Things to Do in Southwest Washington This Weekend: October 9-10, 2026

Looking for something to do around Southwest Washington this weekend?

October is one of our favorite times of year around here. The leaves are starting to change, pumpkin patches are in full swing, and there are plenty of local events that give you a good excuse to get out and enjoy the weekend.

We've rounded up a few things happening around Vancouver, Ridgefield and the surrounding area for October 9-10.

Shop Local at the Fall Creative Art Market

October 9-11 | Vancouver

If you like supporting local artists or you're already thinking about getting a head start on holiday shopping, the Fall Creative Art Market is a fun one to have on your radar.

You'll find handmade artwork, crafts, cards, jewelry, gifts and more, all from local artists. Even better, admission is free.

Friday, October 9: 12-6 p.m.
Saturday, October 10: 10 a.m.-6 p.m.
Sunday, October 11: 11 a.m.-3 p.m.

United Church of Christ
1220 NE 68th St., Vancouver

Get the details for the Fall Creative Art Market at Visit Vancouver WA.

It's a nice option if you're looking for something to do that doesn't require a big time commitment. Stop in, browse around and see what catches your eye.

Quiltfest Northwest Is Back in Ridgefield

October 8-10 | Ridgefield

Okay, we know quilting might not be at the top of everyone's weekend list. But hear us out.

Quiltfest Northwest is one of those local events where you can really appreciate how much creativity and time goes into something, even if you aren't a quilter yourself.

The show features more than 500 quilts, special exhibits, demonstrations, vendors and a judged quilt show.

Friday & Saturday: 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
Clark County Event Center
17402 NE Delfel Road, Ridgefield

Admission is $10, and kids 12 and under are free.

You can get all the Quiltfest Northwest details here, or check the Clark County Event Center event page.

Time for a Pumpkin Patch

We don't really need to tell you that it's pumpkin patch season. If you've driven around Southwest Washington lately, you've probably noticed.

If a pumpkin patch is on your fall bucket list, this is a great weekend to go.

And since there are quite a few options around Southwest Washington and Portland, we put together a whole guide to help you find one that fits what you're looking for.

👉 Check out our Vancouver WA & Portland OR Pumpkin Patch Guide

Whether you're looking for pumpkins, corn mazes, fall treats, family activities or just a good spot for those annual fall photos, we've got several options in the guide.

Open Houses to Check Out This Weekend

If you're out and about this weekend and want to mix a little house hunting into your plans, here are a couple of open houses to keep on your radar.

Sunday 10/11, 1 PM to 3 PM
12509 NE 13th Ave, Vancouver

Sunday 10/11, 2 PM to 4 PM
291 N 34TH Ct Ridgefield WA

Whether you're actively looking or just curious to see what's on the market, open houses can be a fun way to explore a neighborhood and get a feel for what's available locally.

Get a Little Spooky with Vancouver's Haunted History

Friday, October 9 & Saturday, October 10 | Vancouver

October is also the perfect excuse to learn a little local history, especially when there are ghosts involved.

The Clark County Historical Museum's Haunted History Walking Tour takes you through downtown Vancouver while sharing stories about some of the area's more mysterious and reportedly haunted history.

Tours start at 7 p.m. and cover about a mile, so you'll want comfortable shoes and a jacket.

Clark County Historical Museum
1511 Main St., Vancouver
$20 per person

You can check the Clark County Historical Museum's October calendar for tour details and tickets.

It's a fun date-night idea, a girls' night option or just something a little different to do with friends.

Fireside Tales of Horror

Saturday, October 10 | Vancouver

If walking around downtown in the dark isn't quite your thing, you can still get your October dose of spooky stories.

Fireside Tales of Horror takes place Saturday night at historic Covington House. The idea of sitting around a fireplace in an old historic house while listening to creepy local stories feels pretty perfect for October.

7 p.m.
Historic Covington House
4201 Main St., Vancouver
$30

You can find the event details through the Clark County Historical Museum.

Start Your Saturday at the Farmers Market

Saturday, October 10 | Downtown Vancouver

Sometimes you don't need a big event. A Saturday morning wandering around the farmers market, grabbing something good to eat and enjoying a little fall weather is a pretty great weekend plan all by itself.

The Vancouver Farmers Market is open Saturday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Esther Short Park.

It's easy to make a morning of it. Grab breakfast, browse the vendors, do a little shopping and then take a walk downtown or head down toward the waterfront.

Or Just Get Outside

And if none of those sound like your thing, October is a pretty good time to simply get outside and enjoy where we live.

Take a walk along the Vancouver waterfront. Head over to Fort Vancouver. Find a new coffee shop. Explore a neighborhood you don't usually visit. Take the scenic route home.

You don't always need an event on the calendar to make a good weekend out of it.

What Are You Up To This Weekend?

There is always something happening around Southwest Washington, and sometimes the hardest part is deciding what to do.

So whether you're headed to a pumpkin patch, checking out local artists, getting a little spooky or just enjoying a slow Saturday morning, we hope you get a chance to enjoy a little bit of fall this weekend.

Have a favorite local event or fall activity we should add to our list? Send it our way. We love finding new things to do around Southwest Washington and sharing them with our community.