Fall in Toronto is a beautiful season. The weather is still fairly mild, and the colors of the trees are slowly changing from green to gold. I love this season because you can really enjoy the changing seasons and watch nature transform. After my articles on 22 things to do in Toronto in the summer and 31 things to do in Toronto in the winter, here is finally the article on 18 things to do in Toronto in the fall. Enjoy!
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See the fall colours in Toronto
The first thing you can do is simply enjoy the fall colours in the city. Yes, it’s possible, and I’ve already written an article on where to see fall colours in Toronto without a car. There are several places to explore, and even if you return every year, you’ll see a different landscape. Keep in mind, however, that the colours generally start to change later in the city than outside the city.
Nuit blanche Toronto
The concept of Nuit Blanche was launched in Paris in 2002. The city wanted to allow contemporary art to take over public spaces for an entire night. Inspired by the success of the event in Paris, more than 120 cities around the world now transform their cities into huge art galleries for one night. Toronto is one of them, and you can enjoy Nuit Blanche Toronto on October 4, 2025, from 7 p.m. to 7 a.m.
Halloween at Casa Loma
Every October, Casa Loma transforms itself to give you the chills. Toronto’s famous castle offers an immersive experience to celebrate Halloween. As you stroll along the 2-kilometer trail, you’ll encounter actors who bring the experience to life. The experience looks really cool and will truly immerse you in the Halloween spirit. You can find more information and tickets on their website.
Explore the streets decorated for Halloween
If there’s one thing Canadians do well, it’s celebrate! We put up decorations and let the streets come alive. I recommend exploring certain areas to discover the most beautiful Halloween decorations. Here are a few suggestions to help you on your way: Rosedale, High Park (Pacific Avenue), Cabbagetown, at the corner of Glenlake and Dorval St.
Water Fall fest
The Water Fall Fest is organized by Toronto’s Waterfront BIA. It’s a two-weekend festival with lots of activities by the lake. I went on the first weekend and had a great time. There’s a small market, art, entertainment, and even free concerts. Check it out it’s nice!
Sip a Pumpkin Spice latte
It’s the drink of fall: the famous Pumpkin Spice Latte. Some love it, others hate it, but one thing is certain: it’s the drink you’ll find everywhere. If you don’t know what it is, it’s coffee mixed with several spices such as cinnamon and nutmeg. Stop by one of my favorite cafés in Toronto, grab your drink to go, and explore one of Toronto’s parks or take a walk along the lake. Whether you’re alone or with friends, it’s a fun activity that will allow you to enjoy the beautiful October days.
Take part in the Halloween parade
Every year, Church Street transforms into a terrifying street with hundreds of people in costume. It’s the biggest Halloween parade in Canada, no less. If you want to party with people who love Halloween as much as you do, this is the place to be. Prepare to be scared, but also impressed by the creativity of the costumes. You’ll find all the information you need to take part in the festivities on their website.
Oktoberfest at The Distillery District
Travel to a completely different atmosphere: head to the Distillery District and its version of Oktoberfest. With a Bavarian atmosphere and picnic tables, you can sample various specialties such as mac & cheese with spätzle and bacon, poutine with bratwurst currywurst, or Brunette—a Munich Dunkel beer from the Old Flame brewery. It’s enough to make you feel like you’re in another world without going very far.
The Haunted Office Experience
I found this experience and I’m torn between excitement and fear. Just the idea of it makes my blood run cold. But at the same time, I think the concept is cool. You can visit abandoned offices that have been transformed into a kind of haunted house. Quite simply, haunted offices. They describe themselves as the scariest haunted attraction in Toronto… you be the judge! You can find more information on their website.
Take a haunted tour
Think you’re not afraid of anything? One of the activities to do in Toronto in the fall might put you to the test… I suggest you join a tour of Toronto… but a haunted tour. Yes, you read that right! Of course, you can do it all year round, but it’s even more special in October! You can book a guided haunted tour of Toronto. The one I found offers small groups, which is handy for hearing everything clearly and not missing a single detail! The tour takes place in the city center and will reveal secrets you never knew existed!
Watching the salmon migration
Salmon migration usually takes place between September and November. I mentioned this in my article on things to do in Port Hope, an hour from Toronto. What you may not know is that you don’t have to go that far to see them. Yes, you can see them without a car in Toronto by going to Humber Bay in the west of the city. Another popular spot is near Étienne Brûlé Park. Honestly, it’s quite impressive to see! There’s even an interactive map showing where they’ve been spotted!
A bike ride around the islands
Since 2025, you can (finally) rent city bikes on the islands of Toronto. It’s truly a little slice of paradise just 10 minutes from downtown. Ideal for a short ride from one end to the other to enjoy the beautiful fall colors and sunny autumn days. I feel like I’m repeating myself, but October can really be beautiful in Toronto (like this year, when I’m writing this article on October 3 at 25 degrees!). If you want to know more about everything you can do on the Toronto Islands, I have a complete guide for you.
Go shopping at the market
One of my favorite activities, everywhere to be honest, but also in Toronto: visiting farmers’ markets, and in the fall there’s a really cool atmosphere. You can pick up pumpkins to make delicious soup. Grab a hot chocolate to sip as you stroll between the stalls, stocking up on fresh vegetables. Just talking about it makes me smile. I have a complete list of farmers’ markets in Toronto. Please note that not all markets are open year-round.
Participate in the Toronto International Festival of Authors
Much less well known than the Toronto International Film Festival, it is nonetheless a fascinating literary festival. You can discover new authors, attend lectures, and more. In 2025, the festival will take place from October 29 to November 2 at Victoria University at the University of Toronto. It is one of Toronto’s must-see cultural events. And it’s perfect for the cooler days at this time of year. The program is available on their website.
Toronto After Dark Film Festival
This festival is held every year in the fall. Five evenings of horror, science fiction, and cinema. You can discover films from around the world and scare yourself silly. Don’t worry about bumping into me there—I get the chills just writing about it. But I’m counting on you to let me know what you thought! This year, the festival will take place at the Scotiabank Theatre in downtown Toronto from October 15 to 19, 2025. For more information, visit their website.
The pumpkin parade in Toronto’s parks
I love writing these kinds of articles, and do you know why? Because when I dig a little deeper, I always find things to do in Toronto that I’d never heard of before. Did you know that on November 1, you can drop off your carved pumpkin to be recycled? And if you don’t have a pumpkin, you might say, well, think of it as a pumpkin parade! Take a moment to stroll around and admire the talents of the local residents. To find participating parks, visit the city’s website.
Take a haunted boat tour
You can join a 90-minute boat trip on Lake Ontario, available only in September and October. This is no ordinary boat trip; on this trip, you will discover the secrets of the lake. Learn about the history behind the mysterious Gibraltar Lighthouse on the Toronto Islands, as well as the mysteries surrounding certain shipwrecks hidden at the bottom of the lake… If you dare to go, you can find more information and tickets on their website.
Go see an NBA game
One of the must-do activities in Toronto in the fall: enjoy the NBA season! If you happen to come across this article without following me on social media, you don’t know how much I love this sport. I worked for the Raptors, and it was my first real job that I loved in Canada. But I digress! I have a whole article to help you get ready, choose your tickets, and explore your options for different sports. Enjoy!
Attend a cider workshop
Have you always been curious about cider? I’ve found a workshop that will answer all your questions. George Brown College offers a 4-hour workshop on discovering cider. During the course, you’ll learn about the diversity of this increasingly popular drink. You’ll learn more about the manufacturing process as well as how to taste it. More information is available on their website.
I hope this list of things to do in Toronto in the fall will help you make the most of the season. If you’re looking for other activities, I also have lists of things to do in Toronto in the summer and things to do in Toronto in the winter!
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