Fall Fairs on Vancouver Island

Sadly, summer is ending, but that doesn't mean the fun needs to stop! Fall brings new beginnings, crisper weather, and the ability to reap what we sowed in those warmer months. No matter where you live on Vancouver Island, you will find fantastic Fall Fairs geared to celebrate the bounty of the harvest.

And you can find all of the details right here! The fairs mentioned below are arranged in date order, (not necessarily by location, however, the locations are separated into sections).

The following list has been updated for 2023.

South Vancouver Island Fall Fairs

Cobble Hill Fair

August 26

With its theme of “celebrating the past and cultivating the future,” this year’s 114th Cobble Hill Fair promises family fun for everyone. This old-fashioned country fair showcases all that is terrific about living in South Cowichan. Start the day with a pancake breakfast, then watch the parade before taking in the livestock exhibits. There are farm animals, vintage farm machinery, and so much more. See the domestic science, floral arts, fruit and vegetable displays. Take in the live entertainment on stage, watch the youngsters in the children’s area or take the crane ride to enjoy new heights.

Location: Free Shuttles take you to the fair. Shuttles are located at 3791 Cobble Hill Road.

The Saanich Fair

September 2 – 4, 2023

Celebrating 155 years!

The Saanich Fair is a must for the whole family on Labour Day weekend. And the Saanich Fairgrounds is where fun, food and fantastic meet. There will be various things for people of all ages to see and do.

What to Expect

• 5,000 exhibits
• Dog and Horse shows
• Concessions with an ethnic flair
• Carnival and games
• Pumpkin and Duct tape contests
• Continuous stage entertainment
• Midway
• Headliners: Aaron Pritchett and Prism!
• And more

For further information, please visit the Saanich Fair website.

Sooke Fall Fair

September 9 & 10

“Wild West Coast” is this year's Sooke Fall Fair theme. Join in celebrating and embracing the talents and traditions of the many vendors. Your family will also have a ton of fun at all the other activities. Admission is by donation.

What to Expect

• Games & Entertainment
• Cooking demonstrations
• Food Eating Contests
• Animal viewing
• Pet parades
• And more

Location

Sooke Community Hall (2037 Shields Rd)

For further information, please visit the website for the Sooke Fall Fair.

Salt Spring Island Fall Fair

September 9 & 10

Join the fun at this annual Fall Fair and help celebrate Salt Spring Island's oldest community event. Since 1896, the fair has grown in both exhibits and attendance. Party with the animals and celebrate ‘Blue Jeans and Healthy Greens.'

What to Expect

• Livestock viewing
• Vendors and Exhibitors
• Games and Entertainment
• Sawmill Demonstrations
• Blacksmith Demonstrations
• Pet shows and parade
• Food Contests
• Zucchini Races
• Tractor Pull
• Chicken Races
• Rooster Calling Contest
• and much more

Location

Vesuvius Bay, on the Society's Grounds.

Please visit the Salt Spring Island Farmer's Institute website to view their Fall Fair Catalogue.

Metchosin Day

Sunday, September 10 (11:00 am – 6:00 pm)

This FREE admission event is fun for the whole family. Enjoy lunch in the Family Picnic Area with plenty of shade and seats. Or stroll among the many vendors and enjoy the provided entertainment.

What to Expect

• Pet Show
• Cakes, Pies and Produce viewing
• Vendors
• Children's Games
• Sheep Shearing
• 4H displays and demonstrations
• Ceremonies and awards
• Photography, baking and produce competitions
• Farmers Market
• BBQ
• And more

Location

Metchosin Municipal Grounds, behind the Fire Hall, 4450 Happy Valley Road.

For more information, visit the Metchosin Day website.

Cowichan Exhibition

September 15-17, 2023

Get ready for a weekend of entertainment as you help celebrate their 155th anniversary! This year's theme is ‘155 years of growing'. See the past, present and future of agriculture in the Cowichan Valley.

What to Expect

• Carnival Rides
• Logger Sports
• Archery
• Gold Panning
• Live Concerts and Entertainment
• Pro-Wrestling
• Kids Corral
• Displays of Antique and Modern Farm Equipment
• Tractor Parade and Pulls
• 4-H Club
• Farm Animal Displays
• Vendors
• Camping options
• and much more

Location

Cowichan Exhibition Grounds – 7380 Trans Canada Highway, Duncan

Please visit the Cowichan Exhibition website for information on admission prices and operation times.

Homesteading Fair

Saturday, September 16, from 10:00 am – 4:00 pm

Head to the Vancouver Island Homesteading Fair in Duncan. The fair intends to foster the exchange of knowledge, skills and experience in supporting a secure, vibrant and sustainable island community. This event is free to the public.

Besides vendors and onsite exhibits, there will be ongoing presentations on food production, preservation, livestock, energy, housing, etc. The schedule of presentations will be available in early September.

Location

Hub at Cowichan Station, located at 2375 Koksilah Road, Duncan

To find out more, check the website:  www.homesteadingfair.ca

Luxton Fall Fair

September 22-24, 2023

Step back in time and celebrate many years of Fall Fairs in the Western Communities. This fair showcases local agriculture and helps support local history and events. Admission is by donation. Entry to the Midway and other special events is an additional cost.

What to Expect

• Displays and Exhibits
• Midway Rides and Games
• Antique Farm Equipment
• Blacksmithing
• Museum Displays
• Crafts
• Product Booths
• Sand Drags
• Art
• Clay Baking Demonstrations
• And more

Location

Luxton Fairgrounds, Langford (0 Marwood Avenue).

For more information, including the cost of admission to Midway, visit the Luxton Fair website.

Central Vancouver Island Fall Fairs

The VIEX Country Fair

August 25-27, 2023

Celebrating over 129 years of memories!  Help welcome back West Coast Amusements with bigger and better rides.  The VIEX is the largest and oldest event in Nanaimo.  Visit Yukon Dan, Global FMX- a professional freestyle motocross show, or the fun Laughing Logger Lumberjack Show.  This year promises to be the biggest main stage event to date.  As always, you can enjoy the Family Fun Zone, Kennel Club demos, Vintage Tractor display, horse shows, community gardens, and so much more!

The Vancouver Island Exhibition is fun for the whole family.

Location: Beban Park – 2300 Bowen Road, Nanaimo

Visit the VIEX website for more information.

Comox Valley Exhibition

August 25-27, 2023

Promoting local farming for over 149 years, CVEX offers the whole family three days of fun-filled events.  You can fish for trout, tour the grounds on a hay ride, watch the many farm animal shows and demonstrations, sink your teeth into a freshly made candy apple and sit back and enjoy the lumberjack shows. There's also non-stop live entertainment. A special feature this year is the exciting FMX Motocross Show!

This year's theme is “Come on Get Hoppy”.

Location: Comox Valley Exhibition Grounds (4835 Headquarters Road Courtenay, BC)

Visit the CVEX website for more information.

Lighthouse Country Fall Fair

Saturday, September 2, from 10:00 am – 4:00 pm

The 50th Annual Lighthouse Country Fall Fair happens on Labour Day weekend.  All children's activities are free. Enjoy vendors, food galore, live music, community booths, and 4-H-type entries.

Location

Lighthouse Community Centre (240 Lions Way, Qualicum Bay)

Admission: $7.00, with kids under 12 free.

Alberni District Fall Fair

September 7-10, 2023

The #1 destination for family fun in the heart of Vancouver Island is the Alberni District Fall Fair. Join them for food, fun and plenty of entertainment.

What to Expect

• Freestyle Skateboarding
• Stump Artist
• Alberni Aquarium Display
• Lawn Mower Pulls
• Magic Show
• Stilt Walkers and Roving Acts
• Parade
• Midway
• Exhibitors
• Logger Sports
• Live Entertainment
• Zucchini Races
• Heritage Vehicle Displays
• Livestock shows
• Old McDonald Farm Yard
• and much, much more

Location

Port Alberni Fair Grounds – 4102 Hollywood Street, Port Alberni

For further information, visit the Alberni District Fall Fair website.

Autumn Artisan Market at the Museum

Every Friday evening from September 8 – October 27 (5:00 pm – 8:00 pm)

Head to the Parksville Museum on a Friday evening this fall to indulge in this family-friendly event. Enjoy live music while you shop the many vendors. Food trucks will also be onsite. Free admission!

Location: Parksville Museum (1245 Island Hwy). This is the same parking area as the Parksville Visitor Centre.

Black Creek Fall Fair

September 9 from 10:00 am – 4:00 pm

Celebrate the start of the fall season at the annual Black Creek Fall Fair. This family-friendly, community festival is fun for all ages. All-day activities include live entertainment, craft and food vendors, petting zoo, kid’s carnival, community contests and more. This event focuses on rural and agricultural lifestyles. Admission is by donation.

Location: Black Creek Community Centre – 2001 Black Creek Road.

Knox Fall Fair

Saturday, September 23 (8:00 am – 2:00 pm)

Join the largest and most popular fundraiser of the year and help support the Knox United Church in Parksville.

What to Expect

• Huge Garage Sale with bargains galore
• Vendors
• Silent Auction
• Food Trucks
• Kids Zone
• Children's Activities

Location

345 Pym Street, Parksville

Please visit the website of Knox United Church for more information.

Meet Me at The Meadows

Saturday, September 23, 2023 (11:00 am – 4:00 pm)

The Mom Market Vancouver Island brings this curated vendor market to you. Shop at the many vendors and the onsite Lavender Shop (that serves delicious coffee!). There will be food trucks, apple cider, and ice cream available. Enjoy hayrides, harvest mini-photos, and see the animals.

This event is free admission. $10 shopping gift cards will be handed out to the first in line. There will also be a grand prize draw.

Location: Arbutus Meadows Farm (1321 Island Hwy, Nanoose Bay).

Nanaimo Wellness & Spirit Fair

Saturday, September 23, 2023 (10:00 am – 5:00 pm)

Presented by Island Healing, the Nanaimo Wellness & Spirit Fair showcases a fusion of wellness and metaphysical products, services, and resources for growth that help foster the individual quest for wholeness and self-understanding. Representing a diverse field of extraordinary individuals, businesses, and organizations that offer products and services that facilitate the quest for our community to discover the latest trends in nutrition, fitness, physical, emotional and spiritual well-being.

FREE ADMISSION * FREE LECTURES * FREE PARKING * DRAW PRIZES * FOOD TRUCK

Where: Cavallotti Hall, 2060 E. Wellington Rd., Nanaimo

Culture Days

Culture Days presents ‘The Art of Nurturing Nature in Qualicum Beach. It's a fun and interactive way to celebrate nature, and, more specifically, salmon. There are two specific events to do so.

A Story of Beach Creek and Other Fish Tales – Celebrate salmon and streams through an artistic display. Hand-painted wooden salmon will be on display near the Qualicum Beach Visitors Centre. This event will feature a hands-on paper fish decorating activity and a fish demonstration. All ages are welcome. The event takes place on September 24, 2023.

Then, from September 26 to October 3, visit the Town Hall in Qualicum Beach. This is where the wooden hand-painted salmon decorated by local youth and adults from the community will be on display.

Further information can be found on Culture Days website.

North Vancouver Island Fall Fairs

Mount Waddington Regional Fall Fair

September 9 & 10

This annual event has united North Island communities for the past 50+ years. It is the only time the entire North Island comes together to celebrate their creativity and ingenuity. This year's theme is “Rockin' & Rollin' Around the Community.”

What to Expect

• Agricultural Exhibits
• Craft Exhibits
• Food Exhibits
• Information Booths
• Forestry Displays
• Chili Cook-Off
• Kid Zone
• Pet Show
• and more

Location

Chilton Regional Arena –  2205 Campbell Way, Port McNeill

Please let me know if you have further information about any other Fall Fairs on Vancouver Island.

Other Fall Activities

If you want even more activities this fall, check out our Fall Bucket List.

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