Eight things to do in the Fraser Valley this September

Summer is winding down, Labour Day has passed, the kids are back in school, and the air is cooling ever so slightly, with the seasonal rains expected to begin around mid-month. There’s no shortage of things to do and places to visit this September to bid farewell to summer and welcome the fall. We’ve curated this list to feature a wide range of events and activities, hopefully capturing as many interests as possible in one article. 

Abbotsford

Taste of Abby food festival returns 

For the fourth year, the Taste of Abby food festival returns Sept. 19-28, celebrating Abbotsford’s agricultural heritage, vibrant food scene, music, and culture. The festival kicks off with the iconic night market in Jubilee Park at 2552 McCallum Road. You can sample tasty bites and local beverages from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. and listen to local musical acts. The festival promises to feature local chefs, food trucks, breweries, and cideries at the night market. At 6 p.m., the Food & Farm Awards will celebrate “farmers, producers, agritourism leaders, and culinary innovators.” Tickets are $35 for ages 13 and up. Children 12 and under are free with adult admission. 

Cedar, Sage, and Sweetgrass exhibition

Sept. 30 is the National Day of Truth and Reconciliation; several of the 94 Calls to Action are related to the preservation of Indigenous languages and cultures. You can engage more with the Calls to Action and learn about the languages, culture, art, and history of the Host Nations who call this land home. 

One way to do this is to participate in an Indigenous art event like the Cedar, Sage and Sweetgrass exhibition at the Open Space Art Gallery in Downtown Abbotsford from Sept. 19 to Oct. 24, over Truth and Reconciliation Day. The opening reception will be on Friday, Sept. 19, from 5 to 7 p.m. 

Chilliwack

Chilliwack Cultural Centre Open House 

The Chilliwack Cultural Centre is celebrating its 15th anniversary with a packed schedule of cultural activities and events during its Open House on Sept. 21 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at 9201 Corbould St., Chilliwack. Entry is free of charge and includes tours of the centre, live performances, art demonstrations, and exhibitions. Plus, you can get a 15 percent discount on upcoming shows and performances. If all this culture makes you peckish, you can check out the food trucks and wait around for a slice of anniversary cake! 

Terry Fox Run

The Chilliwack Terry Fox Run returns on Sept. 14 at the Chilliwack Landing Sports Centre for those who are athletically inclined and want to support cancer research. Registration on the run day starts at 9 a.m., and the run begins at 10 a.m. This year, there are three lengths: 2, 5, and 10 km. So far, the Chilliwack run has raised $300 out of a goal of $1,400, and people can donate online or register for the run and raise funds.

 Langley 

The Langley Good Times Cruise-In

The annual street festival and classic car show is back for the twenty-sixth year on Saturday, Sept. 6, at Fraser Highway, between 264 and 272 Streets in downtown Aldergrove. The show starts at 8 a.m. and ends at 4 p.m., with the awards ceremony at 3 p.m. Car registration is open online and costs $30 per car. This year, U.S. burger franchise In-N-Out will have a food truck. Food truck ticket sales start at 8 a.m. and must be purchased in person. Visitors can purchase a maximum of two tickets per person. Each $20 ticket includes one Double Double Burger with a drink and a bag of chips. 

stɑl’əw̓ Pow Wow

Learn about and experience stɑl’əw̓ culture at the 4th annual stɑl’əw̓ Pow Wow on Sept. 12 to 14 at the Langley Events Centre. According to the event’s official site, “the purpose of our pow-wow is to celebrate Indigenous culture, traditions, music, regalia, and art. It is a time to celebrate and preserve our rich heritage and keep traditional ways alive. We welcome you to share in the experience of learning the important role tradition plays and how these traditions define Indigenous culture.” 

A single-day pass is $10, and a full festival pass for all three days is $20. 

Mission 

Mini Renaissance Festival 

Let not thy garb be plain; dress up in your finest Renaissance-themed attire, and head out to the Mini Renaissance Festival on Sept. 20 at 10 a.m. at Fraser River Heritage Park, 7494 Mary St., Mission. Travel back in time to the Renaissance at this family-friendly event, where you’ll be immersed in Shakespearean times with jugglers, clowns, roving magicians, musicians, and duelling knights. 

The event’s website mentions that real weapons are not allowed, props weapons are allowed but only under certain conditions. 

Devil’s Lake cleanup with Mission Forestry

If events and festivals aren’t your thing, and a walk through nature that gives back to the community sounds appealing, the Devil’s Lake cleanup might be for you. Join a group of environmentally conscious volunteers in cleaning up litter in the area around Devil’s Lake on Sept. 20, 2025, from 10 a.m to 1 p.m. As a bonus, you’ll learn more about the Mission Municipal Forest from the forestry director, Chris Gruenwald.