Little Local - September 24

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Our first Little Local park meetup is happening this Sunday! Come by Beckwith Park from 10:30am–12pm for a casual morning of kids playing and families connecting. I’ll bring a couple of lawn games and beach balls, and I’d love to see you there. Drop in whenever it works for you!

And with October just around the corner, there’s plenty to look forward to around Victoria, from pumpkin patches and Halloween outings to family events worth putting on your calendar. I’ve put together a few ideas to help you start planning.

October in Victoria

I think I’ve told you this already, but fall really is one of my favourite times of year. And with kids, there are even more reasons to love it. Here are a few events and activities you might want to plan ahead for, especially if your kids love Halloween as much as mine do!

Halloween Train: book now! 🚂
If the BC Forest Discovery Centre’s Halloween Train in Duncan is on your list, now’s the time to book. Tickets are on sale for select evenings from October 16–30, and they tend to sell out early. Tickets and details.

Pumpkinfest at Galey Farms 🎃
Pumpkinfest opens next weekend, October 3–4, with train and wagon rides, a corn maze, a kids’ haunted house and, of course, pumpkins. It runs weekends through November 1, plus Thanksgiving Monday and Friday, October 23. Our family goes every year! Plan your visit.

Pick your pumpkin
A quick stop to choose a pumpkin or an afternoon exploring a farm? Our guide rounds up pumpkin patches around Greater Victoria so you can find an outing that suits your family. Keep it handy for October, and check each farm’s opening dates and hours before heading out. Find a pumpkin patch.

Spooky houses are coming 👻
Our Spooky Houses map is getting an update for 2026! It’s still early for most displays, but I’ll share it here in the newsletter when it’s ready for your evening adventures. If your family goes all out with Halloween decorations, or you spot a house we should include, hit reply and let me know.

Wicked Victoria 👻
Another reason to get those costumes ready early! Wicked Victoria returns to Government Street on Sunday, October 25, with live entertainment, kids’ activities and trick-or-treating. This free, family-friendly festival is a fun way to kick off Halloween week. Event details.

National Day for Truth and Reconciliation

Wednesday, September 30 is National Day for Truth and Reconciliation and Orange Shirt Day, honouring residential school Survivors, their families and communities, and remembering the children who never came home. If you’re looking to take part locally, here are a couple of community events you may want to attend.

South Island Powwow
September 30 | 10am–7pm | Royal Athletic Park
Songhees Nation welcomes everyone for Indigenous song, dance and community gathering. Grand Entry at noon. Free. [Info]

Ride & Reconciliation
September 30 | Meet at 8:30am; ride departs at 10am
Opening presentations followed by a relaxed, approximately 9.2km community bike ride to the Powwow. Registration requested. [Info]

Where to find an Orange Shirt
Local options include Market Collective in the Bay Centre and Moss Street Market on Saturday. Look for shirts that support Indigenous artists, organizations or Survivor initiatives.

☕ Fall flavours at Rhino: A fall coffee for you and a donut to share with the kids? Rhino Coffee House’s September menu includes a Pumpkin Spice Latte, Pumpkin Cream Chai, Maple Cinnamon Latte and a Coffee Cake donut. Pop into Langford, Westhills or Uptown for a little treat before your next playground stop.

⛸️ Extra fun on the ice: Friday theme skates are coming to G.R. Pearkes! First up is Wild Wild West this Friday, September 25, from 6–7pm. Dress in theme for free admission. More themed nights are coming this fall, including Halloween, ’70s Night and a PJ Skate. Skate rentals are extra. See the dates and themes.

This Week & Weekend

🎶 ISSAMBA Culture Days Festival
Saturday, September 26 & Sunday, September 27 | 11am–7pm
Music, dance, food and local artisans at Ship Point in Victoria’s Inner Harbour. Free admission. [Info]

🌱 Woodside Farm’s Final Fresh Food Experience
Saturday, September 26 | 10am–4pm
Enjoy garden tastings, hayrides, farm animals, an apple orchard maze and pirate ship play at Woodside Farm in Sooke. Last one of the season! [Info]

🧱 LEGO Cool Creature Make & Take
Saturday, September 26 | 1–2pm
Build a LEGO dragon on a skateboard and join a superhero treasure hunt at Indigo Mayfair. Ages 6+. $5 plus fees, including a $5 Indigo gift card; registration required. [Info]

🍎 Apple Day at Sea Cider
Sunday, September 27 | 11am–4pm
Celebrate apple season with orchard strolls, apple pressing, kids’ activities, and food trucks at Sea Cider in Saanichton. Free! [Info]

🎪 Crown Circus at Mayfair
Now until September 27 | Various Showtimes
Head under the big top at Mayfair Shopping Centre for a family-friendly circus featuring aerial performances, lights, music and K-pop-inspired fun. [Info]

Upcoming

🍂 Oak Bay Fall Family Fest
Friday, October 2 | 5:30–7:30pm
Bouncy castle fun, crafts and visits from Oak Bay Fire and Police at Henderson Recreation Centre. Recommended for ages 1–7. [Info]

🐰 Bunny Moon Market
Saturday, October 3 | 11am–4pm
Celebrate the harvest moon with 70+ artists, food, workshops and performances at Fernwood Community Centre. $5 admission; kids free! [Info]

👟 Thrifty Foods Kids Run
Saturday, October 10 | 10:45am ages 7–12; 11am ages 0–6
A 1km run starting and finishing at Willows Beach Park in Oak Bay, with a medal and toque for each registered child. Parents can run alongside for free. $30 per child. register by October 9 at 6pm. [Info]

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Final Note: I do my best to keep everything accurate, but I am only human so the odd mistake might sneak in! If you catch one, feel free to let me know.