Top Five Fall Festivals in The GTA Not To Miss This Year

The coziest season of the year is just around the corner, and with it comes several fun and family-friendly autumn festivals you won’t want to miss. 

From pumpkin-picking to musical celebrations, there are countless events happening across the GTA this fall season. So take notes and get ready to round up the family, because the team at Royal LePage Your Community Realty are bringing you the top five fall festivals in the GTA that you can’t miss this season.

Markham Fall Fair

Wikipedia

Known as one of the biggest - and longest-running - county fairs in Canada, this fair is happening from September 28 - October 1, held at Markham Fairgrounds at 10801 McCowan Road in Markham. 

There are several events and attractions to take part in, including:

• Gymnastics demonstration
• “Superdogs” show 
• Comic jugglers
• Dance theatre 
• Live painting 
• “Monster truck” madness 
• Fireworks 
• Aerial circus show
• For the littles ones… there’s even a Paw Patrol meet & greet!

For a full listing of events and daily schedule, check out the events page. 

The details

Hours of operation: Thursday to Saturday 9 am to 10 pm, Sunday 9 am to 6 p

Admission: Adults $25, Children ages 10 & under $10 (children 4 and under are free), seniors 60+ $15, 4-day passes are available for $50 and parking is free

Can’t miss attraction

Don’t miss the “So You Think You Can Cook” in the Agri-Food Tent September 30th at 7 pm and October 1st between 6 pm and 8 pm. For those interested in submitting themselves for the one-stage live competition, details on entry criteria and eligibility can be found on the official website. Please note that the submission deadline for anyone looking to participate is September 25th. 

Woodbridge Fall Fair 

Aerial View of Woodbridge Fall Festival - Photo Courtesy of City of Vaughan 

Held annually over Thanksgiving weekend every year, the Woodbridge Fall Fair, the event will take place this year from October 7 - 9, celebrating its 175th anniversary. 

This fair is a fun event filled with family-friendly activities and attractions, including: 

• Corn mazes 
• Biggest pumpkin competitions 
• Petting zoo 
• Rides & games 
• Fair foods 

The fair is being held at the Woodbridge Fair Grounds, located at 100 Porter Avenue in Woodbridge. You can access the full events schedule here. 

The details

Hours of operation: Saturday & Sunday 11 am to 7 pm, Thanksgiving Monday from 11 am to 6 pm.

Admission: Adults admission is $10, children 

Can’t miss attraction

Held on Saturday October 8th only, don’t miss the Giant Pumpkin Commonwealth Contest. This contest is open to contestants of all ages, showcasing not only giant pumpkins but also large vegetables and stocks. For all the details on this fun event, including entry fees, prize info and contest rules and criteria, check out their official Facebook page. Judging for the event will be overseen by the Great Pumpkin Commonwealth. You can also call 905-265-1782 for more info. 

The Brampton Fair

Flickr

Located on the Brampton Fairgrounds on Heart Lake Road in Caledon, this fair has all the country-feels just a hop and a skip away from the city. 

On from September 14 - 17, you’ll find plenty of food and fun for the whole family. Visitors can expect to find a variety of vendors, livestock competitions, prices and giveaways for competitions like local field crops, a horse show, demolition derby, and of course, rides and games. If you missed out on this one this year, check out the City of Brampton official website for some other great upcoming local events! 

The Details

Hours of operation: Thursday: 5pm - 10pm (Midway: 5pm - 11pm) Friday: 10am - 10pm (Midway: 10am - 11pm) Saturday: 10am - 10pm (Midway: 10am - 11pm) Sunday: 10am - 5pm (Midway: 10am - 5pm)

Admission: TBA, but you can stay in the loop as updates come via their official website

Can’t miss attraction

The much-anticipated Demolition Derby is being held Saturday night, with the Smash Up Derby beginning at 7pm - come early to get your seat to this popular fair event!

The Royal Agricultural Winter Fair 

Wikipedia

The largest indoor fair featuring a combination of agricultural attractions and equestrian competitions in the world, this highly-anticipated fair takes place November 3-12. Celebrating its 100-year anniversary, this fair, based at Exhibition Place, features 

The Details

Hours of operation: 

Admission: General admission for adults (18-64) $30, seniors (65+) $20, youth (4-17) $20, and general admission family passes for 2 adults and 2 youth $70

Can’t miss attraction

There are so many attractions to see at this annual event, it’s hard to choose just one to feature, but it goes without saying that the horse fair is a unique and world-class event where over 1,000 competitors compete for more than $1,000,000 in prize money and the title of Royal Champion. This ten-day event features olympians and other top athletes as the largest assortment of horse breeds in Canada is showcased under one roof. 

The final fall fair on our list for the GTA in 2023 is Ball’s Falls Thanksgiving Festival. 

Ball’s Falls Thanksgiving Festival 

One of the longest running GTA festivals, Ball’s Falls Thanksgiving Festival has been a Niagara tradition since 1974. This year’s festival takes place from Friday, October 6th to Monday October 9th. Rain or shine, this festival promises to deliver plenty of family-friendly fun and food (including several gluten-free, vegetarian and vegan options), with an abundance of unique activities and vendors against the backdrop of this beautiful locale. 

For families with little ones, there will be children’s entertainment throughout the fair, on the main stage and in the heritage village. 

There will be permanent restrooms and portable restrooms on site for use, as well as accessible restroom facilities. 

Festival guests can also enjoy the natural setting with hiking, picnicking, bird watching and more. You can find additional information on the Conservation via this site. 

The Details

Hours of operation: 10 am to 5 pm daily. 

Admission: Tickets can be purchased in advance to avoid long lines at the admission gate. Walk-ins are welcome and tickets can be paid for with credit, debit and cash - through cash is recommended for those looking to make purchases from festival vendors, many of which are typically cash-only. Ticket cost info and online advance-purchase options will be announced via the official website shortly. 

The cost of parking is included with your ticket.

Can’t miss attraction

At the Ball’s Falls Thanksgiving Festival, there are several amazing vendors lined up for the 2023 event, including:

• Several concession stands including Country Boys Mobile Food Services, Fiesta Empanada, Heavenly Dreams Ice Cream
• A beer garden from Bench Brewing Company 
• Farmer’s Market 
• Fashion Jewellery 
• Home decor from vendors like Auric Stone Designs, Bonny Wreaths, and Daryl McMahon Antique Reproductions
• Pet products
• Original Art 

…and so much more!

Making the most of the season

As the fall approaches, there are plenty of ways to plan ahead to make the most of the season. Easily the most colourful season of the year, the temperatures start to dip and the air gets crisper, making for a cozy shift in the atmosphere.  

From autumn festivals to farmer’s markets and everything in between, our blog is your go-to resource for all the local seasonal happenings. 

Check out our guide on the best Toronto spots to take in the fall foliage and our tips for fun and DIY decorating this Halloween! 

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