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This week's Greater Victoria brings wiener dog races (yes, dachshunds!), Snow White auditions for a version that involves burlesque, drag, and seven miners reimagined as gemstones. There's also a massive book sale.
Families can explore fire trucks and police cars up close on Friday evening, watch camas flowers bloom across Oak Bay meadows, or bring their pets to an expo with 80+ vendors and professional photo sessions. Meanwhile, festivals and markets are happening across multiple municipalities—spring is here, and Greater Victoria is not sitting still.
And this July? Superman flies into Royal Athletic Park for a home run derby with a defensive twist.
40+ events in this week’s Scoop. [Subscribe for free] and don’t miss the good stuff happening across the 13 municipalities of Greater Victoria.
Active & Outdoors
Greater Victoria: Pathfinders Walking Club – Walks this week: Central Saanich-Elk Lake (April 29), North Saanich-John Dean Park (May 2), Metchosin (May 3), Saanich (May 4)
Saanich: A Wildflower Ramble (Guided Walk) – All Ages May 2 (Sat) @Francis/King Regional Park 10-11:30am
+ Shooting Stars (Guided Walk) – 8 years+ May 3 (Sun) @Francis/King Regional Park 10am-12pm
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Arts & Entertainment
Oak Bay: International Dance Day Workshop April 29 (Wed) @1442 Monterey Ave 11am
Langford: April Paint Night at Ryes & Shine April 29 (Wed) 2323 Millstream Rd 6-9pm
Victoria: Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat May 1-10 @McPherson Playhouse
+ Nautical Disaster – Tragically Hip Tribute May 2 (Sat) @The Roxy Theatre 7pm
+ FREE Art Gallery Day May 2 (Sat) @Art Gallery of Greater Victoria, 1040 Moss St
+ Otherworld Porta Potty Decor Art Party May 3 (Sun) @901 Kings Rd 10am-1pm
Sooke: Shenanigans May 2 (Sat) @6726 Eustace Rd 7:30-10:30pm
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Family Fun: Our Top 3 Picks
May 1 (Fri), 5:30-7:30pm @Henderson Recreation Centre
Outdoor mini golf, bouncy castle, crafts, fire trucks, police cars, and dinner from This Week's Lunch—all packed into one Friday evening. Oak Bay Fire and Police bring the big vehicles for kids to explore up close. Recommended for ages 1-7 Just $5 per child at the door.
May 2-3 (Sat-Sun), 10am-5pm @Pearkes Recreation Centre, Saanich
Two days of pet fun and learning. Dachshund races at 2:30pm both days (hilarious), a Canine Circus show, 80+ vendor booths, expert workshops on everything from anxiety calming to Instagram fame for your pet, DIY nail clipping demos, and professional pet photos (proceeds to CRD Animal Shelter). First 250 people get swag bags. Kids 12 and under free.
May 3 (Sun), 12-3pm @ Beach Drive Field/Cattle Point
A spring celebration that brings food, live music, native plant walks, kids' activities, and displays from groups protecting local ecosystems. See camas flowers blooming across the park, learn about Garry oak meadows, enter prize draws, and let kids explore while you wander guided plant walks.
News Bites
🎭 Snow White Gets a Grown-Up Makeover at Local Dance Studio
Passion & Performance Dance Studio is casting a mature, contemporary Snow White for August—think burlesque, drag, heels, and hip hop. Auditions open May 2nd (video by 10pm) or May 3rd (in-person, 2-5pm) for Snow White, The Queen, The Prince, Hunter, Seven Miners (reimagined as gemstones: Ruby-Passion, Sapphire-Wisdom, Emerald-Growth, and more), and the Magic Mirror. Callbacks May 8th, show August 19th. If you've ever wondered what happens when a classic fairytale meets contemporary dance, P&P's about to show you. [More details here]
⚾ Former Blue Jay Kevin Pillar Brings Home Run Derby (With a Twist) to Victoria
Kevin Pillar made a career stealing home runs at the fence. Now he's coming to Victoria to hit them—and steal them back. The former Blue Jays outfielder headlines the West Coast League Home Run Derby July 14th at Royal Athletic Park with a format that lets fielders rob points while hitters swing for bonus zones. Pillar retired last year after 13 MLB seasons (114 homers). He'll wear his Jays uniform. WCL All-Star Game follows July 15th. [Tickets Here]
Festivals & Markets
Esquimalt: Esquimalt Farmers Market April 30 (Thur) @1200 Esquimalt Rd 4:30-7:30pm
+ The Victoria Drum Fest May 3 (Sun) @Songhees Wellness Centre 12-6pm
Sooke: Sooke Country Market May 2 (Sat) @7149 West Coast Rd 10am-2pm
Sidney: Island Band Fest 2026 May 2 (Sat) @Mary Winspear Centre 10am
North Saanich: Spring Fair May 2 (Sat) @10990 West Saanich Rd 9:30am-12pm
Saanich: FREE Family Sport & Recreation Festival May 2 (Sat) @4371 Interurban Rd
Victoria: Design Victoria Festival April 30-May 3 (Thur-Sun) @multiple locations
+ James Bay Market May 2 (Sat) @494 Superior St 9am-3pm
+ Moss Street Market May 2 (Sat) @401 Moss St 10am-2pm
+ Experience Agave Tequila & Mezcal Festival May 2 (Sat) @Market Square 6:30pm
+ Kids Spring Market May 3 (Sun) @1-2827 Belmont Ave
Metchosin: Magickal Mothers Fair May 2-3 (Sat-Sun) @ Community Hall 10am-4pm
Central Saanich: May Day Spring Fair at Sea Cider May 3 (Sun) @2487 St Michael Rd
Community & Creative
Colwood: Victoria Outdoor Adventure Show April 28 (Tue) @JDF Arena, 1767 Island Hwy
+ Annual Garage Sale May 2 (Sat) @510 Mount View Ave
Saanich: The Social Sip & Shop April 30 (Thur) @Uptown, 3440 Saanich Rd 4-7pm
+ Annual Swan Lake Native Plant Sale May 2-3 (Sat-Sun) @3873 Swan Lake Rd
Sidney: Passport to Broadway-Musical Journal around the World May 1-3 (Fri-Sun) @ Mary Winspear Centre
Victoria: Times Colonist Book Sale May 2-3 (Sat-Sun) @1952 Quadra St 9:30am-3:30pm
View Royal: Craft Night-Glass & Wood Suncatchers May 4 (Mon) @Six Mile Pub, 494 Island Hwy 6:30-8:30pm
🌅 On the Horizon
Planning ahead? Here are a few events worth noting:
Saanich: Ultimate Toy Fair May 23-24 @Pearkes Arena
Victoria: Dumpling Fest Victoria May 27 @multiple restaurant locations
+ Vic West Fest June 6 @521 Craigflower Rd
Have a great week Greater Victoria! 💙
