Of all the months in the year, so many people love October. The crunch of the leaves, the crisp weather, the pumpkin spice and the great things to do in and around the city. There are plenty of great things to do in Vancouver and although 2020 may not be the same as in years past, that does not mean that there are not some interesting and fun things to do in Vancouver. I have come up with a list of 10 great things to do in Vancouver in October and hope this helps you get out in about in Metro Vancouver this fall.
10 Great Things to do in Vancouver in October
Metro Vancouver Pumpkin Patches
October in Vancouver means that the pumpkin patches around Metro Vancouver are open. While 2020 has seen some new protocols in place, most (if not all) of the local patches have opened and are welcoming guests in the open air and wide spaces that only farms can allow! Check out these lists of Pumpkin Patches: Pumpkin Patches in Langley Pumpkin Patches in Surrey Pumpkin Patches in Abbotsford
Fly Over Canada’s Howl over Canada at Canada Place
The award winning Fly Over Canada has a seasonal spectacular in October in Vancouver. Named HowlOver Canada, ioin Biker Mama the Witch on an unforgettable Halloween flight ride for all ages. HowlOver Canada lets you soar through the skies with a band of spooky sidekicks on your way to a music festival that’s out of this world. There’s still broom—but get your tickets today. HowlOver Canada is available October 1 through November 1. It is suggested to buy tickets online in advance. Tickets: Book your tickets online in advance here for the lowest price and to ensure availability.
Dates: Oct 1st to Nov 1st
Location: 201 – 999 Canada Place Vancouver, BC
Important Notes: The queue is partially exposed to the elements. Ensure you wear proper attire. It is recommended to buy tickets online in advance. 
Visit Playland for Fright Nights
Adapted for 2020, Slayland, Night of 1000 screams is the latest attraction from the PNE in Vancouver this October. It is operating on select nights from 6pm to 11pm. Playland has put a chilling twist on the usual thrills. The haunted houses won’t be open, but the park will be possessed with terrifying décor and a horror-themed outdoor walk-thru experience that pays its respects to your favourite haunts of the past. This is the first time in the PNE Halloween event history that guests will be allowed to wear costumes in the park. However, for the safety of all guests and staff, note that they do not allow guests to wear costume face coverings including face paint, and eyes must remain visible. You must purchase tickets in advance as capacity is limited and facemasks are required in lineups and on rides. This event is not recommended for children under 8.
WildPlay Maple Ridge
Conquer your fear of vertigo or heights with the Aerial Adventure Course at Wild Play, an outdoor park in Maple Ridge of aerial obstacle games and ziplines. Designed for adults, kids and groups, this course provides the perfect entertainment and bonding activity for families. Begin with ziplines at just six feet off the ground with the classic package. Or, upgrade to try higher ziplines and obstacles, or the What’s To Fear Jump, a loose-line plunge from 40 feet high. See you at the Tarzan Swing!
Location: 23485 Fern Cresent, Maple Ridge
Dates: Open Saturdays and Sundays in October
Information: Get your tickets online here. For Kids 5 and up get your tickets for the kids course here.
Go Hiking
While October days are still warm and sunny (amidst cold showers), when you get a dry day, hit up one of the popular local hikes! The summer crowds are gone and the fall foliage is stunning all over Metro Vancouver. As of October 1st, day passes are no longer required in BC Parks.
Grab a Hotel in the City
October is a great time of year for a Vancouver Staycation. Hotel deals are abundant at this time of year and crowds are minimal in the city as most locals are back to the fall routine of work and school and extracurricular activities. Check out some of the hotels deals online here.
Visit a Haunted Corn Maze
Maan farms boasts the scariest corn maze in Canada, and for good reason. After coming across a video about an abandoned testing facility beneath Maan Farms, Thomas decides to see if there is any truth to the myth about the farm in his hometown. With a broken flashlight and a partially charged cell phone, Thomas rides his ten speed to a seemingly harmless old barn, but then soon realizes he went too far. Thomas, now trapped with no service, slowly scavenges from one room to another and begins to grasp the bits of reality that face him. This is not just a myth, and that simple farm is guarded by terrifying creatures and some of the most frightening monsters imaginable.
This year you take on the role of Thomas, try to navigate the corn maze’s deepest depths going from one scene to another, uncovering the remains of Thomas as you go. But let it be known, this year is like no other, with reduced capacity each customer will have a more intense experience than ever before. Each scene will have its own challenges that you must conquer in order to make it out alive of The Scariest Corn Maze in Canada.
Book your tickets online in advance this year in order to limit the amount of people in the fields.
Dates: Maan Farms is open everyday from 9am – 6pm. Select evenings have the Haunted Corn maze until 10pm or 11pm
Location: 790 McKenzie Road, Abbotsford
Important Notes: Dress for the weather and buy your tickets online for the Haunted Corn Maze.
October Events Vancouver: Gastown Food Tour
The Legendary Gastown Food tour takes you through the cobbled stone streets of Vancouver’s oldest neighbourhood. Enjoy local craft beer, Japanese Kar-age style chicken, freshly made Sicilian Tortellini with local wine, battered fish with hand cut fries, tasty Carolina-style pulled pork BBQ sandwiches, organic smooth soft ice cream, creamy awarding winning cheesecake, and delicious hand-made chocolates!
On this 2.5 hour walking food tour, a professional improv comedy actors full of passion for the city and its food will share the fascinating and funny little-known stories about Vancouver and its “Wild West” history that dates back 150 years. Learn about Gassy Jack, Gastown’s notorious founder and the stories that him famous and put Vancouver on the map.
Tickets: Buy your tickets online here
Dates: Thursdays to Sundays 2pm
Location: Departs from Waterfront Station 601 W Cordova St
SpookTacular at Brittania Mine Museum
Festivities will run over three days, with a range of spooky activities to thrill adults and kids alike. The Museum has worked hard to create an event that takes into account COVID safety procedures, but leaves plenty of room for fun. Admission includes a viewing of BOOM! and a spooky story after the show in Mill No. 3. Please note that the Underground train will not be a part of Halloween celebrations this year – guest who are especially keen to tour the Underground can do so with the purchase of a regular admission ticket.
Location: 1 Forbes Way, Brittania Beach (10 minutes South of Squamish)
Dates: Oct 24, 25, and 31st
Information: Check out their website and buy tickets online here
Towers of Tomorrow with Lego at Science World
Towers of Tomorrow with LEGO® Bricks features 20 of the world’s most astonishing skyscrapers from the United States of America, Australia, Asia, Canada and United Arab Emirates constructed with breathtaking architectural detail and accuracy by Australia’s Ryan McNaught, the only certified LEGO® professional in the Southern Hemisphere.
Built on a scale of 1:200 and with stunning precision and attention to detail, the LEGO® towers offer visitors a bird’s-eye view of these extra-ordinary buildings and are just as impressive in model size.
Visitors, young and old, will be able to create their own ‘tower of tomorrow’ from over 200,000 loose LEGO® bricks in hands-on construction areas and add their creations to a steadily rising futuristic LEGO® metropolis inside the exhibition.
Location: Science World (Included with Admission) 1455 Quebec St, Vancouver
Dates: Thursdays to Sundays 10am to 5pm until January 3rd 2021
October Vancouver Walking Tour: The Lost Souls of Vancouver
As Halloween draws near, follow the lamplight of your guide into Vancouver’s earliest and most gruesome history. You’ll step inside a world of murder, revenge, and true grit in a dramatic retelling of Victorian Gastown’s earliest stories. Tales of deadly fire and smallpox emerge from the shadows as you venture through cobblestone streets to the shocking finale in this unique performance-theatre experience.
Location: Gastown, Vancouver
Dates: Oct 13-30th Nightly 7:00pm to 8:30pm
Information: Get tickets online here
Is October a Good Time to Visit Vancouver?
October is considered the offseason to visit much of British Columbia but can be the best time for fall colors, and cool crisp days. Generally, the local ski hills are not open and Whistler Blackcomb traditionally opens in line with American Thanksgiving. The summer months are peak season to visit Vancouver, so if you want to visit without crowds, October is a good time to come into the city.
It rains 20 out of 30 days of the month, so make sure you plan for at least a chance of rain. You will experience the fall foilage all over Metro Vancouver and could luck out with a stretch of multiple sunny days, especially in the early parts of the month.
Read More: 99 things to do in British Columbia
Does it snow in Vancouver in October?
The tops of the ski hills often get their first dusting in October, but no, it does not generally snow in Vancouver or most of Canada in October. Ensure you are prepared for rain however.
Weather in Vancouver in October
Vancouver has a moderate climate for most of the year. It does not get the cold snowy weather that you will find in much fo the rest of Canada, but it is important to plan for the elements just in case.
COMING SOON Get more information on Vancouver weather October with tips on what to pack, temperatures to expect and how likely you are to see wet weather or sunshine.
October in Vancouver: What to Pack
As mentioned above, it does not get extremely cold, but expect wet and sometimes cool weather. On the flip side, you can have sunny days and shorts weather early on in the month. You will want a light waterproof jacket if you get a rainy day, but light layers should get you by most of the time. Bring closed-toed shoes and some type of waterproof footwear.
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