Fall might be Vancouver’s best-kept secret. The summer crowds thin out, hotel prices drop, and the mountains, parks and river valleys turn red and gold. The colour window runs from mid-October through early November, so there’s still plenty of time to plan. Here are seven ways to make the most of it.
1. See the Fall Colours from a Helicopter
If you only do one thing this season, make it this. A helicopter ride with SKY Helicopters shows you the Fraser Valley and the Coast Mountains in full autumn colour, with a view you can’t get from a trail or a car.
SKY flies from its hangar at Pitt Meadows Airport, close to the backcountry, and also offers downtown Vancouver departures. A few options:
- Discovery Flight ($129 adult): a 20 km loop over the Fraser River and its bridges, ideal for first-timers.
- Vancouver City Helicopter Tour ($385 adult): the skyline, the coastline and the landmarks from above.
- Coast Mountain Landing Tour ($455 adult): a flight that includes a 15-minute landing in the backcountry.
Book early, since availability is best when you plan ahead, and remember that flights depend on the weather. Aim for a clear day in mid to late October.
2. Catch a Film at VIFF
The Vancouver International Film Festival runs from October 1 to October 11, 2026. It’s a good excuse to spend a rainy evening in a theatre and see something you won’t find at the multiplex.
3. Get Spooked at PNE Fright Night
Vancouver’s largest amusement park dresses up for Halloween, with the event typically running from early October to Halloween night and operating only Friday to Sunday in the first half of the month. It’s aimed more at young adults than kids.
4. Celebrate the Season at VanDusen’s Harvest Days
VanDusen Botanical Garden’s Harvest Days runs on weekends from September 26 to October 18, including Thanksgiving Monday, October 12. From 10:30am to 4:30pm you’ll find live bluegrass and folk music, face painting, lawn games, crafts, food trucks and a Discovery Tent with hands-on activities. Stroll the Sculpture Stroll and the garden’s autumn colours, from sugar maples to ginkgo trees. It’s included with regular garden admission ($13.27 for adults online, before tax and fees) and runs rain or shine.
5. Celebrate Halloween Around the City
Beyond the PNE, Halloween has plenty of options. Canyon Frights at Capilano Suspension Bridge Park runs October 9 to November 1, with pumpkins, spooky displays, photo ops and live performances among the treetops. On Saturday, October 31, the Cirque Costume Ball takes over Science World from 9pm to 2am, with live cirque performances, spooky décor and some of the city’s top DJs. It’s Vancouver’s longest-running licensed Halloween party.
6. Escape to Whistler for Cornucopia
Whistler Cornucopia is Whistler’s signature fall festival of food and drink, held every November. It works as a day trip or a weekend away, and the mountain village looks its best this time of year.
7. Get Lost in the Magic of Fall at Taves Family Farms
An hour from Vancouver in Abbotsford, Taves Family Farms turns fall into a storybook until October 31. Wander the Magical Pumpkin Garden, ride a hayride to the pumpkin patch and its princess carriage, get lost in the corn mazes and pick your own apples. Finish with a cider or cocktail (alcoholic or not) at Taves Estate Cidery, where the alpacas and goats are waiting. Buy tickets online at least 24 hours ahead to save $3 per ticket.
Final Tips
October is the month to make the most of this list. Nearly everything here happens in October, and the fall colours peak from mid-October into early November. Thanksgiving weekend (October 10 to 12) is a natural time to plan a getaway, but it’s also busy, so book the helicopter tour and any timed tickets early. The rain starts returning in October, so pack a jacket and keep an indoor backup like VIFF (October 1 to 11) in mind. Dates and schedules can change, so check each event’s official website before you go.
Get out there and enjoy the season.