15 fun things to do in Vancouver this weekend: Oct. 16 to 18

Another autumn weekend has arrived, and it’s filled to the brim with great things to do in Vancouver.

Plan your days with our checklist of 15 fantastic events happening around town from Oct. 16 to 18. There will be a Bruno Mars doughnut giveaway, hilarious comedy, and more.

Be sure to check out our Listed section for more fantastic things happening around town.

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Bruno Mars The Romantic Doughnut Giveaway

What: To celebrate Bruno Mars’ record-breaking five concerts at BC Place. And to celebrate, local Vancouver bakery Mello is giving away over 1,000 Bruno Mars-themed doughnuts.

Mello is giving away 350 free doughnuts every day on Oct. 16, 17, and 18 at Holt Renfrew Vancouver to kick off The Romantic Tour in style (that’s a whopping 1,050 doughnuts for you math whizzes out there).

When: Oct. 16 to 18
Time: Noon until sold out
Where: Holt Renfrew Vancouver — 737 Dunsmuir St., Vancouver

UBC Botanical Garden Apple Festival

What: UBC Apple Festival returns on October 17 and 18 for its 35th year. Celebrate one of BC’s favourite fruits with rare and unusual apple varieties, family activities and a lively fall atmosphere at UBC Botanical Garden.

Learn about apple diversity, taste varieties you may not find at the grocery store and support a beloved community tradition. Organized by Friends of UBC Botanical Garden, the festival raises funds for education, research and conservation at UBC Botanical Garden.

When: Oct. 17 and 18, 2026
Time: 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Where: UBC Botanical Garden — 6804 SW Marine Dr., Vancouver
Tickets: Various prices. Children seven years and under can enter for free with a paying adult, though they must still register for a ticket. Purchase online

Latin American Heritage Month Festival 2026

What: The seventh edition Latin American Heritage Month Festival, presented by Latincouver, is taking place from Oct. 14 to Nov. 2, 2026. This year’s festival will feature over 100 artists and dozens of shows, events and workshops. There will also be Day of the Dead celebrations happening on Granville Island, in Gastown, and at The Amazing Brentwood.

When: Oct. 14 to Nov. 2, 2026
Time: Various times
Where: Various venues
Cost: Free and ticketed events; learn more online

Harvest Days at VanDusen Botanical Garden

What: Harvest Days at VanDusen Botanical Garden features a Learning Garden and maze, family-friendly activities, games and crafts, and food trucks. Take in live music, meet local experts, and more during the annual event.

When: Oct. 17 and 18, 2026
Time: 10:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Where: VanDusen Botanical Garden — 5251 Oak St., Vancouver
Admission: Various prices; purchase online

Canyon Frights

What: Capilano Suspension Bridge Park will be decorated with pumpkins and spooky displays for its annual Halloween event, Canyon Frights. There are plenty of photo ops, family-friendly activities, live performances, and more to check out.

When: Now until Nov. 1, 2026
Time: 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. (open until 9 p.m. from Oct. 23 to 25 and Oct. 30 to Nov. 1)
Where: Capilano Suspension Bridge Park – 3735 Capilano Rd., North Vancouver
Tickets: Various, purchase online

The Vancouver Comedy Experiment with Jokers Comedy

What: Enjoy a live stand-up comedy show by Jokers Canada, then go behind the laughs with a panel exploring the science of comedy with the comedians you just saw on stage.

Performers include Jacob Samuel (Juno Winner Comedy Album Of The Year), Gavin Clarkson (CBC Debaters), Sophia Johnson (Just For Laughs Vancouver) and Ed Hill (Amazon Prime).

This event takes place inside the intimate 200-seat Science Theatre at Science World

When: Saturday, Oct. 17, 2026
Time: Doors 6:30 p.m., show 7 p.m.
Where: Science World — 1455 Quebec St., Vancouver
Tickets: Various prices, purchase online. Save with code PROMO25.

Harvest Festival at Inlet District

What: It’s harvest time here in B.C., and there’s no better way to celebrate it than a good old fall festival! Jump right into the cozy season with Harvest Festival at Inlet District, a free community weekend event.

Taking place at Inlet District, it’s a two-day affair on Oct. 17 and Oct. 18, bringing the very best autumnal vibes. Expect free hot drinks and sweet treats, a vendor’s market, Insta-worthy photo opps, and even the chance to take home a free pumpkin!

When: Saturday, Oct. 17, to Sunday, Oct. 18
Where: Inlet District — 132 Balmoral Drive, Port Moody
Time: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Cost: Free

Vancouver FC vs HFX Wanderers

What: Vancouver FC continue their Canadian Premier League season at Willoughby Community Park this month with a match against the HFX Wanderers on Oct. 16.

When: Friday, Oct. 16, 2026
Time: 7 p.m.
Where: Willoughby Community Park at the Langley Events Centre – 7782 200th St., Langley Township
Tickets: Various prices, purchase online

MetroCon 2026

What: MetroCon returns to Burnaby this weekend, and it’s packing some major star power for the Halloween season event.

Part of the 2026 Burnaby Halloween Festival, MetroCon features celebrity guests, vendors, panels, cosplay, and more at Simon Fraser University’s Convocation Mall from Oct. 16 to 18.

This year’s headliners include two fan-favourite actors who are familiar with the superhero scene: Brandon Routh and Tyler Mane.

When: Oct. 16 to 18, 2026
Time: 4 to 9 p.m. (Friday), 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. (Saturday), 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. (Sunday)
Where: SFU’s Convocation Mall, Burnaby
Cost: Various; purchase online

Just Giulia Aperol Spritz & Pasta Class

What: If you’re a pasta lover, an Italian food enthusiast, a curious cook, or simply looking for a unique night out in Vancouver, Just Giulia Cooking Classes is bringing good vibes and great food to Gastown.

These classes aren’t your run-of-the-mill cooking lectures or food events. Giulia teaches every class herself, bringing her expertise and welcoming energy to the room every time.

Kick things off with a welcome Prosecco, followed by an Aperol Spritz demonstration so that you can sip as you cook. From there, enjoy a cacio e pepe demonstration and hands-on pasta-making experience where you’ll roll and cut fresh tagliatelle, culminating in a sit-down dinner to enjoy your creation.

When: Next classes on Oct. 17 and Oct. 30, 2026
Time: 7 p.m.
Where: Conscious Lab — 422 Richards St., Vancouver
Cost: $135

Vancouver Spanish Book Fair

What: Started in 2016, the Vancouver Spanish Fair is an annual event for the whole family. It brings together authors of various nationalities with books in Spanish, connecting them to the growing community that wishes to maintain and improve the language.

When: Sunday, Oct. 18, 2026
Time: 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Where: Ocean Artworks Pavilion, Granville Island – 1531 Johnston St., Vancouver
Admission: Free

Ohana Comedy Show

What: A comedy show with a tropical twist. Ohana Comedy Show blends world-class stand-up with the beauty of Polynesian dance at the intimate China Cloud Studios.

Hosted by viral comedian Yumi Nagashima, the lineup features the lineup of Myles Anderson, Jordan Wilson, Rachel Shaefer, and Gayle Yamamoto. Inspired by the Hawaiian spirit of “Ohana (family),” the night promises big laughs, vibrant energy, and a joyful community vibe.

When: Saturday, Oct. 17, 2026
Time: 7:30 to 9 p.m.
Where: China Cloud Studios – 524 Main St., Vancouver
Tickets: $33.28, purchase online

Shaboozey

What: Shaboozey is known widely for his hit “A Bar Song (Tipsy),” which tied a record for longest-running song atop the Billboard Hot 100 at 19 weeks.

He teamed up with Jelly Roll on “Amen,” which took home the Grammy Award for Best Country Duo/Group Performance in 2025.

And this spring, Shaboozey earned two Academy of Country Music Award nominations, including one for New Male Artist of the Year.

When: Saturday, Oct. 17, 2026
Time: 8 p.m.
Where: Doug Mitchell Thunderbird Sports Centre – 6066 Thunderbird Blvd., Vancouver
Tickets: Tickets for sale online

Vancouver Horror Show Film Festival

What: ‘Tis the season for macabre movies, and horror fans will be in heaven when the Vancouver Horror Show Film Festival (VHS) returns this month.

The ninth annual VHS is haunting screens in Vancouver from Oct. 14 to 18. The full festival lineup features over 60 short films and 15 feature-length films from around the world. VHS has red-carpet events, industry panels, a table read series, and more.

When: Oct. 14 to 18, 2026
Time: Various times
Where: International Village Cineplex Cinemas — 88 W. Pender St., 3rd floor, Vancouver
Tickets: Various prices, purchase online

Heist

What: Arts Club presents Heist, a thrilling theatrical caper filled with fast-paced dialogue and high-tech action at the Stanley BFL Canada Stage. Follow along as the conman, the hacker, the cat burglar, the muscle, and the mastermind attempt to steal a priceless ruby in the perfect crime.

When: Now until Oct. 18, 2026
Time: Various times
Where: Stanley BFL Canada Stage — 2750 Granville St., Vancouver
Cost: Various prices from $39, purchase online