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Our picks for fun stuff to do in Toronto this October
Here is our round-up of fun things to do in Toronto in the third week of October
This list includes art shows, community events, fashion shows, workshops, festivals, farmers markets, and fun activities!
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Activities
September 22nd to October 29th – Halloween Haunt (Canada’s Wonderland)
Canada’s Wonderland Halloween Hunt returns in the fall, transforming the theme park into a scream park filled with Halloween attractions that offer unforgettable thrills and unspeakable horror. There will be eight mazes, terrifying scare zones, hundreds of monsters, thrilling night rides, and fantastic live entertainment, including the return of the Day of the Dead Festival in this immersive experience.
Where: Canada’s Wonderland, Vaughan, ON L6A 1S6
When: September 22nd to Oct 29th, Select Date Hours
Admission: Priced. General Tickets go for $50. Other price packages are available. Grab your tickets here.
September 23rd to October 29th – Camp Spooky (Canada’s Wonderland)
Camp Spooky is back to Canada’s Wonderland this fall with family-friendly daytime Halloween activities and attractions every weekend. This activity-based event features trick-or-treating, a kids’ Halloween costume parade, live shows with The PEANUTS gang, meet n’ greets with Halloween characters, all your favorite rides, and much more!
Camp Spooky is a must-attend event with the kids during the Halloween season.
Where: Canada’s Wonderland, Vaughan, ON L6A 1S6
When: September 23rd to Oct 29th, Saturdays and Sundays
Admission: Priced. General Tickets go for $44. Other price packages are available.
Grab your tickets here.
September 30th to October 31st – PumpkinVilleTO
Lots of pumpkins. More Pumpkins and More Pumpkins!!!
PumpkinVille TO provides a fun-interactive experience during the fall, featuring pumpkin sculptures, a pumpkin patch in the city, a striking nighttime lights display, midway rides, games, and more!
This outdoor pumpkin-themed experience allows attendees to view, interact, and navigate epic pumpkin sculptures, houses, and villages inside a candy forest with over 30,000 real pumpkins.
Where: 500 Progress Ave, Scarborough, M1P 2K2
When: September 30th to Oct 31st,
Thursdays and Fridays, 5:00 pm – 11:00 pm
Saturday and Sunday, 12:00 pm – 11:00 pm
Admission: Priced. General Tickets go for $13. Other price packages are available. Grab your tickets here.
September 30th to October 31st – Martino Manor
One of the city’s scariest attractions is back just in time for Halloween, a 3-story haunted house filled with authentic Victorian and Depression Era decor. Venture through an outdoor maze featuring a well home, mausoleum, morgue, chapel, and solarium. With many live actors, cutting-edge animatronics, and film-quality set design, your courage will be put to the test. Prepare for spine-tingling chills and unforgettable scares.
Where: 7 McIntosh Ave, Etobicoke, ON M8Y 3C8
When: September 30th to October 31st, Select Dates. View event times and schedule here.
Admission: Priced. General Tickets go for $20- $30 at the door.
September 30th to October 31st – Halloween Nights of Lights
Halloween Nights of Lights is back for its fourth year, providing an immersive walk-through Halloween experience featuring more than 2 million LED and RGB lights animated and synchronized to your favorite Halloween tunes. This must-attended event also features real Pumpkin Sculptures, a Pumpkin Patch, Amusement Rides and games, Food Trucks, Dog-friendly Dates, a licensed bar area for drinks, and more!
Come have fun and take lots of Instagrammable photos!
Where: 500 Progress Ave, Scarborough, M1P 2K2
When: September 30th to Oct 31st,
Thursdays to Sundays, 6:30 pm – 11:00 pm
Admission: Priced. General Tickets go for $20. Other price packages are available. Grab your tickets here.
October 3rd, 10th, 17th, 24th and 31st – General Trivia at Snakes & Lattes Annex (Toronto)
Show off your general knowledge at one of Toronto’s best Trivia locations! Join them every Tuesday in October for a fun trivia session. Trivia will cover music, movies & TV, celebrities, sports, food, games, and more.
There will be free popcorn for everyone, and a $50 Gift Card will be awarded to the first-place team!
Where: Snakes & Lattes Annex, 600 Bloor Street West Toronto, ON M6G 1K4
When: October 3rd, 10th, 17th, 24th and 31st, 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Admission: Priced. Tickets go for $14. Grab your tickets here
October 4th, 11th, 18th , and 25th – College Mix & Mingle at Snakes & Lattes College (Toronto)
Snakes & Lattes invites you to their board game mix and mingle! Meet and make new friends in a chill environment with good vibes while enjoying board games and happy hour!
There will be food & drink specials all night. Game admission is $10 per guest.
Where: Snakes & Lattes College, 489 College Street, Toronto, ON M6G 1A5 and
When: October 4th, 11th, 18th , and 25th, 6:00 pm
Admission: Free. Reserve your spot here.
October 20th – A Night at the Museum by Toronto’s First Post Office
Join Toronto’s First Post Office to experience a night at the museum with a presentation on the traditions surrounding the Victorian culture of death in this Halloween-themed event.
Participants will learn how to craft their Victorian mourning wreath to take home and display in plenty of time for Halloween. All materials are included in the ticket price!
Where: Toronto’s First Post Office, 260 Adelaide St E, Toronto, ON M5A 1N1
When: October 20th. View event times and schedule here
Admission: Priced. Tickets go for $12. Grab your tickets here
October 21st, 22nd, 28th, and 29th – HALLOWEEN AT THE VILLAGE
Spooky Spooky. Eerie!
Take part in ghastly fun activities and hair-raising happenings this Halloween with other community members in Toronto.
Help with grisly experiments during the Slimy Science Show, using gooey concoctions to bring a pumpkin to life! Enjoy trick-or-treating among our heritage buildings, then spill your guts to the Village’s doctor while learning about messy medicine.
Where: Black Creek Pioneer Village, 1000 Murray Ross Pkwy, Toronto, ON
When: October 21st, 22nd, 28th, and 29th, 11:00 am – 4:00 pm
Admission: Priced. Tickets range from $18 – $22. Grab your tickets here
Art Shows/Exhibitions
July 15th to October 22nd – Art from the Vault
Art from the vault showcases art in the form of sweeping vistas, historical landmarks, Toronto streetscapes, and captivating portraits.
Attendees will get a rare glimpse of long-held treasures and new acquisitions from our Canadian Documentary Art Collection.
Guided Tours are also available.
Where: 789 Yonge St, Toronto, ON M4W 2G8
When: July 15th to October 22nd, Gallery Hours
Admission: Free.
October 5th to November 4th – Our Hair Holds Memories | Ehiko Odeh
Curated by Joséphine Denis, ‘Our Hair Holds Memories’ illustrates black hairstyles, hair products, and tools while exploring themes of intimacy, vulnerability, and trust from hair braiding and styling.
Odeh‘s work is inspired by the hand-painted advertisements commonly seen outside hair salons across Africa and the Caribbean, designed to showcase the stylist’s capabilities and attract potential clients. Her fluid brushwork and choice of colors evoke the aging and weathering of these wall ads, capturing the passage of time on the facades of hair salons.
This exhibition is in partnership with RBC Emerging Artists.
Where: Black Artist’s Network & Dialog (BAND) Gallery Pop-up, 401 Richmond Street West Toronto, ON, M5V 3A8
When: October 5th to November 4th, Gallery Hours
Admission: Free
October 21st – Art Bus by IC Contemporary
Art lovers and enthusiasts interested in viewing multiple art exhibitions around the City of Toronto can pay $5, which covers their admission to two extensive Toronto galleries, transportation for the day, and a glass of bubbly from the Drake Hotel. This experience will provide a full day of art gallery, museum talks, and tours.
Where: Various Art Exhibitions in Toronto
IT’S BECAUSE OF THE SHIMMER, THE VERGE, AND THE YET at Doris McCarthy Gallery
TWO of the Power Plants exhibitions at Power Plant of Contemporary Art
Traces of Us at Stackt Market
When: October 21st. Interested participants can view the event time and schedule and register here.
Admission: Priced. $5. Participants pay upon arrival to the bus by cash or card.
September 23rd to October 22nd – Traces of Us – Immersive Art Exhibition
Traces of Us is a fusion of multimedia and virtual reality installations that bridge guests to Toronto’s rich and diverse diasporic identities. You can view more information about the artists here.
Where: Stackt Market, 28 Bathurst Street Toronto + The Drake Hotel, 1150 Queen Street West
When: September 23rd to October 22nd,
Admission: Free.
September 23rd to October 21st – Bulles
This exhibition showcases the rich and diverse artistic talents of 11 Toronto artists through artwork presentations (kinetic art, photography, watercolor, textile art, experimental videos, and documentaries) and offbeat, modern, and intimate interviews that offer insights into their artistic work and talents.
Where: 24 Spadina Road – Toronto, ON M5R 2S7
When: September 23rd to October 21st, E
Admission: Free. Reserve a spot here.
October 24th – Art Battle Toronto
Watch talented artists battle it and transform blank canvases into beautiful pieces in 3 rounds in just 20 minutes in this all-ages event. Attendees’ votes determine the event’s winner.
Where: The Great Hall, 1087 Queen St W Toronto, ON M6J 1H3
When: October 24th, 7:30 pm – 11:30 pm
Admission: Priced. Tickets go for $18. Grab your tickets here
Beauty/ Fashion Shows
October 21st – Bayview Village 60 & Fabulous Fashion Show by Bayview Village Shopping Centre
Hosted by the Beckerman Twins, Join the Bayview Village for an incredible fashion extravaganza celebrating 60 years of timeless style at this in-person event. This fun celebration will feature a fashion show, infinity garden photo moment, a goh ballet performance, giveaways, raffle draws, and many fun activities. You can view more information about the event here.
All ticket proceeds go to Ovarian Cancer Canada.
Where: Bayview Village Shopping Centre, 2901 Bayview Avenue Toronto, ON M2K 1E6
When: October 21st, 2:00 pm
Admission: Priced. Tickets go for $30. Grab your tickets here
Educational Shows/Workshops and Wellness Events
October 18th- Toronto Career Fair and Training Expo Canada
Career Fair Canada hosts a career fair for job seekers to meet hiring managers, connect and network, and apply with potential employers and exhibitors. You can view the list of exhibitors here.
Where: Metro Toronto Convention Centre, 255 Front Street West North Building (Room 205 & 206) Toronto, ON M5V 2W6
When: October 18th, 10:00 am – 2:00 pm
Admission: Free. Reserve your spot here.
October 21st and 22nd – Franchise Canada Show Toronto
The Franchise Canada Show Toronto provides attendees with the ultimate destination and opportunity to discover a wide range of franchise opportunities in Ontario. The event features exhibitors representing various industries, from food and beverage to retail and services. Attendees will have the chance to explore countless business models, network, and learn about franchising directly from the business owners.
Where: Toronto Congress Centre, 650 Dixon Road Toronto, ON M9W 1J1
When: October 21st and 22nd, View event times and schedule here
Admission: Free. Reserve your spot here.
Entrepreneurship/Tech Events
October 19th – WomenHack – Toronto
WomenHack allows you to meet and network face-to-face with fellow women in tech, including engineers, managers, and even CTOs, and build your network of trusted industry contacts. Their events are organized in a rapid rotations format (5 minutes each) to keep things fun and engaging.
You can learn more about the event here.
When: October 19th, 6:30 pm – 9:00 pm
Admission: Priced. General Tickets go for $55. Grab your tickets here
October 21st – Google DevFest Toronto 2023 by GDG Cloud Toronto
Devfest 23 brings students, developers, tech companies, industry experts, and tech enthusiasts together under one roof for a fun day of insightful discussions, networking, and learning.
Attendees will get the opportunity to learn about Google’s emerging technologies like Google Cloud Platform, Machine Learning, Artificial Intelligence, and more.
Where: Metro Toronto Convention Centre, 255 Front Street West North Building (Room 205 & 206) Toronto, ON M5V 2W6
When: October 21st, 9:30 am- 4:00 pm
Admission: Priced. Early Bird Tickets go for $33. Regular tickets go for $55. Grab your tickets here
Festivals/Fairs
Sept 22nd to Oct 15th – Ontario Culture Days
The Ontario Culture Days Festival is a multi-week annual celebration of arts, culture, and heritage each fall across the province in various hubs. You can view the select hub locations here.
Where: Various
When: September 22nd to October 15th. View event times and schedule here.
Admission: Free
October 17th to 29th – imagineNATIVE Film + Media Arts Festival
imagineNATIVE Film + Media Arts Festival is the largest presenter of Indigenous screen content, including media and arts worldwide. This event provides an immersive showcase of film, video content, digital & interactive content, and audio works created by Indigenous artists.
Where: Various
When: October 17th to 29th, View events times and schedule here
Admission: Priced. Various Price Packages Available. Grab your tickets here.
October 18th to 29th – Next Stage Theatre Festival
Next Stage Theatre is back for its 16th year. Enjoy six high-level productions in this vibrant and experimental season through October. This festival provides an event for everyone, from electric music to episodic performances.
Come and experience music, movement, fun, and raw emotion from six talented companies poised and ready for their next stage.
Where: Buddies in Bad Times Theatre
When: October 18th to 29th, View event times and schedule here
Admission: Priced. Tickets go for $20 per show. Grab your tickets here.
October 18th to 22nd – Toronto After Dark Film Festival
Toronto After Dark Film Festival to showcase the best and new horror, sci-fi, and action cinema flicks from around the world over five nights in the heart of Toronto’s downtown Entertainment District.
The festival will screen around 40 amazing new films, both features and shorts. Filmmakers will attend lively Q & A’s with the fans following their movie screening.
Where: Scotiabank Theatre, 259 Richmond St West, Toronto
When: October 18th to 22nd, View event times and schedule here
Admission: Priced. Tickets at the door for $14.99
October 20th to 22nd -Toronto Audio Fest
The Toronto Audiofest is an annual gathering of audio enthusiasts, audiophiles, music lovers, manufacturers, and producers who share the same passion for music and outstanding audio sounds.
Attendees can show, meet audio manufacturers and like-minded community members, and shop hundreds of brands and products in a festive, quality environment.
Where: The Westin Toronto Airport, 950 Dixon Road Toronto, ON M9W 5N4
When: October 20th to 22nd, View event times and schedule here
Admission: Priced. Single Day Tickets go for $20. Grab your tickets here
Small Business Markets
October 7th, 8th, 14th and 15th – Good Friends Market
Good Friends Market hosts a market showcasing vendors selling vintage and handmade goods in Toronto.
Where: 100 Ossington Ave, Toronto, ON M6J 2Z4 (2nd Floor)
When:
October 7th, 8th, 14th and 15th, 12:00 pm – 6:00 pm
Admission: Free
Type of Event: Indoor Event
Applications: Apply here
October 14th & 15th -Pop-up Market at the CF Shops at Don Mills by Toronto Artisan Market
Toronto Artisan Market, a community-based nonprofit organization that supports local artists, artisans, and the community in Toronto, hosts a pop-up event for artisans. This event will feature handmade artisan products, original art, artisan baked goods, and more!
Where: CF Shops at Don Mills, 1090 Don Mills Road
When: October 14th and 15th, 12:00 pm – 6:00 pm
Admission: Free
Type of Event: Outdoor Event
Admission: Open. Apply here
October 14th and 15th – Trending Table Market
Trending Table Market hosts a market at their new location in Toronto featuring over 20 vendors. Attendees can come with donations to Sister 2 Sister, a charity organization helping the community at risk of homelessness & hunger. For items to donate, you can take a look here.
Where: 146 Yonge St, Toronto, ON M5C 1X6
When: October 14th and 15th, 11:00 am – 6:00 pm
Admission: Free
Type of Event: Indoor Event
Applications Status: Open. Apply here
October 15th – Market Brews at Aviary Brewpub by The Community Market
The Community Market is back in the Canary District for another edition of Market Brews in the courtyard just outside The Aviary Brewpub and Longslice Brewery. This market features vendors selling their products, a fantastic brunch menu, games, and beers!
Where: 484 A Front St E, Toronto, ON M5A 1H7
When: October 15th, 12:00 pm – 6:00 pm
Admission: Free.
Type of Event: Indoor Event
Application Status: Open. Apply here
October 15th- Artisan Market by Ontario Artisan Market
Ontario Artisan Market hosts a wonderful selection of artisan vendors selling goods and handmade products at Evergreen Brick Works, an internationally renowned showcase of green design. In association with another market, Ontario Vintage Market and site partner. There will be over 70 vendors onsite combined, selling unique products, clothing, food, and more in the beautiful pavilions.
Where: Evergreen Brick Works, 550 Bayview Avenue, Toronto
When: October 15th, 10:00 am – 3:00 pm
Admission: Free
Type of Event: Outdoor Event
Applications Status: Closed. Send an email to ontarioartisanmarket@gmail.com to be waitlisted
October 15th- Vintage Market by Ontario Vintage Market
Ontario Vintage Market hosts a wonderful selection of vendors selling vintage goods, including design, art, antiques, and clothing, at Evergreen Brick Works, an internationally renowned showcase of green design. In association with another market, Ontario Artisan Market and site partner. There will be over 70 vendors onsite combined, selling unique products, clothing, food, and more in the beautiful pavilions. All items sold at the market are vintage from 25 years or older.
Where: Evergreen Brick Works, 550 Bayview Avenue, Toronto
When: October 15th, 10:00 am – 3:00 pm
Admission: Free
Type of Event: Outdoor Event
Applications Status: Open. Send an email to ontariovintagemarket@gmail.com
October 15th- The Bookworm’s Market by The Neighbourhood Market
Get ready to indulge your senses and unleash your inner child in a book fair-style market! This event is a nostalgic and cozy shopping experience featuring vendors specializing in anything relaxing and book-related. From books to home decor, you’ll find everything you need to get cozy with a book, a pen, or a notebook.
Where: 150 Symes Rd, Toronto, ON M6N 0B1
When: October 15th, 12:00 Pm – 5:00 pm
Admission: Free
Type of Event: Outdoors
Applications Status: Open. Apply here
October 21st and 22nd – HER MARKET
HER MARKET hosts a market featuring over 20 women-owned businesses. Attendees can come with donations to Sister 2 Sister, a charity organization helping the community at risk of homelessness & hunger. For items to donate, you can take a look here.
Where: 146 Yonge St, Toronto, ON M5C 1X6
When: October 21st and 22nd, 11:00 am – 6:00 pm
Admission: Free
Type of Event: Indoor Event
Applications Status: Open. Apply here
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