Easter Events, Spring Festivals, and Markets... OH MY!

With the resurgence of travel comes a steady ramp-up of springtime events in Victoria!  This year, flowers take bloom and birds sing a chorus as the city springs to life with music festivals, community events, craft beer celebrations, and more. Seasonal markets are re-opening around the city, inviting locals and visitors alike to experience farm-fresh finds and artisan creations. Looking for Easter plans? We have you covered: local businesses are hopping ahead to deliver brunch, egg hunts, and family-fun events again. Have a look at the many exclusively Victorian events lined up for this spring!

EASTER EVENTS

April 15th – 18th: Children’s Easter Bunny Hunt – Butchart Gardens

The Children’s Easter Bunny Hunt at Butchart Gardens is back! A total of twelve Easter Bunnies are hidden around the garden’s manicured grounds, prompting families to look under every petal and over every sparkling stream of this garden wonderland. Children 17 and under are invited to participate. If you find all the bunnies, you receive an Easter treat and enter a draw to win a grand Easter basket. Hop to it!

April 16th: Museum Tots: Easter – The Maritime Museum of British Columbia

Does your young one at home constantly surprise you with their fast pace of learning? Take them to the Maritime Museum for their Museum Tots event, a free hour-long event with admission or membership. Geared for children aged 3 – 5, the aim of Museum Tots is to introduce toddlers to the fun world of museums through crafts, play, song, and dance.  Each week revolves around a new theme- and April 16th’s theme will be Easter! Happening from 11-12pm.

April 16th: The Sooke Easter Egg Hunt, Sponsored by Pemberton Holmes

A bit further out, but worth the drive: The Sooke Easter Egg Hunt is taking place at Ed MacGregor Park. Promising two hours of family fun, two separate egg-hunts will be run for toddler-age and elementary-school children. Cotton candy and popcorn will be available for the young ones, while a coffee and tea station will be available to keep adults lively. Children will also have the chance to get their faces painted before or after the hunt. This event is free for all!

April 17th: Easter Brunch in the Grand Lobby – Oak Bay Beach Hotel

Perhaps your family or friends have a tradition of starting off Easter with a grand, show-stopping brunch. Take the work out of your festivities, by letting the Oak Bay Beach Hotel prepare your brunch buffet for you!  Hosted in the stunning Grand Lobby overlooking the ocean, this buffet is nothing short of a spectacle – even offering a take-home gift as the cherry-on-top. Your brunch will take place Sunday, April 17th, with a total of four seatings available: 10:00 a.m., 10:30 a.m., 12:00 p.m. and 12:30 p.m.  Reservations required, can be booked for tables of 2 to 6 guests. Treat yourself and your loved ones this Easter!

April 17th: Sunday Brunch Buffet at the Fireside Grill

Here’s a brunch you will be talking about for years to come. While the Fireside Grill offers their award-winning brunch each week-end; for three specific dates this year, they will be offering a widely impressive, very special Brunch Buffet. One of these dates is Easter Sunday! Nestled in a grove of Garry oak trees and charming gardens, you will have a chance to enjoy a farm-to-table brunch experience in a restored heritage tudor estate. From baked goods, a seafood station, a carvery station, and even sushi – you will be completely taken away by the stunning quality of this AM dining experience. Gluten-free and dairy-free options are a-plenty – please see their website for their full (and highly impressive) brunch menu.

SPRING FESTIVALS

April 1st – 9th: Victoria Beer Week – various locations

Happening currently is Victoria Beer Week, a well-loved event by the Victoria Beer Society celebrating one of Victoria’s greatest obsessions: craft-beer! With a full 9 days set aside to entertain beer-veterans curious casuals alike, you have plenty of opportunities to get a taste of what Victoria’s celebrated beer scene is about. Events such as “Pucker Up” (sours) and “Dubbel Down” (Belgian beers) are held and hosted in bustling venues such as Victoria Public Market, Garrick’s Head Pub, The Churchill, Ile Sauvage, and many more.

April 25th: West Coast Amusements Carnival – Mayfair Shopping Centre

Carnivals are making a grand return! West Coast Amusements is setting up at Mayfair Shopping Centre this month, and it’s kind of a big deal: this will be the city’s first carnival within the City of Victoria in over two decades. Tickets are on-sale now, and a special early-bird discount is applied if you purchase them before the event. Get ready for those mini donuts, amusement park rides, and fun fair energy Victoria!

May 14th & 15th: Phillip’s Brewing Co. Presents: Glitterbomber

The party the city has been waiting for: Phillip’s Brewing & Malting Co.’s ‘Backyarder’ concert series return in full swing for 2022!  Part of a series of 3 “backyard concerts”, Glitterbomber features a line-up of artists such as Future Islands, Bryce Vine, The Zolas, Durand Jones & The Indications, and more. Sip on a Glitterbomb while you celebrate the return of live-music. Tickets on sale now!

June 5th: World Ocean’s Day – Fisherman’s Wharf

Sponsored by Eagle Wing Tours and the Greater Victoria Harbour Authority, Victoria’s 8th annual World Ocean’s Day celebrations will take place at Fisherman’s Wharf on Sunday, June 5th.  While World Ocean’s Day falls on June 8th, Victoria tends to celebrate our big blue backyard for a full week, spanning June 3rd – 12th this year.   This is celebrated as “Oceans Week Victoria”, and is brought to fruitition by a numer of partner businesses around Victoria, including Synergy Sustainability Institute, the Royal BC Museum, the Shaw Centre for the Salish Sea, and more. Join the wave of local organizations holding educational and recreational activities to help people learn about, care for, and sensibly interact with our oceans.

June 25th: Vic West Fest – Victoria West Park

Vic West Fest is an exciting community celebration, returning for its 20th year this year.  A family-oriented celebration, the day will feature local musicians, games and activities for adults & children alike, local food trucks, vendors, raffle prizes, and even a beer garden to keep us ‘older kids’ entertained. It’s a great way to bring your neighbours together and celebrate the diversity of Victoria’s vibrant neighbourhoods.

LOCAL MARKETS

Victoria Public Market

Open all week-long! The Victoria Public Market is a unique, one-stop-shopping destination and foodie venue set in one of Hudson’s Bay Company’s first six historic retail stores in the west. A great event space, Victora Public Market hosts a number of our city’s festivals and events, such as Victoria Beer Festival (happening currently!).  Year-round, it is home to some of Victoria’s most prized foodie picks. Open from 11-6 Mondays – Saturdays, and 11-5 Sundays.

Returning April 1st: Esquimalt Famer’s Market – Gorge Park and Memorial Park

The Esquimalt Farmers Market returns for their 2022 season this month! This is a bustling marketplace prioritizing sustainability, locally produced and grown farm-fresh foods, and relationship building amongst our communities. Occurring every Monday night (4:30-7:30pm) in Gorge Park and every Thursday night (4:30-7:30pm) in Memorial Park. Please note that the Esquimalt Farmer’s Market is pet-free in accordance with food-safe requirements.

Returning May 7st: The James Bay Market – Menzies and Superior Street

Handmade, homemade, homegrown. This is the motto of the James Bay Market!  This popular day-market runs steps away from Legislature, making it a popular attraction for locals and tourists alike.  What you can expect: farm-fresh finds, live music, one-of-a-kind handcrafted home décor and jewelry, and lots of laughs for the whole family. Operating Rain or Shine, May 7th to September 24th from 9am – 3pm.

Moss Street Market – Sir James Douglas’ school grounds

Taking place in Victoria’s beautiful Fairfield community!  2022 is Moss Street Market’s 31st season of providing local and organic farm-fresh produce, handmade crafts, artisan clothing, and inspiring services and community education to Victorians, surrounding neighbours, and visitors. They are currently operating on their “winter market” schedule (indoors, from 10-1pm every Saturday), but starting May through October, rain or shine, they will return to their regular schedule. Don’t sleep on this one – the Moss Street Market is a memorable gathering every Saturday from 10-2pm and is a wonderful way to spend the day’s sunniest hours.

SPRING INTO SPRING!