Local Bluegrass & Stuff

Click here to see details about Victoria Bluegrass Association Events


Non-VBA Concerts, etc.

Friday April 10, 2026:   Clover Point Drifters
7:30pm at Upstairs Lounge in the Oak Bay Rec Centre. Doors and restaurant open at 6pm for dinner and drinks. Tickets: $30 advance.


Regular Jams in the Victoria Area

3rd Sunday of the month 1:30 - 4:00 pm:   Sooke Bluegrass Open Mic
at Sooke Legion Branch 54 Sooke; Cozy and inviting, bring along a tune to share. Acoustic instruments only. Admission: free, but buy a drink or food

3rd Sunday of the month 3:00 - 7:00pm:   South Cowichan Acoustic Jam (Cobble Hill)
at the Stu Armour Hall; Admission: free?

Sundays 3:00 - 7:00 pm:   The Loft's Sunday Afternoon Jam
at The Loft Pub; Bring your own instrument and mic - drum kit, bass/guitar amp provided. Admission: free, but buy a drink or food

Sundays 2:00 - 6:00pm:   Country Jam (Duncan)
at the Eagle Hall; 2965 Boys Road, Duncan. Not loud, but PA and drummers are used. They also have a Rock jam on Friday night, and an Open Jam on Saturday afternoons. Admission: free, but buy a drink or food

Sundays 6:00 - 8:00pm:   Friends of Music Society Open Mic
at Eric Martin Pavilion Theatre. This is a dry event with a relaxed vibe. Coffee, snacks and drinks are provided. Email us at info@friendsofmusic.ca to let us know if you're planning to perform. Admission: free, Memberships are just $10 annually.

Sundays 7:00pm - midnight:   Bluegrass Jam (Cumberland)
at the Cumberland Hotel; Admission: free, but buy a drink or food

First Monday of the month 7 - 10 pm:   Irish Session
at Spinnaker's Brew Pub; Invite only. Please come to listen first and contact Nancy Grossert if you would like to join. Looking for Irish style, advanced players with strong Irish trad session repertoire. Admission: free, but buy a drink or food; More info: Nancy

Mondays 6:30 - 8:30 pm:   Spiral Groove
Oldtime music jam at the Spiral Cafe, 418 Craigflower Rd, Victoria; Admission: free, but buy a drink or food;

Mondays 6:30 - 8:30pm:   Gigi's Unplugged Open Mic
at Gigi's Cafe; Admission: free, but buy a drink or food

Tuesdays 7:30 - 9:45 pm:   Victoria Bluegrass Association Weekly Gathering

Wednesdays 7:00 - 9:00 pm:   Sidney Acoustic Jam
at Beacon Community Services SHOAL Activity Centre 10030 Resthaven Dr Auditorium A; Acoustic Instruments only please - all levels of players welcome; Admission: $3, or $20/yr with a paid-up SHOAL membership; More info: sidneyjam@shaw.ca

Wednesdays 6:00 - 9:00 pm:   The Loft's Wednesday Night Jam
at The Loft Pub; Bring your own instrument and mic - drum kit, bass/guitar amp provided. Admission: free, but buy a drink or food

Thursdays 7 - 10 pm:   Bluegrass Jam (Qualicum Bay)
at the Crown and Anchor Pub; Admission: free, but buy a drink or food; More info: Sharon Klassen 250-951-2055

1st Friday of the month 7 - 9:30 pm:   Victoria Fiddle Society Monthly Jam
(except July & August); at Wheeley Hall in Esquimalt United Church 500 Admirals Road Victoria, BC; All musicians, all ages and skill levels are welcome; Break-out space for advanced fiddlers; Admission: VFS members Free, $5 for drop-ins.

1st and 3rd Friday of the month 7 - 11pm:   Emporium Open Mic Night (Brentwood Bay)
at the Brentwood Bay Village Emporium; All attendees, whether performers or audience, must have a seat at a table. Tables are reserved online ($10 per seat), and in advance so that performers and their guests are guaranteed an opportunity to perform - and a place for them and their guests to sit.

3rd Friday of the month 7 - 10pm:   Coombs Country Opera (Coombs)
at the Rodeo Grounds (site of the bluegrass festival); Admission: $5; More info: 250-248-1009


Regular Gigs

Let us know if you have a regular gig in the Victoria area.

Bluegrass, Old-Time & Folk Festivals in 2026
Confirmed dates for British Columbia, Western Canada and the Pacific Northwest

Dec 29-Jan 01Puget Sound Guitar Workshop - New Year's RetreatPort Orchard, WA
Jan 14-18Portland Old Time Music GatheringPortland, OR
Jan 22-24Winter Music FestivalFlorence, OR
Feb 12-15Olympia Old Time FestivalOlympia, WA
Feb 13-16Puget Sound Guitar Workshop - Winter RetreatPort Orchard, WA
Feb 19-22WintergrassBellevue, WA
Feb 20-22California Coast Music Camp - Winter RetreatPlacer County, CA
Mar 06-08Bluegrass On The BeachLake Havasu, AZ
Apr 21-26Brazilian Choro WorkshopPort Townsend, WA
Apr 23-26Walker Creek Music Spring CampPetaluma, CA
Apr 30-May 03Puget Sound Guitar Workshop - Spring RetreatPort Orchard, WA
Apr 30-May 04Ukelele FestivalPort Townsend, WA
May 06-10Julian Family Fiddle CampJulian, CA
May 13-17Red Hot Strings WorkshopPort Townsend, WA
May 22-24Juan de Fuca Festival of the ArtsPort Angeles, WA
May 22-25NorthWest Folklife FestivalSeattle, WA
May 30Woodbox Fiddle FestivalVictoria, BC
Jun 04-07Idaho Bluegrass Music CampWeiser, ID
Jun 11-14Sacajawea Bluegrass CampoutPasco, WA
Jun 12-14Kluane Mountain Bluegrass FestivalHaines Junction, YK
Jun 14-17California Bluegrass Music CampGrass Valley, CA
Jun 17-22National Oldtime Fiddle Contest and FestivalWeiser, ID
Jun 18-21Grass Valley Bluegrass FestivalGrass Valley, CA
Jun 19-21Cowichan Valley Bluegrass FestivalCowichan Lake, BC
Jun 19-21Campbell Bay Music FestivalMayne Island, BC
Jun 19-21Wenatchee River Bluegrass FestivalCashmere, WA
Jun 21-27Lady Of The Lake - June WeekCouer d'Alene, ID
Jun 22-27Voiceworks - A Workshop for SingersPort Townsend, WA
Jun 26-27The Big PonderooSisters, OR
Jun 26-28Summertime Bluegrass FestivalFalkland, BC
Jun 26-28Susanville Bluegrass FestivalSusanville, CA
Jun 27Siskiyou Folk and Bluegrass FestivalLake Selmac, OR
Jun 28-Jul 04Dulcimer Week in the WallowasWallowa Lake, OR
Jun 28-Jul 05Festival Of American Fiddle Tunes
also check out the alternative Mule Barn Campsite
Port Townsend, WA
Jul 01Gorge Canada Day PicnicVictoria, BC
Jul 03-05Smithers Midsummer Music FestivalSmithers, BC
Jul 03-05Fossil Jam CampFossil, OR
Jul 03-05Steamboat Mountain Music FestivalEdgewater, BC
Jul 04Victoria Folk Music FestivalVictoria, BC
Jul 05-10NimbleFingers Workshop - Week 1Sorrento, BC
Jul 05-10Walowa Fiddle Tunes CampWalowa, OR
Jul 10-11Arts On The FlyHorsefly, BC
Jul 10-12Bluegrass From The Forest FestivalShelton, WA
Jul 10-12Keremeos Bluegrass JamboreeKeremeos, BC
Jul 10-17California Coast Music Camp - Week 1Placer County, CA
Jul 11NimbleFingers Music FestivalSorrento, BC
Jul 12-17NimbleFingers Workshop - Week 2Sorrento, BC
Jul 12-18Blaine Harbor Music FestivalBlaine, WA
Jul 17-19Vancouver Folk Music FestivalVancouver, BC
Jul 17-19Shady Grove Bluegrass FestivalSundre, AB
Jul 17-19Darrington Bluegrass FestivalDarrington, WA
Jul 18-24California Coast Music Camp - Week 2Placer County, CA
Jul 19-25Swing West Jazz CampSorrento, BC
Jul 20-24West Marin Fiddle CampBolinas, CA
Jul 20-26Jazz Port TownsendPort Townsend, WA
Jul 23-26Columbia Gorge Bluegrass FestivalStevenson, WA
Jul 24-26Islands Folk FestivalDuncan, BC
Jul 24-26Salmon Arm ROOTSandBLUESSalmon Arm, BC
Jul 24-26Hard Times Bluegrass FestivalHamilton, MT
Jul 25-31Puget Sound Guitar Workshop - Session 1Port Orchard, WA
Jul 27-Aug 02Acoustic Blues WorkshopPort Townsend, WA
Jul 27-31BC Fiddle 'TreatGavin Lake, BC
Jul 30-Aug 02PickathonHappy Valley, OR
Jul 31-Aug 02Coombs Bluegrass Festival
plus they have early camping before
and post-festival camping after
Coombs, BC
Jul 31-Aug 02Kaslo Jazz FestivalKaslo, BC
Jul 31-Aug 02Filberg FestivalComox, BC
Jul 31-Aug 02WAMA PickersfestCentralia, WA
Aug 01-07Puget Sound Guitar Workshop - Session 2Port Orchard, WA
Aug 06-08Subdued Stringband JamboreeBellingham, WA
Aug 07-09Mt St Helens Bluegrass FestivalToledo, WA
Aug 07-09Blue Waters Bluegrass FestivalMedical Lake, WA
Aug 08-14Puget Sound Guitar Workshop - Session 3Port Orchard, WA
Aug 08-16Centralia OldTime Music CampoutCentralia, WA
Aug 14-16Northern Lights Bluegrass and Old TymeNess Creek, SK
Aug 15-21Puget Sound Guitar Workshop - Session 4Port Orchard, WA
Aug 21-23Cat Nap Music CampGambier Island, BC
Aug 20-23Picking PartyRainier, WA
Aug 30-Sep 04Summer Acoustic Music In The PinesPort Orchard, WA
Sep 04-06Keremeos Bluegrass JamboreeKeremeos, BC
Sep 10-13American Banjo CampPort Orchard, WA
Sep 14-20George, Washington Bluegrass FestivalGeorge, WA
Sep 17-20Berkeley Old Time Music ConventionBerkeley, CA
Sep 18-20Tygh Valley Bluegrass JamboreeShaniko, OR
Sep 25-27Sisters Folk FestivalSisters, OR
Oct 02-04Lady Of The Lake - Fall WeekendCouer d'Alene, ID
Oct 09-11Old Growth OldtimeSeattle, WA

Past Events in 2025
Unconfirmed dates for 2026

Jun 20-22Seaside Music FestivalSidney, BC
Jul 11-20Harrison Festival Of The ArtsHarrison Hot Springs, BC
Jul 17-20Northwest Autoharp GatheringNorth Bend, WA
Jul 19Chemainus Bluegrass FestivalChemainus, BC
Aug 23North Island Music FestivalPort McNeill, BC
Aug 27-Sep 01Zigzag Old Time Music CampoutRhododendron, OR
Aug 29-31Tumbleweed Music FestivalRichland, WA
Sep 12-14Eric Day Bluegrass FestivalVictoria, BC
Oct 17-19West Marin Fiddle Camp - Fall FlingBolinas, CA
Oct 23-26Walker Creek Music Fall CampPetaluma, CA
Nov 07-09Wood Stove FestivalCumberland, BC

Fossil Festivals
Probably moribund, future dates not confirmed

Jul 2018White Swan Music FestivalFraser Lake, BC
Jul 2018Bluegrass JamboreeCastlegar, BC
Aug 2018Pasture Picking and Music FestivalNorthport, WA
Apr 2019East Van Oldtime SocialVancouver, BC
Aug 2019Bannock County Bluegrass FestivalPocatello, ID
Aug 201912th Annual Oregon Bluegrass Assn Picker's FestRhododendron, OR
Sep 2019Simcoe Mountain Music & Dance WeekendGoldendale, WA
Oct 2019The Acoustic Music WorkshopCamp He Ho Ha, AB
Nov 2019Dare To Be Square - WestFort Flagler, WA
Feb 2021Victoria Trad WeekendVictoria, BC
Feb 2021Roche Harbor Irish Music RetreatRoche Harbor, WA
Apr 2021Parksville JamFestParksville, BC
Apr 2021Mountain Fever Bluegrass CampLac Le Jeune, BC
Apr 202123rd Country Bluegrass JamboreeQuesnel, BC
May 2021Vancouver Island Music Workshop - Spring RetreatNanoose, BC
Jul 2021Beyond Trad Summer WorkshopParksville, BC
Aug 202113th Princeton Traditional Music FestivalPrinceton, BC
Sep 2021Vancouver Island Music Workshop - Fall RetreatNanoose, BC
Jul 2022Northwest String SummitNorth Plains, OR
Sep 2022Perseverance Folk FestivalCumberland, BC
Sep 2022Chillbilly FestivalFernie, BC
Sep 2022Prospect Hotel Music FestivalProspect, OR
May 2023Hixon Bluegrass and Country JamboreeHixon, BC
May 2023Willamette Valley Old-Time SocialEugene, OR
May 2023Islands Celtic FestivalErrington, BC
Jul 2023Legion Bluegrass FestivalPowell River, BC
Jul 2023Savary Island BluegrassSavary Island, BC
Aug 2023Lady Of The Lake - Dance S'MoreCouer d'Alene, ID
Aug 2023FiddleworksCreston, BC
Nov 2023Seaside Django FestivalVictoria, BC
May 2024Bluegrass PickfestCoombs, BC
May 2024Tenor Guitar GatheringAstoria, OR
Jul 2024Vancouver Island MusicfestCourtenay, BC
Aug 2025Blueberry Bluegrass FestivalStony Plain, AB
Aug 2025North Cascades Bluegrass FestivalFerndale, WA

Is a bluegrass (or similar) festival missing from the above lists ? If so, let me know the details and I'll add it: web@victoriabluegrass.ca


Quarantainment, Virtual Spaciness, Broadband Busking, etc.

Back in COVID-19 times, the normal music scene pretty much shut down. But on the digital airwaves, many musicians arranged lessons, concerts and all kinds of innovative musical events just to keep us all on the good end of the sanity scale. Lots of this continued, and here are some sites to get you started.

Quarantine Happy Hour - archived Oldtime shows on Facebook
Home Routes Online Bluegrass Weekend Live Shows - from Winnipeg
Whiskey Sour Happy Hour - archived performances.
Chris Coole Lessons (ZOOM) - One of the best teachers and players.
Bluegrass Lessons with Jenny Lester
Ellie Hakanson - Occasional streaming.
Get Up In The Cool - Portland's Cameron deWitt has a great weekly podcast featuring musical guests.
My Tall Tripod (YouTube) - Includes performances from past John Hartford Memorial Festivals
Picky Fingers Banjo Podcast - Fabulous podcast featuring the best of the best in banjo.
Bluegrass Signal - comprehensive resource page for all things Bluegrass on the West Coast, especially the Bay Area.
Bluegrass Country - radio station WAMU in Washington DC, plus info on all things bluegrass.

Support your favorite and local musicians. Don't forget the tip jar. If you know of other similar events, email us at scene@victoriabluegrass.ca and we'll post them.

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