Markets · festivals · fairs · live music
The Vancouver Island events calendar.
Markets, festivals, live music and community events across all nine Island regions — every one verified with its organizer before it’s published.
September 2026
September 5, 2026 to September 7, 2026
North Island Festivals
Port Alberni Salmon Festival
A Labour Day tradition on the Alberni Inlet: anglers chase big prizes in the Tyee Club's salmon derby while the waterfront fills with food, live music, local art and family fun celebrating the valley's salmon heritage.
September 10, 2026 to September 13, 2026
Pacific Rim Fairs & Exhibitions
Alberni District Fall Fair
Running since 1946, Vancouver Island's classic four-day agricultural fair returns to Port Alberni with livestock shows, exhibit halls, a midway, food vendors and live entertainment.
September 12, 2026 to September 13, 2026
Gulf Islands Fairs & Exhibitions
Salt Spring Island Fall Fair
Salt Spring's beloved agricultural fair returns for an anniversary weekend with livestock, prize produce and crafts, local vendors, live music, demonstrations and homegrown food, with a free shuttle running from Ganges.
September 12, 2026 to September 13, 2026
Parksville–Qualicum Fairs & Exhibitions
Medieval Fall Faire
A medieval-themed weekend at the Coombs Fairgrounds with armoured combat, archery, an artisan market, period music and hands-on history, staged by the Society for Creative Anachronism.
September 18, 2026 to September 20, 2026
Cowichan Valley Fairs & Exhibitions
Cowichan Exhibition
Join the 158th Cowichan Exhibition, September 18 to 20, 2026, at Cowichan Exhibition Park in North Cowichan. This agricultural fair features logger sports, a Kid's Corral, live entertainment, judged catalogue entries from produce to quilts, and vendors and concessions across the grounds.
September 18, 2026
Campbell River Live Music
Quadra Concerts: Aysanabee
Acclaimed Oji-Cree singer-songwriter Aysanabee opens Quadra Concerts' 2026/27 season with an intimate island performance blending alternative folk, soul and storytelling.
September 19, 2026 to September 20, 2026
Gulf Islands Fairs & Exhibitions
Salt Spring Island Fall Fair
A classic Gulf Islands country fall fair — livestock, produce, homegrown crafts and island entertainment at the Farmers' Institute.
September 19, 2026 to September 20, 2026
Pacific Rim
Port Alberni Toy Run
The 42nd annual charity motorcycle Toy Run rolls through Port Alberni, with a decorated-bike parade collecting toys, food and cash for local families ahead of the holidays.
September 20, 2026
Comox Valley Fairs & Exhibitions
Foggy Mountain Fall Fair
Cumberland's free end-of-summer community fall fair fills Dunsmuir Avenue with local vendors, artisans, food, live music and family activities, supporting the Cumberland Community Forest Society.
September 25, 2026 to September 27, 2026
Nanaimo Fairs & Exhibitions
Vancouver Island Exhibition (VIEX)
Nanaimo's country fair returns for three days at Beban Park with agricultural exhibits and livestock, a midway, mainstage concerts, the SuperDogs, a lumberjack show, food trucks and family entertainment across the fairgrounds.
September 27, 2026
Gulf Islands Festivals
Salt Spring Island Apple Festival
A one-day self-guided driving tour of Salt Spring orchards on the last Sunday of September, showcasing hundreds of apple varieties, tastings, cider and farm stands.
October 2026
October 11, 2026
Greater Victoria Sports & Outdoors
Royal Victoria Marathon
One of Canada's premier oceanside road races — marathon, half, 8K, 5K and kids' run through Victoria on Thanksgiving weekend.
October 24, 2026
Greater Victoria
Art of the Cocktail
Victoria's premier cocktail and spirits tasting at Crystal Garden, with 40-plus exhibitors, seminars and small bites. A 19+ fundraiser for the Victoria Film Festival.
November 2026
November 13, 2026 to December 23, 2026
Cowichan Valley Arts & Culture
Miss Bennet: Christmas at Pemberley (Chemainus Theatre Festival)
Chemainus Theatre Festival's holiday production of Miss Bennet: Christmas at Pemberley, a warm Pride and Prejudice sequel by Lauren Gunderson and Margot Melcon. Runs November 13 to December 23, 2026.
November 19, 2026 to November 29, 2026
Nanaimo Arts & Culture
Cedar & Yellow Point Country Christmas Arts Tour
A free, self-guided studio tour through Cedar and Yellow Point where visitors meet local artists and shop handmade holiday gifts across festive late-November weekends.
November 20, 2026 to November 22, 2026
Comox Valley Community
Holiday by the Harbour
Downtown Comox's free festive weekend pairs a tree lighting with a winter market of local artisans, makers and food vendors, kicking off the holiday season in the seaside town.
November 26, 2026
Cowichan Valley Festivals
Ladysmith Festival of Lights
One of the Island's grandest holiday light displays, launching with a free Light Up parade and fireworks in historic downtown Ladysmith. Light Up night is November 26, 2026.
November 27, 2026 to November 29, 2026
Pacific Rim Festivals
Tofino Oyster Festival
Tofino's oldest-running festival celebrates Clayoquot Sound oysters over three November days, with the Mermaid's Ball, an Oyster Festival Gala and the family-friendly Shucker's Showdown.
November 29, 2026
Cowichan Valley Community
Country Grocer Christmas Parade (Lake Cowichan)
Lake Cowichan's festive Christmas parade of illuminated floats and Santa, paired with a holiday market. Free, on Sunday, November 29, 2026.
December 2026
December 1, 2026 to January 6, 2027
Greater Victoria
Magic of Christmas at Butchart Gardens
The Butchart Gardens transformed for the holidays — thousands of lights, the Twelve Days of Christmas displays, carollers and an outdoor skating rink.
December 3, 2026 to December 20, 2026
Parksville–Qualicum
Milner Christmas Magic at Milner Gardens & Woodland
Milner Gardens & Woodland in Qualicum Beach opens its heritage house and grounds for festive holiday tours with decorated rooms, seasonal music, and tea and cookies. By suggested donation.
December 5, 2026 to December 6, 2026
Gulf Islands Fairs & Exhibitions
Denman Island Christmas Craft Fair
A cherished holiday-season craft fair gathering 80-plus Denman Island artisans across downtown venues, selling pottery, textiles, jewellery, art, preserves and more, direct from the makers.
December 6, 2026
Greater Victoria Community
Sidney Sparkles Holiday Parade
Sidney's beloved holiday parade of illuminated floats, community groups and Santa along Beacon Avenue. Free and family-friendly, expected Sunday, December 6, 2026.
December 12, 2026
Parksville–Qualicum Fairs & Exhibitions
Errington Christmas Craft Faire
A festive community craft market at the Errington War Memorial Hall with dozens of local makers offering handmade gifts, seasonal decor and baked goods, plus a lunch counter. Free admission.