BEGIN:VCALENDAR VERSION:2.0 PRODID:-//Vancouver Island News, Events, Travel, Accommodation, Adventure, Vacations - ECPv6.11.2.1//NONSGML v1.0//EN CALSCALE:GREGORIAN METHOD:PUBLISH X-ORIGINAL-URL:https://vancouverisland.com X-WR-CALDESC:Events for Vancouver Island News, Events, Travel, Accommodation, Adventure, Vacations REFRESH-INTERVAL;VALUE=DURATION:PT1H X-Robots-Tag:noindex X-PUBLISHED-TTL:PT1H BEGIN:VTIMEZONE TZID:America/Vancouver BEGIN:DAYLIGHT TZOFFSETFROM:-0800 TZOFFSETTO:-0700 TZNAME:PDT DTSTART:20250309T100000 END:DAYLIGHT BEGIN:STANDARD TZOFFSETFROM:-0700 TZOFFSETTO:-0800 TZNAME:PST DTSTART:20251102T090000 END:STANDARD END:VTIMEZONE BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20250613 DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20250616 DTSTAMP:20250512T034103 CREATED:20250502T033334Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250505T155649Z UID:26060-1749772800-1750031999@vancouverisland.com SUMMARY:Cowichan Valley Bluegrass Festival 2025 DESCRIPTION:June 13–15\, 2025 | Lake Cowichan\, British Columbia \nFor over 30 years\, the Cowichan Valley Bluegrass Festival has been a beloved tradition on Vancouver Island\, drawing bluegrass fans from near and far to the serene surroundings of Lake Cowichan. This three-day celebration of music\, community\, and natural beauty brings together top-tier musicians\, enthusiastic festival-goers\, and families for a weekend filled with lively performances\, jam sessions\, and plenty of opportunities to dance under the stars. \nSet at Laketown Ranch Music & Recreation Park\, the festival offers something for everyone—whether you’re a die-hard bluegrass enthusiast or just looking for an unforgettable summer experience in one of the island’s most picturesque locations. The event is both a celebration of music and a chance to connect with the community in a relaxed\, welcoming atmosphere. \nTickets\nFestival tickets are now available\, with options to suit all types of festival-goers.\nChoose from the following: \n\nSingle Day Passes:\n\nFriday: $65\nSaturday: $100\nSunday: $30\n\n\nWeekend Pass (3 days): $160\n\nChildren 17 and under can attend for free when accompanied by an adult. Day parking is free of charge. For ticket purchases and full details\, visit the official ticketing page. \nWhere to Stay\nLake Cowichan is a small\, scenic town that offers a range of accommodation options\, but it’s important to plan ahead\, as spaces fill up quickly during festival weekends. \n\nCamping at Laketown Ranch: On-site camping is available for festival-goers. Tent and RV sites are priced between $70 and $140\, depending on the site. These are unserviced (dry) camping sites\, accommodating up to four adults. Additional adults are $15 each\, payable at the gate. For more details on camping\, visit the camping page.\nNearby Hotels and Inns:\n\nBest Western Plus Chemainus Inn\n\nCrown House B&B\n\nLake Cowichan Inn\n\n\n\nVacation Rentals: Numerous options are available in and around the Cowichan Valley\, providing a more private\, home-like experience for families or small groups.\n\nFestival Highlights\nThe Cowichan Valley Bluegrass Festival features a mix of legendary and up-and-coming artists performing across three days. The 2025 lineup will include: \n\nThe Kody Norris Show\n\nThe Burnett Sisters Band\n\nSweet Sally\n\nBrad Kolodner\n\nGeorge Jackson\n\nMurfitt & Main\n\nJenny Lester & Generation Gap\n\nPaul Silveria\n\n\nThe full schedule will be announced closer to the event. Check the schedule page for performance times and additional details. \nThings to Do in Lake Cowichan\nWhile you’re here for the festival\, be sure to explore the beautiful Cowichan Valley and everything it has to offer. The region is rich in outdoor activities and local experiences: \n\nOutdoor Adventures: From hiking trails to kayaking and paddleboarding on the lake\, Lake Cowichan offers stunning scenery and outdoor fun.\nLocal Dining: Enjoy fresh local cuisine at nearby restaurants and cafes\, many of which feature ingredients from the island’s abundant farms.\nShopping: Lake Cowichan and the nearby town of Duncan boast unique shops\, galleries\, and artisan boutiques\, perfect for picking up a local souvenir.\n\nFor more ideas on how to spend your time in the area\, visit the Visit Cowichan website. \nGetting Here\nLake Cowichan is easily accessible by car\, whether you’re traveling from Vancouver Island or beyond: \n\nFrom Victoria: A scenic 1.5-hour drive via BC-1 W and BC-19 N.\nFrom Nanaimo: About an hour’s drive via BC-19 S and BC-1 W.\n\nOnce you’re in Lake Cowichan\, the festival venue is just a short drive from downtown\, and public transit is available for those who prefer to leave the car behind. \nA Community Tradition\nThe Cowichan Valley Bluegrass Festival is a true celebration of music and community\, bringing together musicians and fans for a weekend of unforgettable performances\, jam sessions\, and shared moments. Whether you’re new to bluegrass or a lifelong fan\, this event is an opportunity to connect with others who share a love for the genre—and for the island’s incredible natural beauty. \nStart planning your trip and don’t miss out on one of Vancouver Island’s most beloved music festivals. Get your tickets today and secure your spot at the 2025 festival. URL:https://vancouverisland.com/event/cowichan-valley-bluegrass-festival-2025/ CATEGORIES:Festivals ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://vancouverisland.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/festival-02.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20250618 DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20250623 DTSTAMP:20250512T034103 CREATED:20250502T032100Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250505T155557Z UID:26050-1750204800-1750636799@vancouverisland.com SUMMARY:Victoria Ska & Reggae Festival 2025 DESCRIPTION:June 18–22\, 2025 | Victoria\, British Columbia \nNow in its 26th year\, the Victoria Ska & Reggae Festival is the longest-running event of its kind in Canada—and one of the most anticipated celebrations of Caribbean-rooted music on the west coast. Held every June on the edge of downtown Victoria\, the festival brings together internationally renowned artists\, homegrown talent\, and music lovers of all ages for five days of high-energy performances and laid-back island vibes. \nSet against the stunning backdrop of Victoria’s Inner Harbour\, the festival’s flagship venue—Ship Point Amphitheatre—offers ocean views\, open air dancing\, and a uniquely west coast atmosphere. Additional shows\, workshops\, and after-hours sets take place at intimate downtown venues throughout the week. \nWhether you’re here for the full five days or just passing through\, this is one event worth planning your summer around. \nTickets\nFestival passes are on sale now\, with a mix of free\, all-ages concerts and ticketed events.\nOptions include: \n\nFull festival passes\nDay tickets for select headliners\nVIP access and reserved seating\n\nVisit victoriaskafest.ca/tickets for current pricing\, artist announcements\, and updates on availability. \nWhere to Stay\nVictoria is a walkable city with accommodations for every type of traveler. Many hotels and guesthouses are located within 10–15 minutes of the festival grounds. \nBrowse lodging options: \n\nDowntown hotels and harbourfront stays\nVacation rentals and boutique inns\nCampgrounds and RV parks outside the city\n\nAs one of the busiest weekends of the summer\, early booking is highly recommended. \nThings to Do While You’re Here\nMake the most of your trip to Vancouver Island by pairing the festival with a few unforgettable local experiences. Popular activities in and around Victoria include: \n\nWhale watching and harbour tours\nGuided bike rides and walking tours through historic districts\nVisits to Butchart Gardens\, Sooke Potholes\, or the Malahat Skywalk\nShopping at local markets and galleries\nSampling craft beer and west coast cuisine throughout the city\n\nExplore more activities in the area → \nWho You’ll Hear\nThe 2025 lineup features a mix of legendary ska and reggae acts from Jamaica\, the UK\, Mexico\, the US\, and across Canada—along with soul\, dub\, punk\, hip hop\, and genre-bending experimental artists. \nCheck the full schedule and artist lineup at victoriaskafest.ca/lineup. More details are being announced as the festival approaches. \nGetting to Victoria\nVictoria is accessible by car\, ferry\, or air: \n\nFrom Vancouver: Drive and ferry via Swartz Bay\, or take a seaplane directly to the Inner Harbour\nFrom Seattle or Port Angeles: Daily ferries across the Salish Sea\nFrom within the Island: Victoria is a 2.5-hour drive from Nanaimo or a short hop from smaller regional airports\n\nOnce you’re in town\, most festival venues are within walking distance or easily reached by transit. \nAbout the Festival\nFounded in 2000\, Victoria Ska & Reggae Festival is produced by the not-for-profit Victoria BC Ska Society\, which promotes inclusive\, community-based music experiences and youth music education year-round. The festival is grassroots by nature but global in spirit—bringing together cultures and generations through rhythm and movement. \nPlan Your Trip\nJoin thousands of festivalgoers as Victoria fills with music\, colour\, and dancing in the streets. Whether it’s your first time or your tenth\, the Ska & Reggae Festival is a joyful\, unforgettable way to experience summer on Vancouver Island. \nBook your tickets\, accommodations\, and activities today. URL:https://vancouverisland.com/event/victoria-ska-reggae-festival-2025/ CATEGORIES:Festivals ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://vancouverisland.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/festival-04.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20250619 DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20250629 DTSTAMP:20250512T034103 CREATED:20250502T033033Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250505T155527Z UID:26058-1750291200-1751155199@vancouverisland.com SUMMARY:Victoria International JazzFest 2025 DESCRIPTION:June 19–28\, 2025 | Victoria\, British Columbia \nVictoria’s signature summer jazz event\, the Victoria International JazzFest\, returns this June for another incredible week of world-class music in one of the most stunning cities on the west coast. Held annually in the heart of downtown Victoria\, this festival attracts top jazz talent from across the globe\, delivering a mix of performances\, workshops\, and special events that celebrate jazz in all its forms—from big band swing to modern fusion and everything in between. \nWith performances in venues across the city\, including open-air concerts by the Inner Harbour\, intimate club shows\, and free street events\, the Victoria International JazzFest is as much about the vibe as it is about the music. Whether you’re a lifelong jazz enthusiast or simply looking for a memorable summer experience\, this festival has something for everyone. \nTickets\nGet your passes today to experience top-tier performances\, including headlining concerts\, jazz clubs\, and street events.\nOptions include: \n\nFull festival passes\nDay passes for select shows\nTickets to individual concerts and performances\n\nFor the most up-to-date ticket availability and pricing\, visit jazzvictoria.ca/jazzfest-home. \nWhere to Stay\nVictoria is renowned for its warm hospitality and variety of accommodation options\, all within easy reach of the festival venues. From luxury hotels to charming bed and breakfasts\, there’s a place to suit every budget and style. \n\nStay in the heart of downtown Victoria\nBoutique hotels\, inns\, and vacation rentals\nOutdoor options like campgrounds and RV parks\n\nPro tip: The festival draws a crowd\, so be sure to book your stay early to secure the best options close to the action. \nThings to Do While You’re Here\nMake the most of your time in Victoria by pairing the jazz festival with some of the best experiences the city and island have to offer. From breathtaking natural landscapes to world-class dining\, there’s no shortage of activities to enjoy. \n\nExplore Victoria’s vibrant arts and culture scene\nTake a scenic harbour cruise or go whale watching\nVisit the famous Butchart Gardens or stroll the Inner Harbour\nShop at local markets\, galleries\, and unique boutiques\nSample the island’s best craft beer and fresh local seafood\n\nDiscover more about activities in the region → \nWho You’ll See\nThe 2025 lineup promises an incredible roster of jazz musicians—from iconic legends to rising stars in the genre. Expect diverse sounds\, including traditional jazz\, contemporary fusion\, Latin jazz\, and everything in between. \nStay tuned for the full lineup and performance schedule as more artists are announced in the coming months. See the full festival lineup → \nGetting to Victoria\nVictoria is easy to reach\, whether you’re coming from across the island\, the mainland\, or even beyond: \n\nFrom Vancouver: Drive and ferry via Tsawwassen to Swartz Bay\, or take a seaplane directly to Victoria’s Inner Harbour\nFrom Seattle or Port Angeles: Enjoy a scenic ferry ride across the Salish Sea\nFrom within Vancouver Island: Victoria is a 2.5-hour drive from Nanaimo or a quick flight from regional airports\n\nOnce you’re in the city\, most of the festival venues are within walking distance or accessible by public transit. \nAbout the Festival\nFounded in 1989\, the Victoria International JazzFest is produced by JazzVictoria\, a not-for-profit organization that brings exceptional jazz programming to the city year-round. The festival has grown into one of the premier jazz events in Canada\, drawing thousands of visitors each year to enjoy live music in a beautiful coastal setting. \nPlan Your JazzFest Experience\nImmerse yourself in world-class jazz and discover the unique rhythm of Victoria this June. Whether you’re here for the music\, the atmosphere\, or the incredible local culture\, the Victoria International JazzFest is a must-see event that will leave you inspired. \nBook your tickets\, accommodations\, and activities today. URL:https://vancouverisland.com/event/victoria-international-jazzfest-2025/ CATEGORIES:Festivals ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://vancouverisland.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/festival-01.jpg END:VEVENT END:VCALENDAR