SAVE THE DATE!
June 6-7, 2026
Watch this space for more information about the 2026 tour
Tickets and the map showing the 2026 Secret Garden and Artisans locations will be available soon!
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 to set up their studios or work en plein air 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, and it’s 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, artisan studios, live music, and the opportunity to meet Master Gardeners and Artisans. 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, this year we’re expanding the tour to include some of their studios as well. Of course, there will again be music performances by musicians from Sooke Philharmonic and talented friends of the orchestra. It’s a weekend you won’t want to miss!
There will also be some “Special Destinations” on the tour, to be announced soon. As well, some garden owners will have plants for sale.
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 a major fundraiser for the Sooke Philharmonic Society and has delighted gardening fans as the Tour evolved over the years. Each year we find yet more beautiful and interesting gardens, and more 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. When Women in Tune disbanded, the fundraising committee of the Sooke Philharmonic Society decided to re-establish the Tour.
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 diverse 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. We often invite participants from past years’ Tours to show how their gardens have grown and to offer further inspiration to visitors.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Why is it a two-day event?
We’re expecting as many as a dozen gardens to take part, covering an area roughly from Otter Point to East Sooke. It would be very difficult to cover all that ground in just one day, so the two days makes it possible to 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!
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 all proceeds, minus nominal administration costs, go to Sooke Philharmonic.
Where does the tour start?
If you don’t already have your ticket, you’ll begin the tour at the Sooke Region Museum and Visitor Centre, 2070 Phillips Road (just off Hwy 14). There, you’ll receive your map, indicating all the locations. And then, you’re on your own. Enjoy!
How were the gardens selected?
Beginning in October, gardeners in the Sooke area were invited to submit their names. Organizers invited the previous year’s participants if they would like to show off their garden again; they went by word-of-mouth, asked local landscapers, and simply drove around looking at gardens. The selection committee, made up of members of the Sooke Garden Club and Sooke Philharmonic Orchestra and Chorus, took it from there.
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 on the “days of”, and 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, soon!
Special Destinations
The Sooke Secret Garden and Artisans Tour will also include “special destinations” to visit. The 2026 destinations will be announced soon.
DONORS
Thank You to Our Generous Donors
We extend our heartfelt gratitude to all of our generous donors who have supported the Sooke Secret Garden & Artisans Tour. Your contributions help make this beautiful community event possible and not only enriches the experience for visitors but also fosters the growth of local artisans, musicians and gardeners. We are deeply thankful for your commitment to our community - together, we are creating something truly special.
Watch the 2021 Virtual Tour
Each year, Garden Owners in Sooke have generously opened their beautiful and interesting gardens for the Tour. Watch the 2021 video series featuring gardens from Otter Point to Sooke to East Sooke and music by members and friends of the Sooke Philharmonic Orchestra.