Victoria Day Weekend Begins in Woodstock

Thursday, 14 May 2026 05:42

The World's Finest Shows midway will open in Southside Park this evening.

WOODSTOCK - The Victoria Day festivities are about to get underway in the City of Woodstock.

All of the fun kicks off with the World's Finest Shows midway, which will open in Southside Park at 5:00 p.m. this evening. There will be lots of food and games, in addition to a variety of rides including Pharoah's Fury, Magic Carpet, the Super Slide, the Teacups, and the Hampton Tractors. Ride credits will be available for purchase on site.

The midway is open for the whole long weekend, but Manager of Special Events Kristen Brodhagen says the Friday night is always the most popular.

"It's pay one price bracelet night, so it's all you can ride for $40! The fun doesn't stop there though because the midway is on site until Monday so you can check it out any day this weekend."

She says the 78th annual Victoria Day Parade will be taking place on the holiday Monday.

"It will depart from the Woodstock Fairgrounds and end at Finkle Street and Henry Street, just outside of Southside Park. You can expect a lot of bands, marching bands, and music this year!"

The parade will leave the Woodstock Fairgrounds at 10:00 a.m. before heading down McKenzie Ave and turning right on Dundas Street. It will continue west from there before making a left on Wellington Street, a right onto Henry Street, and disbanding at Finkle Street.

In honour of the City of Woodstock's 125th anniversary, Brodhagen says the parade will be followed by something new and exciting this year.

"The Victoria Day Rewind will take place from 12:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. in Southside Park after the parade on Monday, May 18th. We really wanted to activate the entire park with traditional family-style activities."

They include the lawn games, beach volleyball, a teddy bear picnic, and the South Gate Centre Cruise.

You can find more information about the Victoria Day festivities in Woodstock online here.

Kristen Brodhagen stopped by the Heart FM studio to chat with Xander and Marcie on Tuesday May 12th this year. You can listen to the full interview below: