The 2023 Eats & Beats Festival takes place on Saturday, July 29 at Lagoon Beach in Colwood.
Live music will be pounding out at Ocean Boulevard from 1 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the annual beach party, where there’ll be food trucks, a craft beer garden, street market, climbing wall, paddling and cycling — plus views of Hatley Castle and Fisgard Lighthouse on either side.
A great lineup of local musicians and bands will entertain the crowds throughout the festival, playing everything from indie rock to jazz and folk.
An eclectic variety of international cuisines will be available from more than a dozen food trucks, featuring everything from classic burgers & fries to more exotic fare such as Thai noodles and sushi. There will also be ice cream, popcorn and other snacks available.
Partygoers can also chug back an ice cold beer or cider courtesy of the Victoria Beer Society’s beachside beer service.
In addition, you’ll have the chance to amble through the beach street market where unique local treasures from around Vancouver Island will be in abundance.
Eats & Beats will get you moving, too, with an array of free activities. Visitors will be able to stroll along the beach street market and get up close and personal with a variety of Vancouver Island gifts, crafts, treasures, and treats.
This year’s festival will also offer patrons the chance to flex their muscles on the Eats & Beats climbing wall, which will be equipped with an auto-belay system (to help climbers down) and offer fun for every age range.
You’ll also be able to sample a kayak or stand up paddle board, go for a spin on an e-bike, and enjoy beach games with friends.
With two Eats & Beats shuttle buses, bike parking, and free parking all along the lagoon, there are many ways to get to Eats & Beats.
Driving to Eats & Beats: Drive to the Park & Ride and jump on a free shuttle. Ocean Boulevard will be closed to through traffic for the event, but there will be some vehicle parking along the beach on Ocean Boulevard. Parking attendants will assist drivers.
Hop on a free Eats & Beats Shuttle: The Eats & Beats Shuttles will run all day between the event and the Park & Ride at Island Highway and Ocean Boulevard (next to West Shore Parks & Recreation).
Easy B.C. Transit: Take transit to the Colwood Transit Exchange (Routes #50, #52, #53, #61) then hop on the complimentary shuttle to the event. For more information visit bctransit.com.
And it pays to cycle! Riders can use the free Capital Bike Valet and get $5 Eats & Beats Bucks to use at the food trucks! The Locker from Capital Bike is also a safe and secure, staffed bike parking service. There’s also covered bike parking at the Colwood Transit Exchange at West Shore Parks & Recreation, right next to the Park & Ride where you can jump on a shuttle to the site. The Galloping Goose Regional Trail also leads directly to the Transit Exchange and shuttle bus stop.
Got your own kayak? If you have your own kayak or canoe, you can park at Royal Roads University and then enjoy an easy paddle across the sheltered lagoon to the event.
To learn more, visit colwood.ca/news-events/community-calendar/event/eats-beats-beach-party-2023.