This weekend, Victoria is bustling with fun events!
Whether you like ribs, beer, cheese or meat, there is an event for you.
Ribfest, Great Canadian Beer Festival, Cheese and Meat Festival and more are kicking off this weekend, so grab your friends, get out there and enjoy!
Here are 18 things to do in and around Victoria this weekend, September 9th to 11th:
Visit a sunflower festival
Get ready to soak up the last weekend of the Saanichton Sunflower Festival!
This is one seasonal pastime that you’re not going to want to miss out on before it’s gone, as the flowers only bloom until early September.
The Saanichton Sunflower Festival is nestled within the fields of the stunning Ocean View States, located on the Saanich Peninsula.
- When: 9:30 a.m. – 8 p.m., 7 days a week
- Where: 7979 Central Saanich Road
- Tickets: Available online
Esquimalt Ribfest 2022
Esquimalt Ribfest is back, running Friday, September 9th to Sunday September 11th.
There will be live music every night, beer and cider from local breweries and cideries, deep fried onions for the vegetarian attendees and the best ribs you can get your slippery, saucy little hands on.
You can check out the entertainment, ‘ribber’ teams and drink line up here.
- When: September 9th to 11th
- Where: 527 Fraser Street, Bullen Park
- Admission: Free
Great Canadian Beer Festival
This Saturday, over 90 Canadian craft brewers will be at the Great Canadian Beer Festival, bringing unique brews from coast to coast.
The 28th annual event is the longest running, craft-only festival in Canada.
- When: 4 p.m. to 9 p.m., Friday, September 9th and 12 p.m. to 5 p.m., Saturday September 10th
- Where: Royal Athletic Park
- Tickets: Can be purchased online here.
Cheese and Meat Festival
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Cheese and Meat Festival, a Victoria’s favourite, returns this weekend!
Grab your friends, get ready to taste, smell, and sip the best artisanal bites and beverages the Pacific Northwest and beyond has to offer. Walk into the festival and receive your own personal charcuterie board (your gift to keep) and a tasting glass for sipping.
Once you’re ready to mingle, wander through and enjoy over 40 artisanal food and beverage vendors—and yes there will be vegan friendly options—showcasing multiple samples of their finest creations.
Should you sample something that was so good you wanted to take it home with you, you’ll be able to purchase the product they have tasted directly from the vendor.
- When: Saturday, September 10th
- Where: The Car Shop at Bayview Place
- Lunch Tasting: 11:00pm – 1:00pm
- Afternoon Tasting 3:00pm–5:00pm
- Evening Tasting 7:00pm – 9:00pm
- Tickets: Starting at $80 – Purchase online
One Day community event
This Saturday, dance to live music, play games and have fun in the sun at the One Day outdoor community event!
One Day is celebrating Community Living month with free musical entertainment, inclusive games and activities, bouncy castles and a low cost BBQ.
- When: 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., Saturday September 10th
- Where: Topaz Park
See a comedy show at Hecklers
Looking for a laugh? Hecklers is ready to fulfill your comedy needs every Saturday night!
- When: Kyle Bottom: 8 p.m., Saturday, September 10th
- Where: 123 Gorge Road East, Hecklers Bar and Grill
- Tickets: $20. Tickets can be purchased online 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
Abkhazi Garden Open House
On Sunday, visit the Abkhazi Garden for their open house and plant sale!
Learn about the gardens, win prizes and buy some plants!
Proceeds from the sale go toward the garden’s maintenance, which is taken on by over 50 volunteers.
- When: 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., Sunday September 11th
- Where: Abkhazi Garden, 1964 Fairfield Road
- Admission: Free
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
Get your shawarma fix
Shawarma is a bit different from gyro (a similar Greek dish) or donair (a Canadian delicacy). While all three dishes are served on pita and they’re all cooked on a vertical rotisserie, they are spiced differently, garnished differently and feature different proteins.
Shawarma is usually lamb, beef and/or chicken served in a pita wrap with pickled/preserved vegetables and a sauce that is yogurt, citrus, oil and tahini based.
If you haven’t tried shawarma for yourself yet, you’re in luck, because we’ve compiled a list of some of the finest eateries in the city to sample the dish.
You can check out our list of best spots in town to get your shawarma fix here.
Check out some Esquimalt murals
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The festival may be over, but there are five new murals that are welcome additions to the already diverse and beautiful street art scene that exists in Esquimalt.
Esquimalt Community Arts Hub (ECAH) organized the painting of five brand new murals throughout Esquimalt for East West Mural Fest.
You can read our list to learn more about the murals here.
Get your pumpkin spice fix
Fall is (almost) here!
September may seem a little early for coffee shops to begin rolling out their fall drink menus, but the change from August to September always sparks a tangible excitement for the fall season that can be felt across Victoria.
Check out our list here!
