Bastion Square Public Market
Bastion Square is transformed into a colourful and eclectic European-style "Artisans Showcase and Open-Air Marketplace," with vendors selling original paintings & prints, stained glass, multi-media jewelry, woodworks, pottery, herbal soaps, clothing and accessories. Many artisans demonstrate their work on site. Visitors also enjoy entertainment with busking musicians and traveling entertainers.

Held at the original site of the Hudson's Bay Company's Fort of Victoria, historic Bastion Square stretches from the 1100 block of Government St. to the foot of Wharf St. overlooking the Inner Harbour and is home to the Maritime Museum of British Columbia.

Event Contact Information: Bastion Square Public Market
Phone: (250) 885-1387
Email: Bastionsquare@gmail.com

The James Bay Community Market

James Bay Community Market, located right behind the Parliament Buildings near downtown Victoria, operates every Saturday, spring to fall. It is a volunteer-run market where local producers, artisans, musicians and services can meet and sell to the public. The Market's Mission is to promote community through local commerce and entertainment.

Shop for handmade arts and crafts, relax with live music, a cup of coffee and baked goods. Then, take home fresh flowers, locally grown vegetables, fruit and free-range eggs.

You will be amazed at the variety of the James Bay Market. Whether you're a local in need of some fresh red peppers, or a visitor looking for that unique something from Victoria, we've got it.

Location: Corner of Superior and Menzies, James Bay
Event Contact Information: James Bay Community Market
Phone: (250) 381-5323
Email: info@jamesbaymarket.com

Government Street Market

Jewellery, clothing, original artwork, handicrafts and more - it's all here at the Government Street Market, every Sunday from spring to fall. Make a special trip downtown to see this unique and diverse market. You will not be disappointed.

Location: 1600 block of Government Street, between Pandora and Fisgard
Event Contact Information: Downtown Victoria Business Association
Phone: (250) 386-2238
Email: info@downtownvictoria.ca

The Royal BC Museum
British Columbia’s past, present and future are alive at the Royal BC Museum. With a collection of more than seven million unique objects and documents, there’s something incredible to see every time you visit.

Treasures: The World’s Cultures from the British Museum at the Royal BC Museum
From May 1 to September 30, 2009, the Royal BC Museum is proud to present the North American premiere of Treasures: The World’s Cultures from the British Museum. Spanning the globe across hundreds of thousands of years of cultural evolution, Treasures brings to the viewing public more than 300 distinctive artifacts from the collection of the British Museum.

Summer at The Butchart Gardens
Magnificient views of our gardens can be enjoyed during any season, but summer at The Gardens is breathtaking. Ravishing floral splendour greets you at every turn. Every evening The Gardens is transformed into a wonderland of light with beautiful Night Illuminations complete with musical entertainment on the concert lawn stage. Saturday night visitors in July and August will be thrilled by the pyrotechnic marvels of one of the most extravagant firework displays in North America.

23nd Annual Jazzfest International
JazzFest International will provide 10 hot days and nights of the coolest music in town! Over 300 musicians from around the world in over 80 performances of jazz, blues and world music will appear on multiple stages in downtown Victoria. JazzFest International is recognized by audiences and critics alike as - the best and largest music festival on Vancouver Island. Major artists include Holly Cole, Michael Kaeshammer, Derek Trucks Band, Sonny Rollins, Chris BottiFreddy Cole, Oliver Jones Trio, Blind Boys of Alabama and Madeleine Peyroux.

Event Contact Information: The Victoria Jazz Society
Phone: (250) 388-4423
Email: publicist@jazzvictoria.ca

Victoria Pride Celebration
Events for the Victoria Pride Celebration include: Drag Ball Game, Political Forum, Big Gay Dog Walk, Sunset harbour cruise, Victoria Pride Day Parade & Festival

Victoria Pride Society
Email: info@victoriapridesociety.org


Islands Folk Festival
Bring the family and celebrate the Islands Folk Festival, with unforgettable non-stop music from many Canadian and International artists on seven stages all within a pleasant stroll through the beautiful and pastoral grounds of Providence Farm just outside of Duncan. There will be music, dancing, on-site camping, children's activites, vendors and more.

Location: Providence Farm, near Duncan
Event Contact Information: Heather Bryant
Phone: (250) 748-3975
Email: info@folkfest.bc.ca

Canada Day
July 1 - Free admission. Planned events include performances of military music, displays by medievalist groups, and children's programs.

Location: Fort Rodd Hill and Fisgard Lighthouse National Historic Sites of Canada
Phone: 250-478-5849
Email: fort.rodd@pc.gc.ca

Moss Street Paint-In
Sculptors, painters, photographers, mixed media artists work along Moss Street from the Art Gallery to Dallas Road.
Phone 250-384-4101

Luminara Lantern Festival
Imagine, if you will, a stroll in Beacon Hill Park on a warm summer night, the darkness gently pushed back by the glow of thousands of colourful handmade lanterns. Acoustic music gently drifts through the park while performance artists and dancers set light in motion, adding pageantry and spectacle.

Sidney Days
Canada Day festivities, a huge sidewalk sale, fireworks and entertainment in Sidney.

Summer Thursday Night Street Market
In Sidney - Beacon Avenue - 250-655-6417

Bandstand Park Concerts
In Sidney, end of Beacon Ave at the water.
250-656-4365

Sooke Fine Arts
Annual juried fine arts showcase at the SEAPARC Leisure Complex in Sooke.
250-642-6351

Symphony Splash
The highlight of the August long weekend is Symphony Splash. Victoria's Inner Harbour is transformed to a concert venue of gargantuan proportions. The orchestra and guest performers are set up on a barge directly in front of the Parliament Buildings. Powerful speakers carry the sound to the thousands who ring the harbour to listen. The concert traditionally closes with The 1812 Overture, complete with guns and the carillon. This free event is not to be missed.

Fringe Theatre Festival
Anything goes at this annual alternative theatre festival. The festival is a summer's-end 12-day celebration of some of the most innovative theatre offered anywhere in the country at eight locations throughout downtown Victoria.

Victoria Dragon Boat Festival
Join us for this fantastic cultural and sporting event, with roots in Chinese history and thriving right here in Victoria, BC. Watch 90 dragon boat teams from across North America race a 500 metre course, each boat paced by the driving beat of a drum. Afterwards, you can grab a delicious meal at our lively Asian bazaar, where you can also play mahjong, watch martial arts and learn to fold origami. There will be free concerts all weekend long on the entertainment stage and an outdoor movie screening. Do not miss the spectacular Lights of Courage beginning Friday night as well. This year, we expect over 1,000 lanterns to be hung at the Festival honouring loved ones who have battled or are battling cancer.

Luxton Fall Fair
Midway, local arts and crafts, animals, mud drags, and more. Rides, puppet shows and animal exhibits at the Luxton Fairgrounds.
250-478-2759

Classic Boat Festival
The Classic Boat Festival began almost thirty years ago as a one-time event. Over the years it has grown and evolved to become an annual event, with as many as 130-boats participating from all over the world.
For information call: 250-383-8326

Vancouver Island Blues Bash
Blues, R&B, and world music by international artists.

FOR A FULL LIST OF VICTORIA EVENTS & DATES, PLEASE VISIT:
Tourism Victoria: www.tourismvictoria.com

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