Enjoy Some Fall Fun in Ontario with these Activities!

October is a great time of year – there’s less rain and the weather is often sunny and cool. Be sure to get some outdoor fall family fun before winter sets in with some of these activities to help you get started.

There’s nothing like getting out to enjoy the beautiful October weather in Ontario before winter sets in. There are some wonderful events and things to do to get outside, pick up a nice pumpkin, and celebrate upcoming Thanksgiving and Halloween events! Here are just a few to get you started.

Pumpkins After Dark (Milton)

If you live in Milton, or are close enough to drive, you may want to check out their Drive-Thru Pumpkins After Dark event! It’s a 2.5-kilometer drive through an outdoor art exhibit featuring THOUSANDS of carved pumpkins. Be sure to order your ticket online before you go!

Autumn Fun at a Farm (Google a farm near you!)

Looking for a pumpkin patch where you can pick your own? Not only can you pick your own pumpkins or apples, but many venues also have tractor wagon rides, and space to wander through a corn maze. Some even have petting zoos or animals nearby for young children to enjoy. There’s bound to be one within driving distance, but here’s a non-exhaustive list with a few we found that might be local to you:

• Millers Farm (Ottawa)
• Downey’s Farm (Brampton)
• Saunders Farm (Munster)
• Pingle’s Farm (Hampton)
• The Apple Orchard (Hamilton)
• Great Lakes Farms (Port Stanley)
  
  

Pumpkin Parade (Newmarket)

A quick Google is bound to turn up a fun and family-friendly pumpkin carving event local to you. If you live in the Newmarket area, be sure to check out Pumpkin Parade. It’s free to drop off your pumpkin and to enter your pumpkin in the contest. Not to worry if you simply want to take a stroll along the path to see all of Newmarket’s pumpkins in one place and vote for your favourites.

Acres of Terror (Near Ottawa)

A spooky wagon ride, haunted fun house, a spooky village, and a fog maze to wander! For smaller children, you may want to visit during the weekend daytime events, where the scary is turned way down. This event is put on with the help of students from St. Francis Xavier high school.

PumpkinFest (Toronto)

This event is only on October 9, 10, and 11, so if you’re interested in going to PumpkinFest, don’t miss out! It is taking place on Thanksgiving weekend at Downsview Park in Toronto.

Visit an Ontario Park near you to check out fall leaves!

If you want to check out some beautiful fall foliage and get out for a walk, be sure to check in with the Ontario Parks website to see the foliage map for your best viewing experiences! Be sure to bring the camera.

Check out cranberry harvesting (Muskoka Lakes)

Did you know that 27 acres of marsh produce over 300,000 pounds of cranberries? Neither did we! Don’t take your cranberry sauce for granted; go for the wagon tour and maybe take the cranberry plunge, to see firsthand how it’s all done!

Spooktacular Light Show (Mississauga)

This drive-through light show is the work of the same creators who did the Journey into Enchantment Christmas drive through. If you loved their winter light show, be sure to check out their Halloween special! Tickets must be purchased online in advance.

Whatever you end up doing for fall, be sure to have a fun and educational time!