Good morning {{First name}}!

Another day, another iconic Victoria event cancelled. This time it’s Rifflandia—and it’s not coming back, according to its founders.

I’m sad to see it go. There aren’t many music festivals of that calibre in BC these days, but thankfully we’ve still got Phillips Backyard Festival to look forward to this summer.

Thanks for the memories, Riff!

— Robyn

Today’s approx. read time: 6 minutes

Today: ☀ 20 / 10

Tomorrow: ☀ 21 / 11

Day after: ☀️ 19 / 14

7-day forecast

An end-of-summer staple for Victoria is calling it quits—this time for good, according to its organizers. 

For the past 18 years, Rifflandia Festival brought big-name artists and local musicians to the capital city in late August or early September. 

“Until a few weeks ago,” a 2026 Rifflandia was still in the cards, according to the festival’s co-founders (and spouses) Nick Blasko and Casey Austin. But its future has become financially untenable, despite a promised $90K funding boost from the BC government this year.

If a 2026 show was held, it was intended to be the last, said the organizers. 

“Access to a venue of the right size and scope in downtown Victoria has always been challenging, and this year it finally became unattainable,” said Austin and Blasko in a written statement. “The rising costs of infrastructure, as well as accessing artists at fees that maintain a palatable ticket price? Same.”

Austin and Blasko say the festival was always a labour of love, not a money-making venture.

“Rifflandia Festival doesn’t, and has never, sold enough tickets to cover its costs,” they wrote. “It has operated at a loss since the very first edition in 2008.”

Still, the couple says the festival was a “healthy economic driver” for Victoria, creating jobs and boosting tourism. And it produced some memorable experiences for music lovers on the Island.

Read the full story here.

Point Ellice Bridge reopens to traffic today. 7am. [City of Vic]

Pandora closed today between Vancouver and Quadra. 9am-3pm. [City of Vic]

Driving today? Check the current traffic situation via Google.

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Results of an online poll seem to align with what residents have been saying online and off for quite some time: We have a walkable city with lots of fine dining and plenty of pubs, but parking and safety concerns are stopping locals from visiting the downtown area.

The poll commissioned by the Downtown Victoria Business Association (DVBA) found that 91% of residents who visit downtown at least once a week were most satisfied with the area’s walkability. Some 89% were satisfied with its variety of restaurants, cafes, bars, and pubs, while 77% enjoy the cultural activities that go on there.

But here comes The Rolling Stones’ part, where people can’t get no satisfaction: 

Less than half of respondents—48%—said they were satisfied when it comes to feeling safe downtown. In fact, one-third of respondents who don’t often go downtown said safety was the No. 1 reason. 

“Our member businesses have been raising the issues of safety and transportation for several years,” said DVBA CEO Jeff Bray.

“The city has taken strong steps to address safety issues, but equally important is the need to ensure people from the region can easily drive to and around downtown.” 

Among those who don’t go downtown often:

The online survey of 1,168 adults in Greater Victoria was conducted between April 17 and April 29. The margin of error is +/- 3.1 percentage points, 19 times out of 20.  

Looking for the perfect way to kick off summer? Stop by Summer, Served on June 27 from 1–4pm at Rally at Royal Bay (3515 Producers Way).

Celebrating the grand opening of Royal Bay’s four new outdoor pickleball courts, this fun-filled afternoon will bring together pickleball pros, music, food trucks, a cocktail lounge, family-friendly activities, dog-friendly fun, and plenty of opportunities to play, explore, and connect. Whether you're stepping onto the court or enjoying the atmosphere from the sidelines, Summer, Served is your invitation to experience one of the region's newest outdoor gathering places and celebrate the season in style.

Good things come to those who Rally.

🎶 David Foster 40th Anniversary Celebration: CeeLo Green and Loren Allred join the lineup for the Inner Harbour show this August. 

⚽ Summer of Soccer Kickoff is tomorrow on Government. 

🧙 Children’s Garden Gnome Hunt returns to The Butchart Gardens June 19–21. Find all ten hidden gnomes and receive a prize.*

🏅 RunSport Victoria Track Classic is tomorrow at UVic.

🥂 Victoria's award-winning medical spa - Philosophy MD, turns 4! Join them June 11 from 1pm to 7pm. Click here to learn more.*

🏆 FIFA World Cup begins today in Mexico.

*Sponsored Listing

Westshore RCMP investigating reports of online group exploiting children
RCMP have received three reports over the last month of an online group encouraging children and youth to record themselves in sexually explicit poses or to attempt suicide. Police said the group, known as 764, is part of a larger online group called The COM that targets children aged eight to 17. The groups operate on popular social-media platforms like Discord, Telegram, Roblox, Minecraft, and Twitch.

Former Langford mayor Stew Young is running again
Young has a news conference scheduled for Tuesday to make it official, but an already-active election team says the longtime Langford mayor will be entering the race. Young served seven terms and 29 years as Langford’s mayor but lost to Scott Goodmanson in the 2022 vote. Young, 65, has been making public appearances on the Westshore of late. Goodmanson is also running in the Oct. 17 race and, in November, said he was 100% ready for a challenge from the former mayor. [Black Press]

Victoria man wins $2M on scratch-and-win ticket
David S. said he bought the winning ticket on a whim at Devonshire Vape and Cigars on Esquimalt Road in Victoria. He found out about his seven-figure prize while in the shop and immediately called his mom—after “doing a little dance.” It was a one-in-a-million win—literally, the odds of winning on a $20 Diamond ticket are one in 1.07M. David isn’t sure what his long-term plans are for his windfall, but first, he says, he’s going to take his mother out for a nice dinner. [CHEK]

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🎵 The Invitation Series 2: Bill Coon and Jesse Cahill: The second in the series pairing Montreal and BC jazz musicians at The Coda tonight. 6:30–8:30pm. [Info]

😆 Ivan Decker: The JUNO-winning comedian, seen on CONAN and Just For Laughs, will bring his standup to the McPherson Playhouse tomorrow. 7pm. [Info] 

🏳‍🌈 Sidney Pride Festival: Celebrate diversity and community at the Beacon Bandshell, with local food, vendors, and live performances. Saturday. [Info]

🖌️ By the Water: Discover 26 new paintings by Mone Vogel of beloved places in and around Victoria at Ross Bay Villa Historic House Museum. Saturdays in June. 11am-2pm. [Info] 

⚽ FIFA World Cup Franco Fan Zone: Francophone fans will gather to watch live matches and enjoy family-friendly activities at Maison de la francophonie de Victoria. Saturday. 11am-8pm. [Info]  

🎊 Esquimalt Neighbourhood Party 2026: Esquimalt’s biggest neighbourhood party returns to Bullen Park, with kid vendors, performances, and activities for the whole family. Saturday. 11am-2pm. [Info]

🎉 FernFest: The community-led festival is back for a day of live music, 100+ vendors, and local food and drink in Fernwood Square. Saturday. 12-10pm. [Info]

Wednesday’s headlines: Victoria activist pleads guilty to child sexual assault; Habitat for Humanity announces affordable housing project in Langford; New BC drivers can now take the learner’s licence test online. [June 10]

Hotel win could mean cultural loss for Victoria’s creative community. [Capital Daily]

Port Alberni wins HGTV makeover: The town was selected to appear in Hometown Takeover Canada. [Times Colonist]

Victoria Law Courts building needs some TLC, says Victoria councillor. [CHEK]

Delays on E&N Regional Trail: Single-lane closures between Hereward and Devonshire, now through June 15. Cyclists must dismount through the work zone. [CRD] 

Art Book Sale at the Vancouver Island School of Art is on Sunday.

Saanich Kids’ Colouring Contest. [June 26 deadline] 

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