October brings autumn colours, salmon runs, Thanksgiving and Halloween to Vancouver. The rainy season returns, but crisp sunny days are common, and the city is full of harvest and Halloween events.
October in Vancouver at a glance
- Average high / low: 14°C / 7°C
- Precipitation: about 124 mm, on about 15 days
- Daylight: about 10.5 hours a day
- Sunshine: about 121 hours over the month
- What it feels like: colourful autumn, with the rainy season starting
Weather in Vancouver in October
Highs average about 14°C and lows about 7°C. Rain returns, falling on about half the days and increasing toward the end of the month. Days shorten quickly to about 10 hours.
Averages are for Vancouver International Airport, 1991 to 2020, from Environment and Climate Change Canada (sunshine 1981 to 2010). The North Shore and the mountains are cooler and wetter than the city.
What to pack for Vancouver in October
- A waterproof jacket and warm layers
- Waterproof shoes
- A hat for cool evenings
- A costume if you are here for Halloween
Events and festivals in October
- The Vancouver International Film Festival continues into early October
- The Vancouver Writers Fest on Granville Island
- Thanksgiving on the second Monday of October, with harvest dinners and farm visits
- Halloween: Canyon Frights at Capilano, Fright Nights at Playland and the Stanley Park Ghost Train
- Pumpkin patches and corn mazes, such as Richmond Country Farms
- Diwali celebrations in some years, when the festival falls in October
Dates change every year. See the October events calendar for this year’s dates, or check things to do in Vancouver today and this weekend.
Things to do in Vancouver in October
- See autumn colours in Stanley Park, VanDusen and Queen Elizabeth Park
- Watch salmon return to spawn at the Capilano River Hatchery in North Vancouver
- Walk the bridge at Capilano Suspension Bridge Park or Lynn Canyon under fall colours
- Pick pumpkins at a farm in Richmond or the Fraser Valley
- Spend rainy days at the Museum of Anthropology, Science World or the Vancouver Art Gallery
- Catch the start of the Canucks season at Rogers Arena
Tips for visiting Vancouver in October
- Thanksgiving Monday is a statutory holiday.
- Book Halloween attractions in advance; weekends sell out.
- Winter tire rules start on mountain highways on October 1.
Plan your trip
Build a day out with our free trip planner, follow one of our Vancouver itineraries or browse all upcoming events in Vancouver. On wet days, our rainy day guide has plenty of indoor ideas.
Frequently asked questions
Is October a good time to visit Vancouver?
Yes for autumn colours, salmon runs, Halloween events and lower prices. Expect more rain than in summer.
How cold is Vancouver in October?
Highs average about 14°C and lows about 7°C.
Where can I see salmon in Vancouver?
The Capilano River Hatchery in North Vancouver is the easiest place, with salmon returning from late summer through fall.
Vancouver month by month
Previous: Vancouver in September · Best time to visit Vancouver (all months) · Next: Vancouver in November
More local guides
- Vancouver in November: Weather, Events and Things to Do
- Vancouver in September: Weather, Events and Things to Do
- Vancouver in December: Weather, Events and Things to Do
- Vancouver in August: Weather, Events and Things to Do
- Best Time to Visit Vancouver: Month-by-Month Guide
- Vancouver in July: Weather, Events and Things to Do
