Whether you’re looking for some family fun or just an excuse to get outside and enjoy the weather, there are plenty of events to pique your interest. Here are just some of the free events taking place on the Saanich Peninsula this summer.
Play in the park
Every Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday in July and August, join Panorama Recreation Centre staff members from 5:30 to 8 p.m. for some summer fun for the whole family including interactive play, group games and a 50-foot inflatable obstacle course.
The fun kicks off on Thursday, July 6, with a launch party in Centennial Park in Central Saanich. The Kiwanis Club of Sidney and Saanich Peninsula will also be on site hosting a hotdog barbecue by donation. After that, staff will be in North Saanich at KELSET Elementary, 1800 Forest Park Dr., on Tuesdays, in Sidney on Wednesdays at Tulista Park, 9565 Fifth St., and back in Central Saanich at Centennial Park (the 7500-block of Wallace Drive) on Thursdays.
Play in the Park requires guardian supervision and a minimum height of 36 inches is required to use the obstacle course.
Bop to the beat in Brentwood
Music in the Park returns to Brentwood this summer. The popular concert series, presented by the Brentwood Bay Community Association, takes over Pioneer Park Wednesday evenings from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. from July 5 to Aug. 16. Bring a blanket or a lawn chair to get comfortable and enjoy a picnic dinner (or food for purchase from one of the vendors) while listening to the show.
Yoga by the sea
Bring your mat and enjoy the sea breeze on Wednesdays in July and August with free yoga sessions in Sidney. Led by the Panorama Recreation Centre, staff will be at Tulista Park for the 6 to 7 p.m. sessions.
Children under the age of 12 require guardian supervision and sessions are weather dependent.
Get outside and read
Head Out and Read events are back this summer. Hosted by Saanich Peninsula Literacy, these sessions go from 10 a.m. until noon in Brentwood on July 7 at Pioneer Park, 7130 West Saanich Rd., and on Aug. 11 in Sidney at Iroquois Park, 2295 Ocean Ave.
Sessions feature free books, a self-guided story walk, songs and hopefully sunshine.
Family movie night in North Saanich
Panorama Recreation Centre staff are also hosting a family movie night on Saturday, July 8 from 7 to 9 p.m. The Super Mario Bros. movie will be shown on a giant screen in Arena B (the ice has been removed for the season). Kick back, munch on some popcorn and enjoy some family time. Staff do recommend wearing pajamas and bringing a lawn chair or blanket to sit on. The event is free with a variety of refreshments available for purchase.
Sounds of summer in Sidney
Peninsula Celebrations Society’s summer sounds concert series returns to Sidney on Sundays. Running from 2 to 4 p.m. July through August, these events take place in Beacon Park. The lineup includes Edie Daponte on July 9, Nearly Neil July 16, Completely Creedence July 23, Distractions July 30, Late Shift Aug. 6, Soul Shakers Aug. 13, Freeze Frame Aug. 20, and Eagle Eyes Tribute Aug. 27.
Roll into Sidney with Torque Masters
Torque Masters’ Sidney Summer Car Show returns Sunday, Aug. 6. Vehicles will be on display along Beacon Avenue and various side streets from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Family movie night in Saanichton
The Saanich Fairgrounds (1528 Stelly’s Cross Rd.) plays host to an outdoor movie night on Saturday, Aug. 19. Gates open at 5:30 p.m., with the movie Grease showing at dusk. Put on by the Saanichton Village Association, the event will see music by Shenanigans, a car show by Early Ford V8, and popcorn, cold drinks and other food will be available for purchase. Bring chairs and blankets to get cosy under the stars.
Light up your creativity
The Salish Sea Lantern Festival returns Aug. 21 to 26. The festival’s main event runs Aug. 26 at 7 p.m. in Sidney at Beacon Park. Live entertainment will be accompanied by a parade, memorial lantern station, costumes and more.
Lantern kits, free online tutorials and in-person workshops are also in the plans for the festival. Find out more at artsea.ca.
Community water fight
Prepare to get soaked as the community is gathering at Panorama Recreation Centre on Sunday, Aug. 27 for a water fight from 2 to 4 p.m. The fun event is a great way to beat the heat with water games for all ages. Bring your buckets, water soakers, friends and neighbours.
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