10 Things To Do In Victoria This October
Greater Victoria wears fall better than anywhere else. Find events and things to do this October.
October in Greater Victoria feels like diving into a pile of autumn leaves—unexpected, cozy, and full of fun. Get lost in corn mazes, marvel at the fiery fall foliage, or witness the magic of the salmon run. Sip through wine festivals, savour decadent chocolate, or toast to craft cocktails. With spooky markets, eerie tours, and cultural celebrations in the mix, this is an autumn packed with surprises, warmth, and unforgettable moments.
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Saanichton Corn Maze
Get lost! In the Saanichton Corn Maze. This family favourite event is back Fridays through Sundays for the month of October. Follow the twists and turns through this Instagram-worthy maze as you try to navigate four acres of tall corn. Situated on the Saanich Peninsula, Ocean View Estates, and its corn maze, are the perfect place to soak up mountain views and take in our pastel fall sunsets. This year, your admission to the corn maze includes admission to the famous (and equally as insta-worthy) pumpkin patch as well, where your can pick and purchase the perfect pumpkin for your porch this Halloween.
See the Fall Colours
This October, Greater Victoria’s mighty coastal rainforests erupt into cacophony of fall colours, and it’s truly something that can’t be missed. Grab your camera and explore the city, as every nook and cranny of our community bursts with vibrant autumnal hues. Whether strolling through our many parks, paddling along the shoreline, or taking a bird’s eye view from atop Mount Doug (PKOLS), there are so many ways to take in the splendour of the season. Check out our handy-dandy guide to find some of our favourite viewpoints.
Find fall colours
Victoria International Wine Festival
It’s said there’s truth in wine, and the truth is, the Victoria International Wine Festival returns for another two-night affair, October 4th and 5th at the Victoria Conference Centre. There’s a pour that’s perfect for you, the festival features 367 wines from 113 wineries across 18 countries, so raise a glass, expand your palate, and uncover a world of wine. This year’s festival celebrates Spain’s famed Rioja region, with 10 Rioja based wineries making their Victoria debut. Don’t miss this one, aspiring sommeliers, the memories made are sure to age like fine wine.
Local Tip: Can't make the festival, but don't want to miss out on our local wine? Be sure to check out Blue Grouse Estate Winery, Deep Cove Winery, Unsworth Vineyards, or Church & State Wines.
Halloween Markets
It’s spooky season, and along with Halloween haunts come a series of macabre markets. For witches looking to expand their wardrobes, demons in need of new home décor, or phantoms who are low-key foodies, there’s no better place to find just what you need to make this Halloween one to remember. Catch the Fernwood Halloween Market, Halloween Vintage Fair and Makers Market, the Bewitched Market, Crafts from the Crypt Fair, or the Witches Nite in Halloween Market for a ghoulishly good time this October, if your dare!
Salmon Spawning
October marks the start of one of the great migration events of our planet, as salmon return to their place of birth, in the millions, to spawn their next generation. This spectacle is something to behold, not only because of the incredible journey undertaken by the salmon, but because of its impact on the local ecosystem, attracting bears, birds of prey – such as eagles, and even cougars and wolves, to the shoreline to feast on the massive bounty provided by the salmon. Catch the show than Goldstream Provincial Park, where you can view the salmon from the shoreline, enjoy an interpretive walk, or visit the nature house to learn more about this extraordinary event.
Local Tip: While the migration is an extremely powerful and moving event to witness, please be respectful of the waterways and shoreline during the spawning season. Disturbances to the creek bed and surrounding environment can have profound impacts on a creature which has been the lifeline of our ecosystem and city for tens of thousands of years.
Thrilling Things To Do
When it comes to things to do this Halloween season in Victoria, don’t be left in the dark. There are plenty of eerie-sistible activities for monsters of all ages to enjoy across Greater Victoria. Uncover the cities unsettling history with Ghostly Walks – where you will look to find Victoria’s many ghosts and the stories behind them, in a spine-tingling adventure across the city. Face off with the Pumpkin King at Haunted Manor Victoria through 18-holes of immersive and interactive minigolf battling beasts and boogeymen along the way. The best part about spending Halloween in Greater Victoria is… that there’s no escape! Unless you work together. Horror Escape Victoria offers 3 thrilling escape rooms packed with puzzles, props, and clues that make for a horrifying and hilariously fun night out with friends or foes. No matter which way you slice it, you’re in for a scary-good time this October in Victoria.
Haute Chocolate
“We have so much time and so little to do! No! Wait! Strike that! Reverse it!” – Willy Wonka. We are all a great deal luckier than we realize, Chocolate – A Tasting Event returns to Crystal Garden for one day only on Sunday, October 20th. Over 40 of Canada’s top chocolatiers, including local favourites Martha’s Delectables, The Chocolate Project, Sweetly Raw, and Dutch Bakery & Diner, are serving up morsels of melt-in-your-mouth goodness. From chocolate covered treats and truffles, to pastries, drinks and more, there’s something for every sweet tooth. They say nothing get’s chocolate out, but we say, nothing gets folks out like chocolate!
Craft Cocktail Celebrations
October is the season for spirits in more ways that one, with not one but two cocktail festivals descending upon Greater Victoria. The Art of the Cocktail brings its Edwardian energy for a roaring 20s themed party as it transforms the historic Crystal Garden into a speakeasy. So, find your flapper dress, break out that zoot suit and take in cocktails from over 50 local and national exhibitors. Or, get a taste for the Island at The Vancouver Island Craft Spirit & Cocktail Festival at Merridale Cidery & Distillery. This immersive and intimate tasting adventure has a hyper-local focus where you can taste award-winning, Vancouver Island craft spirits neat or as mixed cocktails, learn from industry experts and makers, enjoy hand-held bites, and perhaps most importantly, get home safely with included transportation to and from Victoria or Langford with your ticket.
Celebrate Our Circular Economy
October is circular economy month, so gather up your fashionista friends and shop till you drop West Coast style. As the Resale Capital of Canada, Victoria has no shortage of vintage and boutique second-hand shops. While you’re out scouring the racks for that perfect outfit or a hidden bargain, be sure to stop by the ReLove Market, taking over Market Square October 5th and 6th and the Rifflandia Showroom October 19th and 20th. The market brings local curators and fashion enthusiasts together for a sustainably chic shopping experience. Our fall fabulousness doesn’t stop there, join the Victoria Hospice Society for an afternoon of fashion, food, and fun at the Delta Hotels by Marriott Victoria Ocean Pointe Resort at Fashion for Compassion. Get your tickets for this surely to sell out fashion show and enjoy lunch, a pop-up boutique, prizes, and a silent auction which supports a great cause.
Don't Miss The Big Picture
October is your last month to view one of Canada’s most legendary private collections. Generations: The Sobey Family and Canadian Art brings an eclectic mix of Indigenous and Canadian art to the Art Gallery of Greater Victoria through October 27th. Explore the works of Cornelius Krieghoff, Jean Paul Riopelle, Kent Monkman, Emily Carr and many more, as they paint the story of Canada’s vibrant history, particularly through a recurring theme of the North Atlantic and its role in history and impact on Canadian artistic creativity.
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