Things to Do in Abbotsford: A Visitor’s Guide for Airshow Weekend

Planning a trip to the Fraser Valley? Whether you are coming for the Abbotsford International Airshow or just looking for things to do in Abbotsford this weekend, this city about an hour east of Vancouver packs in far more than most visitors expect. Known as the Raspberry Capital of Canada and nicknamed the “City in the Country,” Abbotsford pairs farm-fresh food, award-winning wineries and craft breweries with lakes, mountain trails and family attractions.

Here is your complete all-ages guide to the best Abbotsford attractions, where to eat and drink, and how to turn the airshow into a full weekend getaway.

Top Abbotsford Attractions for Every Visitor

Abbotsford’s attractions span history, art, culture and pure family fun, so there is something for every kind of traveller.

• The Reach Gallery Museum. Abbotsford’s public art gallery and museum rotates exhibitions of contemporary art alongside displays on local history, and admission is free, making it an easy first stop downtown.
• Clayburn Village. Founded in 1905 around a brick plant, Clayburn was British Columbia’s first company town. Today it is a charming heritage pocket tucked against Sumas Mountain. Don’t miss the Clayburn Village Store, a restored building turned old-fashioned candy shop with house-made caramels, and the little museum housed in the former schoolhouse.
• Mennonite Heritage Museum. This museum tells the story of the Mennonite community that helped shape the region, with thoughtful exhibits, a heritage garden and a café known for hearty traditional food.
• International Friendship Garden. A peaceful Japanese-style garden built to honour Abbotsford’s sister-city relationship with Fukagawa, Japan, and a quiet spot to stretch your legs between activities.
• Castle Fun Park. A go-to for families and groups, with mini-golf, go-karts, arcade games, batting cages and bumper boats in one spot.
• Scenic flights. Fitting for an aviation town, several operators at Abbotsford International Airport offer scenic airplane and helicopter tours over the valley, with views of landmarks like Mount Cheam and Harrison Lake.

If you are travelling with kids, Birchwood Dairy is a local institution for ultra-creamy ice cream and friendly farm animals, while Maan Farms delivers a full country experience that adults love just as much (more on that below).

The Great Outdoors: Parks, Lakes and Trails

Abbotsford sits in one of the most scenic corners of southern British Columbia, and its parks are some of the best free things to do in town.

• Mill Lake Park. The heart of the city’s green space, Mill Lake offers an easy, mostly flat paved loop of roughly 2.3 kilometres around the water. You will find playgrounds, a spray park for kids, picnic shelters, sports courts and plenty of ducks, turtles and herons to spot. It is ideal for a morning walk, a jog or a relaxed family afternoon.
• Discovery Trail. This long urban greenway threads through forests, ponds and neighbourhoods across the city. Walk or bike a short section, or take on the full loop if you are after a longer outing.
• Sumas Mountain Regional Park (the “Abby Grind”). For those who want to earn a view, the Abby Grind is a steep but rewarding climb to a viewpoint overlooking the Fraser Valley. Bring water and proper shoes.

Because the airshow lands in early August, the weather is usually warm and dry, which makes these outdoor spots a perfect counterbalance to a day in the grandstands.

Where to Eat in Abbotsford

Abbotsford’s food scene has quietly become one of the Fraser Valley’s best, with more than 200 eateries ranging from farm-to-table kitchens to global comfort food. Historic downtown Abbotsford, centred on Essendene Avenue, is the most walkable hub for cafés, bakeries and restaurants.

A few local favourites to seek out:

• Amici Wine Bar for warm, family-style Italian cooking.
• BRGR BRGR on Essendene Avenue for a thoughtfully made burger.
• The Pastry Portal for a rotating lineup of inventive pastries.
• Aurora Roasters for specialty coffee and standout sandwiches.

Save room for dessert and local ice cream, and if you are visiting in summer, keep an eye out for roadside fruit stands selling Abbotsford’s famous berries at their peak.

Abbotsford Wineries, Breweries and a Meadery

The Fraser Valley is fertile farm country, and Abbotsford’s drink scene reflects it. Many producers are clustered close enough to string together a relaxed self-guided tour (just plan a designated driver or book a local tour).

• Maan Farms Estate Winery. A standout that doubles as a country destination. The winery crafts fruit wines using berries grown on the land, and the property hosts seasonal festivals, a market and famously good samosas and strawberry ice cream.
• Ripples Winery. A relaxed, welcoming tasting room with a peaceful waterside setting and knowledgeable staff.
• Campbell’s Gold Honey Farm & Meadery. Something a little different, where you can taste mead (honey wine) made on a working honey farm.
• Craft breweries. Abbotsford has a strong beer scene led by Field House Brewing Co., known for adventurous beers and a comfort-food menu, and Ravens Brewing Company, an Indigenous-owned brewery in the heart of the city. Several others round out an easy afternoon crawl.

Hours and seasonal events vary, so it is worth checking each producer’s website before you go.

Make a Weekend of It: The Abbotsford International Airshow (Aug 7–9, 2026)

The single best reason to visit this summer is the Abbotsford International Airshow, running August 7, 8 and 9, 2026. As one of North America’s premier aviation events, it fills the skies with military demonstration teams, jet acts and civilian performers, and it anchors a weekend that is easy to build a whole trip around.

Here is a simple template for an airshow weekend:

• Friday: Arrive, settle into your hotel, and explore historic downtown Abbotsford for dinner and a brewery or wine tasting.
• Saturday: Spend the day at the airshow, then unwind with a lakeside evening stroll at Mill Lake Park.
• Sunday: Catch more of the airshow or ease into the day with a country drive to Clayburn Village, a farm visit and a final meal before heading home.

Pair big-ticket airshow moments with Abbotsford’s slower pleasures, like a winery flight or a walk in the park, and you get a weekend that works for couples, friends and families alike.

Plan Your Stay and Get Tickets

Abbotsford is compact and easy to navigate, with hotels close to both the airport and the highway, so you are never far from the action. To make booking simple, see our guide to where to stay near the Abbotsford Airshow for partner hotels and lodging options.

Ready to lock in your weekend? Browse the full 2026 performer lineup on the Abbotsford International Airshow performers page, then grab your airshow tickets before they sell out.

However you spend your time, Abbotsford rewards visitors who slow down and explore. Come for the airshow, and stay for the food, the farms, the trails and the small-city charm of the Fraser Valley.