It’s going to be another busy weekend for Victoria!
The sun is expected to be shining, there’s plenty of music, entertainment, and activities, and we’re leaving work behind—what more could you ask for?
Check out the last couple days of the iconic Rifflandia, celebrate a local author at her book signing, witness the absurdity of a hot dog eating contest, broaden your mind with an erotic film festival, and so much more!
No excuses for boredom this weekend!
Without further delay, here’s 11 things to do on September 16th and 17th:
South Island Vinyl Record Show
If you’re looking to spice up your record collection, this is the event for you!
The beloved South Island Vinyl Record Show pops up a couple of times a year, and this Saturday’s event will be held at the Mary Winspear Centre in Sidney.
Come and check out their offerings and don’t forget to put your name down for available door prizes!
Admission is $5 and kids 12 and under get in for free.
- Where: 2243 Beacon Avenue
- When: Saturday, September 16th from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
3N1GMATIC Music Festival
This two-day event of incredible punk and metal music kicked off on Friday, September 15th and will continue into Saturday, September 16th!
This event is presented to you by Victown Punk Society and hosted by Phoenix Bar & Grill.
Saturday’s lineup includes artists Old Guard, Sideon, Safe Decisions, Lucid Karma, Dirty Audio Machine, Storm The Empire, Blood of the Phoenix, and Blackthrone Ascension!
Tickets are $40 and can be purchased at the door or by emailing enigmaticmusicfestival@gmail.com.
- Where: 3944 Quadra Street
- When: Kicked off on Friday, September 15th and will run until Saturday, September 16th—music starts at 5 p.m.
HUMP! Film Festival
Get ready for a wildly erotic and sex positive ride, Victoria!
Described as ‘The World’s Best Amatuer Porn Film Festival,’ Dan Savage’s HUMP! Film Festival is a lovingly curated festival of short erotic films made by real people for real people.
HUMP! is back for its 18th year and will be showing in Victoria for an exclusive one-night show on September 16th at the Vic Theatre, and you’re invited!
Two different showings are being offered, one at 6:30 p.m. and other at 9 p.m.
Tickets are $20 USD and can be purchased here.
- Where: 808 Douglas Street
- When: Saturday, September 16th at 6:30 p.m. and 9 p.m.
Jean Paetkau Book Launch
On September 1st, Jean Paetkau’s book, Blood on the Breakwater, became available on Amazon and has since climbed to #1 on Amazon’s Bestseller list!
To celebrate, Paetkau is hosting a book signing event and formal book launch on Saturday, September 16th at James Bay Market.
Her story begins with a journalist finding a body washed up on the lower pathway of the breakwater. The journalist recognizes the corpse and begins diving into the possible motive behind murdering a museum curator for a 19th century Victoria painter.
So, come meet the author, celebrate local literature, and challenge yourself to a fictional murder mystery puzzle that features the famous Ogden Point!
- Where: 494 Superior Street
- When: Saturday, September 16th from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Close-Up at the Carr House
If close-up magic intrigues you and you’re hoping to have your mind blown, The Four Suits of Magic are inviting you to watch them as closely as you’d like!
Visitors will be encouraged to walk through the Carr House and witness magicians Dave Morris, Justin Louie, Colin Holt, and Derek Johnston as they perform the unbelievable.
The magicians will be dressed in their best and they encourage everyone to do the same!
Tickets are $20 and include complimentary coffee and tea.
- Where: 207 Government Street
- When: Saturday, September 16th from 3 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Hot Dog Eating Contest
The Missing Link is the proud host for this first ever hot dog eating contest, and you’re invited!
There will be a total of two rounds of hot dog eating—the first will be reserved for the beginners out there, while the second is reserved for eaters with a little more experience.
In addition to watching the competition, general admission tickets include access to four different live music performances of BC local artists!
Artists include STOREWIDESALE, DJ Bitch, The Smokestacks, and Spank Williams! There will also be hot dogs and drinks for sale for attendees.
General admission tickets are just over $17 and can be purchased via Eventbrite. There won’t be any on-site ticket sales, so make sure you grab yours ahead of time!
- Where: 3925 Quadra Street
- When: Saturday, September 16th from 3 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Open House at Saanich Fire and Police Department
The Saanich Fire and Police Department are inviting everyone out to their Open House event on Saturday afternoon!
They promise fun-fueled activities and entertainment for everyone—including Tour De Rock BBQ, a bouncy castle, face painting, equipment tours, and more.
You’ll even get the chance to meet Sparky the fire dog, and Ace the police dog!
Find out what’s new and happening at this free, community event and see what being being a firefighter and police officer is all about.
- Where: 760 Vernon Avenue
- When: Saturday, September 16th from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Rifflandia
The second weekend of the iconic music festival Rifflandia has kicked off—this weekend is titled The Park!
It began on Friday, September 15th and carrying through until Sunday, September 17th, another incredible lineup of artists and comedians waits to take the stage for your entertainment.
There will also be another collection of daily costumes for attendees to participate in, which includes the following:
- Friday, September 15th – Vinyl
- Saturday, September 16th – Sparkle
- Sunday, September 17th – Summer camp
And don’t forget about their bonus offers, Lovelandia—a space which is available to any and all love birds who want to tie the knot and get married during the festival, and the brand new Splifflandia initiative that allows you to purchase weed on-site!
Single day tickets and passes are available online, here.
- Where: 1014 Caledonia Avenue
- When: Friday, September 15th until Sunday, September 17th—showtimes vary
Co[Lab] #14 at Capital Ballroom
For those in need of a dance, a late night with friends, and a lively atmosphere, there’s a techno festival happening at Capital Ballroom this weekend!
The fun kicked off on Friday, September 15th and the party won’t stop until Sunday, September 17th.
Artists taking the stage include Kasey Riot, Slynk, C-Star, DJAMA, Sassbot, and more!
Tickets for Saturday’s show are $35 and can be purchased here. Tickets for the Sunday show are $30 and can be purchased here.
- Where: 858 Yates Street
- When: From Friday September 15th to Sunday, September 17th—showtimes vary
43rd Annual Terry Fox Run
Join the Terry Fox Foundation and your fellow residents this Sunday September 17th, as the whole city gets together to run, bike, wheelchair, or walk for cancer research.
The route begins at the Terry Fox statue at Mile 0 in Beacon Hill Park—once runners reach St. Charles street, they will turn and run back. The total distance is 5 kilometers!
Registration begins at 9 a.m., opening ceremonies and the run warmup will follow, and the run is set to commence at 10:30 a.m. and end at around noon.
Everyone is asked to wear their best red and white outfit inspired by Terry’s Marathon of Hope t-shirt.
The legacy continues to spark hope for those affected by cancer—if you wish to donate or register for the run, you can do so here.
- Where: Mile 0 in Beacon Hill Park
- When: Sunday, September 17th from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Medieval Fall Faire and Demo
You’ve been summoned to witness displays of medieval combat, archery, fine arts, and shopping between the many unique vendors this medieval gathering will have to offer!
There will be a pleasant array of food trucks too in case you are feeling peckish.
So, put on your best medieval outfit and be sure to bring cash, as some of the vendors don’t accept cards!
Entrance fee is $10 but children/young adults 18 years and younger get in for free.
If you wish to dive deeper into the Shire of Hartwood’s medieval lore and ways of life, visit the weekend-long version of the event here.
- Where: Coombs Fairgrounds and Event Centre, 1014 Ford Road
- When: Sunday, September 17th from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
