After a long winter, Victoria is again coming alive with events all over the city! Whether you’re staying right in the city at one of the EMR Victoria properties or just a drive away in Sidney, the Cowichan Valley or Sooke these May events in Victoria are worth the trip!
Victoria Day Parade
Downtown Victoria – Monday, May 23
After two years of having to skip one of the most beloved events in the capital city, the annual Victoria Day Parade returns. This year’s parade is all about honoring the real-life Superheroes, frontline workers, who have got us through the last two years with their hard work and dedication. The Thrifty Foods 122nd Victoria Day Parade presented by CHEK TV and hosted by The Greater Victoria Festival Society will be a world class event to celebrate our frontline workers from various business and nonprofit organizations and showcasing our diverse cultures.
Buccaneer Days
Bullen Park – Friday May 13th to Sunday May 15th
This fun and engaging event is back for 2022! Partnering with Esquimalt Parks and Recreation and West Coast Amusements, the Esquimalt Buccaneer Days is a community fundraising event that is perfect for all ages. This fun-filled weekend offers attendees events, dancing, entertainment, skydivers, kids play zones and so much more.
Tartan Parade
Centennial Square, downtown Victoria – Saturday May 14th at 11:00am
This fun, lively parade will begin at Centennial Square to promote the Victoria Highland Games and Celtic Festival the following weekend. The parade route will follow Government St. to the Legislature where pipes will be played, the highland fling will be on display and colourful floats will accompany the festivities.
Highland Games and Celtic Festival
Topaz Park – Saturday May 21st, 5:00pm to 9:00pm & Sunday May 22nd, 10:00am – 5:00pm
Put on by the Highland Games Association, this fun filled weekend will include:
- Pipe Bands (including Grade 1 Simon Fraser University Pipe Band)
- Canadian Invitational Drum Major Challenge
- International Heavy Events Challenge (Men and Women)
- Strathcona Mounted Troop
- Highland and Irish Dance
- Celtic Music (local bands performing throughout the weekend)
- Clan and Society Tents, Heritage Performers and Artisans
- Games Gala Performance (Inaugural Saturday evening performance)
- Celtic Vendors, Food Court, Adult beverage service
- Whisky and Wine Tasting Schools
Hosted at Topaz Park, this lively festival is the perfect way to enjoy a beautiful spring day in Victoria.
Crafted Farmhouse Market
Mary Winspear Centre – Friday May 6th & Saturday May 7th
Located at the Mary Winspear Centre in Sidney, this incredible market showcases dozens of local artisans with incredible collections of handmade, small batch, locally designed, slow fashion goods that will delight. This is the perfect place to find some lovely, meaningful souvenirs and gifts!
Crossroads: Grand National Fibre Art Exhibition
Victoria Arts Council Society – May 1st – May 22nd
2022 marks the first time the Grand National Fibre Art Exhibition has decided to take this exhibit across the country and in May it’s set to be in Victoria! With 48 unique forms of fibre art from artists across Canada and judged by some of the most prominent figures in Canadian art and textiles, this unique exhibit will explore the concept of what it means to take one’s Crossroads.
Bema Productions: “Men Overboard”
Bema Black Box Theatre, Congregation Emanu-El Synagogue – May 5th to May 15, 7:30pm to 9:00pm + 2 matinees 2:30pm to 4:00pm
Treat yourself to the winner of the Long Beach Playhouse New Play Contest and a finalist for the Woodward-Newman New Play Award in Victoria this spring!
“Men Overboard focuses on a Bar Mitzvah for a boy who doubts he’s ready to become a man. The boy’s Bar Mitzvah brings together his politician father and two brothers, a therapist, and a Buddhist monk. Add their fading but forceful father and the boy’s Bar Mitzvah tutor, a woman who loves the boy and possibly one of his uncles, and it’s easy to see that the boy is torn between obedience and defiance of his father.
Tensions grow, affecting everyone in the family, until anger becomes abuse and it becomes clear that the family’s status quo is no longer an option. Men Overboard asks “What makes a man?” as it explores the responsibility each of us has to protect the souls of those we love.”
Heather Ferguson: Raise the Bar
Hermann’s Jazz Club – Friday May 6th 7:00pm – 9:00pm
If you’re looking for the perfect evening to kick up your heels and hit the dance floor, Raise the Bar for Hermann’s is the perfect evening to do just that! Playing all the best blues and jazz classics that are Hermann’s party mix, Victoria’s popular jazz club will be hopping. Join Heather Ferguson and the band for a great evening that’ll support Hermann’s Jazz Club.
Mother’s Day at The Bay Centre, presented by Market Collective
The Bay Centre Mall – May 7th 10:00am – 6:00pm & May 8th 11:00am – 5:00pm
Victoria Market Collective is an incredible organization that supports the shop small movement by organizing incredible markets that showcase local artisans. With over 140 talented makers on their roster, any market that is hosted by Market Collective is sure to be a local shopping event not to miss! This May, the Mother’s Day market at the Bay Centre, will host many local artisans that make unique, high quality, luxury gifts that are perfect for Mom or even yourself!
James Bay Market
On the corner of Menzies & Superior – May 1st, 9:00am – 3:00pm
In the spring, the small downtown neighbourhood of James Bay is positively picturesque. Here you’ll find sunny beaches, beautiful heritage homes, incredible eateries and every Saturday from May until October, the small community market. At this laid back village market, you can get local produce and ethically raised meat, lots of incredible locally made prepared food and artisanal goods. Plus, if you are staying in downtown Victoria, this market is just a walk away!
Music of the Night: The Concert Tour
McPherson Playhouse – May 13th 7:30pm
To honour the 75th birthday of Andrew Loyd Webber, Sound the Alarm: Music/Theater will be touring 13 cities in British Columbia to perform his most iconic theatrical music. Audiences will be delighted to hear the best scores from Jesus Christ Superstar, Phantom of the Opera, Evita and more! Book your tickets for an incredible evening and help celebrate the most successful musical theatre composer of all time!
Black and White…Because Grey Matters Gala
The Beach House – May 14th 6:00pm – 10:00pm
This annual gala supports all the essential services offered by the Victoria Brain Injury Society. The evening is one of the most elegant soirees of the year with decadent local food, delicious cocktails, entertainment and prizes!
