21 outrageous October food events to check out in Toronto

Fall is officially here, which means less lounging in the park, and more indulging in all of the mouthwatering meals.

And Toronto’s food purveyors are happy to help you do so.

From all-you-can-eat burger events to bring-your-own-dog Halloween parties, here’s what to get up to in the city’s food and drink scene this month.

The Toronto Chocolate Festival

This 31-day long city-wide event, beginning on October 1 through until the end of the month, features the most important food group, in all its tasty forms, with a massive Chocolate Ball Gala will top off the festivities.

When: October 1 to 31, 2019
Where: Various locations across Toronto

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Burger Drops

This all-you-can-eat burger event is slated for Spaces Queen West at 180 John Street, from 6 pm to 10 pm on October 5. And on top of smash burgers and $5 beers from Eastbound Brewery, George Motz will be in the house.

Where: Spaces Queen West – 180 John Street
When: Saturday, October 5 from 6 pm to 10 pm
Tickets: Available online

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Chat Bar Grand Opening

And on opening day, October 4, the first 100 customers to visit the new spot will get to try one of the restaurant’s “special sets” at no charge, which will include the spot’s signature grilled lamb Chuan’r and grilled oyster.

Where: 5312 Yonge Street
When: October 4 from 5:30 pm

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CRAFT Brühaüs Oktoberfest Party

Bust out your lederhosen and dirndls and celebrate all things Oktoberfest at CRAFT! Anticipate German-inspired eats, big beers, great music and entertainment at this two-day Bavarian party.

Where: CRAFT Beer Market, 1 Adelaide Street East, Toronto
When: October 5 and 6
Tickets: RSVP for free online

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Amsterdam Brewhouse and Barrel House Oktoberfest

Amsterdam Brewhouse and Amsterdam Barrel House are throwing a two-weekend celebration for Oktoberfest! Amsterdam Brewhouse kicked off the party from September 27 to 28, and will continue on October 4 and 5.  They’re encouraging everyone to grab their lederhosen and prepare for fun with games, specialty Oktoberfest beer, German-inspired eats, and entertainment starting at 6 pm each day. Amsterdam Barrel House, located at 87 Laird Drive in East York, will be joining the celebrations on October 5 with live entertainment at 7 pm. Anticipate a specialty Oktoberfest beer menu and German-inspired eats throughout the night. All events are first-come-first-serve. Learn more here.

When: October 4 and 5

Address: 245 Queens Quay
Phone: 416-504-1020

Address: 87 Laird Drive
Phone: 416-504-1060

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Harry’s Charbroiled Closing ‘Shindig’

Harry’s last day of operation is on October 5. The eatery took to Instagram to share that for that final day of service, they’ve got “something good” in the works.

“It’s not a proper goodbye unless you throw a shindig,” the post reads. So keep an eye on their account to find out how you can be a part of the last hurrah.

When: October 5
Where: 160 Springhurst Avenue

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50% off Cheese Garden

To celebrate its anniversary, Japanese dessert shop Cheese Garden will be offering customers across the GTA a special deal on October 5 and 6; you can head over to any Cheese Garden location in the GTA and receive your favourite pastry for half-price! And on top of that, any pastry purchase will include a gift of a $10 voucher.

Where:  5291 Yonge St, North York
When: 11 am to 10 pm on October 5 and 6

Where: Unit G120, 3250 Midland Avenue Scarborough
When: 12 pm to 10 pm on October 5 and 6

Where: B58-4300 Steeles Avenue East, Markham
When: 12 pm to 8 pm on October 5, 12 pm to 7 pm on October 6

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Toronto Tequila Festival

The Toronto Tequila Festival will land at Berkeley Church on October 4, offering a space to taste-test the spirits straight, on the rocks, mixed into cocktails, or, of course, paired with tacos.

Where: Berkeley Church – 315 Queen Street East
When: October 4 from 5 pm to 10 pm
Tickets: Available online or at the door (subject to availability)

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Harry Potter-Inspired Beer, Cider, and Cocktail Festival – Toronto

As autumn envelopes the city, Toronto is shifting into a magical world of witchy wonder, and you get to be a part of it. Hosted at the Eglinton West Gallery, this party will offer tastings of local craft brews, delicious ciders, and a specialty-themed Butter (scotch) Beer.

When: October 11 from 6 to 9:30 pm
Where: Eglinton West Gallery – 2301 Keele Street, Toronto
Price: $49, available online

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Pumpkinfest Toronto

This event will offer free admission and free parking all weekend long. There will be a Food Truck Frenzy featuring Toronto’s premiere food on wheels, and plenty of entertainment too. Bring the whole family along to enjoy an educational animal display and petting zoo and a slew of competitions, including pumpkin carving, pie-eating, and a costume contest.

Where: Downsview Park, 35 Carl Hall Rd.
When: October 12 to 14, 2019

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VegHeads Market

For the past five years, VegHeads has brought Toronto variations of a Vegan Oktoberfest celebration. This year, the event is landing at Artscape Wychwood Barns, allowing it to expand from an Oktoberfest theme into a full Vegan market. Anticipate a larger market of plant-based vendors, various styles of food, drink, and products and plenty of entertainment including an eco-friendly fashion show!

When: October 13 from 11 am to 6 pm
Where: Artscape Wychwood Barns – 601 Christie Street
Tickets: Available online from $5

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Cask Days

Coming back for their 15th season, Cask Days celebrates the time before metal kegs and refrigerated coolers with beer that has finished its fermenting just days before it arrives on the drinker’s lips. The event will showcase some of North America’s finest beers and ciders.

When: October 18 to 20
Where: Evergreen Brick Works, 550 Bayview Avenue, Toronto
Price: General admission is $55 plus taxes and fees online

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Canada’s Baking and Sweets Show

Are you ready for a sweet, sweet Autumn? Well get ready, because on October 19, Canada’s Baking and Sweets Show will return to the city for its seventh year. Sticking around until October 20, this year’s event will celebrate the sweetness of our nation with a “Canadiana” theme. Presented by Redpath Sugar, the show will be on at The International Centre.

Where: The International Centre – 6900 Airport Road
When: October 19 from 10 am to 6 pm, October 20 from 10 am to 5 pm
Tickets: Adults, $16; seniors(65+) $12; students and CDN military (13-17) $10; children 12 years of age and under, free. Buy online to save $2

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Toronto Catering Showcase

A handful of Toronto’s top caterers will show their stuff at the Toronto Catering Showcase. Follow that up with drinks, music, and wine and there’s no way people can’t have an amazing time. Dine with catering names such as Oliver & Bonacini, the Food Dudes, Encore, and many more.

When: October 20, noon to 4 pm
Where: The Globe and Mail Centre – 17th Floor, 351 King Street East
Tickets: Available online from $57

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• See also:
  • Pumpkin spice treats are taking over Toronto bakeries
  • Toronto is getting a multi-day Halloween-themed bar crawl this month
  • Toronto baker turns pie crusts into incredible and elaborate art (PHOTOS)

Eat to the Beat

Sixty talented female chefs come together to offers guests a culinary experience of a lifetime—all to raise money to help women facing breast cancer. This event is Eat to the Beat’s 24th year, and they’re keeping it fresh.

When: October 22 from 7 pm to 10 pm
Where: Roy Thompson Hall – 60 Simcoe Street
Tickets: Available online from $25

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Empty Bowls

Empty Bowls is part of a North America-wide initiative to aid people experiencing homelessness, and will see all proceeds go to Anishnawbe Health Toronto. The annual event collects more than 400 bowls by donation, then lets attendees pick one to fill with a choice of steaming hot soups ladled out by eminent Ontario chefs. At the end of the event, guests get to take home their handcrafted bowl as a souvenir.

When: October 24, 5 pm to 7 pm
Where: Gardiner Museum, 111 Queen’s Park, Toronto
Tickets: Available online for $55

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Halloween Boat Party

Departing from 333 Lakeshore Boulevard East at 6:30 pm, tickets for the Halloween Boat Cruise are $50 a pop for adults, and $25 for kiddos. Children five and under can attend for free.

When: October 26 from 6:30 pm
Where: Leaving from 333 Lakeshore Boulevard East
Tickets: Available online

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Trick or Drink

Ghouls, goblins, witches, and warlocks, prepare for a haunting night out! Because Barcrawlerz is taking over Toronto for a multi-day bar crawl completely revolving around Halloween. First running on Saturday, October 26 from 4 pm until 2 am, and again on the 31 from 6 pm to 2 am, you’ll get the chance to float through Belfast Love, Dublin Calling, Rock ‘N’ Horse Saloon and many more, decked out in costume.

Where: Participating bars in downtown Toronto
When: October 26 from 4 pm to 2 am and October 31 from 6 pm to 2 am
Tickets: Available online from $15

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Howl-O-Ween Party

Prepare for all autumnal excitement, pumpkin carving, and dog costume contests at the Brunswick Bierworks Howl-O-Ween party, slated for Sunday, October 27 from 1 pm to 5 pm at 25 Curity Avenue. Go online to purchase your tickets and your pumpkin for carving at this dog-friendly Halloween party. On arrival, you’ll be provided with your choice of stencil so you can create the perfect pumpkin art.

Where: Brunswick Bierworks – 25 Curity Avenue
When: October 27 from 1 pm to 5 pm
Tickets: Available online for $10

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Wizards Festival & Hollows Express Train Ride

A Harry Potter-themed festival is crashing its broomstick just outside of Toronto this fall. The one-day-only event will bring the wizarding world to life through interactive shows, potions classes, a maze, magic shows, and workshops on how to defend yourself against the Dark Enemy.

Where: York-Durham Heritage Railway – 19 Railway Street, Uxbridge, Ontario
When: Saturday, October 26
Tickets: Available online

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Howl’oween at The Bentway

The Bentway and Bark ‘N Yapp are inviting local dogs and their owners to participate in a costumed pup-parade, complete with loot bags, prizes, treats and local vendors. After the parade, puppy partiers are encouraged to stick around for drinks and games at the licensed Howl’oween “Yappy Hour.”

Where: The Bentway – 250 Fort York
When: October 26 from 1 pm

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