Where: Victoria
When: May 21
Why: Not sure there is any better way to describe this festival than simply referring back to its name; it’s all about the noise.
Cost: $15 gets you admission and earplugs.
148TH VICTORIA HIGHLAND GAMES & CELTIC FESTIVAL
Where: Victoria
When: May 21-22
Why: Don your best kilt and check out this festival with events including a tug of war, haggis hurling and sheepdog herding competitions, pipe band performances, falconry and sword fighting
Cost: Adult two-day passes $18; seniors and youth $15; daily passes $10 and $8 respectively.
9TH ANNUAL ART AND BLOOM FESTIVAL
Where: Kitty Coleman Woodland Gardens, Courtenay
When: May 21-23
Why: Spring flowers and many rhododendrons at the gardens are in full bloom. This year’s festival will focus on art, from painters, potters, glass blowers, sculptors, stained glass designers and garden artists.
Cost: Adults $8; children 5-12 $2; five and under free.
LADYSMITH MARITIME FESTIVAL
Where: Ladysmith
When: May 27-29
Why: You name it, this festival has it. Art and heavy equipment displays, Stz’uminus elders’ story tent, zipline, live bands, coast guard and tall ship displays, and harbour tours.
Cost: From free to fee.
VICTORIA INTERNATIONAL CYCLING FESTIVAL
Where: Victoria
When: May 28-June 12
Why: A range of cycling events from a classic bike rally to jump competitions. Check out Jumpship on June 11-12 to see freeriders hitting ramps on a harbour barge.
Cost: From free to fee, depending on event and whether you’re watching or riding.
TOFINO FOOD & WINE FESTIVAL
Where: Tofino
When: June 2-5
Why: This festival celebrates the pairing of food and wine, w ith the main event, Grazing in the Gardens, showcasing local culinary talents and B.C. wines. Ages 19 and older only.
Cost: Events range in price.
TELUS VAN ISLE 360 INTERNATIONAL YACHT RACE
Where: Locations around Vancouver Island
When: June 4-18
Why: The rules are to keep Vancouver Island to port (that’s the left side of the boat, for you landlubbers) and get to the finish line as fast as possible. Local events are held around the island to welcome the boats.
Cost: From free to fee.
53RD ANNUAL JUNE SPORTS
Where: Alert Bay
When: June 16-17
Why: The ’Namgis First Nation Soccer Tournament helps orient this festival, which includes a pageant, parade, and kids and adult races. Events take place on the sports field next to the Big House.
Cost: Free.
B.C. SHELLFISH FESTIVAL
Where: Comox
When: June 17-18
Why: Organizers call this the largest shellfish festival on the West Coast, with live entertainment, cooking demos, shucking contests, and lots of locally grown, sustainably harvested shellfish.
Cost: $5 admission.
JAZZFEST
Where: Victoria
When: June 24-July 3
Why: Jazzfest hits its 27th year, offering 10 days of music from artists around the world. Performances and workshops by visiting musicians.
Cost: From free to fee. Paid events are sold in packages or by the show.
LIGHTHOUSE BLUEGRASS FESTIVAL
Where: Qualicum Bay
When: July 1-3
Why: Top quality bluegrass acts including Toronto’s Foggy Hogtown Boys and Boulder, Colo.’s Long Road Home featuring Dr. Banjo and Gene Libbea. Workshops and parking lot picking on the side.
Cost: Adult three-day passes $68; day passes start at $28; students and seniors, reduced rate.
PACIFIC RIM SUMMER FESTIVAL
Where: Tofino, Ucluelet and Pacific Rim National Park.
When: July 1-10
Why: An international billing of musicians and dancers of all musical styles help to usher in the summer season.
Cost: From free to fee.
12TH ANNUAL SKA FEST
Where: Victoria
When: July 5-9
Why: Ky-Mani Marley joins the Planet Smashers, “Gramps” Morgan, Ken Boothe and more.
Cost: From free to fee.
SAVE-ON-FOODS DRAGON BOAT FESTIVAL
Where: Nanaimo
When: July 8-10
Why: Teams from across B.C. and the U.S. compete.
Cost: Free to watch, fee to compete.
VANCOUVER ISLAND MUSICFEST
Where: Courtenay
When: July 8-10
Why: Some diverse acts await this year’s MusicFest-goers, with David Crosby, Arrested Development, Holly Cole and Randy Newman headlining. Six stages and riverside camping make this a must-go event.
Cost: Early-bird adult passes start at $149; senior and youth discounts available; children free.
Festival Mexicano
Where: Victoria
When: July 8-10
Why: Mexican food and music, salsa dance lessons, craft vendors, games and pinatas are the draw at this 5th annual festival.
Cost: Free
Victoria Pride Festival
Where: Victoria
When: July 10
Why: Marching bands, floats, live music, drag performances and children’s entertainment are on offer at the annual parade and festival.
Cost: Free
Filomi Days
Where: Port Hardy
When: July 15-17
Why: Port Hardy’s annual celebration and homecoming features birdhouse building, a fishing derby, and crab and duck races.
Cost: Free
Victoria International Buskers Festival
Where: Victoria
When: July 15-24
Why: Award-winning buskers from around the world take to street stages along the inner harbour during this annual festival.
Cost: Free, but tipping is appreciated.
Chemainus Bluegrass Festival
Where: Chemainus
When: July 16
Why: Six country bluegrass acts are slated to perform in Waterwheel Park. Capping off the night is an open mic, so sign up soon for your chance to croon.
Cost: By donation.
The Kulth Music Festival
Where: Coombs
When: July 16-17
Why: Ron Sexsmith, Stars and Vancouver’s TLGLTP are some of the headliners for this environmentally forward fest.
Cost: Early-bird adult weekend passes (until June) $135; seniors, students and youth $100. Day passes available.
CeltFest
Where: Nanaimo
When: July 16-22
Why: Learning events ground this festival, bringing teachings in Celtic arts and culture to participants young and old. A concert series and nightly Ceilidhs complete each day.
Cost: Varies by event.
27th Annual Nanaimo Silly Boat Regatta
Where: Nanaimo
When: July 17
Why: Participants build boats out of recycled materials and race them with the help of human or wind power. Music and other performances add a back-drop to the racing.
Cost: Free to watch, fee to try.
Nanaimo Marine Festival
Where: Nanaimo
When: July 21-24
Why: Cheekily dubbed the world’s cleanest sport, bathtub racing is the focus of this fest. Tubbers strap engines onto a bathtub-shaped vessel and race around a 36-mile course in the Georgia Strait.
Cost: Free to watch, fee to compete.
Alert Bay Seafest and Music Fest
Where: Alert Bay
When: July 22-23
Why: Dozens of events including a salmon barbecue on the beach, performances by local and out-of-town musicians, a dance performance by the T’sasala Cultural Group, and canoe races.
Cost: Free.
Ukee Days
Where: Ucluelet
When: July 22-24
Why: The website for this festival bills it as “72 hours of action-packed festivities for the entire family.” Logger sports, a street dance and some creative challenges draw crowds every year.
Cost: Daily adult admission $10; children $5.
Islands Folk Festival
Where: Duncan
When: July 22-24
Why: Scores of performers will flood Duncan’s Providence Farm. Only 3,000 tickets will be released this year, so get yours soon.
Cost: Adult weekend passes $75; youth $65.
Sooke Fine Arts Show
Where: Sooke
When: July 23-Aug. 1
Why: Art demonstrations, musical performances and more punctuate this 25th annual arts show.
Cost: Adults $8; show passes and seniors discounts available; children under 12 free.
Coombs Bluegrass Festival
Where: Coombs
When: July 29-31
Why: Organizers say this is the festival that every bluegrass performer wants to play, with a new single mic system that takes the genre back to its roots.
Cost: Adult weekend passes $73; seniors and students $65; day passes available.
Alberni Forestfest
Where: MacLean Mill National Historic Site and Port Alberni
When: July 29-31
Why: Writers join forces with musicians to celebrate West Coast heritage and culture at this festival in the woods. Writers’ workshops and readings are sprinkled through the weekend, kicked off by a writers’ panel.
Cost: $100 for access to everything; $25 excluding the workshops.
Filberg Festival
Where: Comox
When: July 29-Aug. 1
Why: Potters, metal and wood workers, jewellers and more display their wares during this 29th annual festival of arts and crafts. Plenty of music and activities for the family.
Cost: $15; children 12 and under free.
The Big Time Out
Where: Cumberland
When: Aug. 12-13
Why: A half dozen artists including Bedouin Soundclash have been announced to date for this outdoor music festival.
Cost: Adult early-bird weekend passes $70; day passes available.
Victoria Tango Festival
Where: Victoria
When: Aug. 12-14
Why: This festival focuses on anything Latino, from music and dance to art, film and literature. An arts and crafts fair on Saturday.
Cost: Adult advance tickets $20; at the door $25.
Annual Youbou Regatta
Where: Youbou
When: Aug. 13
Why: Start with the watermelon-eating contest and go from there. A belly-flop competition, canoe and swimming races, and a triathlon.
Cost: Free.
