Ska & Reggae Festival

Maxi Priest to Victoria for the first time in his illustrious career. Also joining us for the first time are reggae legends Sister Carol and Junior Toots, son of reggae legend Toots Hibbert, who will be performing a tribute to Toots and the Maytals in honour his late father’s band. Pan Wizards Steel Orchestra will make their first appearance on the festival bringing us a 36-piece steel drum orchestra from Edmonds, Washington.

We are also thrilled to be presenting an exclusive Canadian performance with California’s beloved reggae outfit, The Aggrolites who played in the festival 20 years ago.

Victoria’s 24th Annual Ska & Reggae Festival is excited to kick off the summer festival season with another year of incredible music and strong community. Building on our biggest year in 2022, 2023 will bring another jam-packed 5 days of ska, reggae, hip-hop, funk, jazz, global roots, drum n’ bass and more featuring over 30 acts.

With three nights of free programming on our signature stage at Ship Point, free workshops, visual arts, a kids play area and some of the lowest festival ticket prices in North America, Victoria Ska & Reggae Festival is set once again to stake its claim as the Festival of the People.

This year we welcome international reggae superstar

Jamaican-rooted genres like ska and reggae is music born of struggle, love and community. And it’s that spirit that finds us welcoming some of hip-hop’s most recognizable and conscious voices. West coast legend Chali 2na brings his crowd-pleasing baritone voice as he returns to Victoria with his band the House of Vibe.

Recognized as one of the most thoughtful and passionate MCs of the last 20 years, Brother Ali brings his unimpeachable flow and rhymes to our stage for the first time. Our foster features artists from Jamaica, UK, Costa Rica, Mexico, Colombia, Belize, US and numerous bands from across Canada and our vibrant local music community. Join us in welcoming the world this summer. Bring your family, reconnect with friends, meet new ones and be a part of what promises to be another spectacular year!

This past December, we all witnessed the greatest World Cup ever…with the greatest final game ever…featuring, arguably, the greatest soccer player ever and perhaps the next great one too! The Canadian Mens National Team returned to World’s biggest sporting event after more than 35 years…and scored our first World Cup goal. With our recent Womens National Team success at the Olympics and World Cup, what better time to continue building our Canadian soccer program.

Our Canadian stars didn’t come out of nowhere, they started playing soccer at the grassroots