Toronto 
Photo Credit: Canadian Tourism Commission
The cool air of autumn heralds a time of country harvests, crunching leaves, and soothing drinks! There are plenty of fun fall activities to get you outside and here are 10 awesome Fall activities in Ontario.
For more ideas see – 25+ Bucket List Ideas for Fall Activities and Getaways in Ontario.
1. Leaf Peeping
- Ontario Parks Leaf Colour Report
- 25 Hikes to Enjoy Fall Colours in Ontario
- 15 Fall Colour Driving Routes in Central Ontario
2. Fall Fairs
Fall is the time for fun and frolic across Ontario at Fall Fairs held by Ontario’s agricultural societies. See prized produce, pick up a few artisan crafts and gifts for the fall table and enjoy the thrill of amusement rides!
Some of the famous Fall Fairs in 2021 include:
- Lindsay Exhibition — September 18 to 26, 2021
- Carp Fair — September 23-26, 2021
- Bolton Fall Fair and Tractor Pull — September 24 -26, 2021
- Caledonia Fair — September 30 to October 3, 2021
- Norfolk County Fair & Horse Show — October 5 to 11, 2021
- Ball’s Falls Thanksgiving Festival — Ball’s Falls Conservation Area, 3292 Sixth Avenue, Lincoln, Jordan Station
- Woodbridge Fair — October 9 to 11, 2021
For more Fall Festivals and Events, see:
3. Cranberry Harvest
Turkey Dinners and Cranberry Sauce!! Visit Cranberry Marsh and take part in an experience that is unique in Northern America!! See how 27 acres of marsh that produce around 300,000-400,000 lbs of cranberries are harvested!
September 25 – October 31 @Muskoka Lakes Farm & Winery, 1074 Cranberry Road, Bala | Free Admission
Bala Cranberry Festival
Celebrate the harvest of the cranberry with family and friends, entertainment, bazaar, juried arts and crafts, tours of two cranberry marshes and much more!
October 15th to Sunday October 17th, 2021 @ Various Venues, Bala | $10 (Advance Tickets Required)
4. Kitchener-Waterloo Oktoberfest
Perhaps, no Fall festival in Ontario is as famous as Canada’s Greatest Bavarian Festival! In a normal year, you can enjoy floats, performers and bands in Canada’s largest Thanksgiving Day Parade, stop by Willkommen Platz for tasty treats and live entertainment.
In 2021, there will not be large-scale celebrations including the famous parade, but if you visit the KW region, you can still take part in small-scale events.
Venues will feature live Oktoberfest entertainment, Oktoberfest food specials and beer pairings, prize programs and maybe even a visit from the keg tapping team or Onkel Hans!
There will be a number of live events happening, from Oktoberfest-themed entertainment and concerts to experiences the whole family can enjoy.
5. Pumpkinfernos
Photo Credit: Upper Canada Village
1. Pumpkinferno at Upper Canada Village & Fort Henry
Take a tour through this spectacular outdoor art exhibit of 7,000 handcrafted pumpkins all lit at night along a kilometer long path in a picturesque 19th century backdrop. This mesmerizing installation of artist-inspired, glowing pumpkins is a not-to-be-missed event for ALL ages!
2. Pumpkinferno at Discovery Harbour
See amazing carved pumpkins in larger than life forms, fun activities for the family and the Terror Zone awaits!
3. Pumpkins After Dark
Witness magnificent works of pumpkin artistry – 5,000 hand-carved pumpkins, creating more than 100 sculptures, displayed among a series of jack-o-lanterns all illuminated after dark.
6. Fall in Love with Maple
The best way to enjoy Fall is to see sugar maples turning red and have delicious maple syrup direct from the farms.
This year Ontario Maple Producers are hosting an event — Fall in Love with Maple — where-in you can take a hike through maple sugarbush as the leaves on the trees change from green to vibrant yellows, blazing oranges and crimson reds.
Take a fall road trip to visit participating sugarbushes from the last weekend in September to the first weekend in October and sample maple syrup and maple treats, learn more about maple syrup production, stock up on syrup, and stroll through some of the most beautiful fall scenery in Ontario.
Also, visit Canada’s oldest sugar maple tree located at Comfort Maple Conservation Area, Pelham.
7. Trip to Sault Ste. Marie
Plan a train ride on Algoma Canyon Train, enjoy vibrant fall colours and various sights of the region. Take a seat as Canadian and International musicians invade Algoma and see an exhibition of over 20 pieces from the Permanent Collection of The Art Gallery of Algoma of Canada’s Iconic Group of Seven and their contemporaries.
8. Fall Getaway
Enjoy the best of fall with an autumn getaway in Ontario.
- 15 Resorts for a Fall Getaway
- 10 Trips for Fall in Ontario
- Train Tours to Enjoy Fall
- Scenic Boat Tours
9. See the Salmon Run
Brandon/Unsplash
Cool Fall temperatures see scores of Chinook Salmon fighting their way up rivers and streams on their annual spawning run.
Ontario’s first watershed trust, Blue Mountain Watershed Trust is holding a festival right in the middle of the annual salmon migration to celebrate this amazing Fall phenomenon on September 25th in Collingwood/Town of Blue Mountains.
You can of course visit the area and other creeks that carry salmon upstream during other days of the season.
Where to See Salmon Run in Greater Toronto Area
10. Ontario Farms
Take a hayride, get a perfectly shaped pumpkin for Jack O’ Lantern, pick apples, get the best products for your Thanksgiving Table, Fall dinners and preserves for Christmas, by visiting an Ontario Farm or Farmers Market near you!
Get lost amongst giant stalks of corn near you, you may even encounter devilish children of the corn!
25+ Bucket List Ideas for Fall Activities and Getaways in Ontario
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