š» ooooOOOOOoooh, it’s time for October! It’s time to prepare for Thanksgiving and Halloween, plus Ontario’s comfortable temperatures and brightly-coloured foliage are a sight to behold: you can go for a nice walk in nature (check out our list of Toronto’s hiking trails), go apple picking, and of course, go to aĀ pumpkin patch and corn maze to get lost, then found, then find yourself the perfect jack-o-lantern canvas. So, get plenty of ideas for autumnal activities with our October Event Guide for Toronto and the GTA…
(Click on each title for more information)
FEATURED: Water / Fall Festival (Ending October 5)
TheĀ Water/Fall FestivalĀ is making its debut on Torontoās waterfront, over two weekends this Fall! On September 27-28th and October 4-5th, families can join this celebration of community, creativity and culture along the shores of Lake Ontario. Best of all, this fall-inspired festival is FREE to attend!
FEATURED: Pumpkins After Dark (Continuing until October 30)
Go on a family-friendly Halloween adventure at Pumpkins After Dark when this outdoor experience creeps back into Miltonās Country Heritage Park, plus its debut in London at Storybook Gardens. Even better, Family Fun Toronto readers get 15% off all tickets again this year with the discount code FAMILYFUN at both locations (Thursdays and VIP excluded).
FEATURED: Halloween Nights of Lights (Continuing through October)
Halloween Nights of Lights returns for its sixth spooky year, and itās completely reimagined for 2025! Families are invited back to CF Sherway Gardens for their immensely popular immersive Fall and Halloween experience, featuring all-new glowing installations, over 15,000 pumpkins lighting up Pumpkinville to the new Paint Night evenings and the new maze, The Haunted!
Canadaās Wonderland: Camp Snoopy and Halloween Haunt (Continuing until November 2)
Canadaās Wonderland has fun for everyone this Halloween season at two separate all-outdoor and immersive events: Camp Spooky for family-friendly fun with the PEANUTS Gang, and Halloween Haunt for older kids that transforms the theme park into a āscream parkā!
Markham Fair (October 3-6)
The Markham Fair is one of Canadaās longest-running county fairs (since 1844!) with childrenās activities and entertainment, home craft and agricultural shows, food and much more.
FEATURED: Our Kids Private School Expo (October 4)
Are you thinking about exploring options for sending your kids to private school, but you donāt know where to start? Our Kids Private School Expo helps families achieve academic success while taking the guesswork out of this important life decision!
Nuit Blanche (October 4)
Nuit Blanche, Torontoās highly anticipated annual cultural event, is a free all-night contemporary art party featuring ground-breaking artworks by local, national and international artists.
Casa Loma: Legends of Horror (Starting October 4)
Spooks and surprises await as Casa Loma presents its annual Halloween installation, Legends of Horror, a self-guided tour of the historic building. Plus, families can arrive early for Family Hours, which are less scary, less dark and without live actors.
FEATURED: Ballās Falls Thanksgiving Festival (October 10-13)
Embrace Fall traditions at the Ballās Falls Conservation Area with their Thanksgiving Festival, a community tradition since 1974! Hosted by the Niagara Peninsula Conservation Authority (NPCA), this event features exceptional local foodāØand drink, lively entertainment, and kids activities.
PumpkinFest Toronto at Downsview Park (October 10-13)
PumpkinFest Toronto is the place to celebrate all things autumnal over Thanksgiving Weekend at Downsview Park, including midway rides and inflatables, tractor-pulled hayrides, live performances and much more.
FEATURED: Brampton On Stage’s “Fiesta SinfĆ³nica” (October 25)
Is your family ready to discover the fascinating rhythms and boisterous melodies of Central and South America? On October 25, The Rose Brampton welcomes the Toronto Symphony Orchestra (TSO) for “Fiesta SinfĆ³nica”, a lively performance of energetic orchestral pieces with an exuberant Latin flair!
FEATURED: Toronto Symphony Orchestra’s āTricks, Treats ānā Tunesā (October 26)
Families looking to get silly and spooky this Halloween can join the Toronto Symphony Orchestra (TSO) for a frightfully fantastic musical adventure at āTricks, Treats ānā Tunesā, featuring classical pieces by Schubert, Grieg, Berlioz, and Dukas, and contemporary hits from Ghostbusters, Phantom of the Opera and Wicked.
Fall Fun Bucket List for Toronto and the GTA
š Take in a street festival, snack on farm treats, get active in the fresh air and take a hike with our Fall Fun Bucket List for Toronto and the GTA.
Guide to the Best Diwali Events in Toronto and the GTA
šŖ Get ready for Diwali, the festival of lights! At events across the region, you can brighten the night with fireworks, music, food and vibrant colours. Celebrate with our Guide to the Best Diwali Events in Toronto and the GTA!
Guide to the Best Thanksgiving Weekend Fairs & Festivals in Southern Ontario
š”Ā Small-town fairs are a traditional way to spend a Fall weekend, so get out into the countryside with our Guide to the Best Thanksgiving Weekend Fairs & Festivals in Southern Ontario!
Guide to the Best Oktoberfest Family Events in Southern Ontario
š„Ø Feel the gemĆ¼tlichkeit (warm feelings) at Oktoberfest events across the GTA: dance to the polka, eat a huge pretzel and raise your glass. Prost! š»
Guide to Pumpkin Patches and Corn Mazes in Southern Ontario
š Pumpkin patches are a fun way to get out of the city on a crisp Fall day, with family experiences such as wagon rides and play areas.
Guide to Apple Picking in Southern Ontario
š Earn your apple pie while also having a fun outdoorsy day out by picking your own fruit with our Guide to Apple Picking in Southern Ontario.
But Waitā¦ Thereās More!
Want even more ideas for Family-Friendly Events in Toronto This Weekend? For a complete listing of all the best events around Toronto, click on ourĀ CalendarĀ and stay tuned to all the best local family events through both ourĀ FacebookĀ andĀ InstagramĀ pages. Plus, weāre now onĀ TikTokĀ andĀ Threads!
If you are looking for tips on how to keep your kids occupied without attending in-person events, you can find our best ideas, activities and inspirationĀ here!
Did you know you can submit your family-friendly event to us? Fill out theĀ formĀ with your event details, as well as a photo, and weāll do our best to get your event added to ourĀ events calendar.
