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Yay — it’s the weekend, Victoria!
It’s set to be a smokey weekend here, but a good one nonetheless!
Prepare yourself for some HUGE summer highlights — including GreekFest, the Harbour Blues ‘n Roots Festival, the Salish Sea Lantern Festival, and more!
However you choose to spend your weekend days, be sure to give yourself what you need and do something fun and out of the ordinary.
As usual, this list contains a mix of activities for you, your pals, and the whole family to enjoy!
Here’s 12 things to do in and around Victoria this weekend, August 26th and 27th:
Summer Haze Market
Head over to Langford Station for the perfect day-time activity with a wonderful mix of entertainment and treats!
Hosted by Made. Markets, there will be over 30 local vendors (in addition to the 12 permanent stores of local makers in the area), some food trucks, and gin tasting.
It’s free to attend — just bring some cash for food trucks and local artisan creations!
- Where: 720 Station Avenue
- When: Saturday, August 26th from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Studio 106 Anniversary
In celebration of their 1 year anniversary, Studio 106 will be hosting a ‘thank-you’ party for the community and members that have supported them so far!
This charming studio is located located in the historic Seaman’s Institute Building in James Bay, near Fisherman’s Wharf.
They feature a beautiful collection of curated local art pieces as a way to celebrate and support local artists and promote their work.
Everyone is welcome to come and check out their event and they’ll be serving refreshments as well as feature some door prizes up for grabs!
- Where: 106 Superior Street
- When: Saturday, August 26th from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
View Saturn in ‘Opposition’
Time to dust off those telescopes and binoculars!
According to Space.com, Saturn will be reaching its ‘opposition,’ or closest point to earth as our planet passes right between the sun and Saturn — which marks this ringed planet’s brightest appearance for 2023!
The opposition will begin on Saturday, August 26th and into the early morning of Sunday, August 27th, with midnight estimated to be its most dazzling time to shine.
If you can’t catch it at its peak, no worries! It will remain big and bright throughout the rest of August and into mid-September.
- Where: Anywhere away from city lights!
- When: Evening of Saturday August 26th and into early morning of Sunday, August 27th
Free-B Film Festival
All throughout the month of August, the Victoria Film Festival has been screening a collection of classics and fan favourites!
Don’t miss out on their last showing of the season, Star Trek 2: The Wrath of Khan playing this Saturday.
They ask that you bring a blanket, some snacks, a flashlight, and maybe a teddy bear. There is no cost to enjoy the movie, admission is free — just make sure you pack out what you bring.
- Where: 250 Bridge Way, Cameron Bandshell, Beacon Hill Park
- When: Saturday, August 26th at 9 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 Festival is now open!
In its fourth year, the Saanichton Sunflower Festival has 23 different varieties expected to bloom over the course of the next 3-5 weeks.
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
BC Smoke Shop Harbour Blues ‘n Roots Festival
The Victoria Jazz Society kicked off their annual BC Smoke Shop Harbour Blues ‘n Roots Festival on Friday, August 25th, and it runs until Sunday, August 27th!
They promise a weekend of exceptional performances, high energy, meaningful connections with the lyrics and crowd — all underneath the beautiful summer sky at Ship Point in downtown Victoria or within the atmospheric walls of Hermann’s Upstairs.
With artists like Samantha Fish featuring Jesse Dayton, Allison Russell, Boy Golden, Mazacote, and Fantastic Negrito, audiences are in for a wonderful ride!
Ticket prices for the festival vary depending on the show or package you wish to purchase — whether it’s individual performances or the full weekend pass.
In addition to the festival’s ticketed shows, there will be 8 free performances on the Ship Point Main Stage on Saturday, August 26th and Sunday, August 27th.
- Where: Locations vary — check full schedule for all the details
- When: Friday, August 25th to Sunday, August 27th
Salish Sea Lantern Festival
Participate in this dazzling ArtSea Community Arts Council show!
Everyone is to meet at Beacon Park in Sidney for an evening of nostalgia and activities — the main feature being the beloved Memory Lantern Parade.
Build your own Memory Lantern to bring or purchase one (by donation) at the park.
Write a favourite memory of a time, a person, a pet, or a place on a ribbon specially attached for this purpose and walk in its honour during the parade!
Additional entertainment will include music performances from Daniel Cook & the Radiators, interacting with Beyond the Sea costumed characters, and more!
- Where: 9801 Seaport Place, Sidney
- When: Saturday, August 26th at 6:30 p.m.
GreekFest Victoria
Back for their 22nd year is Victoria’s GreekFest — a celebration of Greek cuisine, mesmerizing dances, and fascinating ethnic and cultural performances at the Greek Orthodox Church and Community Centre.
It occurs over the course of two weekends (the more the merrier!), so you can get your fill this weekend — where events kicked off on Friday, August 25th, as well as Friday, September 1st to Monday, September 4th.
This year is extra special for GreekFest lovers as it will be the first time many of the performers return after a two year absence due to the pandemic.
You can take a look at the schedule for the full list of performances and their dates and times!
- Where: 4648 Elk Lake Drive
- When:
- Friday, August 25th to Sunday, August 27th — 11:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m.
- Friday, September 1st to Monday, September 4th — 11:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m.
Vancouver Island Dragon Boat Festival
Join the spectators and festival participants at the Gorge Waterway for the Vancouver Island Dragon Boat Festival and Ukrainian Fundraiser hosted by the Fairway Gorge Paddling Club!
Between Saturday, August 26th and Sunday, August 27th, you’ll get to witness hundreds of athletes in the featured races — designed in a new pentathlon race format set to challenge recreational and competitive boating teams alike.
Additionally, there will be plenty of live music, cultural performances, vendors, and a beer tent operated by the Ukrainian Canadian Cultural Society of Vancouver Island raising funds to help refugees who have fled the war in Ukraine.
- Where: 2940 Jutland Road #115
- When: Saturday, August 26th and Sunday, August 27th — times vary but the races and entertainment starts at 9 a.m. on Saturday morning
Anchors Away Arts and Music Festival
On August 27th, CFB Esquimalt is hosting its first-ever Anchors Away Arts & Music Festival at Starlight Stadium in Langford, and you’re invited!
If you’re looking for a jam-packed day full of music, food, drag performances, bouncy castles and all-around fun—look no further.
The all-encompassing, all-ages event is a way for the base to connect with the community where many military members reside.
Tickets for Anchors Away are on sale now, with a special discount for military members—you can grab yours online.
- When: Sunday, August 27th from 1 p.m. to 9 p.m. (gates open at 12 p.m.)
- Where: Starlight Stadium, 1089 Langford Parkway
Great American Song Book Trio
Hermann’s Jazz Club presents three of the finest interpreters of melody as they explore and celebrate the limitless possibilities of The Great American Songbook!
Don’t miss this amazing trio, featuring the legendary Miss Louise Rose, the superlative Joey Smith, and the stellar Kelby MacNayr as they dazzle audiences with their music and charm.
Tickets are $20 and they can be purchased in person or online.
- Where: 753 View Street
- When: Sunday, August 27th from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. (doors open at 12 p.m.)
Latin Sunday 2.0
Bring your family and friends over to Beacon Hill Park for a free, high-energy show!
Latin Sunday is back with Dj Moses “El Pachanguero” — Director of ViVa! Victoria Latin Fest, Owner of Pachanga Latina, and organizer for Latin events around Victoria.
He is thrilled to welcome everyone back for another fun and dance-inducing performance!
- Where: 250 Bridge Way
- When: Sunday, August 27th from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m.
