15 things to do in the Fraser Valley this October

Fall has officially arrived and there are tons of activities happening around the Fraser Valley. Here’s a look at what’s going on in Chilliwack, Langley, Surrey, and Abbotsford this October.

Everywhere

The Great British Columbia ShakeOut

Practice how to drop, cover and hold on during the annual Great ShakeOut Earthquake Drills. The ShakeOut has been organized to encourage millions of people to prepare for big earthquakes, learn how to recover quickly and keep safe in the case of an emergency.

When: October 15
Where: Across B.C. Register online to take part.
Website: shakeoutbc.ca

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Chilliwack

Harrison Craft Beer Festival

Enjoy quality beers, a friendly atmosphere and a full buffet to celebrate Craft Beer month in Harrison Hot Springs. The Festival includes three beer-related events: Cask Night, Beer Festival and Oktoberfest.

When: October 16 and 17
Where: Alice Hall at Harrison Hot Springs
Cost: Tickets start from $20 and can be purchased online. Ages 19+.
Website: harrisonbeerfest.com

Beer fest (Quinn Dombrowski/Flickr)

The Vintage Barn Market

Expect vintage and refurbished items, artisans and pop-up shops at this popular fall market.

When: October 30 and 31
Where: Chilliwack Heritage Park
Cost: Admission is $5
Website: thevintagebarnmarket.ca

BMX Canadian Grands

Take part or sit back and enjoy the Canadian Grands BMX racing event in Chilliwack and help raise money for The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.

When: October 2 to 4
Where: Chilliwack Heritage Park
Cost: Admission is $5
Website: bmxcanada.org

BMX (Peter Huys/Flickr)

Langley

Fort Langley Cranberry Festival

Browse over 100 vendors at Fort Langley’s biggest event of the year. Pick up fresh cranberries for your Thanksgiving sauce, play the cranberry toss and enjoy free breakfast pancakes at the 20th annual festival.

When: October 10
Where: 23433 Mavis Ave, Fort Langley
Website: pc.gc.ca/fortlangley

Cranberries (Bruce Foster/Flickr)

Giant Pumpkin Weigh-Off

Watch pumpkin growers from all over B.C. get together to weigh their Gargantuan Gourds at the annual Giant Pumpkin Weigh-Off. Check out the Estate Winery and enjoy pumpkin pies, ice cream, waffles, fudge, and milkshakes.

When: October 3. Weigh-off starts at 11:30 a.m.
Where: Krause Berry Farms and Estate Winery
Website: krauseberryfarms.com

Grave Tales

Take a chilling walk around Fort Langley’s National Historic Site and learn stories of the after-life, mysterious burials, lingering spirits and other spooky tales.

When: October 15 to 30
Where: Fort Langley National Historic Site
Website: Tickets can be purchased from brownpapertickets.com

Jellybean Park Farmers Market & Pumpkin Patch

Enjoy family activities and market produce along with hot apple cider, pony rides and pumpkin carving stations. All proceeds go towards the Make-A-Wish Foundation.

When: October 3, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Where: 19615 Willowbrook Drive
Website: jellybeanpark.com

Farmers Market (esclphotograf/Pixabay)

Surrey

Bear Creek Wildlife Walk

Join the Bear Creek Wildlife Walk and enjoy the park’s natural surroundings and wildlife. Keep an eye out for eagles nests and the annual salmon migration. Pre-registration by phone (604-502-6065) is required.

When: October 24, 2 to 3:30 p.m.
Where: Bear Creek Park, 13750 88 Avenue
Website: surrey.ca/culture-recreation

Halloween in the Forest

Dress up in your spookiest costume and learn all about owls, bats, spiders and raccoons at this family-friendly Halloween event.

When: October 31, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Where: Surrey Nature Centre,14225 Green Timbers Way
Cost: Free
Website: www.surrey.ca/culture-recreation

Owl (Jeff Bryant/Flickr)

Latin Fiesta

Discover traditional foods, lively performances and experience an authentic Latin Fiesta at the Surrey Museum.

When: October 17, 1 to 4 p.m.
Where: Surrey Museum, 17710 56A Avenue
Cost: By donation
Website: www.surrey.ca/culture-recreation

Abbotsford

West Coast Women’s Show

Get together for the ultimate girls weekend at B.C’s largest shopping and entertainment show. Catch artist Bif Naked and actor Josh Morrow headline the main stage, along with a fashion show, over 400 exhibitor booths and an artisan market.

When: October 16, 17, and 18
Where: Tradex Exhibition Centre
Cost: $12 for adults
Website: westcoastwomen.net

Shopping (Markusspiske/Pixabay)

BC Hop Fest

Celebrate Canada’s first Fresh Beer Festival and taste freshly hopped beer from over 15 B.C. craft breweries. Enjoy food trucks, entertainment, beer tastings and hop farm tours.

When: October 3, 1 to 7 p.m.
Where: Kinloch Farms, 1893 Cole Rd
Cost: $25 per ticket. Tickets include 3 free beer tasting tokens, parking and free water. Ages 19+.
Website: bchopfest.ca