Who else is beyond excited for a long weekend? Because we are!
Happy August long, Victoria—have some fun in the sun and take part in the abundance of merriment happening across the city.
Featured events include SoberFest, car shows, Thirsty Chef, Cadboro Bay Festival, Pacific Opera’s outdoor music festival and more!
If you’re looking for something unique, Christ Church Cathedral is hosting a late-night classical, candlelit show under the iconic vaulted ceilings. Close your eyes and let the music carry you.
For all of this and more, here’s 13 things to do in and around Victoria for August long weekend—August 3rd to 5th:
Pacific Opera’s Open Air: A Summer Festival of Music
Bask in the music filled air as Pacific Opera presents Open Air: A Summer Festival of Music this weekend until Monday, August 5th.
A highlighted event includes a free concert on Saturday, August 3rd from 3 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at Beacon Hill Park—which will include a full day of activities for the whole family to enjoy!
From 3 p.m. to 6 p.m., in addition to the musical performances, kids and families can indulge in face painting, an instrument petting zoo, a ‘learn to be a conductor’ workshop and drag storytime.
This festival overlaps with the Victoria Symphony’s Summer Festival, which kicked off on July 24th and runs until August 3rd—making the performance collaborations all the sweeter and more celebratory of local classical music.
- Where: Location varies depending on performance
- Highlighted events:
- Saturday, August 3rd: Beacon Hill Park, Cameron Bandshell, 250 Bridge Way
- Highlighted events:
- When: Thursday, August 1st to Monday, August 5th—times vary
-
-
- Highlighted events:
- Saturday, August 3rd from 3 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
- Highlighted events:
-
-
Donate Blood: Urgent Call
Help fill up appointments (and blood bags) at a Canadian Blood Services spot near you and potentially save a life—plus, you get juice and chips and cookies afterwards!
Canadian Blood Services’ Victoria Donor Centre is open this upcoming long weekend, including Monday, August 5th (BC Day), and they currently have plenty of open blood donation appointments available over the holiday.
To book your appointment, visit their website and pick a time that’s convenient for you.
- Where: At a Canadian Blood Services near you
- When: At your earliest convenience
ViVa! Victoria Latin Fest
ViVa Victoria Latin Fest is thrilled to invite residents and visitors alike back for their 2024 festival!
It’ll be taking place in the heart of Victoria at Centennial Square, complete with music, dance, food and vibrant celebration of Latin culture.
The uplifting beats of salsa, merengue, cumbia, and many other Latin genres will fill the atmosphere, captivating your senses and inviting you to dance along!
- Where: Centennial Square, 1 Centennial Square
- When: Saturday, August 3rd at 12 p.m. to Sunday, August 4th at 7 p.m.
Thirsty Chef
The Drake Eatery, in celebration of their 10th anniversary and in collaboration with Craft Beer Parlour, is welcoming the return of the Thirsty Chef festival.
Thirsty Chef is a beer and food extravaganza that brings together a variety of phenomenal brewers and prestigious chefs for a unique West Coast food and craft beer experience!
It’s set to take place at the historic Market Square on Saturday, August 3rd from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m., transforming the space into a thrumming and lively atmosphere you won’t want to miss out on.
Tickets for the festival are $50 and can be purchased at The Drake Eatery or online via Eventbrite—which includes all the food and a commemorative beer glass!
- Where: Market Square, 560 Johnson Street #39
- When: Saturday, August 3rd from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m.
Ocean Idlers “Blast From The Past”
Browse over 100 different exceptional makes and models ranging from early 1900s to the present—there will even be a special car that’s for sale, so keep your eyes out!
Arrowsmith Recreation Association will be putting on a pancake breakfast at 8 a.m. to kick off the show and there will be food available throughout day as well.
Come down for the cars and stay for the additional activities and perks like 50/50 tickets, prizes for the kids, raffle draw, and more!
View this post on Instagram
- Where: Coombs Fairgrounds, 1014 Ford Road, Coombs
- When: Saturday, August 3th from 8 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
Late night musical experience at Christ Church Cathedral
If you’re looking for something unique and completely transcendent, look no further!
Christ Church Cathedral is hosting a Cathedral After Dark event, presenting the Blackwood duo in this late-night affair—Jeff Reilly on bass clarinet and Peter-Anthony Togni on piano/organ.
Together, Blackwood brings audiences an atmospheric program under the candlelit vaulted ceiling of the cathedral.
Admission is by donation.
- Where: Christ Church Cathedral, 930 Burdett Avenue
- When: Saturday, August 3rd at 9 p.m.
SoberFest
In honour and support of all those in addictions recovery or having gone through it, SoberFest is both a celebration as well as a fundraiser for important life-line recovery services.
The third annual SoberFest will take place at the Starlight Stadium on Saturday, August 3rd from 12 p.m. to 7 p.m., and will feature live music, an abundance of vendors and delicious food options!
Expected performers include Swollen Members, Merkules, Daniel Wesley, DJ Naomi Nice, The Rainshadow Al Band and DJ Barbie Aphelion.
Tickets are $40 for general admission, and children 12 and under get in for free. If you wish to supply a ticket for someone in need, you can pay an extra $25.
View this post on Instagram
- Where: Starlight Stadium, 1089 Langford Parkway
- When: Saturday, August 3rd from 12 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Food Day Canada
Join Sol Fine Foods, Island Chefs, Flourish School Food Society and the Mustard Seed in the ultimate collaboration to celebrate Food Day Canada.
This special event is an opportunity for Canada’s food community to team up and create the largest feast from coast to coast, showcasing incredible bounties of local foods!
It’ll take place at Sol Fine Foods on Saturday, August 3rd from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., and will feature some of Vancouver Island’s top food producers!
Tickets are $20 at the door, and include the chef-prepared, locally sourced lunches! Part of the proceeds go towards the ICC.
- Where: Sol Fine Foods, 2955 Jutland Road
- When: Saturday, August 3rd from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Cadboro Bay Festival
Join your community in celebrating the Cadboro Bay Festival in Cadboro-Gyro Park on Sunday, August 4th from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. with a fun-filled day of music, food and free activities.
This year’s theme is ocean sustainability/ocean recreation!
Attendees can expect a full schedule of activities, including craft stations, vendors, summer picnic games such as three-legged races and cornhole, local live music, a BBQ, food trucks and more.
Local performers will be playing a mixture of light rock, afrobeat and folk music throughout the day on the main stage!
- Where: Cadboro-Gyro Park, Sinclair Road
- When: Sunday, August 4th from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Big Sapphic 80’s Tea Party
Party with the crew at Friends of Dorothy for their Big Sapphic 80’s Tea Party!
Dress to impress in tight n’ bright and bring your best vibes for dancing, crafts, drag and mingling.
Hosted by icons Jackbox Jayne and Eddi Licious!
Cover is $5 and you can make reservations here.
- Where: Friends of Dorothy, 537 Johnson Street
- When: Sunday, August 4th from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Torque Masters Auto Extravaganza
The largest car show in Sidney is returning this Sunday, August 4th and will have exceptional models of classic vehicles lined up along the streets.
There will also be food trucks and a beer garden available so you can enjoy the display and keep yourself fed and quenched all day long!
If you’re interested in the pre-car show events, Saturday, August 3rd will include a poker run, a film featuring a classic car and a street party.
- Where: Along Beacon Avenue between 5th Street and the waterfront, Sidney
- When: Sunday, August 4th from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Esquimalt Farmers Market
The Monday Esquimalt Farmers Markets is still in full swing, offering fun-filled entertainment and browsing opportunities for all ages!
Monday’s market is in Gorge Park from 4:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. until mid-September, and here you’ll find a huge selection of featured farm-fresh produce, meat, eggs, baked goods, jewelry, clothing and much more.
Plus, they’ll have rotating weekly food trucks and nightly musical performances!
View this post on Instagram
- Where: Gorge Park, 1070 Tillicum Road
- When: Now until September 16th from 4:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
Open Mic Night at Gigi’s Cafe
If you’re ready to show your talent to an encouraging and enthusiastic audience, Gigi’s may just be the place for you!
They offer acoustic open mic nights on Mondays and would love to have you—bring your own instrument or borrow their acoustic guitar or keyboard.
Prepare two to three songs and present your skills! This event is free to attend.
- Where: Gigi’s Cafe, 1002 Hillside Avenue
- When: Monday, August 5th from 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
