Given that we are all spending more time at home during COVID-19, here is a list of local businesses, organizations and individuals who are doing some cool things online from story time for kids to yoga classes and from ancestry hunts to live streaming concerts – here is our “starter” list of local sites that have some cool virtual happenings:

The Craic is a series of video sessions featuring conversation clubs, workshops and courses. A recent visit to the site featured upcoming sessions on mindfulness, managing projects teams, ukulele for beginners and even story time for kids.

This Victoria institution, and not for profit venue, is taking some of their performances online.  Check on their Facebook page for upcoming events.  Recently Pablo Cardenas played Latin Jazz to a live streaming audience of 185 people.

If you have never visited the digital collections & e-resources of the Greater Victoria Public Library, you’ve been missing out on some great content.  Ancestry Library, auto repair resource, online language learning and Independent films are only a few of the options.

See the gardens in bloom by visiting the Butchart Gardens virtual visit page and see the most recent photos of their garden in bloom

Whether you are a history buff or need a virtual play date for the kids.  The Royal BC Museum is offering some great ways to virtually tour the museum or engage with learning opportunities.

  • Local Festivals

We are starting to hear about local festivals taking their content online.  UnoFest is one them.  Scheduled from April 28 to May 9, this festival of solo performances will be streaming online. 

Enjoy some of the Victoria Art Gallery’s collection on their Instagram page.  Here you will find posts of collection pieces with commentary by the artist or gallery staff, as well as the occasional art project for adults or children.

The provincial government is helping musicians and actors who have lost income due to show cancellations with grants when they livestream a performance. You can view the full schedule of upcoming free livestream concerts and events at Showcase BC.


Every Wednesday from 7p.m. to 8:30 pm. two local mindfulness teachers are offering free mindfulness training via Zoom. Visit the page in the title link to get the zoom log-in info.

The City of Victoria has compiled a list of several community initiatives to help others  during COVID-19, including crowd-sourced local resources to volunteering to drop off groceries for seniors.

The team at The Athlete Centre has been providing daily online content to help you achieve your health and wellness goals. Topics such as mobility, nutritional tips, and exercise instructions are covered every week by specialists.  Visit their Instagram page @athletecentre to get access to all their content or http://www.athletecentre.ca/

Do Yoga with Me was founded in BC and features yoga teachers from across the country.  This online streaming yoga site is offering all of their content for free during COVID-19.

  •  Business directories

Wondering which business are still open?  Used Victoria and the The Capital has set up a directory of Victoria Businesses that are still open for business and includes restaurants, stores  that are allowing pick-up or delivery, as well as essential services. 

All things consumables Eat Magazine’s Guide to takeout and delivery focuses on eating and drinking and includes butchers, bakeries, breweries, wine stores, specialty food shops, grocers and of course cafes and restaurants.

  • Telephone Pole fun

We’ve heard word that there are some fun activities for kids being posted on telephone poles including neighbourhood scavenger hunts and Where’s Waldo Now.  If you’ve spotted one you can share let us know.

Musical talent from across Vancouver Island will join forces from their living rooms this coming Friday to help raise funds for Islanders who are most in need during the COVID-19 pandemic.  Featured performers include: David Foster, Randy and Tal Bachman, the Tenors and Trevor Guthrie.