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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.
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
A Getaway for Fall
If you are a 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
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 daily public wine tour or book yourself a private wine tour for your trip through the Cowichan Valley.  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. Â Details
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
Ghostly Walks
Pendray’s Corn Maze
Pendray’s Corn Maze is back for another year in Victoria. Just follow the signs from Patricia Bay Highway towards this natural challenge and find yourself the pumpkins, farm animals, and treats that await you. The intricately designed maze is a treat in itself. You won’t want to miss this North Saanich activity.  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
Cirque Du Soleil’s Corteo
The world renowned Cirque Du Soleil is coming back to Victoria with Corteo — the carnivalesque acrobatic spectacular that features 51 performers in breathtaking performances. The October 4th to 7th run kicks off the 7 city tour, so don’t miss a visit to the circus tents before they pack up and move on. Make sure to grab your tickets in advance!  Details
The Time of the Pharaohs at the Royal BC Museum
The Royal BC Museum’s The Time of the Pharaohs exhibit is leaving on December 31st, so the fall is the perfect time to get out and see these ancient relics and hear the incredible stories of Egypt’s history. With interactive displays and over 300 artifacts, even those well versed in Egypt’s history will experience something new. When you’re done with this exhibit, make sure to check out the rest of the museum for a full day of exploration. Details
Rocky Horror Picture Show at the Metro
80s night at the Victoria Event Centre
Every so often the Victoria Event Centre throws a party in the style of the 80s. Always a blast, this event will be back again taking over the scene on October 12th. The fall twist? This party is a Halloween themed 80s night. Come out and play 80s video games, dance to the 80s music, and enjoy the bright and colourful (and spooky) costumes that fill the space. Tickets are available at the door. Â Details
Art of the Cocktail on October 13th
“The Island’s Biggest Cocktail Celebration” is arriving on October 13th, presented by the Victoria Film Festival. With 40 exhibitors and over 60 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
Victoria Poutine Week
Are there any two words more exciting than “Poutine Week”? Victoria is hosting this comfort food event between October 19th and 27th. Featuring many of Victoria’s finest restaurants in the downtown area, Victoria Poutine Week is offering an array of poutines by a host of chefs. Compare and contrast the different flavours and takes on this Canadian classic dish. Details
Ballet Victoria’s Frankenstein
Ballet Victoria is taking on Frankenstein to celebrate the Halloween season. You’ve never seen this story performed with such art and grace. Come to the McPherson Playhouse on the night of October 26th and 27th or the matinee show on October 28th to see dance meet horror meet science. The story will stay with you long after the curtains close. Details
Take a Scenic Ride amongst Golden Hues
Ride the rails on the Alberni Pacific Railway. The 35-minute each way excursion trip take you from the Historical Alberni Train Station in downtown Port Alberni through some of the most picturesque meadows and forests in the Alberni Valley and over 3 wooden trestles before arriving at Mclean Mill Historic Park. If it is Halloween excitement you are looking for, then hop aboard the hop aboard the haunted train – Jeepers Creepers. Details
Gabriola Island’s Annual Thanksgiving Studio Tour
Drive around the beautiful island, and meet over 65 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 . Details
The Clayoquot Oyster Festival
The Clayoquot Oyster Festival is an annual celebration of the area’s most delicious bivalve. Held on the third week of November, this event often includes a costume party, oyster farm tours, and restaurant events. Come out and eat the most delectable and freshest oysters with the people who love them the most.  Details
Pumpkinfest
Pick out your perfect pumpkin, enjoy live entertainment, face painting, kids games, hay rides, train rides, corn maze, playground, petting farm, children’s haunted house, fantastic seasonal displays and a 6 acre Corn Maze is tons of fun to spend a few hours getting lost in! A visit to Galey Farms will guarantee all of the above and let you have a bit of Halloween fun like exploring the fully animated Ghost Town and Haunted Mansion.
Cathedral Grove
Now that the busy season is over, Cathedral Grove is a much quieter experience. There is no better way to experience these giant living beings than with s sense of peacefulness. Walk the boardwalk and learn about the ecosystems in the crispness of fall — or even time your trip for after a rain so that the forest is at its most fragrant and alive. Details
Bite of Nanaimo Festival
TheatreOne is hosting their 26th annual Bite of Nanaimo Festival — a delicious fundraiser for the company’s programming. This year there will be a Broadway Theme along with all of the local treats for you to enjoy. A photo booth, prize table, and silent auction will also be taking place. Come out and celebrate both food and the arts with this delightful festival.  Details
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
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. You can also book a Greenhouse Tour starting in October for a special treat. 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