Little Local - September 18

I know we just talked about the bounty of apples last week, but ‘tis the season, so this week we’re leaning into it even more with a roundup of local cideries and wineries that welcome families. And if you’re looking for events, there’s no shortage: the Fall Fair at Heritage Acres, Sooke’s Apple Festival, and plenty more family-friendly events are happening around town. Read on for all the details!

🍷 Kid-Friendly Wineries & Cideries Around Victoria

Fall harvest isn’t just about apples and pumpkins. It’s also a great time for grown-ups to enjoy a glass of something local. The good news? Around Victoria, there are plenty of wineries and cideries where kids are welcome, too. Think space to run around, play lawn games, and picnic tables that make it easy to relax while the kids explore.

🍏 Sea Cider (Saanichton) — A favourite for families, with picnic tables overlooking the orchards and space for kids to roam. Fall tasting flights highlight the season’s best ciders.

🍕 Junction Cidery (Saanich) — Relaxed and casual, with ice cream (49 Below), pizza (Bicycle Pizza), board games, and space for little ones to play while parents enjoy a glass.

🧀 Church & State Wines (Brentwood Bay) — Tasting room with cheese boards, and the Bistro with kid-friendly options make this an easy family outing, especially if you pair it with a trip to Butterfly Gardens close by ;)

🍎 Victoria Cider Co. (Central Saanich) — A small-batch cidery tucked into farm country with picnic tables and a welcoming, relaxed vibe. Kid and pet friendly.

🐔 The Roost (North Saanich) — Come for the wine and stay for the wide-open spaces, piano, bakery treats, and chickens! Kid-friendly meal options and they’re open 8am-5pm.

🐴 No tasting room here (yet!) but Canter is a local wine company founded by a few lovely Victoria families. You can sip their wines at Marilena and Vis-à-Vis, or pick up a bottle at Vessel Liquor. For something extra special, join their wine club for exclusive events and deliveries straight to your door.

Park Lane Preschool 🍂🎒

Looking for a preschool that mixes outdoor play with early learning? Park Lane Preschool (near Jubilee Hospital & Oak Bay) is a brand-new licensed preschool and nature school offering both half and full-day programs for kids aged 3+. Their teachers bring years of experience (including a “Preschool of the Year” award in the UK!) and focus on social-emotional skills, early literacy, and time in nature.

Families may qualify for savings through BC’s Child Care Fee Reduction Initiative (CCFRI), and the school also accepts the Affordable Child Care Benefit (ACCB).

1924 Carrick Street | parklanepreschool.com
📧 Email Miss Kristin to book a tour (tell her we sent you) — or reply to this newsletter if you want to hear my personal experience.

🪓 Victoria Dad Club: Looking to connect with other local dads? The Victoria Dad Club is a parents group just for dads, hosting events that alternate between family-friendly outings and dad-only fun: Axe Throwing Night (Wed, Sept 24) and a French Beach Picnic (Sat, Oct 18). Full details + RSVP in their Facebook group.

🧑🏽‍💻 KWENCH: Drowning in home distractions while you work? Escape to KWENCH, a downtown coworking space filled with light, energy, and community that makes it easy to actually get things done. Get a hotdesk membership or book a day pass!

🥪 This Week’s Lunch: This Week’s Lunch delivers kid-approved meals complete with mains, fruit, veggies, and snacks, straight to your door. Choose between 3 and 5-day options for little kids or big kids. Fresh, fun, and ready to grab, so mornings feel a whole lot easier.

📅 Weekend Events

🧵 Family Shop & Craft
Thursday, Sept 18 | 4–7pm
An evening of local shopping and hands-on crafting at Ecologyst downtown. Discover makers, create together, and take home something special. [Info]

🍎 Sooke Apple Festival
Sunday, Sept 21 | 10am–3pm
Celebrate the harvest with a free, family-friendly day at Sunriver Community Garden! Enjoy heritage apple varieties, pie by the slice, cider, live music, kids’ activities, apple-press demos, and a chance to support the community garden. [Info]

🎶 Fall Fairfield Festival
Sunday, Sept 21 | 12–4pm
A neighbourhood celebration with live music, food trucks, kids’ games, artisan vendors, and community fun in Fairfield Gonzales. [Info]

🥁 Sooke Grand Parade
Saturday, Sept 20 | 10am–1pm
Floats, marching bands, dancers, and community groups fill the streets of Sooke for this lively annual parade. [Info]

🧸 Ultimate Toy Fair
Saturday & Sunday, Sept 20–21 | 9am–4pm
Shop toys, collectibles, games, comics, and more — perfect for kids and serious collectors alike! [Info]

🎻 Inside Victoria Symphony
Saturday, Sept 20 | 12–3pm
Experience a Victoria Symphony rehearsal, try an instrument, and go behind the scenes with Victoria Symphony musicians in this open-house style event. [Info]

🌳 Sidney Tree Day Celebration
Sunday, Sept 21 | 9:45am–1pm
Celebrate Sidney’s urban forest with tree planting, kids’ activities, live music, and guided walks. [Info]

🍜 Soul of Vietnam
Saturday, Sept 20 | 11am–9pm
Experience Vietnamese culture with food, dance, art, and performances at this full-day celebration downtown. [Info]

⛳ End of Summer Mini Golf Tournament
Sunday, Sept 21 | 9–11am
Wrap up summer with a fun, family-friendly mini-golf tournament: prizes, laughs, and plenty of putts! [Info]

🚂 Model Railway Show
Sunday, Sept 21 | 10am–4pm
See intricate model train displays, layouts, and exhibits. It’s a must-see for train lovers young and old. [Info]

📅 Upcoming and Ongoing

🎪 Circus Osorio
Sept 11–22 | Multiple daily shows
The big-top spectacle at Mayfair Shopping Centre featuring acrobats, motorcycle stunts, aerial acts, and more. [Info]

🚲 Bike to Work (School) Week
Saturday–Friday, Sept 27–Oct 3
Hop on your bike and join families across Greater Victoria in celebrating cycling! Stop by celebration stations for snacks, prizes, and community fun. [Info]

🌳 Community Sharing Day at Welland Orchard
Saturday, Sept 27 | 11am–3pm
Gather at Welland Community Orchard in View Royal for a day of sharing food, music, stories, and community spirit among the heritage apple trees. [Info]

🍏 Apple Day at Sea Cider
Sunday, Sept 28 | 11am–4pm
Celebrate the apple harvest at Sea Cider with tastings, live music, orchard tours, and plenty of kid-friendly activities. [Info]

🎃 Lohbrunner Pumpkin Fest
Every Sat & Sun in October | 10am–4pm
Pick the perfect pumpkin, wander the patch, enjoy hay bales and photo ops, and take in the autumn scenery at Lohbrunner Farm. [Info]

🏟️ Fall for Fun at Royal Athletic Park
Saturday, Oct 4 | 1–4pm
A free afternoon of family fun at Royal Athletic Park with games, bouncy castles, face painting, and community activities. [Info]

🎃 Wicked Victoria
Sunday, Oct 26, 2025 | 10:30am–3:30pm
Downtown Victoria transforms into a free, family-friendly Halloween festival with live music, kid zones, costumes, trick-or-treating, and spooky fun for all ages. [Info]

Final Note: I do my best to keep everything accurate, but I am only human so the odd mistake might sneak in! If you catch one, feel free to let me know.