The long weekend is finally here, and it’s going to be a hot one!
On Thursday, Environment Canada extended their heat warning advisory, which applies to much of BC, including Greater Victoria, East Vancouver Island and inland Vancouver Island.
This week’s extreme heat not only broke temperature records, it also resulted in municipalities opening up cooling centres, misting stations and outlining locations of fountains to help residents keep comfortable.
See more: Here’s where you can cool off from the heat in and around Greater Victoria
If you do go outside this weekend, be sure to wear a hat, pack an umbrella and slather on the sunscreen.
If you are travelling, be sure to stay up to date with travel advisories and make reservations.
BC Ferries is expecting to see over 400,000 passengers this weekend alone!
Here are 26 things to do in and around Victoria this BC Day long weekend, July 30th to August 1st:
Cool off in the summer heat
As things continue to heat up in Greater Victoria, communities have set up places for people to cool down.
With temperatures climbing over 30° for the week, the first heat event of the summer has officially arrived, prompting Environment Canada to issue a special heat warning weather statement for much of BC.
To help the public get through the heat, municipalities are setting up cooling stations to help residents keep comfortable
The misting stations can be found using this interactive map online and fountains can be found here.
Inner Harbour Summer Lineup
The annual Inner Harbour Summer Line-up features a wide array of street performers, musicians, food vendors, artisans, and First Nations artists running from May to September.
- Where: Victoria’s Inner Harbour
- When: 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., daily until September 5th
‘Splash Around Town’ music festival
After being cancelled two summers in a row due to the pandemic, the annual Symphony Splash, produced by the Victoria Symphony, has announced they will return with a new ‘Splash Around Town’ event.
The 10-day summer music festival will feature special guests such as Dee Daniels, Steven Page, Craig Northey and more, providing musical performances at some of the city’s most beautiful locations.
Although the event is sure to be a hit, the annual Symphony Splash will be surely missed this year, as it marked one of the largest annual symphony events in North America.
You can learn more here.
- When: July 22nd to 31st
- Where: Various locations downtown Victoria
- Tickets: Tickets can be purchased online here
Sunfest
Sunfest Country Music Festival is back in the Cowichan Valley for the first time since 2019!
The four day music festival will bring some of North America’s biggest country music acts to Laketown Ranch next BC Day Long Weekend.
The Ranch, located minutes away from Cowichan, features the largest permanent outdoor stage in Western Canada.
The live music event will include four stages and a festival village with food, vendors, activities, multiple full-service bars, a VIP area, flush toilets, showers and more!
- Where: Laketown Ranch in the Cowichan Valley
- When: July 28th to 31st 2022
- Tickets: Camping and weekend passes are available via the Sunfest Concerts website.
CRD’s Charge Your Ride Event
This summer, the Capital Regional District is inviting residents across the region to get a hands-on feel for electric vehicles (EVs), e-bikes and EV chargers at a number of different community events.
This Saturday, July 30th, the CRD’s second ‘Charge Your Ride’ test drive and ride event will take place at the Mary Winspear Centre in Sidney.
From 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. that day, residents will have the opportunity to experience both electric vehicles and e-bikes first-hand to help them decide if these technologies work for their lifestyles.
The program allows families curious about EVs and e-bikes to try them out, get their questions answered by e-bike owners and have fun!
- Where: Mary Winspear Centre, Sidney
- When: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Saturday, July 30th
The Butch Taylor Memorial Truck Show
This weekend, visit Saanichton to see the Big Rig trucks at the Butch Taylor Memorial Truck Show.
- Where: 7321 Lochside Drive, Saanichton
- When: 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., Saturday, July 30th and Sunday, July 31st
Malahat Skywalk Summer Saturdays
The Malahat Skywalk are celebrating their one year anniversary with their new ‘Summer Saturdays’ series!
On Saturdays in July and August, the Malahat Skywalk will be open late, with live music and discounts on tickets after 5 p.m.
This weekend, you can enjoy the musical stylings of Christopher Tate.
You can see a full list of entertainment here.
- Where: 901 Trans-Canada Hwy, Malahat Skywalk
- When: 9:30 a.m to 8 p.m. July 16th, 23rd, 30th and August 6th, 13th, 20th and 27th
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
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
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.
Get your tickets to Rupi Kaur in Victoria
This November, Rupi Kaur is bringing her spoken word poetry experience to the Royal Theatre in Victoria.
The award winning poet’s new North American tour will take audiences on a journey of personal loss and love, growth, mental health, community, friendship, and strength.
Tickets start at $62 and are on sale now, you can get yours here.
- Where: Royal Theatre, 805 Broughton Street
- When: 8 p.m., November 23rd
- Tickets: Start at $62. You can get yours here.
Visit one of Canada’s most epic camping destinations
According to Scouts Canada, our very own Pacific Rim National Park in Tofino made the list of Canada’s ‘most epic’ camp destinations!
The ranking was created with data from a survey completed by 46,704 volunteers and Scouts, who shared their favourite campsites and explored many decision-making questions that are critical to finding the best campsite for any level or type of adventure.
Alberta’s Jasper National Park ranked as Canada’s #1 ‘most epic’ camp destination in Canada followed by Vancouver Island’s Pacific Rim National Park ranking second.
Try a Whistle Dog
Five years ago, A&W removed a fan-favourite item from their menu, and fans have been committed to getting it back ever since.
Today, they can celebrate.
The fast food giant announced the return of their fan favourite ‘Whistle Dog’, a legacy menu item that was beloved for decades before disappearing from the menu in 2017.
The Whistle Dog is a hot dog nested in a toasted bun with relish, topped with real cheddar cheese, and bacon.
Indulge in some wine and cheese
This week, we celebrated National Wine and Cheese Day!
Although the day has passed, it doesn’t mean it’s too late to get dressed up, order a glass of wine and share a charcuterie board at your favourite local restaurant.
You can check out our list of places to get wine and cheese with your friends here!
