The first cold morning always catches me by surprise. The windows fog up, the string lights come out along Beacon Avenue, and suddenly every community hall on the island is filling up with tables of handmade gifts. After 26 homes and a move across the country from Toronto, November is the month that reminds me how much a community can feel like family and I’m so here for it.

It’s also one of the easiest months to get to know a new place. Holiday markets bring makers, neighbours and local businesses together under one roof, and you’ll find them in almost every corner of the region. I’ve gathered the markets and events happening across Victoria, the Saanich Peninsula, Sidney and the Westshore so you can plan your month in one place.

Holiday Markets in Early November

Market season starts strong this year, with something happening nearly every weekend from the first week of the month. These are wonderful places to find gifts that come with a story, and to meet the people who made them.

• 47th Annual Creative Craft Fair, G R Pearkes Recreation Centre, Saanich. November 6 to 8, with over 125 exhibitors. Friday 11am to 7pm, Saturday 10am to 5pm and Sunday 10am to 4pm.

• Christmas at the Lake, Prospect Lake Community Hall, 5358 Sparton Road. Saturday, November 7 from 10am to 4pm. Admission is $2 and children 12 and under are free.

• Bilston Creek Farm Holiday Market, 4185 Metchosin Road, Metchosin. November 7 and 8, 10am to 5pm.

• First Chance Christmas, Mary Winspear Centre, 2243 Beacon Avenue, Sidney. November 7 and 8, with hours to be confirmed.

• Atomic Christmas Vintage Fair and Makers Market by Island Vintage Events, Da Vinci Centre, 195 Bay Street. Friday, November 13 from 5pm to 9pm and Saturday, November 14 from 9am to 4pm. Admission is $5 and children 12 and under are free.

• 51st Annual All Sooke Arts and Crafts Show, Sooke. November 13 to 15, Friday 12pm to 7pm, Saturday 10am to 5pm and Sunday 10am to 4pm. Entry is free.

• Winter Craft Market, North Douglas Church, 675 Jolly Place, Saanich. Saturday, November 14 from 10am to 4pm.

• Centre Mountain Lellum Middle School Winter Market, 3090 Constellation Avenue, Langford. Saturday, November 14 from 10am to 3pm.

• Holiday Market at the Empress by Seek Bespoke Market, Fairmont Empress. November 14 and 15, with hours to be confirmed.

• Calico Christmas Market, Spectrum School, 957 Burnside Road West. November 14 and 15, 10am to 5pm. Weekend admission is $5 and children 12 and under are free.

• Wear2Start Winter Market, James Bay Community School Centre, 140 Oswego Street. November 14 and 15, with hours to be confirmed.

The holiday market at the Empress is a first for the hotel this year, and it is a lovely excuse to step inside one of Victoria's most beloved landmarks. If you’re new to the city, pair it with a walk along the Inner Harbour and you have a perfect November afternoon.

Holiday Markets Later in the Month

The second half of November brings some of the biggest markets of the season. Many of them run all weekend, so you can take your time and come back for the gift you could not stop thinking about.

• Magic of Christmas Artisan Market, Eagle Ridge Community Centre, 1089 Langford Parkway. November 20 to 22, with over 125 artisans. Friday 3pm to 8:30pm, Saturday 9am to 5pm and Sunday 9am to 4pm. Admission is $3 and children 12 and under are free, with accessible shopping the first hour each day.

• Candy Cane Lane Winter Festival, Saanich Fairgrounds, 1528 Stellys Cross Road. November 21 and 22, 9:30am to 4pm, with local makers, island food vendors and local wine, beer and cider.

• Victorian Christmas Craft Fair, Commonwealth Place, 4636 Elk Lake Drive. Saturday, November 21 from 10am to 5pm and Sunday, November 22 from 10am to 4pm. Weekend admission is $5.

• The Holiday Market at Uptown, Uptown, Saanich. November 21 and 22, with hours to be confirmed.

• Esquimalt Farmers Market Holiday Edition, Esquimalt Recreation Centre, 527 Fraser Street. Sunday, November 22 from 11am to 5pm.

• Winter Bazaar by the Fernwood Makers Party, Gorge Park Pavilion, 1070 Tillicum Road. November 27 to 29, with over 120 artists and food creatives. Friday 5pm to 9pm, Saturday 10am to 6pm and Sunday 10am to 5pm.

• VIDEA's Winter Fair, Fernwood Community Centre, 1240 Gladstone Avenue. Saturday, November 28 from 11am to 4pm, featuring fair trade and Indigenous makers. Admission is free.

• Cook Street Village Holiday Market, Cook Street Village Activity Centre. Saturday, November 28 from 9am to 3pm.

• Babes in Biz Holiday Market, Westshore Masonic Centre, 2832 Bryn Maur Road. Saturday, November 28 from 1pm to 4pm, celebrating local women in business. Admission is by donation in support of Bridges for Women Society.

Where You Will Find Me

I’ll be at two of my favourite shows this month, and I would love to see you there. Atomic Christmas at the Da Vinci Centre is pure vintage holiday charm, and the team at Island Vintage Events puts so much heart into every market they host. The Winter Bazaar at Gorge Park Pavilion is one of the most thoughtfully curated markets of the year, and the Fernwood Makers Party always brings together an incredible group of local artists.

If you are thinking about a move or simply want to chat about life on the island, come find me and say hello. Some of my favourite conversations happen over a cup of cider at a market table.

Arts, Culture and Community

November kicks off with a little leftover Halloween fun. On Sunday, November 1, the Spooky Pumpkin Walk lights up Pineridge Park in Sooke, with carved pumpkins dropped off after 1pm and the trail glowing from 5pm to 7:30pm. That same afternoon, the Colwood Pumpkin Smash takes over Colwood City Hall from 1pm to 3pm, with donations welcome for the Goldstream Food Bank.

For a night out, Murder on Paper Street returns to Craigdarroch Castle from November 5 to 14 with immersive mystery theatre inside the castle itself. On November 6, the Art Gallery of Greater Victoria celebrates its new winter exhibitions with an evening opening. Showtimes can change, so check each organizer's website before you go.

Wine lovers can mark November 6 and 7 for the Victoria International Wine Festival downtown, with grand tastings, seminars and wine dinners. The Intuitive Arts Festival also returns to Victoria on November 7 and 8, with location and times to be confirmed. On Sunday, November 8, the Orchard Market at Junction Orchard and Cidery on Prospect Lake Road runs from 12pm to 6pm and pairs local makers with fresh island cider.

On Thursday, November 12, Music Bingo with the Eves of Destruction Roller Derby comes to the Fernwood Inn, with doors at 7:30pm. Two days later, the Colourful Business Expo at Clifford Carl Hall in the Royal BC Museum showcases local entrepreneurs and the stories behind their businesses.

Getting Outside This November

The salmon run at Goldstream Provincial Park in Langford continues into early December. Walking the river trails on a misty November morning is one of my newer favourite island rituals, and it never fails to slow me down in the best way. Bring a warm layer (or two!) and stay on the paths so the river stays healthy for years to come.

The Holiday Season Begins

Bastion Square Christmas Village opens on November 12 and runs through December 24, with holiday vendors and seasonal entertainment in the heart of downtown. The Festival of Trees begins on November 18, and FOLKTORIA brings a multicultural celebration to the Royal BC Museum on November 21 and 22.

The month wraps up with the 44th Peninsula Co-op Santa Claus Parade on Saturday, November 28, starting at Government and Belleville Streets. It is one of those evenings that makes Victoria feel like a small town in the best possible way. Bundle up, grab a hot chocolate and find your spot along the route early.

Finding Your People This Season

If you’re new to the island or planning a move, I hope this guide helps you find your people. Shopping local is one of the simplest ways to put down roots, because every market table is a chance to meet a neighbour.

Event details can change, so it’s always a good idea to check with organizers before you head out. If you’d like a monthly roundup like this in your inbox, you can sign up for my newsletter at yourvanislehome.com.

Jacqueline Ross, REALTOR®
Your Van Isle Home
call/text: 250-415-5656
jac@yourvanislehome.com
Instagram | Facebook

There’s a moment every October when the island quietly shifts. The mornings turn misty, the maples start to glow, and every porch in the neighbourhood seems to have a pumpkin on it. So fresh, so crips. After 26 homes and a move across the country from Toronto, I can tell you that fall is when Vancouver Island feels most like home to me.

October is also one of the best months to get to know a new community. If you’re new to the island, thinking about a move, or simply looking for a reason to get out of the house, this guide is for you. I’ve gathered the events, markets and Halloween happenings across Victoria, the Saanich Peninsula, Sidney and the Westshore so you can plan your month in one place.

Fall Festivals and Pumpkin Patches

Galey Farms in Saanich is a fall tradition for so many local families, and Pumpkin Fest runs daily all month long. If you like a little fright with your fall fun, their Festival of Fear takes over after dark. It’s a great evening out for older kids and anyone who loves a good scare.

Out on the Westshore, the Luxton Fall Fair returns to the Luxton Fairgrounds in Langford from October 2 to 4. Gates are open Friday from 3 to 11pm and Saturday from noon to 10pm, with Sunday noon to 9pm. That same weekend, Light Up the Hills brings a festival of lights to Belmont Secondary in Westhills on Saturday, October 3 from 7:30 to 9:30pm.

On the Peninsula, the Halloween Express runs in the evenings from October 16 to 18 at Heritage Acres in Saanichton. It’s a festive and gentle outing that works well for little ones and grandparents alike.

Arts, Culture and Community

Music lovers can catch BreakOut West at the DoubleTree by Hilton in Victoria from October 1 to 3, with performances at various times. On Saturday, October 3, the Victoria Tea Festival fills Nootka Court from 11am to 5pm. It’s a cozy way to spend a fall afternoon downtown, rich in culture. There’s also the Otsukimi market in lovely Fernwood on October 3, from 11am to 4pm at the Fernwood Community Centre.

Book lovers will want to mark October 12 to 18 for the Victoria Festival of Authors, with readings and events at various times around the city. The following weekend, October 16 to 18, the Victoria Fall Home Show comes to Pearkes Recreation Centre in Saanich. If you’re planning a refresh, preparing to sell, or simply gathering ideas for your next chapter, it‘s worth a wander.

Getting Outside This Fall

Thanksgiving weekend brings the Victoria Marathon to downtown Victoria from October 9 to 11. Alongside the main race there is an 8K, a 5K and a kids run. Even if you’re not lacing up, cheering from the sidelines is one of the best ways to feel the community spirit here.

From mid to late October, the salmon begin returning to Goldstream Provincial Park in Langford. The run continues into early December, and walking the river trails on a misty morning is one of my favourite island rituals. Bring a warm layer and stay on the paths so the river stays healthy for years to come.

Local Election Day

Saturday, October 17 is General Local Election Day in every municipality across the region. Polls are open from 8am to 8pm, and voting is a meaningful way to have a say in the future of your neighbourhood. If you have moved recently, check with your municipality about where and how to cast your ballot.

Halloween Fun Before the Big Night

Vic West Halloween Fun Day takes place on Saturday, October 24 at 521 Craigflower Rd from 10am to 2pm. The next day, Wicked Victoria brings Halloween fun to Government St, Langley St and Bastion Square from 10am to 3pm.

On Friday, October 30, G.R. Pearkes Recreation Centre is hosting a themed skate from 6 to 7pm. Admission is free when you come in costume, which might be the best deal in town.

Fall Markets Around the Region

Many of our outdoor markets are wrapping up for the season, so October is a lovely time to visit before they close for winter. Here is where to find local produce, baking and handmade goods this month.

• Moss Street Market, 401 Moss St, Victoria. Saturdays through October 31, 10am to 2pm.

• Bastion Square Public Market, Victoria. Thursday to Sunday into early October, 11am to 5pm.

• James Bay Community Market, Menzies and Superior, Victoria. Final market of the season on Saturday, October 3, 9am to 3pm.

• Peninsula Country Market, Saanich Fairgrounds, Saanichton. Saturdays through October 10, 9am to 1pm.

• North Saanich Farm Market, 10990 W Saanich Rd, North Saanich. Saturdays through October 10, 9:30am to 12pm.

• Goldstream Station Market, Danbrook Park, Langford. Saturdays through October 10, 10am to 2pm.

• Sooke Country Market, Woodside Farm, Sooke. Saturdays through October 10, 10am to 2pm.

• Metchosin Farmers Market, Metchosin Municipal Grounds. Sundays through October 25, 11am to 2pm.

Halloween Markets

October is also market season of a spookier kind. These Halloween markets are full of local makers, vintage finds and seasonal treats.

• Monster Mash Vintage Market by Island Events, Da Vinci Centre, Vic West. Saturday, October 3, 9am to 4pm.

• Spooky Markets Halloween Market, Langford Station. October 17 and 18, 11am to 4pm.

• Halloween Market YYJ, Da Vinci Centre, Victoria. October 24 and 25, Saturday 11am to 5pm and Sunday 11am to 4pm.

• Metchosin Bewitched Market, Metchosin Community Hall. October 24 and 25, 10am to 4pm.

• Witchcrafted Halloween Market, Prospect Lake Community Hall, 5358 Sparton Rd. October 31, 10am to 4pm.

Halloween Night Across the Island

When October 31 arrives, communities all over the region come out to celebrate. Here is where to find trick or treating, bonfires and fireworks on Halloween night.

• Treat Street Halloween Spooktacular, Beacon Ave, Sidney. 4:30 to 6pm.

• Trick or Treat on the Avenue, Oak Bay Village merchants. Times to be confirmed.

• Vic West Halloween BBQ, 521 Craigflower Rd, Victoria. 5 to 9pm.

• Halloween Spooktacular, Archie Browning Sports Centre, Esquimalt. Starts at 5:30pm.

• Treat Street, Luxton Fairgrounds, Langford. 5:30 to 8:30pm.

• Halloween Bonfire, Colwood Fire Hall. 6 to 8:30pm.

• Otter Point Halloween Bonfire and Fireworks, Camp Barnard, Sooke. Fireworks at 7:30pm.

Finding Your Place This Fall

When I moved here from Toronto, community events were how I started to feel at home. A fall fair, a Saturday market and a Halloween night on a friendly street can tell you more about a neighbourhood than any listing ever will. If you’re new to the island or planning a move, I hope this guide helps you find your people.

Event details can change, so it’s always a good idea to check with organizers before you head out. If you would like a monthly roundup like this in your inbox, you can sign up for my newsletter at yourvanislehome.com.

Jacqueline Ross, REALTOR®
Your Van Isle Home
call/text: 250-415-5656
jac@yourvanislehome.com
Instagram | Facebook