It’s officially the weekend!
To protect you from boredom, we have compiled a list of wonderful events to keep you, the family, and your friends entertained for hours on end.
Attend the final show in the 24th annual Ska & Reggae festival, check out a retro movie for Pride, or chill on the ocean for a bioluminescence tour!
Whatever you decide, you’re in for a great time.
Here’s 11 things to do in and around Victoria this weekend, June 24th and 25th:
Point Ellice House Museum
Point Ellice House is back! They’re here to inform the community that this beautiful home isn’t going anywhere and can still be enjoyed by the public!
Journey through time and tour the gardens — imagining what life would’ve been like for the residents in 1861, the year the house was built.
There will be a couple guest speakers at 11 a.m. and your chance to vote on a selection of programs and projects.
This event is free to attend. Snacks and drinks will be available for purchase!
- Where: 2616 Pleasant Street
- When: Saturday, June 24th from 11 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. (doors open at 10:30 a.m.)
Art Book Sale for the Vancouver Island School of Art
Artists (both experienced and the newbies), come and check out this wonderful array of art books and art supplies at a fundraiser event for the Vancouver Island School of Art!
There’s even an opportunity to sign up for their “Art Clinic” with Wendy Welch (experienced artist and instructor).
Make sure you sign up in advance by contacting 250-380-3500 — $20 for a 10 minute session of advice to bring your painting to the next level!
- Where: 302-733 Johnson Street — across from Johnson Street Parkade
- When: Saturday, June 24th from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Mad Hatter’s Tea Party Picnic
If you’ve ever been jealous of the Mad Hatter’s tea parties, now’s your chance!
Bring a blanket, your favourite picnic snacks, your best Wonderland costume, and enjoy this time with your family and friends.
They encourage you to also bring games to enjoy while listening to their singer, Stephanie Greaves!
There will be food trucks on site!
- Where: Esquimalt Gorge Park, 1070 Tillicum Road
- When: Sunday, June 25th from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.
Rock of Ages at Esquimalt Lagoon
- Where: Ocean Boulevard, Colwood
- When: Saturday, June 24th at 5 p.m.
RETROMANIA PRIDE at The Vic Theatre
Continue your Pride celebration with a retro film featuring two drag queens and a trans woman adventure across the Australian outback, touring in a bus named “Priscilla”.
This 1994 road movie is described to have heart, moxy, and a lot of glamour!
Tickets are around $13 and can be purchased here.
- Where: 808 Douglas Street
- When: Sunday, June 25th at 7:30 p.m.
Play Streets: Keeping Things Out of the Landfill
Have you ever wanted to learn how to repair your own broken bits and pieces around the house?
Camosun Street and Friends Exchange is hosting a fix-er-up-er event this Sunday! There will also be a garage sale setup for you to sell, buy, and trade items.
As described on the event page, bring your broken small appliances and beat-up bikes and learn the art of repair while they are being repaired.
A craft station will be setup for the youngins — join in the construction of a huge cardboard village or make small interactive games with glue, string, and old cardboard boxes!
- Where: Camosun Street
- When: Sunday, June 25th from 12:30 p.m. to 3 p.m.
Bioluminescence, Swim and SUP
Join the South Island SUP for a leisurely bioluminescence tour and enjoy the last remnants of bioluminescence light.
This will be followed by an underwater light show and an optional swim!
Tickets are $40 for children 12 and younger, and $50 for 13+. They ask that you bring a waterproof flashlight or headlamp if you have one — otherwise, they have a few extra.
- Where: 815 Verdier Avenue, Brentwood Bay
- When: Saturday, June 24th from 10:45 p.m. to 12:45 a.m.
Xan Shian at arc-hive ARC
Explore a series of photographic and sculptural works by Xan Shian for its final weekend in the arc-hive ARC building.
Join the artist in contemplation of the relationship between mechanisms of interception in the human body and the ocean as a complex and animate body.
- Where: 2516 Bridge Street
- When: Saturday and Sunday from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m.
Ska & Reggae Fest: Free Show
This will be the final Ska & Reggae show — come join in on the 24th year’s send-off!
Check out Ojo De Buey, My Son The Hurricane, Oral Fuentes, Street Pharmacy, and Kownterpoint.
The performers are described to have used reggae as their sonic base, with splashes of Latin music, Afro-Caribbean rhythms and straight-ahead rock!
It’s free!
- Where: Ship Point (Inner Harbour), Wharf and Broughton Street
- When: Sunday, June 25th from 2 p.m. to
Freaky Friday Performance
Enjoy this adaptation of classic novel and Disney films, Freaky Friday hosted by the Mary Winspear Centre!
In case you’re unfamiliar, Freaky Friday follows teenager, Ellie Blake and her mother, Katherine, on the weirdest day of their lives as they swap bodies and have to literally walk in each other’s shoes.
Tickets are around $24 and can be purchased here.
- Where: 2243 Beacon Avenue
- When:
- Saturday, June 24th at 2 p.m.
- Saturday, June 24th at 7 p.m.
- Sunday, June 25th at 2 p.m.
TD Victoria International JazzFest Presents: Mali Obomsawin Quartet
You won’t want to miss this performance!
Mali Obomsawin, a member of the Abenaki First Nation, is an award-winning bassist/vocalist/songwriter and rising star.
Come check out this incredible fusion of rock and jazz at the Victoria Event Centre!
Tickets are $28 and can be purchased here.
- Where: 1415 Broad Street
- When: Sunday, June 25th at 9 p.m.
