Little Local - June 11

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Today’s a big day for soccer fans! The World Cup officially kicks off, with Canada playing its first match tomorrow. If you’d like to get in on the excitement, I’ve rounded up some family-friendly places to watch the games around town, along with a few local events celebrating the tournament.

This weekend is looking like a hot one, so consider heading to events earlier in the day, pack the sunscreen and bring plenty of water. I’m currently obsessed with Organika Electrolytes Lemonade for those days when plain water just isn’t cutting it!

Soccer Fever in Victoria

The FIFA World Cup kicks off today, and with Canada helping host this year’s tournament, soccer fever is starting to spread. Of course, catching a game in Vancouver would be exciting, but there are still plenty of ways for families to get in on the fun closer to home.

⚽ Cheer on Canada in Market Square. Market Square is turning into a family-friendly outdoor viewing site, with matches shown on a big screen and food and drinks available. Canada’s first match against Bosnia and Herzegovina starts at noon tomorrow Friday, June 12, followed by games against Qatar on June 18 and Switzerland on June 24.

⚽ Head to the Summer of Soccer Family Play Day. This Saturday from 11am-5pm, Ship Point will be filled with mini soccer drills, soccer darts, face painting, lawn games, live music and food trucks.

⚽ Visit Langford’s month-long fan zone. The Langford Station will be showing World Cup matches outdoors on a giant screen throughout the tournament, with a kids’ zone, soccer-themed games, food trucks and live entertainment.

The World Cup tournament runs until July 19, so there will be plenty of chances to catch a game and join the celebration over the next several weeks!

I’m putting the finishing touches on this year’s Summer Adventure Passport, filled with fun reasons to explore Greater Victoria with the kids all summer long, plus local perks and some fantastic prizes.

I’ll be sharing more next week!

Lizards Everywhere!

There’s a good chance your crouching, pouncing kids are chasing after one of the little lizards we’re seeing more and more around Victoria.

The ones you’ll probably spot most often are European Wall Lizards. They’re small, fast, and love warm, sunny places where they can dart between rocks, patios, and garden walls.

But they’re not actually from here. Their Victoria story starts like something out of a tiny reptile mystery: a few lizards were released from a small private zoo decades ago, and their descendants are now the speedy little lizards your kids are chasing.

Victoria is also home to a native lizard: the Northern Alligator Lizard. Despite the dramatic name, it’s small and harmless. These lizards are usually more secretive and are more likely to hide under logs, leaves, or quiet garden spaces.

If your kids spot a lizard, the best thing to do is watch, wonder, and leave it where it is. Make it an opportunity to talk about invasive species, or how reptiles need warmth from the sun to heat their bodies.

🫧 Thistle & Wren at FernFest: Thistle & Wren is creating an extra kid-friendly patio space during FernFest this Saturday, with bubbles, freezies, colouring and sidewalk chalk. Stop by, take a little break from the festival fun and say hello!

☕ Little June: Stop by Little June in Fernwood for a family coffee date. Kids can enjoy a hot chocolate or breakfast sandwich and dig into a bin of Hot Wheels, while grown-ups relax with a cup of Fernwood Coffee.

This Weekend

🎶 FernFest
Saturday, June 13 | 12–10pm
FernFest returns to Fernwood Square for a one-day, community-led celebration of local music, art, food and neighbourhood fun, with a makers’ market, live performances, a beer garden and family-friendly activities. [Info]

🚜 Woodside Farm Days
Saturday, June 13 | 10am–4pm
Woodside Farm kicks off its summer Farm Days with a full day of family-friendly fun on the farm. Visit the animals, wander the gardens, explore the apple orchard maze, and enjoy a little taste of summer in Sooke. [Info]

🌈 FERNHILL Funk! Concert+Block Party
Saturday, June 13 | 2–5pm
Get ready to dance at this outdoor block party featuring live music from Queer As Funk. This one is a benefit event for DDX3X Syndrome. [Info]

🏳️‍🌈 Sidney Pride Festival
Saturday, June 13 | 11am–3pm
Head to Beacon Park for a colourful waterfront celebration featuring live music, dancing, a family-friendly drag show, storytime, food trucks and more than 30 local vendors. Free and open to everyone. [Info]

🔬 Maker Saturday: It’s the Little Things!
Saturday, June 13 | 11am–1pm
Zoom in on the hidden world of tiny forest critters at the Royal BC Museum. Kids can learn how even the smallest creatures play an important role in the forest through hands-on activities in the Natural History Gallery. [Info]

🌿 Wildly Diverse Guided Walk
Saturday, June 13 | 1:30–3pm
Celebrate Pride in nature during an all-ages guided walk at Elk/Beaver Lake Regional Park. A CRD naturalist and Indigenous cultural programmer will explore the wonderful diversity of fungi, slugs, turtles, bats and other local species. The approximately 800-metre route is wheelchair accessible and stroller friendly. [Info]

🦀 Road Trip to Crab-tastic!
Sunday, June 14 | 9:30am–1pm
Catch a recreation bus from Crystal Pool to Island View Beach for an intertidal adventure with a CRD naturalist. Families will search for colourful crabs and other shoreline creatures while learning how to explore the beach gently. Bring sandals or beach shoes. [Info]

Upcoming

🛝 Quimper Park Playground Grand Re-opening
Tuesday, June 16 | 5–7pm
Celebrate the new playground at Quimper Park with a casual community gathering. A fun excuse to check out a fresh play space if you’re in the Oak Bay area. [Info]

⚽ Langford United: Cultural Festival Weekend
Thursday, June 18–Sunday, June 21
Station Avenue transforms into a lively cultural hub with World Cup matches on a giant outdoor screen, food trucks, live entertainment, a mini soccer pitch and family fun throughout the weekend. [Info]

🧙 Children’s Garden Gnome Hunt
June 19–21
Ten mischievous garden gnomes are hiding throughout The Butchart Gardens! Kids can pick up a map, track down all ten and return their completed map for a special gift. [Info]

🎶 Solstice & Song with Wild Child
Saturday, June 20 | 5-6:30pm
Gather at Memorial Park in Esquimalt for a magical summer evening of music, community and outdoor play. Bring a family picnic and support Wild Child’s free, accessible nature playgroup. [Info]

🌿 National Indigenous Peoples Day at Royal Roads
Sunday, June 21 | 10am–3pm
Gather at Royal Roads University for a free community celebration of Indigenous cultures, traditions and knowledge. The day includes performances, activities, food and children’s field games, with everyone welcome to attend. [Info]

👟 Father’s Day Walk/Run for Prostate Cancer
Sunday, June 21
Walk or run a family-friendly 3K or 5K route while supporting local prostate cancer patients and their families. Participants of all ages are welcome, and all funds raised stay on Vancouver Island. [Info]

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.