James Bay, Victoria
May 1 to 3, 2026
12 free guided walking
tours, special events, contests & more…
The James Bay community came out in big numbers for the second annual Jane’s Walk in James Bay this first weekend in May, a weekend full of exploration, connection, and discovery.
Jane’s Walk Victoria Emerges from James Bay Success
~ published May 16, 2026 ~
The second annual Jane’s Walk James Bay 2026 Festival, held May 1–3, was by nearly every measure a tremendous success. More than 415 people took part as walk leaders, walk marshals, photographers, volunteers, presenters, sponsors, and participants in 12 guided walks throughout every part of James Bay led by residents of the community.
Following the event, 35 participants completed the detailed feedback survey. Participants described the Festival as an engaging and memorable experience that deepened their connection to the community. Many shared how much they enjoyed learning about the history of James Bay’s heritage buildings, the stories of the people who once lived there, and the environmental significance of places such as Holland Point Park, including its biodiversity designation and shoreline ecology.
Several participants said the walks changed the way they now see familiar streets and buildings, with one long-time resident noting it offered “a whole new way” of looking at the neighbourhood. New residents especially appreciated the opportunity to discover James Bay through the knowledge and enthusiasm of local walk leaders and residents.
Participants also spoke warmly about the welcoming atmosphere and sense of community created during the festival. Attendees enjoyed meeting and chatting with others on the walks, learning from passionate guides, and sharing in the laughter and stories along the way. Many described the walks as “fantastic,” “so enjoyable,” and a “treat to learn, laugh and feel welcome,” even for those visiting from outside the neighbourhood. Several participants attended multiple walks and expressed excitement for next year’s festival, with many asking to join the newsletter mailing list so they can stay connected and participate again in the future.
Participants also spoke warmly about the welcoming atmosphere and sense of community created during the festival. Attendees enjoyed meeting and chatting with others on the walks, learning from passionate guides, and sharing in the laughter and stories along the way. Many described the walks as “fantastic,” “so enjoyable,” and a “treat to learn, laugh and feel welcome,” even for those visiting from outside the neighbourhood.
Several participants attended multiple walks and expressed excitement for next year’s festival, with many asking to join the newsletter mailing list so they can stay connected and participate again in the future.
In the six questions that asked respondents to rate their experience of various aspects of their walks, all 35 of them rated their experience as “excellent,” the highest category.
This year, volunteers beyond the walk leaders made a significant contribution to the festival’s success. For the first time, the event recruited community volunteers in additional support roles, greatly enhancing the organization, coordination, and played large part in the festival’s “excellent” rating. The festival now has 20 volunteers it did not have before and to work with throughout the year on next year’s event that make it possible to program the James Bay Community Centre, our newest and largest venue yet.
Sponsors had equally positive things to say: the James Bay library display and booklist was well received by patrons at the James Bay Library. Caitlin who headed up the project on behalf of the library wrote: “It is a fun list to put together annually – so nice to see all the new urban planning and other related items that have come out between lists. And amazing to hear how well attended your events were, well done you!”
Another sponsor, Tracey from the James Bay Community Centre wrote, “Congrats on a successful event. It takes time to build these things and it sounds like you have some great momentum. Look forward to hearing all about the event. I can book the activity room for early May 2027. Let’s connect later about what this looks like.”
Six new walk leaders have joined the walk leader roster. Along with this increased support and 20 new volunteers, the festival now has a much stronger foundation to build upon. We are now currently in discussion with new sponsors for next year’s event to cover the festival’s relatively low cost. It will be easier to attract financial support as a result of this year’s success, the expansion of activities in James Bay and our reach out to other communities in Victoria we have underway.
Next year, the Jane’s Walk & Roll with Capital Bike event will expand to include a community bike swap and other elements that will add to the experience. The Sidewalk Chalk Art Contest will expand and take place in a new, much larger and more visible location in James Bay. This time with permission. It will also have it’s own sponsor.
Other exciting plans are already underway for next year. Encouraged by interest from residents in communities across Victoria, we are now in discussions with potential organizers interested in hosting Jane’s Walks in their own neighbourhoods. Several new volunteers have also stepped forward to help support the expansion initiative.
If you have friends and family members living in other communities within Victoria with an interest in local history, community building and citizen-led initiatives, please ask them to check out the event website for this year: janeswalkjamesbayvictoria.ca and contact us.
Next year, the festival will be renamed Jane’s Walk Victoria, be operating as the Jane’s Walk Victoria Society with a board of directors composed of members from each participating community. The event website will be rebuilt on a new domain janeswalkvictoria.ca and its social media accounts will also reflect the expansion. The new name will be shorter, simpler and better reflect the festival’s growth and expansion to other communities in Victoria.
Also next year, at the suggestion of an enthusiastic walk participant, we plan on holding 12 guided walks in James Bay spaced out over three days, April 30 – May 2, two in the morning, two in the afternoon each day, so that it would be possible for walkers to participate in all of them. We’ll be inviting your ideas for next year’s walks to be posted on the janeswalkvictoria.ca domain beginning in September 2026. I look forward to working with other communities in Victoria to join the Jane’s Walk movement. What could be better than getting to know your neighbours and the past, present & future of the community in which you live.
We hope to see you at Jane Walk Victoria next year as a volunteer, walk leader, walk marshal, photographer, sidewalk chalk artist, or a resident who wants to meet new people and get to know your community better.
Marilyn Jones
Founder & Event Producer
Walk Leader Volunteer
James Bay Resident
see more photos at: https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjCUmE2
from walk participants:
“It was interesting to learn about Holland Point Park’s history, the environmental issues and its biodiversity designation.”
“I did three walks, and all were excellent!”
“The walks opened up a “whole new world” to me as a new resident to James Bay.”
“Learning about the history of the heritage buildings and the people who built it and once lived there was fascinating. I already look forward to next year.”
“As a long time resident of James Bay, it was a chance to look at some of the buildings in a whole new way.”
“It was a great opportunity to learn about the local history from the people who live there.”
“It expanded my knowledge of nature within James Bay, specifically the shoreline and to learn the names of the ecological areas. Yes, please add me to your newsletter list.”
“I liked everything about the walk, I will recommend to people they attend next year. Thank you. So enjoyable!”
“Such treat to learn, laugh and feel welcome even though I am from Fairfield.”
“After the walk, I will think of the stories I leaned about Emily Carr every time I walk by the buildings. I can connect the landscape with the history.”
“I enjoyed walk leader’s enthusiasm, meeting and chatting with the other people on the walk.”
“I was reluctant to come as I was was unsure if I needed to sign up first. I’m glad I came. Please add me to your mailing list.”
“I learned about the event from the Beacon newspaper the day before the walks. I enjoyed visiting the Beacon and meeting the staff the next day.”
” I highly recommend, particularly for new James Bay residents.”
“Really inspiring — truly a learning experience.”
“Every presentation was ‘over the top’ informative. I only learned about the Jane’s Walk this year. I look forward to attending more walks in the future. Please sign me up to your newsletter.”
This free, citizen-led family friendly festival invites everyone in the spirit of Jane Jacobs to come together to meet neighbours, share ideas and reflect on the past, present & future of communities in Victoria April 30 – May 2, 2027
