10 Things to Do in Vancouver in Fall

Canadian autumn is a special, colourful and pleasant season. It runs from September to November and temperatures usually range from 6° to 17°. During these months there are many events in Vancouver, so you won't be bored. Of course, people look forward to October so they can dress up in costumes and enjoy the spooky Halloween activities.

If you're travelling with the family, there are plans for all ages. You can delight in the autumn blooms in different open spaces around the city, or take an old-fashioned carriage ride through Stanley Park. Thanksgiving, Day of the Dead and Latin American Heritage Month are also celebrated during this time of year. Additionally, among the best things to do in Vancouver during this season is to visit a cranberry vineyard, a different and interesting plan that will insert you in a gastronomic experience. Here are the plans you can't miss!

The Mid-Autumn Moon Festival is a celebration of Asian countries, specifically China, Korea, Vietnam and Japan. It's a cultural experience where you'll find demonstrations from each country, live music, traditional food, traditional dances and more. It is celebrated during this season, as it aligns with the eighth full moon of the year.

It's usually held at Vancouver's Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden, so I recommend adding it to your itinerary and buying tickets in advance. Additionally, there are harvest rituals that worship the moon and many events revolve around the autumnal equinox. Also, if you're looking for things to do in Vancouver at night, the parks host legend nights, lantern lightings and craft workshops.

Stanley Park is an iconic park, where you can see the autumn bloom. For this reason, many people choose to enjoy a carriage ride. It's an experience that will take you back in time, as the rides are like something out of a period movie and pass by various landmarks.

You can also take advantage of your visit to check out the totem pole park. The totem poles are sacred objects of indigenous art, belonging to the first Canadian tribes. Finally, another option I can recommend is to book a bike tour of Vancouver, so you can ride around the park at your own pace and take the time to see other parts of the city.

October is the month of terror in Vancouver, with Halloween-themed activities taking place in the autumn, so the pumpkins look beautiful amongst the dry, orange leaves. The event takes place in autumn, so the pumpkins look beautiful amongst the dry, orange leaves - here are the best things to do this season!

Go for spooky nights at the Pacific National Exposition

The Pacific National Exhibition reinvents itself every year to scare you into having a great Halloween in Vancouver. It offers events and activities throughout the month of October, including haunted houses, family attractions and scare rides. In fact, visiting this location is a great option all year round as they offer things to do in winter and Christmas.

It's a traditional event, as it's one of the oldest in the city. Here you'll find things to do in Vancouver at night, as Fright Nights are usually held here. You'll be taken on a terrifying ride, where every spooky decoration brings out the best of Halloween.

Fly over Vancouver on a scary ride at FlyOver Canada

FlyOver Canada offers scary decorations and a Halloween-themed flight simulation. Specifically, it's called HowlOver and transforms the country's most iconic locations into an interactive horror movie. I recommend buying tickets in advance, as demand is usually high at this time of year.

You can enjoy this attraction until 31 October, but keep in mind that each year the theme is different. It usually involves witches, dancing skeletons and scenery with smells, sounds and special effects.

Stop by a pumpkin patch, haunted mazes and haunted boxes

Pumpkin patches are a Halloween classic and match the colours of autumn. There are usually light displays and pumpkin competitions. Most are located on surrounding farms, a great option is Abbotsford Farm 50 minutes from downtown. You'll also find haunted corn mazes at the farms, where they organise fun and scary games.

On the other hand, there is no shortage of haunted houses in Vancouver and they tend to be very creative. The best known are:

• Cougar Creek's House of Horrors: A haunted house located about half an hour outside of Vancouver, I highly recommend a visit as the experience is quite terrifying. The tour will make you feel like you're on the set of multiple horror movies, and is split between the Death Valley Motor Hotel and Devil's Descent. Get ready to scream with fake blood, flashing lights, creepy characters and special effects.
• Maan Farms: is a haunted farm, where terror is the main protagonist. It is only recommended for ages 14 and over, as the multi-sensory exhibits can be sensitive. Here you will find Vancouver's scariest corn maze.

Enjoy Halloween parties on boats

On October 31st children and their families go out trick-or-treating, so it's common to see people swarming the streets with their costumes and treats. In fact, houses where they don't have any sweets may be the butt of jokes, as punishment for breaking the tradition. If you're looking for things to do in Vancouver with kids, I suggest heading out in search of sweet and tasty treats after dark. After midnight, the fun transforms and partying on Halloween is practically a Vancouver tradition.

However, in this Canadian region, most people prefer to go off the beaten track at local pubs and attend boat parties. These celebrations are usually available all month long, but the closings are the most epic part. Be aware that some parties start earlier and end at midnight, so it's important to keep an eye on the local itinerary.

Take the Spooky Tour of Lost Souls

Among Vancouver's best tours is the Lost Souls Tour. It's a sensitive experience, which takes place in the historic Gastown neighbourhood. As you wander the streets, you'll be inserted into intriguing stories that will transport you back in time. On Halloween, this attraction is usually very busy, as people are drawn to the unsolved murder cases and anecdotes of terrifying historical events, such as the Great Fire or the smallpox outbreak.

During the tour you will not only discover ancient legends, but also visit Vancouver's first prison, the Steam Clock and the Victorian Hotel, all of which hold interesting stories.

In Canada, Thanksgiving takes place well in advance compared to the American schedule. Specifically, it takes place on the second Monday in October and is a holiday where you can take advantage of eating at local restaurants. You'll also find a contrast of cultures, which makes the local events extra special.

The most traditional dishes include turkey, pumpkin pie or cranberry pie and fresh wine. Because the weekend is usually quiet in the city, many people opt for the best tours and excursions in Vancouver. For example, you can take a seaplane flight over the city or escape to Victoria. In addition, the football league organises a doubleheader which has become a tradition and is called the Thanksgiving Classic.

Canada is a multicultural country, which is why in autumn, during the month of October, we celebrate Latin American Heritage Month. Activities are designed to celebrate the roots of Latin American countries. In fact, Vancouver hosts cultural events, workshops, exhibitions and activities involving the food, music and traditions of the region. I recommend a guided tour of the Granville Island Market, as it is one of the main locations.

Additionally, at this market I suggest you stop by the Ocean Art Works Pavilion, where open-air exhibitions revolving around Latin American costumes are held. Here you can find free events and other activities that require admission. You can also join the food, painting and craft workshops, which allow you to explore Latin culture up close.

In October you can enjoy the first games of the Canadian National Hockey League (NHL ) ice hockey season, which lasts until April. I recommend buying tickets in advance to see the Canucks, the local team whose games are very popular. The arena isn't the only place to experience the passion of hockey; there are also events to celebrate victories and game screenings throughout the city.

In the autumn there are also games of other types of sports, for example there are BC Lions football games. I'd also recommend you consider them, as the season runs until November and they have a special fall cup closing event. If you like football, this is your time because the Vancouver Whitecaps FC play until October, offering entertainment in different parts of the region.

Cranberry vineyards offer a unique experience in Vancouver, especially in mid-autumn. The fields are just a short drive from the city, and when you arrive you'll be met with stunning red bogs. It's well worth a visit as you'll find guided tours of the surrounding area, which give you an insight into the production process. You can also sign up for a bike tour of the harvest trails at the main vineyards, which are in Richmond and Langley.

I wouldn't recommend going before this season as they are just setting up the planting and there's not much to see. You can also experience the Fort Langley Cranberry Festival, a free event held during the Free Thanksgiving weekend in October. Held since 1995 in Metro Vancouver, you can start your day with a breakfast of the legendary Canadian waffles. In addition, you can sample blueberry pies, blueberry wine and other fresh blueberry products.

You'll also find plenty of things to do in Vancouver with kids, including a farmers' market, outdoor movies, free concerts and more. Sometimes they merge with Halloween events, so it's common to find haunted houses and cranberry sauce turned into fake blood.

Autumn is a beautiful season because of the colour of the trees. It's the perfect time to wander through parks, stalls and green spaces that turn fir trees in shades of brown, gold, scarlet and yellow. The foliage or blossom can be seen on tours around the city, and the most enchanting locations are:

• Kitsilano Beach: a beachfront picnic is the best idea this season, as you will enjoy the cool autumn breeze on your face, while admiring the colours that adorn the streets in the surrounding area.
• Queen Elizabeth Park: it is a very popular park in autumn, as it is the best place to appreciate the blossoming of the flowers. Without a doubt, you will be able to take amazing pictures here.
• Vandusen Botanical Garden: Vancouver's flora paradise, it changes its colours to welcome autumn for a couple of months. I recommend strolling through the hills and enjoying the different species up close.

Day of the Dead is a predominantly Mexican celebration, with roots in the indigenous communities of Central and South America. Vancouver is a multicultural city, and in addition to Heritage Month, special activities are organised to commemorate loved ones who have departed this plane. The city's Ballet Folklorico organises a performance in Esther Short Park with lighting of lights, processions, ofrendas and altars.

Mariachi bands usually perform and there are shows featuring catrinas - a figure from Mexican culture that reflects the positivity of death and is considered an Aztec goddess. You can find food from the region, as street stalls are organised. Note that most of the activities are free, and there are other events in different parts of the city.

For a spectacle of nature, I recommend opting for one of Vancouver' s best tours and excursions and heading up Mount Cheam. It's located an hour and a half from the city and away from the hustle and bustle of the city. It's ideal for family hiking, as it's an easy-going mountain. I recommend leaving early in the morning to spend the whole day exploring this wildflower wonderland.

This hike is not recommended in winter, as snow makes it difficult to complete the section, so make sure you do this experience before the end of autumn. The peak is at 2,112 metres and along the way you will find hydration points, rest areas and viewpoints offering panoramic views.