We’ve planned your autumn perfectly in New Westminster with activities to keep your family entertained all season.
Visit our local pumpkin patches on Westham Island at Emma Lea Farms and Westham Island Herb Farm, then head to the Reifel Bird Sanctuary, where up to 70,000 Snow Geese arrive between October and April.
Our nature trails at Burns Bog, Watershed Park and Boundary Bay give you brilliant fall walks, while the Douglas J. Husband Discovery Centre’s interactive exhibits and Culture Days programming offer indoor options when the weather changes.
We have loads more happening across Ladner, Tsawwassen and North New Westminster this autumn.
Arts & Cultural Events for the Whole Family
New Westminster’s autumn arts scene gives your family both entertainment and cultural connection without the hassle other cities face. We get spoiled here with Culture Days bringing free open house activities at the Douglas J. Husband Discovery Centre in Ladner, featuring gallery tours, heritage games and live music in the outdoor orchard. The North New Westminster Centre for the Arts hosts performing arts classes and recitals for all ages. The Tsawwassen Arts Centre offers theatre performances and local artist exhibitions throughout the season. September through October brings you hands-on workshops at our local libraries, from bracelet weaving to collaborative art projects. These events show exactly why our arts community stays active all year long.
Seasonal Festivals and Pumpkin Patches
Our arts scene isn’t the only thing that makes autumn special here. New Westminster’s fall festivals and pumpkin patches bring exactly what your family wants this season. You’ll find pumpkin patches on Westham Island at Emma Lea Farms, where you can pick your own pumpkins and wander through their oat maze before grabbing hot apple cider by the campfire. Westham Island Herb Farm offers daily pumpkin picking through October with their famous “Scarecrows” display and farm store full of local produce.
Mark your calendar for the Barnside Harvest Festival in Ladner at Paterson Park, featuring artisan booths, local vendors and live entertainment. The final Ladner Village Market of the season runs in early September, bringing over 160 “Make It, Bake It, Grow It” vendors to 48 Avenue. These festivals offer engaging activities for kids that make autumn memorable for families in our community.
Nature Trails and Outdoor Adventures
When autumn arrives and colours our local forests, New Westminster’s nature trails give your family the perfect setting for weekend walks. Burns Bog at the New Westminster Nature Reserve offers 4.5 kilometres of raised boardwalks through the world’s largest domed peat bog, eight times bigger than Stanley Park. You’ll spot owls, hawks and eagles in the treetops while your children learn about this globally unique ecosystem. Watershed Park, our largest park, has 11 kilometres of trails perfect for walking, jogging and cycling, with stunning views of Mud Bay from the elevated lookout. If you want outdoor activities beyond hiking, Boundary Bay Regional Park offers brilliant birdwatching, while Deas Island Regional Park provides scenic Fraser River views. These New Westminster parks provide exactly what we locals love: great nature trails combined with activities that your whole family will enjoy.
Interactive Museums and Educational Exhibits
When cooler weather brings families inside, we head straight to the Douglas J. Husband Discovery Centre for engaging, hands-on learning experiences. This Ladner facility features interactive kiosks where you can customize your own tour, a “habitat theatre” where you interact with Burns Bog wildlife, and sections dedicated to North New Westminster’s South Asian and Norwegian pioneers, farming history and transportation. We enjoy the water table where children can create their own delta, and the heritage orchard offers outdoor education programmes. The current “Happiness” exhibit showcases winning entries from the Culture Days Community Art Contest. These educational spots keep your family entertained while building community connections through shared cultural moments.
Wildlife Experiences and Bird Watching
Right here in New Westminster, we’ve got some fantastic spots that bring nature alive for your family. At the George C. Reifel Migratory Bird Sanctuary on Westham Island, you can walk 300 hectares of ponds, treed pathways and intertidal marshes where nearly 300 bird species have been recorded. Fall brings the highest diversity and numbers, with up to 70,000 Snow Geese arriving from October onwards; peak viewing is mid-November. Your kids will love feeding the Black-capped Chickadees sunflower seeds from their hands. Burns Bog is home to 175 bird species, including Barn Owls and Northern Red-legged Frogs, offering your family a new perspective on the wildlife thriving in our community.
Douglas J. Husband Discovery Centre Tours
While most families head to typical autumn attractions, we’ve found that the Discovery Centre gives you something much better—a real glimpse into New Westminster’s storied past. The facility is open for drop-in visits with sensory-friendly days on the last Saturday of each month, where adaptations create a calm, relaxed atmosphere for families who need it.
What makes these autumn activities special for your family?
- Hands-on interactive experiences that naturally engage children
- Family-friendly activities suitable for all ages
- Digital storytelling and authentic artifacts that bring history alive
These autumn programmes run from September through November, making them perfect for your family outings.
Heritage Exhibits and Local History
When you’re ready to move indoors from outdoor activities, New Westminster’s cultural spaces offer equally engaging autumn experiences for families wanting to connect with local history. We love how the Discovery Centre creates memorable moments during your visit.
The “Weaving Cultural Identities” displays bring local stories to life through interactive exhibits that engage visitors of all ages. You’ll find the “then and now” split screen of various New Westminster locations particularly interesting, it shows how our community has grown and changed over time.
These cultural experiences complement your outdoor activities perfectly. Whether you’re learning about our fishing village heritage in Ladner or connecting with the diverse communities of North New Westminster, we believe these visits provide meaningful activities for families seeking genuine cultural connections.
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
Check out family programmes at North New Westminster Recreation Centre, South New Westminster Recreation Centre and Sungod Recreation Centre for sports, arts and crafts throughout the season.
Questions Often Asked
What to Do With Kids Near New Westminster?
What to Do With Kids Near New Westminster?
We’ve found some brilliant local spots for you! The interactive Douglas J. Husband Discovery Centre keeps children engaged for hours, while the Reifel Bird Sanctuary lets your family feed chickadees and spot Snow Geese. Emma Lea Farms’ pumpkin patch offers seasonal fun with their oat maze and campfire treats.
Is New Westminster, BC, Worth Visiting?
Yes, New Westminster, BC is absolutely worth a visit.
You’ll find fantastic nature trails at Burns Bog and Watershed Park, beautiful beaches at Centennial Beach in Tsawwassen, and the Reifel Bird Sanctuary that we locals truly love. New Westminster’s authentic community feel and varied attractions make it a real hidden treasure for you to experience with friends and family.
What Is the Nicest Part of New Westminster, BC?
Each of our three communities offers something special. Tsawwassen gives you waterfront living with Centennial Beach and Boundary Bay. Ladner charms visitors with its historic village, Westham Island farms and the Reifel Sanctuary. North New Westminster offers Burns Bog and Watershed Park for nature lovers. The family-oriented atmosphere makes all our neighbourhoods special for residents.
What Is New Westminster, British Columbia, Known For?
New Westminster stands out for its incredible natural spaces and agricultural heritage. We love how you can walk through historic Ladner Village, visit working farms on Westham Island, and spot thousands of migratory birds at the Reifel Sanctuary. Burns Bog is North America’s largest undeveloped urban wilderness, while our community celebrates local food and farming traditions throughout the year.
