Vancouver harvest tradition returns for its 35th anniversary and it’s about to sell-out

It’s about to get real apple-y in Vancouver! UBC Botanical Garden Apple Festival is back to celebrate the iconic B.C. fruit.

The local festival dedicated to the humble apple is gearing up for its 35th anniversary, and it’s set to be a bountiful party at UBC Botanical Garden.

Hosted by Friends of the Garden, the event runs on Oct. 17 and 18 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. across two full days of apple fun. That includes tasting, exploring, and buying!

Apple fun

UBC Apple Festival

You’ll find more than 50 apple varieties waiting to be tasted and enjoyed. This is the spot to find apples you can’t get anywhere else. Plus, it’s the perfect way to celebrate the rich cornucopia of B.C. produce.

Festival-goers will get the opportunity to learn about local apple diversity and taste rare apples. Plus, the event will raise important funds for education, research, and conservation at UBC Botanical Gardens.

Don’t forget the vendors, warm apple cider, and live entertainment either!

Over 50 apple varieties to try

Be sure to check out the legendary B.C. Ambrosia, a sweet, blush coloured apple that tastes like honey. With a history that dates back to the 1980s, this variety started as a single seedling growing among the rows of apple trees.

The very popular Honeycrisp will also be in abundance. Perfect for northern climates, Honeycrisps are developed to withstand cold weather conditions and are known for their crisp textures, tart flavour and juicy flesh.

You can’t talk apples without the fan-favourite Granny Smith! Here in B.C., these sharp green beauties make for the perfect fall snack, since they are harvested in October.

35 years of BC apples

UBC Apple Festival

The 2026 event poses a special opportunity to look back at the last 35 years. You can thank co-founders Margaret Charlton and Anne Garthshore for this a-peeling tradition, who started the event all the way back in 1991.

Aimed to introduce residents to the many local apple varieties, as opposed to the lacklustre selection at grocery stores, the festival also brings more awareness to the gardens and raises important funds.

As a beloved fall family tradition at UBC Botanical Garden, this is a typically sell-out event and will take place rain or shine. Tickets are limited — which means you should act quickly and purchase them on UBC Apple Festival website. Early bird pricing is available until Sept. 30.

UBC Botanical Garden Apple Festival

When: Saturday, Oct. 17 and Sunday, Oct. 18
When: 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Where: UBC Botanical Garden — 6804 S.W. Marine Drive
Price: Festival admission starts at $15, early bird prices at $12