SAVE THE DATE!

June 6-7, 2026

Join us for the 2026 Sooke Secret Garden and Artisans Tour!

June 6 & 7, 2026

The Sooke Region — Sooke and East Sooke — is a true nursery of beauty and the arts. The year-round climate makes for brilliant, diverse gardens; artisans of all disciplines are inspired there; and the Sooke Philharmonic Orchestra and Chorus — entering its 29th year — has been described as “one of Canada’s finest community orchestras”.

All of these come together in the annual Sooke Secret Garden and Artisans Tour. This is your opportunity to explore the region and be inspired by the beauty and design of the gardens. Over the two-day tour, your ticket will be your passport to: private gardens, Special Destinations, artisan studios, live music, and the opportunity to meet master gardeners. At the same time, you’re supporting the Sooke Philharmonic. Can it get any better?

While the Tour has always included artisan vendors in the gardens, some studios are also part of the tour. Of course, there will again be performances by musicians from Sooke Philharmonic and talented friends of the orchestra. It’s a weekend you won’t want to miss!

Tickets, and a call for volunteers (see the FAQs below), will be coming in March. We look forward to you joining us at the Sooke Secret Garden and Artisans Tour!

Join us for the annual fund-raising event for the

Sooke Philharmonic Orchestra and Chorus!

Rain or Shine!

About the Tour

The annual Sooke Secret Garden and Artisans Tour is second largest fundraiser for the Sooke Philharmonic Society and has delighted gardening fans as the Tour evolved over the past 20-plus years. Each year we find beautiful and interesting gardens, and gardeners who are willing to share the wonderful results of their hard work. We are grateful to them all, past, present and future.

The first Tour was organized in 2000 by Women in Tune, a group of dedicated volunteers whose mission was to raise funds for the performing arts in Sooke. The Tour had a brief hiatus when Women in Tune disbanded, and the fundraising committee of the Sooke Philharmonic Society, inspired by the initial idea, re-established the Tour in 2008. Since then the Tour has been an annual event (except for 2020 when it was cancelled due to COVID; the 2021 and 2022 tours were presented virtually, and it has continued annually ever since.

What kind of gardens are on display?

You’ll find a wide range of land “types” in Sooke and its environs: waterfront, forest, riverside, mountainous — you name it. The gardens in the region are just as diverse, so our objective is always to choose gardens for the tour that reflect that nature. You’ll find large gardens, small gardens; gardens that are well-manicured, wild, some designed and maintained by their owners, others with the help of professional gardeners. We look for some with waterfront, some with edible gardens, and some rural acreages. As well, Sooke’s beautiful back roads help add to the leisurely, adventuresome vibe of the event.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Why is it a two-day event?

With so much to see and enjoy — up to 12 private gardens, five Special Destinations, artisan’s studios, musicians, and master gardeners in Sooke and East Sooke — visitors have told us that the two days made it possible to plan ahead and enjoy as many gardens and meet as many garden enthusiasts as possible.

“Rain or Shine”. Really?

Of course! Gardening is a rain-or-shine endeavour, and so is enjoying gardens. Come dressed for the elements and be prepared to meet, learn and share with other gardeners!

Are the gardens accessible?

People with mobility challenges may find some of the gardens less accessible than others. Tour-goers should assess each situation individually, for themselves.

Why do you sell tickets?

The Sooke Secret Garden and Artisans Tour is the principal fund-raising event for the Sooke Philharmonic Orchestra and Chorus. The entire event is run by volunteers, so 100% of ticket proceeds go to the Sooke Philharmonic.

How were the gardens selected?

Beginning right after the last Tour, a Selection Committee, made up of volunteers from the Sooke Garden Club and Sooke Philharmonic Orchestra, start the search. They invite local gardeners to submit their names for consideration, listen to word-of-mouth, ask local landscapers for suggestions, and simply drive around the area looking at gardens. Each potential garden is then visited in the fall and again in the spring to ensure that it’s a good fit with the Tour.

Can I volunteer?

You bet! The Tour uses volunteers for a variety of roles, such as greeting tour-goers at each venue and directing people around the gardens; other jobs involve putting up posters and roadside signs in the week or two beforehand. Watch for a full list of job descriptions and information on how to apply in March.

Special Destinations

The Sooke Secret Garden and Artisans Tour will also include “special destinations” to visit. The 2026 destinations will be announced soon.