Little Local - August 27

Family events this weekend + what’s coming next

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Little Local
August 27, 2026

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Wow, August has flown by! We’re still in Ontario, and between family time and being on the go, I haven’t had quite as much time for the newsletter this week. I’ve rounded up the family-friendly events happening around Victoria this weekend, but otherwise I’m keeping things pretty lean.

We still have one more week before school starts (yay?!), and I’m choosing to think of it as a bonus week of summer. One more week of extra treats, spontaneous adventures, and squeezing in the things you meant to do before routines straighten us out again.

The Summer Adventure Passport wraps up this Monday, August 31, so make sure you’ve used your exclusive Passport Perks and email me at [email protected] with your completed Passport for a ✨chance to win one of the three grand prizes✨!

Also, I’m doing a very quick reader survey this week to help shape Little Local for fall. I’d love to hear from you, whether you’re brand new here or have been reading since the beginning. You’ll find it just below the ‘What’s Happening’ section at the end of this email. 🙏🏼

Thank you for being here!

🍂 Fall Crew Mail is here: Little Local Crew’s fall snail mail is now available for a limited time. Each seasonal envelope includes simple screen-free activities, local nature notes, stickers, and a few fun surprises designed to help kids notice what’s changing around them. Fall edition is $20 and will be mailed in mid-September.

🧡 Partner with Little Local: If you want to discuss teaming up to share your business, project, or organization with thousands of local families, we should chat! Hit reply to set up a discovery call.

Japanese Cultural Fair

🗓️ Saturday, August 29 | 9:45am–4pm
📍 Esquimalt Gorge Park

The Japanese Cultural Fair was a hit with the kids last year, so I’d definitely put this one on your radar for this weekend. There’s lots happening throughout the day, with live performances, cultural demonstrations, food (taiyaki!) and Japanese kids’ games and crafts. Parking is limited, so it’s worth planning ahead if you’re driving.

This Weekend

🇬🇷 Victoria Greek Fest
Friday, August 28–Sunday, August 30 | 11:30am–9pm
Come hungry for Greek food, stay for the live music, dancing and cultural performances. This is an easy one to make into a full family outing. [Info]

🚗 Hot August Days Vintage Fair
Saturday, August 29 | 9am–4pm
A fun mix of vintage finds, toys, collectibles, classic cars, food trucks and live entertainment at the Mary Winspear Centre. [Info]

⛳ Island View Farm Mini Golf Tournament
Saturday, August 29 | 9–11:30am
A playful end-of-summer mini golf tournament with treats and prizes. A good one for kids who love a little friendly competition. [Info]

🎶 Colwood Music in the Park
Saturday, August 29 | 5:30–7:30pm
Bring a blanket and soak up one more summer evening with live music, dancing and ice cream at Meadow Park. [Info]

🎆 Butchart Gardens Fireworks
Saturday, August 29 | Evening
One of the last chances to catch the Saturday night fireworks this summer. If you’ve been meaning to go, this is the weekend. [Info]

🏛️ Parliamentary Plays
Saturday, August 29 + Sunday, August 30 | BC Legislature
Catch one of the final outdoor Parliamentary Plays of the summer. They’re short, free and easy to pair with a downtown adventure. [Info]

🛍️ Bastion Square Summer Market
Wednesdays through Sundays | 11am–5pm
Browse local makers and vendors downtown, then grab a treat and make an afternoon of it around the Inner Harbour. [Info]

🏴‍☠️ Sails & Sagas: A Pirate & Viking Jubilee
Saturday, August 29 + Sunday, August 30 | Various times
Pirates, Vikings, mermaids, circus performances, live music, a treasure hunt and an inflatable pirate ship take over Iroquois Park for a weekend of family fun. Kids 12 and under get in free. [Info]

🏓 Victoria Pickleball Festival
Sunday, August 30 | Kids Zone 10am–4pm
Canada’s first Pickleball Festival takes over Topaz Park with tournament play, local vendors, food and live music. Sunday is the best day to bring the kids, with a Kids Zone featuring face painting, games and a bouncy castle. [Info]

🌲 A Bear’s Perspective
Sunday, August 30 | 10am–1pm
A free, all-ages CRD nature program exploring the world from a bear’s point of view. [Info]

Upcoming

🎡 Saanich Fair
Saturday, September 5–Monday, September 7
The annual Labour Day weekend tradition is back with farm animals, midway rides, agricultural displays, competitions, food and live entertainment at the Saanich Fairgrounds. [Info]

⛵ Victoria Classic Boat Festival
Friday, September 4–Sunday, September 6
Head down to the Inner Harbour to wander the docks, see beautiful classic boats and catch live music and the Sunday sail past. [Info]

🏮 Autumn Lantern Festival
Saturday, September 12 | 5–8:30pm
A lovely early-fall evening at Lambrick Park with lanterns, cultural performances, food trucks and lantern-making for kids. [Info]

🚂 Victoria Model Railway Show
Sunday, September 13
A fun one for train-loving kids, with detailed model railway displays and layouts at the Mary Winspear Centre. [Info]


Help Shape What Comes Next 💛

As I start planning for fall and thinking about what Little Local should be for families across Greater Victoria, I want to hear from you, whether you’ve been reading since the beginning or just found Little Local recently.

What do you come here for? What do you love most? What would you like to see more of?

I’ve put together a very short reader survey, and your answers will help me decide what to work on next. I’d really love to hear from as many of you as possible.

Thanks so much for taking a couple of minutes to share your thoughts!

P.S. Would you like to get your business in front of thousands of local Victoria families? Email us at [email protected].

Final Note: I do my best to keep everything accurate, but I am only human so the odd mistake might sneak in! If you catch one, feel free to let me know.