From jazz to Shakespeare, from pottery workshops to whale-watching cruises, from sand sculpture competitions to trumpeter swan festivals... Choose your adventure - and don't forget your camera!

 

 

July 15, 2012
Sun
Tue
1/1-
12/31
Chemainus Festival of Murals
Each year, hundreds of buses & thousands of visitors from all over the world travel to Vancouver Island British Columbia to take in this unique village with its rich historic past & its professional murals & numerous other attractions. It has since gained world-wide acclaim for the integrity & superb artistry of its huge depictions of the town's history with 41 outdoor murals plus carvings & statues. Our murals are a year-round event, so visit any time & enjoy!
Sun
Tue
1/1-
1/1
All Fun Swap and Shop
All Fun Swap and Shop is held at Western Speedway, 2207 Millstream Road in Langford, every Sunday, weather permitting, from 7:00am to 2:00pm. Contact 250-474-4546.
Sun
Tue
1/1-
1/1
Victoria Flea Market
The Victoria Flea Market is a year-round venue held every Sunday from 9am to 2pm, offering fun for the whole family. Up to 50 sellers indoors selling antiques and collectibles, quality designed arts & crafts, retro home furnishings, vintage clothes and textiles, ceramics, bakelite, art and junk from Victoria's glorious past, and recycled bargains. Leonardo DaVinci Hall, 195 Bay Street, corner Wilson Street. Plenty of free parking. Secure bike lock-up. www.victoriafleamarket.com
Wed
Wed
4/4-
9/19
Growing Food in the City Course - Victoria
Taking you one step closer to food security. Gaia College, Royal Roads University and Haliburton Farm in Victoria have teamed up to bring you a comprehensive and empowering Growing Food course. Starts April 4, 2012 at Haliburton Farm, 742 Haliburton Road, Victoria. www.gaiacollege.ca/announcing-a-new-partnership.html
Thu
Sun
5/17-
9/16
Dinosaurs: Ancient Fossils, New Discoveries
Royal BC Museum, Victoria: The blockbuster exhibition of the year! Imagine the thrill of discovering something new about a creature that lived millions of years ago. Since the first dinosaur fossil was identified almost 200 years ago, people have wondered how these fascinating animals lived, moved and behaved. Dinosaurs explores how paleontologists today use modern technologies, along with new discoveries and ideas, to investigate and reinterpret puzzling dinosaur mysteries, such as what they really looked like, how they moved and the hotly debated theories of why – or even whether – they became extinct. Our program schedule during Dinosaurs is jam-packed with events, presentations and hands-on activities. May 17 to September 16, 2012. Royalbcmuseum.bc.ca.
Tue
Sat
5/22-
8/25
CFB Esquimalt Navy Base - Free Tours
The rich history of Canada's west Coast naval base can be explored by the public through a free guided tour of CFB Esquimalt. Tours begin at Museum Square at CFB Esquimalt, and last about 90 minutes. Enter by Naden Gate, then follow the blue lines on the road surface or the signs with the letter 'M' that mark the way. Two-hour walking tours are also offered on Saturday mornings at 11am, starting at the main gate of HMC Dockyard at the end of Esquimalt Road. Call (250) 363-2595.www.navy.gc.ca/marpac/3/3-w_eng.asp?category=19
Fri
Mon
6/1-
9/3
Queen Elizabeth II by Cecil Beaton
Royal BC Museum, Victoria: Celebrate the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee at the Royal BC Museum. This special five-section exhibition of nearly 100 portraits by royal photographer, Cecil Beaton (1904-80) depicts Elizabeth in her roles as princess, monarch and mother, and will include a number of rarely-seen photographs alongside extracts from Beaton’s personal diaries and letters. June 1 to September 3, 2012. Royalbcmuseum.bc.ca.
Wed
Wed
6/6-
9/12
Chemainus Wednesday Market
ome to the Chemainus Wednesday Farmers Market. Each Wednesday from early June to early September the white market tents pop up in the parking lot of the Waterwheel Park in Chemainus. From 11 am to 4:30 pm this intimate little market provides a venue for the sale of local and regional farm produce, flowers, baking, sweets and crafts. What’s unique about the Chemainus Market is it supplements what is available in the local stores and invites you to explore the rest of this charming little town with its wonderful theater, cafes and many small shops. It is a great outing for the whole family. Park your car; it is all within walking distance, even to the beach!
Fri
Sat
6/15-
9/1
Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor® Dreamcoat
Follow Joseph's journey from slavery to freedom as one of Egypt's most powerful men. Full of fabulous music, show-stopping dancing and raucous fun, hits include "Close Every Door", "Any Dream Will Do" and "Poor, Poor Joseph. Location: Chemainus Theatre.
Sun
Tue
7/1-
8/28
Bamberton Mystery History Tours
Step back in time to the early 1900s and relive life at Bamberton, one of the most important industrial sites in BC’s history. Bamberton celebrates its 100th birthday on Juy 8, 2012. Museum is open 11am to 5pm. www.bambertonhistoricalsociety.org.
Tue
Mon
7/3-
8/27
BC SPCA Summer Camps
Register online for summer camp at the BC SPCA and you'll get to spend a whole week immersed in the world of animals. Over 15 locations in BC, including Lower Mainland, Victoria, East Kootenays, Cowichan, Comox, Kamloops, Kelowna, Nelson, and Penticton. www.spca.bc.ca/camp
Wed
Fri
7/4-
8/31
Summer at Dales Gallery
Dales Gallery at 537 Fisgard Street in Victoria's historic Chinatown features work by over 45 local artisans for July and August. Sponsored by Island Artisans Association Celebrates Ten Years at Dales Gallery. summeratdalesgallery.blogspot.ca
Thu
Sat
7/5-
8/25
T'sasala Native Dance Performance
Traditional native dance performance in the Big House. This event is the only opportunity you will have to see the inside of the Big House, as it is typically closed to the public for viewing. Alert Bay Big House, Alert Bay. 250-974-5475.
Sat
Sun
7/7-
7/15
Music By The Sea - Bamfield
In an eleven-concert festival, a company of local, national and international artists creates a music village by the sea at The Rix Centre for Ocean Discoveries, 100 Pachena Road, Bamfield. www.musicbythesea.ca.
Sun
Sun
7/8-
9/30
Keystone Art & Craft Market
The Keystone Market is an art and craft market located in the beautiful Simms Millennium Park, Courtenay, BC. The market runs every Sunday from 10am to 2pm from early July until the end of September. Come and see the amazing artistic talent that the Comox Valley has to offer. 250-703-3296.
Fri
Sun
7/13-
7/15
Festival Mexicano
Festivities kick off on July 13th at the Victoria Event Centre with a Mexican Mariachi band and folklore dancers at 6:30 p.m. Festivities continue throughout the weekend on the 14th and 15th in Centennial Square from noon to 5 p.m. All the activities in Centennial Square are free and the focus on children and families. Music, mariachi, dance, Salsa dance lessons and much more.
Sat
Sun
7/14-
7/15
Duncan Antique Truck Show
Duncan Antique Truck Show is held at the Cowichan Exhibition Grounds on Mays Road in Duncan, July 14 and 15, 2012. All trucks welcome! $10 fee for registration. Public admitted free! Come and see trucks of all kinds, from all over Vancouver island and BC. This is a family event fun for everyone! Email: athsvancouverislandchapter@gmail.com
Sat
Sun
7/14-
7/15
Chemainus Bluegrass Festival
The Chemainus Bluegrass Festival offers two days of the finest bluegrass music, on July 14 and 15, 2012. Our top bands will perform all day Saturday on the stage at Waterwheel Park - right in the centre of beautiful Chemainus. Admission by donation. Sunday performances will are in the nearby Legion Hall - admission $15 - with wonderful "bluegrass brunch" as well as hours of award-winning bluegrass. Bands include: Runaway Train (US), Clover Point Drifters (Victoria), June Bugs (Calgary), Bryon Clayton Thomas (Cowichan Valley), Bluegrass Fever (Vancouver Island) and the Maple mountain Boys (Duncan, BC). www.chemainusbluegrass.com.
Sat
Sun
7/14-
7/15
Summer Fun Expo
The Summer Fun Expo will be held at the Vancouver Island Conference Centre in Nanaimo. 250-729-5033, NanaimoBbbqFest.com.
Sun 7/15 Morning Mist Canoe Adventure (Guided Paddle)
Morning Mist Canoe Adventure (Guided Paddle) - 5 years+ Elk/Beaver Lake. Paddle through early morning mist searching for eagles, herons, turtles and other lake life with CRD Regional Parks' naturalists. Canoe equipment and instruction provided, no experience required. Pre-register: $20+HST/pp (15 yrs+); $10+HST/pp (5-14 years and adult non-paddlers). Phone 250-478-3344. BC Transit #70 or #72. www.crd.bc.ca/parks