25 things to do in Vancouver this week

If you’re at a loss for how to spend your free time this week, never fear. We’ve come up with the top events in Vancouver from October 13 to 17.

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

Chilliwack Corn Maze

What: The Chillwack Corn Maze has a unique design this year: A Terry Fox silhouette to celebrate the 35th anniversary of the Marathon for Hope. All along the maze, you’ll encounter Terry Fox trivia designed to point you in the right direction.
Where: 41905 Yale Road West, Chilliwack
Hours: Now until October 31: Thursdays from 6 to 9 p.m.; Fridays and Saturdays from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Sundays and holidays from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Fright Nights at the PNE

What: Be prepared to get scared at the largest and spookiest Halloween event for grown-ups in Western Canada. Fright Nights at Playland returns for another year on October 9 with seven terrifying haunted houses and 15 rides that will leave you trembling.
Where: Playland at the PNE – 2901 East Hastings Street, Vancouver
When: Friday, October 9 to Sunday, November 1; various times.

Halloween Expo at the PNE

What: Halloween Expo at the PNE featuring food, performances, costumes and make-up.
Where: PNE Forum – 2901 East Hastings Street, Vancouver
When: Saturday, October 17 to Sunday, October 18; noon to 9 p.m. (Saturday), noon to 8 p.m. (Sunday)

The Lost Souls of Gastown at Halloween

What: The Lost Souls of Gastown is a visceral experience that raises the hair on the back of your neck, covers your skin in tingling goosebumps and sends involuntary shivers running down your spine—the perfect Vancouver Halloween event for anyone with a taste for the macabre.
Where: Tours meet at Cathedral Square, across from the Holy Rosary Cathedral at the intersection of Dunsmuir and Richards streets
When: Throughout October with multiple tour times to choose from

Madonna – Rebel Heart Tour

What: Queen of Pop, Madonna, comes to Rogers Arena for her Rebel Heart Tour.
Where: Rogers Arena – 800 Griffiths Way, Vancouver
When: Wednesday, October 14; 8 p.m.

Oktoberfest at the Alpen Club

What: The Vancouver Alpen Club serves traditional German favourites from spätzle to schnitzel and now they’re breaking back their annual Oktoberfest. Anyone is welcome who loves German food and beer (and is over 19, of course).
Where: Vancouver Alpen Club – 4875 Victoria Drive, Vancouver
When: September 26 and October 3, 16 and 17; doors open at 7:30 p.m.

Taste of Yaletown

What: From October 15 to 29, Yaletown kitchens will offer featured menus, special tastings and innovative pairings to tempt the most adventurous foodie. With a fresh approach to fixed price menus of $25, $35 and $45 restaurants will offer combinations of food and drink or even special in-house events.
Where: Various locations. A full list will be available on the website in October.
When: Thursday, October 15 to Thursday, October 29

MERCATO Italian Market

What: This unique market is about bringing together the tastes of Italy with the produce grown in local farms. You’re invited to come shop for a vibrant assortment of fresh fruit and vegetables, handmade products from local artisans and delicious food prepared by Il Centro’s chef. The Italian community market element allows you the opportunity to bring home a taste of Italy every month. Stay for live Italian music featuring the classic mandolin and accordion, and children’s activities provided by Italian School teachers.
Where: Italian Cultural Centre – 3075 Slocan Street, Vancouver
When: October 16 and November 20; 4 to 8 p.m.

Potters House of Horrors

What: Potters House of Horrors, located in Surrey, is now open and runs until October 31, seeking to scare thousands of adults and children. The attraction features two haunted houses and sociopathic carnival clowns, Jack the Ripper and classic monsters are just a few of the truly terrifying characters you might meet inside.
Where: 12530 72nd Avenue, Surrey
When: Every night from October 2 to October 31 (closed on October 4 to 8 and 12)

Body Worlds: Animal Inside Out at Science World

What: Body Worlds is coming back to TELUS World of Science for the third time since 2006, but you won’t see many human specimens on display at this exhibit. Animal Inside Out features over 100 preserved animal specimens ranging from the common pigeon to an expertly dissected camel. Visitors will be able to check out what’s under the skin of some spectacular animals and determine what makes us the same – and different.
Where: Science World – 1455 Quebec Street, Vancouver
When: October 3 to March 28, 2016

Reapers Haunted Attraction

What: The annual ghoulish halloween thriller is open again, featuring The Maze of Terror, which will haunt your dreams for days to come. The maze has been a halloween attraction for the past 21 years, with over 90,000 victims passing through its winding terror.
Where: 9423 Gibson Road, Chilliwack
When: Friday, October 2 to Friday, October 31; 7 to 10 p.m.

Haunted Vancouver Trolley Tour

What: The Haunted Vancouver Trolley Tour is back for another year. Your creepy host will take you around the city and tell you gruesome tales of Castelanni Milkshake Murder, the Fairmont Hotel Vancouver’s Lady in Red and many more.
Where: Tours start at Canada Place – 999 Canada Place, Vancouver
When: Wednesday, October 14 to Saturday, October 31 (excluding Sundays and Mondays); tours depart at 6:30, 7:30, 8:30 and 9:30 p.m.
Cost: $40

The Asylum at Gravecouver

What: Your worst fears, phobias and nightmares will be experienced at Gravecouver, so come prepared to be scared. Anyone with asthma, heart conditions, prone to seizures, physical ailments, respiratory, or any type of medical problem, are pregnant, or suffer any form of mental disease like claustrophobia should not enter.
Where: Metropolis at Metrotown – 4700 Kingsway, Burnaby
When: Thursday, October 15 to Saturday, October 31; 7 to 9:30 p.m. (also 1 to 4 p.m. on October 31)
Cost: $13, VIP $20 (less wait time in line)
Note: Customers are advised to arrive one hour prior to closing in order to gain entry.

Ghost Train in Stanley Park

What: The spooky spectacle for kids and fun-loving grown-ups runs in Stanley Park every October. This year’s theme, Horror Classics, brings back some of cinema’s most haunting characters like Dracula, Frankenstein and the Phantom of the Opera to roam the grounds around the train. Life-like decorations, sound effects and gravely lighting bring the Ghost Train to life every year.
Where: Stanley Park Train – Pipeline Road, Stanley Park (just north of the bus loop)
When: Friday, October 9 to Sunday, November 1; Monday to Thursday, 5:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m., Friday to Sunday, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Tickets: Purchased online or at the gate
Cost: $6 to $11

Visit a pumpkin patch

The Pumpkin Patch at Richmond Country Farms

What: Admission to the pumpkin patch at Richmond Country Farms, includes live entertainment, a wagon ride, a pumpkin (child size), a visit to the animal farm, and a Spartan apple to munch upon.
Where: 12900 Steveston Highway, Richmond
When: Open from October 3 to October 31. Monday to Friday 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., Saturday and Sunday 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Pumpkin Patch at Westham Island Herb Farm

What: Westham Island Herb Farm is a working farm that offers visitors the chance to explore their extensive property, while searching for the picture-perfect pumpkin.
Where: 2485 Westham Island Road, Delta
When: Open daily until October 31, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Hazelmere Pumpkin Patch at Gabriel Farms

What: This cash-only farm is a popular spot to pick up a pumpkin or two. In addition to the pumpkin patch Gabriel Farms also offers hayrides, a petting zoo, and a mini corn maze. The farm is also set to host a pumpkin carving festival on October 10.
Where: 18507 20th Avenue, Surrey
When: Open every weekend until October 31. As of October 14 the farm will be open in the afternoon from 3 to 5:30 p.m.

Port Kells Pumpkin Patch

What: Running everyday until October 31, Port Kells is offering free admission to their pumpkin patch. The little ones will love the tractor pulled hayrides, the chicken coop, the haunted house, the goat palace, and the hay maze, while mum and dad will enjoy a snack from the Pumpkin Cafe.
Where: 18730 88 Avenue, Surrey
When: Open daily until October 31, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Aldor Acres Pumpkin Patch

What: Aldor Acres Pumpkin Patch pulls a steady pumpkin-seeking crowd year-after-year, thanks to the 15 different varieties of pumpkins grown and spread across the farm’s 20 acres. If you’re visiting with kids there are animals to say hello to and a tractor-pulled hayride. For the grown ups, pick-up farm fresh vege, eggs, and pork at the aptly named Farmacy.
Where: 8301 252nd Street, Langley
When: Open daily until October 31, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Laity Pumpkin Patch

What: Find your perfect pumpkin at the Laity Pumpkin Patch. The 18 acre farm has been operating for over 25 years, and draws visitors from all over the Lower Mainland. Besides from picking pumpkins, the farm offers many other attractions like a corn maze, a wide variety of farm animals, vegetable gardens, fairy tale trails, and tractor-pulled wagon rides.
Where: 21145 128th Avenue, Maple Ridge
When: October 3 to October 31. Monday to Friday 1:30 p.m. to 5 p.m., Saturday and Sunday 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Taves Family Farms Apple Barn

What: Embrace the country-side at this family-run farm, which offers visitors an array of fun outdoor activities, in addition to a pumpkin patch adventure. Enjoy a hayride out to the middle of the farm, through corn fields and apple orchards, where a scattering of pumpkins await.
Where: 333 Gladwin Road, Abbotsford
When: Daily until October 31, 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

Farmers Markets

Oak Street Farmers’ Market

What: This young South Vancouver market boasts all Certified Organic produce, meat, and eggs. It’s run by the Unitarian church, with a goal of connecting locals to their food and farmers.
Where: Unitarian Church of Vancouver – Oak St. and West 49th Ave., Vancouver
When: Wednesdays, 3 to 7 p.m.; June 3 to October 14, 2015

Granville Island Farmers’ Market

What: This cash-only market is steps from all the great food and vendors, and has been around for over 20 years.
Where: Triangle Square, Granville Island – Vancouver
When: Thursdays, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.; June 4 to late October 2015

Yaletown Farmers’ Market

What: A very urban market indeed, the pedestrian-friendly streets of Yaletown welcome vendors and farmers Thursday afternoons and evenings for a terrific food and shopping experience, right at the Yaletown-Roundhouse Canada Line station.
Where: 1200 Mainland Street, Vancouver
When: Thursdays, 2 to 6 p.m.; May 7 to October 29, 2015

UBC Farm markets

What: The Centre for Sustainable Food Systems operates the UBC Farm, and three weekly farm markets (June through October) on campus, providing students, faculty, and staff the chance to engage with the community and support local farming.
Where: UBC Farm – 3461 Ross Drive (Tuesdays & Saturdays), UBC Bookstore – 6200 University Boulevard (Wednesdays)
When: Tuesdays, 4 to 6 p.m. (June 9 to October), Wednesdays, 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. (June 10 to October), Saturdays, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. (June 13 to October)