We’re quickly nearing the halfway mark of summer, but the number of festivals yet to come is overwhelming. So to keep track, we present a reminder roundup to plan your upcoming days and nights.
Photo credit: Colin Smith/VictoriaNow
These festivals are returning from the pandemic with a blast of new energy and excitement. And we are just as pumped to take them all in.
By no means is this an exhaustive list. But here are 12 prominent Island festivals you want to mark on your entertainment calendar:
Laketown Rock
July 22-23 — Laketown Ranch
Photo credit: Laketown Rock
Big names flock to Cowichan Valley this weekend for a rock blowout that includes CCR’s John Fogerty, Tom Cochrane, Big Sugar, Keb’ Mo’, and Wide Mouth Mason. The weather will be hot, making this the truest of summer music festivals.
Islands Folk Festival
July 23 — Duncan
Photo credit: Susan Wolfe/Alex Cuba
A dazzling lineup for the returning folk fest on Providence Farm, that features Canadian-Cuban (and Grammy Award winner) Alex Cuba, Shari Ulrich, Harry Manx, Cousin Harley, and dozens more. The music continues until midnight.
Sunfest Country Music Festival
July 28-31 — Laketown Ranch
Photo credit: Sunfest
After a two-year hiatus, country music lovers can grab their boots and hats for a spectacular four-day festival with big draws like Dallas Smith, Darius Rucker, and Orville Peck.
Filberg Festival
July 29-31 — Comox
Photo credit: Filberg Festival
A three-day celebration of music and a sprawling artisan market to get lost in, Filberg has something for everyone. Performers include Odds, Sue Medley, and Luca Fogale.
Wonderment Festival
July 29-August 1 — Victoria
Photo credit: Wonderment/Facebook
Spread out through public green spaces and various venues, the city’s pioneering festival of ambient and electrocoustic music always draws huge crowds of dancing, devout fans.
Mosaic Arts & Culture Festival
July 29-31 — Pender Island
Photo credit: Kathryn Calder
It’s worth the extra travel time to take in the Mosaic Festival on Pender. Not only are there workshops on boat building, clay sculpting, and drumming, the fest features top acts like Kathryn Calder (The New Pornographers), Leeroy Stagger, and Leela Gilday.
Summertime Blues Festival
August 11-14 —Nanaimo
Photo credit: Jim Byrnes
It’ll be tough to actually get the blues, with this music fest on right on the Inner Harbour waters, and that's a good thing. Performers like Jim Byrnes, David Gogo, and Anthony Gomes bring their guitar chops to Nanaimo for this always-packed event.
Victoria Dragon Boat Festival
August 12-14
Photo credit: Tourism Victoria
Every year, this has been one of Victoria’s most beloved family events. Thousands of paddlers take to the waters and thousands of people on the shore cheer, celebrate, and get in on tons of fun activities.
Implosion Explosion
August 13-14 — Victoria
Photo credit: Colin Smith/VictoriaNow
The third and final 2-day music festival put on by Phillips Brewing, this lineup welcomes Charlotte Day Wilson, Andy Shauf, St. Paul & The Broken Bones and more. Of course, a full selection of beer is on tap for this outdoor summer bash.
The Function Festival
August 20 — Victoria
Photo credit: Function Festival/DJ Blacasphalt
This is Victoria’s first BIPOC music and arts festival, and a celebratory way to build solidarity. Food trucks, music, and live art make this diverse day one not to miss.
Victoria Fringe Theatre Festival
August 24-September 4 — Victoria
Photo credit: Canadian Association of Fringe Festivals
Intrepid Theatre’s annual stretch of super-creative art performance is back, and will offer experimental works by emerging artists. Never a dull moment with the Fringe Fest.
Rifflandia Music Festival
September 15-18 — Victoria
Photo credit: Ben Harper
The fall’s favourite festival has hosted some of the biggest names in modern and indie music over the years, and this season doesn't disappoint. The lineup includes such heavy-hitters as Lorde, Charli XCX, Cat Power, Ben Harper, Cypress Hill, Black Pumas, and DJ Diesel — a.k.a. Shaquille O’Neal. Yup, that one.
