15 fun things to do in Vancouver this long weekend: Oct. 10 to 13
The Thanksgiving long weekend is upon us, and there’s so much to see and do!
Make the most of your time with our roundup of 15 fantastic things to do around Metro Vancouver from Oct. 10 to 13. HowlOver Canada, Shawn Mendes, and more.
Be sure to check out our Listed section for more fantastic things happening around town.
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HowlOver Canada
FlyOver
What: Immersive flight ride attraction FlyOver is transforming into HowlOver Canada from Oct. 9 to 31. During the Halloween experience, passengers will meet Biker Mama the Witch and her band of spooky sidekicks before taking off on a flight through the night sky. The annual event also includes an original eerie pre-show and lots of chilling decorations.
When: Thursday, Oct. 9 to Friday, Oct. 31, 2025
Time: 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. (Monday to Thursday), 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. (Friday to Sunday, plus Thanksgiving Monday)
Where: Canada Place Pier – 999 Canada Pl., Vancouver
Tickets: Various, purchase online
Vancouver International Film Festival 2025
What: Grab the popcorn and don’t forget the butter because the Vancouver International Film Festival is back on screens around the city until Sunday, Oct. 12.
Movie lovers will discover 170 features and 100 shorts from around the world at the festival’s 44th edition. The festival will also include insightful talkbacks, conferences, live performances, and other special events.
When: Now until Sunday, Oct. 12, 2025
Time: Various times
Where: Various locations
Tickets: Single tickets are $21 for regular screenings, with ticket packs and festival passes also available. VIFF+ Members receive discounts on all VIFF tickets, and the free U25 membership offers additional discounts to those between the ages of 19 and 25. Purchase online
The Oddities & Curiosities Expo
What: The Oddities and Curiosities Expo, a one-of-a-kind showcase of the bizarre, makes its Vancouver debut this weekend. Hundreds of oddity vendors and artists will come together at the convention centre for a weekend of spooky shopping, photo opportunities, workshops, sideshow acts, tarot readings, and more.
When: Saturday, Oct. 11 and Sunday, Oct. 12, 2025
Time: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. (Saturday), 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. (Sunday)
Where: Vancouver Convention Centre – 1055 Canada Pl., Vancouver
Tickets: $20 plus fees, purchase online
Discover the hot new restaurants and bars in and around Vancouver
@jeonyvr/Instagram
What: Vancouver is home to plenty of new and exciting places to eat, but with so many opening all over the place, it can be hard to keep track of everything.
That’s why we’ve compiled this list of newly opened restaurants to jog your memory.
From Japanese-Mexican fusion to a cafe inspired by the South of France, these are some of the hottest new restaurants and bars you can check out in Vancouver today.
When: Various days of operation
Time: Various hours of operation
Where: Various restaurants across Vancouver. See the list online.
Forbidden Vancouver’s Lost Souls of Gastown Tour
What: Follow the lamplight and discover Vancouver’s gruesome, tragic history on the Lost Souls of Gastown Tour. Now in its 14th 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. 1, 2025
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: From $33 for adults and $30 for students and seniors. Purchase online
I Know What You Did Last Weekend at The Improv Centre
What: I Know What You Did Last Weekend is a blend of ’90s teen slasher films with the spontaneity of live improv comedy. The show begins with a murder based on suggestions from the audience and then dives into a world of secrets, betrayals and laughs.
When: Every Friday and Saturday until Nov. 1, 2025. Additional shows on Thursday, Oct. 23 and Thursday, Oct. 30 at 7:30 p.m.
Time: 7:30 p.m.
Where: The Improv Centre – 1502 Duranleau St., Vancouver
Cost: Various, purchase online
Mount Pleasant Farmers Market
Vancouver Farmers Market
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 Oct. 26, 2025
Time: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Where: Dude Chilling Park — 2300 Guelph St., Vancouver
Rangtaali Dandiya Night 2025
What: PTdance Company hosts a community Navratri celebration filled with Garba and Dandiya dance. Guests will enjoy thrilling dance performances, traditional Gujarati Garba, and Bollywood beats. Dancers of all skill levels are welcome.
When: Saturday, Oct. 11, 2025
Time: 6:30 to 9:30 p.m.
Where: Port Coquitlam Community Centre (Mabbett Hall) — 2150 Wilson Ave., Port Coquitlam
Tickets: $20 regular. Free for kids under 10. Free underground parking.
Shawn Mendes
What: Canadian superstar Shawn Mendes is on the road for his Europe and North America tour, and he’s bringing the party to Vancouver.
Mendes has eight Juno Awards and three Grammy nominations under his belt, as well as won 13 SOCAN awards and 10 MTV Europe Music Awards. In 2018, he was named one of Time‘s 100 most influential people in the world and also provided the singing voice of the title character in the film Lyle, Lyle, Crocodile.
When: Sunday, Oct. 12, 2025
Time: 7:30 p.m.
Where: Rogers Arena – 800 Griffiths Way, Vancouver
Cost: Various prices. Purchase tickets online
Bear Creek Park Halloween Train
Bear Creek Park Trains/bctrains.com
What: Bear Creek Park Train presents its annual Pumpkin Train and Halloween Scream Train in Surrey throughout October. Whichever ride you choose, you’ll climb aboard Eddy the Engine for a spooky and delightful trip at one of the city’s most popular parks.
The little ones are invited on the daytime Pumpkin Train, while those looking for more frights can climb aboard the evening Halloween Scream Train. But beware: don’t let Chainsaw Charlie get you!
When: Friday, Oct. 10 to Sunday, Nov. 2, 2025
Time: Pumpkin Train from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Scream Train from 6 to 10 p.m.
Where: Bear Creek Park & Mini Golf – 13750 88th Ave., Surrey
Price: $12 for daytime trains; children two and under are free. $17.50 for evening trains, recommended for ages 12 and up.
Fish-n-Sips: Oktoberfest Edition
What: Get ready to say “Prost!” because Fish-n-Sips: Oktoberfest Edition takes place on Friday, Oct. 10, and the aquarium will be transformed into an adults-only, after-hours celebration — minus the daytime crowds.
Expect live music from local legends Side One, and get ready to hit the dance floor while deep-sea creatures drift by in the background.
When you need to refuel, you can enjoy a delicious bratwurst and pretzel combo, paired with a local craft beer (or two, or three). Just don’t forget to grab your bar tickets at the entrance before heading to the bar.
When: Friday, Oct. 10, 2025
Time: 7 p.m.
Where: 845 Avison Way
Cost: $35 — Available online
Fort Langley Cranberry Festival
What: A Thanksgiving tradition that has spanned three decades is making its highly anticipated return to Fort Langley this fall.
When: Saturday, Oct. 11, 2025
Time: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Where: Fort Langley Village
Admission: Free
Animation Adventure with Molly of Denali
photoK-jp/Shutterstock
What: Science World’s Creative Technology Gallery has launched the new interactive exhibition, Animation Adventure with Molly of Denali.
Based on the Peabody Award-winning PBS Kids show, the exhibit will celebrate Indigenous representation in STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art & Design, and Math) fields as well as spotlight B.C.’s creative technology sector.
All ages are invited to go on a hands-on journey, become animators and storyboard their own scenes, and discover a 360-degree projection of the northern lights.
Opening: Friday, Oct. 10, 2025
Where: Science World – 1455 Quebec St., Vancouver
Admission: Included with Science World admission, purchase online
The World of Hans Zimmer
What: The award-winning composer behind some of the world’s most iconic movie soundtracks is coming to Vancouver for a live performance this month. Get ready to enjoy Zimmer’s brand-new arrangement of his diverse collection of scores, conducted by Matt Dunkley and synchronized with thrilling film sequences.
When: Saturday, Oct. 11, 2025
Time: 7:30 p.m.
Where: Pacific Coliseum — 100 N. Renfrew St., Vancouver
Tickets: Various prices, purchase online
OFF-VIFF 2025
What: Stupid Co and the Rio Theatre present the second annual OFF-VIFF, described as a platform for the underground. Catch the North American premiere of James, the royal return of King Baby, the Vancouver premiere of Strange Journey: The Story of Rocky Horror, and more.
When: Monday, Oct. 13, 2025
Where: The Rio Theatre – 1660 E. Broadway, Vancouver
Tickets: Full-day badges cost $33 and single film tickets cost $16. Purchase 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.
Trick-or-treat your way through each Bat House in the signature scavenger hunt, or, if creepy-crawly creatures are more your style, brace yourself for a 4D adventure that brings rainforest insects to life on the big screen — it’s sure to be a whole lot of squirm-worthy fun.
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 daily starting Oct. 18.
When: Now until Friday, Oct. 31, 2025
Time: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Where: Vancouver Aquarium — 854 Avison Way
Cost: $39.95 to $55.20 for adult admission, $80 for adult annual membership
Plus here’s an event happening next week that you need to get on your radar!
Oakridge Park presents The Autumn Palette
What: This fall, Oakridge Park presents The Autumn Palette – a six-week pop-up at the Oakridge Park Gallery celebrating Beauty and Fashion.
Enjoy a personalized Colour Analysis by Nu’An Colour, a Styling Session with celebrity stylist Michelle Addison using Oakridge Park’s AI-powered mirror, and an indulgent Dior Beauty experience featuring a hand massage, skincare consultation, and a full-size Dior Lip Glow Butter with a custom charm to personalize it.
Discover your colours, refine your style, and embrace a touch of luxury this season. Limited tickets are available via the Oakridge Park website or through the link on their Instagram bio.
When: Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays from Oct. 16 to Nov. 20, 2025
Time: By appointment between 12 and 5 p.m.
Where: Oakridge Park Gallery – 1067 W. Cordova St., Vancouver,
Cost: $95, which gives guests full access to both the Beauty and Fashion activations. Purchase online