74 things to do in Vancouver this October

October is in full swing and it’s packed with exciting events happening around Vancouver!

From Fright Nights to WWE, Vancouver Canucks to David Duchovny, here are 74 things to do around the city this month.

For more things happening around town, check out our events section.

Happy Halloween

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. This year, there will be eight haunted houses for you to explore (if you dare). And you’ll also be able to brave 20 rides – five more than last year.
• When: Select dates between Friday, October 6 and Tuesday, October 31
• 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. Also available at Lower Mainland 7-Eleven Stores starting October 4. $25-$105 depending on the date. Online discount available.

Stanley Park Ghost Train 

• What: The legendary Ghost Train returns to Stanley Park this Halloween. This year’s theme is the Alien Invasion; be prepared to be abducted to an unearthly, fantastical, and strange world. Journey into the restricted zones and witness the landing.
• When: October 13 to 31; Friday to Sunday, from 5:30 pm to 10 pm, Monday to Thursday 5:30 to 9:30 pm
• Where: Pipeline Road in Stanley Park, via the West Georgia Street park entrance
• Tickets: Online

AbraCadaver Cabaret – Mythology

• What: The Abracadaver Cabaret is a collaboration of dancers, actors, magicians, visual artists, and poets who have come together because of their passion for horror. The show is hosted by Gidget Gravedigger, David Quast and Red Heartbreaker as the Fates and features burlesque performers Emma Eldritch, Melody Mangler and Amnesia Haze; magicians Travis Bernhardt and Aleister Crane; actors Duncan Shields and Jesse Inocalla; opera singer Rhin Kelly and Anathema Photography.
  Guaranteed to fill you with morbid delight, this show is not recommended for the faint of heart.
• When: October 14
• Time: 8 pm
• Where: Wise Hall – 1882 Adanac Street, Vancouver
• Tickets: Online, $18-$25

3rd Annual Ghost Story Slam

• What: Ten performers will take the stage on the frightful night to conjure up tales designed to put shivers in your bones and spiders in your hair. Hear stories and poems that’ll give you goosebumps the size of golf balls.
• When: October 25
• Time: 8:30 pm
• Where: Cafe Deux Soleils – 2096 Commercial Drive, Vancouver
• Tickets: $10-$15 sliding scale

Halloween in the Forest

• What: Learn facts about owls, bats, spiders and raccoons, enjoy Halloween treats and meet the Forest Fairy. Attend in costume for the costume prize draw too.
• When: Saturday, October 28
• Time: 10 am to 2 pm
• Where: Surrey Nature Centre at Green Timbers – 14225 Green Timbers Way, Surrey
• Price: Free

Kitty Night West Presents: A Theatrical Live Band Burlesque Journey into the Madness of ALICE COOPER

• What: This Halloween, Kitty Nights Burlesque re-mounts their theatrical, live rock-burlesque journey into the mind and the madness of Alice Cooper at the Rio Theatre. Witness the mayhem as this Alice goes down a very different rabbit hole into a sexy nightmare filled with fascinating burlesque performers dancing to a slew of Alice Cooper’s greatest hits played live by Kitty Nights’ Hot & Heavy Band!
• When: October 28
• Time: 8 pm
• Where: Rio Theatre – 1660 East Broadway, Vancouver
• Tickets: Online, $20

Cheer on the home teams

Vancouver Canucks

• What: The Vancouver Canucks start the regular season in October, with home games including Edmonton Oilers on October 7, Ottawa Senators on October 10, Winnipeg Jets on October 12, Calgary Flames on October 14, Washington Capitals on October 26, and Dallas Stars on October 30.
• When:  October 7, 10, 12, 14, 26 and 30
• Where: Rogers Arena – 800 Griffiths Way, Vancouver
• Tickets: Online

Vancouver Whitecaps FC

• What: Cheer on the Whitecaps at BC Place as they wrap up their regular MLS season against San Jose Earthquakes (October 14)
• When: October 15
• Where: BC Place – 777 Pacific Blvd., Vancouver
• Tickets: On Ticketmaster, $34.50-$149.50

Vancouver Giants

• What: Vancouver Giants bring Western Hockey League action to Langley Events Centre throughout the fall, including games against the Tri-City Americans on October 6 and 7
• When: October 6 and 7
• Where: Langley Events Centre – 7888 200 Street, Langley
• Tickets: Online

WWE Live

• What: WWE LIVE returns to Abbotsford with a stacked roster including WWE Champion Jinder Mahal, Shinsuke Nakamura, United States Champion AJ Style, Rusev, plus many more of your favorite WWE Superstars.
• When: October 16
• Time: 7:30 pm
• Where: Abbotsford Centre – 33800 King Rd. Abbotsford
• Tickets: Online, $20-$110

Arts

13: The Musical – Bring on Tomorrow Co

• What: These 18-and-under stars all have major network credits under their belts, from the CBC and Disney to Netflix. Now they’re coming together to triple-threat their way through 13, the Broadway teen musical about growing up. It’s refreshing to see teenagers portrayed by actors of that age group, many of whom will act, sing and dance to a live band.
• When: Now to October 8
• Where: Waterfront Theatre, Granville Island – 1412 Cartwright Street, Vancouver
• Tickets: At Eventbrite; $13-$34

#Splash2017

• What: Art lovers and party-goers alike will descend on the Fairmont Hotel Vancouver for Splash, Arts Umbrella’s annual art auction and gala. Now celebrating its 35th anniversary, Splash is the must-attend event of the fall, raising funds to help Arts Umbrella bring arts programming to vulnerable young people in neighbourhoods across Metro Vancouver.
• When: October 14
• Time: 6 pm
• Where: Fairmont Hotel Vancouver – 900 West Georgia Street, Vancouver
• Price: Online, Gala ticket $350, Luminary ticket $500

KURIOS – Cirque du Soleil Vancouver 2017

• What: Cirque Du Soleil’s “KURIOS – Cabinet of Curiosities” will debut in Vancouver this fall under the iconic blue-and-yellow Big Top tent at Concord Pacific Place on October 19. KURIOS tells the story of an alternate, but familiar, past in which the audience is transported to a fantasy world where anything can happen.
• When: October 19 to December 31
• Where: Concord Pacific Place – 88 Pacific Boulevard, Vancouver
• Tickets: Online or by phone at 1-877-924-7783

West End Sunday Art Market

• What: The bustling, colourful market is filled with local artists and artisan food vendors selling their own creations. And you can hear local musicians performing live, too.
• When: Every Sunday until the end of October
• Time: 11 am to 6 pm
• Where: Jim Deva Plaza (Davie and Bute)
• Price: Free

Concerts

Chris Hadfield’s Canada 150 Tour

• What: The shows will be a celebration of the nation through a series of stories, songs, images, and ideas by Chris Hadfield. As an astronaut who is proud to call Canada home, Hadfield has a unique perspective seeing the world from a different point of view.
• When: Friday, October 6 and Saturday, October 7
• Time: 8 pm
• Where: Orpheum Theatre – 601 Smithe St, Vancouver
• Tickets: Online at Vancouver Symphony Orchestra, $19-$95

Imagine Dragons

• What: Grammy-award winners Imagine Dragons, who made their mark with their smash hit single “Radioactive,” are touring in support of their third album, Evolve. They will be joined on the tour by special guests Group Love and K. Flay.
• When: Sunday, October 8
• Time: 7:30 pm
• Where: Rogers Arena – 800 Griffiths Way, Vancouver
• Tickets: Online via Live Nation

Ms. Lauryn Hill and Nas

• What: Grammy-award winning Ms. Lauryn Hill and anthemic rapper Nas co-headline Pacific Coliseum on Wednesday October 11. Hill is best known for being a member of iconic hip-hop group the Fugees, as well as for her critically-acclaimed solo album, The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill, which produced hits such as “Doo Wop (That Thing)” and “Everything is Everything,” and won five Grammy Awards. Nas meanwhile has become a global phenomenon in his own right with eight platinum and multi-platinum albums under his belt, along with a staggering 13 Grammy nominations.
• When: Wednesday, October 11
• Time: Doors: 5:30 pm, Show: 6:30 pm
• Where: Pacific Coliseum – 2901 E Hastings St, Vancouver
• Tickets: From $37, available at Live Nation.

Arcade Fire

• What: Montreal’s Arcade Fire have landed countless awards nominations and sold millions of albums across the globe. Famed for hits like ‘Wake Up”, “Deep blue” and “Reflektor” the band are touring in support of their new album Everything Now,
• When: Saturday, October 14
• Time: Doors: 6:3o pm / Show: 7:30 pm
• Where: Pacific Coliseum – 2901 E Hastings St, Vancouver
• Tickets: From $35 available at www.livenation.com

David Duchovny

• What: You’ve seen him drink his way around LA in Californication and track down little green men in The X-Files, but this October you will also get to see David Duchovny serenade Vancouver at a special acoustic performance.
  
• When: Saturday, October 14
• Time: 8 pm
• Where: Imperial – 319 Main Street, Vancouver
• Tickets: Online

Broken Social Scene

• What: It’s going to be loud, it’s going to be new, and it may even be a little crowded onstage at the Commodore Ballroom when Broken Social Scene’s ensemble arrives to perform for their Vancouver fans. This will be the first time since 2011 that Broken Social Scene will be touring the West Coast, and they will be accompanied by Vancouver’s own The Belle Game. The band has also partnered up with MusiCounts, and will be donating $1 from every ticket sale towards putting an instrument in the hands of a child.
  
• When: Saturday, October 21
• Time: Doors 8 pm / Show 9 pm
• Where: Commodore Ballroom – 868 Granville St, Vancouver
• Tickets: $46, Available at LiveNation

Hoodie Allen

• What: Born Steven Markowitz and raised on Long Island, Hoodie is a frat-rap artist who is cut form the same cloth as the likes of Asher Roth and Sam Adams. Putting the pop in pop-rap Hoodie Allen had been an internet staple for years, but became a bonafide big name in 2010 off of the back of his breakout hit “You Are Not a Robot.” Now he’s headed to Vancouver for an all ages show at the Vogue Theatre in support of his new album.
• When: Wednesday, October 25
• Time: Doors 7 pm / Show 8 pm
• Where: Vogue Theatre – 918 Granville Street, Vancouver,
• Tickets: $30, available at Livenation.com 

Comedy

Vancouver TheatreSports League – Improv Wars

• What: Drawing on the rich characters, locations, and themes of the Star Wars films, Vancouver TheatreSports’ improvised parody highlights the parallels between the skills of an improviser and those of a Jedi to determine who is truly Master of the Farce. To paraphrase Yoda – “Laugh. Or do not. There is no titter.”
• When: Every Thursday, Friday and Saturday. Opens October 5
• Time:  7:30 pm
• Where: The Improv Centre – 1502 Duranleau Street, Vancouver
• Tickets:Online, $10.75-$24.25

Nick Offerman’s Full Bush Tour

• What: Comedian, actor, and woodworker Nick Offerman is hitting up Vancouver this fall. The comic is best know for his role as ‘Ron Swanson’ on NBC’s hit comedy Parks & Recreation. He also starred in the Netflix special American Ham in 2014, and most recently toured with his wife Megan Mullally for their show Summer of 69: No Apostrophe.
• When: October 5
• Time: 9 pm
• Where: Orpheum – 601 Smithe Street
• Tickets: Starting at $39.50 – Tickets available via Live Nation

Vancouver International Improv Festival 2017

• What: The 19th annual Vancouver International Improv Festival takes over Granville Island with over 40 unique performances at four venues, workshops, and more.
• When: October 11 to 14
• Where: Performance Works, Waterfront Theatre Revue Stage and The Improv Centre
• Tickets: Online, $15 per show, $18 for evening pass, and $50 for festival pass

Novelty Act

• What: Sara Bynoe and Riel Hahn present a night of comedy where anything can happen. Sara and Riel are known around Vancouver and across Canada as storytellers and actors, and bring their unique comedy duo to the CSA space. Make sure to arrive on time as they are punctual ladies.
• When: October 13
• Time: 7:30 pm
• Where: CSA space – #5 2414 Main Street, Vancouver
• Tickets: $10

Improv Against Humanity: Paranormal Hilarity

• What: Join The Fictionals and special guests for an early Halloween treat, complete with spooky prizes, mini-chocolate bars, a costume contest, and a horror-themed Improv Against Humanity.
• When: October 18
• Time: 8 pm
• Where: The Rio Theatre – 1660 East Broadway, Vancouver
• Tickets: Online, $12

The Comedy Cantina Nerd Show

• What: A glorious, geek-powered yukfest for the ages. Topics covered at The Comedy Cantina Nerd Show include sci-fi, role-playing, video games and more. Headlined by Simon King.
• When: October 26
• Time: 8 pm
• Where: Seven Dining Lounge – 53 West Broadway, Vancouver
• Tickets: Online, $6

One Man Stranger Things: A Parody

• What: Stranger Things burst into popular consciousness in July 2016, referencing 80s movies, kid culture, the supernatural and Eggo waffles. Charles Ross and TJ Dawe grew up in the 80s, addicted to adventure movies, and went on to co-create a series of one man parody shows of Star Wars, Lord of the Rings and Batman, which continue to tour the world. The world premiere of One Man Stranger Things: A Parody will recreate and spoof season one of Stranger Things, reminding audiences why they loved it, right in time for season two.
• When: October 27 and 28
• Time: 8 pm
• Where:  Anvil Centre Theatre – 777 Columbia Street, New Westminster
• Tickets: Online, $17.50

Business

2017 Fastest Growing Companies Reception

• What: Meet and mingle with some of BC’s fastest growing companies when Business in Vancouver presents the 2017 Top 100 Fastest Growing Companies Reception.
• When: Wednesday, October 11
• Time: 6 to 8 pm
• Where:  Telus Garden – 5th Floor – 510 West Georgia Street, Vancouver
• Tickets: Online, subscribers: $85, non-subscribers: $95

Palme Bleue Small Business Awards

• What: An evening to celebrate and recognize the success and excellence of the francophone and francophile businesses and entrepreneurs of Greater Vancouver. The 5th anniversary special edition of the Gala will highlight the past winners of the Palme Bleue awards.
• When: October 12
• Time: 6:30 to 10 pm
• Where: Terminal City Club – 837 W Hastings St, Vancouver
• Register: Online,

Connect to the Future: Careers in BC Cleantech

• What: A free conference to learn more from cleantech CEOs and start-up experts. Gain insight into an industry leveraging renewable materials and energy, decreasing natural resources use, and reducing emissions and waste.
• When: October 12
• Time: 10 am to 3 pm
• Where: Alice MacKay Room, Vancouver Public Library Central Branch – 350 West Georgia Street, Vancouver
• Register: Online, Free

CEO Speaker Series – Defining Moments in Leadership

• What: In this panel session, four experienced tech CEOs will discuss some of the defining moments along their journey and the lasting impact these meaningful experiences have had on their leadership. Exclusively for CEOs and Presidents of technology companies.
• When: October 17
• Time: 5 to 7:30 pm
• Where: Pinnacle Hotel Harbourfront – 1133 W Hastings Street, Vancouver
• Register: Online, Free

Vancouver Rogers Small Business Centre Event

• What: Network with other small business owners, gain valuable insights and meet with trained small business specialists.
• When: October 19
• Time: 5:30 to 7:30 pm
• Where: Rogers Store – 2097 West Broadway, Vancouver
• Register: Online, Free

Vancouver Aquarium’s Toast To The Coast Gala

• What: Sip and savour your way through the galleries of the Vancouver Aquarium as you go on a culinary journey celebrating the conservation of our oceans at Toast to the Coast. Food and beverages are included with the ticket price, and all proceeds support the Vancouver Aquarium’s research, education and direct action programs that benefit ocean conservation.
• When: October 20
• Time: 6 pm VIP pre-reception, 7:30 pm main gala
• Where: Vancouver Aquarium – 845 Avison Way, Vancouver
• Tickets: Online, $150-$1500

4th Annual Greater Vancouver Board of Trade Show

• What: Make connections with businesses and individuals from across the region and hear from industry leaders on topics that matter to your business. This event features exhibitors and attendees from a wide variety of industries.
• When: October 24
• Time: 3:30 to 6 pm
• Where: Fairmont Hotel Vancouver-BC Ballroom – 900 W Georgia Street, Vancouver
• Tickets: Online, $15-$20

Party all night

Bizarre Ride II The Pharcyde

• What: The Bizarre Ride II the Pharcyde 25th Anniversary Tour hits Vancouver with Fatlip & Slimkid3 (formerly of The Pharcyde) performing the complete album with guests The X Presidents & Mark Woodyard.
• When: October 6
• Time: 7 to 11 pm
• Where: Fortune Sound Club – 147 East Pender Street, Vancouver
• Tickets: Online, $17

Bass Coast Festival Showcase

• What: Featuring The Librarian, B2B, Mat the Alien, Michael Red, Barisone, and SHAHdjs
• When: Sunday, October 8
• Time: 9:30 pm
• Where: Commodore Ballroom – 867 Granville Street,
  Vancouver
• Tickets: Online, $20

Two Friends

• What: Two Friends make their Vancouver debut on Friday, October 13th at VENUE for their While We’re Dreaming Tour for EMBRVCE Fridays.
  
• When: Friday, October 13
• Time: 10 pm
• Where: Venue – 881 Granville St, Vancouver
• Tickets: Online, $15

Caprice Nightclub 15th Anniversary with Chase B

• What: Celebrate the 15th Anniversary of Caprice Nightclub with Chase B, Travis Scott’s DJ. Also featuring Rico Uno and GENI3.
• When: Wednesday, October 18
• Where: Caprice Nightclub – 967 Granville Street, Vancouver
• Tickets: Online, Free

Token

• What: Ben Goldberg, known by his stage name Token, grew up north of Boston, MA. Token has received many celebrity co signs including the likes of T-Pain, Fred Durst (of Limp Bizkit), Platinum Producer Clinton Sparks, RA The Rugged Man and Hollywood star and Boston’s own Mark Wahlberg who recently pronounced Token his “new favorite rapper”.
• When: Friday, October 20
• Time: 7 pm
• Where: The Biltmore Cabaret – 2755 Prince Edward St, Vancouver
• Tickets: Online, $12.50-$23.50

Hip-Hop Karaoke

• What: Other than the fact that it’s strictly Hip-Hop, there is one other notable difference between Hip-Hop Karaoke and others: there are no teleprompters. You’re rapping to a full house of people on the main stage of the club just like the many infamous rappers of past performances at Fortune.
• When: Saturday, October 21
• Time: 8 pm to 10:30 pm
• Where: Fortune Sound Club – 147 East Pender Street, Vancouver
• Tickets: At the door, 7

Chris Liebing

• What: Between curating one of the most respected labels exploring the heavier end of the Techno spectrum (CLR) to hosting the podcast of the same name between 2009 to 2015, Chris has been a global ambassador and exposed millions of listeners to the greatest DJs and producers the international Techno scene has to offer.
• When: Thursday, October 26
• Time: 10 pm
• Where: Celebrities– 1022 Davie Street, Vancouver
• Tickets: Online, $35

Explore the great outdoors

Stanley Park Water Supply Tunnel Community Open House

• What: ​Metro Vancouver is planning to tunnel deep under Stanley Park to build the Stanley Park Water Supply Tunnel. Drop by the Community Open House to learn more about the project and share your comments with the project team.
• When: Thursday, October 5
• Time: 4 to 8 pm.
• Where: The big tent in Chilco Plaza (near Chilco Street and Alberni Street) next to the Stanley Park Nature House.
• Price: Free

Salamander Searchers

• What: ​Learn about the intriquing amphibians that hide by day and hunt by night. Ages 6 to 9
• When: Saturday, October 7
• Time: 10 am to 12 pm
• Where: Belcarra Regional Park
• Admission: $4.25 per child, registration required.  Barcode 7062

Bowen Island Applefest

• What: ​A community celebration of all things apple.  Taste crunchy heritage apples, buy a homemade pie and tour the museum.
• When: Sunday October 8
• Time: 11 am to 2 pm
• Where:  Crippen Regional Park – Meet at Davies Orchard, a 100 m walk from ferry terminal.
• Admission: Free

Fraser River Geology Walk

• What: ​​Learn about the Ice Age glaciation on the south coast, the geologic history of the Fraser River, and the peatlands in Derby Reach Regional Park. Hear about a disastrous landslide in Haney in 1880 that produced a tsunami on the Fraser River. Led by John Clague, professor of Earth Sciences at Simon Fraser University, author of Vancouver, City on the Edge, and an expert on earthquakes, tsunamis, landslides, and floods.
  
• When: Saturday October 14
• Time: 10 am to noon
• Where: Derby Reach Regional Park
• Price: Free

Apple Festival at UBC Botanical Garden

• What: The Apple Festival features approximately 34,000 lbs of organic and conventionally grown apples available for sale to thousands of apple fans. Taste up to 60 varieties of new and heritage BC-grown apples for just $5. There will also be a children’s area and live entertainment.
• When: Saturday, October 14 and Sunday, October 15
• Time: 11 am to 4 pm
• Where: UBC Botanical Garden – 6804 SW Marine Drive, Vancouver
• Tickets: Admission is $5 cash for adults; children 12 and under are free. Festival admission includes entry to UBC Botanical Garden.

Flashlight Mysteries

• What: ​​Be wily like a coyote or wise as an owl to solve a nocturnal mystery on lantern lit-trails. Activities, performers and storytelling will reveal local night animals. Bring a flashlight and allow 1.5 hours to complete.
• When: Saturday, October 14
• Time: 6 to 9 pm
• Where:  Surrey Bend Regional Park. Park at Pacific Academy in Surrey at 10238-10300 168 St and take free shuttle bus to day use area. Please leave pets at home. Buses start at 5:30 pm and will transport participants to Surrey Bend Regional Park until 8 pm. The last bus leaves Surrey Bend at 9:30 pm. Limited parking at the day use area.
• Price: Free

Coho Commotion

• What: ​Follow the journey of salmon from hatching grounds to ocean.  Watch salmon leaping, get up close and personal with real specimens and hear about their extraordinary lives.  Please leave pets at home.
• When: ​Saturday, October 21
• Time: 11 am to 2:30 pm
• Where: Capilano Fish Hatchery, end of Capilano Park Rd, North Vancouver
• Price: Free

Eat fresh with farmers’ markets