Victoria 
Photo Credit: James Edrill
Known for mild temperatures all year long, Vancouver Island has plenty of autumn fun waiting for you. Watch the colours shift in the lush outdoors and take in a fall festival or wine tour out of Victoria. For a spooky treat, check out one of the Halloween-specific events in the area. No matter what your style is, there is something for you to do on Vancouver Island this autumn.
Finger Painting without the Paint Workshop
Have fun in the Gardens with Artist and Author Wendy Picken. Learn how to create beautiful flowerscapes while exploring the Gardens on paper using mixed medium techniques. Takes place on October 22, 2023. Details
Swirl, Sip & Indulge: The Victoria International Wine Festival
The Victoria International Wine Festival (VICWF) is hosting its annual event at the city’s historic Powerhouse building September 24th – 30th. The funky 60-foot ceiling downtown fixture and its city street will serve as the backdrop for the storied wine festival with over 300 wines from different countries with regional focus on California Wines. Details
Annual Nanaimo Artwalk
Nanaimo is home to an astounding number of incredibly talented and accomplished artists. The Artwalk is a self-guided tour through Nanaimo’s downtown shops, studios and businesses that are hosting this year’s event. You will see great art that is for sale and have the opportunity to meet the artists. Paintings, ceramics, photography, crafts and more will be on display. December 2 & 3, 2023. Details
Stupid Fucking Bird
Catch “Stupid F**king Bird” by Aaron Posner from November 29th to December 16th, 2023. Posner’s adaptation of Chekhov’s “The Seagull” is a blend of irreverent humor and poignant moments. It delves into the essence of art and artists, with characters posing these questions to themselves, each other, and the audience. And the anticipation of reaching Moscow keeps the intrigue alive. Grab your tickets! Details
Don’t Look Now
This is a thought-provoking exhibition featuring artists from Victoria and Vancouver. Curated from both existing and new works, this exhibition delves into the pervasive theme of fear in our society, encompassing personal, cultural, and global anxieties. Through unique installations, “Don’t Look Now” offers diverse perspectives on fear, shedding light on how artists have observed and integrated the conversations stemming from the events of 2020, including calls for healthcare, social justice, and infrastructural reform. On display from September 8 to October 29th. Details
Salt Spring Island Apple Festival
The delight of apple lovers, the Salt Spring Island Apple Festival takes place on October 1st on Salt Spring Island. Details
Art of the Cocktail
“The Island’s Biggest Cocktail Celebration” is arriving on October 14th. With many exhibitors and spirits, this party offers tasting as well as masterclasses. Learn the best general tricks and tips or master your favourite cocktail so that you can impress at your next party. Make sure to buy your tickets to the event in advance to get the best experience. Details
Harry Potter and Literary Thrillers
Festival of Trees
This is the 32nd year of this cherished celebration that brings happiness to everyone in the community. See the halls of the Bay Centre will be transformed into a lush forest of beautifully decorated trees to raise funds for BC Children’s Hospital Foundation from November 16, 2023 to January 3, 2024. Details
Gabriola Island’s Annual Thanksgiving Studio Tour
Drive around the beautiful island, and meet over 56 Gabriola artists in their studios, and talk to them about their work. Find a one-of-a-kind treasure for yourself or for those on your Christmas list before your Thanksgiving celebrations. Takes place from October 7-9, 2023. Details
The Wizard of Oz
Frank Baum’s classic novel comes to life in this live musical adaptation of The Wizard of Oz. Walk alongside Dorothy down the Yellow Brick Road to experience an enchanted world filled with countless whimsical characters; good witches, bad witches, animals that talk, scarecrows that walk, and the mysterious and all-powerful Wizard of Oz in Emerald City. November 24 – December 3, 2023. Details
Royal & McPherson
Walk High Above Trees
Malahat SkyWalk is an elevated wooden walkway, 600 m high rising 20 m through an arbutus and Douglas fir forest. Walk at the top of a 10-storey, architecturally inspiring spiral tower look out and see the natural landscape and vistas of the Cowichan Valley and Finlayson Arm. Details
A Getaway for Fall
If you are looking for a Fall getaway that is filled with excitement and adventure, visit Strathcona Park Lodge. If you rather camp outdoors, then Strathcona Provincial Park should be your destination where high mountain peaks and deep shaded valleys of Strathcona Park beckons you for breathtaking nature trip. Details
Glass Tiger
Don’t miss Glass Tiger on December 04, 2023, at 8:00 PM, as they continue their iconic musical journey. With hits like “Don’t Forget Me (When I’m Gone)” and recent releases, they promise an unforgettable night of music. Details
Victoria FCA Fall Exhibition
Join the Fortune Gallery in Victoria’s historic Chinatown, to view the work of accomplished artists of the Victoria Chapter of Federation of Canadian Artists. The exhibition will be on display from November 3 – 12, 2023. Details
Beyond Van Gogh – The Immersive Experience
If you havent been to see this enriching and unique multimedia experience, make sure to visit before it closes on September 30, 2023. It will take the viewer on a journey through over 300 iconic artworks of Van Gogh including instantly-recognizable classics “The Starry Night”, “Sunflowers”, and “Cafe Terrace at Night”, now freed from their frames. Details
O Christmas Tea
Combining British propriety with an unabashed love for the unexpected, London’s 3-time Impresario Award-winning duo steep an outrageously funny and brilliantly inventive show reminiscent of classic British pantos. November 19, 2023. Details
Go on a fall wine tour
Go on a Victoria to Cowichan Valley Wine Tour, you will have the chance to taste the best from the island’s burgeoning wine scene and enjoy the colours of Fall. BC Vineyards are known for their cool and moist climates, and Vancouver Island has the second largest wine region in the province. With the Victoria Wine Tour, you can choose to embark on a public wine tour or book yourself a private wine tour for your trip through the Cowichan Valley. Details
Brett Kissel
Get ready for an unforgettable night with Brett Kissel on The Compass Tour, happening on December 05, 2023, at 8:00 PM. Details
Go for a bike ride on the Galloping Goose Trail
More fall colours abound, the Galloping Goose Trail is the perfect place to get out on a bike and enjoy the crisp and fragrant fall breeze. For a shorter ride, try one of the great established day trips, or challenge yourself to the full weekend ride. At 55 kilometres one way, this trail will get you all over the island, taking in all of the beautiful sites. Details
25 Fall Getaways in British Columbia
See the Salmon Run at Goldstream
From mid to late October to early December, the salmon run through Goldstream Provincial Park. Don’t miss this autumn event at the world-class salmon spawning stream, where the fish become brightly coloured and make their natural journey into the next phase of their life cycle. Nature is abundant during the Salmon Run, as the Bald Eagles and other birds come out for an easy hunt. Details
View this post on Instagram
Sooke Potholes
An hour from Victoria are the incredible Sooke Potholes. Come out for a fall walk in the woods and around the beautiful water — once swimming season is done, the area becomes much quieter. Perfect for gentle reflection. The walk is dog friendly, has a difficulty rating of “easy”, and the roundtrip takes approximately an hour to complete. Spend a low-key day among nature at the Sooke Potholes. Details
Enjoy an Afternoon Tea
The Pendray Tea House offers a choice of delicious teas with an array of different flavours. Choose from the popular Traditional Afternoon Tea to Vegan Tea. Details
The Fickle Fig Farm Market
The Fickle Fig Farm Market runs year-round and features the market, a bakery, and a bistro — and now even houses animals! What better time to enjoy a fresh market than during harvest season? The Fickle Fig is also working to establish a brewery, so look out for that in the coming seasons. Head to North Saanich to find the Fickle Fig Farm Market. Details
Sea Cider Farm and Ciderhouse
A glass of cider is an undeniably autumn experience — from the harvest flavours to the history of being enjoyed warm. The Sea Cider Farm and Ciderhouse in Saanichton is a family-owned orchard and ciderhouse and is your perfectly flavourful fall getaway. Try one of their many award-winning ciders, such as their flagship or the Victorian Kings & Spies. Come for a tasting and tour, leave with some mind-blowing beverages. Details
McLean Mill National Historic Site
Go on a scenic walk with your family in the breathtaking surroundings of the Mill. The site is open for self-guided tours to experience how life used to be around the McLean Mill. Bring a picnic and make it a day. Details
Cathedral Grove
Watch the storm roll in at Sandwell Provincial Park
Located on Gabriola Island, a 20-minute ferry ride from downtown Nanaimo, Sandwell Provincial Park offers you a prime spot to watch storms roll in from the Georgia Straight away from the maddening crowds in addition to a short, but fabulous walking trail to enjoy fall in the woods, and a walk on the beach. Details
Solve a Murder Mystery
It’s that time of the year to see how well you can do with the Cook Street Village Activity Centre latest “who done it”. Are you smarter than the detective? Come and find out as we try to solve this year’s murder! October 27, 2023 . Details
Local Folk Fair: Holiday Fair
Join us for a magical experience at MakeShare’s LOCAL FOLK FAIR: Holiday Market, set on the beautiful orchard grounds at Sea Cider on December 4, 2023. Details
Butchart Gardens
The generally colourful Butchart Gardens outside of Victoria explode into a new array of hues during the fall. Come out and experience the Japanese Garden before the fall of winter and maybe even meet with the gardeners, who have more time during the less busy seasons to give behind-the-scenes glimpses. Details
Victoria Bug Zoo
If the weather outside isn’t perfect, come inside and experience a different — though smaller — part of the natural world of the island. The Victoria Bug Zoo is a great way to spend a day with kids of all ages. See the special events occurring each day or wander through and learn about the roughly 50 species off bugs that live in this tiny zoo. Details
Zipline Tours
Get to AdrenaLINE Zipline Adventure where you can zip across a total of eight ziplines and experience the forest canopy as you traverse the 100ft suspension bridge. These tours are fully guided by professionally trained staff and will take place on 100 acres of coastal temperate rainforest. These tours sell out very soon, so book as early as possible in order to avoid disappointment! Details
Hear Ghostly Tales and enjoy Ghostly Walks
If you enjoy hearing ghostly stories, don’t think further. Book a Ghostly walk where you will get to hear tales of ghostly encounters in Victoria. Uncover the sordid truth behind many of the city’s most gruesome crimes and tragic accidents. These tours weave together Victoria’s ghosts and the stories behind them, bringing the dark history of the city to life. Details
This was immensely helpful, and I’m a local!
Thank you so much!