36 of the very best things to do in and around Vancouver this October

The month of Jack-O-Lanterns, pumpkin spice, and changing leaves is just around the corner – and we’re ready to dive head-first into the many art festivals, concerts, film screenings, and farm events on the roster. So with that in mind, here are 36 of the best things to do in and around Vancouver this October.

Live events & Concerts

Iron Maiden

To say that the ’70s English band helped popularize the genre of heavy metal would not be an understatement, with hits like Burning Ambition and Hell on Earth making their rounds even today. Vancouverites can catch the icons live at Rogers Arena on October 2nd.

When: October 2nd
Where: Rogers Arena
Cost: $79.45

Guns N’ Roses

 

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If Hard Rock had a name, it would be Guns N’ Roses. The iconic band formed in 1985 with the merging of two popular LA bands: Hollywood Rose and L.A. Guns. The result? A group whose name precedes them and whose music has a place in nearly every household.

When: October 16th
Where: BC Place
Cost: $101.70+

Wu-Tang Clan

Yes, you read that right. The iconic hip-hop collective that’s been making waves since the early ’90s is heading to the stage in Vancouver on October 16th. And here’s a fun factoid for you: Did you know that the group’s name is an acronym for “Witty Unpredictable Talent and Natural Game?”

When: October 16th
Where: Rogers Arena
Cost: $222.85+

P!nk

Whether you partied to “Raise Your Glass” or sang “So What” into your hairbrush growing up, P!nk was a quintessential pop artist of the 2000s, and continues to put out chart-topping music to this day. And you can catch her live at Rogers Arena on October 20th and 21st.

When: October 20th and 21st
Where: Rogers Arena
Cost: $302.20+

Lil Yachty

American rapper, singer, songwriter, record producer, and actor Lil Yachty first rose to internet fame in 2015 for his singles One Night and Minnesota, as well as his debut mixtape Lil Boat. Now, the artist has a new album this year called Let’s Start Here, and he’s coming to Vancouver on October 21st.

When: October 21st
Where: UBC Doug Mitchell Thunderbird Sports Centre
Cost: $52.45+

Hozier

 

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Tickets might be sold out for now, but we’re betting Ticketmaster isn’t done pumping out last-minute tickets just yet. Especially when it’s for Hozier, the Irish musician and singer-songwriter who took the world by storm with his Take Me To Church EP, and now his new Unreal Unearth album.

When: October 22nd
Where: Rogers Arena
Cost: Check back for tickets soon

Kim Petras 

Finally, Kim Petras is bringing her Feed the Beast World Tour to the PNE on October 26th, so get ready for all things edgy and angsty.

When: October 26th
Where: PNE Forum
Cost: $69.50

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Food & Drink

Oktoberfest eats at Brewhall

We’re starting off with a couple of Oktoberfest celebrations, the first of which is offered by Brewhall in Olympic Village. Get ready for authentic German beer, authentic schnitzel, currywurst, sausage, and soft-baked pretzels until October 2nd.

When: Now until October 2nd
Where: 97 East 2nd Avenue

Oktoberfest Pairing Dinner at CRAFT False Creek

CRAFT False Creek is celebrating the occasion with a special Oktoberfest Pairing Dinner, complete with three courses, four perfectly paired brews, tasting notes and stories from McClelland Premium Imports, and fun prizes and giveaways.

When: Thursday, October 5th
Where: 85 West 1st Avenue
Cost: $81.21

Oktoberfest at Austria Vancouver Club 

The Austria Vancouver Club is celebrating Oktoberfest with celebrations on September 30th, October 14th, and 28th, according to their events calendar. And they all feature dinner & dancing! For just $45 a pop, you can enjoy an authentic Oktoberfest-inspired meal and enjoy live entertainment by Al Pichler & the Alpiners and The Silver Stars.

When: Saturday, September 30th, October 14th, and October 28th
Where: 5851 Westminster Highway, Richmond
Cost: $40 for members, $45 for non-members

Black Lagoon

If you’re a fan of themed drinks, get ready for the ultimate pop-up bar in the Black Lagoon – a travelling immersive experience for cocktail enthusiasts with a gothic twist.

Guests will be able to immerse themselves in all things goth and Halloween, sipping on cocktails like the “Book of Blood,” a spooky take on a Mai Tai, and the creepy “Night Crawler,” which is served in a festive coupe.

When: October 2nd to 31st
Where: 911 West Pender Street

Enjoy some of the city’s covered patios

Whether it’s just drizzly or full-out storming, there are (thankfully) plenty of covered patios in Vancouver to choose from. Why not make the most of them and sip on a couple of happy hour bevies this month?

Where: See our picks above

Check out some star-studded restos

With so many TV shows and movies filming around Vancouver, it’s no surprise that celebs are spotted out at local restaurants, cafes, and bars rather frequently. Ryan Reynolds, Shay Mitchell, and the cast of Riverdale are just some of the bigger names that frequent Hollywood North. And none of them are shy when it comes to sharing their fave eats & drinks in the city!

Where: Check out the link above

Art & Culture

Vancouver International Film Festival (VIFF)

 

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The lineup for the 42nd annual Vancouver International Film Festival (VIFF 2023) is out, and there are a ton of amazing films hitting the silver screen this month. The first fully in-cinema festival since 2019, VIFF 2023 will feature around 140 feature films and 100 shorts, which will be screened at seven venues across the city.

When: Thursday, September 28th to Sunday, October 8th
Where: 1181 Seymour Street and six other participating venues
Cost: $18 for regular screenings, galas, and special presentations

Vancouver Outsider Arts Festival

Every year, the Vancouver Outsider Arts Festival (VOAF) brings together dozens of exhibits, workshops, live performances, and visual art installations for visitors to peruse. Selected artists are often individuals/groups facing social exclusion in Vancouver – and self-identify as “outsider” artists. So, if you’re looking for an inclusive space to engage in the local art scene, this is a fantastic opportunity to do it.

When: October 12th to 17th
Where: 181 Roundhouse Mews
Cost: Free admission

Cirque du Soleil: Kooza

With whimsical characters, daring acrobatics, and vibrant costuming and sets, Kooza is a celebration of everything we know & love about Cirque du Soleil. And Vancouverites will be able to see it all unfold onstage this coming month, so be sure to snag tickets sooner rather than later!

When: October 21st to December 31st, 2023
Where: Under the Big Top, Concord Pacific Place

Stage Fright 2: Murder at the Disco

 

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Head to the Improv Centre on Granville Island for a special Halloween-themed murder mystery show set in the 1970s. Think Clue but on the stage, with an eclectic cast ready to bring the story to life. Oh, and audience participation is required!

When: Every Friday and Saturday from September 28th to October 28th
Where: 1502 Duranleau Street
Cost: $58.60+

Free nights at Vancouver Art Gallery 

Thanks to a new partnership with BMO, the Vancouver Art Gallery has launched free admission to the public on the first Friday of every month, from 4 pm to 8 pm. The next free Friday night will be on October 6th – so mark your calendars and get ready to enjoy some after-work art!

When: Friday, October 6th and every first Friday of the month
Where: 750 Hornby Street

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

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

Antique Show at the Vancouver Flea Market

Admission to the weekend flea market at Terminal Avenue typically ranges from $1.50 to $3, and features a ton of secondhand and vintage gems – if you’re willing to work for them. And on October 15th, there’s a special Antique Show ($4 admission) to check out and a Record Show ($5 admission) on October 29th.

When: Sunday, October 15th and October 29th
Where: 703 Terminal Avenue
Cost: $4-$5 admission

Street Art Tours – Vancouver DeTours

Vancouver DeTours takes art lovers to some of the most iconic public art and mural pieces in the city, and they’re touring the Mount Pleasant and Strathcona neighbourhoods on October 1st and September 30th respectively.

When: Saturday, September 30th and Sunday, October 1st
Where: Mount Pleasant and Strathcona
Cost: Free admission, $25 suggested tip

Attractions & Outdoors

Fall at Maan Farms

As for the full ‘fall at the farm’ experience, visitors of Maan Farms can look forward to playing a themed trivia game at the day-time corn maze, ziplining at Barnyard Adventureland, going on giant slides and a jumping pillow, and feeding baby goats and alpacas.

And if you’d rather take the ‘spooky’ route, there’s always the Scariest Corn Maze in Canada ($50-$65 per person) – AKA ‘The Slaughterhouse’ – an immersive labyrinth filled with hidden horrors.

When: Until October 31st
Where: 790 McKenzie Road, Abbotsford
Cost: $18 to $23 per person

Harvest Days at VanDusen

If you’re looking for a celebration of autumn’s bounty in the form of seasonal eats, decorated scarecrows, and fall foliage – then look no further than Harvest Days at VanDusen. Take a stroll through the massive veggie garden, bales of hay, cornstalks, and pumpkins with a warm beverage in hand and fall colours all around you.

When: Weekends starting Saturday, October 7th to Sunday, October 29th
Where: 5251 Oak Street
Cost: $12 (plus fees) per adult

Cougar Creek’s House of Horrors

The longest-running haunted attraction in the Lower Mainland tends to conjure up quite a scare – and this year, you’ll have three themed haunted houses to choose from: Echoes of Abbath, New Year’s Evil, and the evil clown-filled Zycho Zerchus. Best of all? Opening weekend tickets include access to all three!

When: Friday, September 29th to October 31st
Where: 12530 72nd Avenue, Surrey
Cost: $29.99 to $49.99

The Big Shop of Horrors

Opening on Friday, October 13th is The Big Shop of Horrors at The Cowichan Exhibition Grounds, a thrilling haunted house experience inspired by the famed horror musical, Little Shop of Horrors.

When: Opening Friday, October 13th
Where: 7380 Trans-Canada Highway, Duncan
Cost: $15 per adult, $10 per child aged 8 to 12

Reapers Haunted Attraction

Known as the scariest indoor theatrical horror experience in Western Canada (and the longest-running “haunt” in BC), Reapers is celebrating its 30th anniversary this year, which means we’re in for the farm’s spookiest season yet.

When: Open throughout October
Where: 9423 Gibson Road, Chilliwack
Cost: $30 on weekdays and $35 on weekends

Brinkworth Dungeon

It appears through recent posts that this year’s Brinkworth Dungeon has transformed into a haunted pirate ship-themed attraction, complete with “Vampira,” who is “condemned to a neverending thirst for blood.” If that doesn’t make your toes curl, we don’t know what will!

When: Wednesday, October 4th to Sunday, November 5th
Where: 22260 48 Avenue, Langley
Cost: $25 per adult, $12 per child 12 years old and under

U-pick pumpkins 

 

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Spooky season isn’t complete without at least one or two trips to your local pumpkin patch, so we’ve rounded up some great U-pick options for residents of Metro Vancouver to check out.

Where: See our picks above

Check out a corn maze 

Whether it’s a visit to Canada’s first corn maze in Chilliwack or Taves Family Farms in Abbotsford, there are a handful of fun corn mazes and accompanying early fall activities to enjoy this month, including apple picking and hayrides!

Where: See our picks above

Enjoy the fall colours 

The leaves are already starting to turn, so we thought we’d round up our fave spots in the city to appreciate the quintessential oranges, reds, and golds of the season. We know time is tight between work and school, but a leisurely stroll through the autumn trees only comes once a year!

Where: See our picks above

Take a ride on Hell’s Gate Airtram

This attraction isn’t free, but if you’re a fan of haunted rides and weird histories – this one’s the perfect combination. Plus, if you go in larger groups, tickets drop to just over $30 each, which is not too bad at all for a ride on one of the steepest trams in North America!

When: Open throughout October
Where: 43111 Trans Canada Highway, Boston Bar, BC
Cost: $36.99 per adult, or $30.99 per ticket for groups of 8+

Go on a fall hike

BC is absolutely stunning in autumn, and the season is about to bring changing colours and beautiful fall foliage with it. Explore our beautiful province and get your steps in for the month.

Where: See our picks above

Scope out some haunted places

Did you know that The Dominion Building in Gastown (home of Nuba) is likely haunted by its own architect?? If you’re into spooky histories, a self-guided tour of the most haunted places in the city is an essential October experience. Or if you want to plan an affordable, season-appropriate date, this is a great option too.

Where: See our picks above

So there you have it, Vancouver! Happy October and spooky season!

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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