Things to Do in St. John's in October
October weather, activities, events & insider tips
Shoulder Season · Good Value
October Weather in St. John's
Temperature, rainfall and humidity at a glance
71°F (22°C)
High Temp
45°F (7°C)
Low Temp
0.0 inches (0 mm)
Rainfall
70%
Humidity
Is October Right for You?
Weigh the advantages and considerations before booking
Advantages
- + October delivers the final curtain call for iceberg season. Cathedral-sized blocks of ancient ice glide past Cape Spear until the third week, handing you photographs the July masses will never capture.
- + October is prime time for moose rutting. At dawn, fog over Pippy Park carries the haunting echo of bull calls that roll across the city like ghostly trumpets.
- + Hotel rates plummet about 35% after Thanksgiving once the cruise ships disappear. But kitchens keep ladling out fresh cod and October scallops straight from the boats.
- + By mid-month, George Street's bars belong to locals alone. You'll hear the real traditional music instead of the tourist sing-along track.
Considerations
- − The North Atlantic wind turns nasty by mid-month. When the sun slips behind Signal Hill, the temperature falls ten degrees in minutes.
- − Smaller coastal outfits close after Thanksgiving. If you want that puffin colony tour, lock it in for early October or forget it.
- − Storms can charge in from the Labrador Sea without warning, flipping a sunny morning hike into a sideways-rain dash for cover.
Best Activities in October
Top things to do during your visit
St. John's in October swaps gentle sea breezes for a sharper, salt-laced wind. It rolls in from the Atlantic, rattling the last autumn leaves on Signal Hill. The city draws inward. Its wooden row houses glow amber against steel-grey skies. Harbor water churns a deep, mineral green. This is when the cultural calendar ignites. The St. John's International Women's Film Festival transforms local cinemas and bars into hubs of debate. Energy spills onto George Street. Conversations about film mix with the warm, sweet smell of screech rum. Come Thanksgiving weekend, the entire rhythm of St. John's shifts. It moves to the steady beat of a kitchen party. Air in pubs along Water Street grows thick with steam from boiled salt beef and cabbage. These are Jiggs dinners. Fiddle tunes echo down cobblestone lanes long after dark. This shift makes a profoundly local experience. Visitors trade crowds for camaraderie. You find a city engaged in its own stories. You will hear the raw Atlantic in a new way. You will see the dramatic coastline without summer's fog. You will taste the hearty foods that define a Newfoundland autumn. Pull on a wool sweater. Step into the vivid life of a city preparing for winter. Every shared meal and film screening feels like an invitation into the community heart of St. John's.
Newfoundland Puffin and Whale Watch Cruise
cruiseThe Newfoundland Puffin and Whale Watch Cruise departs from the historic harbor. It cuts through water the color of tarnished silver. It heads towards towering sea cliffs where thousands of northern gannets wheel and cry. In October, the ocean swells with palpable power. You might see the dark, glossy arch of a humpback's back. You might see the explosive blow of a minke whale. This happens against the dramatic backdrop of a gathering autumn squall. Crisp air carries the sharp scent of seaweed. It also carries the raucous calls of seabirds preparing for their long journey south.
It is a raw encounter with the North Atlantic's mightiest creatures. The setting is a coastline of impressive, weather-sculpted drama.
Insider tip: Dress in layers with a waterproof outer shell. Wind on the open water can be biting. Spray is common. This preparation makes the experience more comfortable. It lets you stay on deck for the best sightings.
Historic St. John's Newfoundland and Cape Spear Tour
culturalThe Historic St. John's Newfoundland and Cape Spear Tour winds from the candy-colored Jellybean Row houses. Their paint stays vivid under overcast skies. It goes up to the raw granite fortress of Signal Hill. There you can hear the wind whip through old cannon emplacements. The journey ends at Cape Spear. This is the continent's easternmost point. You stand before the stark white lighthouse. You feel the full force of the Atlantic's breath. You watch waves explode against black rocks far below.
This tour charts the dramatic mix of human history and untamed geography. It defines the very edge of North America.
Insider tip: If the weather is clear at Cape Spear, scan the churning water carefully. Look for the distant spout of a whale. This is a common sight from this high point in the autumn migration period.
St. John's Downtown Walking Tour
walking_tourThe St. John's Downtown Walking Tour meanders along sloping, uneven streets. You can hear the creak of centuries-old wood. You can feel the slick, worn cobblestones underfoot. Your guide unpacks stories in the shadow of the Anglican Cathedral's grim stone spire. The guide leads you past pubs emitting the warm, yeasty smell of ale. The guide reveals hidden courtyards and faded merchant signs. These speak to the city's mercantile past.
This is the only way to absorb the layered history of St. John's. You understand its intimate, weathered texture on foot and at a human pace.
Insider tip: Wear sturdy, comfortable shoes with good grip. The hills are steep. The historic pathways can be slippery. This is true after one of October's frequent passing showers.
Award Winning 4 Hr Tour w Come From Away star* (lunch included)
guided_experienceThe Award Winning 4 Hr Tour w Come From Away star* examines the living history of a Broadway phenomenon. You visit the unassuming airport lounge that became a global symbol of kindness. You will hear firsthand accounts. They are filled with poignant, funny, and profound details that never made the stage. You feel the emotional weight of those extraordinary days in September 2001. The included lunch has a taste of classic Newfoundland fare. It is a tangible connection to the local hospitality at the story's core.
This is a personal bridge between international art and local truth. It is led by someone who helped shape the narrative.
Insider tip: This tour often sells out due to its unique access. Secure your spot well in advance. This is important around the Thanksgiving weekend. Visitor interest in local stories peaks then.
St. John's 3 Hour Newfoundland Food Tour
foodThe St. John's 3 Hour Newfoundland Food Tour is a savory crawl. It explores the city's culinary identity. You taste the dense, molasses-sweet flavor of toutons fried in pork scrunchions. You taste the briny, creamy taste of a freshly shucked oyster. You will sample flaky fish cakes touched with the tang of savory. You will sip on tart partridgeberry preserves. You finish with a strong, dark cup of Newfoundland coffee. You hear the stories behind each family recipe and traditional method.
It connects the strong flavors of the island directly to the culture of its people. This happens in just a few city blocks.
Insider tip: Come hungry. The portions are generous. They are designed to be a substantive meal. They show the hearty nature of Newfoundland cuisine. It is well suited to October afternoons.
2 Hours Guided Whale and Bird Boat Tour in Bay Bulls
cruiseThe 2 Hours Guided Whale and Bird Boat Tour in Bay Bulls launches from a sheltered cove south of St. John's. It speeds past forested cliffs brushed with the rusty orange of fall blueberries. The shorter format delivers an intense burst of wildlife viewing. You might feel the boat engine cut to a murmur. Everyone holds their breath at the sight of a humpback's fluke. It rises from the cold, green water. It is surrounded by the frantic, diving silhouettes of shearwaters.
This efficient excursion maximizes your chance for close encounters with marine giants. It is good for those with limited time.
Insider tip: The boat is smaller and more maneuverable than larger vessels. This lets it respond quickly to sightings. Position yourself near the captain. You will get the first alerts and clearest commentary.
Where to Stay in St. John's in October
Hand-picked hotels across price tiers for October travellers.
★★★★
Mid-Range
Best Western Plus St. Johns Airport Hotel and Suites
From $281 / night
Check Prices on Trip.com →
October Events & Festivals
What's happening during your visit
Third week of October
St. John's International Women's Film Festival
The oldest women's film festival in North America lands the third week of October. Local bars host filmmaker Q&As that spill onto George Street, where directors argue Canadian cinema over screech rum until 2am.
Second Monday in October
Thanksgiving weekend kitchen parties
Thanksgiving weekend, the second Monday in October, every pub in St. John's ladles out Jiggs dinner: salt beef, cabbage, potatoes, and pease pudding. Irish pubs along Water Street launch impromptu folk sessions that start Sunday noon and refuse to quit until Tuesday.
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View St. John's Packing List →Essential Tips
Insider knowledge and common pitfalls to avoid
Insider Knowledge
The best cod and chips waits at Ches's on Freshwater Road after 9pm, when they fry the fresh catch instead of lunch scraps. Locals have followed this routine since 1959.
October opens the cod fishery to locals, so the fish on downtown menus is yesterday's catch, never frozen.
Skip George Street on Friday nights in October. Head to O'Reilly's on Water Street, where musicians play real Newfoundland songs instead of tourist-bar standards.
The Rooms museum café has floor-to-ceiling windows facing the harbor, the perfect iceberg lookout with proper coffee while tourists shiver on Signal Hill.
Avoid These Mistakes
Trying to drive the Irish Loop in October without checking which sections wash out during fall storms. The road south of Trepassey often shuts down without warning.
Booking whale-watching tours for late October, when most operators have already hauled their boats into winter storage.
Wearing the same shoes for downtown bars and Signal Hill hiking. Water Street cobblestones chew up running shoes, and the hill destroys dress shoes.
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