Happy Canada Day, Victoria!
Although the weather forecast is predicting cooler temperatures than last weekend, the celebrations are in full swing.
And with plenty of new and returning events announced across Greater Victoria, it is sure to be a fun-filled day with plenty of things to choose from.
Here are 22 things to do in and around Victoria this Canada Day long weekend, June 30th-July 3rd:
Sidney Days Canada Day Celebrations
Sidney has announced they will be hosting two days of celebrations, kicking off their weekend early with opening ceremonies, live music and fireworks!
The opening ceremonies and live music will begin at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, June 30th at Beacon Park before fireworks light up the sky at the Sidney Waterfront at 10:15 p.m.
On July 1st, Canada Day celebrations will be in full swing around town!
- When: Thursday, June 30th and Friday, July 1st
- Where: Sidney
Victoria Canada Day
This Friday, July 1st, Victoria’s annual Canada Day event, presented by Central Walk, is taking place at Ship Point on the Inner Harbour.
Beginning with a traditional First Nations canoe protocol, then an Official Welcoming Ceremony, followed by a lineup of diverse music and dance performances on the main stage the day promises to be one to remember.
The rest of Ship Point will be filled with a Multicultural Street Market with artisans, a kid’s zone, food trucks and even more interactive activities!
For more information, as well as an event map, you can read here!
- Where: Ship Point at the Inner Harbour
- When: Friday, July 1st
Canada Day at Starlight Stadium
Residents of Langford have been asking for a Canada Day event to take place in their community for years.
Now, those wishes have come true!
On July 1st, Langford residents will be able to enjoy the first annual Canada Day celebration at Starlight Stadium from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.
The free event will feature a pancake breakfast (by donation), live music by local musician Vince Vaccaro as the headliner, face painting, a hot wing eating contest, brick yard games on the turf, artist painting demonstration, a blue-ribbon pie baking contest and more.
- Where: 1089 Langford Parkway, Starlight Stadium
- When: 10 a.m. to 10 p.m., July 1st
- Price: Free!
Memorial Drag Ball Game
The annual Memorial Drag Ball game is a community favourite!
On Friday, come out and watch (or play) a game of ball in drag. The multi-generational picnic in the park includes local entertainment, food and drinks, kids face painting, drag story time and more.
- Where: 75 Bay Street, Victoria West Park
- When: 12 p.m. to 3 p.m., Friday, July 1st
Huntingdon Manor Canada Day
On Canada Day, stop by Huntingdon Manor for a free pancake breakfast in the beautiful gardens overlooking Victoria’s Inner Harbour.
The event also includes Canadian music, local First Nations cultural education booths, face painting, an activity centre for kids, period costumes, Indigenous drummers and artists, and more.
100% of the proceeds from the event will go to Victoria Women’s Transition House.
- Where: Huntingdon Manor gardens
- When: 8 a.m. to 11 a.m., Friday, July 1st
Gorge Canada Day Picnic
The highly anticipated Gorge Canada Day Picnic is back, with a ton of vendors, events and performers to look forward to!
The event is expected to see 10,000 to 12,000 people this year and include popular events such as the Family Parade; the Pancake Breakfast; the Canada Day Market; the Classic Car Show; the kids’ games and road hockey; and the Strawberry Tea.
You can see the full event program here!
- Where: Gorge Waterway Park, Gorge Road West
- When: 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., Friday, July 1st
Summer Entertainment at Butchart Gardens
This summer, evening entertainment is back at the Butchart Gardens.
On Friday and Saturday nights starting July 1st until September 3rd, Butchart Gardens will host 20 musical performances on the concert stage lawn, with performances including everything from kitchen party folk, to Dixieland, boogie woogie music, ska, classical, blues, folk, jazz and more.
The concert series kicks off with Juno award winning duo Big Little Lions on July 1st, followed by other notable acts such as singer-songwriter Stephen Fearing and Curtis Clearksy and the Constellations later in the month.
The performances will be included in the price of an admission ticket or 12-month pass, so you can take in all 55 acres of incredible gardens before your show.
- Where: 800 Benvenuto Avenue, Brentwood Bay
- When: 8 p.m., Friday and Saturday nights, starting July 1st to September 3rd
- Admission: Concerts are included in the price of admission. You can view prices here.
Shawnigan Lake Canada Day
Shawnigan Lake’s Canada Day celebrations will kick off with a pancake breakfast, followed by a parade!
Don’t miss out on family fun, live entertainment, games, food, races, prizes and more!
- Where: The Legion Hall, Carin Park and Elsie Miles Park, Shawnigan Lake
- When: 9 am. to 11 a.m., Friday July 1st
Harbour Ferry Water Ballet
If you are downtown Victoria and looking for a fun show on the water, look no further than the Harbour Ferry Water Ballet as captains twirl the boats in choreographed sequences.
Want the best seat in the house? Head over to the Steamship terminal.
- Where: Victoria’s Inner Harbour
- When: 10:45 a.m., Friday, July 1st, Saturday, July 2nd and Sunday, July 3rd
Colwood Music in the Park
Colwood’s Music in the Park performances are back on Friday evenings during the summer to bring neighbours together to enjoy live, outdoor music and food.
On Canada Day, Colwood’s music in the park event will be Downtown Mischief at the Lagoon Beach. Food trucks will also be in attendance.
- When: Esquimalt Lagoon Beach
- Where: 3 p.m. to 5 p.m., Friday, July 1st
Pride in the Word
On Saturday, July 2nd, you can attend the largest Pride literary event in Canada, and the final Victoria Pride 2022 event, Pride in the Word.
The event, brought to you by the Victoria Pride Society, features six writers bringing an intersectional lens to the 2SLGBTQIA+ communities!
- Where: Victoria Conference Centre- Lecture Theatre
- When: 7 p.m. to 9:30 p.m., Saturday July 2nd
- Tickets: $20 each. You can purchase them online here.
Sea Glass Jewelry Workshop
Spruce up your wardrobe this fall by accessorizing with sea glass – also known as “mermaid tears”!
Create your own sea glass necklace, bracelet, earrings, or other one-of-a-kind jewelry at the Maritime Museum of British Columbia.
- Where: 634 Humboldt Street, The Maritime Museum of British Columbia
- When: 3 p.m. to 4:15 p.m., Saturday July 2nd
- Tickets: $24.99 + GST each. You can buy tickets here.
James Bay Market
The James Bay Market has been in operation for 28 years. Visitors can still support local farms, food producers and craft vendors when they visit the James Bay staple.
- When: 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturdays from May 7th to September 24th
- Where: Corner of Menzies and Superior Street
Goldstream Farmers Market
Everything at the Goldstream Farmers Market is homemade, handmade or home grown.
Vendors offer local fruits and vegetables, fresh-baked breads and goodies, unique and quality crafts and textile creations. There is also live music, a water park and food trucks.
- When: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Saturdays from May to October
- Where: Veterans’ Memorial Park, Langford
Sooke Country Market
From April to October, you can find farm fresh veggies, crafts, baking, art and more at the Sooke Country Market.
The market is located in John Phillips Park, near the Sooke district hall.
- When: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Saturdays from April 23rd to October 8th
- Where: Memorial Park, John Philips, Sooke
Moss Street Market
Summer 2022 marks the 31st season of the Moss Street Market. The family favourite offers local and organic produce, handmade crafts, artisan clothing as well as community education.
Moss Street Market now offers an online market with delivery and pick up options. The organization also runs a Winter Market (November through April).
- When: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., every Saturday May through October
- Where: 401 Moss Street, Sir James Douglas school grounds, surrounding boulevards and Porter Park
North Saanich Farm Market
2022 marks the 15th year of the North Saanich Farm Market!
The market is made possible by the love and work of many local growers, crafters, bakers, vintners and brewers and the dedicated volunteers and board.
- When: 9:30 a.m. to 12 p.m., Saturdays from June 5th to October
- Where: 10990 West Saanich Road
Peninsula Country Market
The Peninsula Country Market has more than 50 vendors weekly offering farm fresh products, jams and jellies, honey, homemade bread, cut flowers, assorted meats, organic produce and a fine selection of arts and crafts.
- When: 1528 Stellys Cross Road, Saanich Fairgrounds
- Where: 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., Saturdays from June 4th to October 8th
Pride Float
On Sunday, the pride event continues!
Come down to the Gorge Waterway, dress up, decorate your kayak, canoe or paddle board and float for 2 hours.
This family friendly, sober event will be donating a percentage of proceeds from non-alcoholic beverage sales toward the Victoria Pride Society.
- Where: 1 p.m., Sunday, July 3rd
- When: Meet at Craigflower-Kosapsom Park, float along the Gorge Waterway
Metchosin Farmers Market
This summer, take a relaxing drive into Metchosin country, where the sheep and cattle graze and the rolling hills beckon.
Buy your fresh vegetables, breads, jams, salsa, baked goods and gifts (or crafts) for your loved ones.
- When: 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., Sundays from May 8th to October 30th
- Where: 4450 Happy Valley Road, Metchosin Municipal Grounds
Sidney Farmers Market
The Sidney Farmers Market is back with artisans, baking, clothing, health and beauty, entertainment and more!
Check out their website weekly for updated vendor lists.
- When: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Sundays from May 8th to September 25th
- Where: Outdoor parking area of Mary Winspear Centre
See an outdoor concert in Victoria
As in past years, the City of Victoria has organized a number of summer events in and around Victoria including live music at six different outdoor venues.
In May, the city announced the CityVibe was returning, a virtual go-to guide for free events, summer festivals, arts and cultural activities, galleries and public markets.
The guide showcases 40 festivals and outdoor activities and more than 100 free outdoor music concerts and activities.
Bands will perform at various featured spots downtown, including Fort Common, Broad Street Pedestrian Zone, Centennial Square, Fisherman’s Wharf Park, and Cameron Bandshell in Beacon Hill Park.
Check out the full list of concerts here.
