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Another Tuesday, another chance to discover what makes Greater Victoria amazing. This week brings 30 local experiences worth your time across the region.
We're also debuting our new Family Fun section with our top 3 picks - because Greater Victoria parents have enough on their plates without sorting through 30 weekly activities on their third cup of coffee. Think of it as our little gift to your already maxed-out brain.
Our News Bites feature some standout stories this week: A UVic professor has sparked a community-wide little library movement, a Saanich councillor is tackling our rabbit overpopulation problem, and Oak Bay has issued important warnings about toxic mushrooms.
Ready to dive in? We’re starting with a quick community poll.
POLL: What's your favourite part of visiting a local fair?
Results from last week’s poll question: “As a local, what’s the most ‘touristy’ thing you love doing in Greater Victoria?” Butchart Gardens (37.8%) Ocean sightseeing on a ferry ride (28.9%) Taking photos at the Inner Harbour (26.7%) Afternoon tea at a Greater Vic location (6.7%)
Festivals
Victoria: Sweet Delirium Sept 23 (Tue) – live music (indie/rock), games, food trucks @Ship Point 5-6:30pm
+ Scotty Hills Sept 24 (Wed) – live music (country/folk), games, food trucks @Ship Point 5-6:30pm
+ Shade Burlesque Festival Sept 26-27 (Fri/Sat) @McPherson Playhouse 8pm
Esquimalt: Esquimalt Lantern Festival 2025 Sept 25-26 (Thur/Fri) @Gorge Park & Pavilion 5:30-10pm
Langford: Luxton Fall Fair Sept 26-28 (Fri-Sun) @Luxton Fairgrounds 1040 Marwood Ave
View Royal: Community Sharing Day 2025! Sept 27 (Sat) @1215 Stancil Lane 11am-3pm
Saanich: Navratri Garba and Dandia 2025 Sept 28 (Sun) – a colourful festival of Indian folk dance, music, and culture @Saanich Commonwealth Place, 4636 Elk Lake Drive 6-11pm
Central Saanich: Apple Day Sept 28 (Sun) @Sea Cider Farm, 2487 Mt. St. Michael Rd. Saanichton 11am-4pm
Arts and Cultural Experiences
Victoria: Benji's September Pub Quiz @ Ile Sauvage Sept 24 (Wed) – 8 rounds of mental gameplay designed to challenge your brain and tickle your funny bone @Ile Sauvage Brewing Co. 2960 Bridge Street Victoria 7:30pm
+ The Men in Black – Performing the Songs of Johnny Cash Sept 25 (Thur) @McPherson Playhouse
+ Ukrainian Supper Sept 26 (Fri) @Ukrainian Cultural Center, 3277 Douglas St. 5-8pm
+ Latin Dance (Bachata) Sept 29 (Mon) – Free 1.5hr lesson + 30 minutes social dance (no partner/experience necessary, everyone welcome) @Ship Point 5:30-7:30pm
Colwood: Open Mic at the Goldfinch Arts Centre Sept 24 (Wed) @170 Goldfinch Rd. 6:30pm to 8:30pm
+ Square Dancing – Free Intro Class Sept 28 (Sun) @Colwood Community Hall, 2219 Sooke Rd. 7-9pm
Sidney: Fab4 Meraki Art Show Sept 26-Oct 2 (Fri-Thur) @ArtSea Gallery, 9565 Fifth St. 10am-4pm
Sooke: Sooke & Destroy: A Comedy Show Sept 27 (Sat) @Sooke Community Hall 7pm
*Oak Bay: Ceremony to Honour Truth and Reconciliation Sept 28 (Sun)@Sno’uyutth Welcome Pole at Oak Bay High School 11:30am
+ Monterey Open Mic Sept 28 (Sun) @ Monterey Recreational Centre, 1442 Monterey Ave 1:30-3pm
+ Reading Party: Fall Edition Sept 28 (Sun) @Willows Elementary Field, 2290 Musgrave St. 11am-1pm
Nature Adventures
Saanich: Biodiversity Heroes (Guided Walk) – 8 years+ Sept 27 (Sat) - no fee but must pre-register here @Elk/Beaver Lake Regional Park 10am-12pm
+ Art with Nature (Guided Walk) – 5 years and under Sept 28 (Sun) – enjoy the beautiful fall colours with your little ones on a guided walk to make art with nature, children also get to make a leaf rubbing to take home @Elk/Beaver Lake Regional Park (Meet at the Nature Centre near the Beaver Beach parking lot) 11am-12pm
Victoria: Rockland Neighbourhood Walking Tour Sept 28 (Sun) – covers 12 blocks and begins and ends at the entrance to the parking lot of Craigdarroch Castle (meet here at 10am). FREE to participate (donations welcome).
Markets
Esquimalt: Esquimalt Farmers Market Sept 25 (Thur) @Memorial Park 4:30-7pm
Victoria: Bastion Square Market Sept 25-28 (Thur-Sun) @26 Bastion Square 11am-pm
+ James Bay Market Sept 27 (Sat) @Corner of Menzies & Superior 9am–3pm
Central Saanich: Peninsula Country Market Sept 27 (Sat) @Saanich Fairgrounds, Saanichton 1528 Stelly’s Cross Road 9am-1pm
Langford: Goldstream Farmers Market Sept 27 (Sat) @Veterans’ Memorial Park 10am-2pm
+ Repair Café and Holiday Décor Swap & Shop Sept 27 (Sat) @Gordon United Church, 935 Goldstream Ave 11am-3pm
Sooke: Sooke Country Market Sept 27 (Sat) @Grass Field Above Sooke Fire Hall 10am-2pm
Metchosin: Metchosin Farmers Market Sept 28 (Sun) @4450 Happy Valley Road 11am-2pm
Family Fun: Our Top 3 Picks
Three family experiences we're excited about this week:
🏮 Esquimalt Lantern Festival (All Ages) – Magical evening atmosphere with hands-on activities and beautiful displays that captivate kids and adults alike
🎡 Luxton Fall Fair (All Ages) – Classic family fun with rides for tots and teens, farm animals, games to win, and fair food favourites
🍂 Art with Nature Guided Walk (Ages 5 & Under) – Little ones explore the outdoors while creating leaf rubbings and nature crafts with expert guides
(Scan the other 27 events above too - many are perfect for families!)
News Bites
UVic Professor Sparks 1,000 Little-Library Movement 📚
Ever wonder who's behind the explosion of adorable book boxes across Greater Victoria? Meet Bruce More, an 82-year-old UVic Emeritus Professor of Music who transforms garage scraps into whimsical neighborhood reading stations.
What started as a retirement hobby has sparked incredible community growth. Thanks to More and local volunteers, Greater Victoria now has over 1,000 book exchanges – up from the first reported sightings around 2008! These gathering spots bring neighbors together in the best way, with dog walkers discovering new reads and school kids browsing during their commute.
For the full story, check out Emily Fagan's CBC article. Find little library locations on the interactive Greater Victoria map online.
A Hare-Raising Problem according to Saanich Councillor 🐰
If you've noticed more fluffy "neighbors" in your Greater Victoria yards lately, you're not alone - and Saanich Councillor Teale Phelps Bondaroff wants the province to help. These abandoned former pets are multiplying 🐰 🐰🐰 faster than local communities can handle (maybe not quite like the UVic bunnies, if you remember them!), damaging ecosystems and infrastructure from the Lower Mainland to Vancouver Island.
For more details, see journalist Christine van Reeuwyk's Saanich News article.
Watch Out for Dangerous Mushrooms in Oak Bay ⚠️
Oak Bay families should stay vigilant as deadly death cap mushrooms emerge this season. These pale, yellowish fungi pose serious health risks, particularly to curious children and pets exploring yards. The mushrooms typically appear beneath European trees like oak and birch throughout neighborhoods.
If discovered, remove using gloves and dispose in regular garbage and never compost. If ingested, seek immediate medical help. Our community has sadly experienced losses from these mushrooms, making awareness crucial for safety.
Click here for a map of Greater Victoria sightings.
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