25 Things to do Under $25 in Edmonton in October | 2026

Between glowing pumpkins, starry skies, Halloween happenings, book clubs, film festivals, and live theatre, there's no shortage of ways to get out and enjoy the season. The best part? You don't need to spend a fortune to do it.

We've rounded up 25 things to do in Edmonton this October that cost $25 or less, including plenty of free events. Whether you're planning a family outing, a date night, or a solo afternoon, these finds will help you make the most of fall without stretching the budget.

1. Edmonton International Film Festival
Catch the last few days of the Edmonton International Film Festival. Until October 3.

2. Pumpkins After Dark
Wander through a glowing sea of more than 10,000 hand-carved jack-o'-lanterns at Borden Park. Canada's largest family-friendly walk-through pumpkin experience features illuminated displays, live pumpkin carving demonstrations, and local food trucks serving up fall-themed sweets and treats. There are no jump scares, so it's perfect for little ones, and adult beverages are available for the 18+ crowd. Entry is time-slotted and it runs rain or shine, so book ahead. Until October 31.

3. I Don't Even Miss You
What is a legacy? Computer programmer Basil wakes up to find everyone they love is gone. Years later, they perform a synth-infused concert about their life with help from their digital assistant, Orchid. Electropop, home videos, and iPhone footage collide in this multimedia show about survival, identity, and loss, now on the fourth stop of its national tour at the Fringe's Nordic Studio Theatre. October 1 to 11.

4. Hello Pretty Market: Book Club Edition
Head into the first weekend of the month with a shop at the Hello Pretty Market: Book Club Edition. Tickets are $5, and you'll find delicious crafted coffees, expertly curated local makers and sellers, and two days of bookish photo ops. October 3 and 4.

5. Harvest Art + Book Fair
Make it a bookish weekend and head to ArtsHub Ortona for the free Harvest Art + Book Fair from the Hungry Zine Association. Browse work from independent artists, writers, art collectives, bookshops, and small publishers from Edmonton and across the prairies, all under one roof. It's a great way to discover something new and support the local small press scene. October 3 and 4.

6. Bruin Breakfast Sandwich Pop-Up
Weekend mornings just got tastier. Bruin is bringing its cult-favourite breakfast sandwiches back to Breadlove for a few more weekend pop-ups this fall, and there's no better way to fuel up before a day of October adventures. Treat yourself to a breakfast sandwich (and maybe a coffee) for well under $25. October 3–4, 17–18, and 24–25.

7. Gateway to the Stars at Elk Island National Park
Escape the city lights and gaze up at the night sky in the heart of the Beaver Hills Dark Sky Preserve. Parks Canada interpreters guide you through the fall constellations with star charts, using the Big Dipper as your gateway to the stars and sharing cultural stories along the way. It all happens around a cozy campfire, no telescope required. The program is $18.50, and kids 17 and under get into the park free. Bring a red headlamp for the short walk up the hill from the Astotin Lake parking lot, and call 780-922-5790 to register. Saturdays, October 3, 10, 17, and 24, 9 to 10 p.m.

8. Londonderry Leisure Centre Free Open House
Get to know one of your neighbourhood rec centres at this free City of Edmonton open house. Take a tour of the facility, try out a program, meet the friendly staff, and learn about membership options. There will also be giveaways and crafts, making it an easy (and free!) Sunday afternoon outing for the whole family. October 4, 2 to 4 p.m.

9. Free Rough Cut Comedy Night
Beat the Monday blues with free stand-up comedy in the room beneath the Starlite. The lineup changes every week, and the showcase has seen plenty of comics pass through on their way to bigger stages. It costs nothing, so get there early if you want a seat. Every Monday in October (5, 12, 19, and 26).

10. Book Club at Magpie Books
Finally crack open that book sitting on your nightstand and join the free book club at Magpie Books in Ritchie. This month's pick is A Mask the Color of the Sky by Bassem Khandaqji, winner of the Arabic Booker Prize. It's the story of Nur, a young Palestinian refugee mistaken for an Ashkenazi Jew, and his search for identity and freedom, written by the author from behind bars. Grab a copy, give it a read, and join the conversation in-shop. October 7 at 7 p.m.

11. OH, ANNE!
Anne of Green Gables gets a spirited East Coast twist in this fast-paced, laugh-out-loud musical romp at the Roxy Theatre. Four high-energy actors take on dozens of characters with lightning-fast costume changes, soaring fiddles, and foot-stomping Maritime-inspired music, all brought to life by Anne's unstoppable imagination. It's suitable for all ages, making it a great family outing. Pay what you can on Wednesday nights. Pay-what-you-can nights October 7 and 14 at 7:30 p.m. Runs until October 18.

12. Rocky Horror Picture Show at Metro Cinema
Do the Time Warp at Metro Cinema's Halloween-season screening of The Rocky Horror Picture Show, complete with a full shadow cast performance by the Lowdown Cheap Little Punks. Expect the cult-classic treatment: costumes, singalongs, and audience participation from start to finish. Bring your own props or grab a $10 prop kit in the lobby while they last. Toilet paper, confetti, small water guns, noisemakers, and plain toast are welcome; glitter, hot dogs, and anything buttered stay home. October 9 at 10 p.m.

13. Edmonton's Best Hotels Free Pancake Breakfast
Kick off Canadian Finals Rodeo weekend with a free community pancake breakfast at the Edmonton Inn & Conference Centre. The morning celebrates the 52nd Annual Canadian Finals Rodeo with pancakes, live music, a petting zoo, and glitter tattoos for the kids! October 10.

14. Chinatown After Dark
See Chinatown in a whole new light as the sun goes down. Wander lantern-lit streets, browse bustling night market stalls, discover hidden eateries, and soak up the neighbourhood's rich culture, flavours, and nightlife. October 10, 6 to 11 p.m.

15. Food for Thought: Culinary Book Club
Book lovers and food lovers, this one's for you. This Edmonton Public Library book club at Stanley Milner Library pairs good reads with good eats, and October's theme is novels about monsters. Bring a spooky read of your choice to chat about, swap recommendations with fellow readers, and enjoy a themed snack inspired by the month's creepy picks. With two sessions this month, it's easy to fit in. October 11 at 10:30 a.m. and October 26.

16. NorthwestFEARFest
Get into the Halloween spirit with Edmonton's horror film festival, taking over Metro Cinema at the Garneau Theatre for five spooky days. Individual tickets are on sale now and will also be available at the door while quantities last, and 4-packs are available if you want to make a marathon of it. Films are rated from PG to 18A, so check the lineup before bringing younger viewers along. October 14 to 18.

17. LitFest: Canada's Original Nonfiction Festival
Calling all true-story lovers! Edmonton's nonfiction festival returns with five days of author talks, panels, showcases, and workshops celebrating books about real life. This year's lineup includes Vivek Shraya and Kai Cheng Thom, with Conor Kerr among the hosts, plus a performance from the Spoken Word Youth Choir and Spoken Word Choir. Events take place at the Citadel Theatre and Stanley Milner Library downtown, with book launches from local presses like Agatha Press and The Polyglot. October 14 to 18.

18. Spook & Screen: Drive-In Movie
Pack the car for a chilling night under the stars at Lake Summerside's Halloween drive-in. The spooky double feature starts with Hotel Transylvania at 4 p.m. for the kids, followed by Us at 7:30 p.m. for the grown-ups. Food trucks, spooky walkaround characters, and a cozy movie atmosphere round out the night. It's $20 per car, or bring your own chair for $15 for a group of five. Open to everyone, not just Summerside residents. October 17.

19. Edmonton Short Film Festival
Support local filmmakers at the Edmonton Short Film Festival, back for two days of screenings at Landmark Cinemas 9 Edmonton City Centre. Saturday's Red Carpet Gala spotlights short films from across Alberta, from emerging voices to established creatives. On Sunday afternoon, the Long Shorts/International program widens the lens with Canadian and international shorts. Tickets start at $15. October 17 and 18.

20. The Secret Secrets Club at Rapid Fire Theatre
Got a secret? Rapid Fire Theatre turns anonymous audience confessions into a night of improvised comedy. Jot down a secret before the show, then watch the performers build scenes on the spot, complete with shocking reveals and plenty of surprises. Everyone who shares a secret gets an unofficial "initiation" into the club by the end of the night. This one's 18+, and organizers warn it might get spicy. October 17 at 9:30 p.m.

21. Yaga
What does the disappearance of a yogurt empire heir have to do with an old witch? Shadow Theatre's Yaga by Kat Sandler twists the Slavic myth of Baba Yaga into a genre-bending comedic fairy tale meets thrilling whodunit, complete with a detective, an apprehensive local sheriff, a university professor with a taste for younger men, and a whole cast of suspects. Along the way, it gives voice to an antihero of epic proportions and questions how her story has historically been told by men. Bring a friend on a 2-for-1 night to split the cost. 2-for-1 nights October 20 and 27. Runs until November 1.

22. A Night with Delta Daggers
From prairie girl to stages across the world, meet the story behind the showgirl. Edmonton-born cabaret artist, singer, and host Miss Delta Daggers is fresh off a Las Vegas Strip residency and bringing her life story home to the Grindstone Theatre. Expect captivating storytelling, live music, and Delta's signature wit as she takes you from a family of musicians on the Canadian prairies to globe-trotting performer. Tickets are $20. One night only! October 21 at 9 p.m.

23. The Haunting of Henny House
Treat yourself to a Halloween night with Ms. Henny herself at the Grindstone Theatre. This cheeky cabaret promises a super sexy smorgasbord of twists, twirls, speaking for the trees, and maybe even some slime. Early bird tickets are $10 and general admission is $15. This one's 18+. October 23 at 7 p.m.

24. Snug Anniversary Underwear Bash
Strip down and dance it out at the Snug Anniversary Underwear Bash at Evolution Wonderlounge, Edmonton's go-to gay bar for DJs, dancing, and drag. Tickets are just $10.79, and the party goes late. This one's for the 18+ crowd. October 24, 9 p.m. to 2 a.m.

25. Free Admission at the Art Gallery of Alberta
One of our favourite free things to do in Edmonton! The Art Gallery of Alberta offers free admission from 4 to 7 p.m. on the last Thursday of every month. Just walk in and explore the galleries right on Churchill Square downtown. It makes a great weeknight date, with plenty left in the fun budget for dinner or drinks after. Kids 17 and under always get in free. October 29, 4 to 7 p.m.