatres in and around Victoria every Saturday morning throughout the month of May. This week’s show will be featuring Despicable Me.
- When: Saturday, May 14th at 11 a.m.
- Where: Various Cineplex theatres
Queer Futurities: holding area, gathering place
Open Space artist-run centre presents, Queer Futurities: holding area, gathering place opening on Friday, May 13 with reception at 6:00 pm and musical performance by Edzi’u at 7:00 pm.
On Saturday, May 14, from 2:00 to 4:30 pm, as part of the opening weekend, Kitt Peacock will do a performance of Näckenswell, a ritual set around a dislocated wishing well. Visitors are invited to share in a dialogue choreographed around tales of the nixie, a water-dwelling, shape-shifting creature from Scandinavian and North English folklore. Please note that visiting groups will be asked to enter the space one at a time.
- When:
- Friday, May 13th 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.
- Saturday, May 14th at 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.
- Where: Open Space 510 Fort Street, 2nd floor
Victoria Horticultural Society Plant Sale
VHS, the oldest and largest garden club on the lower Island, celebrated its Centennial last year. Members have undertaken several initiatives: $500 grants to 10 community organizations with garden-related projects; purchasing 50 worm bins from Compost Education centre, for any community group that takes a CE workshop; planted a new tree in 4 municipalities, plus a stone marker at the Gorge Kiwanis Park.
This community-wide plant sale is the first in a long time (not just because of COVID). Members are eager to share plants from their gardens and home and funds raised will go to our legacy project: a rooftop garden for the new Garth Homer Centre.
- When: Saturday, May 14th from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
- Where: Garth Homer Centre, 813 Darwin Street
Movie in the Park
Watch a movie in Wark Park. All proceeds from the concession stand will go towards the CREW pre-Employment and Life skills Program.
- When: Saturday, May 14th at 7 p.m.
- Where: Wark Park, 901 Kings Road
Phillips Backyard Music Festival: GLITTERBOMBER
One of Victoria’s most highly anticipated 19+ musical events returns this weekend, and after a two-year hiatus, it is sure to be better than ever.
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!
The first weekend of music, known as GLITTERBOMBER, kicks off the concert series on May 14th and 15th with artists such as Future Islands, Bryce Vine, Durand Jones and The Indications, The Zolas, Begonia, Astrocolor, Murge’s Golden Era of Hip Hop and more.
- When: Saturday, May 14th to Sunday, May 15th
- Where: Phillips Backyard, 2010 Government Street
Victoria’s Ultimate Hobby and 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.
- When: Saturday May 14th and Sunday, May 15th, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
- Where: Pearkes Arena, 3100 Tillicum Road
Community Fridge – block party celebration of first year!
One year ago, this first Community Fridge in Victoria opened for public use. The fridge operates on a “take what you need, leave what you can” basis and is open to all.
To celebrate, they are hosting a block party to mark the one year anniversary of the Community Fridge. The event will include a free food truck, live musical performances, a prize raffle, and a food drive to help stock the fridge. Everything at this event will be 100% Free and 100% volunteer run.
- When: Saturday May 14th, 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.
- Where: Victoria Community Fridge, 2725 Rock Bay Avenue
ChromaDuo
Victoria Guitar Society presents acclaimed classical guitarists “ChromaDuo”
ChromaDuo, comprised of Canadians Rob MacDonald and Tracey Ann Smith, is building a unique repertoire of some of today’s most compelling music for two guitars. Through a commitment to commissioning, recording and performing the works of ground-breaking composers, ChromaDuo has established itself as one of the leading guitar duos in North America.
- When: Saturday May 14th at 7:30 p.m.
- Where: Church of Street Mary the Virgin, 1701 Elgin Road
Mark Farina at the Capital Ballroom
The Mark Farina show originally on December 17th will now take place this weekend! All tickets for the original date will be honoured.
Mark Farina has solidified himself in the world of Dance Music as a trailblazing DJ, Producer, tastemaker and bona fide House Music icon. After 3 decades crisscrossing the globe, he shows no signs of slowing down remaining innovative, humble, and firmly rooted in the underground.
- When: Saturday, May 14th Doors open at 9 p.m.
- Where: Capital Ballroom, 858 Yates Street
Cowichan Valley Craft Crawl
Enjoy a fun day exploring the Cowichan Valley while you visit vendors of the 5th Cowichan Valley Craft Crawl on May 14th from 9:30 am – 3:30 pm.
Take a peek at the 87 vendors, who will be spread out from Mill Bay to Chemainus on the day of the crawl, on Facebook and Instagram pages.
- When: Saturday, May 14th Doors open at 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
- Where: Various locations
Times Colonist Book Sale
Peruse hundreds of thousands of books at the annual Times Colonist Book Sale — back for the first time since 2019! Books sell for $1-$3, with proceeds to literacy on Vancouver Island.
Half a million books will be for sale for $1 for children’s books and pocketbooks, $2 for softcovers and $3 for hardcovers. Payment is by cash, debit or credit card. No entry fee. Please wear a mask and maintain social distancing.
- When: Saturday, May 14th and Sunday, May 15th, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. both days
- Where: Victoria Curling Club, 1952 Quadra Street
Jane Bunnett & Maqueque
Internationally-acclaimed, five-time Juno Award winner and flautist Jane Bunnett has turned her bands and recordings into showcases for the finest musical talent from Canada, the US, and Cuba
- When: Saturday, May 14th at 8:00 p.m. (doors open 7:00 p.m.)
- Where: Hermann’s Upstairs, 751 View Street
A Lunar Eclipse
The longest total lunar eclipse Canadians have seen in over 15 years will take place this Sunday, May 15th.
During the total eclipse which will last about 84-minutes in total, the moon will be shrouded in darkness as it passes through Earth’s shadow in space.
- When: Eclipse begins at moonrise just after 8:30 p.m.
- Where: Across Canada – so find a cozy spot where you can see the moon
