Savor San Juan Island in October

Savor the end of Summer and our long, warm Autumn on San Juan Island with one of the last whale watching or kayaking tours of the season. Experience unique art events, sumptuous island grown food from sea and land and long walks on the beach amidst the turning fall foliage. San Juan Island in Fall is such a treat.

Friday Harbor Film Festival

Get inspired by this acclaimed documentary film festival with a small town feel and big city entertainment in paradise. Friday Harbor’s downtown core is a mere three blocks wide and long. It is so much fun to walk from venue to venue, ducking into a coffee shop here and a bar there between screenings, bumping into folks, who do the same thing you are doing. Don’t miss the fancy gala and award ceremonies. October 23-26, 2025.

Makers Art Market

Explore locally handcrafted arts and crafts at the cute Grange Hall overlooking the water and enjoy free refreshments while you shop. Sunday, October 12, 2025. 1:00pm to 4:00pm.

Fall Farm-to-Table Dinner at Duck Soup

Treat yourself to outstanding fare and handcrafted cocktails at this comfy, rustic place in the woods. From local farm produce, meat and seafood, foraged edibles from land and sea, and local goods made from island crafts people, the abundance and beauty of the San Juan Islands is on full display at Duck Soup.

Open Thursdays through Sundays in October. Happy Hour from 4:00pm to 5:00pm - 25% off.

First Friday Art Walk

Every first Friday of the month local galleries and shops stay open late for an Art Walk through cute, walkable Friday Harbor. Browse original art and other unique island-made gift ideas.

Birding & Whale Watching

Treat yourself to one of the last guided kayak and whale watching tours of the season. Explore Winter wildlife from the shore of the whale watching park. Watch the snow owls, hawks and Bald Eagles on the American Camp National Historical Park prairie high above the Salish Sea.

Saturday Farmers Market

Delight in the October Farmer’s Market in downtown Friday Harbor. Get your pumpkins, island-made wine, cheese and sea salt. Listen to live music and have a lovely lunch.