We’ve planned your autumn perfectly in New Westminster with activities to keep your family entertained all season.
Our city shines in the fall, the maple trees along Queen’s Park turn brilliant red, the Quay hosts riverside festivals, and heritage buildings downtown make the perfect backdrop for spooky season. From the Culture Crawl that opens artist studios across the city to Halloween celebrations along the waterfront, we don’t need to leave town to get our autumn fix.
Arts & Cultural Events for the Whole Family
New Westminster’s autumn arts scene gives your family both entertainment and cultural connection without crossing a bridge. We get spoiled here with the New Westminster Culture Crawl (various locations throughout the city), bringing artists out of their studios for a weekend in October. You can wander through painters’ lofts, watch potters throw clay, and meet jewellers in their home workshops.
The Anvil Centre (777 Columbia Street) runs fall programming, including public art tours and cedar weaving workshops. Massey Theatre (735 Eighth Avenue) hosts family-friendly performances all season. For hands-on creativity, the All Hallows’ Eve Craft Market at Sapperton Hall (318 Keary Street) fills a heritage hall with local makers selling Halloween-themed goods the first weekend of October.
Seasonal Festivities
Our arts scene isn’t the only thing that makes autumn special here. RiverFest takes over Westminster Quay in late September, celebrating World Rivers Day with free admission to the Fraser River Discovery Centre (788 Quayside Drive), live music on the boardwalk, and the Lucille Johnstone Workboat Parade. The kids can make art in the Family Fun Zone while you grab coffee from a riverside vendor.
When October arrives, Trick or Treating at the Quay brings costumed families to Westminster Quay for safe, waterfront Halloween celebrations. Local businesses hand out candy along the boardwalk while the river sparkles behind them. It’s become our annual tradition instead of trekking to mall parking lots.
Nature Trails and Outdoor Adventures
When autumn arrives and colours our city, New Westminster’s parks give your family the perfect setting for weekend walks. Queen’s Park (3rd Avenue entrance) explodes with red and gold maples that make every photo look like a postcard. The arboretum there holds over 200 tree species, and the rose garden stays beautiful until the first frost.
For a wilder walk, Glenbrook Ravine takes you into a forested canyon right in the middle of the city. The trail dips down below street level, following a stream through towering trees that turn brilliant shades in October. Hume Park and Moody Park also put on solid fall colour displays, with easy walking loops perfect for little legs.
Interactive Museums and Educational Exhibits
When cooler weather brings families inside, we head to the Fraser River Discovery Centre (788 Quayside Drive) for engaging, hands-on learning. Their fall programming includes River Basin Days, where kids learn about local ecology through nature art and guided walks. The water table lets children create their own river delta, and the heritage exhibits teach about the people who built this city.
The centre runs sensory-friendly days on the last Saturday of each month, creating a calm atmosphere for families who need it. During RiverFest, admission is completely free, making it an easy choice for a rainy September afternoon.
Community Programs and Special Events
New Westminster’s autumn lineup brings together environmental initiatives, cultural festivities, and multigenerational programming.
- New West Farmers Market: Runs Saturdays at Tipperary Park (near 4th Street and Royal Avenue) for the fall season, then shifts to Royal City Centre (610 6th Street) for winter. You’ll find pumpkins, apples, and hot food vendors to keep you warm.
- Free Youth Access: New Westminster’s YAK Pass gives residents 18 and under free drop-in access to all city recreation facilities, including Canada Games Pool and təməsew̓txʷ Aquatic Centre.
- Heritage Walking Tours: The New Westminster Museum and Archives offers guided walks exploring the spooky side of the city’s history, perfect for October.
Community Programs and Special Events
New Westminster’s autumn lineup brings together environmental initiatives, cultural festivities and multigenerational programming to engage families throughout the season.
What’s on this autumn:
- Culture Days Open House: Join us at the Discovery Centre for free gallery tours, partner booths, light refreshments and heritage games in the outdoor orchard
- Library Workshops: Drop-in drawing clubs, bracelet weaving and creative sessions at Ladner Pioneer Library and Tsawwassen Library
- Free Youth Access: New Westminster’s YAK Pass gives residents 18 and under free drop-in access to all Parks, Recreation and Culture facilities
FAQ’s
What to Do With Kids Near New Westminster?
We’ve found some brilliant local spots for you. The Fraser River Discovery Centre (788 Quayside Drive) keeps children engaged with hands-on exhibits, while Queen’s Park (3rd Avenue) offers playgrounds, petting zoo animals, and wide-open spaces for running through fall leaves. The Anvil Centre (777 Columbia Street) hosts family-friendly workshops and performances year-round.
Is New Westminster, BC, Worth Visiting?
Yes, New Westminster is absolutely worth a visit in autumn. You’ll find fantastic fall colours at Queen’s Park, riverside festivals at Westminster Quay, and historic Columbia Street decked out for Halloween. The city’s mix of heritage architecture, waterfront trails, and family-friendly events makes it a great destination for fall weekends.
What Is New Westminster, British Columbia, Known For?
New Westminster is the original capital of British Columbia, with a historic downtown that looks especially atmospheric in autumn mist. We love how you can walk the boardwalk at Westminster Quay, explore the 1865-built Irving House (302 Royal Avenue), and catch live performances at Massey Theatre all within a few blocks. The city’s riverside location means brilliant views of the Fraser while the fall colours pop in our many parks.
