34 things to do in Vancouver this weekend: October 11 to 14

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Happy Thanksgiving, everyone! Make the most of your long weekend with these 34 things to do in Vancouver on Friday, October 11, Saturday, October 12, Sunday, October 13 and Monday, October 14. Jonas Brothers, , Fort Langley Cranberry Festival, and more.

And for more things happening around town be sure to check out our events section.

Friday, October 11

Jonas Brothers

What: For the first time in nearly a decade, the Jonas Brothers are hitting the road and will be making a stop in Vancouver’s Pepsi Live at Rogers Arena on their Happiness Begins Tour. Featuring special guests Bebe Rexha and Jordan McGraw.

When: October 11, 2019
Time: Doors open at 6 pm, show starts at 7 pm
Where: Pepsi Live at Rogers Arena — 800 Griffiths Way, Vancouver
Tickets: Online

Vancouver International Film Festival 2019

What: VIFF features over 320 films and events, and welcomes about approximately 400 industry professionals from around the globe to Vancouver. The festival also showcases the biggest Canadian film program in the world and some of the best in cinematography from British Columbia, including films in the Sea to Sky programming stream presented by TELUS.

The films and documentaries shown throughout the festival will celebrate a myriad of voices, stories, and perspectives stemming from the people within BC.

When: Now until October 11, 2019
Time: Various times
Where: Various venues
Ticket Packs and Passes: Online

Oktoberfest “Das Original” at the Vancouver Alpen Club

What: Head to Vancouver Alpen Club for Oktoberfest “Das Original.” There will be German food, beer, and live music to enjoy on three weekends.

When: October 11 and 12; October 18 and 19, 2019
Time: 8 pm
Where: Vancouver Alpen Club – 4875 Victoria Drive, Vancouver
Price: $35; buy online

The Collective

What: Head to Grouse Mountain to watch Faction’s latest feature-length ski film, The Collective, celebrating all types of skiing expression. Screenings are free, though a valid mountain admission ticket or annual pass is required for Grouse Mountain.

When: October 11, 12 and 13, 2019
Time: 7 to 8 pm (Friday), 3 to 4 pm (Saturday and Sunday)
Where: Grouse Mountain – Theatre In The Sky
Admission: Free, must have though a valid mountain admission ticket or annual pass

Weapon of Choice: Surviving the Zombie Apocalypse

What: This exhibit transports you to a world where the the zombie apocalypse has descended upon the city of Vancouver and you and your friends are trapped in The Vancouver Police Museum.

Luckily, this museum has a large weapons collection, and to defend yourself against the zombies, you need to select a weapon from those in the museum’s collection. Peruse the available guns, bats and blow darts and make your choice. However, attendees are advised to choose wisely, as “not all weapons guarantee your survival,” according to the museum.

When: Tuesdays to Saturdays until the end of October 2019
Time: 9 am to 5 pm
Where: Vancouver Police Museum – 240 E Cordova St, Vancouver
Admission: $12 Adult; $10 Student/Senior (ID required); $8 Youth (6 – 18 years old); $30 Family (2 youth & 2 adults)

Drive-In Cinema Under The Stars

What: Taking place over four consecutive weekends, Drive-In Cinema Under The Stars will be held in the parking lot of the Sea to Sky Gondola. Presented by by the Sea to Sky Gondola and Tourism Squamish, the selection of films will a mix of new and old, with appeal for the whole family.

All the movies begin at 7 pm, and organizers suggest that people arrive between an hour-and-a-half and two hours before the movie starts. The earliest that vehicles will be allowed to park is 4 pm, and spaces are available first-come, first-served. Parking closes 30 minutes before screening (6:30pm).

When: October 11 and 12, October 18 and 19, October 25 and 26, 2019
Time: 7 pm
Where: Sea-to-Sky Gondola parking lot – Sqaumish
Tickets: $20 per vehicle

Stanley Park Ghost Train

What: This year’s theme is Alice in Nightmareland, where Stanley Park Ghost Train riders will follow Alice and the Not-So-White Rabbit into a gothic nightmare world full of spooks and scares. All ages are welcome to the family event, with activities in the plaza and farmyard including crafts and movies, exhibits, and a pumpkin patch. There is also a less scary daytime train ride through the forest to see Stanley Park’s Halloween displays, without live performers. Donations to the Greater Vancouver Food Bank Society will also be accepted.

When: October 11 to October 31, 2019
Time: Various times
Where: Stanley Park, Vancouver
Tickets: On TicketLeader. Free parking on site.

Saturday, October 12

Matty Matheson – Happy Vulnerable Tasty Sadness Happy Tour

What: Canadian chef and internet sensation Matty Matheson is coming to Vancouver as part of his highly anticipated “Happy Vulnerable Tasty Sadness Happy Tour.” The TV chef’s show, Dead Set on Life, was one of the first original series on VICELAND in 2016. Since then, Matheson’s skills have made him famous, amassing a following of more than 500K on Instagram.

In late 2018, he released Matty Matheson: A Cookbook through the American publisher, Abrams. The cookbook, which features stories, family recipes, and more, quickly became a New York Times bestseller, and the chef has even signed on to release a second cookbook in late 2020.

When: October 12, 2019
Time: Doors 1 pm, show 2 pm
Where: Commodore Ballroom — 868 Granville Street
Tickets: Starting at $27.50 (including GST) — Tickets available via Ticketmaster

2nd Annual Spooktacular Halloween Market

What: The Spooktacular Halloween Market features many activities for the whole family, including 30 handmade artisans, zombie cafe, face painting, Harry Potter Bounce Castle, and more. Attendees will get to meet Jasmine and Aladdin from 11 am to 12 noon, Captain Marvel from 12 to 1 pm, as well as Groot and other characters throughout the event.

When: October 12, 2019
Time: 10 am to 4 pm
Where: Sullivan Community Hall – 6306 152 St., Surrey
Admission: By donation to the Surrey Memorial Hospital Oncology Unit

Cranberry Sale

What: Purchase fresh cranberries at Richmond Nature Park Society’s annual cranberry sale. Proceeds support the park’s educational and public programs.

When: October 12, 2019
Time: 10 am to 3 pm
Where: Richmond Nature Park – 11851 Westminster Hwy, Richmond
Admission: By donation, berries are market price

No Foreigners

What: A multi-media performance that contemplates on North American Chinese shopping malls as spaces of cultural clash and creation. Combining text, miniatures, digital backdrops and live cameras, No Foreigners explores the evolving relationships to these social spaces and the characters, histories, ephemera and experiences that keep people coming back.

When: Now until October 12, 2019
Time: 8 pm
Where: Shadbolt Centre for the Arts – 6450 Deer Lake Avenue, Burnaby
Tickets: Online

TRANSFORM: A Cabaret Festival

What: The Cultch, in collaboration with Urban Ink, presents the first TRANSFORM: A Cabaret Festival. Over 50 Indigenous and non-indigenous performers from Vancouver and around the world will perform over nine days. Acts include burlesque, comedy, music, drag, and more. Curated by Corey Payette and Heather Redfern.

When: Now until October 12, 2019
Time: Various times
Where: The Cultch Historic Theatre – 1895 Venables St., Vancouver; York Theatre – 639 Commercial Dr., Vancouver; Vancity Culture Lab – 1895 Venables St., Vancouver
Tickets: Online

Fall Harvest Marketplace

What: The second annual Fall Harvest Marketplace features over 50 local vendors specializing in handmade creations.

When: October 12, 2019
Time: 10 am to 4 pm
Where: Civic Centre Galleria – 100 Newport Drive Port Moody
Admission: $2, children 12 and under get in free

Phantom Signal Season 5

What: Phantom Signal kicks off a new season of old-timey-radio-horror-comedy performed live by Jayson McDonald, Andrew Bailey, Tara Travis, Mark Haney, and special guests.

When: October 12, 2019
Time: 8 pm
Where: Little Mountain Gallery – 195 East 26th Avenue, Vancouver
Tickets: At the door, $10

Fort Langley Cranberry Festival

What: The day-long event includes food, kids activities, entertainment, contests, over 70 vendors, and, of course, fresh cranberries. And while the festival officially starts at 10 am, early-risers can enjoy a pancake breakfast at 8:30 am.

When: October 12, 2019
Time: 10 am to 4 pm
Where: 9167 Glover Rd – Fort Langley
Admission: Free

Cost Of Living

What: A 2018 Pulitzer Prize-winning play about relationships and living with physical disabilities, and filled with surprise humour. The play tells the story of a wealthy student being cared for by a young down-on-her-luck woman, and a man who rebuilds an old connection by providing assistance to his ex-wife.

When: Tuesdays to Sundays until November 3, 2019
Time: Various times
Where: Goldcorp Stage at the BMO Theatre Centre – 203 – 162 West 1st Avenue, Vancouver
Tickets: Online

Nature Walk with Cannabis 

What: Join cannabis consultant Mary J for a guided nature walk to learn how you can microdose cannabis to heighten your senses, reconnect with nature, and turn that grimace into a grin. This event is also taking place on October 26 at the same time and location.

When: October 12 and October 26, 2019
Time: 3 to 5 pm
Where: Lost Lagoon – Alberni and Chilco
Tickets: Available online  for $60

Sunday, October 13

Arc’teryx Factory Seconds & Sample Sale

What: From Friday, October 11 to Monday, October 14, the annual Arc’teryx Factory Seconds & Sample Sale will be taking over Exhibition Hall B in the Convention Centre East Building for four days of can’t-miss discounts.

The sale will be your chance to score bargain deals on quality products, including up to 70% off premium outdoor apparel and equipment. On Sunday, October 13 and Monday, October 14 shoppers will even get an additional 10% off the last ticketed price at the Thanksgiving sale!

When: October 11 to October 14, 2019
Time: 9 am to 9 pm (Friday), 10 am to 7 pm (Saturday and Sunday), 11 am to 3 pm (Monday)
Where: Convention Centre East Building, Exhibition Hall B – 999 Canada Place
Admission: Free

Vancouver Halloween Expo and Parade

What: The 6th annual Vancouver Halloween Parade and Expo is a festival inspired by comics, anime, video games and mythologies from various cultures. Attracting more than 100,000 spectators, the parade fills downtown Vancouver with floats, cosplay, marching bands, and special effects.

When: October 11 to 13, 2019
Time: Various times, parade starts at 11 am on Sunday
Where: UBC Robson Square and Art Gallery North Plaza. Parade starts at Howe and Drake and ends at Granville and Drake
Tickets: Online, parade is free to watch

John Fogerty

What: An Evening with John Fogerty: My 50 Year Trip is a celebration of the 50th Anniversary of the rocker’s songbook. The concert by the Creedence Clearwater Revival co-founded also spotlights the original Acme guitar and amp used at Woodstock.

When: October 13, 2019
Time: Doors 7 pm, show 8 pm
Where: Rogers Arena – 800 Griffiths Way, Vancouver
Tickets: Online

The Coquettish Diva

What: The Coquettish Diva narrates the life of renowned Cantonese Opera Actress, Hong Xian Nu, and celebrates her tireless pursuit of the arts. The play stars Su Chun Mei, the desciple of Hong Xian Nu and the lead actress of the Guangzhou Hong Dou Cantonese Opera Troupe and Shenzhen Cantonese Opera Troupe.

When: October 13, 2019
Time: 8 pm
Where: River Rock Casino – 8811 River Rd, Richmond, Richmond
Tickets: Online

Antony & Cleopatra

What: Studio 58 at Langara College presents Shakespeare’s Antony & Cleopatra as the first show of the season. Directed by Cameron Mackenzie.

When: Now to October 13, 2019
Time: Various times
Where: Studio 58 at Langara College – 100 W 49th Ave, Vancouver
Tickets: Online

​Scales, Talons, and Claws

What: ​Look for salmon navigating home to spawn as well as the animals that catch them on their travels. Learn about these creatures and how to keep them wild and safe. Presented with Kanaka Education & Environmental Partnership Society, drop by anytime.

When: October 13, October 27, November 3, 2019
Time: 11 am to 3 pm
Where: Kanaka Creek Regional Park – meet at fish fence – 23900 Kanaka Creek Rd, Maple Ridge
Admission: Free

Granville Island Turkey Trot

What: The Granville Island Turkey Trot occurs annually over Thanksgiving weekend, with a Kids Run and Expo on Sunday, and a seawall 10 KM race followed by food, prizes, music and awards on Monday.

When: October 13 and October 14, 2019
Time: Various times
Where: Granville Island
Register: Online

A Thousand Splendid Suns

What: A Thousand Splendid Suns by Ursula Rani Sarma is based on the book by Khaled Hosseini. Set in war-torn Afghanistan, A Thousand Splendid Suns tells the story of the unlikely but extraordinary friendship of Laila and Mariam.

When: Tuesdays to Sundays until October 13, 2019
Time: Various times
Where: Stanley Industrial Alliance Stage – 2750 Granville Street, Vancouver
Tickets: Online

Vallea Lumina

What: Vallea Lumina the interactive experience is presented by Montreal-based entertainment studio, Moment Factory and Whistler’s very own “The Adventure Group.” Through the use of emotive lights, video, soundscape, and scenography, guests are “transported” to another world with opportunities to touch, play, and explore their new environment.

When: Now until October 13, 2019
Time: Shows begin at sundown
Where: Cougar Mountain, free shuttles from Whistler Village
Tickets: Online, Adults: $39.99, Kids $34.99

Reapers Haunted Attraction 2019

What: Reapers Haunted Attraction features a haunted house and actors walking the grounds. The main attraction is a 22,000-sq-ft maze of terror with little to no light. Take on the chainsaw massacre experience, complete with real chainsaws.

When: Nightly until October 31, 2019
Time: Various hours. Click here for more
Where: 9423 Gibson Road, Chilliwack
Tickets: $11 for each attraction or $20 for both. Patrons get $1 off with a non-perishable food item.

Monday, October 14

Harvestland

What: Harvest Haus is partnering with the Pacific National Exhibition (PNE) to launch the largest harvest celebration in Canada: Harvestland. Visitors can expect rides, attractions, food, and entertainers, as well as the return of the original Harvest Haus – the 19+, high-energy Oktoberfest party.

Harvestland will boast dozens of attractions, including tractor rides, logger sports showcases, pumpkin carving, and theatrical entertainers. Guests can also explore the colourful Bavarian Village, a Woodland Labyrinth, and the interactive Kinder Farm.

When: Now until October 20, 2019. Closed October 15.
Time: 4 to 10 pm (Monday, Wednesday and Thursdays), 12 to 10 pm (Fridays to Sundays)
Where: Hastings Park – 2901 East Hastings Street, Vancouver
Tickets: Online

Richmond Night Market

What: This wildly popular event is gearing up for another season filled with epic eats and live entertainment. There will be over 100 food vendors and 200 retail stalls this year.

When: Now until October 14, 2019. Open Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays and stat holidays
Time: 7 pm to 12 am (open to 11 pm on Sundays after September 2 and stat holidays)
Where: 8351 River Road, Richmond (near Bridgeport Station)
Admission: General admission $4.75; children (under eight years) and seniors (60+ years) free

Transits and Returns at Vancouver Art Gallery

What: Transits and Returns is Vancouver Art Gallery’s newest exhibition, and showcases artists local First Nations artists and those from communities throughout the Pacific region. Transits and Returns explores wide-ranging experiences that are inclusive of both global connections and ancestral knowledges.

Participating artists include Edith Amituanai, Christopher Ando, Natalie Ball, BC Collective with Louisa Afoa, Drew Kahuʻāina Broderick with Nāpali Aluli Souza, Hannah Brontë, Elisa Jane Carmichael, Mariquita Davis, Chantal Fraser, Maureen Gruben, Bracken Hanuse Corlett, Taloi Havini, Lisa Hilli, Carol McGregor, Marianne Nicolson, Ahilapalapa Rands, Debra Sparrow and T’uy’t’tanat Cease Wyss.

When: Now until February 23, 2020
Time: Daily 10 am to 5 pm, Tuesdays until 9 pm, and the first Friday of each month until 9 pm
Where: Vancouver Art Gallery – 750 Hornby St, Vancouver
Tickets: Online

CommuniTEAtime: Tea with Richmond Neighbours

What: Enjoy tea with fellow Richmond residents on Thanksgiving Monday. There will be conversations, tea, light snacks, and the making of new friends.

When: October 14, 2019
Time: 1 to 3 pm
Where: City Centre Community Centre – 5900 Minoru Blvd, Richmond
Admission: Free, reserve online

Thanksgiving Toonie Skate

What: Enjoy ice skating and family-friendly activities on Thanksgiving Monday at Kensington Recreation Complex.

When: October 14, 2019
Time: 11:30 am to 3 pm
Where: Kensington Recreation Complex – 6159 Curtis Street, Burnaby, BC
Admission: $2, skates and helmet included

Pitch Black at Maan Farms

What: In annual Halloween fashion, Maan Farms is back with its 5th annual Fall Festival, including its beloved haunted corn maze, self-dubbed as “the scariest corn maze in Canada.” This October, those who are brave enough are invited to venture out and check out Pitch Black. Organizers describe it as a multi-sensory experience where darkness (literally) comes to grab you.

Upon entry, all guests are given the choice to simply explore the darkness or to truly interact with what awaits inside. Those who pick the latter can be grabbed, held back, sent into hidden passageways, and even separated from the rest of their group.

When: Select nights until November 2, 2019
Time: Hours of operation vary based on date
Where: Maan Farms — 790 McKenzie Road, Abbotsford
Tickets: Available online, starting at $40

Ruel

What: Australian singer-songwriter Ruel brings his Free Time World Tour to Vancouver with special guest Destiny Rogers.

When: October 14, 2019
Times: Doors 7 pm
Where: Biltmore – 395 Kingsway, Vancouver
Tickets: Online