Friday, October 24, 2025
Sumas, WA – Vancouver, BC

10/24/25: A whirlwind of an evening, day 1 of Oisin’s Halloween weekend in Vancouver, BC. Rain, Autumn leaves, friends old and new, Dancing at Dark 80’s / Cave of Bats. Music video: Autumn Noir Vancouver | Rowan/Suno/Grok/Techno Tink Media. www.technotink.net/adventures/

Escape to Vancouver BC:
Autumn Leaves and the Cave of Bats (10.24.25)

By 2 pm, the inbox had me cornered. tasks and items stacked like wet books, deadlines breathing down my neck, chai gone cold. I shut the laptop, grabbed my bag, and slipped into my car with one thought in mind: a quick border hop and a rainy reset in Vancouver.

Two blocks later, I crossed into Canada, pulled cash at a credit union, and hit a Tim Hortons drive-thru for an iced chai and a sandwich. Highway 1 greeted me with slick pavement and construction cones, the kind that blink and wink like bored sentries. Traffic dragged for a few long miles, then released in small miracles of open road, rain breaking and beading again, a slow curtain that lifted in Vancouver’s city light.

I stopped by Lori and Krista’s place, drawn in by the warm sprawl of paper and glue as they built lanterns for fall evenings. We thought about swinging by Spark for fireworks, but the rain said not tonight. Plan B had teeth and eyeliner. The Dark Eighties Cave of Bats Halloween party called, and I aimed to catch some fall color around the city, too. Late October here blends storm clouds and maples with a hum of Halloween, a mix as lively as it is soaked.

From desk to Vancouver in the rain: border crossing, cash, and fall color on 10.24.25

I moved fast because I had a simple plan. Keep ID handy, top up the tank, and let the sky do what it wanted while I stuck to the flow. That rhythm works on a wet Friday in October, and it carried me from work mode to city weekend in a few careful steps.

Two-block border crossing and Canadian cash tips

Living two blocks from the border helps. I took my passport, a calm face, and a screenshot of border wait times. Early afternoon meant lighter lines, the sweet spot between lunch runs and after-work traffic. I pitstop at Duty Free to grab a bottle of Captain Morgan’s Spiced Rum as I haven’t had that in my cabinet for some time now. Apparently, liquor issues are abound in B.C. right now. Oddly, the Canadian border patrol inquired about whether I’ve ever been fingerprinted, which I have – for government contract work. I confirmed, no criminal record here (ever).

I like having some CAD in my pocket as that’s my chosen method to pay when traveling internationally. I just don’t like to use cards in other countries, but unfortunately, so many places are anti-cash. So it’s inescapable, using credit and debit cards to pay for things. I stopped at a credit union to skip ATM fees and bad exchange rates. Cards work almost everywhere, especially tap, but cash is handy at small bars and food counters. Think coat check, minimums, and that stray bakery that still likes coins. I keep a simple rule for border days: check the waits, cross before 4 pm.

Tim Hortons fuel and Highway 1 traffic in October rain

Iced chai in one hand, a turkey sandwich in the other, and the sound of rain playing on the windshield, that was my pit stop. The highway held its usual fall drama. Construction zones, standing water, and drivers who forget they have wipers at more than one speed. Oddly, during this visit, Canadian drivers were more aggressive and rude than usual. That’s an oddity; they are usually so nice compared to the States.

The drive loosened up past the worst cones, and the sky lightened. I rolled the window down an inch. The air smelled like cedar and rain, a mix that wakes the mind like a good line from a favorite book.

First fall color peek driving into the city

Maples lit the medians like embers. Ginkgos dropped gold fans on the sidewalks. The rain deepened the colors and made the blacktop shine. I caught that first sweep of leaves on Main Street and tucked it away for the morning, a promise that I would walk a little slower tomorrow.

I was in awe of the Fall colors of the changing leaves abounding on the residential streets as I made it towards Lori’s place.

Lanterns with Lori and Krista, and the Spark fireworks plan we skipped

Lori’s patio/garage was a cheerful mess. willow? branches, strings, and clips within reach as the duo began making their lanterns. We caught up between lantern layers, talking about world news and events. We considered Spark for fireworks, but the rain won the argument. It happens here.

Our main plan already had a beat for the evening. The Dark Eighties / Cave of Bats was set for the night, and it fit the weather like a glove, moody and bright in the right places.

Cave of Bats Vancouver: Dark Eighties Halloween Party

Some nights feel like a postcard from your younger self. This one had the right soundtrack and the right kind of dark, and the details were clear and simple.

Event details: where, when, tickets, and vibe

Event: Dark Eighties Halloween Party, Cave of Bats
Date and time: Friday, October 24, 2025, from 9 pm to 3 am
Location: The Skylight Warehouse, 1800 Main Street, Vancouver
Tickets: About $13
Age: 19+
Music: Goth, EBM, industrial, post-punk, new romantic, synth pop, and cult 80s hits, with some 90s and 2000s sprinkled in
Dress code: Costumes encouraged, black is always right

The venue felt like a secret you share with good friends. A run-down warehouse with heavy charm, the kind of place with scuffed floors, a hint of sawdust in the air, and murals fading into the dark. We entered through a back way past construction, a small maze that suited the night. The building has temporary air. It looks tired in the corners, and it may not last forever. That made the party feel even more alive.

Music, friends, and dance floor moments I will not forget

The music snapped the room awake and kept it moving for hours. Bernie took a turn at the decks, and the floor surged like a tide. The sound ranged from stompy EBM to sleek synth and glimmering dark wave and goth, then dipped into cult hits that made people point and grin at strangers. The best kind of party draws a soft circle around the crowd, and this one did.

I found friends everywhere. Shawna was near the bar. Lori in a Tim Burton costume. Tania and Shannon sitting over on the couch. Stephanie joined us and danced away. Ron, Joe, and a cluster of familiar faces from other nights, other rooms. The costumes were smart and wicked, velvet and lace next to PVC and fishnet, with a dozen interpretations of bat wings that made me smile.

I danced hard, then stepped out for air and water, letting my pulse settle against the cool, damp night. A few tips that kept me happy:

The costume leaned toward mood over fuss. Dark fabrics, clean lines, a hint of sparkle in the eyes. I wanted to move and not think about straps or snaps.

Getting there and home safely near Main Street

Arrive early and the entry is easy. Lines build after 10 pm, and the best dance windows hit before midnight. Check if the bar is cashless, and keep a card ready.

Main Street–Science World SkyTrain is close, which makes the trip kind to your feet. Rideshare pickup works better on side streets, so plan a quick walk and a clear meeting point. I left with friends and luckily in their vehicle, so no dealing with Lyft wait times, and kept the buddy plan tight, a habit that feels boring until the one night you need it. Late nights go smoother when you think five minutes ahead.

Late-night food and a hidden bar near Main Street: Taco Kat and a speakeasy

The city fed us, as it should after hours of loud joy. We caught the kitchen just in time, then slipped into a noisy, unmarked room that felt both chaotic and safe.

Last-minute burrito at Taco Kat before close

We slid into Taco Kat minutes before the kitchen shut down. We each ordered a burrito, which came out quickly. It was warm and messy and perfect, the kind of food that reminds you you are made of simple needs after a long night. If you plan to go hard, scout a food stop before last call. Your future self will be kinder after you feed them.

Candlelit steps and two Irish bartenders at an unmarked speakeasy

We climbed candlelit steps into a room with no sign and a lot of sound, the door swallowing the street behind us. Two Irish bartenders ran the bar with good cheer, fast hands, and a few stray jokes. The room felt like a friendly dare, crowded and shadowed, with small pools of light over the tables.

Best places to see autumn leaves in Vancouver BC this weekend

Morning light, even on a cloudy day, is kind to the eyes and to photos. I saved a few hours to walk and breathe the next morning to get some shots, which felt like the right way to balance a warehouse night and the next day.

My top fall color picks: Stanley Park, Queen Elizabeth Park, VanDusen, and Pacific Spirit

Stanley Park: Big maples, deep greens, and seawall views that hum. The contrast between bright leaves and dark water is pure October.
Queen Elizabeth Park: Hilltop color with a skyline grin. Stand near the quarry garden and look out over the city, then loop the paths for close-up texture.
VanDusen Botanical Garden: A patchwork of trees and quiet paths. Good for slow walking and layered color, with small surprises at every turn.
Pacific Spirit Park: Forest calm near UBC. Trails wind through cedar and fir, and fallen leaves line the edges like soft borders.

Peak color shifts year to year. Rain makes colors feel richer and knocks loose the leaves that are ready to go. Bring a hood and walk anyway. The city rewards the stubborn.

Easy photo tips for rainy fall light

Rain can be a gift for photos. The light is even, and the colors bloom.

Overcast is your friend. Colors pop without harsh shadows.
Use a cheap phone rain cover or a zip bag with a corner cut for the lens.
Wipe the lens often. One clean swipe works wonders.
Look for puddle reflections for simple drama.
Use leading lines, like paths or railings, to guide the eye.

If you want a quick example, think of a wet park bench with a row of maples behind it. Put the bench in the lower third, focus on the shiny wood, and let the leaves blur into warmth.

Morning reset and a quick preview of tomorrow’s Sin City Halloween party

I crashed on Lori’s couch and woke to soft rain on the windows, the kind that asks for coffee or chai and a slow stretch. I headed out for a light brunch and a second walk for color, then a nap before another late night. Saturday, I aim for the big Sin City Halloween party, which will need its own notes and a steadier meal before I go. More on that soon.

Conclusion

What began as a knot of work and rain turned into a clean line through the day, from the border to Main Street, from paper lanterns to a pulsing dance floor, from dark music to a last-minute burrito. Vancouver in late October is rain, color, and community, a mix that holds you steady if you let it. Watch the weather, keep a backup plan, arrive early, and savor the small things, like a shared snack or a stranger’s perfect costume. Nights like this knit themselves together in simple stitches, and that is the quiet magic I chase. Follow along for the next chapter at Sin City, and thank you for walking through this rainy evening with me.