15+ Best Fall Festivals in Ontario to Visit This Fall
Fall is one of my favourite times of the year in Ontario. The cooler temperatures, colourful leaves and crisp air make me want to get outside as much as possible before winter arrives. And while I love a good fall road trip or hike, there are plenty of other ways to enjoy the season.
Fall festivals and fairs take place across Ontario throughout September and October, celebrating everything from the harvest season and local food to apples, pumpkins, cranberries and Ontario’s agricultural traditions.
Some are the traditional fall fairs many of us grew up with, complete with midway rides, farm animals, agricultural competitions and demolition derbies. Others are more about wandering through a corn maze, picking your own pumpkins, listening to live music or spending an afternoon trying far too many fall treats.
I’ve always liked that these events give you another reason to explore somewhere you might not otherwise visit. A fall festival can easily become part of a weekend road trip, especially when you combine it with a small town, a scenic drive or somewhere nearby to see the fall colours.
Whether you’re looking for a traditional agricultural fair, a harvest festival or simply somewhere to spend a fall afternoon, I’ve put together some of the best fall festivals in Ontario to add to your list.
Best Fall Festivals in Ontario
1. Bala Cranberry Festival
If there’s one Ontario fall festival that really makes the most of harvest season, it’s the Bala Cranberry Festival in Muskoka.
The festival takes over the small town of Bala every October, with local vendors, live music, food, shopping and plenty of cranberry-themed treats. It has been running since 1984 and has become an annual fall tradition in the region.
Of course, cranberries are a big part of the weekend. You’ll find everything from cranberry baked goods and preserves to locally made products, and the festival is also a good opportunity to support small businesses and makers from around Ontario.
I’d combine the festival with some time exploring Muskoka rather than driving all the way to Bala for the event alone. October is already a beautiful time for a road trip through the region, and depending on the timing of the fall colours, you can easily add a scenic drive, hike or another small town to the weekend.
You can also visit Muskoka Lakes Farm & Winery, home of Johnston’s Cranberry Marsh, while you’re in the area. The cranberry harvest typically takes place in fall, and the farm offers seasonal experiences connected to the harvest.
The Bala Cranberry Festival usually takes place on the weekend after Thanksgiving, but I’d check the official festival schedule before planning your trip since dates, activities and ticket information can change from year to year.
When: October
Where: Bala, Ontario
2. Erin Fall Fair
For a more traditional Ontario fall fair, the Erin Fall Fair is one to add to your list.
Held over Thanksgiving weekend, this long-running fair has been part of the community since 1850 and is very much rooted in Ontario’s agricultural traditions. This is where you’ll find livestock and agricultural competitions alongside midway rides, live entertainment and plenty of fair food.
There’s quite a bit happening throughout the weekend, including truck and tractor pulls, a heavy horse pull and a demolition derby. There are also exhibits, vendors and activities for kids, so you could easily spend several hours walking around the fairgrounds.
What I like about events like this is that they’re about much more than carnival rides and food. Agricultural fairs have been part of rural life in Ontario for generations, and you still get to see that side of the province through the livestock shows, competitions and exhibits happening throughout the weekend.
Erin itself is also worth leaving some time for. The fairgrounds are right in town, so I’d combine the fair with a walk around Erin rather than arriving for the event and immediately leaving afterward.
The Erin Fall Fair takes place over Thanksgiving weekend, which also means it can be busy. I’d check the schedule before you go, especially if there’s a particular competition, pull or event you want to see.
When: Thanksgiving weekend in October
Where: Erin, Ontario
3. Markham Fair
If you’re looking for one of the larger fall fairs in Southern Ontario, Markham Fair has been a tradition in the area since 1844.
Agriculture is still a big part of the fair, with livestock shows, farm animals, agricultural exhibits and competitions taking place throughout the event. But there’s also plenty happening beyond that, including midway rides and games, live entertainment, food vendors and shopping.
Some of the bigger events take place at different times throughout the four-day fair, including the truck and tractor pull and demolition derby. I’d check the schedule before choosing which day to visit if there’s something in particular you want to see.
What makes Markham Fair interesting is the mix of old and new. It has been around for generations and still celebrates the agricultural side of the community, but you also get all the things you’d expect from a large modern fair.
It’s also an easy option if you live in or around the Greater Toronto Area and want a fall festival without turning it into an entire weekend away. You could spend most of the day at the fair and still be home that evening.
Markham Fair takes place at the Markham Fairgrounds on the weekend before Thanksgiving each year. With so much happening over the four days, I’d have a look at the daily schedule before you go rather than assuming every event happens every day.
When: Weekend before Thanksgiving
Where: Markham, Ontario
4. Woodbridge Fall Fair
Another long-running fall tradition close to Toronto is the Woodbridge Fall Fair, which has been held in the community since 1847.
The fair takes place over Thanksgiving weekend and brings together many of the things you’d expect from a traditional agricultural fair. There are competitions and exhibits, midway rides and games, food vendors and family activities throughout the weekend.
One of the highlights is the giant pumpkin competition, where growers bring in some seriously impressive pumpkins to be weighed. There’s also an annual car show, along with live entertainment and activities happening around the fairgrounds.
For families, the fair has included a petting zoo and other animal-focused entertainment, while the competitions cover everything from agriculture and culinary arts to photography, crafts and floriculture. I like that there’s still such a strong connection to the agricultural roots of the fair even though Woodbridge itself has changed considerably since the event began.
This is another easy option if you live around Toronto and want to enjoy a traditional fall fair without planning an overnight trip. You can spend a few hours at the fair, grab some fair food, go on the rides or browse the exhibits and still make it an easy day trip.
Since individual shows and activities happen at different times throughout the weekend, I’d check the schedule before choosing which day to visit.
When: Thanksgiving weekend in October
Where: Woodbridge, Vaughan, Ontario
5. Beaverton Fall Fair
The Beaverton Fall Fair is another long-running agricultural fair, this time in the small community of Beaverton in Durham Region.
The fair has been around since 1853 and still has a strong connection to the area’s agricultural roots. Livestock and homecraft competitions are a big part of the weekend, with everything from beef, sheep and horse shows to exhibits featuring fruits and vegetables, preserves, baked goods, crafts, honey and maple syrup.
There’s plenty happening outside the competitions too. The fair includes a petting zoo, pony rides, entertainment, food and vendors on both days, while Saturday brings horse-drawn wagon rides, a car show and more livestock events.
If you like the livelier side of a fall fair, there’s a demolition derby on Saturday evening, along with other events happening throughout the weekend. I’d check the schedule before going because some of the bigger attractions only take place on one of the two days.
One thing I like about including smaller community fairs on this list is that you get to see a side of fall in Ontario that isn’t only about pumpkin patches and colourful leaves. Events like this are still very much connected to farming, homecraft and the rural traditions they were originally created to celebrate.
Beaverton sits along Lake Simcoe, so you could also make the fair part of a longer day exploring the area rather than driving in and out just for the event.
When: September
Where: Beaverton, Durham Region
6. Pingle’s Harvest Festival
If your idea of a fall festival involves apple picking, pumpkins and getting lost in a corn maze, Pingle’s Harvest Festival in Durham Region is a good one to add to the list.
The festival runs throughout much of September and October at Pingle’s Farm Market in Hampton, with different activities and pick-your-own crops available depending on when you visit.
One of the main attractions is the large corn maze, but there are also wagon rides, farm animals and a play area for kids. You can make a full day of it rather than simply stopping by to pick a pumpkin and leave.
Apple picking is a big reason to visit earlier in the season, while October brings pick-your-own pumpkins. Since crop availability depends on the weather and growing season, I’d check what’s actually available before choosing your date if picking is an important part of your visit.
And come hungry. Pingle’s has a fall-inspired food menu with everything from apple cider doughnuts and hand pies to pizza, roasted corn and seasonal drinks. You can also stop at the farm market and bakery without needing a festival ticket.
This is definitely one of the more family-focused fall festivals on the list, but I think it also works if you simply want an excuse to spend a few hours outside, pick some apples or pumpkins and eat something that tastes like fall.
Weekends tend to be busier, and ticket prices vary depending on the day and when you book. I’d buy tickets ahead of time if you already know when you want to go.
When: September and October
Where: Hampton, Durham Region
7. Brooks Farms Fall Fun Festival
Another farm festival worth adding to your fall list is the Brooks Farms Fall Fun Festival in Mount Albert.
This one is particularly good for families because there is a lot to do once you’re inside. The farm has a corn maze, wagon rides, farm animals, jumping pillows, a zip line, play areas and live entertainment, along with several other activities spread around the property.
One of the more unusual attractions is the pumpkin cannon show, which is probably not something you’ll come across at every Ontario fall festival. There are also plenty of activities for younger kids, so this is somewhere you could easily spend a good part of the day rather than stopping for an hour.
Brooks Farms is a working farm with a market and café, so food is also part of the visit. You can pick up baked goods and other farm-market items, while the festival has its own food options if you’re staying for several hours.
The Fall Fun Festival runs on weekends throughout September and October, including Thanksgiving Monday. The farm notes that Thanksgiving Monday is typically one of its busiest days, so I’d keep that in mind when deciding when to visit.
I’d also dress for the weather and wear shoes you don’t mind getting dirty. This is still a working farm, and fall weather can mean mud, especially after rain.
When: Weekends in September and October
Where: Mount Albert, Ontario
8. Port Elgin Pumpkinfest
If you’ve ever wondered just how big a pumpkin can get, Port Elgin Pumpkinfest is probably the Ontario fall festival for you.
Held in downtown Port Elgin every October, the festival is best known for its giant vegetable competitions. The pumpkin weigh-off is the main attraction, with growers bringing in enormous pumpkins that can weigh well over 1,000 pounds.
But you don’t have to be particularly interested in competitive pumpkin growing to enjoy the weekend. Pumpkinfest also has a large classic car show, food and beverage vendors and entertainment happening throughout downtown.
I think the giant pumpkin competition is what makes this one stand out from the other festivals on the list. We’ve already covered plenty of places where you can pick your own pumpkin, but here you’re coming to see what happens when growing the biggest pumpkin becomes a serious competition.
Port Elgin is on the Lake Huron shoreline, so I’d leave some time to explore outside the festival as well. If you’re travelling from farther away, you could easily turn Pumpkinfest into an overnight fall trip rather than driving there and back in one day.
As with the other festivals on this list, I’d check the current schedule before you go. The weigh-offs, car show and other events happen at specific times throughout the weekend, so it makes sense to plan around anything you particularly want to see.
When: Early October
Where: Port Elgin, Ontario
9. Blue Mountain Apple Harvest Festival
Thanksgiving weekend is a beautiful time to visit the Blue Mountains, and the Apple Harvest Festival gives you another reason to plan a trip at this time of year.
The festival takes place in and around Blue Mountain Village, celebrating the apple harvest with live music, family entertainment, seasonal food and activities throughout the weekend. The Blue Mountains are part of Ontario’s largest apple-growing region, so apples are naturally a big part of the celebration.
What I like about this festival is that you can easily make it part of a longer fall getaway. Spend some time at the festival, walk around Blue Mountain Village and then head out to explore Collingwood, Thornbury or some of the surrounding Niagara Escarpment.
If the fall colours are changing, there are also plenty of opportunities to get outside. You could go for a hike, take a scenic drive through the area or simply enjoy the views around the mountain before heading back to the Village for live music and something to eat.
The festival takes place over Thanksgiving weekend, which is already a popular time to visit Blue Mountain. If you’re planning to stay overnight, I’d book accommodation ahead rather than waiting until the last minute.
I’d also check the festival schedule before your trip. Live entertainment and family activities take place at different times throughout the weekend, and some of Blue Mountain’s other attractions have their own admission costs and operating hours.
When: Thanksgiving weekend in October
Where: Blue Mountain Village, The Blue Mountains, Ontario
10. Norfolk County Fair & Horse Show
If you want a fall fair with enough going on to fill an entire day, the Norfolk County Fair & Horse Show in Simcoe is one of the bigger ones on this list.
The fair has been part of the community for more than 185 years, with agriculture still at the centre of the event. There are competitions, agricultural displays and horse events alongside midway rides, food and entertainment throughout the week.
One of the things that makes Norfolk different from some of the smaller fairs is how long it runs. Rather than taking place over a single weekend, the fair lasts for seven days, including Thanksgiving weekend. That gives you a little more flexibility when deciding when to visit.
There’s also a lot happening beyond the agricultural side of the fair. The schedule includes entertainment and special events throughout the week, so I’d definitely check what’s happening on the day you plan to go rather than simply showing up and expecting every attraction to be running.
Norfolk County is also a part of Ontario I’d leave some extra time to explore. The area is known for agriculture and local food, so you could easily make the fair one stop on a longer fall day or weekend around the region.
If the midway is important to you, I’d check ride ticket and wristband information ahead of time as well. Those details can vary depending on the day, especially during a week-long event.
When: Early October through Thanksgiving weekend
Where: Simcoe, Norfolk County
11. PumpkInferno at Upper Canada Village
For something completely different from the traditional fall fairs on this list, PumpkInferno at Upper Canada Village is an evening event worth adding to your October plans.
The event takes place after dark, when the streets and paths of Upper Canada Village are filled with thousands of handcrafted pumpkins arranged into large illuminated displays. New exhibits are added each year, so even if you’ve visited before, there can be something different to see.
I like that this gives you a completely different way to enjoy fall in Ontario. Instead of spending the day at a farm or fairground, you’re walking through Upper Canada Village at night with the pumpkin displays lighting the way.
The walk takes around an hour, although I wouldn’t plan to rush through it. There are also food options, an interactive area, a sound and light show and a miniature train ride available during the event.
Since PumpkInferno runs on select evenings throughout October, including dates leading right up to October 31st, you have more flexibility than you do with a festival that only happens for one weekend.
Tickets need to be purchased online in advance, and popular nights can sell out. I’d book ahead if you’re planning to visit on a Friday or Saturday, especially later in October.
Upper Canada Village is in Morrisburg, so if you’re travelling from farther away, you could also make this part of a fall weekend in Eastern Ontario rather than driving there only for the evening.
When: Select nights throughout October
Where: Upper Canada Village, Morrisburg, Ontario
12. Harvest Festival at Bronte Creek Provincial Park
For a fall festival that feels a little different from the fairs and pumpkin festivals on this list, head to Bronte Creek Provincial Park for its annual Harvest Festival.
The festival takes place at Spruce Lane Farm, where the focus is on experiencing harvest season as it would have looked more than 100 years ago. Instead of midway rides and carnival games, you’ll find heritage demonstrations and activities connected to Ontario’s farming history.
You can watch apple cider pressing demonstrations, tour the historic farmhouse and take a tractor-drawn wagon ride around the park. There are also pick-your-own pumpkins available by donation, along with seasonal food and refreshments.
I like that this one gives you a reason to spend the rest of the day outside too. Since you’re already inside Bronte Creek Provincial Park, you can combine the festival with a walk or hike rather than making the event your only reason for visiting.
It also works well if you’re looking for something relatively close to Toronto. Bronte Creek sits between Oakville and Burlington, so you don’t need to plan an entire weekend away to enjoy it.
Because many of the activities take place outdoors and some programming can change depending on the weather, I’d check the Ontario Parks event information before leaving.
When: Late September
Where: Bronte Creek Provincial Park, Oakville/Burlington, Ontario
13. Kitchener-Waterloo Oktoberfest
Fall festivals in Ontario aren’t only about pumpkins, farms and agricultural fairs. Kitchener-Waterloo Oktoberfest brings something completely different to the season with several weeks of events celebrating Bavarian culture.
The festival takes place across Kitchener and Waterloo, with live music, dancing, traditional food and events happening at different venues throughout the region. Rather than taking place at one festival ground, there are several ways to experience Oktoberfest depending on the kind of day or evening you’re looking for.
Thanksgiving weekend is one of the biggest weekends of the festival. Downtown Kitchener hosts Willkommen Platz, where you’ll find live entertainment, food vendors and a local vendor market, while KIDtoberfest has free family activities, traditional music and performances for younger visitors.
The Thanksgiving Day Parade is another long-running part of the celebration, travelling from Kitchener toward Waterloo on Thanksgiving Monday. If the parade is something you particularly want to see, I’d arrive early and check the route and road closures before heading out.
There are also Festhallen throughout the region where you can experience more of the traditional Oktoberfest atmosphere, with Bavarian food, music and dancing. Some of these events are ticketed and geared more toward adults, while others are family-friendly, so I’d decide what kind of experience you want before choosing where to go.
Because Oktoberfest runs for several weeks but individual events only happen on certain dates, this is definitely one where I’d check the calendar before making the trip. You don’t want to assume that everything is happening every day simply because the festival is running.
If you’re coming from outside Kitchener-Waterloo, you could also turn Oktoberfest into an overnight fall trip and leave some time to explore the area rather than heading home immediately after the event.
When: Late September through mid-October
Where: Kitchener and Waterloo, Ontario
14. Wellesley Apple Butter & Cheese Festival
If apple fritters, apple butter and local cheese sound like a good way to spend a fall Saturday, the Wellesley Apple Butter & Cheese Festival is worth adding to your list.
Held on the last Saturday in September, the festival takes over the village of Wellesley for the day with food, live entertainment, vendors, farm tours and displays throughout the community. It has been running for more than 50 years and is organized with the help of local volunteers.
The day starts early with a pancake and sausage breakfast, followed by a food and craft market, antique car and tractor displays and live entertainment. There are also free tractor wagons running throughout the festival, which makes it easier to get between the different areas.
Food is obviously a big part of this one. Along with the apple butter and cheese behind the festival’s name, you’ll find apple fritters, caramel apples and plenty of other food vendors throughout the village. I’d arrive hungry rather than treating lunch as an afterthought.
One of the more interesting activities is the modern dairy farm tour. Buses take visitors from the festival to a local farm, giving you another look at the agricultural side of the area rather than spending the entire day around the vendor stalls.
I also like that this is a community festival rather than an event contained inside a single fairground. You’re moving around Wellesley throughout the day, so the village itself becomes part of the experience.
Admission and parking are free, which makes this one of the easier festivals on the list to add to a fall day trip. Since it only happens for one day each year, though, I’d arrive early if there are particular activities you don’t want to miss.
When: Last Saturday in September
Where: Wellesley, Ontario
15. Coldwater Fall Fair
The Coldwater Fall Fair is another traditional Ontario agricultural fair, held in the small village of Coldwater near the end of September.
The fair has been around since 1894 and still has a strong connection to agriculture and rural life. Throughout the weekend, you’ll find livestock shows, agricultural competitions and indoor exhibits alongside a midway, vendors and live entertainment.
There’s quite a bit happening over the three days. Friday includes the parade, sheep shows and a demolition derby, while Saturday brings cattle and poultry shows, horse and pony pulls and truck and tractor pulls. Sunday has more horse shows, goats, rabbits and several activities for kids.
I like that the agricultural side of the fair is still such a big part of the weekend. You can go for the midway and entertainment, but there are also plenty of opportunities to see the livestock competitions, homecraft exhibits and other traditions that have been part of Ontario fall fairs for generations.
Coldwater itself is also worth exploring while you’re there. The fairgrounds are right in the village, so I’d leave some time to walk around rather than visiting only for the fair and heading straight home.
Since many of the competitions and larger events only happen once during the weekend, I’d check the schedule before deciding which day to visit. Friday evening would make sense if the demolition derby is what you want to see, while Saturday has more of the livestock and pull events.
When: Last full weekend of September
Where: Coldwater, Ontario
Fall Festivals vs. Fall Fairs in Ontario
You’ll notice that quite a few of the events on this list are actually called fall fairs rather than festivals.
Ontario has a long history of agricultural fairs, many of which have been taking place in their communities for generations. They were traditionally a place for farmers and local residents to show livestock, produce, baking, preserves, crafts and other agricultural and homecraft skills, and those competitions are still an important part of many fairs today.
The Ontario Association of Agricultural Societies represents agricultural societies across the province, with fairs taking place in communities throughout Southern and Northern Ontario. While every fair is different, many still celebrate agriculture and rural traditions alongside the entertainment that has become part of the modern fair experience.
That’s why events such as Erin, Markham, Coldwater and Beaverton can have livestock shows and agricultural competitions happening at the same time as midway rides, midway games, live entertainment and food vendors.
Fall festivals tend to be a little broader. Some are built around the harvest season, such as apple, pumpkin or cranberry festivals, while others focus on food, cultural events, live music or family activities. Farm-based festivals might include corn mazes, wagon rides, apple picking and pumpkin patches without having the agricultural competitions you’d expect at a traditional fair.
I don’t think one is necessarily better than the other. If you want midway rides, livestock shows and some of the traditions associated with rural Ontario, look at the fall fairs on this list. If you’d rather spend the day wandering through an apple orchard, visiting a makers market or eating your way through a harvest festival, one of the other events may suit you better.
Either way, these annual events are a fun excuse to explore another part of Ontario during the fall season, and many of them also support the local businesses, farmers and community organizations that help put them together.
What to Expect at an Ontario Fall Festival
What you’ll find at an Ontario fall festival really depends on the type of event you choose.
At a traditional fall fair, you can expect a mix of agricultural competitions and entertainment. Livestock shows, horse events and homecraft exhibits might be happening alongside midway rides and games, live bands, food vendors and activities for the whole family.
Farm festivals are usually more focused on classic fall activities. Depending on where you go, you might spend the day walking through a corn maze, taking a wagon ride, visiting farm animals or heading into the fields to pick your own pumpkins. Some farms also have apple orchards, play areas and activities such as face painting during special event weekends.
Food-focused festivals are a completely different experience. You might find local food, baked goods, seasonal treats and products from nearby farms and businesses, while larger events can also have craft beer, vendors and makers markets to browse between activities.
And then there are festivals that don’t fit neatly into any of those categories. Oktoberfest is centred around cultural events, food and live entertainment, while PumpkInferno is an evening event built around illuminated pumpkin displays and seasonal decorations.
That’s why I wouldn’t choose a festival based only on which one is closest. Think about what you actually want to do. A day at an agricultural fair feels very different from an afternoon at a farm or an evening walking through pumpkin displays.
If you’re travelling with kids, look at the activities and age requirements before buying tickets. Some festivals are designed around family fun, while others have only a handful of activities for younger visitors. Checking the schedule beforehand also helps you avoid arriving after the one event your kids were most excited to see has already finished.
Tips for Visiting Fall Festivals in Ontario
A little planning can make a big difference when you’re visiting one of Ontario’s fall festivals, especially during the busiest weekends of the season.
Check the schedule before you go. Many fall fairs run for several days, but that doesn’t mean every event happens every day. Demolition derbies, tractor pulls, livestock shows, live bands and parades are often scheduled for specific times, so have a look before deciding which day to visit.
Buy tickets in advance when you can. Some festivals sell timed or date-specific tickets, and popular weekends can sell out. Buying ahead also means you’re not driving all that way only to discover that the event has reached capacity.
Expect Thanksgiving weekend to be busy. Several of Ontario’s best fall fairs and festivals take place over the holiday weekend, and you’re certainly not the only person looking for something to do. If an event runs for several days, going earlier in the day or choosing a less popular date can make the experience a little easier.
Dress for the weather. Fall in Ontario can mean warm sunshine, cold wind and rain in the same weekend. A lot of these events are outdoors on farms or fairgrounds, so I’d wear layers and shoes that can handle a little mud rather than dressing entirely for the forecast.
Check parking before you leave. Parking arrangements vary considerably between events. Some have large dedicated lots, while others use off-site parking, shuttles or parking around the surrounding community. It’s worth knowing where you’re going before you arrive.
Don’t assume every vendor accepts the same payment methods. Larger festivals may be mostly cashless, while smaller vendors or community events may have different options. I usually check the event information beforehand and bring more than one way to pay.
Give yourself enough time. If you’re going to a larger fair, you could easily spend most of the day there. I’d rather have extra time to wander through the exhibits, grab something to eat and watch an event than rush around trying to fit everything into a couple of hours.
And if you’re travelling farther from home, consider making the festival part of a longer fall trip. Some of these events are close to small towns, hiking trails, apple orchards and some of Ontario’s prettiest fall drives. Combining a festival with one of your Ontario fall getaways or scenic road trips can turn a few hours at an event into an entire weekend away.
FAQ About Fall Festivals in Ontario
When do fall festivals start in Ontario?
Ontario’s fall festival season generally starts in September and continues throughout October. Some agricultural fairs begin in early September, while many harvest festivals and pumpkin events take place later in the month and into October.
Thanksgiving weekend is particularly busy, with several major fairs and festivals happening around the province at the same time.
What are some of the best fall fairs in Ontario?
Ontario has plenty of long-running agricultural fairs, so the best one really depends on what you’re looking for and how far you want to travel.
Erin Fall Fair, Markham Fair, Coldwater Fall Fair, Beaverton Fall Fair and the Norfolk County Fair & Horse Show are some of the fairs included in this guide. You’ll find everything from livestock and agricultural competitions to midway rides, demolition derbies, tractor pulls and live entertainment.
I’d look at the schedule for each fair before choosing one, especially if there’s a particular event you want to see.
What are the best Ontario fall festivals for families?
Pingle’s Harvest Festival and Brooks Farms Fall Fun Festival are two of the more family-focused options on this list, with activities such as corn mazes, wagon rides and farm animals.
Traditional fall fairs can also be a lot of fun for the whole family, particularly if your kids enjoy midway rides, animals and live entertainment. Since activities vary by festival and sometimes by date, check the current program before buying tickets.
Are there fall festivals in Ontario on Thanksgiving weekend?
Yes. Thanksgiving weekend is one of the busiest times for fall festivals and fairs in Ontario.
Events such as the Erin Fall Fair, Woodbridge Fall Fair and Kitchener-Waterloo Oktoberfest have Thanksgiving weekend programming, while Blue Mountain’s Apple Harvest Festival also takes place around the holiday.
Because it’s such a popular weekend, I’d book tickets and accommodation ahead of time if you’re planning to turn the festival into an overnight trip.
Are Ontario fall festivals free?
Some are, but many charge admission.
Admission also works differently depending on the event. A community festival may have free admission while charging for individual activities, whereas a farm festival might sell a ticket that includes several attractions. Midway rides, food, drinks and other extras may also cost more once you’re inside.
Always check the official event website before going so you know what your admission actually includes.
What’s the difference between a fall fair and a harvest festival?
Traditional fall fairs in Ontario usually have strong agricultural roots. You’re more likely to find livestock shows, agricultural competitions, homecraft exhibits, midway rides and events such as tractor pulls or demolition derbies.
A harvest festival is generally more focused on seasonal food and activities. Depending on the event, that could mean apple picking, pumpkin patches, corn mazes, wagon rides, local vendors or celebrating a particular crop.
There can be plenty of overlap between the two, which is why you’ll find both included in this guide.
Final Thoughts on the Best Fall Festivals in Ontario
There are so many things I love about fall in Ontario, and festivals and fairs are another reason to get out and enjoy the season while it lasts.
What I like most is how different they can be. One weekend you could be wandering through a corn maze or picking apples at a farm, and the next you could be watching a demolition derby at a traditional fall fair, trying cranberry treats in Bala or walking through illuminated pumpkin displays after dark.
They’re also a good excuse to explore somewhere new. I’d happily plan a day around a festival and then leave some time to walk around the town, stop somewhere local for lunch or take the longer route home if the fall colours are particularly good.
You don’t have to make every fall weekend a big trip either. Sometimes a few hours at a local fair, something good to eat and a drive through the countryside is more than enough.
There will always be another Ontario fall festival to add to the list, and that’s part of the fun.
