One of the most memorable parts of the Fall season here in the Fraser Valley is the changing colours. The trees transition into beautiful reds, yellows and oranges, painting quite a picture with the mountains towering in the background. The air gets cooler and the cozy sweaters come out. Our agricultural fields turn to pumpkin patches, while the orchards and vineyards provide the ideal location for Fall festivals.
Truly a season of festivities, Fall is a great time to get outside here in the Fraser Valley. There’s fun for the whole family everywhere you look, thanks to the various pumpkin patches, corn mazes and food and drink festivals. In this article, we’re going to share some of the upcoming events due for Fall of 2023 here in the Fraser Valley.
Fraser Valley Wedding Festival (Abbotsford Edition!)
The Fraser Valley Wedding Festival is an interactive fashion show with the latest in beautiful gowns and wedding wear for all bodies. Running since 2005, it’s now the longest-running wedding show in the Fraser Valley, and hosts three annual events in Downtown Langley and Abbotsford.
The Abbotsford Edition is scheduled for September 24th at the Abbotsford Clarion Hotel, and will feature goods for sale from small businesses based in the Fraser Valley. There will be door prizes, draws and a grand prize – ethical diamond solitaire earrings for two lucky winners. Tickets start at $10.50 each.
2nd Annual Spooky Fall Market
Photo credit to The Chilliwack Progress
The Spooky Fall Market in Chilliwack is back for a second year! To get you and the whole family prepared for the Halloween season, come down to Evergreen Hall at 9291 Corbould Street on October 21st from 10am to 4pm.
There will be plenty of local vendors selling handmade houseware, baked goods, decorations and more. The best part? Admission is totally free. There will also be food trucks, free swag bags for early birds, and a free entry into our Basket Draw at the end of the event full of items from our vendors.
Brewhalla Beer & Music Festival Chilliwack
Brewhalla hosts some of the biggest craft beer festivals on the Lower Mainland, with events in Chilliwack, Port Moody and Cloverdale. This is your chance to enjoy some of the best of what this region has to offer, from delicious local beer to live music from local musicians.
The Brewhalla Beer & Music Festival in Chilliwack is on October 7th, being hosted at Watson Glen Park (5727 Tyson Road) from 12-6pm. There will be 30+ breweries on site, including Barnside Brewing, 5 Roads Brewing, Lake Bottom Cider, Sidekick Brewing and many more. With early bird tickets starting at $39.97, you’ll get admission to the festival plus three drink tokens and a commemorative festival glass.
Silverdale Fall Market
The Silverdale Fall Market in Mission the perfect opportunity to find farm fresh products and support the local businesses. This outdoor only market will be packed full of local vendors selling fresh food and baked goods, handcrafted items like jewelry and kitchenware, and much more.
The Silverdale Fall Market will be happening September 23rd from 11am to 4pm at the Silverdale Community Center, located at 8760 McLean Street.
The Mango Market: Fall Kickoff
The Mango Market is one of the most popular markets in the Abbotsford area, being hosted multiple times per year. This family-friendly market is a great place to find high-quality handcrafted goods such as artisan food, woodworking, jewelry, home décor, candles, skincare and so much more. There will be live music, food trucks, and over 50 local vendors!
The Fall Kickoff Market will be hosted on October 14th, with another the following month on November 11th. The Mango Market is hosted in the parking lot of the Gateway Community Church (2884 Gladys Avenue) in Abbotsford. And admission is free!
Chilliwack Sunflower Festival
The Chilliwack Sunflower Festival is an awesome family-friendly event put on by the same group that organizes the annual springtime Chilliwack Tulip Festival. The 2022 festival featured 50 varieties of sunflowers, along with dozens of kinds of dahlias, gladiolas, zinnias and cosmos. There will be a special field where you can pick your own flowers, plus fun activities for children, tractors to play on, and a couple food trucks to eat at.
The Chilliwack Sunflower Festival dates for 2023 are not solidified yet, but it typically runs for the entire month of August and into September. It all depends on the temperature, which affects the sunflower growing season. The festival will take place place in the fields of a farm just off the Trans-Canada Highway at 41310 Yale Road in Chilliwack.
Maple Ridge Feast-of-Ales
The first ever Maple Ridge Feast-of-Ales Festival will feature your favourite local food trucks, local BC breweries, entertainment, yard games and a curated market. The brewery and entertainment lineups are coming soon, but they’ve already secured 15 food trucks, so there’ll be no shortage of food to eat.
Tickets to the first ever Feast-of-Ales in Maple Ridge start at $40, which get you entry into the 19+ event, a snack ticket, and a drink. The festival will be hosted at the Albion Fairgrounds (23448 105 Avenue) in Maple Ridge on September 15-17th.
Celebrate the Night Maple Ridge
Celebrate the Night is a free family-friendly and Halloween-themed event in Maple Ridge. There are plenty of activities to enjoy, along with pretty lights, lanterns, craft activities, a costume contest and food trucks. There will also be live music – 2022 featured the Raincity band, along with theatre performances from NZR Productions and Candy Bones Theatre. But the highlight of the next is the fireworks to end the night.
The 2022 fireworks had to be postponed due to the fire ban, but we’ve got our fingers crossed for 2023. The 2023 event is scheduled for October 20th, 2023.
Fraser Valley Distillery & Beer Festival
The Fraser Valley Distillery & Beer Festival is a 19+ fundraiser that benefits Kids+Music education and experiences through the Chilliwack Academy of Music. The evening will celebrate the past, the progression, and artistry of cocktail culture, paying homage to the 90th Anniversary of the Prohibition. The festival will showcase some of the biggest names in the industry, plus a vast selection of spirits and award-winning brews.
The 6th Annual Fraser Valley Distillery & Beer Festival is on September 23rd with doors opening at 7pm, being hosted at the ‘Speakeasy’. Tickets are $75 each, and include an event map, two sample glasses and ten drink tokens.
If you’re looking to stock up on libations for the cozy Fall season, stop by one of our local liquor stores throughout the Fraser Valley. We’ve got 13+ locations in Mission, Chilliwack, Abbotsford and Maple Ridge, and our friendly staff will be happy to help you make a selection.
