30+ Fun Things to Do on Vancouver Island during Fall

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.

 

Halloween in Victoria

Floral Pumpkinpiece: A hands-on workshop

Enjoy the magic of autumn with Katherine Olmstead, Canadian International Master Florist, in a hands-on floral design workshop where pumpkins become your vessel.  This workshop will be a fun, relaxed evening of creative “play” and learning as you craft your own artful, one-of-a-kind centerpiece. October 25, 2025. Details

Swirl, Sip & Indulge: The Victoria International Wine Festival

The Victoria International Wine Festival returns from October 2 to 4, featuring over 400 wines from over 100 wineries across 15 countries. 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. November 22 & 23, 2025. Details

The Moors

The Moors is a dark comedy about love, desperation, and visibility. It is an inspired, whimsical satire that both embraces and sends up the gothic musings of the Brontë sisters. Grab your tickets for September 17 to October 4, 2025! Details

Under the Sea: An Immersive Art Experience

Join local artist Tanya Bub Under the Sea for an immersive art experience that plunges you into the heart of ocean life. Inspired by the vibrant marine ecosystems of Victoria’s coastal waters — home to orcas, otters, seals, octopus and so much more — this enchanting exhibit brings the sea to life through expressive, life-sized sculptures crafted from driftwood, wire, and paper.September 17 – October 5, 2025. Details

Salt Spring Island Apple Festival

The delight of apple lovers, the Salt Spring Island Apple Festival takes place on September 28th on Salt Spring Island. Details

Art of the Cocktail

Get ready for Victoria’s most fabulous cocktail soirée! The Art of the Cocktail returns on October 18, 2025, at Crystal Garden. Enjoy drinks from over 50 exhibitors, dress to impress for the Best Dressed Competition, and vote for your favorite cocktail. Details

Aladdin

Let the genie of the lamp take you on a magic ballet ride filled with exotic costumes enchanting music, in a most extraordinary adventure. Classical ballet with a contemporary flair, beauty, drama, a little humour and brilliant dancing. Set to a fantastic score including works by Borodin, Saint-Saens, Rimsky-Korsakov and more, this high-octane ballet showcases the BV dancers’ technical bravura and exotic style. Get your tickets for October 3 – 4 2025. Details

Festival of Trees

This is the 34th 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 14 to December 31, 2025. Details

Gabriola Island’s Annual Thanksgiving Studio Tour

Drive around the beautiful island, and meet over 48 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 11-13, 2025. Details

E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial in Concert

Director Steven Spielberg’s heart-warming masterpiece is one of the brightest stars in motion picture history.  Experience all the mystery and fun of their unforgettable adventure in the beloved movie that captivated audiences around the world, complete with John Williams’ Academy Award®-winning score performed live by the Victoria Symphony in sync to the film projected on a huge HD screen! November 1 – 2, 2025. Details

Royal Victoria Marathon

The RVM 5K takes place on October 10-12, 2025, at Willows Beach, offering a stunning course for beginners, fun for families, and more. 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

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

Turn of the Screw

“Based on Henry James’ haunting novella, The Turn of the Screw tells the story of a young governess who believes the children in her care are being corrupted by ghosts haunting the house. Join us for this evening of eerie intrigue and musical complexity that challenges perceptions and stirs the senses. October 22 – 28, 2025 Details

Victoria FCA Fall Exhibition

Join Victoria FCA from October 2 to 19 to explore how artists express their emotions, ideas, and experiences of the world, putting the “ART” back into the Earth. Details

Kluxen & Tam – Bartók Violin Concerto & Beethoven’s Eroica

Three heroic works are featured, beginning with Subito con forza, by South Korea’s Unsuk Chin. In producing his Violin Concerto No. 2, Bartók followed in the footsteps of Beethoven and Brahms with a work that was quickly championed by Yehudi Menuhin—here played by VS Concertmaster Terence Tam. November 16, 2025. 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. Perfect for both wine connoisseurs and newcomers, this scenic tour showcases the richness of BC’s terroir. 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 7 – 8, 2025. Details

The Pumpkin King Returns

Haunted Manor is an interactive twist on the game of mini-golf. Putt your way through 18 holes inside the manor from September 22 to November 2, 2025. Details

Witches Nite in Halloween Market & All Hallows Fair

Join the fun at the event with spooktacular market, psychic readings, mini spell bags for first 30 lucky souls, glitter tattoos & treats for goblins! October 31 – November 1, 2025. Details

The Beaches: No Hard Feelings Tour

Mark your calendar for The Beaches: No Hard Feelings Tour with special guest Valley on Friday, October 24, 2025. Details

Saanichton Corn Maze

Come enjoy twists and turns through 4 acres of tall corn. Enjoy ocean and mountain views across the San Juan islands and catch a vibrant sunset that lights up the sky – make memories. Weekends through October. 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

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

Traditional Afternoon Tea

The Pendray Tea House offers a selection of delicious teas with a diverse array of flavors. From their ever-popular Traditional Afternoon Tea to their Vegan Tea, all are offered with locally owned and organic Silk Road or Westholme Teas. Details

Sarah McLachlan

Get your tickets for Sarah McLachlan: Fumbling Towards Ecstasy – 30th Anniversary Tour with Special Guest: Tiny Habits. Victoria, BC on October 15, 2025. Details

Merry Witches Yule Market

Join us for the Merry Witches Yule Market on Saturday, December 13, 2025, from 10am to 4pm at Prospect Lake Community Hall in Victoria. Enjoy free admission, swag bags for the first 30 guests, and a draw prize. Witchy costumes are encouraged! 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? 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, and 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 from dawn to dusk daily. Learn how life used to be around the McLean Mill. Bring a picnic and make it a day. Details

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

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

Local Folk Fair: Holiday Markets

Join us for a magical experience at MakeShare’s LOCAL FOLK FAIR: Holiday Market, set on the beautiful orchard grounds at Sea Cider on November 24 & December 1, 2025. 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