Thanksgiving Weekend on Vancouver Island: Fairs, Markets and Family Plans
By Magnus Reaper
Published: October 10, 2026
Last updated: October 10, 2026
Thanksgiving weekend runs from Saturday, October 10, to Monday, October 12. Across Vancouver Island, the options range from harvest markets and studio visits to pumpkin patches, gardens and a possible early-season salmon sighting.
Schedules differ by day, so check the linked organizer pages before setting out. In particular, some farm attractions are listed for Saturday and Sunday only, while Bilston Creek Farm and Galey Farms have published Thanksgiving Monday hours.
Saturday: markets, makers and a downtown festival
In Metchosin, Bilston Creek Farm’s Harvest Market is scheduled for October 9–12, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. The farm’s event details include apple pressing, artisan vendors, lawn games, live music, farm tours and seasonal food and drinks. Destination Greater Victoria’s event listing also describes fresh-pressed apple juice and family activities. Check the farm’s page for any admission or event updates before visiting.
In Duncan, the Cowichan Fall Makers Market is listed for Saturday, October 10, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., at Miller + Co., 4540 Koksilah Road. The event listing describes local makers, more than 25 pumpkin varieties, food, yard games and a fire pit. Admission is listed as free; parking is limited, so the organizer suggests considering carpooling.
In Nanaimo, the Downtown Nanaimo Harvest Festival takes place at Maffeo Sutton Park from 2 to 6 p.m. The free event includes a scarecrow patch and contest, arts and activities, hot chocolate, harvest trivia and a photo experience. Visitors can also bring gently used coats and blankets, or new socks, for the Community Warmth Drive supporting the Salvation Army Nanaimo Centre of Hope.
A self-guided art tour in Nanoose Bay
The Nanoose Bay Studio Tour runs Saturday and Sunday, October 10–11, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Admission is free. Visitors can follow the self-guided tour through working studios featuring painting, pottery, jewellery, sculpture, textiles, glass and photography.
The published dates do not include Monday, October 12, so plan for the first two days of the weekend. The tour page has maps and details to help visitors plan a route.
Pumpkin patches and farm activities
For a larger farm outing, Coastal Black Pumpkin Fest in Black Creek lists hours of 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Thursday through Monday. That schedule covers all three days of the long weekend. The event page lists a corn maze, wagon rides, games and other family activities. Online tickets are recommended, and gate pricing may be higher.
In Saanich, Galey Farms Pumpkinfest runs October 3 to November 1 on weekends and Thanksgiving Monday. Its daytime admission includes a train ride, corn maze, wagon ride, pumpkin patch and children’s attractions. Pumpkins are available to purchase on site. The farm lists the fall daytime event separately from its after-dark Halloween attractions, so check the calendar and ticket options if choosing between them.
At Lohbrunner Community Farm Co-op in Langford, the pumpkin patch is scheduled Saturdays and Sundays in October, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. The City of Langford listing says admission is free and notes a farm stand and u-pick dahlias. The posted schedule covers October 10–11, but not Thanksgiving Monday.
Ocean View Estates in Saanichton lists its corn maze and pumpkin patch on October weekends. Its FAQ gives Friday-to-Sunday hours of 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and says pumpkins cost extra; the farm’s home page describes the opening as Saturday and Sunday. Because the published information is not fully consistent, check the farm’s latest updates before travelling. Its FAQ advises visitors to wear suitable footwear, as paths can become muddy.
Autumn colour and a salmon-run check
The Butchart Gardens autumn display continues through October 31, with pumpkins, gourds, ornamental peppers and kale among the seasonal plantings. The Gardens’ October report describes changing foliage, including golden ginkgo and red maples, while noting that colour and timing vary with weather. For Thanksgiving weekend, the Gardens list October hours of 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., including statutory holidays; visitors may remain for viewing for one hour after the gates close.
The Dining Room is also offering afternoon tea from 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. throughout October. Reservations are recommended. Tea and garden admission are separate considerations, so check the current details when booking.
Goldstream Provincial Park is worth considering for forest walks and a look along the river, but Thanksgiving weekend may be early for reliable salmon viewing. BC Parks says the chum, coho and Chinook run usually takes place from late October through December, with the best viewing generally from late October into November. Sightings on October 10–12 are not guaranteed.
The park’s latest notices also report that the Goldstream Nature House is closed and that there is no running water in the day-use area. Portable toilets have been placed on site. Check current park advisories before visiting, stay on marked trails, keep dogs leashed and out of the river, and do not fish in the park.
Thanksgiving dinner options
For a sit-down meal, Fathom at Hotel Grand Pacific in Victoria lists family-style Thanksgiving dinners on October 11 and 12, from 5 to 9 p.m. Reservations are required.
Table Nineteen Victoria lists a three-course Thanksgiving dinner on Sunday, October 11, from 5 p.m. The published price is $59 per person, plus applicable taxes and gratuity; an optional wine pairing is listed at $33. Reservations are recommended.
For Monday, October 12, Steamship Grill & Bar advertises its turkey dinner for $34.95, including pumpkin pie. Contact the restaurant to reserve and confirm the menu and availability.
A simple way to plan the weekend
Saturday offers the most scheduled markets and community events, while Sunday is a good fit for the Nanoose Bay Studio Tour and farms listing weekend hours. On Monday, Bilston Creek Farm, Coastal Black and Galey Farms publish schedules that include the holiday; several other farm attractions do not list Monday hours.
Allow extra time for island travel, check event pages for last-minute changes and book restaurant meals in advance. For more from Roaring Coast, visit the blog index.
About the author: Magnus Reaper covers Vancouver Island business, events, attractions, and community developments for Roaring Coast.