Toronto 
From spectacular fall colours, harvest activities, festivals and Halloween events, there are plenty of ways to celebrate this transitional season in Ontario. Here are fifty fun activities that will have you celebrating the autumn season to its full potential.
Credit: AmaranthTownship
Doors Open
Visit London, Niagara-on-the-Lake, Woodstock, Mississippi Mills, and Whitby to explore unique buildings, museums, and heritage sites for free.
When: Various Dates until October 18, 2026
International Plowing Match and Rural Expo — Bruce County
Enjoy a five-day celebration of agriculture and rural living. Plowing competitions, a range of activities for all ages, plenty of opportunities to learn about agriculture, near-constant live entertainment in multiple venues, hundreds of vendors and exhibitors (large and small equipment, lifestyle items, and more), a wide variety of food…the list goes on.
- Fall Fairs: Fall Fairs in Ontario
When: September 22 to 26, 2026
Cultivate – Newtonville
Cultivate is a farm-to-festival experience of the very best of food, drink, live music and local culture. Immerse yourself in a diverse cultural programming experience celebrating Canada’s deep pool of artistic excellence. Feel-good, family friendly programming over two stages, never overlapping so you don’t have to miss a thing.
When: September 25 to 27, 2026
Amaranth Bale Trail
A perfect family fall road trip, Amaranth Bale Trail features sculptures made from straw by Amaranth Township residents. Following the Trail provides a great excuse for a road trip around Amaranth, where you will see the creative side of our local farmers, residents, and bale enthusiasts.
When: October
Public Pier – Toronto
Public Pier brings arts, food, music, dance and Silo Nights to Toronto’s waterfront this fall. Free-to-attend, Public Pier is turning Marina Quay West (539 Queens Quay West) into a free day-to-night cultural destination – featuring music, dance, food, public art and immersive nighttime projections Public Pier reimagines one of the city’s most iconic waterfront spaces, transforming the pier into a vibrant destination for culture, gathering and public life.
When: September 18 to October 3, 2026
Hike Haliburton
Join the annual hiking festival or visit Haliburton to explore the many trails on your own. Haliburton Tourism organizes a hiking festival, the Hike Haliburton Festival is Canada’s largest hiking festival, and it includes guided hikes and various Fall-themed experiences. While you have to register for the guided hikes, you can always head to Haliburton anytime from mid-September to late October/early November to enjoy nature during the Fall season.
When: September 17 to 20, 2026
Elvis & Co Music Festival – Huntsville
Elvis & Co is a 4-day immersive music event that features not only the world’s leading Elvis Tribute Artists, but also the artists that influenced and were influenced by the King of Rock ‘n Roll.
When: October 29 to November 1, 2026
Cicada Music & Arts Festival
Cicada is a two-day music festival hosted on the picturesque Henley Island in St. Catharines where attendees can discover some of Canada’s best artists alongside rising stars from the Niagara Region. The festival also features local food, craft beer, art and much more! 2026 lineup features Metric, Bahamas, USS, Wintersleep, The Zolas, Boy Golden, Hawksley Workman and many more!
When: October 2 to 3, 2026
Annual Ball’s Falls Thanksgiving Festival – Jordan Station
Enjoy the beauty of the fall along the Niagara Escarpment as you take in the sights, sounds and smells of the Thanksgiving Festival and explore the colourful forested trails. The Annual Ball’s Falls Thanksgiving Festival will bring back many of your favourite features, including craft and artisan vendors, delicious foods, craft beverages and wines, local farmers’ market vendors, live acoustic music and children’s entertainment, historical demonstrations, heritage tours and nature hikes.
When: October 9 to 12, 2026
Norfolk County Fair & Horse Show – Simcoe
Visit Norfolk County Fairgrounds in Simcoe for the largest horse show in Canada. Meet farm animals, view competitions, enjoy the arts and entertainment. Savour tasty food and the thrills of the midway.
Immersive Dinner Experiences – Windsor
Enjoy a 90 minute VIP private themed immersive dining experience at Windsor’s Haunted House. You and your friends will savour over a multi-course meal and then venture thru all 3 of Scarehouse’s attractions – Scared Evil -Haunted Darkness – Zombie Maze.
When: October 2 – 3, 9 – 10, 15 – 18, 21 – 25, 29 – 30, 2026
Hometown Harvest Festival – Midland/Tiny
Celebrate the season at the Hometown Harvest Festival at Sainte-Marie among the Hurons! Enjoy live music, family-friendly activities, heritage demonstrations, line dancing, farm animals, traditional Indigenous games, and an artisan market featuring handcrafted goods from local makers.
When: October 10 to 12, 2026
Kingsville Migration Festival – Kingsville
Celebrate the wonder that is Fall migration during Kingsville Migration Festival. The annual Migration Festival welcomes the community to a celebration of migration, heritage, nature conservation and Jack Miner.
When: October 15 to 18, 2026
Scenic Train Rides – Port Stanley
Ride the rails and travel through the beautiful woodlands of scenic Kettle Creek Valley. The scenic train ride is a 60-minute-long ride from Port Stanley to the beautiful Whytes Park and back. In October, you can enjoy fun Pumpkin patch train rides and in November and December, they have Santa treats train rides.
When: Various Dates until December
Kustermans Fall Festival – Mount Brydges
Enjoy acres of family fun and farm-fresh food at the Kusterman’s Adventure Farm. Pumpkin picking, farm animals, train rides, sandhill, zip lines, and jumping pillows are just some of the things to do here.
Fall Colour Excursions – Tottenham
Plan a fall colour day trip through the colourful landscapes of Beeton Creek Valley aboard the South Simcoe Railway, Ontario’s pioneering steam heritage railway. Each hour-long excursion starts at the South Simcoe Railway station on Mill Street. During the trip, the conductor provides insightful commentary about the historical impact of railways on Canada. The journey not only captivates with its historical charm but also offers stunning countryside views that transform spectacularly in the fall.
When: September 26 to October 18, 2026
Go on a Haunted Forest Ride – Lambton County
Go on a bus ride through a haunted forest at Reaper’s Realm near Sarnia. You can also enjoy live entertainment in addition to getting spooked out of your minds!!
When: September 26 to October 31, 2026
Port Elgin Pumpkinfest
Experience Port Elgin Pumpkinfest, which is always the weekend before Thanksgiving. Featuring GIANT Vegetable Weigh-Offs (1500+ lb pumpkins), over craft, marketplace & food vendors for all your shopping needs and tons of family fun attractions, Port Elgin is THE place to be!
When: October 3 & 4, 2026
Kitchener-Waterloo’s Oktoberfest
The Oktoberfest in the Kitchener and Waterloo runs for a whole month, earning its billing as “Canada’s Greatest Bavarian Festival.” As the second-largest Oktoberfest in the world, this event is a primary tourism draw for the region.
When: September 25 – October 17, 2026
The Woolstock – Paris
Held at Paris Fairgrounds, the annual Fleece Festival celebrates the fibre arts, including knitting, weaving, rug hooking, spinning and felting. Shop the festival marketplace with vendors selling everything from raw fleece and yarns to finished products. Get hands-on and learn from top instructors at one of the workshops.
When: October 17, 2026
Fear Farm – Bright
Located on the border of Oxford County and the Kitchener-Waterloo Region, Fear Farm is the region’s greatest haunt with different haunted attractions to explore, on-site food trucks and a bakery.
When: September 26 – October 31, 2026
Go canoeing on the Grand River
Credit: Canoeing The Grand
With Canoeing the Grand, you can experience canoeing, kayaking, or tubing on the winding Grand River and enjoy the scenic beauty of your surroundings.
Monster Month in Elora
Monster Month is taking over Elora and Fergus in the month of October. Keep your eye on the event’s website; events will be added once finalized.
Salmon Run – Southern Ontario
Cool Fall temperatures see scores of Chinook Salmon fighting their way up rivers and streams on their annual spawning run. Visit various streams and rivers of Ontario to see the annual salmon migration and see this amazing Fall phenomenon.
When: September to October
Caledonia Fair
Happening at the Caledonia Fairgrounds, the Caledonia Fair combines the traditions of the country fair – livestock shows, home craft, food and the midway – with continuous entertainment to make Caledonia Fair a perfect Autumn outing for the entire family.
When: October 1 – 4, 2026
Hamilton Fall Garden & Mum Show
The Mum Show, as most people refer to the show, started in 1920 and has seen many changes over the years. A new theme each year has taken us through dramatic scenes of flowers, colours and displays.
When: October 17–25, 2026
Explore Kelso Conservation Area – Milton
Credit: Kelso Conservation AreaThe Kelso Conservation Area is not only home to incredible fall colors and nature spots, it is also home to the Kelso Challenge Course – an aerial course that includes many elements to challenge you physically high up in the air. You can also take a chairlift ride up the escarpment and admire the changing colours above the treetops at Kelso Conservation Area.
Visit Cheltenham Badlands
Formed at the base of an ancient sea over 400 million years ago, the Cheltenham Badlands site is a provincially significant Area of Natural and Scientific Interest and one of the most recognizable and visited natural heritage landmarks in southern Ontario. Enjoy a Fall visit when the colours of fall accentuate the various hues of gold, brown and yellow of the badland formations.
The Royal Agricultural Winter Fair
Come celebrate the best in agriculture, local food, and equestrian competitions from across the country. Whether you’re a visitor or an exhibitor, The Royal Agricultural Winter Fair is jam-packed with home-grown fun and the best in local food and animal entertainment.
Where: Exhibition Place, Princes’ Boulevard, Toronto
When: November 6 to 15, 2026
Lighted Pumpkins -Various Ontario
Credit: Science North
Get ready to see extraordinary works of art on pumpkins this fall across Ontario. Set outdoors, you can see hand-carved glowing pumpkins that will blow your mind. You’ll be amazed at the large thematic displays and range of incredibly cute and scary faces carved into the pumpkins.
Woodbridge Fair – Vaughan
Celebrate Thanksgiving weekend at the Fair! The Woodbridge Fair offers so many things to see, learn and do! A jam-packed weekend with activities for the whole family including Midway rides & games, and the Music Main Stage.
When: October 10 to 12, 2026
Art Toronto
Founded in 2000, Art Toronto is Canada’s international fair for modern and contemporary art. Attracting esteemed galleries, artists and art-lovers from across the globe, the fair is the most important annual art event in Canada.
When: October 29 to November 1, 2026
Fall at Pickering Museum
Take a guided haunted ghost walk of the historic village at night and hear stories from the past, go on a fairy tour with kids to discover Pickering’s picturesque forest, village, and gardens that are home to not only some incredible natural creatures but also some magical creatures; learn how to make a wand; enjoy a refreshing cup of tea with a homemade scone and vanilla cupcake and more during your visit to this pioneer village.
When: Various Dates
Stalking Dead – Peterborough
Meet the undead and find out if you can survive the horrors of the night when Escape Maze’s Halloween event returns this October. This nighttime experience occurs as night falls and includes live zombies wandering around the tall grass in the field, looking for all those scaredy cats!
When: October 2 to 31, 2026
Central Ontario Driving Tour
Enjoy the roads before the snow comes as you explore the middle of the province and its rising ridges, scenic landscapes and gentle, rolling hills. 15 Fall Colour Driving Routes in Central Ontario
Kawartha Farmfest
Go on a self-driving tour that features 14 stops, including nine operational farms, local farmers’ markets and Kawartha Dairy. During the one-day event, participating host farms open their doors to provide tours and answer questions about their operation. Kawartha Farmfest is both a celebration of agriculture and brings the community together to explore, learn and grow.
Applefest – Keene
Tempt your taste buds with the sweetest event of the year! Visit Lang Pioneer Village for a colourful fall celebration of apples and the harvest season.
When: September 27, 2026
Pumpkin Mania – Elmvale
Enjoy a wagon ride out to Rounds Ranch’s large pumpkin patch to pick your own pumpkin. Play silly, goofy pumpkin games, pumpkin bowling, pumpkin pie eating contest, and pumpkin hockey. Win pumpkin tokens and redeem them for fun prizes.
Blue Mountain Nashville Takeover
Over 15 hand selected songwriters from Nashville and Canada will perform across multiple intimate venues and unexpected spaces throughout Collingwood, including Blue Mountain’s own Summitview Pavillion, and more.
When: October 2 to 4, 2026
Autumn Leaves Studio Tour – Georgian Bay
Go on a self-guided tour of artists’ studios across the Georgian Bay area on the weekend before Thanksgiving. This year, there are more than ten studios are participating, and many have invited guest artists, ensuring there is something for everyone! Within this wide array of art, you will enjoy sculpture, metalwork, painting, pottery, jewelry, fibre art, wood turning and much more.
When: October 2 to 4, 2026
Canopy Tours – Haliburton
Imagine walking high above the forest awash with hues of red and gold? Haliburton Forest and Wildlife Reserve has the world’s longest Canopy walkway, at a height of 10-20 meters above the forest floor. Why not go on this guided adventure that includes a scenic drive through the forest, a canoe tour across a wilderness lake, a guided walk along the Pelaw River Rapids and a walk high above the ground through the treetops.
Until October 16, 2026
Algonquin Provincial Park
Rated the best place to catch the colours of fall, Algonquin Provincial Park explodes with oranges, yellows, and reds as the weather grows chillier. Smell the autumn on the air as you spend a day taking it all in. With rivers and lakes to picnic by and fourteen hiking trails, the exploration at Algonquin Provincial Park never ends.
Cranberry Festival & Harvest – Bala
The Cranberry Harvest kicks off on September 26! Visit Johnston’s Cranberry Marsh for this once-a-year event that runs until October 26. With daily Bog to Bottle Tours, wine tastings, Cranberry plunges and Wagon Tours on weekends, this is a perfect way to enjoy this unique fruit in the beauty of the fall.
If you visit on the weekend after Thanksgiving, you can also join the Bala Cranberry Festival.
When: September 26 – October 25, 2026
Muskoka Oktoberfest
Head to Muskoka for a free music, culinary and beer festival in participating breweries and restaurants across Bracebridge, Gravenhurst, Huntsville, Lake of Bays and Muskoka Lakes.
When: October 24, 2026
Mysterious Lake and Scenic View of Bay of Quinte – Prince Edward County
Located just a ten-minute drive from Picton, above the Glenora ferry landing, the Lake on the Mountain Provincial Park is a serene escape. Enjoy fall colours from the lookout, see a mysterious lake and, a free ride on the ferry.
Kingston WritersFest
Come out to Kingston for the annual WritersFest event. Celebrating culture, history, imagination, diversity, and originality, this event promotes the art and educates on the craft of writing. Events include panels, readings, classes, and lectures. Some of the events are sold out, so grab your tickets as soon as possible.
When: October 1 to 4, 2026
Fall Colours Chairlift Rides – Calabogie
Ride the chairlift up 780 feet to the top of Dickson Mountain for a breathtaking view of the beautiful Ottawa Valley. Once on top of the mountain, hike the many trails to enjoy stunning views of Calabogie Lake, the Lost Valley and the Madawaska wilderness.
When: September 19 to October 12, 2026
Day of the Dead – Ottawa
Immerse yourself in Mexican culture in the midst of the historic ByWard Market neighbourhood as the community gathers to celebrate the lives of the deceased with food, drink, parties, festivals, and activities the dead enjoyed in their lifetime. With special programming including Mariachi performances, authentic Mexican cuisine, artisan market, folkloric dancers and much more, the Dead of the Dead Festival is an unforgettable experience.
When: October 30 to November 1, 2026
Wordstock Sudbury Literary Festival
The Wordstock Sudbury Literary Festival is Northern Ontario’s premier festival for readers, writers, and lovers of words. Celebrate your love for the written word.
When: October 16th-17th, 2026
Fall Rendezvous in Sault Ste. Marie
The Ermatinger Clergue National Historic Site is hosting a Fall Rendezvous this year in Sault Ste. Marie. Enjoy the music, try the fall harvest foods, and interact with the heritage interpreters. This event pairs a historical context with all the joys of a harvest festival.
When: September 24th – 27th, 2026
Corn Mazes
Getting lost is half the fun! Plan a trip to your nearest corn maze and enjoy the simple pleasures of life! You can even meet the undead in the maze during Halloween.
Fall Colour Cruises
Enjoy the Fall colours from the water. Most tours last until Thanksgiving weekend. Book ahead and enjoy a cruise along Ontario’s various rivers and lakes.
Halloween Haunts
Experience Ontario’s mazes, haunted attractions and farms after dark for a night of terror this Halloween! Embrace a chilling journey where the unexpected lurks around every shadowy corner of Ontario’s eerie farms and terrifying haunts during the month of October.
