What to Do in Vancouver This October

The best activities and events to add to your calendar for October 2017.

Glue Your Eyes to the Silver Screen

October 1 to 13

It’s the time of year all film lovers wait for: the Vancouver International Film Festival has arrived with some of the best cinema the world has to offer. Two films of note include, c̓əsnaʔəm: the city before the city about the important Musqueam land now known known as Marpole and Loving Vincent, the first fully painted animation (each frame was painted by a professional oil-painter) ruminating on the death of artist Vincent Van Gogh.When: October 1 to October 13Where: Various venuesCost: $10 to $22Tickets: VIFF

Bake a Pie

October 4

Just in time for the start of a cozy autumn, Tartine Maple Cuisine is offering a workshop on making The Best Fall Pies. Aspiring pie masters will get a chance to make their own dough from scratch, craft an apple pie with fancy lattice work and create a pear tart—all while accompanied by a glass of wine and snacks. Harvest season indeed!When: 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.Where: Uncommon Cafe, 477 Powell StCost: $59Tickets: Eventbrite

Make a Wish Under the Moon

October 6

Join the Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden for Mid-Autumn Moon Festival: The Four Arts. This year’s theme focuses on the four arts of Chinese scholars: calligraphy, painting, music, and weiqi (a strategy board game). The festival will feature calligraphy and cooking demonstrations, live music, an outdoor food fair and the chance to make a wish on a floating lantern in the garden’s beautiful pond.When: 5:30 p.m. to 10 p.m.Where: Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden, 578 Carrall St.Cost: $10 or $20 for a family passTickets: Eventbrite

Join an Axe Throwing League

October 9

While axe throwing might conjure images of mythical dwarves or excited lumberjacks, axe throwing is a world-wide phenomenon with competitive leagues popping up all over the globe. This year, Bad Axe Throwing is creating their own league to compete in the World Axe Throwing League Championship, taking place in November with a cash prize of $3,500 up for grabs. Anyone is welcome to register before the season starts October 9.When: Season starts October 9, practices at 7 p.m.Where: Bad Axe Throwing, 8132 130 St. SurreyCost: $120More info: Bad Axe Throwing

Find a Favourite Book

October 14 to 15

Book and art lovers alike will drool over the many offerings at the Vancouver Art Book Fair, including tiny zines filled with dad tweets, beautiful anthologies of photography and screen printed postcards to name just a few. This multi-day fair brings together literary works from an array of international artists and publishers, and features a line up of performances and presentations. Bring cash and make room in your bookshelves.When: 12 p.m. to  6 p.m.Where: Vancouver Art Gallery, 750 Hornby StreetCost: FreeMore info: VABF

Keep the Doctor Away

Oct 14 to 15

UBC Botanical Garden presents the UBC Apple Festival, an annual celebration of all fruits round and crisp. Along with live music and a scarecrow contest, the festival features an apple tasting tent where you can try a wide array of rare apple varieties. Apples, apple trees and apple pies will be for sale so you can live apple-y ever after.When: 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.Where: UBC Botanical Garden,Cost: $5, children 12 and under are freeMore info: UBC Botanical Garden

Catch Some World Class Improv

Oct 11 to 14

The Vancouver International Improv Festival brings together the biggest and brightest names from around the world in improvised comedy. Local and international performers will be showcasing their talent at four venues around the city as well as putting on workshops for those interested in trying out the art of improv. Check out the festival’s International Ensembles, which see individual improvisers from different acts thrown together to workshop a new show just for the festival.When: October 11 to 14Where: Various venuesCost: $15 per show, $8 evening pass, $50 festival passTickets: VIIF

Find a Great Costume

October 21

If you’re feeling your sheet ghost costume just isn’t going to cut it this year, Carousel Theatre for Young People has got you covered. Their Annual Costume Sale features costumes from last season’s productions, including Grease, Romeo and Juliet and Hairspray. All proceeds  support their inner city school matinee fund.When: 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.Where: Carousel Theatre for Young People, 1411 Cartwright StCost: Free, costume prices are by suggestionMore info: Carousel Theatre

Trade and Haggle for a One-Inch Work of Art

October 21

Hot One Inch Action is a one-night show where art from 50 local artists is reproduced on limited edition one-inch pins. Guests are invited to buy variety packs of the pins and trade with others to get their favourite combination. Created by Jim Hoehnle and Chris Bentzen, this social evening is similar to marbles or Pokémon cards for adults—filled with the same heated haggling to get the art pins you really want.When: 7 p.m. to 11 p.m.Where: Arts Factory, 281 Industrial Ave.Cost: Free entry, bags are $5More info: Hot One Inch Action

Join Your Fellow Lost Souls

October TBA

Wander the streets with all manners of ghouls as part of the Parade of Lost Souls. Put on by The Dusty Flower Pot Cabaret, this community-run event features incredible outdoor installations, live performances, stilt walkers and immersive performances. Join a workshop beforehand to take place in the “Thriller” flash mob and stay tuned on their website for confirmation of their secret location and start date.When: Workshops run Oct 19 to 22, main event TBAWhere: Secret location announced a week before the eventCost: FreeMore info: Parade of Lost Souls

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