33 of the best things to do in Toronto for fall this October

Fall can be a bit gloomy at times, but thankfully, Toronto hosts so many fun and exciting things to do during October.

Don’t let the weather dampen your mood! Go outside, get some fresh air and start working on your bucket list. Check out a horrifying haunted house, try new food, or check out a new art exhibit.

Take a look at what October has in store for you:

Take part in a haunted tour at Fear Farm

The spookiest time of year is fast approaching, and with it comes the reopening of Toronto’s legendary haunted farm. Fear Farm, located roughly an hour and a half from Toronto, is now welcoming guests for the spooky season. Brave visitors can embark on four different haunted tours, including the Hillbilly Hike, which takes you through an eerie swamp full of chainsaw-wielding maniacs.

When: Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays from September 25 to October 31
Where: 36685 Blenheim Road, Bright, Ontario

Get in the mood for Halloween at Canada’s Wonderland

Halloween Haunt is back and ready to scare. The event runs until October 31, so make sure you get there to see the monsters for yourself and ride the rollercoasters at night. Be ready for some new scares this season as the monsters have had the entire pandemic to prepare for new ways to go bump in the night.

When: Until October 31
Where: Canada’s Wonderland

Eat terrifyingly delicious food at Haunt

Canada’s Wonderland Halloween Haunt has revealed its huge lineup of spooky menu items this year, and it’s sure to scare your socks off. Nothing beats Halloween-themed treats. This year at Canada’s Wonderland, guests can treat themselves to all the best eats, from comfort food to boozy drinks at the park.

When: Until October 31
Where: Canada’s Wonderland

Get spooked at Casa Loma’s Legends of Horror

Casa Loma, the elegant castle overlooking Toronto, has summoned the un-dead and will bring back its annual Legends of Horror event this month. During October, fear and horror will take over the castle grounds, and guests will finally be able to get their scare on. The annual event is now in its sixth year, and tickets are now on sale.

When: October 1 to 31
Where: Casa Loma, 1 Austin Terrace

Enjoy this season activities at Fall n’ Leaves 2021

Fall n’ Leaves is coming back to Toronto for its second year for the ultimate socially distanced outdoor event. From October 1 to 17, celebrate all things Fall while munching on delicious food like a wood fire pizza, Thanksgiving Poutine served in a pumpkin, and so much more.

When: October 1 to 17, Monday to Friday from 5 pm to 11 pm, Saturday and Sunday from 12 pm to 12 am
Where: 621 Richmond Street West

Get ready for spooky season with a seance

The terrifying Eatonville Farmhouse seance is back as October marks the beginning of spooky season. Not for the faint of heart, this seance is restricted to 18+ due to its horrifying nature.

When: October 1 to November 27
Where: Broadacres Park Farmhouse, 450 The West Mall

Take in the lights at the Toronto Zoo

Visit the animals and walk through an immersive lighting display at the Toronto Zoo this fall. The 1.5 km experience will take you through a portal to the future to the year 2099. The lighting event begins after dark, starting October 1.

When: October 1 to 9
Where: Toronto Zoo

Attend this massive Fried Chicken Festival

The third annual Fried Chicken Festival is back this weekend, and there will be a bunch of vendors serving up their renditions of the classic meal. Admission is free and will be located at Street Eats Market at Scarborough Town Centre, 520 Progress Avenue.

When: October 9 and 10
Where: Scarborough Town Centre, 520 Progress Avenue

Check out this cookie pop up

Colossal Cookie Company is coming to Toronto with a pop-up pickup boutique in the Fairmont hotel. The company currently functions predominately online, but this pop-up will allow Torontonians to pick up their premium cookie orders. Well known for its four-ounce cookies, the company will operate the pop-up pickup boutique for three months, beginning on October 1. You can place your order and pick up your cookies in as little as 30 minutes.

When: Beginning October 1
Where: Fairmont Royal York, 100 Front Street, Toronto

Dive into a cranberry marsh

A cranberry marsh near Toronto begins its harvest this Saturday ahead of Thanksgiving and you can wade with the berries and later enjoy a cheese plate. Located at Muskoka Lakes Farm & Winery, Johnston’s Cranberry Marsh is the perfect place cranberry lovers, who can step into a pair of hip waders and take the plunge with thousands of pounds worth of cranberries.

When: Until October 24
Where: 1074 Cranberry Road, Bala, Ontario

PumpkinFest Toronto

PumpkinFest Toronto is back this fall after a year-long hiatus, and guests can experience the best of the season with fun activities and food. From October 9 to 11, the annual event is coming back to Downsview Park, offering a giant pumpkin patch, fun games, kiddie rides, an inflatable corn maze, and of course, food.

When: October 9 to 11 from 10 am to 6 pm.
Where: Downsview Park – 35 Carl Hall Road

Eat at Dave’s Hot Chicken’s new spot

Dave’s Hot Chicken has opened its third Toronto location and is welcoming hungry customers to the east end. The new restaurant is located at the corner of Queen Street East and Bertmount Avenue at 1130 Queen Street East.

Where: 1130 Queen Street East

Go on a long weekend booze cruise

A Thanksgiving long weekend booze cruise is coming to the city, and they’ll be playing all the hits from Top 40 to dance hall. The event is 19+, and the boat will be departing from 11 Polson Street, Rebel Nightclub parking lot. Bottle service, drinks, and food are available on the boat. Tickets can be purchased here.

When: October 9 at 9 pm
Where: 11 Polson Street

Black Lagoon Halloween pop up bar

The ultimate Halloween bar pop-up is coming to Toronto just in time for the spooky holiday with all the themed drinks, creep-shows, and nightly performances imaginable. Black Lagoon will be located on the second floor of 866 Bloor Street West and offers a mix of goth, metal, and many horrors bundled up into one immersive and playful space.

When: October 14 to October 31 from 5 pm to 2 am
Where: 866 Bloor Street West

A socially distanced sound experience is now open at Mirvish

Blindness, a physically distanced sound experience, began on September 24 and will run until October 24. This is your chance to take in Toronto’s return to indoor theatre since the start of the pandemic. You can catch the show at various times from Tuesday to Sunday. The show is about 75 minutes in length. Guests should prepare for loud noises and bright lights.

When: Until October 24
Where: Princess of Wales Theatre

Stop and try a new cafe on Toronto’s King Street

A new coffee shop has opened in downtown Toronto and it offers more than just your regular coffee and baked goodies. Daily Ritual Cafe is located in the lobby level of One King West Hotel and Residence, 1 King Street West.

Where: 1 King Street West

Check out the Marvel Avengers S.T.A.T.I.O.N

The exhibition features several rooms from the Marvel Cinematic Universe, each one dedicated to a notable hero such as Captain America, Iron Man, Black Panther, Black Widow, Captain Marvel, The Hulk, and more. Make sure to buy your tickets!

Where: Yorkdale Mall, 3401 Dufferin Street
When: Hours vary

Oktoberfest at Fall N’ Leaves TO Pop Up

Make sure to reserve your table ahead of time. Tickets are sold to groups of four or six, and each one includes a drink per person.

When: October 22 to 24
Where: 621 Richmond Street West

The Mac and Cheese Festival

Bring on the cheese! The ultimate Mac and Cheese fest is coming to Toronto this month, and vendors have come up with elaborate twists on the classic dish. Admission is free!

When: October 23 to 24
Where: 520 Progress Avenue – STC

Haunted Cinema at Ontario Place

Ontario Place is treating horror movie fans to a wholly immersive experience with their Haunted Cinema drive-in this month. Movie-goers will be able to watch the film from their car while people dressed in character perform just outside their doors.

When: October 26 to 31
Where: Ontario Place, 955 Lake Shore Boulevard West.

Spooktacular Light Show

Experience one of the biggest and brightest light event this Halloween season. From the creators of Journey into Enchantment Christmas Drive-Thru Festival, Spooktacular Light Show will showcase over 1.5 million Halloween lights, a pumpkin tunnel, 3D displays and so much more.

When: September 30 to November 7
Where: Meadowvale GO station in Mississauga and Mount Joy GO station in Markham.

Pumpkins After Dark Drive-Thru Event

PumpkinFest Toronto is back this fall after a year-long hiatus, and guests can experience the best of the season with fun activities and food. From October 9 to 11, the annual event is coming back to Downsview Park, offering a giant pumpkin patch, fun games, kiddie rides, an inflatable corn maze, and of course, food.

When: Until November 7
Where: Country Heritage Park in Milton

Screemers

Toronto’s most terrifying haunted attraction is returning next month with a new location and even scarier monsters. After not being able to operate last year due to COVID-19, the infamous Screemers is back with seven fear-inducing themed mazes, over 120 scare actors, and a Midway of Horrors.

When: Select dates from October 8 to 31
Where: 80 Interchange Way, Vaughan

Get lost in Horror Hallways

If you love a good scare, check out the Horror Hallways in Richmond Hill. “Enter if you dare,” and lose yourself in the pits of hell. That might not sound enticing, but it sure is exciting if you love everything there is to do with Halloween. Horror Hallways is so terrifying that it is not recommended for children.

When: Until October 31
Where: 9350 Yonge Street

Pingle’s Farm Harvest Festival

Pingle’s Farm, located an hour outside of Toronto, is hosting its annual harvest festival through the month of September and October. Attendees can hit up the 6.5-acre corn maze, hitch a wagon ride or indulge in some farm treats from the menu.

Where: 1805 Taunton Road East, Hampton, Ontario
When: Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays until October 31

Take a look at the creative works of the Andy Warhol exhibit

With more than 250 artworks, including paintings, drawings, photographs, films and installations, Warhol made a name for himself in the art world, one that will be recognized forever. The exhibition will feature portraits of Elvis, Dolly Parton, Karen Kain, Wayne Gretzky and Elizabeth Taylor. It will also include Warhol’s conceptual works and experimental installations. It will run until October 24 at the AGO.

Where: 317 Dundas Street West
When: Until October 24

Face your fears at Martino Manor Haunted House

Looking for a haunted house that is not recommended for the faint of heart? Head to Toronto’s west end and explore the scariest haunted house on the block. Tickets are on sale for October, and it’s sure to give you a scare.

When: Until October 31
Where: 7 McIntosh Avenue

Check out the Pulse Topology exhibit

An immersive light and sound installation are coming to The Bentway in downtown Toronto this October. It’s called Pulse Topology because the exhibit uses touchless technology to detect visitors’ heartbeats and twinkle in time with them. In this way, the art will change with every visit.

Where: The Bentway
When: October 2 to 31

Get tickets to this year’s Fan Expo

Fan Expo Canada is now slated to take place from October 22 to 24 at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre. “Toronto is on a path to safely reopen, but now more than ever, it’s important we all do our part,” the company stated on its website. Anything and everything that has to do with comics, sci-fi, anime, and more.

When: October 22 to 24
Where: Metro Toronto Convention Centre – South building –  255 Front Street West

Shop for a spooky Halloween costume

Spooky season is here, and it’s time to start brainstorming a costume idea. Luckily Toronto has a variety of stores to execute the grand plan you’re dreaming of.

Whether it’s a recent pop-culture phenomenon, a Halloween classic, or a go-big-or-go-home theatrical costume, you can find it in the city.

When: Until October 31
Where: Several locations across Toronto

Explore the Beyond Monet exhibit

Toronto’s Beyond Monet exhibit has been extended for another month due to popular demand. Previously set to run until October 3, the show will continue to welcome visitors until November 7.

Where: Metro Toronto Convention Centre, 255 Front Street West
When: Until November 7

Visit Toronto’s Candyland

A deliciously sweet candy exhibition has opened up at Bayview Village Shopping Centre, and it’s showcasing a unique and creative take on the world of candy. Candyland is the brainchild of the New York candy lifestyle brand by robynblair in partnership with the shopping centre. The pop-up features art prints with Haute BV slogans, an eight-foot gumball walk-in photo-op, walls lined with gumball machines, and colourful candy boxes.

When: Until December 2021
Where: Bayview Village Shopping Centre – 2901 Bayview Avenue

Go apple picking

Apple picking season in Ontario has arrived, and GTA orchards have various apples just waiting to be plucked and made into your favourite fall treat. Make a day of it, pick your own fruit, get lost in a corn maze and indulge in some baked goods.

When: Fall season
Where: Several locations across the GTA