Fall is starting to creep in, and there are already plenty of Metro Vancouver fall activities worth adding to your calendar. From pumpkin patches and harvest festivals to apple events, salmon watching and not-too-scary Halloween fun, there’s lots happening from September right through October.
Whether you’re looking for something free to do on the weekend or an easy family outing, here are some of the best family-friendly fall activities happening around Metro Vancouver this season.
RELATED: Where To See The Best Fall Foliage In Metro Vancouver
Family-Friendly Fall Events & Activies in Metro Vancouver for 2026
Visit a Pumpkin Patch
View this post on Instagram
‘Tis the season for pumpkin picking, getting lost in a corn maze and sipping on some pumpkin spiced seasonal beverages. These activities are what childhood core memories are made from. So dig out your matching flannel outfits and head to some of the best pumpkin patches in Metro Vancouver.
You can see our full guide here: 16 Fun + Charming Pumpkin Patches In Metro Vancouver (MAP)
Location: All over Metro Vancouver
Time: From Mid September – October 31st
Price: Varies with some that has free entries
Culture Days
If your family likes getting creative, Burnaby Culture Days has a bunch of free activities happening around Deer Lake.
Families can drop by for hands-on art, music and demonstrations at the Shadbolt Centre, Burnaby Art Gallery and Burnaby Village Museum. Some of the highlights include zine-making for ages 8+, outdoor sketching and making your own print with the Burnaby Art Gallery’s mobile printing press.
Location: Various locations around Deer Lake, including Shadbolt Centre for the Arts, Burnaby Art Gallery and Burnaby Village Museum
Time: September 20–October 6, 2026 | Times vary by activity
Price: Free
Richmond Culture Days
For more free things to do in September, Richmond Culture Days has events happening all over the city for more than two weeks.
There are workshops, open studios, performances, demonstrations and plenty of chances to actually join in rather than just watch. One of the nicest family options is Family Crafts for Mid-Autumn Festival at Britannia Shipyards, happening on select weekends from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Location: Various locations throughout Richmond, including Richmond Cultural Centre and Britannia Shipyards
Time: September 18–October 4, 2026 | Times vary by event
Price: Free
RiverFest
If you’re looking for a free family outing, RiverFest is taking over the Fraser River Discovery Centre and New Westminster waterfront for an entire weekend.
The festival celebrates the Fraser River with exhibits, performances and plenty of hands-on activities. There’s also an artisan market and the popular Lucille Johnstone Workboat Parade, plus free admission to the Discovery Centre throughout the weekend.
Location: Fraser River Discovery Centre and New Westminster waterfront
Time: September 26–27, 2026
Price: Free
Burnaby Central Railway
View this post on Instagram
All aboard! For a fun activity the whole family can enjoy, look no further than the Burnaby Central Railway. This popular mini train is located at Confederation Park in North Burnaby, and is open 11 am to 5 pm until Thanksgiving. For kids who loves trains, this is the perfect little activity while being outside and enjoying the fall colours.
Location: Confederation Park at 120 North Willingdon Avenue, five blocks north of East Hastings Street, Burnaby
Time: Open now until Oct 12
Price: $5
World Rivers Day at Burnaby Village Museum
Another free option is happening the same weekend at Burnaby Village Museum.
For World Rivers Day, families can explore the museum while learning about Burnaby’s creeks, streams and waterways. There will be Indigenous games, arts and crafts, a river-themed scavenger hunt, displays and live children’s entertainment throughout the day.
Location: Burnaby Village Museum, 6501 Deer Lake Avenue, Burnaby
Time: September 27, 2026 | 11 a.m.–4:30 p.m.
Price: Free
in7inyaxa7en at VanDusen Botanical Garden
Here’s something a little different for fall. VanDusen is hosting in7inyaxa7en, a special outdoor performance featuring traditional Squamish songs, drumming and dance.
The performance also includes vertical dancers moving through the trees, making it a really unique way to experience Squamish culture during Harvest Days.
Location: VanDusen Botanical Garden, 5251 Oak Street, Vancouver
Time: September 27, 2026 | 1 p.m. and 3 p.m.
Price: Included with regular garden admission or membership; free garden admission for self-identifying Indigenous Peoples
Fort Langley Cranberry Festival
View this post on Instagram
Thanksgiving weekend is a great time to make a day trip to Fort Langley, especially when the village fills up for its annual Cranberry Festival.
The free festival celebrates one of B.C.’s most iconic fall crops while bringing vendors, food and entertainment into the heart of the village. The 31st annual event is confirmed for Thanksgiving Saturday this year.
Location: Glover Road and surrounding Fort Langley Village
Time: October 10, 2026 | 10 a.m.–4 p.m.
Price: Free
UBC Apple Festival
Pumpkins get most of the attention in October, but Apple Festival is one of Vancouver’s fall traditions that deserves a weekend of its own.
The festival is celebrating its 35th year at UBC Botanical Garden, where families can learn about the huge variety of apples grown in B.C. The Garden has already confirmed apple tastings along with apple and tree sales, while the full entertainment and vendor lineup is still being finalized.
Location: UBC Botanical Garden, 6804 SW Marine Drive, Vancouver
Time: October 17–18, 2026 | 11 a.m.–4 p.m.
Price: $15 or $18 onsite
Salmon Come Home
For a fall activity that has nothing to do with Halloween, head to Hoy Creek Hatchery to welcome the salmon home.
Every fall, salmon return to Coquitlam’s local waterways to spawn. During Salmon Come Home, families can explore the hatchery, learn about salmon fry and watch for returning salmon in the creek. There will even be an up-close salmon dissection for anyone curious about what’s happening inside.
Best of all, the whole event is free.
Location: Hoy Creek Hatchery, Coquitlam
Time: October 25, 2026 | 11 a.m.–3 p.m.
Price: Free
Harvest Days at VanDusen Botanical Garden
View this post on Instagram
VanDusen is always pretty in the fall, but Harvest Days makes it even more fun to visit with the family.
Around the Learning Garden and hedge maze, there’s live bluegrass and folk music, face painting, lawn games, crafts and different nature activities inside the Discovery Tent. You can also check out the Sculpture Stroll while you wander through all the fall colours.
Location: VanDusen Botanical Garden, 5251 Oak Street, Vancouver
Time: September 26–27; October 3–4, 10–12 and 17–18 | 10:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m.
Price: Online admission starts at $13.27 for adults and $6.63 for children ages 5–12; ages 4 and under free, before tax and fees
Fungi Fun
Here’s a fall activity that’s a little different from the usual pumpkins and Halloween events. Children can head into Green Timbers Park with Surrey Nature Centre staff to search for mushrooms growing in the forest.
Along the way, they’ll learn about common fungi found around Surrey and even make a mushroom spore print to take home. This program is for ages 6–12 and a caregiver needs to participate too.
Location: Surrey Nature Centre, 14225 Green Timbers Way, Surrey
Time: October 24, 2026 | 1–2:30 p.m.
Price: $7.95; registration required
Family Art Jam
If your family likes getting creative, Family Art Jam is a free afternoon of artmaking at Surrey Art Gallery.
Artist-educators will lead families through a hands-on workshop, along with an interactive children’s tour of the current exhibitions. It’s free, but space is limited and registration is required, so it’s worth signing up early.
Location: Surrey Art Gallery, 13750 88 Avenue, Surrey
Time: October 25, 2026 | 1:30–3 p.m.
Price: Free | Registration required, space is limited
Family-Friendly Halloween Events
There are so many family-friendly Halloween events happening in and around Metro Vancouver this year!
From festive activities to spooky-but-not-too-scary fun, there’s something for everyone to enjoy. Be sure to check out our full Halloween guide coming later this month, but for now, here are a few of our favourites to add to your calendar.
Surrey Monster Express at the Heritage Rail
View this post on Instagram
he Fraser Valley Heritage Railway Society’s highly anticipated Halloween event returns for 2026, bringing a spooky twist to the railway experience. The 50 minute ride is a fun way for families, friends and Halloween fans to get into the spirit of the season — but tickets are expected to go quickly, so grab yours before they sell out.
Location: Cloverdale Station, 17630 56 Ave, Surrey, BC V3S 4C3
Time: October 24–25, 2026
Price: Adults $29.68, Children 3-11 $15.90, Teens 12-18 $21.20
The Great Pumpkin Carve
There’s a brand-new fall event coming to Delta this year. The Great Pumpkin Carve will feature glowing pumpkin trails, live entertainment, food trucks, photo spots and hands-on carving stations.
Location: McKitrick Park (Sungod Recreation Centre), North Delta, Paterson Park, Ladner
Time: October 24–25, 2026 | 11 am – 5 pm
Price: Bring your own pumpkin, free to participate
Celebrate the Night
This might be one of the best new additions to your fall list, especially if you want something after dark that isn’t another pumpkin patch.
Memorial Peace Park will light up with lanterns, light installations, crafts, games, storytelling, live entertainment and costume contests. There will also be food trucks and a fireworks finale, making it an easy one to save for the weekend before Halloween.
Location: Memorial Peace Park, 11930 224 Street, Maple Ridge
Time: October 24, 2026 | 6–8 p.m.
Price: Free
Canyon Frights
View this post on Instagram
Halloween starts early at Canyon Frights, when Capilano Suspension Bridge Park gets a spooky fall makeover.
Families can check out glowing displays, the Creepy Canyon Quest, Critter’s Hollow, games and live entertainment — all with more fun than fright, so it still works well for younger children.
Location: Capilano Suspension Bridge Park, 3735 Capilano Road, North Vancouver
Time: October 9–November 1, 2026 | 10 a.m.–8 p.m.; until 9 p.m. October 23–25 and October 30–November 1
Price: Included with regular park admission; valid BC Annual Passes accepted with required reservations during peak periods
Haunted Village
For something spooky but still family-friendly, Haunted Village gives Burnaby Village Museum a Halloween makeover with eerie lighting, graveyard scenes, circus displays and DJ Drac.
It’s more fun than frightening, which makes it a good pick for younger children. The carousel won’t be running during the event.
Location: Burnaby Village Museum, 6501 Deer Lake Avenue, Burnaby
Time: October 23–25 and October 30–31, 2026 | 4–9 p.m.
Price: Advance: $12 adults, $7 children ages 2–12, free under 2; day-of: $15 adults and $10 children
There’s no shortage of ways to make the most of fall around Metro Vancouver this year. Save a few favourites and make a day of it with the family!
