Hello sunshine!
Summer is finally here! (Overlooking the rain this week, because what the hell was that). Sunny season means Victoria is bubbling over with farmers markets and festivals, the patios are back open, the beaches are filling up, and it’s time to get outside.
Summer at Ship Point is back as of June 1st, running Monday through Thursday, with live music and food trucks daily, and a beer garden Tuesdays and Thursdays. The neighbourhood festivals are kicking off, with FernFest making a triumphant return this year after being cancelled then resurrected through a heartwarming community effort (read on for those event details).
Consider this newsletter a friendly challenge to pick one summer event happening this week, bring a picnic blanket, a friend or a book, and go eat something delicious in the sun.
— Zoe
Moves & Shakes
Otto Charcuterie: Coming soon! Expect a sandwich shop opening at 1019 Fort Street (that’s right, the former home of Picnic Too). The local sandwich specialists announced on their Instagram that they’ll be opening their first physical location there, writing in the post that they’ll be offering sandwiches, salads, coffee, and other beverages. No word on timeline yet, but here’s hoping we’re all eating sandwiches on that patio before summer’s end.
Hide + Seek: Coming soon! One door closes, another one opens. The original Oak Bay location will shut their doors for the last time this July, but the local coffee shop has just announced they’ll be opening a new location in the Royal BC Museum, taking over the space from 2% Jazz (who are still pouring some of Victoria’s best espresso at their Hillside location). Hide + Seek is aiming to open this new location before the end of June, which would mean another gorgeous patio to sit and sip on this summer.
Syriana: Coming soon! The local favourite for traditional Syrian cuisine has quietly announced their plans to open a cafe at 1075 Tillicum Road, right across from the Gorge Park Pavilion. The cafe will showcase the traditional Syrian method of brewing coffee on hot sand, and mixing drinks with cardamom. We can’t wait to try it!
Ottavio Italian Bakery & Delicatessen: A newly licensed patio means a new happy hour in Oak Bay! Check out this beloved neighbourhood spot for drinks and small plates with happy hour prices from 3pm to 5pm on Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays. You can now stock up on charcuterie and pastries, work on your tan, and sip an Aperol spritz all in one convenient location.
THAT Restaurant and Bar: Just opened! Find this new spot right beside one of our favourites, Tourist Wine Bar. THAT makes authentic Chinese eats - think rich broths, braised meats, noodles, dumplings, and bubble tea. Extra authenticity points allotted since they only deliver on Fantuan.
Le Croissant Chaud: Just opened! There’s a new French pastry shop downtown. The pastry chefs behind the project trained in France, and aim to serve authentic French baked goods to Victorians, including croissants, pain au chocolat, brioches, traditional breads, madeleines, and chocolate eclairs.
Any moves we missed? Reply and let us know!
THE BIG STORY
Every Farmers Market in Greater Victoria Worth Visiting This Summer
It's market season. We rounded up every major farmers market around Greater Victoria, from the big weekly grocery stops to the evening markets that are really just an excuse to grab dinner and wander around.
We are spoiled for choice in Victoria when it comes to delicious locally grown foods, and summer is the best time to take advantage of the harvest.
Upcoming Events
FernFest 2026
What: Through an impressive community effort, Fernwood's beloved neighbourhood festival returns. This year it’s a one day, community-led celebration with over 100 local artisans and food vendors, live music, family activities, and a bike valet. Check out The Potluck zone for 13 curated food trucks and a Beer Garden, and browse Gladstone Ave. for locally made foods, ice cream, coffee, and more!
When: Saturday, June 13, 2026 from 12 PM to 10 PM
Where: Fernwood Neighbourhood House, Fernwood Square, and Gladstone Ave.
Follow LampPost Victoria’s Instagram for more event details.
Victoria Wingstock
What: This will be the third year of this chicken wing festival and fundraiser. There will be live music, treats from local restaurants, and local beers, wines, spirits, and ciders. And, of course, copious amounts of chicken wings. Proceeds from this event will go to the Victoria Firefighters Charitable Foundation, which sounds like a very good reason to have chicken wings and a beer. This is a 19+ event so make sure to bring your ID!
When: Saturday, June 20 from 1 PM to 4 PM
Where: The Roundhouse, 369 Catherine St.
Chocolate and Cider Pairing Tasting
What: This intimate class will guide you through pairings featuring Sea Cider's ciders and six artisan chocolates from Violet Grove Farms, a 10 acre fruit and flower farm in North Saanich. The host walks you through each pairing, with a tasting guide and placemat for notes. A novel date night or friend night in the making!
When: Sunday, June 28, 2026 from 4:30 PM to 5:30 PM
Where: Sea Cider Farm and Ciderhouse, 2487 Mount Saint Michael Rd
Saanich Strawberry Festival
What: The 59th annual edition of this free, family-friendly summer tradition, with live music, kids' activities, bouncy castles, craft stations, and tons of food vendors. The main event is the classic serving of strawberries and ice cream for $2 a bowl. Every strawberry used is grown, picked, and processed into the strawberry topping at Mitchell’s Farm Market. These bowls are an ice cold commodity, and the festival notes they will NOT be doing pre-sales at 11am this year. Sales and service will start promptly at 2pm and go until 4pm, or until they’re sold out.
When: Sunday, July 5, 2026 from 11 AM to 4 PM
Where: Beaver Lake Regional Park, 728 Beaver Lake Rd (main parking lot)
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That’s it!
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