The Top 10 Things to Do in Vancouver This Fall

What are some of the best things to do in Vancouver in October and November? Summer tends to steal all the attention, but we’re here to make the case that fall is when the city really shines. As the days get shorter and the rains begin to roll in, calendar obligations shift from beach parties and late-summer nights to apple picking, Halloween frights, and a packed calendar of cozy things to do. Whether you’re planning a full fall day itinerary or looking for one seasonal activity to add to your weekend plans, we’ve rounded up 10 of the best fall events, activities and things to do in Vancouver in October and November to inspire you this season.

See Vancouver’s Fall Colours

Bundle up for a city stroll or fall foliage hike, surrounded by brilliant shades of red, yellow, orange, and gold. From the iconic ivy-covered walls of the Sylvia Hotel to the vibrant red Japanese maples in the Nitobe Memorial Garden, there are endless Instagrammable locations to see Vancouver dressed in fall colours.

Taste Vancouver’s Fall Food Scene

The fall season brings a new set of ingredients to Vancouver’s best restaurants. Wild mushrooms, hearty squash, crispy apples, root vegetables, and leafy greens are the star players on seasonal menus across the city. Lean into fall flavours by visiting one (or many!) establishments known for embracing seasonal ingredients. Indulge in a tasting menu at Mount Pleasant’s Burdock & Co. or South Granville’s neighbourhood hot-spot, Gary’s, to get you started on your fall food tour.

Embrace A Rainy Day

A bit of rain doesn’t have to keep you from exploring outdoors, but it’s a great excuse to check out all of Vancouver’s indoor activities and attractions. From museums to markets to cozy cafés, there are plenty of rainy day activities in Vancouver to keep you busy in the fall.

Seek shelter at one of Vancouver’s galleries or museums. See works by iconic BC artist Emily Carr and rotating exhibitions at the Vancouver Art Gallery. Or head to UBC’s Museum of Anthropology to explore its renowned collection of nearly 50,000 objects representing Indigenous and other cultures from around the world.

Fall is also the perfect time to catch a live performance and support Vancouver’s vibrant performing arts scene. As theatre season gets underway, stages across the city fill with musicals, comedies, dance, drama, and more.

Go Apple Picking

Straight out of a Hallmark movie, apple picking is one of the best things to do in Vancouver in October and November. Make a day trip to the Fraser Valley and fill your basket at Willow View Farms or Taves Family Farms, where you can wander the orchards, enjoy the crisp autumn air, and stock up on fresh apples to take home.

Pick Out a Perfect Pumpkin

Head out to Maan Farms for the most quintessential of all fall activities, the pumpkin patch. But this isn’t your average pumpkin patch. After roaming the patch to pick out your perfect pumpkin, get lost in the corn mazes, meet the barnyard animals, soar across ziplines, and race around on go-karts. When you’ve worked up an appetite, indulge in delicious fall treats like apple pie samosas and pumpkin spice ice cream.

Catch a Fall Sporting Event

It’s a great time to be a sports fan in Vancouver, with plenty of fall sporting events to add to your calendar. Catch the BC Lions at BC Place for the final stretch of the CFL season, or head to Rogers Arena to cheer on the Vancouver Canucks as hockey season gets underway. Whether you’re a die-hard fan or just there for the atmosphere, heading out for a game is one of the best things to do in Vancouver in October and November.

Attend VanDusen Harvest Days

One of the most festive fall things to do in Vancouver in October and November is to head to VanDusen Garden for Harvest Days. VanDusen is one of the best places in the city for brilliant fall colours, and VanDusen offers fun for everyone. Enjoy mazes, live music, face painting, seasonal food and beverages and more. On opening weekend, there are additional special events including live performances by Aeriosa Dance Society & Spakwus Slulem Eagle Song Dancers and the Artists for Conservation Festival.

Celebrate Diwali

Light up your fall with a trip to Yaletown for one of the season’s most colourful celebrations. Meaning “row of lighted lamps,” Diwali celebrates the triumph of good over evil, prosperity over poverty, and knowledge over ignorance. Vancouver Diwali brings the festivities to life with music, dancing, vibrant performances, and plenty of steaming cups of sweet and spicy chai.

Catch a VIFF Screening

The Vancouver International Film Festival (VIFF) will return to the city this October. This year’s roster will feature some of the world’s best cinema, one-of-a-kind live performances, talks, and other unique events celebrating film and film culture. Dive into the festival with a VIFF weekend getaway, catching multiple screenings while exploring the city between shows.

Get Spooked at Fright Nights at the PNE

Vancouver’s most notorious Halloween tradition is back, bringing non-stop screams and terror. Fright Nights takes over the PNE every October with terrifying haunted houses, after-dark rides, spine-chilling entertainment, spooky eats, and more reasons to sleep with the light on. Of course, your favourite rides are still running, so you can take a break from the scares with a spin on some classic PNE attractions. Still feeling brave? Check out even more places to get scared in Vancouver.

The Best Things to Do in Vancouver in October and November

From colourful festivals and thrilling sporting events to pumpkin patches and apple orchards, fall brings a whole new energy to Vancouver. Start building your perfect autumn itinerary and discover just how much there is to see, taste, and experience on a Vancouver trip this fall.