Victoria Events July 9 - 16

Happy Tuesday, friends. Welcome to another edition of TWIV, where every headline is a curtain lift, offering you the best view of Victoria's lively stage.

Just announced

🎵🍺 Phillip’s Backyard Reverb: The second weekend of the fest takes place Aug 9-11, with Earl Sweatshirt, Black Pumas, and Jungle set to perform.

🍻 The Great Canadian Beer Festival: The fest will take place at its new location, Topaz Park, Sept 6-7. 

🤘 Rifflandia: Victoria’s biggest music festival will take place Sept 13-18 at its new location at Matullia Lands.

👠 Bob the Drag Queen: See the hilarious winner of season 8 of RuPaul’s Drag Race perform her solo comedy show at McPherson Playhouse, Sept 28. 

🤣 Russell Howard: The British comedian will bring his optimistic outlook to McPherson Playhouse, Oct 5. 

😂 Jimmy Carr and Jim Jefferies: Two headliners for the price of one—see the comedians at Save-on-Foods Memorial Centre, Oct 26.

😆 Russell Peters: See the hilarious Canadian comedian at Save-on-Foods Memorial Centre, Nov 2.

🍌 Raffi: Bring your little ones to see the iconic children’s performer at the Royal Theatre, Nov 23 & 24. 

🎸 Sum41: See the pop punk legends at Save-on-Foods Memorial Centre, with special guests PUP and Gob, January 10, 2025. 

🎭 Whose Live Anyway: See improv legends from Whose Line Is It Anyway—including two original cast members—at the Royal Theatre on Jan 17, 2025.

Happening this week and weekend

🦀 Crab Fest

Saturday | Banfield Park | 12-7pm

Enjoy this traditional summer Dungeness crab boil, with local music and kids activities. [Free admission]

🇲🇽 Festival Mexicano

Sat-Sun | Ship Point | 11am-6pm

Celebrate Mexican culture at this festival, with live music, dancing, and lots of yummy food. [Free]

🛍️ ReLove Market 

Sat-Sun | Market Square | 11am-5pm

Shop pre-loved goodies at this market in Market Square. [Free]

Ballroom in the Square | Tuesday | 6:30-9pm

Join the Victoria Ballroom Dance Society for a 30-minute beginner dance lesson followed by social dancing to a live band or DJ. This week’s theme is swing. [Free]

Oak Bay Night Market | Wednesday | 4-8pm 

This market will take over Oak Bay Avenue, with multiple local food, craft, and art vendors, plus live music. [Free]

Anise Russow & Friends | Wednesday | 7pm

The teenage vocalist will perform an evening of classic jazz at Hermann’s. [$20]

Pico’s Puppet Palace | Wednesday | 11am-12pm

See this puppet show about adventures and friendships at the Cameron Bandshell. [Free]

Free Yoga in the Park Colwood | Thursday | 6pm

Bring your mat to Royal Bay Meadow Park Green in Colwood and stretch in the sun. [Free]

Songs of Warrior North | Thursday | 7:30pm

Indigenous musician Kym Gouchie brings storytelling and song to Charlie White Theatre. [$42]

Cole Ashley Quartet | Thursday | 7pm

The saxophonist is back in town for the summer and will perform with his quartet at Hermann’s. [$20]

Mayfair x lululemon Yoga on the Roof | Friday | 11am

Former lululemon ambassador Erin Keir will teach this yoga class on the roof of Mayfair Mall. It will be a natural hot yoga class with sunny weather expected. [Free]

Portrait of a Seaweed Farmer | Friday | 6pm

Learn about the growing industry of seaweed farming with Matt Obee from Cascadia Seaweed at Charlie White Theatre. [$15]

Josh Warren/Sarah Stevenson Quintet | Friday | 7pm

The Islanders who moved east are back in town to perform a mix of jazz, Latin, and modern grooves at Hermann’s. [$20]

Big Patio Days: Beer Garden | Saturday | 12pm

Have a pint and enjoy the bustling Market Square, with live music, food vendors, and games. [$5]

Classic Chrysler Car Show | Saturday | 10am-4pm

Check out these classic cars, with food vendors and live music and lots of fins and chrome. [Admission by donation]

Stories of Scotland | Saturday | 8-10pm

Bruce Fummey combines comedy and history at this evening of storytelling at the Victoria Scottish Community Centre. [$40]

Club Voltaire | Saturday | 7pm

Step into the French jazz clubs of the 1920s and 1930s with this show at Hermann’s. [$30]

Teddy Bear Picnic | Monday | 11am-12:30pm

Bring your kids and their favourite stuffed animals for crafts and tea at Captain Jacobson Park in Esquimalt. [Free]

The Pandora Arts Collective session | Next Tuesday | 11:45am-4pm

The Pandora Arts Collective Society offers healing through creation at Paul Phillips Hall. [Free]

Ongoing events

Oaklands Sunset Markets | Wednesdays | 4:30-8pm

Check out 50 local vendors, a huge variety of food trucks, great music, kids activities, and more at the Oaklands Community Centre until Aug. 28. [Free]

Music in the Park: Beacon Hill | Every Fri-Mon | 1:30-3:30pm

Grab a picnic blanket and enjoy some live music from local bands at the Cameron Bandshell until Sept. [Free]

Music at Ship Point | Tuesdays & Thursdays | 6-7pm

Catch live music in the Inner Harbour from June 11 to Sept. 19. [Free]

Fort Common Music Series | Thursdays | 12-1pm

Hear live tunes at this music series running June-August. [Free]

Music in the Park | Every Friday and Saturday | 5:30pm

Check out these free live music shows, happening at parks across Colwood every weekend this summer. Check the schedule to find info on locations and performers. [Free]

James Bay Market | May 4 - October 5 | 9am-3pm

Check out this summertime favourite market at the corner of Menzies and Superior. [Free]

Westshore Swap, Shop & Market | Every Sunday until Sept 1

Browse a variety of local vendors with new items available every week at Westshore Parks and Rec. [$2]

Esquimalt Farmers Market | April 4 - Sept 26

Head to Memorial Park every Thursday to pick up farm-fresh goods. [Free entrance]

Ross Bay Historic Villa Guided Tours | Saturdays | 2pm

See the restored home, built in 1865, and learn about the family who lived there. [$8.50]

Drag Brunch at Vicious Poodle | Saturdays & Sundays | 11am

Enjoy a hearty brunch while Victoria’s top drag performers put on a show. [Free entrance]

Moss Street Market | Saturdays | 10am-2pm

Discover local vendors, get farm-fresh produce and listen to live music at this weekly market. [Free]

Feel Free: Free Gallery Days at AGGV | First Saturday from 10am-5pm | Thursdays from 5-9pm

The first Saturday of every month and every Thursday evening will be a Free Gallery Day at the Art Gallery of Greater Victoria.

That’s it!

Thanks for checking in this week. Hope you found something good to add to your calendar. If not, reply back and let us know what you’re looking for. Consider us your concierge to good times.

See you next week? Same time, same place.

✌️ TWIV

❤️ Review of the Week