The Durham Region’s Oak Ridges Moraine bursts with colour in the fall. It is also famous for its beautiful conservation areas and opportunities to hike and cycle.
Pingle’s Farm/ Credit: To Do Canada
There are also plenty of agri-fun in the Durham Region: get lost in the corn maze, go apple picking or pumpkins for Jack-O-Lantern. You’re spoiled for choice with activities and chances to wind down, and fall is an amazing time to take advantage of that.
Here are 25 of the best things to do this Fall in Durham Region.
Contents
I. Events & Festivals
II. Agricultural/Harvest Events/Activities
III. Outdoor Activities
I. Events & Festivals
Convergence Music and Arts Festival
Kick off the fall season with a trip to downtown Oshawa for Convergence 2026. Running September 19 & 20, the festival features music, art, and culture, as well as a free street festival. The lineup features I Mother Earth, Maestro Fresh Wes, Jeremie Albino, Reuben and the Dark, The Bullhorn Singers, Skye Wallace, Ammoye, PRRR, The Greenhouse Collective, Conor Gains, Dynesti, Mikhail Laxton, Black Paint, Candace + Michael and more.
Brooklin Harvest Festival
On September 19, 2026, the Brooklin Harvest Festival will enliven downtown from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Explore sidewalk sales, pop-up eateries, and unique shops in a festive atmosphere. Adventure zones feature rock walls, slides, and more, while Grass Park offers renovated spaces to enjoy local entertainment and the vibrant fall colours.
Fall Fling
The City of Pickering will host Fall Fling on October 17th and 24th at Millennium Square. Enjoy the vendor market, miniature train rides, live music, picturesque autumnal decorations, and giveaways.
All the Fall Fun at Pickering Village Museum
Pickering Museum Village offers captivating fall programs for all tastes. ‘Pickering Fairy Tour‘ explores magical creatures in the picturesque forest, village, and gardens, with hidden fairy houses. Held on September 19 and 20, it’s perfect for families.
If you crave spookier adventures, ‘Pickering Ghost Walk‘ leads you through the Village with lantern light, sharing supernatural stories, paranormal investigations, and Pickering’s eerie history.
Apple Festival & Craft Sale
Bowmanville’s annual Apple Festival is back this year. This tremendously popular annual street festival celebrates all things apple. Four city blocks become a showcase for many local apple growers who proudly offer a wide variety of freshly picked apples and other goodies. @ Main Street, Historic Downtown Bowmanville.
DRIFF’s fall festival
Durham Region International Film Festival’s fall festival returns at various locations in the Durham Region offering three days of thoughtful curated in-person programming from around the globe with a focus on Canadian and Durham Region productions. October 22 to 24, 2026.
Cannington Haunted Attraction
You don’t want to miss the Cannington Haunted Attraction this Halloween season. The location features include two outdoor wooded trails and an indoor barn maze, all of which are transformed into immersive horror-themed environments complete with live scare actors and some shocking surprises. You can also enjoy a mini-escape room, food and craft vendors, and a decorated museum.
@ MacLeod Park, 91 Elliot St, Cannington
Cheer Oshawa Generals
Oshawa Generals open their home game on September 20 against North Bay Battalion. Cheer the five-time Memorial Cup Champions and a record thirteen Ontario Hockey League Champions in their home arena. Various dates and times @ Tribute Communities Centre, Oshawa
More Live Performing Arts
- The Arena at Pickering Casino Resort will feature Menopause The Musical, Big Wreck, Owen Riegling, Josh Ross, and many more!
- Enjoy tribute shows to George Thorogood, Journey, Styx, Coldplay, and more at Regent Theatre, and Cancer Bats, Will Gillespie & His Old World Romance Ensemble, Parabolus, and Gord Bamford at Biltmore Theatre in Oshawa.
- Live events are also back at St. Francis Centre in Ajax.
- Enjoy On Golden Pond by Ernest Thompson, produced on stage by Ajax Community Theatre. On Golden Pond follows aging couple Ethel and Norman Thayer during a summer at their lakeside cottage. Their strained relationship with daughter Chelsea comes to the surface, while an unexpected friendship with a teenage boy brings warmth, humour and reflection on family and aging.
- Oshawa Little Theatre will present Little Shop of Horrors in late September and Frozen for the holidays. Little Shop of Horrors follows Seymour, a shy flower shop assistant whose strange plant, Audrey II, brings sudden success but demands human blood. Frozen follows sisters Elsa and Anna as they confront Elsa’s icy powers, separation and the meaning of love.
Santa Claus Parades
Well, we do not associate Santa Claus parades as a Fall activity, but all Santa Claus Parades start during the second to the third weekend of November and end by the 2nd weekend of December. We will not list any of them here, but you can check here by the first weekend of November for the complete list of all tree-lighting ceremonies and parades.
You may also like Christmas Markets in GTA
II. Agricultural/Harvest Events/Activities
Cooper’s Farm Night Maze
The Cooper’s Farm is well-known for its 10-acre corn maze that opens to the public in the fall. It is a highly accessible maze that is wide enough for wheelchairs and strollers. And on select nights, you can navigate the maze in the dark. @ Cooper’s CSA Farm & Maze, 266 Ashworth Road, Zephyr.
Pingle’s Harvest Festival
Spend the day navigating through Corn Maze, have some farm-tastic fun in the Playland, take in the farm views & fresh country air on a wagon ride, pick-your-own delicious apples in the apple orchard and top off your day with some yummy savoury & sweet food & drinks! @ Pingle’s Farm Market, 1805 Taunton Rd, Hampton.
Buzzing Bees Adventure Farm
Get lost in the 10-acre corn maze of Buzzing Bees Farm or take part in the Pirate Puzzle Hunt . This includes finding 8 stations hidden in the maze and solving escape room style puzzles to unlock the long lost Pirate treasure.
You can also enjoy fun family activities like pedal karts, pumpkin bowling, an elastic band shooting range, and more. Take a walk through the pumpkin patch to find that perfect pumpkin for carving. @ Buzzing Bees Adventure Farm, 1070 Concession Rd 5, Sunderland
Falls Fun Festival at Brooks Farms
Brooks Farms hosts an awesome Fall Fun Festival that gets bigger and better every year. Come out and enjoy the beautiful autumn season, Brooks Farms style! Activities include Train Rides, Gem Mine, Zip Lines, Giant Jumping Pillows, Live Puppet Shows, Singing Chicken & Fox Show, Corn Maze, Rusty’s Forest Walk, and more! Until November 1 @ Brooks Farms, 122 Ashworth Road, Uxbridge
Dig Your Own Potatoes at Bragg Farms
Celebrate the harvest season by visiting Bragg Farms. Be prepared for a little dust as you embark on a potato-picking adventure.
You’ll check in, grab your burlap bags or baskets, and hop on a tractor wagon to the sandy hills, where farmers will provide digging forks and a tutorial. You can unearth fresh yellow potatoes, red skin potatoes, and sweet potatoes.
After your harvest, explore merchandise and baked goods, including renowned Maple Pecan Sweet Potato Pies and Sweet Potato Brownies.
October Harvest Festival
Pick your own pumpkin and take a walk in the woods of Forsythe Family Farms or a ride on the wagon train.
Get lost in the 2-acre corn maze and check out the No Left Turn cedar maze in the Barnyard Adventure Playground. Daily in October @ Forsythe Family Farms 2009 Inc, 1025 Cragg Rd, Uxbridge.
Applewood Farm and Winery
While famous for its wine, Applewood has other tricks up its sleeve! Including over 2km trails over 40 acres of cornfield. You’ll have to think to escape this one!@ 2055 Saintfield Rd, Scugog.
- Linton’s Farm Market, 571 Raglan Road East, Oshawa
- Nature’s Bounty Farm, 651 Scugog Line 2, Port Perry
- Pingle’s Farm Market, 1805 Taunton Rd. E., RR 1 Hampton
- Pingle’s Farm Market, 1805 Taunton Rd. E., RR 1 Hampton
- Archibald Orchards & Estate Winery, RR 5, 6275 Liberty St.N. Bowmanville
- Watson Farms, 2287 HWY 2 Bowmanville
- Nature’s Bounty Farm, 651 Scugog Line 2, Port Perry
- Linton’s Farm Market, 571 Raglan Rd. E. Oshawa
- Willowtree Farm Market, 975 Durham Rd. 21 Port Perry
- Nature’s Bounty Farm, 651 Scugog Line 2, Port Perry
- Watson Farms, 2287 HWY 2 Bowmanville
- Applewood Farm and Winery, 2055 Saintfield Rd, Scugog
III. Outdoor Fall Activities/Fall Colour Hikes
Visit the Purple Woods Conservation Area
It is no secret that maple sugar trees produce some of the best displays of crimson and gold. This Fall, the Ontario Maple Producers Association is holding Fall in Love With Maple event, wherein you can visit participating farms to hike through maple forests and get maple products.
The Purple Woods Conservation Area has plenty of maple trees and offers perfect access to the Oak Ridges Moraine, making it a perfect place for a fall visit.
Address: 38 Coates Rd E, Oshawa
More Places to Hike: 27 of the Best Hiking Spots & Nature Parks in the Durham Region
See the Salmon Run
During Fall, salmon migrate upstream from Ontario’s Great Lakes to lay their eggs in the shallows before winter settles in. Hike the Seaton Trail from Whitevale Park, which meanders by the Whitevale Dam, where you can see Salmon downstream from the dam.
Use the Oshawa Creek Trail/Joseph Kolodzie Oshawa Creek Bike Path and follow Oshwa creek from any of the parks which are located near the creek for a beautiful fall season hike and salmon walk.
Bowmanville Creek fish ladder, located along the wheelchair-accessible trail Bowmanville Creek Trail (at 35 Roenigk Drive, Bowmanville), gives you another opportunity to see these awesome fish journey over the fish ladder.
Explore the Greenwood Conservation Area
The Greenwood Conservation Area is popular for its 38 kilometres of trails, with one along Duffins Creek. You may also see a few salmon making their way up Duffins Creek.
TRCA will host a guided Salmon Walk on September 27.
Address: 2290 Greenwood Rd, Ajax
Cycle the Durham Region
The Durham Region is home to many scenic spots like the Great Lakes Waterfront Trail and the Oak Ridges Moraine. These stunning landscapes beckon cyclists to get on their bikes and cycle its exciting loops.
Details
Play a game at the Deer Creek Golf Club
Credit: Deer Creek Golf Club
The Deer Creek Golf Club is a scenic and elegant golf club with two courses – the North Course with a 27-hole elite course, and the South Course that includes water bodies and beautiful fairways.
Address: 2700 Audley Road North, Ajax
Enjoy the Heber Down Conservation Area
Located on the Lake Iroquois Shoreline, the Heber Down Conservation Area offers 5 kilometres of accessible trails, fishing opportunities, and recreational opportunities in an incredible habitat.
Address: 5000 Cochrane St, Whitby
See Fall Colours at Altona Forest
Altona Forest in Pickering is home to 100+ bird species and 35 distinct vegetation communities. Enjoy the sounds of birds as you hike the myriad of trails that cover the 53-hectare forest.
Address: Various, Pickering
Go hiking in the Durham Regional Forest
Credit: Lake Simcoe Region Conservation Authority – LSRCA
The Durham Regional Forest comprises plantation forests that were established over 90 years ago. Located at the top of the Oak Ridges Moraine, there is plenty of room for recreational activities including horseback riding.
Address: Concession Rd 7, Uxbridge
Challenge yourself at the Treetop Eco-Adventure Park
Credit: TreeTop Eco-Adventure Park
The Treetop Eco-Adventure Park is an exciting place for a day out in nature going zip lining, making your way through obstacle courses, and trying out new activities like combat archery and axe throwing.
Address: 53 Snow Ridge Court, Oshawa
Visit the Ocala Winery
The Ocala Winery is the Durham region’s only grape grower and oldest winery. You won’t want to miss the chance to try over 30 varieties of wine and to tour the century-old apple orchard.
Address: 971 High Point Rd, RR2, Port Perry
Go fishing at Lake Scugog
Lake Scugog is an angler’s paradise. With the amazing Muskellunge available here, many flock to the area just to try their hand at catching them.
Visit Sir Monty’s Brewing Company
Address: 1540 Durham Regional Highway 2, Courtice
Bike along the Joseph Kolodzie Oshawa Creek Bike Path
This 7-kilometre multi-use recreational trail runs from Lakeview Park to the Oshawa Valley Botanical Garden. It is a wonderful trail surrounded by vegetation and meanders along the Oshawa Creek.
Try out some brews at Town Brewery
Credit: Town Brewery
The Town Brewery is a brewery that has a strong focus on community. Although they prefer making modern pale ales and IPAs, they also experiment with sours and traditional ales.
Address: 1632 Charles St, Whitby
Play a game at Oshawa Golf
The Oshawa Golf and Curling Club is steeped in tradition as its inception stems back 100 years. It has outstanding clubhouse facilities and an incredible golf course with mature trees and well-manicured undulating fairways.
Address: 160 Alexandra St, Oshawa
Pick up a classic fall treat at The Baker’s Table
The Baker’s Table has an incredible array of homemade breads, pastries, cakes, and deli meats and cheeses for a full fall feast. This authentic bakery shouldn’t be missed on a trip to Oshawa.
Address: 227 Bloor St E, Oshawa
More Fun (September 20 to November 30, 2026)
Whitby and Oshawa are home to some of the best arcades and entertainment centres in GTA, including Reptilia, Cineplex’s Playdium and more!