Victoria has no shortage of music festivals, many of which are coming in hot from some of their biggest years to date. Here’s a look at five of Victoria’s biggest festivals, coming up as soon as June 19, and why they’re worth going to.
SKA AND REGGAE FESTIVAL
Celebrating love, peace and good vibes with some of the best ska and reggae from around the globe. This year, the festival turns 25 and the lineup matches the hype with Less Than Jake, Dead Prez, The Suicide Machines, Gondwana, The Slackers, and more feel-good music. It’s a great chance to dance in multiple venues across the city, including ones that aren’t always front of mind such as Victoria Curling Club and Ship Point.
June 19-23 | Multiple venues | victoriaskafest.ca | Individual tickets or full fest pass $182.03
AFRICA FEST
Victoria is a cultural mosaic and this festival is the perfect way to celebrate that. Organized by the ISAAMBA Centre, the festival promotes community and heritage sharing from local African communities. With 54 countries in Africa to represent, there is plenty to discover through vibrant cultural arts activities and performances such as Latin and Zumba dance, vendors, food, drum workshops and live music.
June 20-23 | 1 Centennial Square| issambacentre.ca/africafest
READ MORE: ‘A space for me to feel at home’: AfriCa Fest set for May in Victoria
VICTORIA INTERNATIONAL JAZZFEST
JazzFest is celebrating 40 years of 10 hot days and nights of the coolest music in town. There are some lineup standouts this year, including four-time Grammy-winning legend Booker T’s Stax Revue, Australian singer-songwriter Ziggy Alberts, and vocalist Veronica Swift. And it’s not just jazz on the menu; there is funk, folk, big band fun and more. Plus, there are free performances on the lineup.
June 21-30 | Multiple venues | jazzvictoria.ca | Individual tickets or packages avail., full fest pass $263
PHILLIPS BACKYARD
This two-weekend festival is locked and loaded with various genres to get the audience dancing. There are always highly-rated food trucks on site and, of course, plenty of craft beer to try. This year’s headliners for Tilt! (July 5-7) include Orville Peck, Noah Cyrus, Jessie Reyez, Saint Motel and Half Moon Run. For Reverb (Aug. 9-11): Black Pumas, Earl Sweatshirt, and Jungle, hailed as a ‘not to miss’ show.
July 5-7, Aug. 9-11 | Phillips Backyard, 2010 Government St. | phillipsbackyard.com | Day passes $105.83, weekend pass $271.21, double weekend pass $504.46
RIFFLANDIA
One of Vancouver Island’s longest-standing festivals is moving to a one-site, one-weekend model this year at the popular Electric Avenue location. The lineup, as always, has big names: Rezz, Tokyo Police Club (who are on their farewell tour this year), Ja Rule, The Born Ruffians, The Choirs YYJ, Garret T. Willie, Slayyyter and more to be announced.
Sept. 13-15 | Matullia Lands in Rock Bay | rifflandia.com | Super pass available in tiers, full price $339, single-day tickets $125
READ MORE: Rifflandia shifts to one site, one weekend
