Greater Victoria geared up to celebrate 159th Canada Day

Greater Victoria geared up to celebrate 159th Canada Day

Published 5:30 am Monday, June 29, 2026

Communities across Greater Victoria are all ready to celebrate 159th Canada Day. (Black Press Media file photo)

Communities across Greater Victoria are all ready to cut the cake on Canada’s 159th birthday.

Canada Day celebrations in Victoria will start at 11:30 a.m. on July 1, on the legislature lawn, with food trucks open from 11 a.m. at the Inner Harbour.

The Wong Sheung Kung Fu Club will lead six minutes of simultaneous drumming with cities across the country, followed by a Lion Dance performance.

From 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., the Busking Showcase at Ship Point will feature local performers, with live music and street performances throughout the afternoon.

Main stage programming begins at 4:30 p.m., with a welcome from the lək̓ʷəŋən Traditional Dancers. The evening lineup includes live music from Linggo, Bucan Bucan and Covers in a Dangerous Time, followed by a DJ set by Bryan Boitano.

The celebration wraps up with fireworks over the Inner Harbour at 10:20 p.m., with this year’s show being the largest since Canada 150.

Gorge Canada Day Picnic will kick off on July 1, from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. along the Gorge Waterway. The length of Gorge Road West, from Tillicum Rd to Admirals Rd, will host the event and will be closed for traffic from 7:30 a.m. until 5 p.m.

The day will start with the Family Parade, with kids on bikes, fire engines, classic police cruisers, and street entertainers. It leads the way west along Gorge Rd from Tillicum to complete at Admirals Rd at the Pancake Breakfast.

The Saanich Fire Department will be serving pancakes with all proceeds going towards their burn fund.

Canada Day Market, Gorge on Art, Show and Shine Car Show, and Kids Zone will run from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. along the Gorge Road. Visitors can also enjoy Big Canoe Rides from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., leaving from the Victoria Canoe and Kayak Club.

They can also enjoy sweet and savoury food vendors at the Canada Day Picnic, with more than 20 vendors to choose from. Main stage entertainment will start at noon, with Rick & Rusty, Bagatelle, and The Midnights performing till 4 p.m.

Sidney is preparing to start its Canada Day celebrations a little earlier, launching on June 30.

The event begins at 7:30 p.m. at Beacon Park and will feature an opening ceremony, live music from The Hit List, and a fireworks show at 10:15 p.m. at Sidney waterfront. Food trucks will also be lined up at Eastview Park.

On July 1, community groups will come together, marking the beginning of the official Canada Day celebrations, with a pancake breakfast hosted by the Sidney Lions Club, followed by a Canada Day parade and Family Fun Fair organized by Peninsula Celebrations.

The pancake breakfast will run from 8 to 10 a.m. at the Mary Winspear Centre courtyard, where three pancakes, two sausages and a drink can be purchased for $10.

The Canada Day parade will start at 11:30 a.m. from Resthaven Drive and will turn onto Beacon Avenue. It will continue through the length of Beacon Avenue and turn onto Second Street, ending at Ocean Avenue.

In the meantime, a Family Fun Fair will be running from 12:30 to 4 p.m. at Iroquois Park. Hickie said over 40 groups will have tents set up, with an array of activities in store, from games, face painting, music and more.

The Slegg Build a Boat Challenge will also take place from 12 to 5 p.m. at Beacon Park, where teams will design, build, and race handmade boats using limited materials.

Just like every year, the Town of View Royal is ready to host a family-friendly Canada Day celebration that brings the community together.

Set against the historic backdrop of Craigflower Manor, this free annual event features live entertainment, cultural displays, and fun activities for all ages.

This year’s festivities will take place on July 1, from 10:30 a.m. to 3:15 p.m., in partnership with the Victoria Highland Games Association.

The District of Sooke and Sooke Lions Club will be hosting a free Canada Day event with live music, outdoor games, kids zone, local vendors, and concessions. The free family-friendly event will include live music, outdoor games, kids zone, local vendors, concessions and more on July 1, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at 2249 Sooke River Road, Fred Milne Park.

Gates open at 10 a.m., with opening ceremonies beginning at 10:30 a.m. The day will feature family-friendly entertainment, activities, food, local vendors, and community displays.

Magician Donald Dunphy will perform at 11 a.m., followed by balloon twisting. Cupcakes will be served at noon, courtesy of Village Foods and Western Foods. From 1 to 3 p.m., the Late Shift band will take the stage.

Children and families can enjoy bouncy castles, a dunk tank, and other activities in the kids’ area. The Otter Point Fire Department will host hose balls throughout the day, while Sooke Fire Rescue’s Ladder 1 will proudly fly the Canadian flag.

More than 50 vendors and displays will be on site, along with a 50/50 draw, the Lions concession, and food trucks.

Colwood will be celebrating Canada Day with a festival featuring live music, historic weapons demonstrations and a salute, the best summer heritage and nature programs, and interactive community booths.

The celebrations will take place on July 1, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., at Fort Rodd Hill and Fisgard Lighthouse National Historic Sites.

There is parking at Fort Rodd Hill, but it may fill up fast. Visitors can cycle on the Galloping Goose Regional Trail, then cruise down Ocean Boulevard to Fort Rodd Hill.

Taking the bus to the Colwood Exchange and jumping on a free shuttle from the Colwood Park & Ride to Fort Rodd Hill and Fisgard Lighthouse is also an option to reach the venue.

As the festivities are taking place on a sports field, attendees are reminded that only service dogs are permitted at the event.

The community can celebrate Canada Day in Langford at Langford Station. The venue will come alive with a full day of community festivities, live entertainment, delicious food, family activities, and fun for all ages. From a pancake breakfast and local performers to crafts, games, and food, the event will make this year memorable with friends, family, and neighbours.

The event will be held at Starlight Stadium, featuring a Pancake Breakfast, Hot Wings Eating Contest, Vintage Camper Van Photobooth, a quiet zone and board games, Superheroes of Victoria and more.