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Things to Do in Ontario This September – 2026

September is the last official month of the summer, when the warm weather slowly fades, and the fall breeze calls for sweaters and scarves. Don’t miss out on some fun outdoor events, parties, active events, and unique ways to spice up your month that you can participate in with loved ones, friends, or on your own to mark the end of the summer.

Photo Credit: Hike Haliburton Festival

This list compiles a list of events across Ontario, so you can go somewhere new or find something to do in your area.

For more Labour Dat Weekend & more September events:

Fall & Harvest Fairs

From Renfrew Fair to West Niagara Fair, there are more than 50 agricultural fairs held across Ontario during September.

Some of the biggest events are back this year, and these include:

Doors Open Ontario

Explore Ontario’s heritage treasures during Doors Open Ontario. During the event, unique buildings and museums in towns and cities are free to visit.

Belleville — September 12
Peterborough —September 12
Kawartha Lakes — September 13
Thousand Islands — September 18-19
Simcoe County — September 19
Waterloo Region — September 19
London — September 19-20
Aurora — September 20
Barrie — September 26
Markham — September 26
Sault Ste. Marie — September 26

You may like (Get Tickets):

Pumpkinferno: Places to See Enchanting Pumpkin Displays

Corn Mazes

Ontario corn mazes open in September for a fantastic fall experience. Visit your nearest farm for fall activities.

Children’s Fest – Windsor

Children’s Fest is one of the largest annual events of its kind in Essex County. Stage shows, bouncy castles, special activities and the opportunity to meet many of your children’s favourite characters are all included in the ticket price. September 12 & 13, 2026

Festival of Hawks -Amherstburg

Join visitors from across the globe to witness the migration spectacle! Identified by Audubon Magazine as one of the best sites in North America to view the raptor migration. Climb the viewing tower, participate in workshops, hikes and other programs. Adopt-a-Hawk to release back into the wild; see live hawks and owls up close! Shop for native plants, binoculars, and make a nature craft and much more. September 19 & 20, 2026

Amherstburg Uncommon Festival

Dress as a wizard or steampunk, and be prepared to play! Uncommon Festival returns to beautiful downtown Amherstburg, where guests meet odd and peculiar characters and engage in live performances. September 18 & 20, 2026

BCKYRD London

A section of London International Airport will transform into an electronic music playground for the second annual BCKYRD London. The two-day event features a powerhouse lineup including Disco Lines, Loud Luxury, BUNT., Ian Asher, and more! September 18, 2026.

Niagara 5000: Canada’s Ultimate Supercar and Luxury Festival

Niagara Falls will become Canada’s luxury destination with Niagara 5000. The two-day festival brings together more than 200 supercars, private aviation, exceptional food and wine, fashion, entertainment and luxury experiences from Canada, the United States and around the world. September 18 & 19, 2026

Niagara Grape & Wine Festival

Celebrate 74 years of Grape & Wine with musicians, dancers, entertainers, and floats that fill the streets of downtown St. Catharines. You can purchase a Grape & Wine Discovery Pass and enjoy touring and tasting at Niagara wineries. Your Discovery Pass entitles you to 6 wine and culinary experiences designed by winemakers and chefs to celebrate the flavours of Niagara, redeemable at participating wineries across Twenty Valley and Niagara-on-the-Lake.

St. George Apple Fest

Explore St. George and get apple-themed food and crafts from 30 local businesses and non-profit organizations. St. George Apple Fest is an affordable family outing. There is everything apple – homemade pies, fresh apples, apple dumplings, apple cider, and candied apples. Plus, local farm markets display an array of fresh produce and delicious preserves. September 19 & 20, 2026

Go Apple Picking:

September is the best time to visit apple orchards near you to pick various varieties of apples.

Farm Crawl Hamilton

Get a behind-the-scenes peek at the operations of many of the farms in Hamilton and the surrounding area, meet your local farmers, get up close with some farm animals, and learn something new about farming!⠀September 19, 2026.

Belmont Village Bestival

Join this music and arts festival celebrating local performers. They shut down the street and ramp up the fun every year, two days following Labour Day weekend, to celebrate the official closing of summer. September 11 & 12, 2026.

Lumen Festival – Waterloo

The event features the work of artists as they explore the interplay of light, art, and technology in installations located throughout uptown Waterloo. September 19, 2026

Kitchener-Waterloo Oktoberfest

Canada’s largest Bavarian Festival is back starting September 26. Don your Tracht, raise a stein, polka around, and enjoy delicious Bavarian cuisine from German Clubs and local restaurant partners! September 25 – October 17, 2026.

Southside Shuffle Blues and Jazz Festival – Mississauga

The three-day outdoor festival features three stages at Port Credit Memorial Park, presenting over 40 Canadian and International acts, along with performances from over 20 musical acts during its free Saturday afternoon street party. September 11 to 13, 2026

Glow in the Wild – Toronto

Visit your Toronto Zoo after dark and journey through an illuminated animal lantern experience! Beginning September 2, the nighttime experience will combine wildlife-themed installations, cultural performances, interactive photo moments, food and drink, and a conservation-focused artwork about the endangered Blanding’s Turtle.

Just For Laughs Toronto

Get ready for 10 days of nonstop comedy featuring some of the best in the game. From comedy legends to viral sensations, local favourites to international stars, September’s shaping up to be the best month of the year. September 24 to October 3, 2026.

Toronto International Film Festival

The TIFF is a big-name public film festival for film premieres, unique films, galas, and schmoozing with stars in the industry. September 10–20, 2026

Buzzing Bees Adventure Farm – Brock

Buzzing Bees Adventure Farm is opening this fall for families to enjoy getting lost in their 9-acre corn maze. Within the maze, you can play the Halloween monster game by finding the 8 hidden stations and solving the riddles to crack the code.

Applefest Markham

Have a full day of apple-themed entertainment and explore 25 acres of fun. Experience history in action and step into the past with live demos and hands-on activities like apple schnitzing at Markham Museum.

Uxbridge Art on the Fringe Festival

Check out the amazing lineup of over 30 artists at this year’s Uxbridge Art on the Fringe Festival plus great food from Gangster&Co, and live music in the Gazebo all day. Come out and enjoy the Museum Grounds and the artists. September 19 & 20, 2026.

See the Salmon Run – Nottawa

Join the Blue Mountain Watershed Trust for See the Salmon, an unforgettable outdoor charity event where nature, education, and community come together! Watch Chinook salmon make their annual run up the Pretty River in Nottawa and learn about the local ecosystems that support them. September 19, 2026 .

Explore Canada’s Only Guitar Trail – Blue Mountains

A mountain of music will carry you along the one-of-a-kind Guitar Trail. Follow the acoustic vibe and discover dozens of artists throughout the Blue Mountain Village and up the Village Way hiking trail from 1-4 pm, followed by a FREE concert.

South Simcoe Railway Scenic Train Tour – Tottenham

Take in a scenic journey through the Beeton Creek Valley, in classic 1920s passenger coaches pulled by one of our historic locomotives.

Harvest Festival – Burk’s Falls

The rolling hills, waters, sculptures and forests of Midlothian Castle are once again the place to gather and celebrate the season’s change by the fire, under the stars and on the dance floor. Expect everything from Afro-house, amapiano, breaks, downtempo, and organic electronica to bass music’s deepest frequencies, enhanced by live vocals, Afro-Brazilian percussion, circus performance, fire artistry, and global musical influences for an unforgettable celebration of music, movement, and community.

September 11 to 14, 2026.

Peterborough VegFest

Peterborough VegFest returns to Millennium Park and is a local expression of a global movement, celebrating the health, environmental, and ethical benefits of a delicious plant-based lifestyle. September 13, 2026.

Moonlight Corn Maze – Greater Napanee

Bring your flashlight and complete the Wynn Farms corn maze in the dark! When you are done, grab a caramel apple or a cup of fresh, warm apple cider and warm up by the campfire.

Cultivate – Port Hope

Cultivate is a farm-to-festival experience of the very best of food, drink, live music and local culture. It’s like a big picnic. A music festival. A block party. A playground for all ages. An arts experience. September 25 – 27, 2026.

PEC Studio Tour

This juried event features award-winning painters, sculptors, fibre and glass artists, woodturners and jewellery designers. Discover County artists this fall when over 40 artists open their studio doors to welcome you. September 18 to 20, 2026

Discover Lennox & Addington Ride

Enjoy the ride at the 2026 Discover L&A Ride! This 58-kilometre journey takes you along paved roads that overlook the water’s edge and authentic rural Eastern Ontario landscapes. Rest stops are at fascinating historic sites, beautiful parks, and award-winning wineries for a day of cycling you won’t soon forget. September 12, 2026.

Meaford International Film Festival

Celebrating its 20th anniversary, the Meaford International Film Festival (MIFF) returns to Meaford Hall this fall, running from September 25-27. The festival, which features international, award-winning films and special guest interviews, is a fundraiser for the Meaford Culture Foundation, which supports arts and culture programs in the community.

SweetWater Music Festival – Owen Sound, Meaford, and Leith

From Baroque and beyond, there’s something for everyone at this year’s festival. SweetWater turns the spotlight to the piano with Keys of Life, a festival filled with piano‑centred programmes, including multiple dazzling two‑piano showcases, intimate chamber concerts, and genre‑bending collaborations across Owen Sound, Leith, and Thornbury. September 16 to 20, 2026.

RoadTrip Music Festival – Kingston

On September 12, RoadTrip Music Festival makes its debut in Downtown Kingston.

Part music festival, part street party, the event invites visitors to spend the day exploring the city before gathering in Springer Market Square for an evening concert featuring Peach Pit, Gabriel Jacoby, Kasador, and Katie Tupper.

September 12, 2026.

Kingston Ribfest & Craft Beer Show

Savour the Flavour at this free event. Ribs, chicken, Ontario craft-brewed beer, live entertainment and more from Sept. 11-13, 2026.

Big Branch Festival -Bancroft

The 7th annual Big Branch Festival brings Balfolk music and dancing to Fraser Lake Camp near Bancroft, Ontario. Expect workshops, live bands from France and Canada, late-night dancing and plenty of jamming. Balfolk features easy-to-learn Western European folk dances, so beginners can join in without any previous dance experience. September 11 to 13, 2026

Mysterious Lake and Scenic View of Bay of Quinte

Located just a ten-minute drive from Picton, above the Glenora ferry landing, the free-admission provincial park, Lake on the Mountain, is a serene escape. This freshwater marvel, just over 1 sq km in size, rests 60 meters above the Bay of Quinte.

Hike Haliburton Festival

With 40 hikes throughout the scenic Haliburton Highlands, hikers of all ages and skill levels come to Canada’s largest hiking festival, which incorporates the arts, heritage, food, and culture. September 17 to 20, 2026.

Pick Cranberries at the Cranberry Harvest – Bala

With 27 acres of cranberries, get ready to harvest cranberries – a native crop solely to North America, and enjoy bog to bottle tours, a wine tasting, and a sample of some cranberry goodies. Late September to Mid October.

Ottawa CityFolk

CityFolk is a celebration of music, dance, and community featuring an eclectic mix of musical performances on multiple stages. 2026 headliners include: Alabama Shakes, Third Eye Blind, Of Monsters and Men, Cameron Whitcomb, Alice Cooper, and many more! September 16 to 20, 2026.

Cinéfest Sudbury International Film Festival

Discover the annual festival of highly acclaimed Canadian and International films during Cinéfest Sudbury International Film Festival. September 19 to 27, 2026.

Go glamping in the Northern Boreal Forest

Sleep under the stars in a beautiful prospector’s tent in the Northern Boreal Forest and do all the regular camping activities like roasting marshmallows over a campfire, hiking around the forest, and paddling to the falls.

Wake the Giant Music Festival – Thunder Bay

Wake the Giant Music Festival returns to the Thunder Bay Waterfront this September with its most epic lineup yet with Flo Rida, The Wallflowers, Plain White T’s, Tia Wood, Sebastian Gaskin, Shawnee Kish, Lov and many more! September 12 2026

The Biggest Little Bass Tournament – Crow Lake

The Crow Lake Classic is a fall bass tournament limited to under 50 teams. Come over to Crow Lake, near Nestor Falls and join in on the hunt for these fighters. September 19 & 20, 2026.

Bushplane Days in Sault Ste. Marie

See the CL 415 water bombing demonstration, special guests, train rides, carnival games and lots of celebrating at Canadian Bushplane Heritage Centre. September 19, 2026.

Celebrate Culture during Ontario Culture Days

With many FREE activities scheduled in more than 170 communities across Ontario–day and weekend tripping has never looked so good!

Explore Ontario Jails

Ontario offers unusual yet memorable tours of the various jails within the province. From overnight accommodations to walking tours to day trips, indulge in the history of punishment and reform through these educational explorations.

Climb Some Ontario Towers

If you are looking for grand views of the province – whether of a birdseye view of famous cities or vast forests, there are plenty of great places to walk or hike up for a terrific view at the top.