What to do this weekend from On The Coast

There may be rain in the forecast, but that's no reason to stay inside the weekend. Here are On The Coast's five picks for things to do around the Lower Mainland this weekend:

1. Diwali Fest

The ancient Hindu festival of lights is celebrated with a series of events throughout Surrey and Vancouver. In its 10th year, the festival is growing. This year, there will be two main "Diwali Downtown" events held, one in Vancouver, and the other at Surrey's new city hall.

• Oct. 17-26
• Vancouver and Surrey
• diwalifest.ca

2. UBC Apple Festival

Ring in the harvest at UBC's Botanical Garden with this tribute to one of B.C.'s most popular fruits. Taste 60 different kinds of apples grown across the province, learn how to grow your own and bring your backyard apples to be identified.

• Oct. 18-19
• UBC Botanical Garden
• botanicalgarden.ubc.ca

3. Halloween Parade and Costume Expo

If you don't know what to wear this Halloween, there will be lots of inspiration at this weekend's costume expo. The convention brings together costumes from film, comics, cosplay and anime. The parade will bring Halloween to Vancouver a little early, on Sunday at noon, as costumed characters make their way through the downtown core.

• Oct. 18-19
• Sheraton Vancouver Wall Centre, Vancouver
• vanhalloween.com

4. Vancouver Home and Design Show

If you're doing a home renovation, get advice and inspiration at the Vancouver Home and Design Show. The show brings in a slew of celebrity designers and chefs as well as more than 325 exhibitors to help you make your ideas a reality.

• Oct. 16-19
• BC Place Stadium, Vancouver
• vancouverhomeanddesignshow.com

5. Forbidden City: Inside the Court of China's Emperors

This new exhibit at the Vancouver Art Gallery takes visitors into one of the world's most secret and enigmatic places. China'sForbidden City was the home of Chinese emperors, and only special visitors were allowed inside for nearly 600 years. The Vancouver Art Gallery will display rare treasures from these ancient Chinese dynasties. The pieces are on loan from Beijing's Palace Museum, and many have never been seen outside China.

• Oct. 18 to Jan. 11
• Vancouver Art Gallery
• vanartgallery.bc.ca