Toronto in Fall: With 27 Epic Fall Activities (2024)
Toronto in fall is my favourite time of year at home.
The summer crowds have gone down, the weather doesn’t make you want to sit in front of the air conditioning all day and the vibes are very pumpkin spice latte. 🤣
Pumpkin spice aside, there are so many autumn festivals and events happening throughout the city, you can be busy every single day if you wish.
Having lived here for 30 years, I think it’s safe to say I can list off the fun & cool Toronto fall activities you must experience!
From attending renowned events like the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF), and enjoying local sports games to seasonal farm activities and exploring unique neighbourhoods with guided tours, there is something for everyone!
Some links in this blog post are affiliate, if clicked, I may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you.
When is the Fall Season in Toronto?
The official start date of autumn is September 22nd, 2024, however, in my books, fall in Toronto starts with the start of back to school season.
After Labour Day weekend in Toronto, there are far fewer crowds, the temperatures are still shorts weather and there are just as many Toronto activities to enjoy!
Fall Weather in Toronto
Fall weather in Toronto is the BEST, in my opinion, and my favourite travel weather.
September can be just as hot as the summer months, with an average high temperature of 23°C (73.4°F) and a low of 14°C (57.2°F).
October and November are chillier with highs of 9-15°C (48-59°F) and lows of 2-8°C (35-46.4°F).
On average, the fall season gets about 6 – 8 days of rain per month.
The BEST Things to do in Toronto in Fall
The list below will include a wide range of events, festivals, sports games, markets, tours and adventures that will make for the best fall season in Toronto.
I still recommend making time to do all of the usual Toronto tourist attractions because in my opinion, fall is the best time to do them. They are listed in this 2 day Toronto itinerary!
I also recommend making a fall day trip to Niagara Falls and visiting the Niagara on the Lake wineries.
Happy autumn!
Events & Festivals
Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF)
September 5, 2024 – September 15, 2024
Every fall, Toronto hosts a prestigious film festival that brings big name celebrities and movie stars into town.
2024 will mark the 49th Toronto International Film Festival.
TIFF is from Thursday, September 5th, 2024 – Sunday, September 15th, 2024.
Although this is an event to honour the incredible work that goes into films, this festival also opens its doors to the general public.
If you are a major film buff, it is recommended you purchase a TIFF membership to be able to access event tickets before they go on sale to the public.
Public tickets are limited and the biggest and most popular events may be sold out by this time.
Membership tickets go on sale August 16th, 2024 and tickets for the general public will be on sale August 26th.
Click here for more TIFF information, important dates & ticket info.
If you are planning to travel to Toronto during this time, I highly recommend you look for accommodation as EARLY as possible, many hotels and vacation rentals will be booked up well in advance.
The World Food and Cultural Festival Canada
September 27 – 28, 2024
Be transported around the world this fall with Toronto’s World Food & Cultural Festival at Christie Pits Park.
Cooking demos, dance lessons, cultural activities, craft workshops, art, henna, origami, history, art exhibits and so much more are included in this around the world event.
The event is completely FREE to attend, click on the “local participants tickets”. Reserve your spot so they can keep track of their numbers.
Nuit Blanche
October 5th, 2024
Annually in the fall, Toronto hosts an all night event called Nuit Blanche. Contemporary art and interactive exhibits are showcased throughout the city.
Toronto’s 2024 Nuit Blanche will be hosted on Saturday, October 5th, 2024.
As the event is hosted all night long from different areas of Toronto, Toronto Transit (TTC) and Go Trains are available throughout the night.
TIP: Dress appropriately for the weather as you will be exploring the city at night!
There are a few event centres where you can pick up maps of the exhibits and get general information.
They are located at Fort York Visitor Centre, Yonge-Dundas Square, Nathan Phillips Square and Scarborough Town Centre.
As a Toronto local, I personally do not recommend driving downtown (in general, lol) but especially on this night.
Plan to take public transit!
Toronto Oktoberfest
2024 dates to be announced this summer.
Looking for a little Germany in Toronto? Check out this awesome Toronto Oktoberfest event. Hosted annually in the fall, dates to be announced.
This two day festival is hosted in a tent, creating a Bavarian village, mimicking the festival held in Munich every year.
For the first 500 attendees, get a FREE German Glass beer stein (one of those traditional beer mugs).
You can reserve tables of up to 10. Tables are on a first come first serve basis.
Wear something traditional or purchase something at the event!
Tickets go on sale in summer 2024, with dates to be announced.
VIP tickets are available with 2 drink tokens, private bar, lounge, washrooms and guaranteed beer stein!
The event is 19+ and is wheelchair accessible.
Picklefest Food & Drink Festival
October 5 – 6, 2024
Calling all pickle lovers, Henderson Brewing Co. is hosting a Picklefest Food & Drink Festival in Toronto this autumn.
On October 5th and 6th, 2024 from 11AM – 7PM, indulge in pickled and fermented snacks, drinks and more!
There will be 50 vendors selling all of their pickled goodness for you to enjoy, live music, activities for kids and a DJ!
General admission tickets are $15, VIP tickets are $25 and give you entrance at 10AM on October 5th.
Purchase tickets online here or at the door.
Children 12 years of age and under are FREE.
I recommend you take public transit with the closest station; Dundas West. There is no parking on site.
Pedestrian Sundays in Kensington Market
May – October: last Sunday of the month
On the last Sunday of the month from May to October, the coolest neighbourhood of Toronto closes down its streets to vehicles and becomes a big block party.
Spend the day exploring the shops and art, eating delicious foods from around the world and listening to live music.
This is a Toronto summer staple but also goes into the fall months of September and October.
The 2024 dates are as followed:
- May 26th
- June 30th
- July 28th
- August 25th
- September 29th – FALL DATE
- October 27th – FALL DATE
Kensington Market is one of my favourite neighbourhoods in Toronto and it is even BETTER when you can walk through the streets without worrying about Toronto traffic.
Toronto Sports Games
Toronto sports are bumpin’ in the fall season. The summer sports leagues are still going until October and the fall-winter season sports start in October.
Toronto really comes together during their sports games and as a local it is one of my favourite ways to bond with my city.
As a Toronto visitor? It will be just as epic to experience.
The choices for sports games are abundant in the city during the fall months.
MLB: Toronto Blue Jays Game
Going to a Toronto Blue Jays Game is a top tourist attraction in Toronto, I recommend putting this on any Toronto itinerary.
The tickets are fairly cheap, the views of the CN Tower are incredible and the vibes are SO fun.
There are also loonie ($1) hot dog Tuesdays!! Can’t get better in my opinion.
Even if you don’t love baseball, I definitely recommend going to a Blue Jays game while visiting Toronto in fall.
The regular season ends on September 29th, 2024 at the Rogers Centre.
When the weather is cold or raining the dome roof is closed, however, most of the time in fall, the roof is open and you can view the CN Tower!
Click here for Blue Jays tickets.
MLS: Toronto FC Game
A Toronto FC soccer game is another great fall activity to enjoy in Toronto! The MLS season ends on October 5th at BMO Field.
NBA: Toronto Raptors Game
My personal favourite and in my opinion the BEST environment at a sports game is a Toronto Raptors NBA game.
This is a MUST for any basketball fans.
The NBA regular season starts in October 2024 and makes for a perfect fall activity in Toronto!
Click here for Raptors tickets.
NHL: Toronto Maple Leafs Game
Last but not least, Toronto’s crown jewel, and the one that disappoints Toronto the most (with it’s losses), the Toronto Maple Leafs.
The NHL season starts early October and is a great way to spend a fall evening in Toronto.
Tickets are on the pricier end for sports games, but the Toronto fan spirit will be well worth it!
Click here for Toronto Maple Leafs tickets.
Toronto Tours
Get to know the city on a deeper level with these Toronto tours. Free walking tours, bike tours, neighbourhood tours and more!
ROMWalks
Take a free walking tour with ROMWalks. The Royal Ontario Museum puts together free walking tours through different Toronto neighbourhoods.
From May – October, rain or shine, the walks are hosted on Sundays at 2 PM or Wednesdays at 6 PM.
No registration needed, just show up at the walk’s starting point, the guide will have a ROMWalks umbrella!
Upcoming fall walking tours:
- September 1, 2024: Riverdale
- September 4, 2024: Grange
- September 15, 2024: Rosedale
- September 29, 2024: Cabbagetown
- October 6, 2024: Riverdale
- October 20, 2024: Mount Pleasant
You can also join a small group tour for $10 with new itineraries, pre-registration is needed for these.
Kensington Market Taste of the World Food Tour
Visit one of the coolest Toronto neighbourhoods with this Taste of the World Food Tour!
Roam the streets of Kensington Market with this small group tour, stop at shops, and learn about the history with foods from around the world.
The tour has sitting and walking and lasts 2.5 hours. All food and beverage tastings are included.
Click here to check out this tour.
Downtown Toronto Bike Tour by Toronto Bicycle Tours
Toronto’s fall weather is cooler and more fresh, making outdoor exercise much more enjoyable.
What a better way to get to know Toronto in a short period of time than with a 3.5 hour, fun and educational bike tour around the city!
The tour is offered daily, into the late fall and is offered in English, Spanish and French.
Learn about Toronto’s history, culture and architecture while stopping at major tourist attractions.
The tour is limited to 12 people and includes bicycle, helmet, granola bars and water. The bike route is suitable for all riders.
Click here to check out this tour!
For just $10 more, you can do a bike tour around the Toronto Islands instead. Click here for the Toronto Islands bike tour.
Distillery District Walking Tour
Distillery District is a pedestrian-only historic district in Toronto with cobblestone streets, boutique shops, bakeries and delicious food.
Take a guided walking tour for only $25, hosted almost daily (with the exception of some Mondays), or do a breakfast walking tour, hosted on the weekends.
The tour lasts around 1 hour.
Click here for the basic walking tour in Distillery.
Click here to opt for the breakfast Distillery tour!
Toronto Farmers’ Markets
Trinity Bellwoods Farmers’ Market
The Trinity Bellwoods Farmers’ Market is hosted weekly on Tuesdays and is a great way to spend a fall afternoon in Toronto.
Starting on May 7th, 2024 – October 29th, 2024.
The farmers’ market is hosted rain or shine from 3:00 – 7:00pm at the NW corner of Trinity Bellwoods Park – Dundas St. W and Shaw St.
Trinity Bellwoods focuses on organic and sustainable local produce and food artisans.
The vendors accept cash, credit, debit and/or e-transfer!
Check out the vendor list here.
St. Lawrence Farmers’ Market
St. Lawrence Market as a whole is an amazing tourist attraction, however, it steps it up another notch on Saturdays with their weekly farmers’ market.
Hosted from 5:00am – 3:00pm every Saturday.
Visit St. Lawrence for some of the best food experiences in Toronto.
Check out the St. Lawrence vendor list here!
Dufferin Grove Organic Farmers’ Market
Another popular farmers’ market and one of the oldest in Toronto is the Dufferin Grove Organic Farmers’ Market.
Hosted year round on Thursdays from 3:00-7:00pm at the Dufferin Grove Park Clubhouse.
Dufferin Grove Farmers’ Market focuses on sustainable agriculture, while showcasing cultural diverse foods and aiming to make the market accessible for all with the rising cost of food in mind.
Leslieville Farmers’ Market
In the east end of Toronto is the Leslieville Farmers’ Market. Hosted weekly on Sundays from 9am – 2pm.
Starting May 12 2024 until November 3 2024 at Greenwood Park.
Purchase local foods, fresh produce, artisanal goods and more!
Halloween Inspired Activities
With fall comes Halloween, and it’s hard to avoid the scary events, pumpkins and candy. So instead of avoiding, let’s jump all in!
The Haunted Walk Ghost Tours
The Haunted Walk in Toronto is a tour company that offers guided tours of some of the spooky neighbourhoods in Toronto.
TIP: Book the tour for a Monday, Tuesday or Wednesday and get $5 off!
The Original Haunted Walk has a 3/5 spookiness score and starts in front of the Hockey Hall of Fame and takes you around the downtown core.
Spirits of the Distillery District Ghost Tour has a 3/5 spookiness rating and will take you around the Distillery District at night, through the cobblestone streets.
Get ready for scary ghost stories and history of paranormal encounters.
The above tours are both 75 minutes in length and cost $30 per adult, $21 per youth.
Last but not least, the Alone in the Dark – The Village at Black Creek is rated with a 5 out of 5 spookiness score, the spookiest tour yet.
You will be exploring the haunted heritage buildings and experiencing some of the most active haunted sites in Toronto
This tour is longer at 120 minutes and costs a little more, $65.
Click here to book your Haunted Walk in Toronto.
Legends of Horror at Casa Loma
Tickets not on sale yet!
Each October, Casa Loma puts on a Legends of Horror event where you can walk though a terrifying 2 kilometre path around Casa Loma.
For families with young children, there are family hours, with a less dark and less scary experience (and have no live actors).
Family hours are hosted from 5pm-6:30pm. Legends of Horror for the general public is hosted from 7pm-LATE!
If you are feeling extra spooky this year, there are VIP tickets that include admission, 2 drinks and 2 food vouchers per couple!
Make sure you read their warnings on lighting, visibility, strobe lights and fog here.
Park at George Brown College on Macpherson Avenue or take TTC. The closest subway station is Spadina, a 15 minute walk away.
Click here for updates on tickets.
Halloween Haunt at Canada’s Wonderland
September 27, 2024 – October 27, 2024
Growing up in Toronto, Halloween Haunt was the place to go with your friends on the weekend. The event has been put on annually for years and is a true Halloween staple.
Halloween Haunt takes place at Canada’s Wonderland, located in Vaughn, Ontario, just north of Toronto, about a 40-50 minute drive from downtown.
Run through 8 mazes, five scare zones, hundreds of monsters, night rides and more.
The event is not suitable for those aged 13 years and younger.
For safety, you CANNOT wear costumes to the event as the monsters are in costume.
There is no entry after 11pm.
Click here for Halloween Haunt info!
Pumpkins After Dark in Milton
Tickets not on sale yet!
Located at Country Heritage Park in Milton, Ontario, 1 hour west of Toronto is the fun Pumpkins After Dark experience.
This is a walk through experience with tens of thousands of carved pumpkins.
The pumpkins are set up in incredible art displays throughout the event. This is the perfect family night or couples date night idea during the fall.
The experience takes about 1-2 hours to complete on your own time.
Enjoy the art, take photos at the Instagram photo backdrop areas, indulge in fall treats and sweets, watch live pumpkin carving demos and more.
On Wednesday October 9, 16 and 23 bring your pet and explore with your furry friend!
Click here for ticket updates!
Fall Nature & Harvest Activities Around Toronto
The outer regions of Toronto have amazing fall harvest activities. You have to venture out of Toronto about 1 hour to get to these great places.
Look for Toronto Fall Colours
Fall foliage in Ontario is some of the most beautiful you will see.
Toronto has some beautiful fall colours, however, I recommend you go slightly north to Muskoka, to see some of the best. If you have time to venture up north a couple of hours outside of Toronto, make the trip.
If not, Toronto is still a great place to see the fiery reds and oranges that come with the fall season in Toronto.
Some of the best places to see Toronto fall colours are at, High Park, Evergreen Brick Works, Trinity Bellwoods and Crothers Woods.
If you are looking for even more EPIC fall colours, I personally prefer and recommend visiting Quebec, specifically, Mont Tremblant in the fall!
Cranberry Harvest at Muskoka Lakes Farm and Winery
If you are up north looking for fall colours in Muskoka, make some time to visit Muskoka Lakes Farm and Winery for their cranberry harvest!
Starting September 28th, 2024 – October 31, 2024, cranberry harvest is hosted here!
There are over 27 acres of cranberry harvesting.
I recommend visiting this farm for their harvest package; wagon tour, cranberry wine tastings, cranberry plunge and free time to explore the trails. We did this last year and LOVED it.
If you just want to walk around the grounds, you have to purchase a pass at the information booth next to the parking lot.
Click here to visit Muskoka Lakes Farm & Winery!
Cranberries are a HUGE part of the town of Bala and every year the weekend after Canadian Thanksgiving is the Bala Cranberry Festival.
Locals and visitors come together to celebrate the cranberry harvest. The Cranberry Festival will be hosted on Friday, October 18 – 20, 2024 this year.
Visit a Pumpkin Patch
Visiting a pumpkin patch is a must during Toronto fall. The best ones are located short drives outside the city and are easy to visit if you have a car!
The most popular pumpkin patches with activities for the whole family are:
Pick a pumpkin each and spend the rest of the day having a pumpkin carving competition.
Go Apple Picking
Apple picking and pumpkin patches usually come hand in hand.
Most of the farms that have pumpkin patches also have apple orchards. Visit any of the above listed orchards for apples and pumpkins or check out the one’s below!
My favourite part of visiting an apple orchard is the homemade goodies they make; from apple pie, to pumpkin pie and everything in between!
Apple season in Ontario typically starts at the end of August, right in time for fall!
Check out one of these popular apple orchards:
Pin the Toronto in Fall Post for later!
Final Thoughts on the BEST Things to do in Toronto in the Fall
Toronto is full of amazing events and activities. Fall season is one of the best times to visit this busy city, take it from someone who has lived here for 30 fall seasons. It’s the best.
Enjoy the quiet crowds, the beautiful weather and gorgeous colours.
Happy autumn! 🍂
