Toronto is renowned for its plethora of summer festivals, but the party doesn’t need to stop there! Autumn is a gorgeous time of year here and on weekends, families across the province take a break from school and work to explore festivals, both indoors and outdoors. These include small-town fairs, craft markets, and festivals celebrating culture, nature and much more. So get inspired by our Fall Festival Guide for Toronto and the GTA…
Family Fun Toronto Guides
Fall Markets Guide
When: September – November
Our Guide to Fall Markets in Toronto and the GTA will inspire you to wander through outdoor markets or even get a head-start on Christmas.
Oktoberfest Guide
When: September – October
Feel the gemütlichkeit with our Oktoberfest Event Guide for Southern Ontario: dance a polka, eat a huge pretzel and raise your glass. Prost!
Thanksgiving Weekend Fairs
When: October
Small-town fairs are a traditional way to spend a Fall weekend in Southern Ontario, especially over the Thanksgiving long weekend.
Pumpkin Patches and Corn Mazes
When: September – October
Not only can you pick your own pumpkin and have a corn maze adventure, but many farms in Southern Ontario host Fall and Halloween festivals.
Continuing Into Fall
Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF)
When: Until September 18, 2022
TIFF, one of the world’s leading film festivals returns to public screenings, hosting a street festival and events hosting the biggest names in movies.
Street Eats Market
When: Until October 16
Eat delicious global cuisine at Street Eats Market’s food festivals at Scarborough Town Centre, such as Burger Fest (September 16-18) and Poutine Festival (October 14-16), and downtown outside the Rogers Centre on weekends through September and October.
Brooks Farms Fall Fun Festival
When: Until October 20, 2022
This festival every weekend until Halloween and gets bigger and better every year, with family attractions including wagon rides, farm animals, playground, corn maze, fall market and much more.
September
Brampton Fair
When: September 15-18, 2022
The Brampton Fair returns to get the Fall fair season going in the GTA with a midway demolition derby, food trucks, livestock shows and more.
Redpath Waterfront Festival
When: September 17-18, 2022
Celebrate the last weekend of summer with unique and interactive on-land and on-water entertainment at the Redpath Waterfront Festival.
Canadian Pet Expo
When: September 17-18, 2022
Canadian Pet Expo returns this Fall at the International Centre in Mississauga, and you can bring your whole family along, and even your own pets! The Canadian Reptile Breeders’ Expo and Canadian Aquatic Expo are also happening at the same time and place, and all three shows are available with just one pass.
Fall For Dance North
When: September 17 – October 8, 2022
This annual festival celebrates dance with full-capacity performances in signature indoor venues and pay-what-you-can outdoor shows.
Geary Art Crawl
When: September 24-25, 2022
Geary Art Crawl is a weekend arts celebration in the west end, with music and dance, visual art installations, pop-ups, food and more.
Mount Pleasant Village Harvest Fair
When: September 24, 2o22
The Mount Pleasant Village Harvest Fair ushers in the Fall season with live music, kids crafts and activities, hay bales and pumpkins galore.
TIFA Kids (Toronto International Festival of Authors)
When: September 22 – October 2, 2022
TIFA Kids has over 30 dynamic and engaging literary performances, workshops and presentations for children aged 3-18, many of which are free.
Vaughan International Film Festival shortCUTS
When: September 23 – October 1, 2022
After two successful drive-in events, the Vaughan International Film Festival presents the brand-new in-person program, VFF shortCUTS: Cinema Under the Stars.
Ontario Culture Days
When: September 23 – October 16, 2022
Celebrate the diversity and arts of our great province with Ontario Culture Days’ events for all ages across the GTA and beyond.
Milton Fair
When: September 23-25, 2022
Website: www.miltonfair.com
Kitchener-Waterloo Oktoberfest
When: September 23 – October 15, 2022
K.W. is the grand poobah of Oktoberfest parties, second only to Munich! Their event calendar is chock-full of events sure to bring the gemütlichkeit, with numerous family-friendly options.
Toronto Garlic Festival
When: September 25, 2022
The Toronto Garlic Festival is a fun, family-oriented food festival where kids can participate in activities and meet the Garlic Super Hero!
Caledonia Fair
When: September 29 – October 2, 2022
Website: www.caledoniafair.ca
Markham Fair
When: September 29 – October 2, 2022
One of Canada’s longest-running county fairs, the Markham Fair is back in full swing after pivoting towards an agricultural event last year.
Forever Fest
When: September 30 – October 2, 2022
Forever Fest is an all-Canadian cultural event at Maple Leaf Forever Park with local food and drink, music concerts and family entertainment.
October
Festival at the Fort
When: October 1, 2022
The Historic Fort Willow Conservation Area, west of Barrie, lets families experience what life was like before European contact.
Nuit Blanche
When: October 1, 2022
Toronto’s all-night contemporary art party returns this year for its biggest event yet, featuring more than 150 artworks.
Bingeman’s Kinderfest
When: October 1-2, 2022
This year-round family entertainment facility hosts the region’s newest Fall Festival, plus a Bavarian feast on three Saturday evenings during the Oktoberfest season.
Norfolk County Fair & Horse Show
When: October 4-10, 2022
The Norfolk County Fair & Horse Show returns to full capacity this year with five nights of Motorsports and two headline concerts, plus agriculture demonstrations, stage concerts, buskers and a midway.
Erin Fair
When: October 6-10, 2022
The Erin Fair has lots of fun kids activities, including Kids Midway, Agriculture Awareness Tent, Dinosaurs Among Us Strolling Act, Kids Pedal Pull, Gentle Ben’s Pet Show, Farmers and Kids Olympics, Fireworks, Rabbit and Cavy Show, Children’s Cookie Decorating and Bella Magic show.
PumpkinFest at Downsview Park
When: October 8-25, 2022
PumpkinFest Toronto is the place to celebrate all things autumnal starting on Thanksgiving weekend, including performances by the President’s Choice SuperDogs!
Woodbridge Fair
When: October 8-10, 2022
Just north of Etobicoke, the Woodbridge Fall Fair hosts a number of sights and attractions: midway, farm area, local entertainment, dining area, blacksmith, a giant pumpkin & vegetable contest and more.
Bala Cranberry Festival
When: October 14-16, 2022
Website: www.balacranberryfestival.on.ca
Oktoberfest Muskoka
When: October 20-23, 2022
The taste and sounds of this free festival will be on full display, with music, food and beer at participating breweries and restaurants across Bracebridge, Gravenhurst, Huntsville, Lake of Bays and Muskoka Lakes.
November
Royal Agricultural Winter Fair
When: November 4-13, 2022
One of Toronto’s favourite yearly events, “The Royal” returns for its 100th anniversary show, complete with equestrian competitions and agricultural fun.
FOLD Kids Book Fest
When: November 8-12, 2022
This educational festival returns to in-person events in Brampton to engage young diverse readers with events by children’s book authors.
