Foliage Stage in Vancouver

At Peak (Go see these now!) The city is currently painted with the vibrant hues of our late-season performers. This is the absolute best weekend to see:

• Japanese Maples: Brilliant, deep reds are everywhere right now.
• Sweetgum (Liquidambar): putting on their spectacular multi-colored display.
• Sugar Maples & Vine Maples: deeply saturated and at their best.
• Cherry Trees: often overlooked in autumn, they are currently showing wonderful oranges and bronzes.
• Big Leaf Maple: It’s a mix—while some have dropped, many are still holding massive golden canopies at their peak.

Winding Down (Past Peak but still visible) While mostly finished, you can still find bright spots if you look closely:

• Red Maples: mostly bare, but lucky finders can still spot a few holding onto brilliant red.
• Honey Locust: dropping fast, but some bright yellow remains.
• Katsura: mostly past, though you might catch a whiff of burnt sugar from a few late turners.

Finished for the Season We have officially said goodbye to the Ash treesand Dogwoods until next spring.

Here are some pictures I took at in different locations around the city:

Where to See the Peak Foliage (Beyond the Big Parks)

While Queen Elizabeth Park and VanDusen are always reliable, for those looking for a more neighbourhood-focused or specific spot to see our in-peak trees, here are some must-visit locations right now:

• The West 10th Avenue Canopy: Forget the famous gardens for a moment and take a walk along West 10th Avenue between Blenheim and Alma Streets. Here, you’ll find a lush canopy of Big Leaf Maple and other towering species creating one of the city’s most impressive golden tunnels.
• Mountain View Cemetery: The stretch of path between 33rd and 37th Avenue within the cemetery is lined with trees that turn a brilliant, fiery red—a beautiful and reflective spot to see the Dogwood and Liquidambar at their best.
• UBC’s Main Mall and TRIUMF Loop: The wide, university boulevards have a majestic East Coast feel as the season peaks. For vivid reds and yellows, head to the areas around the Main Mall and the TRIUMF building, which are spectacularly lined with turning foliage.
• The Arbutus Greenway (South of 41st): Perfect for a bike or walk! This popular off-street path is currently boasting some spectacular leaf displays, particularly on the section south of 41st Avenue where the tree concentration is highest.
• The Sylvia Hotel: For a stunning photo-op of a classic Vancouver landmark, head to the Sylvia Hotel on Beach Avenue. The ivy climbing the side of the historic building transforms into a deep, vibrant scarlet that can’t be missed.
• East Van’s Hidden Gem: Don’t overlook the side streets of East Vancouver. Take a cruise or a stroll along Cambridge Street between Nanaimo and Slocan for a fantastic, neighbourhood-scale view of golden and red leaves.

What’s Next?
This is the final call! The weather forecast is clear: a long stretch of rain is set to move in by Sunday evening and will continue all next week. This weekend really is the last clear window to see the peak foliage. That incoming rain and wind will quickly wash the most delicate leaves—especially from the maples and cherries—to the ground.

However, the season isn’t completely over. While the main show will be finished, there are always some tough late-bloomers. Keep an eye out for trees like Oaks, which are famous for stubbornly holding their leaves, and the brilliant Ginkgo trees, which often wait until everyone else is finished before they turn a stunning, uniform yellow.

Foliage in Canada

Deciding where and especially where to go and watch the foliage in peak color can be a struggle.
However, there are many sources that can help you make a better decision.

1. Ontario Parks – This is the official Ontario Parks fall color tracker. It provides real-time reports on leaf color changes and peak viewing times across all provincial parks in Ontario. The site includes dominant colors, leaf fall percentages, and recommended viewing spots for each park. It’s a go-to resource for “leaf peepers” in the region..
2. Almanac – The Almanac’s Fall Foliage Map is an interactive tool that tracks and predicts peak fall colors across the United States. It provides estimated peak dates and offers tips for viewing the best autumn displays.
3. Quebec – Bonjour Québec’s website provides a real-time, color-coded map to track the progression of fall foliage across the province. It is an excellent resource for planning a trip to see the autumn colors in Quebec.
4. New Brunswick – The Tourism New Brunswick website offers a fall foliage guide, suggesting scenic road trips and highlighting that peak colors occur in late September and early October, with a variation between the northern and southern regions.

Visit our Instagram and watch our stories to get more live updates.