Vancouver has 20 events to check out from Oct. 5 to 11

Thanksgiving is approaching, and there are plenty of events around Vancouver from Oct. 5 to 11, including concerts, theatre, sports, festivals, food events and markets. Event details, schedules and prices are subject to organizers’ information.

**Haunted Cellar Afternoon Tea at Notch8:** Notch8 is offering a fall afternoon tea with handcrafted pastries, seasonal sweets and supernatural touches. A children’s tea includes child-friendly finger sandwiches, scones and other treats. It runs on various dates and at various times until Nov. 1, 2026, at Notch8, 900 W Georgia St. in Vancouver. Prices are $75 per adult and $40 per child.

**BC Lions:** The Lions continue their CFL season at BC Place, hosting the Ottawa Redblacks on Oct. 9 and the Winnipeg Blue Bombers on Oct. 23. Both games start at 7 p.m. The stadium is at 777 Pacific Blvd. in Vancouver. Prices vary; tickets are available online.

**The Oddities & Curiosities Expo:** The expo returns to Vancouver on Oct. 10 and 11. Hundreds of vendors and artists will gather at the Vancouver Convention Centre for unusual shopping, photo opportunities, workshops, performances and more. It runs from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at 1055 Canada Pl. Tickets are $20 plus fees.

**Fort Langley Cranberry Festival:** The 31st annual festival takes place Saturday, Oct. 10, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. in Fort Langley Village. Admission is free. An estimated 35,000 guests attend the celebration each year; the day includes 125 vendors, more than 15 food trucks and activities for all ages.

**Forbidden Vancouver’s Lost Souls of Gastown Tour:** Now in its 15th consecutive year, the walking tour offers an interactive theatrical experience exploring Vancouver’s history. Stories include the Great Fire, women of the Gold Rush and a murder mystery that remains unsolved. Tours run nightly until Saturday, Nov. 29, 2026, with additional times on weekends and Halloween week. They start at the corner of Water and Cordova streets beside Monaco Cafe. Admission is $35 for adults and $32 for students and seniors.

**OFF-VIFF 2026:** Described as a platform for the underground, OFF-VIFF was co-founded by Vancouver-based filmmaker Arran Shearing. This year it expands into a multi-day festival at Cineworks, The Rio Theatre and the Little Free Cinema, with short films, premieres and more. It runs on various dates from Oct. 7 to 12; ticket prices vary.

**Vancouver International Music Competition, Gala Concert and Awards Ceremony:** Presented by the Canada International Arts & Music Society, the competition brings young musicians from around the world together for three days of performances, competition, education and celebration. The 2026 competition has four categories: piano, strings, voice and woodwinds. Woodwinds is new this year. The final round runs Friday, Oct. 9, from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. at the VSO School of Music, where performers appear before an international jury. Masterclasses are scheduled at Tom Lee Music from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 10. The festival concludes with the Gala Concert and Awards Ceremony Sunday, Oct. 11, from 2 to 5 p.m. at the Orpheum Theatre. Selected top prize recipients will perform, along with Canadian pianist Ian Parker and violinist Domagoj Ivanovic, both members of the 2026 VIMFC jury. Events take place at various locations; prices vary.

**Vancouver Giants:** The Giants continue their new WHL season this month at Langley Events Centre. The schedule includes games against the Seattle Thunderbirds on Oct. 10 and the Victoria Royals on Oct. 30. The venue is at 7888 200th St. in Langley. Game times and prices vary.

**Canyon Frights:** Capilano Suspension Bridge Park will feature pumpkins and spooky displays for its annual Halloween event, along with family-friendly activities, photo opportunities and live performances. It runs Oct. 9 to Nov. 1, 2026, from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. The park stays open until 9 p.m. Oct. 23 to 25 and Oct. 30 to Nov. 1. It is at 3735 Capilano Rd. in North Vancouver. Prices vary.

**Haney Farmers’ Market:** Shop for fresh produce and local artisan goods at the market in downtown Maple Ridge’s Memorial Peace Park. It runs every Saturday until Oct. 31, 2026, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., at 11930 224 St.

**Sunday Service at St. Augustine’s:** Starting Sept. 27, 2026, St. Augustine’s will host its “Sunday Service” every Sunday during the day. A live DJ will play all afternoon, and a menu tailored to “saints and sinners” will have featured prices. The menu highlights Vancouver’s only authentic New Haven-style pizza. Games will be shown on 11 new TVs and a large-screen projector. The restaurant is at 2360 Commercial Dr. in Vancouver, one block from Commercial-Broadway SkyTrain station. Admission is free; food and drinks are priced separately.

**aespa:** The K-pop group, made up of Karina, Winter, Giselle and Ningning, brings its upcoming world tour to Rogers Arena on Sunday, Oct. 11, at 8 p.m. The venue is at 800 Griffiths Way in Vancouver. Tickets are on sale online.

**Fin-tastic Fall Days:** The Vancouver Aquarium’s fall event features seasonal talks, daily animal feeds and programming for all ages. Divers will carve jack-o’-lanterns in an aquarium habitat on weekends until Oct. 11, then daily starting Oct. 17. The event runs until Oct. 31, 2026, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at 854 Avison Way. Prices vary; an adult annual membership is $80.

**Vancouver International Travel Expo:** The ninth annual expo brings together airlines, cruise lines and tour operators from around the world, with prizes, live entertainment and more. It runs Saturday, Oct. 10, from 11 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. in Halls A and B at the Vancouver Convention Centre East. Admission is $15.

**Visit a pumpkin patch:** Farms across Metro Vancouver offer pumpkin picking for carving jack-o’-lanterns or baking pies. Operating days and hours vary; an online list provides locations and details.

**Fright Nights at Playland:** The Halloween attraction returns on select nights from Oct. 7 to 31, 2026, for its 23rd anniversary. Visitors can explore haunted houses, rides and spooky décor, and see roaming monsters and live performances. It takes place at Playland at the PNE, 2901 E. Hastings St. in Vancouver. Times and prices vary.

**Heist:** Arts Club presents this theatrical caper with fast-paced dialogue and high-tech action. A conman, hacker, cat burglar, muscle and mastermind attempt to steal a priceless ruby in the perfect crime. The show runs until Oct. 18, 2026, at various times at the Stanley BFL Canada Stage, 2750 Granville St. in Vancouver. Prices start at $39.

**White Rock Farmers Market:** The market runs every Sunday until Oct. 11, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. It features live music, more than 80 vendors, local produce and food products. Locations include Miramar Plaza and Russell Avenue, as well as Johnston Road between Russell and Thrift avenues.

**Sting:** Sting performs at Vancouver’s Queen Elizabeth Theatre on Monday, Oct. 5, and Tuesday, Oct. 6, at 8 p.m. Longtime guitarist and collaborator Dominic Miller and acclaimed drummer Chris Maas join him for the all-ages shows, reinterpreting hits and deep cuts from the 17-time Grammy winner’s discography. The theatre is at 630 Hamilton St. Prices vary.

**QueerProv:** QueerProv presents pay-what-you-can improv comedy every Wednesday at 8 p.m. at The Junction. Shows include theatre games, long-form improv and queer stories performed by local queer performers. The suggested contribution is $10. The venue is at 1138 Davie St. in Vancouver.