There is nothing more magical than the Fall season in Ontario. It is the perfect time to get out and explore our beautiful province! Take in the sights and scenery, and partake in some fun activities for the entire family. However, with so much at your fingertips, it can be hard to pinpoint what exactly to do. So grab your sweater and a warm beverage, and let’s dive into the top Fall events in Ontario.
1. Muskoka: Take in the View
The best part of the season is hands down taking in the beautiful fall colours! Luckily, Ontario is home to some of the most scenic landscapes in which to do so. The vibrant hues of yellow, orange, and red during the fall season are something you won’t want to miss! One of the most breathtaking views has to be in Muskoka, Ontario. Known as one of the best places in Canada to see the leaves change colour, this short two-hour drive from Toronto will provide you with some truly Instagram-worthy landscapes. Make sure to bring a camera!
2. Haliburton: Canopy Tours & ColourFest
Imagine being able to walk high above the trees to take in all the beautiful shades of Fall. Haliburton Forest and Wildlife Reserve has the world’s longest Canopy walkway, at a height of 10-20 metres above the forest floor. You can explore the stunning forest from a different perspective, and it takes about 3.5-4 hours to complete. Is a water tour more your style? Utilize canoes almost 20 feet long to cross the lake while taking in the views. You can also enjoy a guided walk along the Pelaw River Rapids.
Stop in at Head Lake Park (Haliburton) for the annual Colourfest Celebration. Fun family activities include building your own scarecrow for a chance to win prizes, pontoon boat rides, a scavenger hunt, and a pumpkin rolling contest. There will also be market vendors and a classic car display for the adults to enjoy. Definitely one of the best family-friendly Fall events in Ontario!
Canopy walks: On until mid-October / ColourFest: Saturday, September 20th, 11:00 AM – 3:00 PM
3. Blue Mountain: Apple Harvest Weekend
Fabulous fall colours, crisp autumn air, and even crispier apples. What is not to love?! These are just some of the ingredients of the Thanksgiving harvest experience at Blue Mountain, Ontario’s largest apple-growing region. Apple Harvest Weekend features live music on the Coca-Cola Floating Stage, family activities, fall colours, hiking, apple pie-eating contests, cider tasting, sidewalk sales, Agora Path of Light, and more! Admission is free.
Friday, October 10th – Monday, October 13th
4. Bala: Cranberry Festival & Harvest
The Cranberry Harvest kicks off on September 20th! Go out to Johnston’s Cranberry Marsh for this once-a-year event that runs until October 24th. 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. During the festival, you can visit Johnston’s Cranberry Marsh and Muskoka Lakes Winery, where you can see how they harvest the cranberries. They also offer wagon tours and shops where you can buy cranberry snacks from their cafe. This is the perfect fall event in Ontario for anyone in the family!
Saturday, September 20th – Sunday, October 26th
5. Prince Edward County: Pumpkin Fest
If you are looking to get away from the city for the weekend, could we suggest a road trip to Prince Edward County? Known for more than 35 wineries, a significant artists’ community, lots of nice restaurants, festivals, and Sandbanks Provincial Park, PEC is a tourist city you didn’t know you needed. Held in the middle of October, Pumpkin Fest has a schedule full of fun things to do. From a guess the weight of the pumpkin contest to a fun fall parade. While at the festival, take some time to get to know the area’s winemakers, brewers, and distillers. Shop quaint villages, experience the agricultural side of The County, or walk in quiet nature, enjoying the fall colors on the Millennium Trail.
6. Niagara on the Lake: Grape & Wine Festival
Go on a wine-tasting tour of Twenty Valley and Niagara-on-the-Lake during the Niagara Grape & Wine Festival. Celebrating its 70th anniversary in 2022, the Niagara Grape & Wine Festival is a six-day celebration of Niagara wine, held in downtown St. Catharine’s historic Montebello Park. Get the Discovery Pass that entitles you to six wine and culinary experiences designed by winemakers and chefs to celebrate the flavours of Niagara, redeemable at 20 participating wineries. So, grab your friends and family and get ready for one of the best fall events in Ontario. Head down to the park to enjoy over 100 Niagara VQA wines, mouth-watering local cuisine, 50+ hours of live music, and unique experiences you won’t want to miss.
September 5th-28th
7. Port Elgin: Pumpkinfest
Experience Port Elgin Pumpkinfest, always the weekend before Canadian Thanksgiving. Featuring giant vegetable weigh-offs, crafts, a marketplace, and food vendors for all your shopping needs. There are also tons of family attractions, like petting zoos and pony rides, as well as Mad Science, the world’s leading fun science provider for kids. Your children will be having so much fun, they won’t realize they are learning! This event will be taking place all weekend long in the OPG Environmental Tent. Remember to pencil the Port Elgin Pumpkinfest in your calendar!
Friday, October 4th to Saturday, October 5th
8. Oktoberfest: Kitchener/Waterloo, Toronto
If you’re looking to experience a bit of Europe in Ontario, look no further than Kitchener! For those looking for things to do in October, Kitchener puts on a party in true German tradition – Oktoberfest. The festival has been going strong for over 50 years and is the largest Oktoberfest outside of Germany. It takes place over nine days, earning its billing as “Canada’s Greatest Bavarian Festival.” The official keg tapping is on October 6th at 12 pm. Plan and celebrate fall in Ontario with a drink and some fantastic food.
To celebrate its return after a two-year hiatus, the Toronto Oktoberfest celebrates its 10th anniversary with a two-day festival in a massive Festhalle tent and Bavarian Village at Ontario Place’s Parking Lot 1. Enjoy a weekend of festivities, fun, and of course, plenty of German beer.
Friday, September 26th – Saturday, October 18th
9. Nuit Blanche: Toronto
10. The Annual Toronto Chocolate Festival
For those of us who prefer a steaming cup of cocoa to a pumpkin latte, the Annual Toronto Chocolate Festival is for you. The festival, celebrating its 20-year anniversary, starts again on October 1st and runs through to October 31st. This year, the Chocolate Afternoon Tea returns at The Omni King Edward Hotel. Afternoon Tea has been a King Edward tradition since its opening in 1903, offering a chance to rekindle a connection amid old-world charm and timeless elegance. The hotel will be offering Afternoon Tea, complemented by chocolate in various forms, every weekend during the festival. And for those that still want a little taste of pumpkin with their tea, the menu does offer a Pumpkin Spice White Chocolate Cheesecake – yum!
Wednesday, October 1st – Friday, October 31st
11. Caledonia: Caledonia Fair
Another incredible fair for the whole family, located right in the heart of the Caledonia fairgrounds. Combining the traditions of your classic country fair, this one is not a Fall event in Ontario to miss! From livestock shows and food to continuous entertainment at the midway, this year’s 152nd Caledonia Fair is the perfect Autumn outing to enjoy the beautiful fall colours!
Thursday, September 25th – Sunday, September 28th
12. Canada’s Wonderland Halloween Haunt
If you and your friends are more into the spookier side of fall, Halloween Haunt at Canada’s Wonderland is the place for you! This season, the frightening event returns to Canada’s Wonderland to offer you some of the most sinister events. With seven different terrorizing mazes, tons of terrifying scare zones, and hundreds of spooky monsters located around the park, this isn’t an event you’ll want to miss! On top of this, make the most out of your trip and explore the return of the Day of the Dead Festival located in the park. This includes tons of thrilling rides and exciting entertainment fit for the whole family.
Friday, September 26th – Saturday, November 1st (select evenings)
We hope you enjoy the crisp autumn season with one of these fun Fall events in Ontario. From all of us at isure, stay safe and Happy Fall!
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