Happy Easter, Victoria!
The long weekend has arrived, and we are all ready for some delicious treats and time with family and friends.
This weekend, you could go on an Easter egg hunt, check out a local market or roll on down to the local roller derby tournament.
Here are 17 things to do in and around Victoria this Easter long weekend, April 7th to 10th:
Experience Karen’s Diner
Home to great burgers and rude service, Karen’s Diner has arrived.
Originally launched in restaurants and stores across Australia and the UK, the OG Karens have embarked on a world tour, dishing out ungrateful service in the land of people that say sorry far too often.
- Where: Sonora Bar and Grill, 531 Yates Street
- When: March 31st to April 23rd
Chiaro:Scuro
Chiaro:Scuro is a re-imagining of Film Noir stylistic and stereotypical features such as shadows, fog, feelings of paranoia, betrayal and antiheroes who find themselves in dire situations beyond their control.
Broken Rhythms newest work is created using their praised and unique signature style (Rhythmical Contemporary) and utilizes complex choreography to unusual rhythms set to a film noir dark and jazzy soundscape.
- Where: Metro Studio Theatre, 1411 Quadra Street
- When: Friday, April 7th and Saturday, April 8th, 7:30 p.m.
Hecklers: Live Stand up Comedy
Featuring the best comics from Canada and Beyond. Comics as seen and heard on Just for Laughs, Comedy Central, HBO, CBC, The Comedy Network and more!
- Where: Hecklers Bar and Grill, 123 Gorge Road
- When: Saturday, April 8th, 10:00 p.m. to 11:30 p.m.
Roller Derby – Capital City Chaos Tournament
After 4 years, the Eves of Destruction are pleased to once again host the annual Capital City Chaos tournament – and it’s going to be a whopper!
Welcoming fans back to Archie Browning Arena, they have two packed days of derby action.
- Where: Archie Browning Sports Centre, 1151 Esquimalt Road
- When: Saturday, April 8th, 9 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Country Night: Whiskey River
One of Vancouver Islands favourite country bands, Whiskey River brings together top-notch musicianship and an appreciation of the Golden Country hits. Willie Nelson, Merle Haggard, George Jones, Patsy Cline, Hank Williams, Alan Jackson, Dwight Yokham and many more. Bring yer boots & hat and be ready to two-step all night long.
- Where: Hermann’s Upstairs, 753 View Street
- When: Friday, April 7th, 8:30 p.m. to 11:00 p.m.
Herb Alpert at McPherson Playhouse
Herb Alpert and his wife, the Grammy award-winning vocalist Lani Hall, and their gifted band – Michael Shapiro on drums, Hussain Jiffry on bass and Bill Cantos on piano – perform an eclectic set, covering some of Herb and Lani’s classics from their Tijuana Brass and Brasil ’66 days to Cole Porter, The Beatles and improvisational jazz tunes.
The show features a multi-media experience with a large video screen projecting classic moments and rare footage from Herb & Lani’s music careers.
- Where: McPherson Playhouse, 3 Centennial Square
- When: Saturday, April 7th, 8 p.m.
Children’s Easter Bunny Hunt at The Butchart Gardens
Butchart Gardens is holding their Easter Bunny Hunt from April 7th to 10th!
Children 17 years and younger admitted to the gardens will be given a map, marking the location of 10 bunnies hidden throughout the gardens.
Once attendees have found all the bunnies, completed maps can be turned in at the Information Centre for an Easter treat and to enter a draw for an Easter basket.
- Where: 800 Benvenuto Avenue, Butchart Gardens
- When: Friday, April 7th to Monday, April 10th
Encounter Church Egg Scramble
Encounter Church’s Egg Scramble is free and fun for the whole family!
The event, for children 12 and under, will take place at Banfield Park.
Bring your Easter basket or a bag and get ready to collect tons of colourful eggs stuffed with candy and surprises. There are over 3000 eggs!
- Where: 521 Craigflower Road, Banfield Park
- When: Saturday, April 8th, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Snap a photo with the Easter bunny!
On Sunday, April 8th, snap some pics with the Easter Bunny at the Westshore Town Centre before they have to leave to deliver your chocolates!
You can pre-book a spot online, but they’re also taking walk-in visits, too.
- Where: Westshore Town Centre, 2945 Jacklin Road
- When: Sunday, April 8th, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Pro Improv Comedy w/ Kevin Matviw
Enjoy an evening of laughter with some of Victoria’s best improvisers and Second City’s Kevin Matviw!
Doors open at 7:40 p.m.
- Where: Canadian College of Performing Arts, 1701 Elgin Road
- When: Friday, April 7th, 7:40 p.m.
Fairmont Empress Buffet
Fairmont Empress welcomes guests and locals to celebrate Easter with an abundant buffet brunch in the legendary Crystal Ballroom.
Prepared by Executive Chef Morgan Wilson and the rest of the hotel’s culinary team, the extensive and lavish brunch selections will be sure to delight the senses and create a memorable experience.
Reconnect with loved ones over creative food stations, fresh, local seafood and a delectable dessert spread.
- Where: Fairmont Empress, 721 Government Street
- When: Sunday, April 9th, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Rihanna Tribute Night
- Where: Upstairs Cabaret, 15 Bastion Square
- When: Sunday, April 9th, 10 p.m. to 2 a.m.
Music at the Market
Welcome to Music at the Market! An open mic session with our Victoria community.
Weekly on Sundays from 2 to 5 p.m. come on down, sign up for a 15-minute slot (about 3 songs), and grab a coffee with your friends!
Spend the afternoon singing and snacking and listening to some awesome tunes.
We can’t wait to see you there!
- Where: Rock Bay Market, 2725 Rock Bay Avenue
- When: Sunday, April 9th, 2 p.m. to 5 p.m.
OZ (Public Performance)
In a quiet Victorian study, author L. Frank Baum is sitting down to write his famous book, The Wonderful Wizard of Oz. But Baum is in for a surprise when he finds a spirited little girl named Dot hiding in his house.
He begins to tell her the story of Dorothy, her friends and the Wicked Witch – and together they turn the office upside down and transform it into the Land of Oz.
Stuffing from the sofa, a potbelly stove and a bearskin rug become the Scarecrow, the Tinman and the Cowardly Lion.
Somewhere, in the heart of this frenzy is the whole creative process, and in the end we realize that Baum is the real wizard of Oz, but he needs an assistant, our imaginations.
- Where: Langham Court Theatre, 805 Langham Court
- When:
- Friday, April 7th, 1 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. and 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
- Saturday, April 8th, 1 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. and 4 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.
- Sunday, April 9th, 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and 2 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Easter Vintage, Retro & Collectible Show
Selling unique and different decor or gift ideas such as jewellry, art and collectibles.
Collectible toys and games. Dolls and teddy-bears. Stamps, photographs, coins and paper collectibles. Books – a glorious collection of books for the avid collector/reader!
Early birds can arrive at 8:30 a.m. with $20 admission at the door.
- Where: Mary Winspear Centre, 2243 Beacon Avenue
- When: Sunday, April 9th, 9:30 p.m. to 4 p.m.
Easter Egg Hunt List
The time has come! If you’re looking for the perfect fun-filled Easter activity this weekend, Easter egg hunts are a classic activity the whole family can enjoy.
This long weekend, spend time with family, try some mini egg desserts and hop on down to one of the many Easter egg hunts and events happening in and around Greater Victoria.
- Where: Throughout Greater Victoria
- When: Most are on Sunday, April 9th, while most are scatted over the weekend.
Very Big Night
He has risen indeed. Back again baby for a VERY BIG NIGHT. If you’ve been, you know, if you haven’t, you better come check this out.
This is not your average night out on the town wandering around looking for the right place to have fun. This is a night you plan around. You dress up, you get into your best dancing shoes, you bring your close friends, and you laugh, trip, groove, move, dance your ass off.
With a perfect mix of trap, afrobeat, UK drill, dubstep, DnB, baile, and just the right amount of house and techno, lasers, art, lights, and places to chill and soak it all in, VERY BIG NIGHT will scratch that festival itch in the dead of winter. Buckle up, time to rave.
- Where: Victoria Event Centre, 1415 Broad Street
- When: Saturday, April 8th, 9p.m.
