The unofficial City of Festivals continues to thrive, with 100-plus arts and culture events packed into the next few months in the capital region.
With a built-in audience of supportive fans, there is room for a wide range of events, from homespun arts and crafts festivals to large-scale affairs like the Victoria Ska & Reggae Festival (June 19-23) and the TD Victoria International Jazz Festival (June 21-30), both of which help kick off the season.
That patchwork quilt of programming — offering something for everyone — gives the region’s festival landscape its unique flair.
There are some changes this year, however. Rifflandia, which posted the best attendance in its 17-year history in 2023, has downsized from two weekends to one, leaving Royal Athletic Park off its itinerary this year, while the Saanich Fair has fine-tuned its operations, with an expanded midway, a licensed bistro-style café and revamped parking lot.
Adjustments are integral if Vancouver Island festivals want to enjoy continued success, so new coats of paint are never a bad thing.
We have assembled a shortlist of notable events, and a longer list of ventures that deserve mention. Neither one is comprehensive — you’ll want to use our guide as a jumping-off point to creating your own custom calendar.
But we hope the preview helps you sort through the mass of names and dates, and puts you on the path to a personal summer festival plan.
VICTORIA SKA & REGGAE FESTIVAL
June 19–23, Victoria
The multi-day event dubbed “the Festival of the People” has earned its reputation over two and a half decades, and remains one of the city’s top draws each summer. Once dedicated exclusively to ska music and all its forms, the Victoria Ska & Reggae Festival has broadened its scope for its 25th anniversary and will welcome everything from U.S. third-wave ska-punk acts (Less Than Jake, The Suicide Machines) and hip-hop (Dead Prez) to Jamaican and Chilean reggae.
TD VICTORIA INTERNATIONAL JAZZ FESTIVAL
June 21-30, Victoria
Jazzfest’s main stage programming at the Royal Theatre gets underway with Booker T’s Stax Revue — a tribute to Memphis soul by one of the city’s own, the iconic Booker T. Jones — but there’s plenty more to discover, from singers Veronica Swift, Morgan James and Take 6 to Grammy-winning pianist Cory Henry and Canadian saxophonist Scott Hamilton, among more than 100 others. The festival’s 40th anniversary is expected to have an economic impact of well over $5.5 million, according to organizers, so there’s value here above and beyond what is presented on stage.
VICTORIA PRIDE FESTIVAL
June 27–July 7, Victoria
The 11-day Victoria Pride Festival continues to grow its audience. With upwards of 40,000 expected to be in attendance July 7, the festival-closing parade and party will turn McDonald Park in James Bay into a rainbow-coloured cultural celebration the size of a small city. Pride Week, now one of the signature events of the summer, features the popular Memorial Drag Ball Game (July 1) and Pride in the Word (July 5), among other events, so the footprint extends well beyond the parade.
LAKETOWN SHAKEDOWN
June 28-30, Lake Cowichan
Some big names are booked for this hybrid pop, rock, and hip-hop festival, but none can match Gwen Stefani in terms of longevity and impact. Busta Rhymes, BBNO$, and Grandson give some nice range to the line-up, but the event will miss the presence of Bone Thugs-N-Harmony (who were forced to cancel, and have been replaced by Chali 2Na and Cut Chemist of Jurassic 5). No matter, all signs point to Stefani’s debut solo appearance being one of the top sets of the summer and a strong ticket-sales generator.
CANADA DAY VICTORIA
July 1, Victoria
More than 60,000 revellers are expected to attend this City of Victoria event, which appears to be back on solid ground after a brief period of upheaval. Among the components this year are musical performances (DJ Shub, Hey Ocean, Mauvey, Posh Coat, Yvonne Kushe, Lekwungen Traditional Dancers), cultural programming, family activities, an international food village, and a choreographed drone show. The cake-topper is the fireworks display, which remains the most picturesque way to close out the nation’s holiday. It’s an impressive day of activities, all designed with families in mind.
PHILLIPS BACKYARD CONCERT SERIES
July 5-7 and Aug. 9-11, Victoria
It’s been a steady progression for the Phillips Backyard Concert Series, and producers of this year’s event have outdone themselves, with an assembly of headliners who have a combined 11 Grammy Award nominations and more than 7.5-billion collective streams on Spotify. Split into two three-day festivals, the series is working with a footprint that can accommodate up to 5,000 fans daily, and a lineup that includes Black Pumas, Jungle, Earl Sweatshirt, Orville Peck, Saint Motel and Jessie Reyez, among others.
VANCOUVER ISLAND MUSIC FESTIVAL
July 12-14, Courtenay
This mid-Island gem held on the Comox Valley Exhibition Grounds is expected to sell out, which isn’t unusual. The lineup for the region’s biggest and best approximation of the traditional folk festival (which hosted Sarah McLachlan in 2023) is one of its best in years, which should make tickets even more difficult to procure. Lucinda Williams, Béla Fleck, Zakir Hussain, Leo Kottke, Daniel Lanois and Milk Carton Kids lead the way, but there are plenty of other acts that move the needle for MusicFest’s 30th anniversary.
TD ART GALLERY PAINT-IN
July 20, Victoria
This one-day event on Moss Street between Fort Street and Dallas Road enjoys a dedicated, fervent audience, attracting more than 40,000 visitors annually. The largest summer arts festival on Vancouver Island will celebrate its 35th anniversary next month, with the works of more than 160 artists on display on the street, along with a family-friendly beer garden with live music. Full details will be announced closer to the event, though thousands will already have this item etched onto their summer calendars.
SYMPHONY IN THE SUMMER FESTIVAL
July 24-Aug. 3, Victoria
This Victoria Symphony festival includes a collection of six ticketed and two free concerts, putting the orchestra and its guests (including violinist Julia Wedman, soprano Lucia Cesaroni and baritone Justin Welsh) in some stunning locales during its 11-day run, from Christ Church Cathedral and The Atrium to Butchart Gardens and Beacon Hill Park. The series also travels to Qualicum Beach Civic Centre on July 28, providing some breadth to what is quickly becoming a dependable summer-season entry.
SUNFEST COUNTRY MUSIC FESTIVAL
Aug. 1-4, Lake Cowichan
Four-time Grammy Award winner Keith Urban leads the way for one of the province’s biggest country music festivals, which can be counted on for daily audience totals of up to 10,000 without breaking a sweat. The festival, which also features performances by Lee Brice and Cole Swindell, has become the go-to spot for country music fans from all over the Island, the majority of whom spend up to five days on site. Sunfest successfully transforms Laketown Ranch in Lake Cowichan (which is also home to Laketown Shakedown in June) from a tree-lined enclave into a living, breathing entity that puts a premium on fun.
VICTORIA FRINGE
Aug. 21–Sept. 1, Victoria
Featuring everything from walking/moving outdoor shows by out-of-town artists to readings and in-development sneak peaks by performers from the capital region, the Victoria Fringe favours the non-traditional. Though the finer details of the 38th edition have not yet announced, Intrepid Theatre has perfected the art of alternative theatre in this market, so fans need not worry. The Fringe never disappoints, and with more than 30 companies expected to offer five performances apiece, the offerings will be anything but slight.
SAANICH FAIR
Aug. 31-Sept. 2, Victoria
Classic rockers Prism and country favourite Aaron Pritchett headlined the Saanich Fair last year, so fans can expect something similar when the entertainment details for edition No. 156 are eventually made public. Much work has already been done: Organizers announced there will be a new and improved kids zone, and the midway will be greatly expanded, with an additional 25,000 square feet of space. A licensed bistro-style cafe and revamped parking lot are among the other improvements.
RIFFLANDIA
Sept. 13-15, Victoria
The upcoming edition of Rifflandia will be held entirely on the Matullia Lands in Rock Bay, where a portion of the multi-day music festival was held in 2023. Royal Athletic Park will be missed, but Rifflandia’s producers always have an eye on re-invention, so expect to be wowed by its new permanent home. The programming favours throwback acts like Ja Rule, De La Soul, and C+C Music Factory this year, but there are more than enough contemporary performers (Feist, The Beaches, Rezz, Oliver Tree) to keep all manner of music fans satisfied in 2024.
More Vancouver Island festivals
JUNE
COWICHAN VALLEY BLUEGRASS FESTIVAL
Duncan — June 14-16
乌鸦传媒 SEAFOOD FESTIVAL
Comox — June 21–23
AFRICAFEST
Victoria — June 21-23
BACON, BEER AND BOURBON FESTIVAL
Langford — June 22
TOFINO JAZZ FESTIVAL
Tofino — June 26-30
39 DAYS OF JULY
Duncan — June 28-Aug. 5
THE BUTCHART GARDENS SUMMER ENTERTAINMENT
Brentwood Bay — June 28-Aug. 31
JULY
EVENTIDE MUSIC SERIES
Victoria — July 3-Aug. 21
SAANICH STRAWBERRY FESTIVAL
Saanich — July 7
PARKSVILLE BEACH FESTIVAL
Parksville — July 11-Aug. 18
SKAMPEDE
Victoria — July 12–14
FESTIVAL MEXICANO
Victoria — July 13–14
LANGFORD BEER FESTIVAL
Langford — July 13
NANAIMO DRAGON BOAT REGATTA
Nanaimo — July 13
SOUTH ISLAND DRAGON BOAT FESTIVAL
Victoria — July 13-14
PACHENA BAY MUSIC FESTIVAL
Bamfield — July 19-21
DENMAN ISLAND READERS AND WRITERS FESTIVAL
Denman Island — July 19-21
ISLANDS FOLK FESTIVAL
Duncan — July 19-21
MUSIC BY THE SEA
Bamfield/ Victoria — July 19-27
CHEMAINUS BLUEGRASS FESTIVAL
Chemainus — July 20-21
NANAIMO MARINE FESTIVAL AND BATHTUB RACE
Nanaimo — July 26-28
EATS & BEATS BEACH PARTY
Colwood — July 27
SOOKE FINE ARTS SHOW
Sooke — July 27-Aug. 5
AUGUST
HORNBY FESTIVAL
Hornby Island — Aug. 1-10
FILBERG FESTIVAL
Comox — Aug. 2-4
COOMBS BLUEGRASS FESTIVAL
Coombs — Aug. 2-4
WONDERMENT FESTIVAL
Victoria — Aug. 2-5
SOBER FEST
Langford — Aug. 3
VIVA VICTORIA LATIN FEST
Victoria — Aug. 3-4
COMOX NAUTICAL DAYS
Comox — Aug. 3-5
NANAIMO BLUES FESTIVAL
Nanaimo — Aug. 8-11
NANAIMO FRINGE
Nanaimo — Aug. 8-18
FREE-B FILM FESTIVAL
Victoria — Aug. 9-24
FIVE ACRE SHAKER WEEKEND CONCERT SERIES
Port Alberni — Aug. 9-10
CANADA DRY VICTORIA DRAGON BOAT FESTIVAL
Victoria — Aug. 9-10
LADYSMITH SHOW ‘N SHINE
Ladysmith — Aug. 17
ROCK THE BLOCK
Cumberland — Aug. 17
EAST WEST MURAL FEST
Vic West — Aug. 18
HARBOUR BLUES ‘N ROOTS FESTIVAL
Victoria — Aug. 23-25
VANCOUVER ISLAND DRAGON BOAT FESTIVAL
Victoria — Aug. 24-25
VICTORIA CLASSIC BOAT FESTIVAL
Victoria — Aug. 30-Sept. 1
SEPTEMBER
ESQUIMALT RIBFEST
Esquimalt — Sept. 6-8
GREAT CANADIAN BEER FESTIVAL
Victoria — Sept. 6-7
NANAIMO INTERNATIONAL JAZZ FESTIVAL
Nanaimo — Sept. 14-15
BREWERY AND THE BEAST
Langford — Sept. 22
OCTOBER
VICTORIA INTERNATIONAL WINE FESTIVAL
Victoria — Oct. 2-6
