There’s no doubt about it folks- we’re officially in fall. And if you’re saving up to buy an insane amount of candy this Halloween, we’ve got some great free and cheap things to do in Vancouver this October to help stretch your dollar. Get outside, check out an art gallery, or experience a festival, the choice is yours!
Here are some great free and cheap things to do in Vancouver this October.
Check out the Nitobe Memorial Garden
This little-known garden at UBC is the definition of an urban oasis. A classic Japanese garden, Nitobe is actually best experienced in the fall, as the trees turn to vibrant shades of orange and yellow for your stroll.
When: Open throughout October
Where: 1895 Lower Mall, UBC
Cost: $5
Go grab a pumpkin
We’re happy that the only true farm experience in Vancouver also happens to be well worth the visit! This urban oasis of a farm offers a u-pick pumpkin patch, plus the opportunity to hang out with a bunch of farm animals. It’s also a working farm, so you can pitch in on a couple of tasks if you really want to immerse yourself.
When: Open throughout October
Where: 6767 Balaclava Street
Cost: $8 per adult (comes with a free pumpkin!)
Head to the Polygon Gallery
Meanwhile, the Polygon Gallery is bringing back the finalists for this year’s Lind Prize. Check out 17 new and notable artists from around the province, ranging from classic paintings to mixed media and videos. Need a little extra push to get over there? We’ve got three words for you- admission by donation.
When: Open until October 24th
Where: 101 Carrie Cates Court, North Vancouver
Cost: By donation
Or see the new Yoko Ono exhibition
Speaking of admission by donation, the Vancouver Art Gallery is still offering it on Tuesday nights! What’s more, they just unveiled a new exhibition focusing on the often-intersecting advocacy and art from the world-renowned artist Yoko Ono, so you’ll get to see something new while you’re there!
When: Tuesday nights, 5PM-8PM
Where: 750 Hornby Street
Cost: By donation
Learn about the history of Greenpeace
With more than a fair share of controversy, notoriety, and public support, Greenpeace is one of the most visible NGOs on the planet. Well, things started right here in Vancouver some 50 years ago, and you can check out an open-air exhibition exploring that history. Bonus- it’s located on Granville Island, so a trip to the public market is almost certainly a good add-on idea!
When: Until October 30th
Where: Between the Arts Club Theatre and the Public Market
Cost: Free
Visit a Farmers Market
Speaking of markets, Vancouver’s still got some great options to check out on a weekly basis! We guess being one of the most temperate areas in Canada has its perks, hey?
When: Locations open weekly
Where: Around Vancouver
Cost: Free to access
Enjoy the DTES Heart of the City Festival
Back for its 18th instalment, this festival shines a light on one of the most talked-about communities in Canada. Filled to the brim with talks, workshops, installations, readings, and more, the Heart of the City Festival is a great opportunity to learn about the DTES.
When: Starts October 28th
Where: Multiple locations
Cost: Varies per event (Free+)
Browse around during BC Culture Days
This massive celebration of all things BC culture features both virtual and in-person events in Vancouver and around the province. From art workshops to live concerts and more, you’ve got hundreds of ways to celebrate all the things that make this province so great!
When: Until October 24th
Where: In-person and virtual events
Cost: Free
Watch a Halloween classic
Shoutout to the Rio Theatre for consistently screening some of the best Halloween movies of all time. Whether you want to watch a true classic (The Bride of Frankenstein) or a modern marvel (The Conjuring), the Rio has got you covered.
When: Showtimes throughout October
Where: 1660 East Broadway
Cost: $15
Or see something brand new
There’s no doubt that watching a movie in theatres is back with a vengeance. And while we don’t usually shill large corporations, there’s no denying that Cineplex’s new CineClub offer is almost too good to be true. For $9.99, you get a free movie (less than admission) every month, and there are definitely some ‘must-see’ movies this October, from the new James Bond to Dune to a crazy movie about a lamb.
Where: Locations around Vancouver
Cost: $9.99 (monthly, cancel any time)
Alright folks, that’s our roundup of the best free and cheap things to do in Vancouver this October! Hopefully a couple of these struck your fancy- personally, we’re trying to do it all!
