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14 Things to Do in and Around Victoria This Weekend—July 20 & 21

14 Things to Do in and Around Victoria This Weekend—July 20 & 21

Well hello there, weekend in Victoria! How nice to see you again.

The city offers plenty of entertainment and great weather to enjoy, so gather your friends and family and head into town!

Cowichan hosts the 40th Island Folks Festival, the beloved TD Paint-In takes over Moss Street, there’s a vibrant Japan Fest and much more.

Plus, Sunday is National Ice Cream Day, so don’t miss out on the fantastic local ice cream parlors you can visit!

Without further ado, here are 14 things to do in and around Victoria this weekend – July 20 and 21:

Cowichan Folk Guild: 40th Annual Islands Folk Festival

The Cowichan Folk Guild promises fantastic food, music and camaraderie and is excited to welcome everyone back for the 40th annual Islands Folk Festival.

The festival kicked off on Friday, July 19 at Providence Farm in Duncan and runs through Sunday, July 21. It features local, national and international artists.

Since its inception in 1984, this rich celebration of folk music and culture has become a staple in the community, attracting thousands of visitors each year!

The ticket prices vary depending on the package you are looking for. You can check them, here.

(Poster Island Folk Festival / Facebook)
  • Where: Providence Farm, 1843 Tzouhalem Road, Duncan
  • When: Starts on Friday July 19th and runs through Sunday July 21st

Yellow Wolf Inter-tribal Powwow: Tribute to Wətanmy

Join the Sampson family and other community members in honoring Wətanmy at an inter-tribal powwow this weekend!

The Tribute to Watanmy Powwow serves as a way to commemorate and continue the teachings of Alice “Wətanmy” Sampson, an ancestor on the Nez Perce side of the Sampson family, and to carry on a tradition that Wətanmy held dear.

This event started on Friday, July 19th and runs through Sunday, July 21st at the Tsartlip Soccer Field in Brentwood Bay. It is a drug, alcohol and pet free zone.

Besides dancing and celebrations, there are also various stalls to walk past, food tasting, camping and much more!

View the full program, here.

Dancer at the Yellow Wolf Inter-tribal Powwow (The Honoring Wətanmy Powwow)
  • Where: Tsartlip Football Field, 800 Stelly’s X Road in Brentwood Bay
  • When: Friday July 19th to Sunday July 21st

Check out the Buck Moon

Our next full moon, better known as the Buck Moon, reaches its peak in the early morning hours of Sunday, July 21.

According to NASAThe moon will be full for about three days from Friday evening to Monday morning, so you’ll have plenty of opportunity to see its glow!

The name “Buck Moon” comes from the Algonquin tribes, who lived in what is now the northeastern United States. Early summer marks the time when a male deer’s new antlers emerge from their foreheads.

(Photo by Jessika Tamas)
  • Where: Reach the best viewpoint!
  • When: From Friday evening to Sunday after sunset

Supers enter the field

Superheroes of Victoria is celebrating its 15th anniversary with a huge Super Summer Kids Day this Saturday!

Highlights of the day include a plunge pool, bouncy castles, various food stalls with tasty snacks, circus performers, martial arts demonstrations, a DJ and many interactive games.

In addition, there will be about 25 to 30 superheroes walking around, including Batman, Wonder Woman, Spiderman, Captain America and many more!

This event is organized by donations and proceeds go to the BC Children’s Hospital Foundation.

Poster for 15th Anniversary Party (Superheroes of Victoria)
  • Where: Starlight Stadium, 1089 Langford Parkway
  • When: Saturday July 20 from 10am to 3pm

Join the Art Gallery of Greater Victoria in celebrating their 35th TD Paint-In event!

It has grown to become the largest summer arts festival on Vancouver Island, attracting approximately 40,000 visitors each year who come to explore and experience the art along Moss Street.

In addition, there are live performances and organized tours for guests to enjoy.

  • Where: Art Gallery of Greater Victoria, 1040 Moss Street
  • When: Saturday July 20 from 11am to 4pm

Entangled 2024

After a successful first year, this will be the second annual Fiber Arts Market in Langford!

This event is described as bringing together a diverse community of talented fiber artists, crafters and vendors from all corners of the fiber arts world.

You will find a wide variety of knitting, crochet, weaving, spinning and other products. There will be more than 25 exhibitors, full of exceptional creations!

There will also be food trucks and live music for you to enjoy.

(Thanks to Nicole Bottles)
  • Where: Langford Station, 720 Station Avenue, Langford
  • When: Saturday July 20 from 11am to 4pm

The Lab: 2nd Annual Yoga Festival

After a successful first year, The Lab invites everyone to their second annual Yoga Festival, taking place on Saturday, July 20th in Hyacinth Park in Saanich.

Escape the city and experience a day full of peace and connection with body and nature, surrounded by the beauty of the lush greenery of the park.

The festival will feature a variety of wellness classes offered by a group of experienced instructors, live entertainment (including DJs and acoustic sets), lawn games and much more!

They offer experiences suitable for all ages and invite families to come together and have fun.

Cards For the Yoga Festival, admission is $95 for adults and $20 for children 15 and under.

(The Lab Yoga Festival 2023)
  • Where: Hyacinth Park in Saanich, 800 Marigold Road
  • When: Saturday July 20 from 10am to 6pm

Japanese party

Attend Victoria’s Japan Fest, presented by The Victoria Nikkei Cultural Society and FUDO Japanese Restaurant!

It is a vibrant festival celebrating Japanese culture with vendors and a variety of performances, including Japanese drumming by Uminari Taiko, Japanese folk dances, martial arts demonstrations and more.

And enjoy their delicious dishes, such as sushi, krokke, musubi kaikigori (ice cream cones) and much more!

The event will take place on Saturday 20th July at Broadmead Village Shopping Centre from 3pm to 5pm in the FUDO courtyard.

(Japan Fest / Victoria Nikkei Cultural Association)
  • Where: Broadmead Village Shopping Center outside FUDO, 777, 425, Royal Oak Drive
  • When: Saturday July 20 from 3:00 PM to 5:00 PM

Tribute show for women of rock

Don’t miss this amazing opportunity to see The Women of Rock: a world-class multi-tribute show from Las Vegas that has toured the US and Canada.

Presented by Totally Tom Petty and his Show Band, you’ll hear favorites like Hit me with your best shot And Heartbreaker by Pat Benatar, Back on the chain gang And Brass in bag by The Pretenders, I love rock and roll And I hate myself for loving you by Joan Jett, and many more!

Presented by Las Vegas Show Productions, this is a unique opportunity to get a taste of Vegas without venturing too far from home.

Tickets are $45 and can be purchased here.

  • Where: The Platinum Room, Elements Casino, 1708 Island Highway
  • When: Saturday July 20 at 7:30 PM

Yes and then: An improvised Jane Austen at the Emily Carr House

Step back in time to the romantic and powerful era of Jane Austen during a play at the Emily Carr House, performed every Friday and Saturday from Friday, July 12 through Saturday, July 27.

With the beautiful historic Emily Carr House as a backdrop and surrounded by lush greenery, this is sure to be a special show.

Join Paper Street Theatre produces a show in which the cast treats the audience to a completely improvised performance, making jokes and gags on the spot while dealing with the conventions and limitations of real Jane Austen society.

Cards cost $28 and include free lemonade and cucumber sandwiches.

Jane Austen play (Paper Street Theatre / Photo by Derek Ford)
  • Where: Emily Carr House, 207 Government Street
  • When: Saturday July 20 at 7:00 PM (2:00 PM performance is sold out)

365 Pro Wrestling Match

365 Pro Wrestling presents their Saturday fight at White Eagle Polish Hall!

Bring your friends and watch a live professional wrestling match.

Cards cost $30 for front row, $20 for general admission and $15 for youth.

  • Where: White Eagle Polish Hall, 90 Dock Street
  • When: Saturday July 20th at 7:30pm (doors open at 6:30pm)

Jill Tyler-Dolan: Book Launch

Join Jill Tyler-Dolan as she launches her first poetry collection at Coles Bookstore!

The garden of the hummingbird is dedicated to her uncle and grandmother, so that she can share how special they are to her through this collection.

She will also read a passage or two! Admission is free.

  • Where: Coles Bookstore, Westshore Town Centre, 2945 Jacklin Road
  • When: Saturday July 20 from 10am to 1pm

National Ice Cream Day

Did someone say ice cream?

You’ve heard it before and we’ll say it again: You’re screaming, we’re screaming, everyone’s screaming for ice cream!

Treat yourself to a frozen ice cream cone or cup and beat the heat on National Ice Cream Day in and around Victoria on Sunday, July 21.

No matter the weather, everyone is happy with a delicious ice cream. So grab one for yourself and your loved one and continue your summer adventure!

Less talking, more eating…

Full article: 14 Best Places in Victoria to Get Your Ice Cream Needs on National Ice Cream Day

(Jackson’s ice cream)

Oak Bay Collectors Car Festival

The popular annual Oak Bay Collector Car Festival returns for its 24th year on Sunday, July 21st, welcoming visitors to over 300 unique cars!

Visitors can walk along parts of the oak blocks from 10:00 am.

Bay Avenue, Monterey to Mitchell Street plus parts of Hampshire Road and Elgin Street to view the extensive row of collectors and classic cars.

This year marks the first time that the festival will take place in the absence of its founder, Know Agatewho died in September.

Participation in this event is free. Just bring your own outfit and dress according to the weather.

(@oakbaytourism/Twitter)
  • Where: On and around Oak Bay Avenue
  • When: Sunday July 21st at 10am (cars must be present at 8am for parking instructions)