Each month Used.ca sponsors community events here on Vancouver Island. Summer is almost here and the island has plenty of fun, exciting and new local events that we proudly support:
1.) Relove Market – June 3-4
2.) TD Victoria International JazzFest – June 22 – July 2
3.) Capital Bike Spring Go By Bike Week – May 29 – June 4
4.) RIM2RIM Canada vs Japan Women’s Basketball – June 2
5.) Supply Victoria
6.) Eves of Destruction Roller Derby – June 10
7.) Raymond James Father’s Day Walk/Run for Prostate Cancer – June 18
8.) Beer Bacon and Bourbon Festival – June 24
9.) TD Victoria International JazzFest – June 24- July 3
10.) Volvo Presents: Upper Fort StreetFest – June 3
11.) Victoria HarbourCats Season – June -August 2023
12.) Teeny Tiny Garden Tour supporting Victoria Hospice – June 11
13.) Taking it To the Streets Charity Road Hockey Tournament – June 17
14.) Esquimalt Farmers Market – June 19 – September 4
15.) BC SPCA Lock-In For Love – June 1 – 17
16.) SKAMpede Festival – July 14-16
17.) Victoria Pride Festival – June 29 – July 9
18.) Langford Beer Festival – July 15
19.) Parksville Beach Festival – July 14 – August 20
20.) TD Art Gallery Paint-In – Volunteers Needed! – July 15
Relove Market – June 3-4
TD Victoria International JazzFest – June 22 – July 2
Attend eleven hot days and nights of the coolest music in town during the 40th edition of TD Victoria International JazzFest, June 22 to July 2, 2023. Vancouver Island’s longest running, multi-day professional music festival presents 70 performances and four free workshops on 10 stages in Victoria, from over 300 musicians in both ticketed and free performances.
Highlights include Snarky Puppy, Molly Johnson, Sona Jobarteh, Chris Botti, and BADBADNOTGOOD. Plus, be sure to see our “Funk & Soul in the Township” Series in Bullen Park: buy all three evening shows for $99! You will see three incredible shows, save $18, and gain access to an exclusive VIP tent all weekend long!
With a mix of world-class touring artists and local favourites, pulling inspiration from jazz, blues, R&B, soul and more, TD JazzFest is the must-see event of the season with something for everyone! Learn more about purchasing tickets at jazzvictoria.ca.
Capital Bike Spring Go By Bike Week – May 29 – June 4
Join thousands of cyclists in Greater Victoria for Spring Go By Bike Week (May 29 – June 4)!
Go By Bike Week is a 100% FREE tri-annual event encouraging everyone to try cycling for the week! Cycling is proven to improve happiness and productivity, as well as both mental and physical health! With gas prices on the rise, there is no better time to leave the car at home. Not to mention, it’s super fun!
Aside from personal benefits, Capital Bike organizes Celebration Stations along popular cycling routes, runs challenges, and offers hundreds of prizes.
Register at GoByBikeBC.ca! If you’ve registered before, just log back in!
More info available at CapitalBike.ca/go-by-bike-week/
RIM2RIM Canada vs Japan Women’s Basketball – June 2
BV presents a contemporary twist on J. M. Barrie’s classic tale of the fearless boy who refuses to grow up. Join the Darling family on their journey to Neverland, where they encounter mesmerizing mermaids, fanciful fairies, pillaging pirates, and much more! An adventure for the whole family. VENUE: Royal Theatre, 805 Broughton Street. Buy tickets here.
Supply Victoria
SUPPLY Victoria (a nonprofit dedicated to diverting materials from the landfill and putting them into the hands of artists, students, and teachers) has launched an online store for their stock of used art supplies at https://supplyvictoria.ca/collections ready for in-store pick-up or zero carbon bike courier delivery!
Eves of Destruction Roller Derby – June 10
Eves of Destruction Roller derby returns June 10th for another night of epic action! Game one starts at 5:30 p.m. and features our own Belles of the Brawl facing off against Prince George’s Thrashers, sure to be a solid battle on the track. As always, we are hosting a double-header and game two is sure to be a crowd pleaser as we morph back into our favourite alter-egos: The Steves of Seduction, for the first time post-covid! Sure to be an absolute blast, the Steves of Seduction game features our Eves battling it out against each other in drag.
Come cheer on your favourite Eves at Archie Browning Sports Centre in Esquimalt on Saturday, June 10. Doors open at 5 and tickets sell out quickly! This event is all-ages with a licensed beverage garden featuring beverages from our partners Strait & Narrow and Spinnakers. Our bouts sell-out quickly, so buy your tickets in advance for $10 or risk missing out at the door, where tickets are $15. As always, children 10 & under are free. Buy your tickets here.
Raymond James Father’s Day Walk/Run for Prostate Cancer – June 18
The Raymond James Father’s Day Walk/Run for Prostate Cancer is a family friendly 3k or 5k walk or run in support of Island Prostate Centre, held on Father’s Day, June 18, 2023. We are excited to celebrate 20 years of running and walking to support local patients and their families! Since the first event in 2003, over 6000 participants have raised over $1.2 million for Island Prostate Centre.
Join team or participate as an individual and enjoy a safe, quiet route through the Vancouver Island Technology Park and surrounding trails. Register here.
Beer, Bacon and Bourbon Festival – June 24
Inspired by unique pairings between chefs and mixologists, Bacon, Beer, and Bourbon celebrates the best seasonal beers, bourbon cocktails, and the smells and tastes of pork-forward chefs’ creations. The Festival focuses on bold rich flavours that elevate any guest’s BBQ season in an ode to the sun gods.
This Festival is an adult fair. Walk into the Festival, and you will receive a welcome cocktail or beer and a complimentary piece of Hertel’s Bacon. Wander through the Festival vendors, and indulge in the bold, rich flavors our creative chefs and beverage vendors have to offer. Make sure to show your competitive side in one of our oversized lawn games, or take a vote for your favorite creations from the arrayof chefs and mixologists.
“Dream of the smell of bacon wafting across your nose while you sip on a batch bourbon cocktail laughing with a friend. We want to create the ultimate backyard party that mimics elements of a fair but focuses on being strictly adult.” – David Bain, Founder.
General and VIP tickets available – buy yours here
TD Victoria International JazzFest – Jun 22 – July 2
Attend eleven hot days and nights of the coolest music in town during the 40th edition of TD Victoria International JazzFest, June 22 to July 2, 2023. Vancouver Island’s longest running, multi-day professional music festival presents 70 performances and four free workshops on 10 stages in Victoria, from over 300 musicians in both ticketed and free performances.
Highlights include Snarky Puppy, Molly Johnson, Sona Jobarteh, Chris Botti, and BADBADNOTGOOD. Plus, be sure to see our “Funk & Soul in the Township” Series in Bullen Park: buy all three evening shows for $99! You will see three incredible shows, save $18, and gain access to an exclusive VIP tent all weekend long!
With a mix of world-class touring artists and local favourites, pulling inspiration from jazz, blues, R&B, soul and more, TD JazzFest is the must-see event of the season with something for everyone! Learn more about purchasing tickets at jazzvictoria.ca.
Volvo Presents: Upper Fort StreetFest – June 3
Experience the whimsy and wonder of the Upper Fort Street Community at downtown Victoria’s first StreetFest of 2023! Visit Upper Fort Street, between Cook and Vancouver Streets, on Saturday, June 3rd. The street will be closed to vehicles and cyclists to make room for all the incredible entertainment and activities! StreetFest will feature a beverage garden by Bear & Joey, a market of local makers, and a whole bunch of FREE family-friendly activities. What else can you expect at Upper Fort Streetfest? Let us tell you! – Live music all-day – Beverage garden by Bear & Joey – Maker’s market – Four Frames Photo Booth – Multiple art activities – Face painting – Balloons – Bouncy castle – Tankless dunk tank – Silent disco – Dogs of Downtown photo booth! – SO MUCH MORE! We can’t wait to see you there! Thank you to our marvelous sponsors: — Title Sponsor: Volvo —- Entertainment Sponsor: Robbins Parking —— Family Sponsor: ISL Engineering ——– Community Sponsors: – Victoria Downtown Residents Association – JAWL Properties – Victoria Royals
2023 Victoria HarbourCats Season – June to August 2023
The Victoria HarbourCats Baseball Club is celebrating its 10th Anniversary of play in the West Coast League this summer and the new season begins Friday, June 2 at 6:35 PM against the Kamloops NorthPaws. There will be 31 home games this season at Wilson’s Group Stadium at Royal Athletic Park, including four fireworks nights (June 3, June 30, July 14 and July 29), as well as six Sunday 1:00 pm matinees, including Father’s Day on June 18th, and our always popular Bark in the Park, when you can bring your dog to the game, on July 16th. There is also a Canada Day matinee on July 1. Tickets for all games are selling fast and are available on-line, via Select Your Tickets at http://harbourcats.com/tickets or by calling the HarbourCats office at 778-265-0327. Season tickets and 10-Game Flex Packs are also available! Please join us at the ballpark and make our 10th Anniversary season the best ever!
Teeny Tiny Garden Tour supporting Victoria Hospice – June 11
Plot your map, grab your hat, and prepare to be inspired. The 18th annual Teeny Tiny Garden Tour returns in-person Sunday, June 11.
Step into 13 fabulous gardens to see how ingenuity in small spaces can make a massive impact.
You’ll find elegant formal gardens and country-in-the-city spaces. Tender herbs, veteran trees, bees, and mesmerizing blossoms of all kinds are guaranteed to capture the interest of green-thumbed and armchair gardeners. The Victoria Hospice Rooftop Garden is also being featured as a bonus stop on this year’s tour.
You’ll also have chances to win door prizes or to pick up a few keepsakes along the way.
Tickets are $30 and support compassionate end-of-life care at Victoria Hospice. Pick them up at GardenWorks (3 locations), Heirloom Linens, Wildwood Outdoor Living Centre, One Stop Furniture & Mattress – Sidney.
For more information visit https://victoriahospice.org/event/teeny-tiny-garden-tour-2/ or call 250-519-1744.
Taking it to the Streets Charity Road Hockey Tournament – June 17
Seaside Magazine’s “Taking It To The Street” is back and better than ever! Join us for a day filled with excitement and fun as we raise funds for Help Fill A Dream kids and their families.
This one-day fundraising event features a “by donation” BBQ, various skills competitions, a fast-paced tournament, and family fun for everyone to enjoy!
Bring your whole family and come join us for a day of hockey, fun, and making a difference in the lives of those in need. We’re back, and we can’t wait to see you there! Register now!
Esquimalt Farmers Market – June 19 – September 4
The award winning Esquimalt Farmers Market is back for its second season in Gorge Park! Starting June 19th, join us every Monday from 4:30-7:30pm, at 1070 Tillicum Rd.
Every market date features fresh seasonal farm produce, a wide selection of prepared foods and drinks, quality goods produced by local artisans, ready-to-eat meals from a variety of food trucks and twice-nightly live musical performances plus sweeping views of the Gorge Waterway.
Can’t make Mondays? No problem! Find us every Thursday evening in our original location in Memorial Park, at 1200 Esquimalt Rd.
Visit our website at www.esquimaltmarket.com for the weekly vendor list and follow us on Facebook and Instagram for regular updates!
BC SPCA Lock-In For Love – June 1 – 17
Lock-In for Love is a fun and easy way to be there for animals in need and it’s about hearts coming together in our community to make a difference together.
Lock-In For Love is a peer-to-peer fundraising campaign for the BC SPCA Victoria where groups – or individuals – can create an online page, set a fundraising goal and share with family, friends, and colleagues to help us raise money to care for the vulnerable animals needing a second chance coming into care at the BC SPCA this year.
Everyone can register for free and collect donations online from June 1-17th and on June 17th, we’ll host a celebration at the centre for anyone who would like to come “Lock-In” and meet some cute animal ambassadors – remember to select Victoria as your location when you register.
SKAMpede Festival – July 14-16
Enjoy live performance in the sunshine this summer at SKAMpede, SKAM’s annual outdoor performing arts festival! SKAMpede festival returns for its fifteenth year on July 14-16. This year’s festival will feature eight trail artists across two unique tours along the Songhees Walkway and Galloping Goose. There will also be an expanded Hub show at the recently reopened and re-vamped Songhees Park. At the Hub, you will be able to enjoy performances from local artists Donna Michelle St. Bernard with Cole Avis, Bragi Theatre, and Kunji Ikeda as well as international artists Rovers (coming all the way to join us from France). Come on down the third weekend in July and experience Victoria in an entirely new way!
Victoria Pride Festival – June 29 – July 9
Victoria Pride Festival is June 29 – July 9, 2023! Come out and enjoy our signature events like the Memorial Drag Ball Game, Big Gay Dog Walk, Pride in the Word, and the Victoria Pride Parade and Festival in the Park!
Victoria Pride Society is dedicated to the pursuit of a fair and just world for 2SLGBTQIA+ communities and is proud to celebrate Pride with a ten-day Pride Festival that emphasizes inclusion, diversity and equity.
For more info visit our website at: https://victoriapridesociety.org/pride-2023/
Langford Beer Festival – July 15
Returning for its second year, Langford Beer Festival is storming the field this year with some exciting new upgrades. We are expanding our capacity (adding an extra 80,000 sq ft for you to enjoy) by moving onto the field at Starlight Stadium. This means more vendors, more entrances to alleviate excessive wait times and lots of space for you to hangout as you sip on some of the best beer BC has to offer. The festival will bring forth a curated lineup of 80+ craft beers and ciders from across BC, live music from local Westshore talent, lots of food trucks and treats plus fun new activities and games. See you on the field!
Parksville Beach Festival – July 14 – August 20
Known to locals as “Beachfest”, this 5 ½ week-long family-oriented festival, not only includes the Quality Foods Sand Sculpting Competition & Exhibition; the public can also learn to sculpt like a professional; enjoy free weekend summer concerts; daily buskers on the boardwalk; a weekend Artisan Market and two evenings where the sculptures are illuminated for late night viewing.
With the addition of the new Parksville Outdoor Theatre in the Community Park, Beachfest has also included two ticketed events for music lovers. The second-annual ‘Rock the Park’; a three-day music festival featuring world-class tribute bands and performances by perennial favourites, and new for 2023, an afternoon concert featuring the Vancouver Island Symphony.
See you at Parksville Beach July 14-August 20, 2023!
Visit www.parksvillebeachfest.ca for further details.
TD Art Gallery Paint-In – Volunteers Needed! – July 15
Volunteers Needed!
The TD Art Gallery Paint-In is the largest summer arts festival on Vancouver Island, bringing together over 160 Vancouver Island artists in celebration of art, creativity, and community. This beloved festival draws 30,000 visitors annually to explore and experience art along Moss Street. Want to help out as a volunteer? Click here for more information.
We hope you have fun at these wonderful, local events this Summer! If you’d like Used.ca to be a sponsor of your event on Vancouver Island, please contact our Community Manager, Carly.
