Little Local - October 2

How is it October already?! One of our boys turns three this weekend, and we may just celebrate by heading to one of the local events — Fall Fun at Royal Athletic Park sounds perfect (no rentals required)!

Birthday venues aside (we’ll save that for another newsletter), this week’s issue has a roundup of local pumpkin patches for your family to visit. And since it’s only the second of October, I’ve also included a few tips to keep your pumpkins fresh all month long.

✨ With so many new readers joining us lately, I just want to say thank you for being here! I’d love to know what you’d like to see in Little Local beyong family-friendly events. It’s me, Sarah, behind this newsletter, so hit reply and send me a message!

🎃 Local Pumpkin Patches

Nothing says fall like a trip to a local pumpkin patch. Here’s where you can find your perfect pumpkin around Victoria this month:

Galey Farms
📍 4150 Blenkinsop Rd, Victoria, BC
Pumpkinfest runs weekends in October with u-pick pumpkins, hay rides, a corn maze, train rides, and family-friendly farm fun.

Lohbrunner Farm
📍 1262 Lohbrunner Rd, Langford, BC
Pumpkin Fest happens every Saturday & Sunday in October, 10am–4pm. Pick pumpkins, browse flowers, and shop a cute mini market.

Michell’s Farm Market
📍 2451 Island View Rd, Saanichton, BC
This family-run farm offers a u-pick pumpkin patch and bustling farm market with local produce and treats.

Little Lochside 
📍 5360 Alderley Rd, Saanich, BC
This small, family-run farm offers a small u-pick pumpkin patch, a farm stand full of fresh veggies, and a cozy fall vibe. There may even be a few dahlias left! Open Fri 4–7pm, Sat & Sun 11am–7pm.

Bickford Farms
📍 7209 East Saanich Rd, Saanichton, BC
Known for their seasonal produce and pumpkins in October, this family farm is a local favourite for fall harvest fun.

Luxton Pumpkin Patch
📍 1040 Marwood Ave (Luxton Fairgrounds), Langford, BC
A smaller Westshore patch with a cozy community feel. Open Saturdays & Sundays in October from 11am–3pm.

Saanichton Corn Maze & Pumpkin Patch
📍 7979 Central Saanich Rd, Saanichton, BC
A scenic pumpkin patch featuring the“Pumpkin House” and corn maze! Open Friday-Sunday.

🌱 Sprout Family Health: A new kind of healthcare experience that is warm, welcoming, and designed for families. One simple membership gives you unlimited Nurse Practitioner care, same or next-day appointments, and on-demand phone or text support from an Registered Nurse. Plus proactive care like annual health assessments, DEXA scans, developmental milestone checks, parent coaching, and access to specialists for assessments, referrals, and guidance. Sign up now and get everything your family needs in one membership.

🧑🏽‍💻 KWENCH: Drowning in home distractions while you work? Escape to KWENCH, a downtown coworking space filled with light, energy, and community that makes it easy to actually get things done. Get a hotdesk membership or book a day pass!

🦷 Wheely Clean: Skip the dentist office because Wheely Clean’s mobile hygiene vans come to you! They’re fantastic with kids, now offer teeth whitening, and make family dental care stress-free. Book your visit online!

📅 Weekend Events

🍂 Fall Family Fest at Henderson
Friday, Oct 3 | 5:30–7:30pm
Celebrate fall with family-friendly activities, games, and seasonal fun. [Info]

🛍️ Monster Mash Vintage Fair
Saturday, Oct 4 | 9:30am–4pm
Shop vintage treasures, spooky finds, and retro goods at this Halloween-themed fair at Mary Winspear Centre. [Info]

🌍 Issamba Multicultural Food & Craft Market
Saturday–Sunday, Oct 4–5 | 10am–7pm
Discover global flavors, handmade crafts, and live cultural performances. [Info]

🧞Aladdin (Ballet Victoria)
Friday, Oct 3, 7:30pm & Saturday, Oct 4, 2pm
A sparkling, family-friendly ballet adventure with exotic costumes and enchanting music. It’s the perfect first ballet for kids! Royal Theatre [Info]

🏮 Light Up the Hills Lantern Festival
Saturday, Oct 4 | 7:30–9:30pm
Wander illuminated trails and enjoy music, art, and glowing lanterns in Langford. [Info]

🎗️ CIBC Run for the Cure
Sunday, Oct 5 | 8:30am–12:30pm
Join thousands to walk or run in support of breast cancer research. [Info]

⚓ Defence on the Dock
Sunday, Oct 5 | 10am–3pm
Get a behind-the-scenes look at navy life with ship tours, displays, and family fun. [Info]

📚 Salty Sundays: Collage Bookmarks Workshop
Sunday, Oct 5 | 2–4pm
Drop in at the Maritime Museum to create ocean-inspired bookmarks with your family. [Info]

📅 Upcoming and Ongoing

🫏 Farm Friends Drop-In
Thursdays at 10:30am
Beacon Hill Children’s Farm offers story time and a meet and greet with the animal of the week! [Info]

🚲 Bike to Work (School) Week
Now until Friday, Oct 3
Hop on your bike and join families across Greater Victoria in celebrating cycling! Stop by celebration stations for snacks, prizes, and community fun. [Info]

🎃 Lohbrunner Pumpkin Fest
Every Sat & Sun in October | 10am–4pm
Pick the perfect pumpkin, wander the patch, enjoy hay bales and photo ops, and take in the autumn scenery at Lohbrunner Farm. [Info]

👻 Wicked Victoria
Sunday, Oct 26 | 10:30am–3:30pm
Downtown Victoria transforms into a free, family-friendly Halloween festival with live music, kid zones, costumes, trick-or-treating, and spooky fun for all ages. [Info]

Final Note: I do my best to keep everything accurate, but I am only human so the odd mistake might sneak in! If you catch one, feel free to let me know.