TGIF!
It’s finally the weekend and time to plan all your fun activities.
This weekend, there are plenty of festivals, car shows, markets and more.
There is even a spectacular meteor shower that will peak over Vancouver Island!
Not sure where to start? Here are 27 things to do in and around Victoria this weekend, August 12th to 14th:
Cool off in the summer heat
To help the public get through the heat, municipalities across Greater Victoria 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.
Fridays at the Station
Langford Station has a whole new look and it is sure to be the new place to be!
The station turned community hub features cold drinks, delicious food and plenty of shopping every Friday throughout the summer.
The weekly pop-up summer series is hosted by Victoria Beer Society who will also be on site serving up cold sleeves and flights of craft beer each week.
- Where: Langford Station, 720 Station Avenue
- When: 4 p.m. to 8 p.m., every Friday until August 26th
Victoria Dragon Boat Festival
Who’s ready for three days of celebrating competition, culture, and community?!
The Victoria Dragon Boat festival, presented by Canada Dry and Fairway Markets, and organized by Victoria Dragon Boat Festival Society, is this weekend at Victoria’s Ship Point.
This year’s theme is Spirit of the Dragons – Paddles Rise Up! Not only will there be a full line-up of cultural performances, art, and entertainment, folks can expect an incredible line up of music that includes DJ Neon Steve, Soul Shakers, OK Charlie and much more.
There will also be a large beer tent near the main stage for those who want to cool down on a hot summer day, while enjoying the performances.
You can see the full entertainment lineup here.
- Where: Ship Point, Inner Harbour
- When:
- Friday, August 12th – 12 p.m. – 9 p.m.
- Saturday, August 13th – 7 a.m. – 9 p.m.
- Sunday, August 14th – 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Catch a meteor shower
This weekend, the Perseid Meteor Shower will be at its peak! This means it will be the best time to view the incredible sight in the night sky.
On August 11th and 13th, get your friends together and set up to view the spectacular show.
August’s full Sturgeon moon won’t be doing us any favours on the night of August 11th when it is scheduled to make an appearance, which means that the Perseids’ peak will be considerably washed out by the light of the moon.
The good news is that the predicted peak for the Perseids is on August 13th, with 50 to 75 shooting stars per hour expected!
Not sure where to go? We have put together a list of locations to help you plan where you will watch.
Castle’s Pop-up Gin Tasting
This weekend, visit The Langford Station to sample spirits under the bright umbrellas!
Castle’s Ginery is proudly offering ‘spirit guided’ gin tastings, supporting local distilleries to world class international gins.
- Where: The Langford Station, 720 Station Avenue
- When: 11:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., Saturday, August 13th
Free-B Film Festival
A free movie festival is coming to Beacon Hill Park this month, giving you the perfect opportunity to gather with your friends for a feature under the stars.
On Fridays and Saturdays throughout August, you are invited to the park’s Cameron Bandshell to enjoy some B-movie classics and nostalgic cinema.
Attendees to the event are invited to bring blankets, snacks and treats!
On Friday, August 12th, What About Bob? will play. On Saturday, August 13th, visitors will enjoy A Hard Day’s Night.
- Where: Cameron Bandshell, Beacon Hill Park
- When: 9 p.m., Fridays and Saturdays throughout August
Mayfair’s Shop, Scan and Play to Win
This weekend, there will be a whole lot more in store at Mayfair Shopping Centre with their family-friendly “Shop, Scan and Play to Win”.
The shopping centre-wide event will run from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m and will be filled with massive giveaways, fun games, and more!
From free gift cards, to live entertainment, to mini-games where you could win even more, this event promises to be fun for the whole family—for one day only.
You can get all the info here!
- Where: Guest Services, Mayfair Shopping Centre, 3147 Douglas Street
- When: Saturday, August 13th—10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
CRD’s Charge Your Ride Event
This summer, the Capital Regional District (CRD) has been inviting residents across the region to get a hands-on feel for electric vehicles (EVs), e-bikes and EV chargers at a few different community events.
This weekend’s Charge Your Ride test drive and ride event is Saturday, August 13th at Camosun’s Landsdowne campus from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Attendees will have an opportunity to experience both electric vehicles and e-bikes first-hand to help them decide if these technologies work for their lifestyles.
They’ll also have a chance to enter to win a number of great prizes, including a FREE CUBE e-bike that will be given away at the end of summer.
- Where: Camosun’s Lansdowne campus
- When: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Saturday, August 13th
Sport and Import Car Show in Saanichton
Love import cars? Then this car show is for you! Whether you love customizing your rides, or you just like to keep it the way it was back in the day. From Japan, Germany, Italy, England, or North America, the cars have style, they’ve got handling, and it’s fun!
There will be judged categories, prizes and raffles as well as food options. Everyone welcome.
- Where: Saanich Fairgrounds, 1528 Stellys Cross Road
- When: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Saturday, August 13th
Malahat Skywalk Summer Saturdays
The Malahat Skywalk are celebrating their one year anniversary with their new ‘Summer Saturdays’ series!
On Saturdays in 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 Jaimey Hamilton.
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., 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
Limey, The British Shop ‘Car Boot Sale’
This Sunday, ‘Limey, The British Shop’ will be holding their 1st annual Car Boot sale.
According to Limey, a Car Boot Sale is a giant yard sale. In the UK, cars drive to one location and sell their items out of the boot (trunk) of their car.
The event will feature bacon and sausage butties for sale and a bar open from noon.
Proceeds from Butty sales will go to The Mustard Seed.
- Where: James Bay Athletic Club, 205 Simcoe Street
- When: 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., Sunday, August 14th
1st Annual Field of Dreams Show and Shine
LayedOut Car Club along with Aeroline Auto are hosting the first annual car show at the Juan de Fuca recreation fairgrounds!
There will be up to 400 cars and motorcycles shined up and on display, along with vendors and food trucks. There will also be family friendly games, face painting for the kids and other activities.
Proceeds raised from the car show will be split between this year’s LayedOut Christmas Toy Drive and mental health awareness efforts.
- Where: West Shore Parks & Recreation (Juan de Fuca Rec Centre), Island Highway
- When: 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Sunday, August 14th
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
Victoria Shamrocks vs Langley Thunder
The Shamrocks are inviting all fans, old and new, to help ‘Rock the Box” and cheer on the team this Sunday, game 6 of playoffs against the Langley Thunder.
After last night’s overtime win, the ‘Rocks have successfully forced a game six.
- When: Game starts at 5 p.m., Sunday
- Where: The Q Centre in Colwood, 1767 Island Highway
Check out an award winning hotel in Victoria
Vancouver Island continues to win awards for incredible hotel stays in 2022, with Tripadvisors’ latest Top 25 list!
The travel company’s ‘Top 25 Hotels in Canada’ is out now, outlining the highest-rated stays in the country, from family resorts to boutique charmers.
And four hotels on Vancouver Island made the list!
You can check out the list here.
