A diverse round-up of Van Isle music festivals to get you grooving all summer long!
If you’re looking to make Summer 2023 one to remember, this is a great place to start.
Laketown Shakedown
June 30 to July 2 at Laketown Ranch, Cowichan Valley, laketownshakedown.com
Everything you need for an epic Canada Day weekend of camping and concerts. A three-day festival with artists playing across three different stages. Headliners are iconic ’90s rockers Third Eye Blind and Grammy-winners Portugal— The Man and Reggae superstar Shaggy.
Pacific Rim Summer Festival
July 1st to 21st, Tofino, Ucluelet and more, pacificrimarts.ca
Celebrating Summer! An ongoing festival that’s been around for 20 years brings fun in the sun (hopefully!) to Ucluelet, Tofino and surrounding communities. It offers live musical performances, dance, indoor concerts, outdoor concerts, workshops, Kids Zone, outreach programs, plus a whole lot more over a few weeks in an ode to the free spirit of the West Coast. Full schedule available from their website!
Vancouver Island Music Festival
July 14 to 16, Comox Valley Exhibition Grounds, islandmusicfest.com
A classic western folk festival, at Vancouver Island Music Festival, you’ll find everything from concerts, workshops, jam sessions and song circles.
Headlined by Sarah McLachlan, along with performers like Rickie Lee Jones, Galactic, Daniel Lapp and Bros Landreth. You’ll also get to see multiple Juno winners in a jam-packed weekend. Weekend passes are $240 (plus fees), or day passes start at $129 (plus fees). On-site camping is available via purchasable passes.
Filomi Days
July 14-16th, Carrot Park, Port Hardy, Filomi Days
A town-wide celebration featuring a ton of local live bands, on-site boat building, bouncy castles, dance floors, face painting, and a whole lot of food! Filomi Days celebrate Port Hardy’s industries (fishing, logging, and mining) & culture.
Salt Spring Pride Festival 2023
July 28 to 31, Salt Spring Farmer’s Institute, Salt Spring Island, saltspringpridefestival.ca
A colourful weekend celebrating all forms of love! Salt Spring’s four-day Pride Festival features an indoor dance hall, outdoor stage, pop-up open mic, kid zone, covered booths, camping and shaded rest area. Family Friendly Fun for everyone.
Sunfest Country Music Festival
August 3 to 6, Lake Cowichan, sunfestconcerts.com
A country lover’s dream! BC’s top country music festival returns with a star-studded lineup, with icons like Blake Shelton, Lainey Wilson, Lindsay Ell, Lonestar and Jade Eagleson. All will take place at the expansive 275-acre Laketown Ranch.
Filberg Festival
August 4 to 6, Comox, filbergfestival.com
At this visually stimulating art-focused festival, you’ll bask in music and nature surrounded by beautiful gardens, heritage buildings and magnificent views of Comox Harbour. This year’s festival will showcase over 100 talented artisans and makers of fine art of all mediums, plus exceptional Canadian musicians and entertainers.
Nanaimo Blues Festival
August 10 to 13, Maffeo Sutton Park, Nanaimo, nanaimoblues.ca
This festival has everything from R&B, boogie-woogie, and blues-rock to Chicago blues, jump blues, soul & gospel, and so much more.
Taking place in Nanaimo’s scenic Maffeo Sutton Park, this year’s line-up includes The Legendary Downchild Blues Band, Sue Foley, Thornetta Davis Lady A – Blues Diva, Blue Moon Marquee, Tom Lavin & the Legendary Power Blues, Rick Estrin & The Nightcats, Miss Emily and Kenny “Blues Boss” Wayne. Tickets are $170.
The Five Acre Shaker
August 11 and 12th, Fall Fair Grounds in Port Alberni, fiveacre.ca
The Five Acre Shaker is back for its 10th anniversary year. Live music is the focus, featuring genres from Funk, Rock, Alt-Soul, Country, and Blues. Fresh food and beverages from local food trucks are sure to please. There is on-site camping for tents and RVs or vehicles. With its setting in beautiful Port Alberni, this festival is full of good vibes and inspired performances.
Mid Island Co-op Rock the Park
August 11 to 13, Parksville Community Park, Parksville, parksvillebeachfest.ca
Celebrating old-time rock and roll, this three-day festival is all about performances dedicated to the greats! Cover bands will jam out to everything from ABBA to Bob Seger, David Bowie, Eagles, Elvis, Fleetwood Mac, Joe Cocker, John Fogerty/CCR, Neil Diamond, Santana many other classic icons. The cost is $40 for a single-day adult pass or $75 for a three-day pass.
Arts on the Avenue
August 26 & 27, First Avenue, Ladysmith, artsontheavenue.ca
The name says it all. Arts on the Avenue celebrates art via an evening Art Jam and the Arts on the Avenue Market. The completely free event is in its 25th year. It will feature many interactive activities like a live painting competition, music, a family-friendly kids’ area and art stations. You can also shop till you drop. The market has all that local artists have to offer.
Harbour Blues ‘n Roots Festival
August 25 to 27, downtown Victoria, jazzvictoria.ca/harbour-blues
Local, international and regional blues and R&B artists perform in both free and ticketed performances on the beautiful outdoor stage in Victoria’s Inner Harbour. This year’s lineup includes Allison Russell, The Blue And Gold, Ndidi O, Boy Golden and more.
