October’s best events

With summer still in the rearview mirror, it often seems like October arrives too quickly. While some people relish this cozy month filled with syrupy pumpkin spice-flavoured drinks, crunchy leaves, and reruns of Gilmore Girls, plenty of public events and activities are available for those who require extra inspiration. Here are some of the best things happening in the Lower Mainland this month: 


1. The UBC Apple Festival
October 14th and 15th, 2023 at the UBC Botanical Garden

While the UBC Apple Festival may be a celebration of just one fruit, but you’ll be amazed by its diversity of flavour. While this festival is a market where you can purchase bagged apples and drink warm cider, it’s also a tasting event. Wander amongst the stalls as you taste rare and unusual varieties of this beloved fruit. This event has been running for thirty-two years and tickets often sell out quickly. On a clear day, a trip to the Apple Festival is best paired with a stroll through the garden where the event is held or a walk along the neighbouring Wreck Beach. 


2. The Vancouver Winter Extreme Ski & Snowboard Swap
October 14th and 15th, 2023 at the PNE Forum

The Canadian Ski Patrol is a non-profit charitable organization that provides volunteer first aid and rescue services to the ski industry and other outdoor events. In an effort to raise funds for its various initiatives, each year the Ski Patrol hosts a massive ski swap where local residents can sell or purchase lightly-used winter sports gear. Whether you spend every winter weekend skiing Whistler and Blackcomb, or you’re looking to spend a few leisurely afternoons at a local mountain, this ski swap is a more cost-effective and environmentally-friendly way to outfit your family for a season of fun in the snow.

Alternatively, Whistler Blackcomb hosts its legendary Turkey Sale that same week, where a variety of participating stores and outlets offer equipment at generous discounts. 


3. Artisan Farmers Markets
Saturdays in Burnaby and Lonsdale until October 28th, 2023
Sundays in Ambleside until October 29th, 2023

There’s something about a farmers market that is especially charming in the fall. While you’ll no longer find stands filled with late summer’s sun-ripened tomatoes and juicy cherries, there will be a bounty of nourishing seasonal produce to haul home to your kitchen. If parsnips, cabbage, beets and carrots don’t inspire you to conjure up rich, hearty stews, you can grab a cup of hot cocoa while shopping for hand-made goods to brighten your home. 


4. Fall at Maan Farms
All October in Abbotsford

There’s something about crunchy leaves and crisp weather that necessitates a trip to the Fraser Valley, and while there are plenty of pumpkin patches to choose from, Maan Farms’ month-long programme strikes all the right chords. Daytime attractions like barnyard animals, tractor fields, and a zipline course will excite younger family members, while older guests might prefer to visit in the evening for scary movie trivia night or a chance to escape to the haunted corn maze. Whichever time you choose to visit, buy tickets early and come hungry— there will be plenty of pumpkin-flavoured treats to go around. 


5. The Chinese Canadian Museum
Rainy Saturday afternoons are the perfect time to learn more about our city’s rich cultural history, and what better way to do so than with a trip to the Chinese Canadian Museum. Newly housed in the historic Wing Sang Building in Chinatown, which also happens to be rennie’s former home, this museum honours the history, contributions, and heritage of Chinese Canadians while amplifying local voices and engaging with diverse communities. Its first exhibition, The Paper Trail to the 1923 Chinese Exclusion Act, runs until July 2024. 

With Thanksgiving and Halloween bookending this cozy month, October is all about connecting with loved ones and settling into the season ahead. This handful of events barely scratches the surface of what Vancouver and its surrounding areas have. If you’re looking for a home in a community-driven neighbourhood, our rennie advisors are true local experts who can help you find your perfect match.