The season of falling leaves, spooky decorations, and Thanksgiving feasts is upon us.

October in Victoria brings a vibrant mix of cultural celebrations, creative workshops, and unforgettable performances to close out the fall season. 

From intimate jazz sessions and theatrical spectacles to hands-on homesteading classes and haunting Halloween festivities, there's something for every interest and age group. Mark your calendars for these local events that showcase the best of our community's creativity, talent, and seasonal spirit.

Check out the full list of events below.

Inter-tidal Relations Concert Series: Hip Hop & Rap Roots | Oct. 1 | 4-6pm

Featuring Stax, Sefam, Savage-li, Nathan Shelby of Saanich, Whirly Bird, and Jumpchill with an open rap cypher for all. Curated by Indigenous femmes Nikky Ermineskin and Raven Natraoro to uplift Indigenous arts and celebrate diverse cultures at Ship Point. [Free]

Sculpt an Owl in Clay (2 Classes) | Oct. 1 & 15 | 6:30-9:30pm 

Create a charming owl sculpture from clay with instructor Monica Burrell. Learn to form, hollow, and decorate your piece across two sessions at The Gardens at the Horticulture Centre of the Pacific. [$120]

Dan Mangan | Oct. 1 | 8pm 

The two-time JUNO Award-winner will bring his folk-roots sound to the Royal Theatre with support from Bells Larsen. $1 per ticket supports Rainbow Railroad,which helps at-risk LGBTQI+ individuals worldwide. [$45+]

Esquimalt Farmers Market: Fall Indoor Season | Starting Oct. 2 (every Thursday) | 4:30-7pm 

The market moves indoors to Esquimalt Rec Centre, with fall produce, baked goods, prepared meals, meat, honey, preserves, handmade gifts and more with your favourite vendors through December 18th. [Free]

The Great Divide: Celebrate the music of The Band | Oct. 2 | 7-9pm 

Canada's premier The Band tribute band performs timeless hits like "The Weight" and "Up on Cripple Creek", plus deep cuts. Five vocalists, dual keyboards, and authentic arrangements celebrate over a decade of keeping The Band's legacy alive, at Hermann's Jazz Club. [$30 plus fees/tax]

Victoria International Wine Festival | Oct. 2-4 | Various times 

Explore 400+ wines from around the globe with walk-around tastings and educational seminars at the Victoria Conference Centre. [Prices vary by session; some events sold out]

Fall Family Fest | Oct. 3 | 5:30-7:30pm 

Bouncy castle, crafts, food, and visits from Oak Bay Fire and Police with their vehicles. Ages 1-7 at Henderson Recreation Centre. [$5 per child]

Theresa Caputo | Oct. 3 | 8pm

Save-on-Foods Memorial Centre will be a little more spirited with the Long Island Medium hosting this arena show. [$60+]

Ballet Victoria presents Aladdin | Oct. 3 | 7:30pm & Oct. 4 | 2pm 

This classical ballet with contemporary flair brings the magic lamp tale to life with exotic costumes and music by Borodin, Saint-Saens, and Rimsky-Korsakov at the Royal Theatre. [$35+]

Willow Chair Workshop with Andrew Kent | Oct. 4 | 9am-5pm 

Learn rustic building techniques and create your own Bent Willow Chair in one day with expert instruction. Registration fee covers up to two participants making one chair together at The Gardens at the Horticulture Centre of the Pacific. [$305]

Steve-O | Oct. 4 | 7pm

The Jackass star will bring his comedy to the Royal Theatre. [$55+]

Violin Studio Recital: Flights of Fiddle Fancy | Oct. 4 | 7:30pm 

UVic School of Music students from Ann Elliott-Goldschmid's class perform violin miniatures. Reception to follow. [Admission by donation]

Habitat Restoration Work Session | Oct. 5 | 10am-12pm 

Join Friends of Bowker Creek for invasive plant removal and creek restoration along the Bowker Creek Pathway behind Oak Bay High School. Tools and gloves provided. [Free; FoBC membership required]

Junk Journaling with Fernwood Craft Club | Oct. 6 | 6-9pm 

Create junk journals using paper, ephemera, collage materials, and scrapbooking supplies at 1923 Fernwood Road. All materials provided, including glue, stickers, glitter, and more. [$15 includes notebook]

Queer Chess Club | Oct. 6 | 7-9pm 

Beginner-friendly, non-competitive chess and board games in a safe and welcoming environment for ages 12+ at Oaklands Community Centre. [By donation]

Moonlight to Appassionata: Minsoo Sohn Plays Beethoven | Oct. 6 | 7:30pm

Internationally acclaimed pianist Minsoo Sohn performs four iconic Beethoven sonatas, including "Moonlight," "Pathétique," and "Appassionata" at UVic School of Music. [Pay what you can]

2nd Degree Vintage UVic Market | Oct. 7 | 10am-6pm 

Shop 10,000+ curated vintage clothing pieces from more than  30 vendors with daily restocks at Michele Pujol Room, Student Union Building, University of Victoria. [Free entry]

Pumpkin Centerpiece with Succulents | Oct. 8 | 6:30-8pm 

Create a unique fall centerpiece with fresh pumpkins, gourds, succulents, and flowers on a rustic wood round. Hot seasonal drink and treat included. Bring garden snips and gloves. [$39]

Phillips Comedy Night at the Mint | Oct. 8 | 8-9:30pm 

Morgan Cranny and Drew Farrance bring the city's most hilarious comedians together for a weekly night of food, drink, and fun at The Mint. [$15-20]

Confidence in Canning: Homesteading Series | Oct. 9 | 6-8pm 

Learn food preservation by canning with demonstrations, equipment display, safety tips, and recipe suggestions at Patio Gardens. Sample home-canned fruit and take-home goodies to practise your new skills. [$49]

Special Delivery Comedy Tour with Jared Nathan | Oct. 9 | 7-10pm 

Catch the hilarious Jared Nathan, the OG 'Golden Ticket Winner' from Kill Tony LIVE at The Mint. [$25 + fees]

Blue Rodeo | Oct. 9 | 7pm

The legendary country rockers will take the stage at Save-on-Foods Memorial Centre, celebrating 40 years of music. [$52]

Frances Hope Single Release Party | Oct. 10 | 6:30-8:30pm 

Join Frances Hope and Band for her new single "Catch and Release" release party and final Victoria show. Celebrating her first globally distributed single with Amalien Records and Virgin Music Group at Bar Stage, The Coda. [$20]

3rd Annual Apple Harvest Fest | Oct. 11 | 10am-2pm 

Tea and apple pie under a tent in Ross Bay Villa's garden, plus apple chutney, preserves, and sauce for sale. [Included in admission]

Get Back Unplugged: The Beatles Reimagined | Oct. 11 | 7:30pm 

Six stellar musicians reimagine late-period Beatles songs with folk, Celtic, blues, and jazz influences. Featuring The Wahs and special guests at Upstairs Lounge at Oak Bay Rec. Doors at 6pm for dinner. [$35]

Witch Perfect | Oct.11 | 8pm

RuPaul’s Drag Race stars Tina Burner, Scarlett Envy, and Alexis Michelle will take on the iconic trio from Hocus Pocus in this parody show at the McPherson Playhouse. [$50+]

Colombian Rumba Party | Oct. 11 | 9pm 

Live show with Fuerza Vallenata at 10:30pm, plus DJs Miro and Alex King spinning salsa, bachata, cumbia, merengue, and reggaeton all night at The Coda. [$35]

Orchard Markets at Junction Cidery | Oct. 12 | 11am-5pm 

Browse market booths from vendors, farmers, and makers while enjoying cider and bites from Bicycle Pizza and food vendors. [Free entry]

Victoria Symphony presents Dvořák Symphony No. 7 | Oct. 12 | 2:30pm 

Conductor Naomi Woo and pianist Angela Cheng perform works by Emilie Mayer, Mozart's Piano Concerto No. 17, and Dvořák's Symphony No. 7 at The Farquhar, UVic. [$44+]

Benji's Pub Quiz | Oct. 13 | 7-9pm 

Weekly pub quiz with good laughs, good tunes, and brand new Inky Dinky's at the Fernwood Inn. [$13 per person, online tickets only]

Victoria Jazz Jam Session 4 | Oct. 15 | 6:30-8:30pm 

Tom Vickery Trio hosts Victoria's premier monthly jazz jam. Musicians bring instruments to play along with other jazz community members at Bar Stage, The Coda. [$10 General Admission, $5 Musicians]

Queer Open Stage | Oct. 15 | 6:30-8:30pm 

2SLGBTQIA+ performers showcase music, drag, poetry, dance, comedy, or magic in 10 minutes or less. Sign up at 6:30pm or email queeropenstagevic@gmail.com. Hosted by Sara Rose Hébert at theDock. [Free; donations for Lekwungen Community Toolshed]

Sarah McLachlan | Oct. 15 | 7:30pm

The Canadian songstress will celebrate 30 years since the release of her multi-platinum album, Fumbling Towards Ecstasy. [$70+]

Grow Your Own Food 101 Workshop | Oct. 16 | 6:30-8:30pm 

Beginner-friendly workshop covering soil health, watering, weeding, mulching, and basic gardening techniques for backyard or container growing at Learning Commons in Langford. [Free; pre-registration required]

High Moon: A Werewolf Western | Oct. 16 | 8-9pm 

Site-specific theatrical show at Heritage Acres, where audiences walk through a remote wild west town with werewolves lurking around every corner. Ages 12+, outdoor walking on gravel. [$35/25]

Canadian Beauty Presents: Ragged Glory, A Neil Young Tribute | Oct. 17 | 9:30pm

Victoria's Canadian Beauty celebrates 25+ years of Neil Young tributes with vocal harmonies and lengthy improvisations on favourites and deep cuts at The Coda, Main Stage. [$30]

Dance with the Devil | Oct. 18 | 7:30pm 

Immersive cabaret descent through the 9 circles of Hell featuring burlesque, drag, pole, and dance by Pandora's Box Cabaret. Dress code: Black and red, elegant mourning shrouds, witchy couture. 19+ at Maple Leaf School of Russian Ballet. Doors 6:30pm. [Ticket price not specified]

Maiden Vancouver: Tribute to Iron Maiden | Oct. 18 | 9:30pm

Celebrating the 40th anniversary of Live After Death with Iron Maiden classics from the first nine albums, followed by the full Long Beach Arena setlist at The Coda, Main Stage. [$30]

Sewing Makerspace | Oct. 19 | 1-2pm 

Get expert sewing help from tailor and upcycler Heather Ireland of Mythrose. Sewing machines, sergers, and equipment provided at DIY Room, Metchosin Arts & Cultural Centre. [Free; pre-registration required]

Turtle Succulent Topiary Workshop | Oct. 21 | 6:30-8:30pm 

Create an adorable turtle-shaped frame covered in hardy succulents—perfect for gardens, patios, or as a gift—at Patio Gardens. [$89]

Pacific Opera Victoria Presents Turn of the Screw by Britten | Oct. 22, 24, 26, 28 | Various times 

The chilling psychological thriller, based on Henry James' 1898 gothic novella, will be on stage at the Royal Theatre. [$35+]

Downpour at the Coda | Oct. 24 | 6:30-8:30pm 

Hard rock band from Victoria combines old-school grunge and psychedelic rock with metal-inspired technicality at Bar Stage, The Coda. [$20]

Gather and Groove Presents: Millet Monster Mash | Oct. 24 | 7:30-11pm 

Halloween party with three bands: MILLET, Dockside, and LöLä at Encore (formerly Victoria Event Centre). Costumes encouraged. [$15 online, $20 at door]

The Beaches: No Hard Feelings Tour | Oct. 24 | 8pm 

Four-time Juno Award-winning Toronto band brings their "Blame My Ex" album tour, with support from Valley, at Save-On-Foods Memorial Centre. [Ticket prices vary]

Halloween at Bilston Creek Farm | Oct. 25 & 26 | 11am-5pm 

Free farm access with a “golden pumpkin” hunt, photo-ops, and games for all, and a Halloween experience for kids and food. [Free entry; paid activities available]

2025 Metchosin Bewitched Market | Oct. 25-26 | 10am-4pm 

Psychics, witches, astrologers, and energy healers with talented readers and bewitching vendors at Metchosin Community Hall. [Free admission]

Grow Your Own Mushrooms | Oct. 25 | 1-3pm 

Learn low-tech methods to cultivate mushrooms at home, including basic fungal biology, making liquid culture, grain spawn, and straw preparation. Make your own straw bag with Oyster Mushroom spawn to take home, at Compost Education Centre. [Ticket price includes $10 materials]

"London Calling": A British Punk and Mod Revival | Oct. 25 | 6:30-8:30pm 

The Vancouver Island band will play high-energy British-influenced retro punk and new wave music from the 1970s and 1980s at The Coda. [$25]

God is a Scottish Drag Queen | Oct. 25 | 3pm & 7:30pm

In this hilarious and heartwarming night of comedy, God, dressed in a floral power suit, will come down to set the record straight and share thoughts on everything from Adam and Eve to Star Wars. [$50+]

Rise & Shine Bread Making: Homesteading Series | Oct. 28 | 6-8pm 

Learn the steps, tips, and techniques for making homemade bread, including loaves, buns, and focaccia. Experience kneading dough and sampling baked yeast products. Take home goodies to bake in your kitchen. [$49]

Nordic Dreams | Oct. 29 | 6:30-8:30pm 

Award-winning Cascadia Strings will perform lush string quartet music by Scandinavian composers Sibelius, Nielsen, and Wirén at The Coda. [$30]

Halloween Skate | Oct. 30 | 3-4:30pm

Enjoy this spooky community skate—kids in full costumes get in for free! [Free]

Sweet & Savoury Jam Making: Homesteading Series | Oct. 30 | 6-8pm 

Learn to make fruit and savoury jams with demonstrations of the process, ingredients, and jar preservation at Patio Gardens. [$49]

Moonlight & Mischief | Oct. 30 | 7-9pm 

Sultry and spooky tunes with Angela Verbrugge (vocals), Ryan Oliver (sax), Tony Genge (organ), and Graham Villette (drums). Suggested dress: Black & Sparkle or costume at Hermann's Jazz Club. [$25 plus fees/tax]

2025 Witches Nite In Halloween Market | Oct. 31 | 6-10pm 

This spooktacular market at Metchosin Community Hall will have psychic readings, a photo booth, mini spell bags, swag bags for the first 30 guests, glitter tattoos, and treats for kids. Witchy costume attire is required. [Say “BOO” for free admission]

Atomic Vaudeville presents DOPPELGÄNGER | Oct. 31 | 7:30pm 

This cabaret explores ghostly counterparts and identity crises through haunting sketches, live music, and absurd brilliance at Fellowship Hall. [$20-60 sliding scale, VIP tables for 4 available]

Tight Hair Disco Halloween Dance Party | Oct. 31 | 9:30pm 

This funk and disco dance party will feature 1970s classics from the Bee Gees, Chic, Gloria Gaynor, and Donna Summer at The Coda. Costumes encouraged. [$25 advance, $30 at door]