Little Local - July 16

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I don’t know about you, but u-picks are one of my favourite summer activities to do with the kids. While most of the early-season strawberries are finished, blueberries are at their peak! So this week, we’re rounding up u-pick spots around Greater Victoria where you can load up on berries to eat fresh by the fistful or tuck away in the freezer.

It’s also been so lovely to see and hear how much your kids are enjoying the Summer Adventure Passport. I love that it gets kids excited about choosing their next adventure… and might even make little legs enthusiastic about going for a hike!

U-Pick Farms

When you have kids, there’s something especially joyful about watching them eat fistfuls of blueberries like candy. And when berries are in season, we don’t have to ration quite as much, especially when we pick our own. Here are a handful of farms around Greater Victoria where families can fill a bucket and enjoy a little time outside:

Dan’s Farm & Country Market (2030 Bear Hill Rd, Central Saanich)
Daily u-pick blueberries from 8:30am–3:30pm, plus a farm stand loaded with fresh corn, cucumbers, and more local produce.

Red Gate Farm (1018 Beckwith Ave, Saanich)
Blueberry u-pick runs Wednesdays, 5:30–8:30pm, and Saturdays, 9am–12pm, on a lovely family-run property.

Black Bear Farms (6080 Oldfield Rd, Victoria)
No-spray u-pick blueberries open daily, 8am–5:30pm. Come early or later in the day to pick in the shade. They also sell raspberries and strawberries on the property, but those are not available for u-pick.

Northbrook Farm (1438 Mt Newton Cross Rd, Saanichton)
Certified-organic u-pick blueberries available every day except Mondays. Their local farm stand is also open Tuesdays and Sundays.

Stewart’s Berry Patch (6283 Oldfield Rd, Saanichton)
Raspberries, blueberries, some strawberries, and trailing berries available for u-pick. Open daily, 8am–2pm, weather permitting.

Meadowbrook Farm (205 Meadowbrook Road, Victoria)
Blueberry u-pick available. 9am–2pm daily, and evening u-pick Mondays through Thursday 5pm–8pm.

Silverside Farm (3810 Cobble Hill Rd, Cobble Hill)
A no-spray farm offering u-pick blueberries, cucumbers, and shelling peas in July/August, with strawberries expected in mid-August. Open daily, 9am–7pm.

NOTE: As always, crop availability and hours can change quickly depending on weather and how busy the fields have been, so check the farm’s latest update before you go.

Summer Markets

Summer markets are such an easy outing with the kids! We can wander, pick out a treat, listen to some live music, and see what catches our eye…no big plan required!

We visited the Sidney Street Market last Thursday and loved strolling along Beacon Avenue, browsing the vendors and soaking up the atmosphere downtown. It’s such an easy after-dinner outing and one of the best ways to enjoy a summer evening on the Peninsula.

I also try to make it to Moss Street Market most Saturdays. I love the fresh produce, live music and neighbourhood feel, and there’s always something for the kids to snack on while we wander. You can also pick up a physical copy of the Little Local Summer Adventure Passport at the market’s Information Tent!

Of course, these are just a couple of the many markets happening around the region. From neighbourhood evening markets to bustling farmers’ markets, there are plenty of opportunities to shop local, grab a treat and turn a simple outing into something a little more memorable.

Explore the full guide to summer markets around Greater Victoria and use Little Local’s Market Map to find one near you.

Passport Perks

Have your Summer Adventure Passport but aren’t sure where you can use it? Here are all the special offers available at participating local businesses this summer.

Each Perk can be redeemed once per Passport and is valid until August 31, 2026.

Quick Links:
Print the Digital Passport 🔸 How it works

📙 Du Iz Tak? This beautifully illustrated kids book by Carson Ellis is written entirely in a made-up bug language, but kids quickly figure out exactly what’s happening. It’s funny, clever and a lovely reminder to slow down and notice the tiny worlds around us.

📘 Remarkably Bright Creatures: I really loved this novel by Shelby Van Pelt. It’s a warm, charming story about grief, friendship and the unexpected ways people find their way back to one another, featuring a wonderfully clever octopus. It has also been made into a Netflix movie, which I haven’t watched…yet!

This Weekend

🏹 Robin Hood
Friday, July 17 – Sunday, July 19 | various showtimes
Pacific Opera Victoria presents a lively, fully staged 55-minute production featuring young local performers aged 8–18 alongside artists. Tickets start at $15 at the Baumann Centre. [Info]

⚡ Pokémon Trainers Trading Event
Saturday, July 18 | 11am for ages 5–11; 1pm for ages 12–17
Trade cards, meet other Pokémon fans and take home a Mega Evolution Trading Card pack at Indigo in Mayfair Mall. The younger session also includes a Tiny T-Rex storytime and activities. $5/person. Registration required. [Info]

🛍️ Bastion Square Market
Saturday and Sunday | 11am–5pm
Browse local art, jewellery, clothing, crafts and treats in downtown Victoria. Weather permitting. [Info]

📚 Book-ISH: Book Drive for Island Sexual Health
Saturday, July 18 | 11am–4pm
Drop off gently used books at Books & Shenanigans ahead of next weekend’s $5 book sale supporting Island Sexual Health. [Info]

🦀 BC CrabFest
Saturday, July 18 | 11am–10pm
Head to Ship Point for local seafood, live music and a Seaside Family Zone with crafts and kids’ activities. Admission is free. [Info]

⚽ Summer of Soccer at Market Square
Saturday, July 18 | Match at 2pm
Watch the World Cup’s third place play-off (France vs tbd) on the big screen with music, culture and family-friendly soccer fun downtown. Free. [Info]

🌊 Exploring Indigenous Perspectives at the Beach
Saturday, July 18 | 10–11:30am
Join a guided beach walk in Metchosin exploring the shoreline through Indigenous perspectives. All ages; registration may be required. [Info]

🔥 View Royal FireSmart Community BBQ
Saturday, July 18 | 11am–3pm
Enjoy a free community barbecue while learning simple ways to help protect homes and neighbourhoods from wildfire. [Info]

🧶 Entwined Market
Saturday, July 18 | 11am–5pm
Browse yarn, textiles and handmade goods from more than 45 fibre artists and vendors at Royal Roads’ Langford campus. [Info]

⚽ World Cup Final at Market Square
Sunday, July 19 | Match at 12pm
Watch the World Cup final outdoors on the big screen at Market Square. Free and all ages; arrive early for a seat. [Info]

🐚 Tide Ticklers
Sunday, July 19 | 10–11am
Kids ages five and under can explore the shoreline with a CRD naturalist and look for creatures living between the tides. [Info]

Upcoming

🌳 Play in the Park at Tulista Park
Tuesday, July 21 and Tuesday, July 28 | 5:30–8pm
Bring the kids to Tulista Park in Sidney for a free evening of outdoor games, activities and community fun. [Info]

🎶 Oak Bay Summer Concert at Willows Beach
Thursday, July 23 | 6pm
Pack a picnic and enjoy free live music by Groove Circus and the Teighan Couch Trio at Willows Beach Park. [Info]

🎬 Family Movie Night at Panorama Recreation
Thursday, July 23 | 7–9pm
Bring the family for a free movie night inside Arena B at Panorama Recreation. Blankets and cozy clothes encouraged. [Info]

🎉 Central Saanich 75th Anniversary Community Festival
Saturday, July 25 | 12–8pm
Celebrate Central Saanich’s 75th anniversary with a free community festival featuring entertainment, activities and family fun. [Info]

🌿 Sunday Circle: Nature & Curiosity
Sunday, July 26 | 9–11am
Join local nature educators for hands-on activities, games, coffee and snacks at Rockcrest Nature Park. [Info]

🏖️ Island View and You
Wednesday, July 29 | 10am–1pm
Drop by Island View Beach for hands-on activities and learn more about the plants, animals and ecosystems found along the shoreline. All ages. [Info]

Library Summer Drop-Ins

The library has a great lineup of free summer drop-in programs for kids and families, from storytimes and crafts to comics, artifacts, Lego, buttons, and book-themed fun.

Here’s what’s happening over the next week in an easy-to-read format, but check the GVPL website for the full summer lineup.

🐠 Under the Sea Storytime and Craft
Thursday, July 16 | 10:30–11:30am
Enjoy ocean-themed stories and make a craft to take home. For ages 0–9 at the Oak Bay Branch.

📖 Preschool Storytime
Friday, July 17 | 1:30–2pm
Stories, songs and rhymes for children ages 4–6 at the Bruce Hutchison Branch.

🎶 Giggles and Wiggles
Monday, July 20 | 11am–12pm
Action-filled stories, songs and rhymes followed by free play. For ages 18 months–3 years at the Central Branch.

🐠 Under the Sea Storytime and Craft
Monday, July 20 | 11am–12pm
Enjoy ocean-themed stories and make a craft to take home. For ages 0–9 at the Langford Heritage Branch.

🕵️ Create Your Own Detective
Tuesday, July 21 | 11am–12pm
Explore mysteries and create your own detective with local author Claire Hatcher-Smith. For ages 8–12 at the Oak Bay Branch.

🎨 Baby Paint and Play
Thursday, July 23 | 1:30–2:30pm
Babies and caregivers can enjoy songs and a baby-friendly painting activity. For babies up to 18 months at the Bruce Hutchison Branch.

🌈 Pride Storytime and Rainbow Crafts
Thursday, July 23 | 3–4pm
Enjoy stories and songs celebrating being yourself, followed by rainbow crafts. For ages 0–9 at the Central Branch.

📌 Button Making
Friday, July 24 | 10:30–11:30am
Create your own button and enjoy stories about creativity and self-expression. For ages 6–9 at the Saanich Centennial Branch.

🐠 Under the Sea Storytime and Craft
Saturday, July 25 | 3–4pm
Enjoy ocean-themed stories and make a craft to take home. For ages 0–9 at the Central Branch.

Note: These programs are drop-in, but space is limited, so it’s a good idea to arrive early. Adults must stay onsite during children’s programs.

Hope you enjoyed this issue of Little Local! Please reply with any feedback and suggestions :)

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.