What’s better than your regular ol’ weekend? — a long weekend, of course!
Give yourself the chance to unwind AND have lots of fun with the additional time off for Labour Day.
The famous and beloved Saanich Fair is back for another year and is expected to roll in thousands of guests, so don’t miss out on that!
Additionally, there are a number of incredible events stretching the length of the weekend as well as the stand-alone beauties.
Check out the second weekend in the GreekFest series, visit a sunflower garden, meander through an art festival, and much more!
Here’s 12 things to do in and around Victoria this weekend from September 2nd to 4th:
155th Saanich Fair
The beloved Saanich Fair is ready to welcome you for their 155th year — complete with a stacked weekend of crowd favourites and wild entertainment from Saturday, September 2nd to Monday, September 4th.
This year’s theme is “Jammin’ at the Fair” and the feature is Preserved Foods. Ribbons and small cash prizes will be awarded to the lucky gardeners, growers, and farmers for their winning entries!
Additionally, you can expect a wide variety of entertainment such as live music, bingo, animals, prize vegetables, food trucks, Midway rides, and more!
Music performances will complement their designated genre days with Saturday being Country Day and Sunday is Rock Day.
Headliners for the weekend will include country star Saturday headliner, Aaron Pritchett— performing on Sautrday, September 2nd at 8 p.m., and PRISM, who’s taking the stage on Sunday, September 3rd at 8 p.m.!
Admission prices to enter the fair grounds are as follows:
- Adults (14 years of age and older): $15
- Youth (7-13 years): $10
- Seniors (over 65 years): $10
- Ages 6 years and under: FREE! (No Ticket Required).
You can purchase your weekend fair pass here.
Midway wristbands are $35 in advance of the fair’s opening day and $45 after that. Ride, food, and game credits are an additional $1 for each credit.
- Where: 1528 Stellys Cross Road, Saanichton
- When: Saturday, September 2nd to Monday, September 4th — activities begin at 9 a.m.
Victoria GreekFest
Back for their second weekend, the 22nd Victoria’s GreekFest is back on Friday, September 1st and runs until Monday, September 4th.
It’s a celebration of Greek cuisine, mesmerizing dances, and fascinating ethnic and cultural performances at the Greek Orthodox Church and Community Centre!
Another main feature is the Greek food!Dishes will feature delicacies such as their famous lamb on the spit, which is not a common dish you can find at every grocery store or restaurant.
Additionally, guests can wander the on-site museum and learn about the history and stories of Greek immigrants as well as tour the Greek Orthodox Church at no added cost.
Keep in mind that you’ll need cash for this event — it’s free to attend, but the food venues don’t accept cards.
If you wish to order takeaway with cards, you can do so on their website, which will go live on Wednesday, August 23rd, and is available to a limited number of customers.
- Where: 4648 Elk Lake Drive
- When: Friday, September 1st to Monday, September 4th — 11:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m.
Saanichton 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 Festivalis still open!
In its fourth year, the Saanichton Sunflower Festival has 23 different varieties that have been blooming up a storm.
The annual festival is nestled within the fields of the stunning Ocean View States, located on the Saanich Peninsula, and attendees are invited to walk through acres of beautiful sunflowers.
Tickets are available online, and are sold in 1.5 hour timeslots — so you can pick which date and time you want to visit this weekend to make the most of your experience.
There are several photo-ops scattered throughout the fields, as well as a dedicated U-Pick field!
- When:
- Weekdays – 11 a.m. – 8 p.m.
- Weekends – 9:30 a.m. – 8 p.m.
- Where: 7979 Central Saanich Road
Out There Art Festival
Returning to Quadra Village is the interactive and community-based event, Out There Art Festival—it kicked off on Friday, September 1st and runs until Sunday, September 3rd.
This fun-filled weekend kicked off with a welcome celebration on Friday and will continue with whole days of spectacular outdoor activities and entertainment.
Additional entertainment will include live music, workshops, and interactive art installations!
General festival passes are $15 and can be purchased here — proceeds go towards the artists!
- Where: Jackson Park, 3173 Jackson Street
- When: Kicked off on Friday, September 1st at 6 p.m. to Sunday, September 3rd at 5 p.m.
Moon Fest
You’re invited to Moon Under Water’s 11th anniversary party!
The celebration will be outdoors—taking over the patio for most of Saturday with a photo booth, dog station, and live music from the Tom Morrissey Band and Cooler.
As a bonus, there will be a BBQ serving some delectable pulled pork sandwiches and hot dogs in addition to their regular menu!
There’s a $5 entry fee!
- Where: 350 Bay Street
- When: Saturday, September 2nd from 12 p.m. to 10 p.m.
44th Classic Boat Festival
The most beautiful boats from Vancouver Island and beyond will be gracing the Inner Harbour this long weekend for the 44th annual Victoria Classic Boat Festival.
It is one of the largest and most renowned gatherings of vessels which have a classic design. Over 10,000 are expected to come to the festival.,
- Where: Victoria’s Inner Harbour
- When: Friday, September 1st to Sunday September 3rd
Bonnie Raitt: Just Like That…Tour
Highly-renowned blues singer and guitarist, Bonnie Raitt is making her first appearance in Canada since 2017 and she’s stopping in Victoria!
Throughout her incredibly successful career, she has earned four Grammy nominations including ‘Song of the Year’ and received the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award, being honored with the Icon Award at this year’s Billboard Women In Music Awards.
Her her breakthrough album, ‘Nick of Time’ was added to the Library of Congress’ National Recording Registry!
Don’t miss this icon on stage with special guest, Roy Rogers!
Tickets start at $96 and increase depending on seating—they can be purchased here.
- Where: Royal Theatre, 805 Broughton Street
- When: Saturday, September 2nd at 8 p.m.
Sonny Rollins Tribute Concert
Calling all jazz lovers—David Santana is here to give you a mighty tribute deserving of the legend, Sonny Rollins!
Joining Santana will be a stack of other talented musicians, Ryan Oliver on sax, Pablo, Cardenas on piano, Brock Meades on bass, and Miles Fuller on drums.
Tickets for this jazz-tastic event are $25 and can be purchased online or in person!
- Where: 753 View Street
- When: Saturday, September 2nd from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. (doors open at 5:30 p.m.)
DRK DGTL at Quadratic Sound
Join DRK DGTL for their anniversary show where they’ll be ready to rattle the floors at Quadratic Sound!
Dance the night away with your friends and immerse yourself in their bass-heavy music at this tucked-away and bumping location.
Tickets are around $20 at the door or online (with an additional $5 fee for non-members).
- Where: 655 Queens Avenue
- When: Saturday, September 2nd from 10 p.m. to 3 a.m.
Labour Day Weekend Plant Sale
Plant lovers, avert your eyes if you’re trying to avoid spending money!
Stocked with over 60 different varieties of edible herbs, perennials and cool weather annuals ready to be planted for fall and winter harvest, you’re guaranteed to walk away with something (or many somethings).
According to hosts, the Mason Street City Farm & The Victoria Edible Nursery, late summer is a great time to establish herbs and perennials for a large harvest for next year!
Additionally, it’s also a good time to plant cold weather annuals for fresh greens available through fall and early winter.
- Where: 1015 Balmoral Road
- When: Saturday, September 2nd from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Canus Red at Hermann’s Jazz Club
Join CanUs Red for a hot and traditional jazz matinee show!
This is their 32nd year performing at Hermann’s Jazz Club and they promise an afternoon of authentic New Orleans Jazz & Dixieland with lots of vocals including a three-part harmony and a magnificent band of musicians.
Come and enjoy a relaxing afternoon of stellar jazz and treat yourself to a refreshment or two!
Tickets are $20 and can be purchased either online or in person!
- Where: 753 View Street
- When: Sunday, September 3rd from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. (doors open at 12 p.m.)
