COMOX: Filberg Festival (Aug. 2-4) & Nautical Days Festival (Aug. 3-5)
This August long weekend, the Filberg Festival celebrates 40 years of art, live music and nature. Over 100 talented artisans and makers of fine art will display their wares on the grassy lawns of the Filberg Heritage Lodge and Park under the trees, alongside food vendors and live entertainment.
Big names on this year's musical lineup include Joe Plaskett with Mo Kenney, The Grapes of Wrath, recent Juno award winners Blue Moon Marquee, and Australian singer-songwriter Kim Churchill.
Another reason to make the trip is Nautical Days Festival, which runs Aug. 3-5 at Comox Marina Park, overlapping the Filberg Festival. Now in its 66th year, the BC Day long weekend celebration has a BC Day Parade, the Comox Nautical Days Vintage Car Show, rides, games, crafts and the Rotary Splash Park and Playground. More than 100+ craft booths and food trucks will be on-site and fireworks will light up the skies on Monday night.
For more information, visit filbergfestival.com and comoxnauticaldays.com.
LANGFORD: Explore 130 acres of new parkspace
The Gravity Zone and Nature Trails in Langford, Greater Victoria have something epic for hikers and mountain bikers. The 130 acres of land are transformed into a one-of-a-kind park with a trail collection that winds through massive canopies. In the last few years, 35 acres of forest and new trails have been added to the area, such as the Wildcat Mountain Biking Trail and the Steam Donkey multi-use climbing trail. Jordie Lunn Bike Park, which opened in 2021, is a biker's dream being free and offering a state-of-the-art recreational cycling space.
NANAIMO: Camp on Saysutshun, Newcastle Island
Only accessible by a walk-on ferry, this pristine family-friendly park offers a unique oceanside camping experience with full amenities, including a restored 1930s dance pavilion concession stand. Enjoy nature with kayak and bike rentals, hiking trails and tidal pools with views of the Coastal Mountains. Dive into history with the Saysutshun Interpretive Walking Tour, which begins at the Totem Pole near the ferry dock and goes to sacred village sites. Or, hike or bike the forested coastal trail 8 km around the perimeter.
TOFINO: Visit the sixth-best beach in the world
In 2024, Lonely Planet named Tofino's Chesterman Beach the sixth-best beach in the world. The beach is a prime spot for kayaking, stand-up paddleboarding and observing tide pool creatures. While in Tofino, be sure to check out the scenic trails in the area (Tonquin Trail, Rainforest Trail, Canso Plane Crash Hike) and local shops and restaurants in town.
CAMPBELL RIVER AREA: Explore the wilderness & town events
Campbell River is full of wilderness experiences, shopping, summer entertainment and a launching point for trips to other Islands. Throughout the summer, Aboriginal Journeys offers whale watching and marine tours. The Campbell River's Farmer's Market takes place downtown in Spirit Square until September, plus Wednesday evenings throughout the summer, there is complimentary entertainment via Campbell River Live Streets outside of Tidemark Theatre.
From downtown Campbell River, a 10-minute ferry trip will get one to Quadra Island, a rustic spot with fishing, kayaking, hiking and a beautifully scenic spot called Rebecca Spit Marine Provincial Park. From Quadra, one can also take a 45-minute fairy to the quiet Cortes Island.
