October is a beautiful month in Metro Vancouver. Autumn has arrived, Halloween decorations are up and there are free things to do.
Best FREE Places in October in Vancouver
For a list of some of the best things to do in October of 2026, including activities that aren’t free, check out the October Events Calendar. For a list of the best FREE (or almost free) special events this month, see below. And for a list of activities that don’t cost much throughout the year, click Vancouver on a Budget.
(Note: Event locations, times, prices and other details are subject to change.)
Saturday, October 31st (2026) (Halloween)
Halloween Celebrations
- Halloween with various events around the region, including the following:
- Candy Hunters Trick-or-Treating Bash – free, kid-friendly activities at Capilano Mall in North Vancouver.
- Halloween Fireworks – a free event with music, kids’ activities, live entertainment and fireworks at Minoru Park in Richmond.
- Alouette Cemetery – an annual display in Maple Ridge with lights and animatronics at night. Admission is by donation.
- Dovercourt Crypt – a haunted house in the Lynn Valley neighbourhood of North Vancouver where admission is by donation.
Other Events
- Made in the 604 Market – an artisan pop-up market at Vancouver’s Heritage Hall at 3102 Main Street. Admission is free.
- DTES Heart of the City Festival – a series of arts performances and workshops in downtown Vancouver. Some are free and others are ticketed.
- LAHM Events & Activities – in celebration of Latin American Heritage Month, various events and activities take place until November 2nd.
- Alouette Cemetery – an annual display in Maple Ridge with lights and animatronics at night. Admission is by donation.
- Dovercourt Crypt – a haunted house in the Lynn Valley neighbourhood of North Vancouver where admission is by donation.
- Saturday Farmers Markets
- Abbotsford Country Farmers Market – between 9:00 am and 1:00 pm in downtown Abbotsford.
- Fort Langley Village Farmers Market – from 9:00 am until 3:00 pm at 9025 Glover Road in the parking lot of St. Andrews Historic Church.
- Haney Farmers Market – between 9:00 am and 2:00 pm at Memorial Peace Park in Maple Ridge.
- Riley Park Farmers Market – from 10:00 am until 2:00 pm at Vancouver’s Riley Park at 50 East 30th Avenue across the street from Nat Bailey Stadium.
- Squamish Farmers Market – from 9:00 am to 2:00 pm in downtown Squamish.
- Trout Lake Farmers Market – between 9:00 am and 2:00 pm at John Hendry Park in the north parking lot.
- West End Farmers Market – from 9:00 am until 2:00 pm at 1100 Comox Street in Vancouver’s West End.
- Vancouver Flea Market – an indoor flea market at 703 Terminal Avenue in Vancouver. Admission ranges from $2 to $5 depending on the day’s event, so it’s not free, but it is pretty cheap.
More Things to Do
- Vancouver on a Budget – other places to explore include the following:
- Fort Langley – the national historic site is very affordable, especially for children and youth under the age of 18 who get in for free.
- Engine 374 Pavilion – an indoor train museum with a real locomotive and free admission at the Roundhouse in Yaletown.
- Museum of Surrey – the museum in Cloverdale is a great place to learn about local history. Admission is also free.
- Harrison Sasquatch Museum – a free attraction with exhibits about local folklore and culture.
- Other places that are either free or with admission by donation on various days of the week include Granville Island, Old Hastings Mill Store Museum, London Farm, Britannia Heritage Shipyard, Polygon Gallery, Maple Ridge Museum, Mackin House, Port Moody Station Museum and Stewart Farm. (See attraction articles and websites for details about hours and admission.)
Other Information
For a more complete list of things to do in October, including activities that aren’t free, see Vancouver’s October Events Calendar.
And for a list of great activities that don’t cost a lot of money throughout the year, click Vancouver on a Budget.
To see what’s happening next month, click November Calendar of Events.
Visit the websites VictoriasBestPlaces.com and WhatToDoInWhistler.ca for a list of things happening in a couple of other communities elsewhere in southwestern BC.
Other websites you might also want to check out include VancouverHalloweenEvents.ca, VancouverForKids.ca, VancouverFoodFestivals.ca, and VancouverMarkets.ca.
