More than 20 free and cheap things to do in Vancouver this November
Keep your wallet in your pocket this November with our list of more than 20 free and inexpensive events happening in Vancouver this month.
From a delicious croissant crawl to a gigantic tree lighting to much more, you’ll be sure to have fun without breaking the bank.
For more great events happening around town, be sure to check out our Listed section.
One-time-only events and activities
Surrey Tree Lighting Festival and Holiday Market
City of Surrey
What: The 15th annual Surrey Tree Lighting Festival and Holiday Market, presented by Concord Pacific, will be held on Saturday, Nov. 22 and Sunday, Nov. 23, at Surrey Civic Plaza.
The outdoor event will offer plenty of free activities and entertainment for all ages, including live music and dance, food trucks, amusement rides, and more.
And new for this year is a 4,000-square-foot outdoor ice rink where you can skate for free!
When: Saturday, Nov. 22 and Sunday, Nov. 23, 2025
Time: Noon to 8 p.m.
Where: Surrey Civic Plaza – 13450 104th Ave., Surrey
Cost: Free
Orpheum Tours by Vancouver Civic Theatres
What: Vancouver Civic Theatres is hosting guided tours of the historic Orpheum theatre this fall. The event is led by the BC Entertainment Hall of Fame and will be sure to delight music fans, architecture enthusiasts, and history buffs.
When: Saturday, Nov. 1 and Nov. 15, 2025
Time: 11 a.m. and 1 p.m.
Where: Orpheum – 601 Smithe St., Vancouver
Cost: $10 plus fees, register online
Lumière Festival 2025
What: Vancouver is about to get lit up by the returning Lumière Festival, and this year promises to shine bright in celebration.
Lumière’s 12th anniversary will feature spectacular art installations in the city’s West End and downtown core from Thursday, Nov. 13, to Sunday, Nov. 16.
Guests will discover illuminated artworks, light-based projections, dynamic performances, and more from an acclaimed lineup of global artists. Best of all, the festivities are free to check out.
When: Thursday, Nov. 13, to Sunday, Nov. 16, 2025
Where: Various locations in and around downtown Vancouver
Cost: Free
Metro Vancouver Croissant Crawl
Midnight Croissant (Broye Cafe & Bakery)
What: Running from Nov. 1 to 16, the croissant crawl is a self-guided, limited-edition croissant tour taking place around the region.
This buttery and delicious event highlights some of the most creative and mouthwatering croissant creations from participating vendors, and organizers are excited for foodies to try them all.
When: Nov. 1 to 16
Where: Participating bakeries and cafes across Metro Vancouver
NFL Football at PROLINE Sportsbook Lounge at Parq Casino Grand
What: NFL Football is officially back for the 2025/2026 season, and Parq Casino is doing it up big for NFL Pick’em.
As Vancouver’s premier sports-viewing venue, the PROLINE Sportsbook Lounge is hosting each game on a massive 50-foot screen, complete with surround sound and stadium-style energy. Hang out with friends and other football enthusiasts while cheering for the teams that bring you together.
And of course, no football viewing is complete without epic eats and delicious drinks, which is why, along with the classic Sportsbook Lounge menu, you can enjoy a special NFL brunch menu.
When: Various dates
Time: Various times
Where: PROLINE Sportsbook Lounge at Parq Casino – 39 Smithe St., Vancouver
Cost: Free
Jokers Comedy
What: Jokers Canada is a travelling comedy club that showcases professional stand-ups all over Metro Vancouver. Featuring acclaimed comics that have performed at Just For Laughs and Winnipeg Comedy Festival, on CW and the CBC, and more.
This week, Jokers is bringing the laughs to The Roxy in Vancouver on Tuesday, Nov. 18. Invite your friends and get ready to laugh all night long.
You can also save 35 per cent off your Roxy show tickets by using the promo code DailyHive35.
When: Tuesday, Nov. 18, 2025
Time: 8 p.m.
Where: The Roxy — 932 Granville St., Vancouver
Cost: Various prices, purchase online
Eastside Culture Crawl 2025
Eastside Culture Crawl
What: The 29th 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-medium creators, are expected to welcome tens of thousands of visitors to their studios.
When: Thursday, Nov. 20 to Sunday, Nov. 23, 2025
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
Admission: Free
Vancouver Rise FC vs. Ottawa Rapid FC
What: Vancouver’s newest professional soccer team continues to make history, and fans are ready to cheer them on as they gear up for a pivotal playoff game this month.
Vancouver Rise FC are hosting its first-ever Northern Super League (NSL) playoff match on Tuesday, Nov. 4, at Swangard Stadium. Tickets start at just $21.58 plus fees.
When: Tuesday, Nov. 4, 2025
Time: 7 p.m.
Where: Swangard Stadium – 6100 Boundary Rd., Burnaby
Cost: Starting at just $21.58 plus fees, purchase online
22nd Annual DTES Heart of the City Festival
What: Discover over 100 Heart of the City Festival events at over 40 locations in the Downtown Eastside and online this fall. The 22nd annual event has the theme of “Dignity in Community,” and the events include theatre, dance, storytelling, workshops, exhibits, and more.
When: Friday, Oct. 31 to Saturday, Nov. 8, 2025
Time: Various times
Where: Various venues
Tickets: Various prices, including free events. Purchase online
Bear Creek Lights
Bear Creek Lights/website
What: The City of Surrey will host the 13th annual Bear Creek Lights from Nov. 7 to 21 at one of its most popular green spaces. Invite your friends and family to join you at Bear Creek Park’s one-kilometre garden walking loop.
The dazzling lights are crafted to enhance the natural landscape of one of Surrey’s most popular parks. The illuminated path is designed to be safe and accessible and can be walked at your own pace.
When: Friday, Nov. 7 to Friday, Nov. 21 (closed on Remembrance Day)
Time: 4:30 to 9 p.m. (Friday and Saturday), 4:30 to 8:30 p.m. (Sunday to Thursday),
Where: Bear Creek Park – 13750 88th Ave, Surrey
Tickets: Free; register online. Walk-up guests may be admitted if space is available after pre-registered tickets are sold out.
Bespoke Market
What: Shop for everything at the Bespot Market, from one-of-a-kind ceramic pieces and slow fashion brands to handmade jewelry and curated vintage goodies from over 100 vendors. Plus, wellness brands and artisanal food and beverage purveyors will be in attendance.
When: Friday, Nov. 7 to Sunday, Nov. 9, 2025
Time: Various times
Where: Railway Museum of British Columbia – 39645 Government Rd. Squamish
Tickets: Tickets $7, children 12 and under free. Purchase online
Remembrance Day
Victory Square Cenotaph
Shutterstock
What: Victory Square’s Remembrance Day Service is the oldest continuing annual ceremony in Vancouver, beginning in 1924. This ceremony includes the Last Post, the Lament, the change of the guard, wreath-laying, the parade of veterans, and more to honour our veterans.
When: Tuesday, Nov. 11, 2025
What: 10:30 to 11:30 a.m.
Where: Victory Square — 200 West Hastings St., Vancouver
Coquitlam Remembrance Day Ceremony
What: Coquitlam’s Remembrance Day ceremony and parade is hosted by the Coquitlam Royal Canadian Legion Branch 263 and is open to the public to pay respects.
The parade will start from the Como Lake Middle School at approximately 10:30 a.m. and wind its way along Winslow Street to the Cenotaph on Veterans Way at Blue Mountain Park for a ceremony starting roughly at 11 a.m.
When: Tuesday, Nov. 11, 2025
Time: 10:30 a.m. (parade start), 11 a.m. (ceremony start)
Where: Como Lake Middle School — 1121 King Albert Ave., Coquitlam (parade start), Blue Mountain Park- 975 King Albert Ave., Coquitlam (ceremony)
Remembrance Day at City Hall Cenotaph
What: New Westminster is honouring the service of veterans past and present with a Remembrance Day parade followed by a ceremony at City Hall Cenotaph. There will also be livestreamed coverage beginning at 10:25 a.m. on YouTube.
When: Tuesday, Nov. 11, 2025
Time: 10:15 a.m. parade assembly, 10:25 a.m. ceremony
Where: City Hall Cenotaph — 511 Royal Ave., New Westminster
Richmond Remembrance Day Ceremony
What: The City of Richmond invites those wishing to reflect and remember with the community to an in-person Remembrance Day ceremony at the cenotaph.
A parade will start at 10:20 a.m., and official ceremonies begin at 10:40 a.m. There will be two minutes of silence at 11 a.m., followed by the laying of the wreaths and a Richmond Remembrance Day reception.
What: Tuesday, Nov. 11, 2025
Time: 10:20 a.m. parade start, 10:40 a.m. ceremony begins
Where: East side of Richmond City Hall — 6911 Number 3 Rd., Richmond
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 the contemporary Indigenous Art of the Northwest Coast. 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 check out. Expect to see the latest Hollywood Blockbusters, timeless classics, and more.
When: Various dates
Time: Various times
Where: Various VPL Branches
Cost: Free
Family Saturdays at Chinatown Storytelling Centre
What: Learn about Chinatown’s heritage and culture through hands-on activities during Family Saturdays at the Chinatown Storytelling Centre. The event happens on the third Saturday of each month from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and includes guided tours, prizes, special offers from neighbouring restaurants, and free admission for youth 17 years and under.
When: The third Saturday of each month.
Time: 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. (Centre is open daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.)
Where: 168 East Pender St., Vancouver
Cost: Free for youth 17 and under; guests under 12 must be accompanied by an adult. Admission $10 to $12, purchase online
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
Farmers markets in Metro Vancouver
Downtown Farmers Market
What: The pedestrian-friendly setting of the šxʷƛ̓ənəq Xwtl’e7énḵ Square (Vancouver Art Gallery North Plaza) welcomes visitors to check out more than 25 vendors and farmers every Wednesday afternoon. Shop for produce, artisan goods, and more.
When: Every Wednesday until Dec. 17, 2025
Time: 2 to 6 p.m.
Where: šxʷƛ̓ənəq Xwtl’e7énḵ Square (Vancouver Art Gallery North Plaza) — 750 Hornby St., Vancouver (last four dates will move to South Plaza off Robson Street)
Riley Park Winter Farmers Market
What: Visitors will find over 85 farms and producers and a selection of food and coffee trucks. Shop for fruits and veggies, eggs and dairy, meat, prepared food, craft beverages, craft items, and more.
When: Every Saturday from Nov. 1, 2025, until March 28, 2026
Time: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Where: 50 E 30th Ave. and Ontario Street, Vancouver
Kitsilano Winter Farmers Market
What: Kitsilano Farmers Market takes place on Sundays in the parking lot of the Community Centre 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 from Nov. 2, 2025, until Apr. 26, 2026
Time: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Where: West 10th Avenue and Trafalgar Street, Vancouver
Kwantlen St. Farmers Market
What: The market is proud to highlight produce grown by student farmers in Kwantlen Polytechnic University’s Sustainable Agriculture and Farm Schools in Richmond and Delta. The students learn ecologically sensitive agriculture practices.
When: Every Tuesday until Dec. 9, 2025
Time: 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Where: Minoru Plaza in front of Richmond Library and Cultural Centre — 7700 Minoru Gate, Richmond
Fort Langley Village Farmers Market
What: Shop for fresh groceries (fresh foods picked from local farmers’ fields in the Fraser and Okanagan Valleys), along with plants, flowers, and other artisan goods, at this weekly market in Fort Langley.
When: Every Saturday until Dec. 6, 2025
Time: 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Where: St. Andrews Historic Church — 9025 Glover Rd., Fort Langley