Victoria Events Oct 23 - 29

Halloween-themed events, Beethoven Symphony No. 5, say goodbye to the Victoria Event Centre, and more!

Author

Amelia Acedo
October 22, 2024

Happy Tuesday, friends. Welcome to another edition of TWIV, the newsletter equivalent of catching up on the town square's latest tales.

On our radar

🧀 Buone Feste 101: An evening of wine, bubbles, and delicious holiday appetizers at Gigi’s Italian Foods on Nov. 7.

🍷 Bordeaux Grands Crus Winemakers’ Dinner: Ugly Duckling will welcome six winemakers from prestigious estates in one of France's most celebrated wine regions on Nov 9.

🎄 Holiday Market at Bard and Banker: The third annual Sip and Shop holiday market is back on Nov 13.

🎶 The Arkells: The Canadian indie favourites will perform at Save-on-Foods Memorial Centre, Nov 16.

🎙️ Sarah McLachlan: The Canadian legend brings her 30th anniversary tour to Save-On-Foods Memorial Centre, Nov 20.   

🎭 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.

🍽 Culinaire: Vancouver Island’s finest food and beverage event will return to the Victoria Conference Centre on Feb 26, 2025. Tickets go on sale on Nov. 1.

💻 Interested in tech events? Victoria Tech Journal provides the most complete coverage of Vancouver Island’s innovation ecosystem and events. Subscribe for free.*

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Happening this week and weekend

Wednesday | Victoria Event Centre | 8:30pm

Say goodbye to the beloved venue with various local bands to celebrate the wonderful space and the people who made it special. [$15]

Saturday | Save-on-foods Memorial Centre | 7:30pm

Two headliners for the price of one—see the comedians on their The Charm Offensive Tour. [$49+]

Sunday | Royal Theatre | 2:30pm

A brilliant showcase of both the lyrical and the virtuosic gifts of the great pianist-composer. [$34+]

Beethoven Symphony No. 5. Photo: Victoria Symphony

Chef Vincenzo Capitano will be at HOB Fine Foods to teach a cooking class preparing three classic Italian dishes (starter, entree, and dessert). [$140]

See Pacific Opera Victoria perform this timeless masterpiece at the Royal Theatre. [$35+]

Party for a Purpose | Wednesday | 5pm

An evening at Bard and Banker with live music and a silent auction with all revenue going towards keeping Christ Church Cathedral’s doors open seven days a week. [$135]

JJ Wilde | Wednesday | 9pm

Hear the Canadian rock singer perform her new album Vices at Capital Ballroom. [$29+]

JJ Wilde. Website

Rocky Horror: A Drag Show | Wed-Sun | Various times

Experience an all-drag cast performing the cult classic Rocky Horror Picture Show, featuring all of your  favourite Victoria performers as the cast at the Metro Studio Theatre. [$50]

Super Bowls of Hope | Thursday | 11am-3pm

Join the Victoria Youth Empowerment Society’s iconic lunchtime event that brings the community together to raise funds in support of vulnerable and at-risk youth at the Union Club. [$81]

Halloween Paint Night | Thursday | 6:30pm

Reserve your spot for a hauntingly creative Halloween paint night at The Crooked Goose Smokehouse. [$45]

Raise a glass to celebrate outstanding British Columbia winemaking at the Oak Bay Beach Hotel. [$219]

Photo: Oak Bay Beach Hotel

Brandon Isaak | Thursday | 7pm

Join the Yukon-born songster performing a mixture of thoughtful, humorous, spiritual, and catchy songs at Hermann’s. [$25]

Microdose Meditation | Thursday | 7-8:30pm

Visit Errant Empire for a night of guided meditation, education, grounding, breathing exercises, and more. [$35]

The Last Roundup | Thurs-Sun | 7:30pm

Be a part of the annual Barney Bentall & the Cariboo Express fundraising concert at Mary Winspear Centre, with all proceeds from the concert going directly to the Saanich Peninsula Lions Food Bank. [$84]

Complete a scavenger hunt for prizes, meet the resident ghouls, and participate in an afternoon craft while learning about the principles of flight. [$14+]

Crafted Farmhouse Market | Fri & Sat | 5-9pm and 10am-5pm

Visit the semi-annual market at the Mary Winspear Centre, offering a weekend of fun with over 60 vendors showcasing unique jewelry, artisanal decor, and gourmet treats. [$5]

Out of the Deep | Friday | 7:30pm

Enjoy the pairing of Jonathon Adams’ rich voice with the passion and intensity of violinist Chloe Kim, in a program on the themes of loss and reconciliation at the First Church of Christ. [$35]

Join if you dare for a night filled with horror. See the fields transformed into infamous fright nights filled with live actors—but please note this event is not for the faint of heart. Multiple time slots available. [$25]

Spooktacular Species | Saturday | 10am-2pm

Visit the Butterfly Gardens for a day of spooktacular family fun. Discover fascinating creatures with a rotating display of spooky species and a scavenger hunt. [$9+]

An annual Halloween market showcasing handmade vendors—from the spooky to the sweet—at the Da Vinci Centre. [$5+]

Halloween at Bilston Creek Farm | Sat & Sun | 11am-5pm 

Visit the farm in Metchosin for pumpkin decorating, games, sweet treats, specialty drinks, a treasure hunt, and more. [Free entrance]

Halloween Stories & Scavenger Hunt | Sat & Sun | 12 and 2 pm

A fun-filled, interactive and family-friendly tale of past and present Halloween traditions, featuring Merri, the Pumpkin Elf at Merridale Cidery & Distillery. [$15]

Halloween Costume Contest | Saturday | 1-3pm

Mayfair Mall is hosting a halloween costume contest event with $1000 worth of prizes. Whether you’re a kid, a teen, an adult, or part of a group, it’s your spooky time to shine. [Free. Register in advance]

Visit the Shaw Centre for the Salish Sea for spooks, scares, sweets, and other treats. There will be eerie (but not too scary!) displays, and a challenge to search for sunken jack-o-lanterns. [$5]

Art Battle | Saturday | 6pm

Watch as talented artists battle it out in three rounds of 20-minute masterpieces, all created with open materials. The pieces will be auctioned off and the crowd will pick the ultimate champion of the night. [$29+]

Celebrate the innovation of Vancouver Island’s thriving craft spirit industry at Merridale Cidery and Distillery. [$95]

The world class Cuban pianist is back at Hermann’s to perform the best of Gershwin in a Cuban style, recreating his music with modern harmonies and Afro-Cuban rhythms. [$30]

Music of the Night | Saturday | 7:30pm

A concert celebration of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s most iconic theatrical music, including selections from Phantom of the Opera, Evita, Cats, and more at the McPherson Playhouse. [Sold Out]

Music Bingo Live | Saturday | 7:30pm

From Mr. Brightside to Eleanor Rigby to Stacey’s Mom, the Breakwater Quartet will perform your favourites like you’ve never heard them before at this one-of-a-kind event at The Mint. [$25]

Grab your best retro outfit for a special vintage Halloween party at the Westin Bear Mountain Resort’s Ballroom. A jam-packed night of vintage dance music played chronologically from the ‘50s to the ‘80s. [By donation]

Visit Starlite Soap Studio for a hands-on session crafting a luxurious batch of soap infused with real pumpkin purĂŠe, capturing the essence of autumn. [$79]

10th Annual Wicked Victoria | Sunday | 10:30am-3:30pm

Stop by Government St., from Yates to Broughton, for family-friendly activities to celebrate the spooky season: spooky crafts, creepy and creative costume contests, live music, and local vendors. [Free]

Royal Bay Monster Mash | Sunday | 2-4pm

Get the family dressed up and connect with the community at Meadow Park Green,t featuring a DJ, photo booth, inflatables, crafts, and food. [Free]

Open Mic Night | Sunday | 6-9pm

Everyone is welcome to Driftwood Brewery for a fun night of music. [Free]

Gather around as jazz vocalist Susannah Adams returns to Hermann’s to celebrate her new album Hearth. [$25]

Benji’s Pub Quiz | Monday | 7pm

Visit the Fernwood Inn for a show of knowledge and tunes. [$12]

Creepy Crawly World of Bugs | Next Tuesday | 1-4pm

Take your kids to Tillicum Centre for a creepy, crawly afternoon with the Victoria Bug Zoo to meet the bugs of Victoria. [Free]

Sophie Lukacs Trio | Next Tuesday | 7:30pm

Dinner and concert at the Mint Restaurant, featuring the Montreal-based Trio. [$22]

Ongoing events

Pumpkinfest at Galey Farms | Every weekend in October | 9am-4pm

Family fun featuring hay rides to the pumpkin patch, u-pick pumpkins, train rides, corn maze, Old West Town, children’s haunted house, and more. [$18+]

Jim Wispinki exhibit at Gallery Splash | Oct 1 - Nov 5 | 9am-4:30pm

A retrospective of 50 years of art from Monday to Saturday at Esquimalt Town Square. [Free entrance]

Visit the castle to discover the darker side of the 19th century on a ninety minute tour that takes place on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays with extra shows added in the week prior to Halloween. [$35]

Island Makers Market | Oct 12 - Dec 21 | 11am-3pm

Check out this fall favourite market featuring local artists, makers, and producers on Saturdays at the Victoria Public Market. [Free entrance]

Esquimalt Farmers Market | Oct 3 - Dec 19 | 4:30-7pm

Head to Esquimalt Recreation every Thursday to pick up farm-fresh goods. [Free entrance]

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

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