With the long weekend nearly upon us, we’re ready for all things Thanksgiving and pumpkin spice. And with plenty of spooky adventures to take part in, films to see, and classic fall activities to enjoy, we’re sure you’ll have more than enough options to fill the three days and make some core memories in the process. Here are 10 of the best things to do in and around Vancouver this Thanksgiving long weekend (October 6-9).
Fright Nights
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This weekend, Playland is once again transforming into Fright Nights, a terrifying Halloween-themed experience complete with haunted houses, thrilling rides, roaming monsters, live performances, and much more. Get ready for some major scares!
When: Friday, October 6th to October 31st
Where: 2901 East Hastings
Cost: $30 per person for opening weekend
Pumpkins After Dark
Burnaby’s award-winning Pumpkins After Dark event is officially back this weekend, and guests will be greeted by thousands of glowing, hand-carved pumpkins illuminating the night. From spooky jack-o-lanterns to fun new displays, to live pumpkin carving demos (and plenty of photo ops in between), there is plenty to see at this one-of-a-kind walk-through experience.
When: October 6th to 31st
Where: 6100 Boundary Road, Burnaby
Cost: $20.95 to $24.95 for adults, $15.95 to $19.95 for youth
Riverside Cranberry Farm
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It’s peak cranberry season, and the folks at “The Bog” / Riverside Cranberry Farm in Fort Langley are offering “cranberry plunges” to visitors who go on their self-guided harvest walks (available on October 5th, 6th, 7th, and 9th. Basically, visitors can suit up and wade through the field of floating cranberries themselves!
When: Harvest Kick-Off Party on September 23rd, open for guided walks until October 9th
Where: 26885 88th Avenue Langley
Cost: $25
Autumn pop-up market
From 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday, October 8th, Made in the 604 is popping up at Heritage Hall with another autumn market, complete with over 40 local vendors and makers.
When: Sunday, October 8th
Where: 3102 Main Street
Cost: Free admission
Free nights at Vancouver Art Gallery
Thanks to a 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
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
VanDusen’s annual Harvest Days festival begins this weekend, and entry comes with access to the botanical gardens, maze area, and festive photo-op areas. Visitors can enjoy tasty seasonal treats, live entertainment throughout the garden, and of course, take pictures with all of the fun fall decor.
The festival will run from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on weekends from Saturday, October 7th to Sunday, October 29th.
When: Weekends from Saturday, October 7th to Sunday, October 29th
Where: 5251 Oak Street
Cost: $12 per adult
Enjoy a decadent Thanksgiving feast
From a special Thanksgiving ramen feature to themed brunch, to full on multi-course dinners, here are X places celebrating Thanksgiving with decadent meals this year.
Where: See our picks above
Vancouver International Film Festival (VIFF)
This weekend is your last chance to check out the incredible lineup of films at VIFF this year, so don’t miss out! Guests can expect 140 features and 100 shorts, as well as multiple talks, performances, and other unique events celebrating film culture.
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
Take in 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
And that’s a wrap on some amazing things to do around the city this long weekend. Happy Thanksgiving!
