It’s the season of pumpkin spice, cozy rainy days, and fall markets, and we’re here to share some of the best events to check out around the city if your wallet needs a break. So with that in mind, here are 8 free events to check out in and around Vancouver this fall.

Vancouver Night Market

Debuting on Friday, September 29th at Robson Square is a new night market that’s free to attend, complete with mini doughnuts from Cin City among other delicious eats, vintage finds from the Granville Flea, and boards from the Antisocial Skateboard Shop.

When: Friday, September 29th
Where: 800 Robson Street
Cost: Free admission

The Clayton Market – Fall Festival 

From 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Sunday, October 1st, The Clayton Market will feature its annual Fall Festival. Shoppers can peruse dozens of local makers and fall-themed treats, so get ready to jump headfirst into the season.

When: Sunday, October 1st
Where: 7155 187a Street, Surrey
Cost: Free admission

Mount Pleasant Single Mingle 

From 6 to 8:30 pm on Thursday, October 5th, Mount Pleasant Neighbourhood House is hosting a social event for singles in the area hoping to make some new connections. Guests can expect drinks to be provided, as well as plenty of stations set up to help them mix and mingle, including carnival games, a Yenta matchmaker, a DIY photobooth and polaroid station, and more.

The event is open to individuals of all backgrounds, and will be a Queer and Trans-friendly space, according to the event page.

When: Thursday, October 5th
Where: 800 East Broadway
Cost: Free admission

Indigenous Youth Two-Spirit Hand Drum Song Workshop

From 10 am to 4 pm on Saturday, October 7th, Summer Tyance is hosting a community workshop and drum circle for Indigenous youth identifying as Queer, Two-Spirit, Trans, or Non-binary. The circle aims to be a safe space for gender non-conforming individuals to come together in song.

When: Saturday, October 7th
Where: 402 West Pender Street
Cost: Free

Spooky Pop-up and Halloween Market 

Robson Square is transforming into a Halloween market on Saturday, October 14th from 11 am to 5 pm, which will be outdoors, dog-friendly and open to all ages. Shoppers can expect to peruse a ton of Halloween-inspired decor, spooky candles, art & prints, and street food – to name a few.

When: Saturday, October 14th
Where: 800 Robson Plaza
Cost: Free admission

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Free Community Event & Artisan Market 

From noon to 6 p.m. on Saturday, October 21st, a free Halloween-themed market is popping up at Lulu Island Winery in Richmond, complete with local artisans, free trick-or-treating for kids & dogs, and hot beverages.

When: Saturday, October 21st
Where: 16880 Westminster Highway, Richmond
Cost: Free admission

DTES Heart of the City Festival

The 20th annual DTES Heart of the City Festival is coming up at the end of October and will last through mid-November, and will feature over 100 local events across 40 venues – both indoors and out. Highlighted events include the multi-media Homeless Project, Spontaneous Street Poetry by Poet, writer and activist Gilles Cyrenne and Vancouver’s Poet Laureate Fiona Tinwei Lam, and the 9th Symposium on Reconciliation & Redress in the Arts.

When: October 25th to November 5th
Where: 401 Main Street

Fall Market at Heritage Hall 

From 2 to 8 p.m. on Sunday, October 29th, Heritage Hall will transform into a fall market featuring a variety of items from women-owned businesses.

When: Sunday, October 29th
Where: 3102 Main Street
Cost: Free admission

Eastside Culture Crawl

Last but certainly not least, we come to this year’s Eastside Culture Crawl, which brings over 500 presenting artists to open studios and locations across Vancouver’s Eastside. Visitors can expect to engage with the local art scene and see a variety of mediums, from paintings, sculptures, pottery, and prints to glassware, furniture, and jewelry.

Those interested in volunteering at this year’s ‘crawl’ can apply now on their website.

When: November 16th to 19th
Where: Venues at Columbia Street, First Avenue, Victoria Drive, and the Waterfront
Cost: Free admission

So there you have it, Vancouver! If you’re looking to save some extra money this season, there’s still fun to be had in the process.

Curiocity Staff

With a curated slate of what matters in your city, Curiocity presents you with the most relevant local food, experiences, news, deals, and adventures. We help you get the most out of your city and focus on the easy-to-miss details so that you’re always in the know.
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