Chilliwack
Around Chilliwack
Photo: Boreal11 · CC0 · Wikimedia Commons
Metro area · British Columbia · 113k people
Chilliwack
Locals say Fraser Valley · “The Wack”
Where the mountains meet the fields
Fraser Valley GreenRiver BlueHarvest Gold
Welcome to the Fraser Valley! Whether you're here for the corn, the mountains, or the lakes, you'll find plenty to love. Get ready for some great local food and outdoor adventures.
Clubs for Chilliwack
No clubs for Chilliwack yet.
The room
One room for everyone around Chilliwack. It never closes; when it's busy it splits into tables. Once you're in, you stay until you leave.
Ask the neighbours
AllA good plumber, the best tacos, a lost cat: nobody has asked yet. Be the first.
Coming up
No events in the next month. Events made in the room show up here.
Marketplace
Things for sale, free and wanted, and rooms for rent, from people around Chilliwack. Sign in to sell something.
Things to do
- Cultus Lake Popular lake for swimming, boating, and camping.
- Harrison Hot Springs Village with natural hot springs and a lakeside promenade.
- Bridal Veil Falls Scenic waterfall just off Highway 1.
- Vedder River River with a long trail for walking and cycling.
- Fraser River Mighty river that defines the valley's landscape and salmon runs.
- Mount Cheam Iconic mountain peak visible from town, a challenging hike.
- Outdoors Hike Teapot Hill
- Outdoors Fish the Vedder River
- With kids Cultus Lake Waterpark
- With kids Harrison Hot Springs Public Pools
- Evenings Brewery patios
- Evenings Live music at pubs
- Locals love Farm stands
- Locals love U-pick fields
Through the year
- Chilliwack Fair August The valley's classic agricultural fair with livestock, rides, and exhibits.
- Harrison Festival of the Arts July A summer celebration of music, theatre, and visual arts by the lake.
- Chilliwack Corn Festival September A community celebration of the famous local sweet corn with food stalls and family fun.
- Fraser Valley Bald Eagle Festival November Winter gathering to watch eagles along the Harrison and Fraser rivers.
- Chilliwack Farmers Market Saturdays, May to October Weekly market with local produce, crafts, and live music.
Chilliwack has a mild rainforest climate—winters are rainy and cool, summers are warm and sunny. The best time to be out is from June to September. Best: Summer (July–August) is warm and dry, perfect for lakes and trails.
Talk like a local
- “The Valley”
- The Fraser Valley region as a whole.
- “The Chuck”
- Chilliwack itself, used by locals.
- “Harrison”
- Harrison Hot Springs, the village.
- “Cultus”
- Cultus Lake, often just called 'Cultus'.
Getaways
- Abbotsford Close-by city for shopping, dining, and the Abbotsford Centre.
- Bellingham Cross the border for coastal vibes, breweries, and the waterfront.
- Vancouver Big-city museums, sports, and nightlife just an hour away.
- Squamish Outdoor playground for climbing, hiking, and the Sea to Sky Gondola.
Local flavour
Teams
- Chilliwack Chiefs BCHL
Also rooting for Vancouver Canucks (NHL), BC Lions (CFL), Vancouver Whitecaps (MLS), Seattle Mariners (MLB) – some locals follow, Vancouver Giants (WHL)
Eat and drink
- Chilliwack corn Sweet corn sold at roadside stands in late summer.
- Fresh Fraser Valley berries Blueberries, strawberries, and raspberries from local farms.
- Fraser River salmon Wild salmon (especially sockeye) caught in the river, often grilled or smoked.
- Chilliwack honey Local honey from the many beekeepers in the area.
Where people go
- Farm stands and u-pick fields Roadside stalls and berry farms that define the agricultural landscape.
- Hiking trails Mount Cheam, Teapot Hill, and the many trails in the Cascade foothills.
- Lakes and rivers Cultus Lake, Harrison Lake, and the Vedder River for swimming, boating, and fishing.
- Hot springs Harrison Hot Springs, a natural mineral hot spring resort town.
Heritage and traditions
Chilliwack is proud of its rich agricultural heritage, especially its famous sweet corn, and its stunning natural setting where the Fraser River meets the mountains, fostering a close‑knit community with deep roots.
This time of year in Chilliwack
- Salmon spawning Fall In autumn, salmon return to the Vedder and Fraser rivers, drawing wildlife viewers.
Say it like a local: “Toonie” — A two‑dollar coin.
Festivals
- Agassiz Fall Fair September A traditional agricultural fair with livestock, produce, and family entertainment.
- Hope Chainsaw Carving Festival September Chainsaw artists carve sculptures live, leaving permanent art around town.
- Chilliwack Antique Power Show August Vintage tractors and machinery demonstrations, celebrating the agricultural past.
Landmarks with a story
- Chilliwack Museum and Archives Housed in a historic building, it tells the story of the area from Indigenous times to today.
- Chilliwack Heritage Park A park with antique farm equipment and a pioneer village, celebrating rural life.
- Yarrow Mennonite Church Reflects the deep Mennonite heritage of the community, with services and events.
- Hope Historic District A charming downtown with heritage buildings, including the courthouse and old storefronts.
Food traditions
- Mennonite perogies and borscht Brought by Mennonite settlers to Yarrow, these dishes are a local comfort food.
- U‑pick berry picking and jam‑making Families pick berries in summer and make preserves, a tradition passed down.
- Salmon smoking and canning Along the Fraser River, smoking and canning salmon is a time‑honoured practice.
- Corn roasts Fresh Chilliwack corn is boiled or roasted at summer gatherings, a local favourite.
Music and arts
- Chilliwack Symphony Orchestra Performs classical and pops concerts, bringing orchestral music to the valley.
- Stó:lō carving and weaving Traditional Indigenous crafts, including totem poles and cedar bark weaving, are still practised.
- Chilliwack Cultural Centre A hub for theatre, music, and visual arts, hosting local and touring performances.
- Mennonite choral music Part of the community's heritage, with choirs performing at churches and events.
A little history
- Pre‑contact Stó:lō Nation has lived in the Fraser Valley for thousands of years.
- 1860s First European settlers arrived, establishing farms and communities.
- 1880s The railway reached Chilliwack, boosting trade and settlement.
- 1948 The Fraser River flood devastated the valley, reshaping the landscape.
- 20th century Growth of the dairy and horticulture industries made the area a major food producer.
Rivalries
- Chilliwack Chiefs vs. Surrey Eagles BCHL hockey games that get the crowd going.
- Chilliwack vs. Abbotsford Friendly banter over who has the best local produce and events.
- Game day Chilliwack Chiefs hockey
- Game day Fishing derbies on the Vedder
- Outdoors Walk the Othello Tunnels
- Outdoors View the Hope Slide
- With kids Chilliwack Heritage Park
- With kids Chainsaw sculptures in Hope
People speak with a relaxed Canadian accent, using local place names like 'the Vedder' for the river and 'the Hope' for the town. Common expressions include 'eh' and 'pop' for soda.
Only here
- The name Chilliwack comes from the Halq'emeylem word for 'valley of many streams'.
- The Fraser Valley hosts one of the world's largest gatherings of bald eagles in winter.
- Teapot Hill trail has hidden teapots for hikers to discover along the path.
- Hope is known as the 'Chainsaw Carving Capital', with dozens of carved sculptures around town.
New here? A few tips
- Pronounce the city as 'CHIL‑ee‑wack' – the 'wack' rhymes with 'pack'.
- Expect rain, especially from November to March; keep a good raincoat handy.
- Try the local corn in August – it's a point of pride and truly sweet.
- Visit the Chilliwack Farmers Market on Saturday mornings for fresh produce and local goods.
- Highway 1 is the main route; expect traffic during commutes, especially toward Vancouver.
Make this page better
Know a place, a festival, a word locals use, or something here that's wrong? Suggest it; someone at Popchat checks every one.
Sign in and join a club here to suggest.
Nearby
Every areaAbbotsford–MissionBritish ColumbiaWhere the Fraser Valley feels like home.Fraser CanyonBritish ColumbiaRugged beauty, small-town heart.BellinghamWashingtonWhere the mountains meet the sea, and the coffee is always fresh.VancouverBritish ColumbiaWhere the sea meets the skySkagit ValleyWashingtonWhere tulips bloom and tides turn.San Juan IslandsWashingtonWhere the Salish Sea meets the sky.SquamishBritish ColumbiaWhere the mountains meet the sea, and every day is an adventure.Oak HarborWashingtonIsland calm, Pacific Northwest soul
Chilliwack. Areas from the US Census Bureau and Statistics Canada; places from GeoNames. Local flavour was written with a model and may have mistakes. Team names identify teams; no endorsement.