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.
Forest Therapy Walks
Did you know that simply being in the forest is therapeutic? Discover “Forest Bathing”, what it is, along with its health and wellness benefits. Reconnect with nature through a mindful walk in the beautiful Gardens at HCP with ANFT Certified Forest & Nature Therapy Guides on October 16th. Details
Swirl, Sip & Indulge: The Victoria International Wine Festival
The Victoria International Wine Festival (VICWF) is going industrial chic this fall, hosting its eighth annual event at the city’s historic Powerhouse building Nov. 19th – 20th. The funky 60-foot ceiling downtown fixture and its city street will serve as the backdrop for the storied wine festival of 35+ international vendors, each showcasing up to 12 different wines.
Jared
Join the world premiere of a one-act comedy by internationally acclaimed author Rachel Wyatt from September 22 to October 9. This play captures the hopes and trepidations of Jared, a 30-year old struggling actor working as a barista. Jared will leave you with a full heart and a cheerful tear in your eye. To add to the magic, the play will be “accompanied” by a series of projections of wonderful character drawings by the performer. Details
A Moment in Time
A Moment in Time is a solo exhibition by acclaimed artist Samantha Dickie, whose work “question the limits of ceramics”. Using thousands of ceramic components, Dickie will install four unique works never before exhibited in Victoria. This includes a site-specific response to the VAC “Vault” project room that will mimic a stratospheric excavation. On display from September 10 to October 31st. Details
Salt Spring Island Apple Festival
The delight of apple lovers, the Salt Spring Island Apple Festival takes place on October 3rd on Salt Spring Island. All host apple farms will be open this year. Details
Art of the Cocktail on October 30th
“The Island’s Biggest Cocktail Celebration” is arriving on October 30th. 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
Victoria Jazz Society Presents: The Fall Sessions
Enjoy three evenings of live music performances and one free workshop by critically-acclaimed jazz artists. Witness a stunning twin-bill featuring the Marc Atkinson Trio, led by guitarist Marc Atkinson and Juno-winning pianist and Michael Kaeshammer and his band. Also playing on the 13th is Alex Cuba Band and Diamond Cafe, while on November 14th, you can catch the closing performance by singer/songwriter Halie Loren. Get your tickets for November 12 – 14th. Details
Festival of Trees
This is the 30th 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 17, 2021 to January 4, 2022. 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. Takes place from October 9 to 11. Details
Eddie Izzard
Step into the surreal and fantastical world of Eddie Izzard on November 16th at the Royal Theatre. Details
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
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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
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. 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
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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
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
Greater Victoria Flavour Trails
Use Tourism Victoria’s Flavour Trail map to discover the different flavours of the Saanich Peninsula through a cycling route. This full-day culinary tour starts at the Galloping Goose Trail and will move down to downtown Victoria and back along the Lochside Trail. 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
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
