Local Events

ESQUIMALT & VICTORIA

June 19 to 24 – Sculpture Splash! Sandcastle Edition, Esquimalt Sculptor Fred Dobbs and crew will create a sand sculpture “Mad Hatter’s Tea Party”in Esquimalt Gorge Park. Info: esquimalt.ca

July 8 – Saanich Strawberry Festival, 11am to 3pm at Beaver Lake Regional Park with family fun, entertainment and of course, strawberries and ice cream! Info: saanich.ca

July 14 to 16 – TCAC Chalk Party

Professional chalk artists create artworks around Esquimalt Town Square. Info: esquimalt.ca

Aug. 12 & 13 – Pet A Palooza –The Day of the Dog. Fun and games for pets and their people, at Bullen Park. Info: petapaloozawest.com

Chemainus

July 8 & 9 – Chemainus Valley Blues Festival at Waterwheel Park. Info: cvcas.ca

Duncan

July 15 – Downtown Duncan Day

A full-on fun event for the whole family, 10am to 3pm in Station Street Park. Info: downtownduncan.ca

LAKE COWICHAN & AREA

June 30 to July 2 – Laketown Shakedown, a three-day, all-ages music festival set on the expansive Laketown Ranch in Lake Cowichan. Info: laketownshakedown.com

July 15 – Honeymoon Bay Day, Pancake breakfast, parade, music, kids’ games, crafts, concession and more! Info: cvrd.ca

Aug. 12 –Youbou Regatta, a day-full of family fun, with a parade, swimming races, barbecue and more. Info: youbouyca.com

Ladysmith

July 9 – Brits on the Beach 2023 A favourite for car buffs! Old English Car Club event at Ladysmith’s Transfer Beach. Info: oecc.ca

Aug. 26 & 27 – Arts on the Avenue Festival, featuring a Saturday night Art Jam & Sunday Arts on the Avenue Market, on First Avenue from Warren Street to Buller Street. Info: artsontheavenue.ca

Nanaimo

July 21 to 23 – Bathtub Weekend, featuring World Championship Bathtub Race and Nanaimo Marine Festival at Maffeo Sutton Park. Info: bathtubbing.com

Aug. 10 to 20 – Nanaimo Fringe Festival Theatre festival in Downtown Nanaimo, featuring local, national and international talent. Info: nanaimofringe.com

Aug. 25 to 27 – Vancouver Island Exhibition (VIEX) Celebrating the best in agriculture, local food and entertainment at Beban Park. Info: viex.ca

Salt Spring

Oct. 1 – Apple Festival 2023 Celebrating the apples and agriculture of the island. Info: saltspringapplefestival.org