Every autumn, something kind of cool happens in Fort Langley: the Cranberry Festival. It’s one of those days where the whole village gets in on the fun, families and students mix together, food trucks show up, there are cranberries everywhere, and it honestly feels like fall made an event just for you.
This year marks the 30th time the festival is happening, so it’s been going for a while. It takes place on a Saturday, right before Thanksgiving, which is smart because everyone’s already getting into that cozy, harvest vibe. Doors open early—around 9:00am—and the fun lasts until about 4:00pm. The main location is around Glover Road, in Fort Langley Village.
What makes it such a good time is that there’s something for almost everyone. If you like food, you’ll be happy. There are food trucks with all kinds of goodies, including some treats that use cranberries in creative ways. If you like shopping, there are lots of vendors—more than a hundred in past years—selling crafts, art, fresh produce, things made locally, etc. And yes, cranberries are a big deal: you can buy fresh ones, baked goods with cranberries, preserves, sauces—anything that shows off those tart, red berries.
Families especially enjoy it because it’s very kid-friendly. There are games, crafts, face painting, and places for kids to run around. If you’re a student, it’s also a nice break—something that gets you outside, experiencing local culture, eating good food, and maybe getting that feeling of “fall is really here.”
One of the more interesting parts is at the Fort Langley National Historic Site. On the day of the festival it usually has free admission, which is cool. The historic site puts on things like cranberry stomping so you can literally squish cranberries with your feet, demonstrations that show how cranberries were used in the past, and storytelling or talks that link the cranberry harvest to local history. There’s also a Scarecrow Showcase where people make creative scarecrows across the fort or village, you can find them, vote on your favourite, and just wander around looking at them.
Getting there can be part of the adventure. Parking in Fort Langley can fill up, especially because lots of people come. Some festival-goers go early to avoid crowds and long lines. Wearing layers is a good idea since mornings can be chilly, afternoons warmer, and late afternoon sometimes cools off. Comfortable shoes help too because you might be walking a lot.
One fun bonus is the pancake breakfast that the local Lions Club often hosts early in the morning in the village. If you arrive early, that’s a great way to kick off the day with friends or family.
The vibe of the festival is friendly, relaxed, colorful. It’s not super fancy or overly polished; it’s more about community, local pride, enjoying the season, and celebrating something simple but meaningful. The cranberries might seem small (literally), but they bring a lot of flavor to the day.
If you’re in Vancouver, or near Langley, and want something to do on a crisp Saturday in October, the Cranberry Festival is one of the better choices. It’s nice to hang out with people, try new fall foods, see local stuff, and enjoy being part of a tradition. Whether you drag friends, go with family, or spend a quiet afternoon alone, you’ll probably leave feeling like fall actually showed up in style.
Dan Baltag
dbaltag@my.bcit.ca