It’s September, but that doesn’t mean the warm weather is going away anytime soon!
According to the Weather Network, the hot weather we experienced in August is expected to rage on throughout this month.
This weekend, visit the Saanich Fair, help a local brewery celebrate 10 years in business, and have your first pumpkin spice drink of the season!
Here are 24 things to do in and around Victoria this Labour Day long weekend, September 2nd to 5th:
Visit a sunflower festival
Get ready to soak up these last few weeks of sweet summer sunshine at one of our favourite local hidden gems—the Saanichton Sunflower Festival is back!
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
Enjoy Greek cuisine at Greek Fest
Greek Fest, the highly-anticipated, mouth watering event is back for its second and final weekend!
This year, you can order your favourite Greek dishes to dine at the event or take to go. Online ordering for take-out orders will open two days before the event, with a priority pickup line.
There will also be live performances from over 20 groups, including music and dancing. Some have even travelled all the way from Greece!
- Location: 4648 Elk Lake Drive (In front of Commonwealth Place)
- Hours: 11:30 a.m. to 9 p.m., September 2nd to 5th
- Order: Pre-order online or pay on-site (cash only).
- Admission: Free
Saanich Fair
Western Canada’s oldest continuous agricultural fair is back and things are returning to the good ol’ days prior to the pandemic.
From Saturday, September 3rd to 5th, Saanich Fair will celebrate its 154th year, and the theme this year will be “Plant your Roots at the Fair” with a feature on vegetables.
This year, they’ve got a jam packed schedule full of fair classics like a pie eating contest, pedal tractor races, local farm fresh produce, and more.
You can even find a list of rides here!
- Where: Saanich Fairground, 1528 Stellys Cross Road
- When:
- Saturday, September 3rd: 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.
- Sunday, September 4th: 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.
- Monday, September 5th: 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
- Tickets:
- Adults (14 year of age and older) – $15
- Youth (7 – 13 years) – $10
- Seniors (over 65 years) – $10
- Age 6 years and under – Free!
Moon Under Water’s 10 Year Celebration
This weekend, Moon Under Water will be celebrating a full decade in business!
Celebrations will include a Pub night on Friday, an outdoor party with live band and BBQ on Saturday and Sunday and a mini market on Sunday.
All weekend guests can enjoy 3 bars and $6 Moon beers.
Entrance by donation to the Victoria Humane Society.
- Where: 350 Bay Street
- When: 6 p.m. to 10 p.m., Friday September 2nd, 12 p.m. to 10 p.m., Saturday, September 3rd, 12 p.m. to 8 p.m., Sunday, September 4th.
Victoria Classic Boat Festival
If you love classic boats, your Labour Day weekend is sure to be spectacular.
Victoria’s Classic Boat Festival is back, with celebrations in full force from September 2nd to 4th, bringing together one of the largest collections of classic boats in the Pacific Northwest.
The three-day event, which has been celebrated for 45 years, has grown to become one of the most significant events of its kind in North America.
The Maritime Museum of British Columbia’s waterfront extravaganza will include local food, live entertainment, music, demonstrations and displays.
- Where: Victoria’s Inner Harbour
- When: September 2nd to 4th
- Admission: Free!
Mayfair’s Scan, Shop and Play to Win
This weekend, there will be so much to celebrate at Mayfair Shopping Centre.
Live dance performances, fun games and massive giveaways—we’re talking thousands in prizes and gift cards!
On Saturday, September 3rd, Mayfair is hosting their final “Scan, Shop and Play to Win”, a family-friendly shopping event just in time for back-to-school season.
The shopping centre-wide event will run from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m and will be filled with free gift cards, live entertainment, mini-games and more.
You can get all the details here.
- Where: Guest Services, Mayfair Shopping Centre, 3147 Douglas Street
- When: Saturday, September 3rd—10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Last Race Car Parade in Langford
On Saturday, West Shore RCMP Traffic Services will escort race cars from the West Shore Motorsports Park to a Show & Shine downtown Langford.
The event, which is held in conjunction with the Canada 200 Race Weekend at West Shore Motorsports Park, formally known as Western Speedway, is the first event of its kind since 2019.
The race car parade is scheduled to leave the West Shore Motorsports Park at 10:00 a.m. on Millstream Road/Veteran’s Memorial Parkway, travel past the Langford Station Arts and Culture District to the Show & Shine on Bryn Maur Road.
The parade will then be escorted back to West Shore Motorsports Park at noon.
2022 will be the last season the speedway will remain open. Therefore, the 2022 Race Car Parade will be the last episode of this event.
Metchosin Makers Market
This Saturday, the Metchosin Arts and Cultural Centre Association will be hosting the pop-up Makers Market.
There will be over 30 craft and food vendors, family friendly activities and fundraisers and a puppy meet and greet!
- Where: Old Metchosin School
- When: 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., Saturday September 3rd
See a comedy show at Hecklers
Looking for a laugh? Hecklers is ready to fulfill your comedy needs every Saturday night!
- Where: 123 Gorge Road East, Hecklers Bar and Grill
- When: Danny Martinello and Chris Griffin: 8 p.m., Saturday, September 3rd
- 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
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
Try a pumpkin spice drink
Pumpkin spice is back at Starbucks, the true indicator of the changing seasons.
Fall favourties such as Pumpkin Spice Latte and Pumpkin Cream Cold Brew are once again available for you to enjoy.
The Apple Crisp Oat Macchiato has also joined the Fall lineup, with flavours of apple, cinnamon and brown sugar with a spiced apple drizzle.
Starbucks’ new menu also includes the Pumpkin Cream Cheese Muffin, Pumpkin Scone, Pumpkin and Pepita Loaf and the Fox Sugar Cookie
Listen to Canada’s favourite songs of the summer
Now that school is starting up again and our “hot Victoria summer” is coming to a close, all the hottest hot weather songs of summer are here and Spotify kindly gift wrapped them as a playlist.
It’s always nice to see Canadian representation on that list too. Drake made the list at #3 for Jimmy Cooks (featuring 21 Savage) which was streamed over 14 million times.
Justin Bieber also made the playlist for his song Ghost in the #19 position with over 7 million streams.
You can see the full list here.
