Welcome to the first weekend of October!
While the weather is going with a an autumn-esque feel, there are plenty of things to do and see this weekend that embrace the changing of the seasons.
Outdoor events not your jam? Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered for all of your indoor needs too, including a cheap movie deal you don’t want to miss out on!
Without further ado, here are 13 things to do in and around Victoria this weekend—October 4th and 5th:
Hillside Harvest Market
Ready to saddle up for the season?
Mark your calendars because the Hillside Harvest Market is rolling into town on Saturday, October 4th, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.—right in the parking lot off Hillside Avenue!
This family-friendly fest has all the cozy autumn vibes you’ve been craving. Snap the perfect seasonal shot at the Stagecoach and fall photo pop-ups, then let the little ones loose for some pumpkin decorating magic.
- Where: Hillside Centre parking lot off Hillside Avenue – 1644 Hillside Avenue
- When: Saturday, October 4th – 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Fall Fun at Royal Athletic Park
Looking for an easy way to celebrate the season with the whole family?
This weekend, on Saturday October 4th, Royal Athletic Park is transforming into an autumn playground from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. for the City of Victoria’s Fall Fun Family Event.
The free afternoon promises all the seasonal favourites—from hands-on cider pressing and lawn games to a bouncy castle for the kids.
- Where: Royal Athletic Park, 1014 Caledonia Avenue
- When: Saturday, October 4th, from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.
$3.99 movies at Cineplex Victoria
Families looking for an easy and affordable weekend outing will be happy to know that Cineplex is bringing back its popular Family Favourites program this fall.
Starting Saturday, October 4th, participating theatres across Vancouver Island and the rest of Canada will show family-friendly movies on select Saturdays for just $3.99 a ticket, plus tax, at the theatre.
The lineup begins with Trolls and continues through October with titles including A Minecraft Movie (October 10th), Trolls Band Together (October 17th), and a special 20th anniversary showing of Tim Burton’s The Corpse Bride (October 24th).
More info and tickets here!
- Where: Cineplex theatres across Victoria
- When: Saturday, October 4th – varying showtimes
Monster Mash Vintage Fair
Monster Mash Halloween Vintage Fair & More has a little bit of something for everyone!
Happening, Saturday, October 4th from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., it’s just $5 admission with kids 12 & under free with a adult admission.
Head to Mary Winspear this weekend with all your ghouls and goblins!
- Where: Mary Winspear Centre, 2243 Beacon Avenue
- When: Saturday, October 4th – 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Pumpkin Fest at Galey Farms
Pumpkinfest is back and tickets are on sale now!
Join Galey Farms every weekend in October, including Thanksgiving Monday and Pro D Friday.
Healthy outdoor fun for the whole family! Tickets include Farm Train, Corn Maze, Hayride to the Pumpkin Patch, Pumpkin Forest, Ghost Town and Kid’s Haunted House.
- Where: Galey Farms, 4150 Blenkinsop Road
- When: Saturday, October 4th – 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.
James Bay Market
It’s the last one of the season! Grab your friends and family and join James Bay Market for morning coffee, lunch or an afternoon snack.
Bring your basket and pick up fresh fruits and veggies for the week. Sit back, relax and enjoy local talent as we all together, create community!
- Where: 494 Superior Street
- When: Saturday, October 4th – 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Petrified Pub Crawl
Wednesday to Saturday for all of October, get ready for a spine-tingling evening on Victoria’s Petrified Pub Crawl, a guided, ghost-filled adventure through the city’s eeriest parts!
Over the course of 3 chilling hours, you’ll visit 3 haunted pubs, each brimming with history, mystery, and the unexplained. Satisfy your hunger with delicious free food at each stop, as their expert guide spins tales of the city’s dark past and eerie encounters.
Grab tickets here.
- Where: Starts at Empress Hotel, 791 Government Street
- When: Saturday, October 4th – 7 p.m. – 10 p.m.
Victoria Tea Festival Revival
Victoria’s tea lovers have something to celebrate this fall. The Victoria Tea Festival Revival will mark its 10th anniversary on Saturday, October 4th.
From 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., Nootka Court at 633 Courtney Street will become a lively meeting spot for tea fans, farmers, and curious newcomers.
The festival, organized by the International Tea Appreciation Society (ITAS), is run by volunteers dedicated to sharing the art, history, and enjoyment of tea.
- Where: Inside Nootka Court, 633 Courtney Street (behind the Bug Zoo downtown)
- When: Saturday, October 4th from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Victoria International Wine Festival
The Victoria International Wine Festival is back from October 2nd to 4th, bringing a community-focused celebration of wine, food, and connection to the heart of the city.
This year’s festival promises a relaxed, all-inclusive tasting experience featuring over 400 wines from around the world, paired with events that make wine more accessible and less intimidating.
Tickets still available online here.
- Where: Victoria Conference Centre, 720 Douglas Street
- When: October 2nd to 4th, various times
Pacific FC vs. Calvary FC
Watch Pacific FC in one of their final matches of the season!
Head to Langford’s Starlight Stadium this Sunday and don your best and brightest purple and teal so you can cheer on Vancouver Island’s team.
Get tickets online here!
- Where: Starlight Stadium, 1089 Langford Parkway
- When: Sunday, October 5th – 3 p.m.
Sunday Night Prime Rib Dinner at the James Bay Inn
>No better way to kick off the fall season than to bring back the Sunday Night Prime Rib Dinner!
Starting September 28th, visit the James Bay Inn Restaurant or JBI pub for a house made Prime Rib Dinner. From 6oz to 16oz cooked to your liking, they have the Prime Rib you want and crave.
Starting at $35 – 4:30 p.m. – 9 p.m. No take out and no substitutions.
- Where: James Bay Inn Pub, 270 Government Street
- When: Sunday, October 5th – 4:30 p.m. – 9 p.m.
Fright Fest at Vic Theatre
The Vic Theatre is bringing back ‘Fright Fest’ this October, and will be presenting some bone-chilling horror films, some goofy Halloween romps and some cult classics.
This six-film event features a little bit of something for everyone, whether you’re a scream queen or a horror junkie, Fright Fest will give you goosebumps and hopefully a good laugh at some point.
Fright Fest’s first film, Gremlins 2: The New Batch, will be on Sunday, October 5th, at 7:30 p.m. This 1990 cult classic is a campy sequel to the beloved 1984 Gremlins.
Tickets are available now for all films at the Vic Theatre’s website.
- Where: The Vic Theatre, 808 Douglas Street
- When: Sunday, October 5th – 7:30 p.m.
Harry Potter Themed Trivia at the Mint
One of the most popular trivia nights: HARRY POTTER Movies Edition is coming back to Victoria and they even have a cast member from the movies with some video questions of their own for us to answer!
Come with a team of up to 6 people or even try it solo. Lots of prizes to be won!
Tickets available here.
- Where: The Mint, 1414 Douglas Street
- When: Sunday, October 5th – 7 p.m. – 9 p.m.
