Canadian Thanksgiving originates all the way back to 1578 when explorer Martin Frobisher and his crew shared a special meal to show their gratitude for staying safe through the now Canadian Territory of Nunavut. Canadian Thanksgiving went through a series of iterations throughout the centuries, but it is now officially celebrated every second Monday of October. Every year during Thanksgiving weekend, Canadian families and friends gather to celebrate with festivities and food—lots of food.
Just like the rest of Canada, British Columbia is home to annual harvest festivals and Thanksgiving events to celebrate. As long as you’re with people you love, there’s no wrong way to enjoy the holiday. Check out how to celebrate Canadian Thanksgiving in British Columbia in 7 great ways!
1. Make Thanksgiving brunch at home
One of the best ways to make memories is by cooking together. There’s no better way to catch up with your cousin than peeling mashed potatoes or stirring a pot of carrot soup together.
Cooking the perfect roast turkey or beef is an annual art, and it’s not as hard as it seems. Borrow a recipe from a family member or watch a video online to see how it’s done. Or maybe you’re in charge of the side dishes—often the mashed potatoes, sweet potatoes, corn, and brussel sprouts are the best part. And don’t forget the pumpkin pie!
2. Have Thanksgiving brunch in Vancouver
Of course, you can prepare Thanksgiving brunch yourself, but if you’d prefer to sit back and relax this year while someone else takes care of the cooking and cleaning, visit one of the many restaurants in Vancouver that are serving a special brunch this year. Look into some of our favorites:
- Forage
- Blue Hat Bakery-Café
- Hydra
- The Boathouse
- Carderos
- Acorn
- The Victor
Turkey, potatoes, and autumn vegetables await—and this time you don’t need to cook!
3. Celebrate fall at farms in Kamloops, Kelowna, and Victoria
Kamloops, Kelowna, and Victoria all are home to farms and ranches that love celebrating fall! Get lost in a corn maze, ride a tractor, pick more apples than you have time to eat, pet farm animals, carve pumpkins, roast marshmallows by a campfire, and just enjoy the outdoors while you can before winter. There are things to do for those young and old, big and small.
4. Go wine tasting in the Okanagan Valley
Visit one of the many renown wineries along Okanagan Lake to enjoy nature with a glass of wine in hand. Not only can you sample some of the best wines in Canada, but you can also partake in festivals, shop at farmers markets, and go boating on the lake.
5. Partake in the Royal Victoria Marathon
If you’re a runner, you can’t miss the Royal Victoria Marathon. If you’re more of a spectator, you don’t want to miss it either because you can come out to cheer on the athletes. The Thanksgiving weekend-long event features 8K, half marathon, and marathon distance races. The marathon course runs through Downtown Victoria and along the coast, so you get a nice blend of scenery. It attracts local Canadian runners, along with athletes from around the world. If you’re nearby, it’s something special to be a part of.
6. Watch the Thanksgiving Day Classic
Gather your friends and watch the Thanksgiving Day Classic together. The Canadian Football League has been playing this annual doubleheader since 1958; and although it’s had a couple rocky years due to the pandemic, the Thanksgiving Day Classic is on this year to continue the Thanksgiving Day tradition. With a beer in hand and buddies at your side, what more could you ask for?
7. Give thanks to a loved one
People have different love languages, and yours may be gift giving. If you want to use this holiday to give thanks to someone you love by sharing some cash, Western Union can help you out. Are you more hands off? You’ll love our mobile app and website that streamline the whole process for you. Prefer a bit more handholding? Contact one of our helpful experts to walk you through step-by-step.
We wish you a very happy Thanksgiving this year, no matter how you choose to celebrate it.
