What's Happening
Events in Victoria
Victoria's event calendar is packed year-round. From weekly grassroots car meetups and marine festivals to concerts and cultural celebrations, here is what is worth your time.
Broadmead Saturday Night
Car Meetup
If you're an automotive collector or vintage enthusiast on Vancouver Island, there's one weekend ritual that stands completely supreme. Every nice Saturday evening, the expansive paved parking lot at the Canadian Tire at the Broadmead Village Shopping Centre, 801 Royal Oak Drive, Saanich shifts gears to become the ultimate organic, grassroots car show in Victoria.
Starting around 6:00 PM, local car builders, purists, and casual spectators drive in to park, chat, swap restoration stories, and grab coffees. Ranging from perfectly polished 1950s cherry cruisers and roaring muscle cars to modern import tuners and vintage farm trucks, this is a highly organic community meet drawing about 100 vehicles on warm summer nights. It runs again this Saturday, September 5, weather permitting: it's free, and the lot fills up early, so arrive before 6:00 PM if you want a good spot for the long weekend edition.
"This meet is the soul of Greater Victoria's car culture. It and Saanich's local carriage and garden suite programs both represent the absolute best of community cooperation, with people sharing heritage, space, and local solutions." - Anna Hakim, Happy Homes Team
Saturdays from around 6:00 PM – Dusk
Weather permitting, spring through fall
Canadian Tire, Broadmead Village
801 Royal Oak Drive, Saanich
Greater Victoria's Car Culture Hub
Where collectors, auto builders, and casual admirers meet weekly. Family and pet friendly!
Labour Day Long Weekend · September 4 – 7, 2026
Last updated: September 3, 2026
Happening This Week
Saturday, September 5 · 6:00 PM – Dusk
Broadmead Saturday Night Car Meetup
Canadian Tire, 801 Royal Oak Drive, Broadmead Village Shopping Centre, Saanich
Greater Victoria's premier weekly car gathering runs again this Saturday, September 5, weather permitting. Free and fully organic: the lot holds about 100 vehicles and fills up early, so aim to arrive before 6:00 PM. Family and pet friendly. The local ritual of the long weekend.
Full event guide & detailsFriday, September 4 – Sunday, September 6
Victoria Classic Boat Festival
Victoria Inner Harbour
A long weekend ritual on the water: vintage and classic wooden powerboats and sailboats on display in the Inner Harbour, with the Empress Hotel and Parliament Buildings as the backdrop. Free and family friendly.
Full event guide & detailsFriday, September 4 – Monday, September 7
Victoria Greek Fest
Greek Hellenic Centre, Saanich
The 25th annual Greek Fest returns for its extended Labour Day weekend run with traditional souvlaki, spanakopita, baklava, loukoumades, live entertainment, and dance groups. Free admission. A beloved Greater Victoria tradition.
Full event guide & detailsSaturday, September 5 – Monday, September 7
Saanich Fair
1528 Stelly’s Cross Road, Saanichton
The 158th annual Saanich Fair returns over Labour Day weekend. Western Canada's oldest continuous agricultural fair with exhibitions, midway rides, livestock shows, entertainment, and classic fair food. A beloved Island tradition since 1869.
Summer 2026
Last updated: September 3, 2026
Upcoming Events
The fall car season ramps up with a retro show and shine in Langford on September 12, then a deliciously busy Sunday on September 27: cider country to the north and live-fire cuisine in Langford. Pick your adventure.
August 26 – September 6
ArtsVictoria Fringe Festival
Various Venues
Victoria's biggest theatre festival celebrates its 40th anniversary. Dozens of independent companies perform everything from comedy to drama to experimental work across the city.
September 4–7
FestivalsVictoria Greek Fest
Greek Hellenic Centre, Saanich
The 25th annual Greek Fest returns for its extended Labour Day weekend run. Traditional Greek food, live entertainment, and dance groups. Free admission. A beloved Greater Victoria tradition.
Annually in early June
CommunityCook Street Village Block Party (Annual)
Cook Street Village, Victoria, BC
Cook Street Village closes to traffic and becomes a pedestrian-only festival with The Fastest Dog races, a puppy water park, Pupsicle stand, over 100 craft vendors, food trucks, and live music stages. One of Victoria's biggest and most beloved community events.
September 5–7
CommunitySaanich Fair
1528 Stelly’s Cross Road, Saanichton, BC
The 158th annual Saanich Fair returns Labour Day weekend. Western Canada’s oldest continuous agricultural fair with exhibitions, midway rides, livestock shows, entertainment, and classic fair food. A beloved Island tradition since 1869.
September 4–6
AttractionClassic Boat Festival
Victoria Inner Harbour
Victoria’s annual Classic Boat Festival returns to the Inner Harbour over Labour Day weekend. Vintage and classic wooden powerboats and sailboats on display against the backdrop of the Empress Hotel and Parliament Buildings. Free, family-friendly waterfront event.
Friday, September 11 – Sunday, September 13, 2026
Food & DrinkEsquimalt RibFest
Bullen Park, Victoria
Victoria's favourite ribs and music festival returns to Bullen Park the weekend after Labour Day, running Friday, September 11 through Sunday, September 13, 2026. Expect smoky barbecue ribs, live music, and family activities in the park. The event is also listed on the Tourism Victoria events calendar as a handy second source for details.
Official event websiteSaturdays, July 4 – September 5
AttractionButchart Gardens Fireworks Season
The Butchart Gardens, Brentwood Bay
Saturday night fireworks over the Sunken Garden run all summer. Times shift to 9:00 PM in late August. Nightly live performances throughout the season.
Sundays, July – September · 11 AM – 2 PM
MarketMetchosin Farmers Market
Metchosin Community Hall, 4401 William Head Rd
A small, community-driven Sunday market in rural Metchosin. Local produce, baked goods, plants, and handmade goods from Metchosin growers and artisans.
October 4
AutomotiveLightEmUp.TV Season Finale
Mayfair Shopping Centre
The grand finale of LightEmUp.TV's car show series at Mayfair. An autumn send-off for the 2026 season with hundreds of show cars.
Sunday, September 6, 2026 · 11:00 AM – 5:00 PM
AutomotiveWoodgrove Centre Cruise-In
Woodgrove Centre, Nanaimo
Light 'Em Up.TV's second annual Nanaimo Cruise-In brings hundreds of vehicles to the mall on the Labour Day long weekend. An easy island road trip for the long weekend, roughly a 45 minute drive north from Victoria.
Saturday, September 12, 2026 · 11:00 AM – 2:00 PM
AutomotiveEnd of Summer Retro Party
Jesken Serie Assisted Living, 817 Goldstream Ave, Langford
A retro-themed show 'n' shine on Goldstream Avenue in Langford, listed on the Vancouver Island Hot Rods show calendar as the community's end-of-summer send-off. Hot rods, classics, and custom builds on display in the late-summer sunshine, with the VIHR calendar showing the show rolling on through 4:00 PM. Free to attend.
Vancouver Island Hot Rods show calendarSaturday, September 26, 2026
AutomotiveVIEX Cruise & Car Show
Nanaimo, BC
Looking ahead: gates open at 8:30 AM, all vehicles must be on site by 9:45 AM, and participants leave for the cruise at 2:00 PM. Registration details and the latest information are on the VIEX site.
Event details & ticketsSunday, September 27, 2026 · 1:00 – 4:00 PM
FestivalsMerridale Cider Harvest Festival (8th Annual)
Merridale Cidery & Distillery, 1230 Merridale Road, Cobble Hill (Cowichan Valley, about a 45 to 60 minute drive from Victoria)
Merridale's eighth annual cider harvest festival pours samples from cider makers across BC alongside live music, orchard walks, and farm-crafted food from the cidery kitchen. Prepaid reservations are required, around $54 per person including a souvenir tasting glass. Merridale's Harvest Season runs September 27 through October 31, so the celebration carries on well into fall.
Event details & ticketsSunday, September 27, 2026 · 2:00 – 5:00 PM
Food & DrinkBrewery & the Beast Vancouver Island
Starlight Stadium, 1089 Langford Pkwy, Langford
Presented by Island Savings, Brewery & the Beast brings an all-inclusive food and drink experience to Starlight Stadium, with live-fire cooking from Victoria and Vancouver Island's top chefs and brewers. No drink tokens needed: beverages are poured all afternoon to keep you refreshed. VIP entry is from 1:00 PM. Tickets sell out fast, so book early.
Event details & ticketsEvery Week
Recurring Events
Broadmead Saturday Night Car Meetup
Canadian Tire Parking Lot, 801 Royal Oak Drive, Broadmead Village Shopping Centre, Saanich
Greater Victoria's most active, organic weekly gathering for automotive collectors, muscle cars, imports, and custom builds. Free to attend, and the lot holds about 100 vehicles, so it fills up early on nice evenings. A highly approachable, family-friendly scene.
Moss Street Saturday Market
Moss Street between Fort & Dallas Road, Fairfield
Victoria's favourite farmers market. Local growers, artisans, bakers, and food vendors line the tree-lined streets of Fairfield every Saturday morning.
Peninsula Country Market
Saanich Fairgrounds, 1528 Stelly’s Cross Road, Central Saanich
A Saturday morning staple on the Saanich Peninsula. Fresh local produce, artisan baked goods, preserves, crafts, and prepared foods from Peninsula growers and makers.
Goldstream Farmers Market
Danbrook Park, 744 Danbrook Ave, Langford
Langford's community market featuring local vendors, fresh produce, artisan goods, and food trucks. Now at its new Danbrook Park location for 2026. A Saturday morning staple for West Shore families.
North Saanich Farm Market
St. John's United Church, 10990 West Saanich Rd, North Saanich
A beloved North Saanich farm market with hyper-local produce, preserves, eggs, flowers, and baked goods from Peninsula farms and home growers. Small, charming, and very island.
Esquimalt Farmers Market
Esquimalt Recreation Centre, 527 Admunsalt St, Esquimalt
A Thursday evening community market in Esquimalt. Local produce, prepared foods, baked goods, and artisan vendors. A midweek staple for West Side families.
Gorge Farmers Market
Gorge Park, 1070 Tillicum Rd, Esquimalt
A Monday evening market along the scenic Gorge waterway. Local produce, prepared foods, artisans, and live music. The perfect way to start the week.
Sidney Street Market
Beacon Avenue, Sidney-by-the-Sea
A Thursday evening street market on Sidney's charming Beacon Avenue for its 27th year. Local produce, artisan crafts, baked goods, and food trucks with an oceanfront village backdrop.
Sidney Saturday Morning Market
Beacon Avenue, Sidney-by-the-Sea
A vibrant seaside market on Sidney's charming Beacon Avenue. Local produce, handmade crafts, baked goods, and food trucks with an oceanfront backdrop.
Butchart Gardens Nightly Performances
The Butchart Gardens, Brentwood Bay
Live outdoor performances nightly through the summer. Saturday night fireworks run July 4 through September 5 (times shift from 10:15 PM in early July to 9:00 PM by late August). Peak bloom season runs June through August. Book ahead, fireworks nights sell out.
Live Music at Hermann's Jazz Club
753 View Street
Victoria's premier destination for intimate live music. Jazz, soul, blues, and world music in an intimate room.
Beacon Hill Children's Farm
Beacon Hill Park
A free petting farm in the heart of Beacon Hill Park. Goats, peacocks, miniature horses, and spring lambs. A Victoria institution for families.
Fort Rodd Hill Summer Programming
Fort Rodd Hill & Fisgard Lighthouse, Colwood
Parks Canada's seaside fortress open for summer with guided tours, cannon firings, and lighthouse visits. A unique piece of West Coast military history right on the water.
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