Little Local - May 14

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It’s May long weekend already, which means summer is just over a month away. Crazy! This week’s newsletter is full of easy ideas for making the most of the long weekend, from heading downtown for the Victoria Day Parade to playing some mini golf, squeezing in a little hike, or staying close to home and enjoying springtime in Victoria.

5 Things to Do This May Long Weekend

Staying in town? So are we! Here are a few easy ways to make the most of the extra day… or two, if you have a Pro-D day tomorrow like us 😉

1. Play a round of mini golf
Head to Island View Mini Golf, possibly the Island’s most beautiful mini golf course, for a fun family outing with garden and farm views.

2. Pack a picnic
Soak up the spring goodness with snacks, a blanket, and somewhere beautiful to eat outdoors. A few picnic spots that might be slightly off your radar: Summit Park, Saxe Point, Coles Bay, Witty’s Lagoon / Beach.

3. Be a tourist in your own city
Wander downtown, grab a treat, visit a favourite local spot, or use our printable Downtown Guide to find somewhere new!

4. Go for an easy hike
A few of our favourite family-friendly spots: Francis/King Regional Park, Devonian Regional Park, or the McKenzie Bight Trail Loop. If you’re doing McKenzie Bight with kids, hike clockwise. Maybe pack a pack of Skittles to keep little legs moving ;)

5. Attend an event
There’s lots happening around town this weekend, so scroll down to the What’s Happening section for the full list of family-friendly events.

Summer Snail Mail is Coming!

I’m working on a few exciting Little Local projects right now, including Little Local Crew and our upcoming summer snail mail package.

What’s Little Local Crew?

It’s our seasonal snail mail program for Island families. Every season, we send a special envelope to your door filled with local, seasonal goodness for your kids. It’s designed for families living on Vancouver Island and is best suited for kiddos ages 3+, though I’m pretty sure grown-ups will love peeking inside too.

Each edition is a little different, but you can expect a letter from Alfie the Owl, a seasonal mini guide with activities and ideas, and a few fun surprises tucked inside, like stickers and printables. Because kids love getting mail as much as we did.

Join for the full year → 
Get all four seasonal mailouts for $49.

Summer edition only →
Get the summer mailout only for $20.

Note: This is not a subscription and you will not be re-billed. It’s a one-time purchase for either the season or the full year.

👉🏼 Summer Crew Mail will be mailed out early June!

☀️ Camp Planner: Still figuring out your summer plans? Browse local camps by week, provider, or interest, then save the ones you’ve registered for so your family’s summer plans are all in one place.

🌱 Sprout Family Health: A modern family health clinic supporting parents, kids, and teens with care that feels thoughtful, warm, and easy to access. From well-child visits to everyday health concerns, Sprout is designed with families in mind.

🌿 EcoQuest Adventure Camps with Braefoot: Paddle, explore, and discover this summer! EcoQuest, offered through Braefoot Community Association, offers hands-on outdoor camps for curious kids, including kayaking sessions for ages 8–12 and earth sciences adventures.

This Weekend

🎡 Luxton Spring Fair
May 14–17
Kick off the long weekend with midway rides, carnival treats, heritage displays, vendors, and free grounds admission at the Luxton Spring Fair. [Info]

🌎 Gordy Dodd’s One World Cultural Festival
Saturday, May 16 | 11am–6pm
Celebrate music, dance, food, and traditions from around the world at this free multicultural festival on the Legislature lawn. [Info]

🏴‍☠️ Mini Mariner Mornings: It’s a Pirate’s Life for Me
Saturday, May 16 | 10–11am
Little pirates can drop in for a swashbuckling morning of stories, activities, and pirate hat-making at the Maritime Museum of BC. [Info]

🏴 Victoria Highland Games & Celtic Festival
May 16–17
Pipe bands, Highland dancing, heavy events, Scottish/Celtic food and vendors, music, clan booths, and plenty for kids to watch and wander through. The full Games weekend runs Saturday and Sunday at Topaz Park. [Info]

🐰 Ballet Victoria’s Alice in Wonderland
May 15–16
Follow Alice down the rabbit hole in Ballet Victoria’s playful, family-friendly production at the Royal Theatre. There’s an evening show on Friday and a 2pm matinee on Saturday. [Info]

🧙 Metchosin Spring Witches Market
May 16–17 | 10am–4pm
A free market with witchy makers, mystics, potion-making vibes, and a little bit of magic for families who like a quirky outing. [Info]

🥁 Parade of Bands & Epic Drum Battle
Sunday, May 17 | 11am–4pm
Head downtown for a high-energy afternoon of marching bands, dance performances, and the fan-favourite Epic Drum Battle led by the University of Washington Husky Drum Line. [Info]

🍎 May Orchard Market
Sunday, May 17 | 12–6pm
Head to Junction Orchard & Cidery for a relaxed, family-friendly market with local makers, food vendors, and orchard vibes. [Info]

Upcoming

🎉 Family Fun Day with Braefoot
Saturday, May 23 | 11am–2pm
A community celebration at Braefoot Elementary School with games, activities, and fun for all ages. [Info]

♻️ Zero Waste Day
Saturday, May 23 | 11am–4pm
Bring the kids to Vic West Community Centre for a free, hands-on day of repairing, reusing, recycling, and waste-reduction activities. [Info]

🧸 Victoria’s Ultimate Hobby & Toy Fair
Saturday, May 23 + Sunday, May 24
Head over to Pearkes Arena to browse tables full of toys, LEGO, models, collectibles, and hobby finds at this fun stop for little builders and nostalgic parents. [Info]

⛵ Swiftsure International Yacht Race
May 23–24
One for the boat-loving kids. Swiftsure is a long-running sailing race that starts off Clover Point, with boats racing out into the Juan de Fuca Strait and finishing back near Victoria Harbour. [Info]

🚂 Spring Meet at Heritage Acres
Sunday, May 24 | 10am–2:30pm
Hop aboard the miniature trains at Heritage Acres and spend the day exploring the tracks, trains, and heritage grounds. [Info]

🏃 Oak Bay Half Marathon + Kids 1K
Sunday, May 24
Cheer from the sidelines or sign up little runners for the Dairyland Kids 1K as part of the Oak Bay Half Marathon weekend. [Info]

Ongoing Programming

👶🏼 Kindergym + Play Groups
Open play with toys, climbing, and space to run around! Great for toddlers and preschoolers (and a nice way to meet other parents). Check out our Kindergym & Play Groups timetable to find one near you.

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.