A list of fall fairs, hikes, pumpkin patches and more!

Sweater weather has officially arrived, which means cozy season is upon us! At Minto Communities, we have an exciting season of project launches to look forward to. Fall is always an exciting season filled with amazing flavours, sights, and smells. From the changing colours of the leaves to harvest festivals, it’s no wonder why everyone loves cozy season so much.

Though we have to say goodbye to summer weather, there are tons of fun fall activities to do in the GTA that’ll get you out and exploring. Find a beautiful hiking trail near you for a picture-perfect moment, take a road trip to a fall fair, or visit a local pick-your-own farm. There is no shortage of fun fall activities to do in the GTA that’ll make fall an exciting season for all! Read below for a list of fun fall activities to do this year in the GTA.

Go apple and pumpkin picking.

Downey’s Strawberry & Apple Farm

With two locations, one in Caledon and one in Breslau, Downey’s is the perfect place to start a family tradition of going apple picking in the fall. At Downey’s, you have the choice of picking a 10 lb or 20 lb bag of apples.

Albion Orchards

Head to Albion Orchards in Caledon on weekends to pick your own pumpkins and apples. While there, you can also shop fresh produce at the country store.

Applewood Farm 

Applewood Farm in Stouffville offers apple picking, wagon rides, a corn maze, a sunflower field, a play area, farm animals, and a chip truck (weekends only). With admission, you get to pick one free pick your own pumpkin or squash.

Chudleigh’s

At Chudleigh’s, you’ll find over 22 varieties of apples and over 47,500 trees across 60 acres in their orchard. After going apple picking, don’t forget to visit the Chudleigh’s Blossom Cafe located in Historic Downtown Milton for signature desserts and beverages.

Watson Farms

At Watson Farms in Bowmanville, you can pick your own apples and pumpkins, as well as other seasonal fruits and veggies. There is also a petting zoo and playground.

Visit their Farmer’s Market for produce, sweet treats, pantry staples, fresh dairy, home goods and more.

Snyder’s Family Farm

Snyder’s Farm offers farm attractions and family fun in Bright, Ontario. Enjoy pumpkins, a corn maze, hayrides, and a bakery. You can also experience a fall campfire with family and friends, complete with a hot dog roasting kit and s’mores roasting kit.

Reesor’s Farm Market

Markham’s Reesor’s Farm Market serves up fall fun with a corn maze pick-your-own pumpkin. Their farm market will have your mouth watering when you smell all the pies and cookies coming out of the oven. At the market you can also get produce, frozen entrees (including gluten free), preserves, frozen meats, cut flowers, and more.

Visit a fall fair or festival.

Oktober Fest

Taking place in Kitchener-Waterloo, Oktoberfest is Canada’s largest Bavarian Festival featuring German beer, traditional eats, music, and dancing. There will be multiple events taking place throughout the festival, such as KIDtober Fest and the Thanksgiving Day Parade.

Pumpkin Mania

Until October 30th, you can head to Rounds Ranch in Elmvale for Pumpkin Mania. Enjoy activities like the petting zoo, corn maze, ziplines, tractor rides, and games on the weekends. You can also pick any size and colour pumpkin for free.

Apple Harvest Weekend

Head to Blue Mountain in Ontario’s largest apple growing region for their Apple Harvest Weekend. This fall festival will feature live music, fall colours, hiking, cider tasting, and AGORA: Path of Light, a path of interactive lighting installations based on the five elements. Apple Harvest Weekend is taking place October 7th - 10th.

Halloween Haunt

Get into the spooky part of fall at Canada’s Wonderland’s Halloween Haunt. Taking place on select nights between September 23rd and October 30th, Halloween Haunt features Halloween attractions like  mazes, live music, street performers, night rides, and live shows.

Toronto After Dark Film Festival

Watch horror films, sci-fi, action, and more at the 16th annual Toronto After Dark Film Festival. This festival will be running at the Scotiabank Theatre in Toronto from October 19th until October 23rd.

Bolton Fall Fair

The 164th Bolton Fall Fair will be taking place at the Albion Bolton Fairgrounds September 23rd to 25th. Enjoy events, competitions, and midway rides at this beloved fall fair.

Markham Fair

The 2022 Markham Fair will be running from September 29th to October 2nd at the Markham Fairgrounds. Enjoy rides, games, concerts, live shows, and exciting prizes.

Pingle’s Harvest Festival

Until Oct 30th, Pingle's Farm Market will be hosting the Pingle’s Harvest Festival. This fall festival comes complete with a corn maze, playland, PYO apples and pumpkins, food stations, and live music.

Milton Fall Fair

Dating back to 1853, the Milton Fall Fair is an exciting event featuring farm animals, freshly spun candy-floss, thrilling games and rides, live bands on Friday and Saturday evenings, a classic car show, commercial exhibits, vendors and more. Take the kids to the Agricultural Education Tent to learn about all things farming.

Nuit Blanche

Toronto’s all-night celebration of contemporary art this fall from October 1st to 2nd. Explore 150 artworks by local, national and international artists in Toronto, Etobicoke, North York, and Scarborough. This year’s Nuit Blanche marks the finale of ArtworxTO: Toronto’s Year of Public Art, which celebrated and highlighted public art in the city.

Admire the fall sights on a scenic hike.

Rouge National Park

Located near the Toronto Zoo, Rouge National Urban Park is Canada’s first national urban park. At Rouge National Park, you’ll find limestone flowerpots, pristine freshwater, lush cliff-edge woodland, serene backcountry campsites, historic lightstations, and one of region’s largest marshes.

Mono Cliffs Provincial Park

Located along the Bruce Trail in Shelburne, Mono Cliffs is a picturesque park offering different trails for a scenic fall hike. Walk through a canyon on the spillway trail or past 30 meter cliffs on the cliff top trail.

Weavers Creek Falls

Discover this majestic waterfall in Owen Sound. Weavers Creek runs through Harrison Park. You can walk along the boardwalk in Harrison Park, past rocky streams, to get to Weavers Creek Falls.

Rock Glen Conservation Area

In Arkona, a small town in southwestern Ontario, is Rock Glen Conservation Area. At Rock Glen Conservation Area, you can explore recreational walking trails through Carolinian Forest and take in views of the scenic Rock Glen Falls waterfall.

Spencer Gorge Conservation Area

Located on the Niagara Escarpment in Dundas, Ontario, Spencer Gorge Conservation Area offers spectacular fall views. It’s definitely worth the visit to see the two beautiful waterfalls, Webster and Tew Falls, and the breathtaking gorge below.

Mount Nemo

Located in Burlington, Mount Nemo is owned and operated by Conservation Halton. Mount Nemo is home to a rich ecosystem and biodiversity. While there, you’re sure to spot rare species of plants, animals, and insects, or even a turkey vulture flying overhead. Explore the cliffs and caves and get face to face with the escarpment on one of the  climbing routes.

Bronte Creek Provincial Park

At Bronte Creek Provincial Park in Oakville, you can enjoy a wide range of activities, from family camping to a children’s farm. Embark on one of the five hiking trails and take in views of the Bronte Creek Ravine.

Evergreen Brickworks

Right by downtown Toronto, Evergreen Brickworks offers around 40 acres of green space and wildlife in the city. Take in the beautiful fall views alongside the Toronto skyline. You can also shop and support local Ontario farmers and producers at the Saturday Farmers Market

East Don Parkland

Explore the lush forested ravine, wetlands, and wildflower meadows at East Don Parkland. The East Don Parkland trail is a 6.9-mile out-and-back trail near Markham alongside the East Don River and German Mills Creek.

Rattlesnake Point

Look out over the escarpment at ancient cedars that are over 800 years old at Rattlesnake Point. Located just outside of Milton, this breathtaking park offers stunning fall views from the Buffalo Crag Lookout Point, and Nassagaweya Canyon Trail connecting two parks, Crawford Lake and Rattlesnake Point.