20 FREE Toronto events to check out in October

Toronto is easily one of the best cities in the world — but seriously, it can really get expensive.

But that shouldn’t be a problem this month because we’ve rounded up plenty of free things to do so you can get fall started with a little extra dough in your wallet.

See also

• 14 Toronto events and festivals to check out this October
• 12 installations you have to check out at Nuit Blanche
• 11 amazing Toronto companies that are hiring this month

From concerts to art exhibits to food festivals and more, here are 20 free things to check out this month that are totally free.

Culture Days

What: Culture Days invites all Torontonians to explore, discover and participate in arts and culture. Here you’ll find plenty of hands-on, interactive activities for all attendees to participate in.
Where: Events across the city
When: September 30 – October 2

Pumpkin Picking

What: Sure, you could pick up a pumpkin from the grocery store but what’s the fun in that? Spend an afternoon at one of Toronto’s many patches and hunt for the perfect pumpkin. While the pumpkin itself might not be free, there’ll be plenty of free activities to partake in like hayrides, corn mazes, and much more.
Where: Throughout the GTA
When: October 1 – 31

Even Stranger Things

What: Put on your dancing shoes and make your way to the Gladstone Hotel for an evening of 80s music, light installations, projections, sculptures, and non-stop dancing.
Where: The Gladstone Hotel
When: October 1

Nuit Blanche

What: From sunset to sunrise, Toronto will be transformed into a city-wide artistic playground for both local and international artists where they’ll be free to set up their unique contemporary art displays.
Where: There will be art installations set up across the city
When: October 1

Really Really Free Market

What: For one day only you can come to a completely free market, where everything is completely free. At the Really Really Free Market, you can bring what you want and take what you want. If you’re interested in bringing your own items, just make sure to drop them off before 3pm.
Where: Campbell Park
When: October 1

Salmon Festival

What: Calling all nature lovers: Come out and watch the salmon migrate from Lake Ontario to Highland Creek. This year there’ll be scenic nature hikes to partake in, environmental displays, live performances, food trucks and more.
Where: Morningside Park 390 Morningside
When: October 2

ROMwalks 

What: Come explore the diverse neighbourhoods of Toronto and learn about their history, architecture, and much more. These guided tours are perfect for both tourists and locals who want to learn a bit more about the city.  Upcoming ROMwalks include Yorkville and Kensington.
Where: Yorkville and Kensington
When: October 2 from 2pm to 4pm and October 9 from 2 pm to 330 pm

CityPlace Autumn Festival

What: CityPlace welcomes you to come out and mix and mingle with all of the local residents and checkout the variety of products available. You can expect to find fresh produce, baked goods, prepared foods, arts and crafts, wine, skin care products and much more.
Where: Concord CityPlace
When: October 5 from 11 am to 5 pm

Monster Rock Orchestra

What: This one-of-a-kind experience will entertain audiences of all ages, featuring an awesome laser light show and a live orchestra who will be performing popular pop, rock, and classic hits.
Where: Yonge-Dundas Square
When: October 7

Pumpkin Fest

What: If you’re looking for something fun to do over the long weekend, make your way to Pumpkin Fest where you can enjoy all things fall. At Pumpkin Fest you’ll find a traditional farmers market, costume and pumpkin carving contests, pumpkin bowling, rides and games.
Where: Downsview Park
When: October 8 to 10

Waterfront Artisian Market

What: Mark your calendars because this marks the final weekend to come and checkout Toronto’s Waterfront Artisan Market. Here you’ll find a carefully curated mix of more than 50 artisans, crafters, chefs and bakers who will be displaying their goods in a unique open-air market.
Where: HTO Park
When: October 8th – 10th

Saudi Arabia Festival Day

What: Toronto’s Saudi Arabia Festival will be a day filled with excitement, as it will allow Torontonians to really get to known Saudi Arabian culture, food, music, and much more. Where: Mel Lastman Square
When: October 8 from 1 pm to 6 pm

Fall 2016 Opening Party — Power Plant

What: We’ll gladly accept any reason to come and visit the stunning Power Plant. For one night only, you can come and enjoy a free night of art and culture and view three new exhibitions by artists Yto Barrada, Latifa Echakhch and Maria Loboda.
Where: The Power Plant
When: October 14 at 8pm

Cineplex Community Day

What: Visit one of the city’s participating Cineplex theatres and you can watch a number of free movies in support of Free the Children. This year you can watch The Jungle Book, Inside Out, Finest Hours, The Good Dinosaur, and Zootopia.
Where: Participating Cineplex Theatres
When: October 22

Halloween on Queen

What: If you’re looking to get into the spirit of Halloween, put on your spookiest costume and check out this creepy carnival that’s fun for all ages. Dress to impress as there will be a costume contest, as well as live music, carnival games, a scavenger hunt, a haunted maze, Halloween crafts and much more.
Where: Kew Gardens and Ivan Forrest Gardens
When: October 29

Night of Dread

What: For one forgettable evening, you can take in the sights and sounds of Halloween before Halloween actually arrives. Night of Dread is a parade filled with music and masquerade, towering puppets, stilt-dancers, fire spinners and fearful masks.
Where: The interactive parade begins in Dufferin Grove Park
When: October 29 at 6 pm

Halloween Walk and Fundraiser

What: Come out and support the 3rd annual Halloween Walk and Fundraiser, where all proceeds go towards supporting first responders who suffer from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Once the walk is finished, there’ll be plenty of activities enjoy from live entertainment to prizes for the best costume and Jack-o-lantern.
Where: The Toronto Scottish Regiment, 70 Birmingham Street
When: October 29th from 1 pm to 4 pm

Pumpkinfest

What: Come out and celebrate all things Halloween, pumpkin, and fall throughout the Junction neighbourhood. Pumpkinfest is perfect for all ages and is the perfect event to get you into the Halloween spirit. Costumes are definitely encouraged.
Where:  The Junction Train Platform 2964 Dundas St. West
When: October 29 from 2 pm to 6 pm

Kensington Market Art Fair

What: This marks the final Kensington Market Art Fair of the year. This year, the fair focuses on original two and three-dimensional art from both professional and student artists.
Where: Kensington Market
When: October 30

Halloween on Church

What: Every year on October 31, Church Street comes alive with creative and outrageous Halloween costumes for a wild outdoor street party. Bars and restaurants along the street will participate in this event and there will be a number of costume contests and Halloween-themed events.
Where: Chruch Steet
When: October 31 from 6 pm to 11 pm