34 things to do in Vancouver this weekend: October 5 to 8

The Thanksgiving long weekend is here! Enjoy the fall fun with these 34 events in Vancouver on Friday, October 5, Saturday, October 6, Sunday, October 7 and Monday, October 8. Check out Fright Nights at Playland, Oktoberfest, and more.

And for more things happening around town be sure to check out our events section.

Friday, October 5, 2018

Fright Nights at Playland

• What: Fright Nights are returning to Playland this October, bringing hauntings, horror, and hair-raising rides to Vancouver for another year.
• When: Select dates in October from Friday, October 5 until Halloween
• Time: 7 pm to midnight or 1 am depending on the day
• Where: Playland at the PNE – 2901 East Hastings Street, Vancouver
• Tickets: Online or at the gate

Port Moody Oktoberfest

• What: Port Moody Oktoberfest returns with even more food vendors, two large tents, adult balloon entertainment, lifesize Jenga, cornhole, ring-toss and BC’s finest Miss Oktoberfest competition. Try Original “München Oktoberfest” beers, Paulaner, and Hacker-Pschorr, Schnitzel, Bratwurst and Pretzels. Entertainment includes Onkel Hans and his magical Accordion, The Oktoberators, MC Billy Jones, DJ Jilly Bones and special guest Billy Jones.
• When: Friday, October 5 to Sunday, October 7, 2018
• Time: 5 to 10 pm
• Where: Inlet Theatre – 100 Newport Drive, Port Moody
• Tickets: Online

Potter’s House of Horrors

• What: Every fall, Potter’s House and Nursery in Surrey becomes Potter’s House of Horrors, as it converts its grounds from an enjoyable, plant-filled garden centre into a maze of terror with all the latest animatronics, digital sounds, high-tech scares and trained actors. Partial proceeds go to Critter Care Wildlife Society. In addition, Potter’s House of Horrors is proud to support the Surrey Food Bank and will be accepting non-perishable food donations onsite.
• When: Friday, October 5 to Wednesday, October 31, 2018
• Time: 7 pm to 10 pm (regular hours). Hours for family hour and Lil’ Haunters vary please check website for full schedule
• Where: Potter’s Farm and Nursery – 12530 72nd Avenue, Surrey
• Tickets: Available online. Priced between $12 and $50, depending on night and size of group, available online

Vancouver International Film Festival 2018

• What: Both in terms of admissions and number of films screened, VIFF is among the five largest film festivals in North America. The festival screen films from more than 70 countries on nine screens, with an international line-up including the pick of the world’s top film fests and many undiscovered gems.
• When: Now to Friday, October 12, 2018
• Time: Various
• Where: Various venues around Vancouver
• Ticket Packs and Passes: Online

Vancouver Halloween Expo

• What: The fifth annual Vancouver Halloween Parade and Expo is a festival inspired by comics, anime, video games and mythologies from various cultures.
• When: Friday, October 5 to Sunday, October 7, 2018
• Time: Various times.
• Where: UBC Robson Square and Art Gallery North Plaza.
• Tickets: Online

Oktoberfest “Das Original” at the Vancouver Alpen Club

• What: If there’s one Oktoberfest event you don’t want to miss this year, it’s the Vancouver Alpen Club’s shindig. Head to 4875 Victoria Drive for one of the many dates this party is going down. There will be German food, beer, and live music all night long.
• When: October 5 and 6; October 12 and 13; October 19 and 20, 2018
• Time: 8 pm to 2 am
• Where: Vancouver Alpen Club (Ballroom) – 4875 Victoria Drive, Vancouver
• Price: $35; buy online

Arc’teryx Thanksgiving Convention Centre Sale

• What: The Arc’teryx Thanksgiving Convention Centre Sale has returned to bring you the very best outerwear for the very best prices. The sale will feature an awesome collection of samples and discontinued merchandise from every Arc’teryx collection. And don’t sweat the crowds; there will be plenty of cash registers and helpful wait staff on hand to make sure your sporty shopping spree goes as smoothly as possible. As with all big sales, the most stock will be available on the first day, so if you need something to fill a hole in your wardrobe, show up then. On the other hand, additional discounts will be applied on Sunday and Monday, so there’s a benefit to taking your time as well.
• When: Friday, October 5 to Monday, October 8, 2018
• Time: Various times
• Where: Convention Centre East Building, Exhibition Hall B – 999 Canada Place, Vancouver
• Admission: Free

Saturday, October 6, 2018

Fort Langley Cranberry Festival

• What: The day-long event includes food, kids activities, entertainment, contests, over 70 vendors, and, of course, fresh cranberries. And while the festival officially starts at 10 am, early-risers can enjoy a pancake breakfast at 8 am.
• When: Saturday, October 6, 2018
• Time: 10 am to 4 pm
• Where: 9167 Glover Rd – Fort Langley
• Admission: Free

Wonderful Wetlands Tour

• What: Enjoy a guided walk through West Creek Wetlands, an ecological reserve normally off limits to the public and home to an incredible variety of plants and wildlife. Ages 14+
• When: Saturday, October 6, 2018
  
• Time: 9:30 am to 12 pm
• Where: Glen Valley Regional Park
• Admission: Free, registration required. Barcode 7457

Amanda Sum with Amy Blake

• What: A night of folksy/jazzy/poppy music played by Amanda Sum. Accompanied by her guitar and keyboard, Amanda will share some of her originals and put some twists on recognizable tunes. Featuring singer-songwriter Amy Blake
• When: Saturday, October 6, 2018
• Time: Doors 8 pm, show 9 pm
• Where: Cafe Deux Soleils – 2096 Commercial Drive, Vancouver
• Tickets: $5 to $10

Fat Nick

• What: Fat Nick brings his Generation Numb Tour to VENUE for a special all-ages show with DJ Scheme and Teddy.
• When: Saturday, October 6, 2018
• Time: Doors 7 pm
• Where: VENUE – 881 Granville Street, Vancouver
• Tickets: Online, $25 plus fees

The Secret Life of Trees Walking Tour

• What: A walking tour around Port Coquitlam’s beautiful downtown parks and gardens. Hosted by PoCo Heritage Trees and is part of the collaborative The Secret Life of Trees exhibit.
• When: Saturday, October 6, Saturday, October 20, Saturday, November 3 and Saturday, November 17, 2018
• Time: 2:30 to 4 pm
• Where: PoCo Heritage Museum and Archives – 150-2248 McAllister Ave., Port Coquitlam
• Admission: Free

Cranberry Sale

• What: Stock up on fresh cranberries at the Richmond Nature Park Society’s annual cranberry sale. Proceeds support educational and public programs in the park. This event is for all ages, disability access is available.
• When: Saturday, October 6, 2018
• Time: 10 am to 3 pm
• Where: Richmond Nature Park – 11851 Westminster Hwy, Richmond
• Admission: Free, berries are market price.

Goat Yoga at Maplewood Farms

• What: Maplewood Farms will be hosting 9 am weekend goat yoga classes taught by Kelli Sroka. Classes will take place on a grassy paddock. Guests should bring their own yoga mats and don’t wear designer gear as it’s going to get a bit muddy with the grass and goats. Selfies with the goats are encouraged so get ready to strike a pose. And if you need some new threads for those photos, goat yoga t-shirts are available to purchase online.
• When: Every weekend from until Sunday, October 28, 2018
• Time: 9 to 10 am. Arrive for class at least 30 minutes early
• Where: Maplewood Farms, 405 Seymour River Place North Vancouver
• Register: Online, $30 for participants over 18

Langley Community Farmers’ Market

• What: Explore the dozens of local makers, bakers, and growers Langley Community Farmers’ Market.
• When: Saturdays until October 6, 2018
• Time: 10 am to 2 pm
• Where: Timms Community Centre – 20339 Douglas Crescent, Langley
• Admission: Free

Eastside Flea

• What: Each event hosts over 50 local vendors selling diverse goods from handmade independent maker wares to vintage clothing, collectibles, plants, artisan food. and more. You’ll also find food trucks, live vinyl deejays, pinball, outdoor courtyard, and other fun things to check out.
• When: Saturday, October 6 to Sunday, October 7, 2018
• Time: 11 am to 5 pm
• Where: Eastside Studios – 550 Malkin Ave, Vancouver
• Price: $3 admission, $5 for a weekend pass

Sun Peaks’ Fall Festival

• What: Celebrate autumn in style this year at Sun Peaks’ Fall Festival. From Saturday, October 6 to Sunday, October 7, you’ll have the chance to take part in pumpkin decorating, explore artisan goods at an outdoor market, listen to live music, and taste gourmet food and wine. There are also going to be Thanksgiving meals taking place at various restaurants throughout the resort. And you can register to do a yoga class at Black Beaver Athletic. Remember to head to Cafe Soleil to pick up the ultimate fall staple — a pumpkin spice latte!
• When: Saturday, October 6 to Sunday, October 7, 2018
• Time: Various times
• Where: Various venues throughout Sun Peaks
• More Info: Online

Sunday, October 7, 2018

Bowen Island Applefest

• What: Taste crunchy heritage apples, buy a homemade apple pie and learn all about seeds and how they travel. It all takes place at Davies Orchard, a 100 m walk from the ferry terminal. Presented by Bowen Heritage.
• When: Sunday, October 7, 2018
  
• Time: 11 am to 2 pm
• Where: Crippen Regional Park, Davies Orchard – Bowen Island
• Admission: Free

Granville Island Turkey Trot

• What: The Granville Island Turkey Trot is a hallmark event for Granville Island and the local Vancouver running community. The Trot occurs annually over Thanksgiving weekend, with Sunday featuring a Kids Run and Expo, and Monday a seawall 10KM race followed by food, prizes, music and awards.
• When: Sunday, October 7 and Monday, October 8, 2018
• Time: Various times
• Where: Granville Island
• Register: Online

Bass Coast Friendsgiving

• What: Bass Coast celebrates Friendsgiving with Sam Binga, The Librarian, El Papachango, OAKK, Young Dene and host Crystal Precious.
• When: Sunday, October 7, 2018
• Time: 9 pm
• Where: The Commodore Ballroom – 868 Granville Street, Vancouver
  Tickets: Online

Vancouver Halloween Parade

• What: Attracting more than 100,000 spectators, the parade turns downtown Vancouver into the world’s largest cosplay stage with floats, marching bands and special effects.
• When: Sunday, October 7, 2018
• Time: Parade starts at 11 am
• Where: Parade starts at Howe and Drake and ends at Granville and Drake
• Admission: Parade is free to watch

Mount Pleasant Farmers’ Market

• What: Check out over 30 farms and producers, food and coffee trucks at Mount Pleasant Farmers’ Market.
• When: Every Sunday until Sunday, October 7, 2018
• Time: 10 am to 2 pm
• Where: Dude Chilling Park – 2390 Brunswick Street, Vancouver
• Admission: Free

Maan Farms Haunted Corn Maze

• What: This corn maze is filled with the dead, creepy, corrupt clowns, creatures of the underworld, scenes of violence and carnage – and real chainsaws. Visitors will walk through five acres of pure terror and this year, Maan Farms have “taken fear to new heights,” with a built-in slide, bridges, and shocking scares from above.
• When: Select nights throughout September and October. Maze is open until November 3.
• Time: 7 to 10 pm
• Where: 790 McKenzie Road — Abbotsford, BC
• Tickets: Online. Early bird tickets: $20. Regular online tickets: $25. Tickets at the door $30

Grave Tales

• What: The event offers attendees the choice of either a two or three-hour program, in which local storytellers will share hair-raising stories, all while leading the group through the historic village at night. And of course, because it’s Halloween, there will also be the opportunity to walk through the nearby graveyards. Tours are offered at 5 pm, 7 pm, 8 pm. with the option of 9 pm “extended” tours. And while the event is promoted as 19+, younger haunt-hunters also have the chance to participate in the event – but for the 6 pm tours only. Those feeling extra brave also have the option of staying overnight in what’s known as oTENTiks. These “are approved on a case-by-case basis” for the 9 pm tours, and those looking for more information, or wishing to book one for themselves can contact Fort Langley National Historic Site.
• When: Sunday, October 7 to Tuesday, October 30, 2018
• Time: Various times
• Where: Fort Langley National Historic Site – 23433 Mavis Avenue, Fort Langley
• Admission: $17.10 (adult – 6 pm, 7 pm and 8 pm tours) / $20.60 (adult – extended 9 pm tours) / $13.20 (youth – 6 pm tours only)

Poirier Street Market

• What: Launched in 1996, the Poirier Street Farmers Market is the longest running suburban farmers market in the Lower Mainland.  The Poirier Street Market hosts a diversity of vendors and products from May through October. Each week a wide variety of vendors gather to showcase their products – made, baked, grown, or raised in BC.
• When: Every Sunday to Sunday, October 28, 2018
• Time: 9 am to 1 pm
• Where: Dogwood Pavilion Parking Lot – 624 Poirier Street, Coquitlam
• Admission: Free

Krapp’s Last Tape by Samuel Beckett

• What: Seven Tyrants Theatre opens its first season of work in their new performance venue with Samuel Beckett’s absurdist one-man masterpiece: Krapp’s Last Tape. The production stars Jessie Award-nominated actor Linden Banks as “Krapp,” and is directed by David Thomas Newham, who additionally provides the lighting and set designs. The creative team also includes Jessie Award-winning sound designer Daniel Deorksen.
  
• When: Now to Friday, October 26, 2018
• Time: Various times
• Where: Tyrant Studios – 1019 Seymour Street, Vancouver
• Tickets: Online, $26

Monday, October 8, 2018

Museum of Anthropology presents Culture at the Centre

• What:  Culture at the Centre offers insight into the important work Indigenous-run cultural centres and museums in BC are doing to support their language, culture, and history. Five centres will be showcased representing six communities: Musqueam Cultural Education and Resource Centre (Musqueam), Squamish-Lil’wat Cultural Centre (Squamish, Lil’wat), Heiltsuk Cultural Education Centre (Heiltsuk), Nisga’a Museum (Nisga’a), and Haida Gwaii Museum (Haida).
• When: Now to Monday, October 8, 2018
• When: 10 am to 5 pm
• Where: Museum of Anthropology – 6393 NW Marine Drive, Vancouver
• Tickets: Online

Turkey Toonie Skate

• What: Enjoy family-friendly activities and ice skating on Thanksgiving Monday.
• When: Monday, October 8, 2018
• Time: 7:30 pm
• Where: Kensington Recreation Complex – 6159 Curtis Street, Burnaby
• Admission: $2, skates and helmet included in admission fee.

Richmond Night Market

• What: This market draws crowds from across the province, who travel to check out the rows on rows of vibrant cuisine along with the diverse line-up of nightly performances on the 50-foot entertainment stage. There will be over 100 food vendors and 200 retail stalls this year.
• When: Now to Monday, October 8, 2018
• Time: Fridays and Saturdays from 7 pm to midnight; Sundays and holiday Mondays from 7 to 11 pm
• Where: 8351 River Road, Richmond (nearby Bridgeport Station)
• Price: $3.75 (regular admission)

Zeal & Ardor

• What: Zeal & Ardor is the one-man brainchild of Manuel Gagneux, a Swiss-American formerly based in New York City.
• When: Monday, October 8, 2018
• Time: Doors 8 pm
• Where: Biltmore Cabaret – 2755 Prince Edward St., Vancouver,
• Tickets: Online, $17

Yoga For The Mindful Skater

• What: Unity From Within presents a yoga series at Flatspot Longboard Shop. Enjoy better overall wellness and mindfulness for a fun skating season.
• When: Every Monday to October 29, 2018
• Time: 7 to 8 pm
• Where: Flatspot Longboard Shop – 112 E. Pender St., Vancouver
• Admission: $5

Mah Jong Meet Up

• What: Mah Jong has been a popular pastime for centuries, first played in China during the Qing Dynasty. Similar to Rummy, this game uses tiles and involves skill, strategy, and a bit of chance. Learn to play with American rules at Fraser Valley Regional Library – Tsawwassen Branch, then join their members for weekly games at the library.
• When: Every Monday until December 17, 2018
• Time: 6:30 to 8:30 pm
• Where: FVRL – Tsawwassen Library – 1321A 56 Street, Delta
• Admission: Free

St. Lucia

• What: Jean-Philip Grobler, known for his musical project St. Lucia, is a South African singer and musician based in Brooklyn. He is touring in support of his latest album Hyperion with special guests The Night Game.
• When: Monday, October 8, 2018
• Time: Doors 7 pm, show 8 pm
• Where: Vogue Theatre – 918 Granville Street, Vancouver,
• Tickets: Online

See also

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