For a few years all the incredible summertime events and activities that happen on Vancouver Island have been on hold. This year though, everything is back and better than ever to make this summer a memorable one! If you’re looking for amazing events from arts and car shows to music and food festivals, this summer is going to be jam packed with all that and so much more!
Tilt at the Phillips Backyard Music Festival
July 9th &10th @ 2010 Government St, Victoria
Victorians have been waiting for three years for this beloved summer music festival to return and this year is going to be exceptional! For July 9th & 10th the Phillips Backyard is the perfect place for festival, beer and music lovers to come together for a great weekend in the summer. Featuring both international headliners, burgeoning Canadian artists and local entertainers, you’re sure to hear some incredible music and maybe find a new favourite track or two!
SKAMpede
July 8th, 9th & 10th along the Galloping Goose Trail
This is the 14th year of the incredible SKAMpede festival where audiences are treated to one-of-a-kind multidisciplinary performances along the Galloping Goose Regional Trail, the Songhees Walkway, and the David Foster Walkway in the downtown core. You can bike or walk along the theatre trail and roll or walk from performance to performance. Whether you’re an easy walk away at a lovely Victoria rental or a quick drive away in Sidney, this is a great way to have fun in the sun!
Fords & Friends ’22
July 10th @ Heritage Acres 7321 Lochside Dr, Saanichton
Hosted by the Early Ford V8 Club #109, the Fords & Friends car show is the classic car show on Vancouver Island. With a huge space at Heritage Acres, guests can roam around the property looking at these impeccably maintained classics. You’ll find that this show is filled with classic car and truck enthusiasts who have a passion for the engineering, quality, style and detail of early Ford Motor products and who encourage the preservation and restoration of these vehicles. This is the perfect event for anyone who loves classic cars and is staying nearby in Sidney!
Saanich Strawberry Festival
July 10th @ Beaver Lake Park
For guests enjoying the beauty of the Saanich Peninsula or if you’re in Victoria and are looking for a wholesome country event for the entire family, the Saanich Strawberry Festival is the place to go! While it began as a celebration of the rich agricultural land of Saanich, the Strawberry Festival has blossomed with a variety of family activities, face-painting, program demonstrations, arts and craft stations and bouncy castles. Bring a blanket and enjoy a day in the sun listening to live music and indulge in a serving or two of fresh strawberries and ice cream!
Laketown Rock
July 22nd & 23rd @ 8811 Youbou Rd #648, Lake Cowichan
With a great line up in an incredible setting, Laketown Rock is a lively music festival that is perfect for country music fans. If you’re staying at one of the countryside properties in the Cowichan Valley, this is a great way to have some summertime, lakeside fun!
Sooke Fine Arts Show
July 22nd – August 1st @ 2168 Phillips Road, Sooke, BC
If you’re interested in the art scene on Vancouver Island, what better way to get a deeper understanding of the artists and the art that they make by attending Vancouver Island’s longest running, juried, fine art show? Hosted by the Sooke Fine Arts Society, a not-for-profit organization that was created to encourage and promote a greater understanding and appreciation for the arts on Vancouver Island. The annual show will have events such as artists talks and demonstrations as well as live music, kids and youth activities and of course, opportunities to purchase your very own piece of original fine art. An ideal event for anyone staying in Sooke!
Nanaimo Marine Festival and Bathtub Races
​​July 22nd – 24th @ 170 Wallace St, Nanaimo
Since 1967, this festival weekend in Nanaimo has featured the unique bathtub races – boats made of bathtubs race each other for the cup – as well as live music, a parade and lots of events for kids of all ages! Whether you’re staying right near the festival in Nanaimo or just a short drive away in Parksville, come on by for some unique, truly local fun in the sun!
Filberg Festival
July 29th – 31st @ 61 Filberg Rd, Comox
While you’re enjoying the beautiful Comox Valley and looking for some lively music and a friendly artisan market, the Filberg Festival is the place to go! Located in the stunning Filberg Park, you can find a lineup of incredibly talented local artists and some special guests! Have a look at the line up and grab your tickets here!
Eats & Beats Beach Party
July 30th @ Ocean Blvd, Victoria, BC
If you’re staying nearby in one of the incredible properties in Langford and you’re looking for a way to have fun in the heat, this is it! With live music all day, food trucks, beer gardens, free events and a ton of friendly locals, this beach party is going to be an incredible summertime celebration!
