Over 20 FREE and cheap things to do in Vancouver this fall
Enjoy everything fall has to offer on the cheap! Check out these 24 free and inexpensive things to do around Metro Vancouver this season.
Events include Eastside Culture Crawl, UBC Apple Festival, and more. What are you most excited for?
Be sure to check out our Listed section for more fantastic things happening around town.
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Events and activities in and around Metro Vancouver
UBC Botanical Garden Apple Festival
UBC Botanical Garden/Facebook
What: UBC Apple Festival returns on Oct. 17 and 18 for its 35th year. Celebrate one of B.C.’s favourite fruits with rare and unusual apple varieties, family activities and a lively fall atmosphere at UBC Botanical Garden.
Learn about apple diversity, taste varieties you may not find at the grocery store and support a beloved community tradition. Organized by Friends of UBC Botanical Garden, the festival raises funds for education, research and conservation at UBC Botanical Garden.
When: Oct. 17 and 18, 2026
Time: 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Where: UBC Botanical Garden — 6804 SW Marine Dr., Vancouver
Tickets: Various prices. Children seven years and under can enter for free with a paying adult, though they must still register for a ticket. Purchase online
The BOG at Riverside Cranberry Farm
What: Just an hour’s drive from Vancouver, the Riverside Cranberry Farm is opening for the new season. Don stylish hip waders and waddle down the ladder straight into a flooded field. Surrounded by floating red berries, you’ll feel like a kid again, gently wading through the water.
Be sure to take the Harvest Farm Tour before you take the plunge. This self-guided tour of the field’s perimeter lets you watch the harvest in real time.
When: Various dates from Sept. 30 to Oct. 12, 2026
Time: Various time slots
Where: The BOG at Riverside Cranberry Farm – 26885 88th Ave., Langley City
Cost: Various prices; purchase online
Truth and Reconciliation Free Film Screening
What: Trout Lake Community Centre is hosting a free public screening of two National Film Board of Canada documentaries that explore Indigenous history, identity, and resilience.
The event features Siksikakowan: The Blackfoot Man by director Sinakson Trevor Solway, and Mary Two-Axe Earley: I Am Indian Again by director Courtney Montour.
When: September 30, 2026
Time: 12:30 to 2:45 p.m.
Where: Trout Lake Community Centre, Outdoors Gravel Field — 3360 Victoria Dr., Vancouver
Cost: Free; register online
Vancouver Christmas Market 2026
Vancouver Christmas Market
What: The Vancouver Christmas Market is transforming Jack Poole Plaza into a huge German-style holiday event from Monday, Nov. 16, to Thursday, Dec. 24.
A popular holiday tradition for locals and visitors alike, the market features dozens of food and drink vendors, as well as plenty of artisans and makers at over 90 wooden huts.
When: Monday, Nov. 16, to Thursday, Dec. 24, 2026
Time: Various time slots
Where: Jack Poole Plaza – 1055 Canada Pl., Vancouver
Tickets: Various prices; purchase online
Vancouver Career Fair and Training Expo Canada
What: Career Fair and Training Expo Canada is taking place at Pan Pacific Vancouver on Wednesday, Dec. 9.
The upcoming Vancouver job fairs bring together a mix of employers from a variety of industries, as well as onsite training exhibitors who can teach applicants about different credentials that may help them land their dream jobs.
When: Wednesday, Dec. 9, 2026
Time: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Where: Pan Pacific Vancouver – 999 Canada Place, #300
Cost: Free; register online
Burnaby Central Railway
What: Burnaby Central Railway is welcoming passengers to climb aboard its 3-km track near Confederation Park every weekend until this fall. Your ride will take you across tunnels, bridges and viaducts. And while you’re there, stop by the ever-growing Garden Railway.
British Columbia Society of Model Engineers (BCSME) built and operates the mini railway, with three different types of locomotives pulling the rideable trains.
When: Weekends and stat holidays through Thanksgiving weekend
Time: 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Where: 120 N. Willingdon Ave., Burnaby
Cost: $4.50 for a single ride for all passengers three years old and up; $40 for a 10-ride pass
Eastside Culture Crawl 2026
Eastside Culture Crawl
What: The 30th annual Eastside Culture Crawl returns this November to dozens of buildings across Vancouver’s eastside.
Hundreds of artists ranging from painters to glass blowers and mixed-media creators are expected to welcome tens of thousands of visitors to their studios.
When: Nov. 19 to 22, 2026
Time: 5 to 10 p.m. (Thursday and Friday) and 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. (Saturday and Sunday)
Where: Various locations throughout East Vancouver
Oktoberfest at Parallel 49
What: Every day from Thursday, Sept. 17, to Sunday, Oct. 4, Parallel 49 Brewing will be celebrating Oktoberfest in their massive tent and biergarten. Come enjoy live music from Thursday to Sunday.
There will also be a great selection of Oktoberfest-style beers, traditional German food features and specials, and more.
When: Thursday, Sept. 17 to Sunday, Oct. 4, 2026
Time: Parallel 49 open daily from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. from Sunday to Thursday, and 11 a.m. to midnight on Friday and Saturday
Where: Parallel 49 – 1950 Triumph St., Vancouver
Admission: Free, seating available first-come, first-served
Vancouver Spanish Book Fair
What: Started in 2016, the Vancouver Spanish Fair is an annual event for the whole family. It brings together authors of various nationalities with books in Spanish, connecting them to the growing community that wishes to maintain and improve the language.
When: Sunday, Oct. 18, 2026
Time: 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Where: Ocean Artworks Pavilion, Granville Island – 1531 Johnston St., Vancouver
Admission: Free
Empowering Voices through Art: National Day for Truth and Reconciliation
What: Indigenous artists and facilitators host a free, inclusive workshop at Place des Arts on the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.
Artists will share personal stories, reflect on their journeys, and showcase their acclaimed works. Coquitlam Public Library will be on-site showcasing books from its Indigenous Collections and leading a small craft activity.
When: Wednesday, Sept. 30, 2026
Time: 10 a.m. and 1 p.m.
Where: Place des Arts – 1120 Brunette Ave., Coquitlam
Cost: Free, register online
Harvest Days at VanDusen Botanical Garden
VanDusen Botanical Garden
What: Harvest Days at VanDusen Botanical Garden features a Learning Garden and maze, family-friendly activities, games and crafts, and food trucks. Take in live music, meet local experts, and more during the annual event.
When: Sept. 26 and 27, Oct. 3, 4, 10, 11, 12, 17, and 18, 2026
Time: 10:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Where: VanDusen Botanical Garden — 5251 Oak St., Vancouver
Admission: Various prices; purchase online
Metro Vancouver Croissant Crawl 2026
What: The Metro Vancouver Croissant Crawl is returning for its fifth year, featuring 37 vendors offering limited-edition croissants.
Taking place from Sept. 25 to Oct. 4, croissant lovers can visit participating bakeries and cafes across Metro Vancouver to get their hands on these exclusive baked goods. Returning this year are drink pairings at select vendors for those looking to level up their croissant experience.
When: Sept. 25 to Oct. 4, 2026
Where: Participating bakeries and cafes across Metro Vancouver
Shipyards Christmas Market
What: It’s never too early to think about Christmas, especially when a festive event is gearing up for its Metro Vancouver return this fall.
The Shipyards Christmas Market is back in North Vancouver, starting on Friday, Nov. 27 and running through to Christmas Eve. Check out dozens of artisan stalls, food vendors, and live performers, as well as visits with Santa and more.
When: Nov. 27 to Dec. 24, 2026
Time: 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. (Sunday to Thursday until Dec. 21), 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. (Friday to Sunday until Dec. 21), 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. (Dec. 21, 22 and 23), 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. (Dec. 24)
Where: The Shipyards — 125 Victory Ship Way, North Vancouver
Cost: Free
PumpkinFest in West Vancouver
What: West Vancouver’s biggest fall community event returns on Sunday, Oct. 4, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the West Vancouver Community Centre.
PumpkinFest is a family favourite featuring live music, a pumpkin patch, pony rides, a petting farm, and plenty of harvest-themed fun.
When: Sunday, Oct. 4, 2026
Time: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Where: West Vancouver Community Centre — 2121 Marine Dr., West Vancouver
Admission: Various prices; purchase online
Splash – Free Preview Exhibition
Arts Umbrella
What: Around 100 stunning artworks make up the Splash 2026 Art Collection on display at the Pendulum Gallery at 885 W. Georgia St. The public preview showcases the pieces of art donated by acclaimed and emerging Canadian and international artists.
The lineup of artists this year includes Andrew Dadson, a multidisciplinary artist who explores the boundaries between painting, photography, installation, and the natural environment; Edward Burtynsky, one of the world’s most accomplished contemporary photographers; and Marie Khouri, a Paris- and Vancouver-based sculptor whose contemporary works bridge art and design.
When: Now until Thursday, Oct. 1, 2026 (closed Sundays and stat holidays)
Time: 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. (Monday to Wednesday), 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. (Thursday to Friday) and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. (Saturday)
Where: Pendulum Gallery — 885 W. Georgia St., Vancouver
Admission: Free, walk-ins welcome
BC Culture Days
What: BC Culture Days is an annual series of free and interactive creative events hosted by artists and cultural organizations across the province. This year’s celebration invites participants to explore and express themselves artistically through workshops, live shows, and more.
When: Now until Oct. 4, 2026
Time: Various times
Where: Various locations
Cost: Free
Recurring events and activities
Bill Reid Gallery — Free Admission Day
Bill Reid Gallery
What: The Bill Reid Gallery is named after the renowned Haida artist and is the only public gallery dedicated to contemporary Indigenous Art of the Northwest Coast in the country. The gallery is home to the Simon Fraser University Bill Reid Collection and also hosts a variety of special exhibitions, workshops, panel discussions, and more.
Guests can visit the Bill Reid Gallery for free from 2 to 5 p.m. on the first Friday of each month.
When: The first Friday of every month
Time: 2 to 5 p.m.
Where: 639 Hornby St., Vancouver
Cost: By donation
Vancouver Public Library Movie Screenings
What: Vancouver Public Library hosts a variety of movie screenings for the public at its branches throughout the month, and the best part is that they are free to attend. Expect to see the latest Hollywood Blockbusters, timeless classics, and more.
When: Various dates
Time: Various times
Where: Various VPL Branches
Cost: Free
Vancouver Art Gallery – Free First Friday Nights
Vancouver Art Gallery/Facebook
What: The Vancouver Art Gallery was founded in 1931 and is renowned as one of North America’s leading visual arts institutions. The largest public art museum in Western Canada currently has a variety of exhibitions on display, and you can check them out for free during the Free First Friday Nights events.
When: The first Friday of every month
Time: 4 to 8 p.m.
Where: 750 Hornby St., Vancouver
Cost: Free
Community Jam at The Improv Centre
What: The Improv Centre welcomes performers of all levels to get up onstage with professionally trained improvisers at its free monthly community jam. The 18+ event features theatre exercises, improv games, and more during the fun, interactive jam.
When: The last Saturday of every month
Time: 3:30 to 5:30 p.m.
Where: The Improv Centre — 1502 Duranleau St., Vancouver
Cost: Free
Eat fresh at farmers markets
Trout Lake Farmers Market
What: This farmers market began back in 1995 and became the cornerstone of the Vancouver Farmers Market collective of markets. One of the most popular markets, Trout Lake has food trucks on-site and a variety of vendors selling fresh local produce, locally made goods, and all things food.
When: Every Saturday until Oct. 31, 2026
Time: 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Where: Lakewood Drive and East 13th Avenue, Vancouver
Mount Pleasant Farmers Market
The BC Farmers’ Market Trail
What: Find fresh groceries, locally sourced produce, as well as artisanal food offerings at the Mount Pleasant Farmers Market, held weekly at Dude Chilling Park in Mount Pleasant
When: Every Sunday until Nov. 1, 2026
Time: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Where: Dude Chilling Park — 2300 Guelph St., Vancouver
Kitsilano Farmers’ Market
What: Kitsilano Farmers’ Market takes place on Sundays and offers a good selection of fresh local produce and gourmet treats to stock up on for the week. There are also a number of artisan vendors and food trucks to check out at the market.
When: Every Sunday until Nov. 1, 2026
Time: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Where: Larch Street and West 10th Avenue, Vancouver
Downtown Farmers Market
What: Located centrally at West Georgia and Hornby Street in the heart of Downtown Vancouver, this market features over 30 farms and producers, food and coffee trucks.
Do all your shopping conveniently, as Downtown Farmers Market is directly adjacent to a busy bike path and is close to many transit lines, with SkyTrain and Canada Line stops nearby.
When: Every Wednesday until Dec. 23, 2026
Time: 2 to 6 p.m.
Where: West Georgia Street at Hornby Street