TRAVEL
Weekend Wander: Festivals to Catch in BC (Sept 20–21)
Word Vancouver: A Book Lover’s Festival
Start in downtown Vancouver on Saturday at Word Vancouver, where the city’s long-running literary festival transforms UBC Robson Square into an open-air book bazaar. Expect author readings, workshops, indie presses, and kids’ programming. It’s free, central, and pairs perfectly with a coffee-and-people-watching loop around the Vancouver Art Gallery plaza.
Come Toward the Fire Festival: Indigenous Arts and Culture
Also in Vancouver, the Come Toward the Fire Festival runs this weekend, offering two days of Indigenous music, dance, film, and an artisan market presented by the Chan Centre and xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam). Daytime programming is free and family-friendly, with performances, workshops, and a vibrant community-focused atmosphere.
Country Charm: Pass Creek Fall Fair & Vancouver Island Exhibition
If small-town fair vibes call to you, head east to the Pass Creek Fall Fair in Robson (near Castlegar), Sept 19–21. The fair features livestock shows, home arts, field competitions, live music, and plenty of fresh-baked treats. Meanwhile, on the island, Nanaimo’s Vancouver Island Exhibition also lights up the weekend with midway rides and family fun.
Wine Capital Weekend in Oliver
In the South Okanagan, Wine Capital Weekend (Sept 19–21) takes centre stage. Saturday’s Cask & Keg celebrates craft beer, cider, and spirits with lively Beer Olympics, while Sunday’s Festival of the Grape features 40+ wineries, food trucks, VIP lounges, live music, and the fan-favourite grape-stomp competition.
Plan Your Weekend Adventure
Whether you’re in the city, the countryside, or wine country, this weekend in B.C. offers something for every festival fan. Pack your appetite, your curiosity, and maybe some dancing shoes.
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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