TRAVEL
Top Spots to Visit in BC This Labour Day Weekend
Make the best of your long weekend!
Vancouver & Surrounding Events
Vancouver truly comes alive during the Labour Day long weekend. The Pacific National Exhibition (PNE) Fair runs through Labour Day Monday, offering everything from SuperDogs and drag shows to cooking demos and fireworks. You’ll also find cultural celebrations like TAIWANfest, Nikkei Matsuri, and festivals along the Fraser Valley such as the Abbotsford Summer Flower Festival and the Chilliwack Corn Maze.
For outdoor delights, visit Stanley Park where you can stroll or cycle the famous Seawall, explore forest trails, or enjoy the aquarium. Check out Granville Island for a vibrant public market, waterfront eateries, and local artisanal shops. For more lively local fare, explore night markets like the Richmond Night Market or the Shipyards Night Market, featuring multicultural cuisine, music, and small-batch crafts.
Whistler, Squamish & Sea-to-Sky Adventures
Just a scenic drive up the Sea-to-Sky Highway, Whistler and Squamish offer a breathtaking blend of adventure and cultural immersion. Whistler’s Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Líḻwat7ul Cultural Centre, PEAK 2 PEAK Gondola featuring Indigenous art, and guided tours steeped in traditional knowledge offer deep cultural insight. In Squamish, the outdoor playgrounds are galore—from hiking up the Stawamus Chief and cascading views of Shannon Falls to exhilarating kiteboarding and birdwatching in Brackendale. Plus, iconic experiences like the Capilano Suspension Bridge and Stanley Park Seawall cycling complete this unforgettable coastal escape.
Kelowna, the Okanagan & the Island Twist
If you prefer wine, lakes, and a laid-back vibe, Kelowna and the Okanagan Valley are ideal. Kelowna hosts outdoor music events like Denim on the Diamond over Labour Day, along with food trucks, beer, wine, and live performances. The broader Okanagan region is a wine lover’s dream—with vineyards such as Bella, Tantalus, Echo Bay, TH Wines, and Sage Hills offering stunning lakeside views and sustainable tasting experiences.
Over on Vancouver Island, Victoria blends historic charm with nature. Visit the stately Parliament Buildings, iconic Empress Hotel, Royal BC Museum, and charming Chinatown. Outdoor offerings include whale-watching tours, scenic bike routes, and waterfront museums.
Remote Escapes & Hidden Gems
For something truly immersive, head further west to Vancouver Island’s West Coast Trail, one of the world’s premier backpacking trails open until September 30. It’s an unforgettable adventure through coastal wilderness and cultural landscapes. Closer to the Lower Mainland, the Darts Hill Garden in Surrey is a tranquil botanical retreat featuring beautifully cultivated plant collections and weekend access through the end of September. And in the Nicola Valley, Merritt is known for its Labour Day Rodeo and Fall Fair, a long-standing rural tradition that draws folks from across Canada and the US
VANCOUVER, B.C. — The Vancouver International Film Festival (VIFF) officially opened on October 2, marking the start of one of Canada’s most celebrated cultural events. Running until October 12, the festival will showcase an ambitious program of around 260 films from across the globe, including premieres, independent productions, and critically acclaimed features. Organizers highlight VIFF’s role as a platform for international cinema and Canadian filmmakers.
Venues and Programming
Screenings will take place at iconic Vancouver venues, with new additions such as Granville Island Stage and the Alliance Française. Alongside the films, VIFF offers panels, workshops, and special events connecting filmmakers with industry professionals and the public. The festival emphasizes diversity, Indigenous voices, experimental storytelling, and emerging talent.
Cultural and Economic Impact
For Vancouver and British Columbia, VIFF is both a cultural highlight and an economic driver, drawing thousands of visitors and generating activity for local businesses. With its reputation as a bridge between North American and Asian cinema markets, the festival remains an influential stop on the global film circuit.
As the curtains rise on the 2025 edition, audiences and industry alike are set to experience another dynamic celebration of the art of film.
For those looking to escape the city, late September is an ideal time to explore British Columbia’s natural beauty. In Salmon Arm, the cooler weather makes hiking and waterfall excursions especially enjoyable, while the fall colours begin to emerge in the Shuswap region. On Vancouver Island, Campbell River offers excellent wildlife watching opportunities, with salmon runs in full swing and the chance to spot bears along the rivers. For mountain lovers, Revelstoke provides alpine views and a charming small-town feel, where visitors can enjoy both outdoor adventures and cozy local dining.
Travelers should be prepared for variable fall weather, with warm days giving way to cooler nights and the possibility of rain in coastal or mountainous areas. Layered clothing is a must, and an early start is recommended for hikes or longer drives as daylight hours continue to shorten. If heading to higher elevations, it’s also wise to check road conditions for any signs of early snow. Whether you choose culture in the city or crisp mountain air in the backcountry, the weekend of September 27–28 offers plenty of options for a memorable trip in British Columbia.
A recent Ipsos poll reveals that 60% of Canadians believe they can never trust Americans the same way again. This sentiment has remained stable in tracking since February.
At the same time, just over half of Canadians approve of how Prime Minister Mark Carney and the federal government are managing Canada–U.S. relations, while about one-third disapprove and the rest are unsure.
The survey also finds that 71% of citizens expect trade and economic disputes with the U.S. to persist for several years and see little prospect for near-term resolution. Regarding possible future agreements, 42% believe the Prime Minister will succeed in negotiating a new trade deal with the Trump administration. Another 22% disagree, and 37% are undecided.
Interestingly, despite strong distrust and concern over ongoing conflicts, over half of respondents—54%—say the Canada–U.S. relationship has remained stable in the past couple of weeks, a notable shift from perceptions in August.
The poll was conducted from September 9 to 12, 2025, with a sample of 2,001 Canadian adults, and carries a margin of error of about ±2.7 percentage points.
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