Thanksgiving is just around the corner, and this week, we’re thankful for all the great events to check out around Vancouver!
From Sting to Fort Langley Cranberry Fest and more, here are 20 fantastic things to do from Oct. 5 to 11. And yes, there’s a long weekend coming up!
Be sure to view our Listed section for more fantastic things happening around town.
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Haunted Cellar Afternoon Tea at Notch8
Notch8
What: Notch8 is launching its Haunted Cellar Afternoon Tea this fall, with an eerie selection of handcrafted pastries, seasonal confections, and supernatural touches that will delight whenever you bite.
A Children’s Tea is also available with child-friendly finger sandwiches, scones, and other yummy treats during the highly anticipated food events
When: Various dates from now until Nov. 1, 2026
Time: Various times
Where: Notch8 — 900 W Georgia St., Vancouver
Cost: $75 per adult, $40 per child
BC Lions
What: BC Lions continue the CFL season at BC Place this fall. Roar on the home team as they welcome the Ottawa Redblacks on Oct. 9 and the Winnipeg Blue Bombers on Oct. 23.
When: Oct. 9 and 23, 2026
Time: 7 p.m.
Where: BC Place – 777 Pacific Blvd., Vancouver
Cost: Various; purchase online
The Oddities & Curiosities Expo
What: The Oddities and Curiosities Expo, a one-of-a-kind showcase of the bizarre, returns to Vancouver this weekend. Hundreds of oddity vendors and artists will come together at the convention centre for a weekend of spooky shopping, photo opportunities, workshops, performances, and more.
When: Oct. 10 and 11, 2026
Time: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Where: Vancouver Convention Centre — 1055 Canada Pl, Vancouver
Tickets: $20 plus fees; purchase online
Fort Langley Cranberry Festival
What: The 31st annual Fort Langley Cranberry Festival returns to the riverside community on Saturday, October 10.
A large turnout is expected as an estimated 35,000 guests attend the cranberry celebration each year. There are lots of activities for everyone to enjoy throughout the day, including 125 vendors and over 15 food trucks.
When: Saturday, Oct. 10, 2026
Time: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Where: Fort Langley Village
Admission: Free of charge
Forbidden Vancouver’s Lost Souls of Gastown Tour
Forbidden Vancouver
What: Follow the lamplight and discover Vancouver’s gruesome, tragic history on the Lost Souls of Gastown Tour. Now in its 15th consecutive year, the walking tour immerses guests in an interactive, theatrical experience as they journey deep into the historic neighbourhood.
Hear gruesome stories of the Great Fire, learn about the notorious ladies of the Gold Rush, discover a murder mystery that remains unsolved to this day, and more on this eerie tour.
When: Nightly until Saturday, Nov. 29, 2026
Time: Various times, with extra times on weekends and Halloween week
Where: Starts at the corner of Water and Cordova Streets, beside Monaco Cafe
Cost: $35 for adults and $32 for students and seniors. Purchase online
OFF-VIFF 2026
What: OFF-VIFF is described as a platform for the underground. The event was co-founded by Vancouver-based filmmaker Arran Shearing, and this year, it expands into a multi-day festival at three venues, with shorts, premieres, and more.
When: Various dates from Oct. 7 to 12, 2026
Where: Cineworks, The Rio Theatre, and the Little Free Cinema
Tickets: Various prices, purchase online
Vancouver International Music Competition, Gala Concert & Awards Ceremony
What: Vancouver International Music Competition invites all music lovers to the Final Round, Gala Concert, and Awards Ceremony events this week.
VIMC, presented by the Canada International Arts & Music Society, brings together talented young musicians from around the world for three days of performance, competition, education, and celebration. The 2026 competition features four categories — Piano, Strings, Voice, and Woodwinds, with Woodwinds introduced as a new category this year.
The Final Round takes place on Friday, Oct. 9, from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. at the VSO School of Music with live performances before an international jury. There will also be masterclasses at Tom Lee Music from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 10.
The festival culminates with the Gala Concert and Awards Ceremony from 2 to 5 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 11, at the Orpheum Theatre, featuring performances by selected top prize recipients as well as Canadian pianist Ian Parker and violinist Domagoj Ivanovic, both members of the 2026 VIMFC jury.
When: Oct. 9 to 11, 2026
Time: Various times
Where: Various locations
Tickets: Various prices, more information online
Vancouver Giants
What: The Vancouver Giants continue the new WHL season this month at the Langley Events Centre with games including Seattle Thunderbirds on Oct. 10 and Victoria Royals on Oct. 30.
When: Various dates
Time: Various times
Where: Langley Events Centre – 7888 200th St., Langley
Cost: Various; purchase online
Canyon Frights
Destination Vancouver
What: Capilano Suspension Bridge Park will be decorated with pumpkins and spooky displays for its annual Halloween event, Canyon Frights. There are plenty of photo ops, family-friendly activities, live performances and more to check out.
When: Oct. 9 to Nov. 1, 2026
Time: 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. (open until 9 p.m. from Oct. 23 to 25 and Oct. 30 to Nov. 1)
Where: Capilano Suspension Bridge Park – 3735 Capilano Rd., North Vancouver
Tickets: Various, purchase online
Haney Farmers’ Market
What: Swing by Haney Farmers’ Market in the heart of downtown Maple Ridge to shop for fresh produce and items from local artisans.
When: Every Saturday until October 31, 2026
Time: 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Where: Memorial Peace Park — 11930 224 St., Maple Ridge
Sunday Service at St Augustine’s on Commercial Drive
What: St. Augustine’s is launching “Sunday Service,” the ultimate Commercial Drive Sunday destination — just steps from the Commercial-Broadway SkyTrain station.
Every Sunday during the day, enjoy a live DJ spinning all afternoon, exclusive featured pricing on a menu tailored for both “saints and sinners,” starring Vancouver’s only authentic New Haven-style pizza, and game-day broadcasts across 11 brand-new TVs and a big-screen projector.
Whether you’re looking for an amazing daytime hospitality vibe, great food and drink specials, or to catch the game over a beer, Sunday Service at St. Augustine’s has you covered.
When: Every Sunday starting Sept. 27, 2026
Time: All day/afternoon
Where: St. Augustine’s – 2360 Commercial Dr., Vancouver, BC (1 block from Commercial-Broadway Skytrain Station)
Admission: Free, food and drink specials priced individually
aespa
aespa
What: Vancouver is fast becoming a hot spot for the world’s biggest K-pop groups to perform, and we can add aespa to the list of concerts happening in 2026.
The global K-pop force, made up of Karina, Winter, Giselle, and Ningning, is bringing their upcoming world tour to Rogers Arena on Sunday, Oct. 11.
When: Sunday, Oct. 11, 2026
Time: 8 p.m.
Where: Rogers Arena – 800 Griffiths Way, Vancouver
Tickets: Tickets for sale online
Fin-tastic Fall Days
What: The Vancouver Aquarium is proving that the best place to experience fall is with 65,000 animals and sea creatures at Fin-tastic Fall Days.
Guests can expect a bunch of seasonal talks, daily animal feeds, and other all-ages programming.
And just when you think it can’t get any cooler, you can catch divers carving jaw-dropping Jack-O-Lanterns beneath the waves of an aquarium habitat, happening on weekends until Oct. 11, then daily starting Oct. 17!
When: Now until Saturday, Oct. 31, 2026
Time: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Where: Vancouver Aquarium — 854 Avison Way
Cost: Various prices, $80 for adult annual membership
Vancouver International Travel Expo
What: The ninth annual Vancouver International Travel Expo brings together airlines, cruises, and tour operators from across the globe.
Turn your dream trip into reality, whether it’s an African adventure or an all-inclusive vacation. There will also be prizes, live entertainment, and more.
When: Saturday, Oct. 10, 2026
Time: 11 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Where: Vancouver Convention Centre East, Halls A & B
Admission: $15, purchase online
Take a trip to the pumpkin patch
Richmond Country Farms
What: Spooky season is here, which means that the Lower Mainland’s favourite pumpkin patches are ripe for the picking.
Whether you’re looking to carve a scary jack-o’-lantern or bake a delicious pie, there are plenty of fantastic farms with pumpkins that are waiting for you.
When: Various days of operation
Time: Various hours of operation
Where: Various farms across Metro Vancouver. See the list online.
Fright Nights at Playland
What: Fright Nights, one of Western Canada’s scariest haunts, is returning to Vancouver for the upcoming Halloween season. And we can’t wait to visit the scream park!
The highly anticipated Playland attraction is celebrating its 23rd anniversary on select nights running through to Halloween night.
Visitors can experience the immersive Halloween-themed experience with haunted houses, heart-pounding rides, spooky décor, roaming monsters, thrilling live performances, and more.
When: Select dates from Oct. 7 to Oct. 31, 2026
Time: Various times
Where: Playland at the PNE — 2901 E. Hastings St., Vancouver
Tickets: Various prices, purchase online
Heist
What: Arts Club presents Heist, a thrilling theatrical caper filled with fast-paced dialogue and high-tech action at the Stanley BFL Canada Stage. Follow along as the conman, the hacker, the cat burglar, the muscle, and the mastermind attempt to steal a priceless ruby in the perfect crime.
When: Now until Oct. 18, 2026
Time: Various times
Where: Stanley BFL Canada Stage — 2750 Granville St., Vancouver
Cost: Various prices from $39, purchase online
White Rock Farmers Market
White Rock Farmers Market/Facebook
What: Live music, over 80 vendors, and great local produce and food products make the White Rock Farmers Market a great community event for South Surrey and White Rock.
When: Every Sunday until Oct. 11, 2026
Time: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Where: Miramar Plaza and Russell Avenue, and Johnston Road between Russell and Thrift Avenue.
Sting
What: Get ready to walk in fields of gold, because Sting is coming to Vancouver this fall to kick off the next leg of his hit world tour.
Sting will be joined for the all-ages show by longtime guitarist and collaborator Dominic Miller and acclaimed drummer Chris Maas. The trio will reinterpret hit songs and deep cuts from the 17-time Grammy winner’s discography.
When: Monday, Oct. 5 and Tuesday, Oct. 6, 2026
Time: 8 p.m.
Where: Queen Elizabeth Theatre – 630 Hamilton St., Vancouver
Tickets: Various prices. Purchase online
QueerProv
What: QueerProv presents pay-what-you-can improv comedy shows every Wednesday at The Junction. Fill your laugh metre with theatre games, longform laughs, and queer stories told by some of the city’s finest queer performers.
When: Every Wednesday
Time: 8 pm
Where: The Junction — 1138 Davie Street, Vancouver
Cost: Pay-what-you-can, suggested $10. Purchase online