The Best Fall Activities in Toronto & Beyond

Pumpkins, leaves, and festivals galore — there are lots of things to do in fall all around the GGH! And, with all the gorgeous fall foliage, you’ll definitely be in the mood to get outside and explore. So grab a cozy sweater and a hot beverage, and get ready for an autumn adventure!

The best way to get to all the fall activities in Toronto (and beyond) isn’t stuck in traffic on the highway. It’s taking a relaxing GO ride and enjoying GO Wi-Fi Plus on your way! With a $10 Weekend Pass or a Weekday Group Pass, GO makes your travel fun AND affordable. Don’t forget — kids 12 and under always ride free on GO, so bring them along!

No matter your travel plans, always check schedules before you travel. Construction or planned track work may affect train service on your line. Fall activities in Ontario are waiting for you, just down the track! 

Find unique, handcrafted goods created by over 650 Canadian artisans, designers, and makers at the One Of A Kind Show! Browse for gifts for family, friends, or yourself! You can also enjoy presentations on the Main Stage, sign up for free craft classes in the Creative Lounge, watch Fashion Shows, and grab a bite to eat in the Food Hall. If you’re bringing little ones, be sure to take advantage of the FREE childcare in the Family Centre.

Your ticket for the One Of A Kind Winter Show includes admission for every day of the show so you’ll have plenty of opportunities to check out all the vendors and activities!

• When: November 27 - December 6, 2026
• Where: Enercare Centre, Exhibition Place
• Get There With GO: Take the Lakeshore West GO train line to Exhibition GO Station. Then it’s a 7-minute walk down Nova Scotia Ave to Princes’ Blvd. The Enercare Centre is located at 100 Princes’ Blvd.

What happens every year on a Sunday in late November in Toronto? Santa Claus comes to town! Kick off the holiday season at The Original Santa Claus Parade. Nothing sparks excitement like seeing the big guy himself, riding his sleigh through the streets of downtown Toronto. The floats, the music, and the merriment of a parade are fun for people of all ages and backgrounds. So bundle up and bring the whole family to watch the 122nd Santa Claus Parade in Toronto!

• When: November 22, 2026
• Where: Downtown Toronto
• Event Cost: FREE!
• Get There With GO: Travel by GO Transit to Union Station and then walk or use TTC to get to your preferred parade viewing location! Check out the parade route before you GO.

Telling Tales

Telling Tales is a children’s book and reading festival held annually at Royal Botanical Gardens in Burlington. Featuring Canada's finest children’s authors & illustrators, along with local artists, performers, and more. Information on presenters, presentations, books and full schedule is available here.

• When: Saturday October 3rd & Sunday October 4th from 9:30AM to 5PM
• Where: Hendrie Park, 680 Plains Rd W, Burlington
• Event Cost: FREE
• Get There With GO: Take the Lakeshore West line to Burlington GO Station and connect to Burlington Transit.

On October 3, the city will come to life at night with the return of Nuit Blanche, Toronto’s all-night exhibition of contemporary art. This year's theme is "tomorrow's memories", invites guests to revisit captivating artworks from the past two decades while exploring new works about memory and nostalgia.

• When: the night of Saturday, October 3, 2026
• Cost: FREE!  
• Get There With GO: Nuit Blanch will have Art Installations at various locations across Toronto. Please check the Nuit Blanche Website for up-to-date installation locations, so you don’t miss out. Plan Your trip today!

Looking for some laughs? You’re in luck! Just For Laughs Toronto will have you rolling in your seat at the shows happening September 24 - October 3. Grab your tickets to see all your favourite comedians. Hilarious headliners include Pete Davidson, Peter Antoniou and more!

• When: September 24 - October 3
• Where: Various downtown Toronto venues
• Get There With GO: Travel by GO bus or train to Union Station and then walk or take TTC to the venue.

Are you starting to plan some DIY projects around the house to keep you busy during the colder months? Head to the Fall Home Show to get some input from the experts! You can try out some power tools in the DIY Centre and bring your sketches or floor plans for a design consultation. Before you go, be sure to shop the vendor booths and paint a pumpkin to add to your autumn home decor!

• When: October 2-4, 2026
• Where: Enercare Centre, Exhibition Place
• PRESTO Perks - Save $3 on regular-priced general admission when you buy tickets online using code PRESTO.
• Get There With GO: Take the Lakeshore West line to Exhibition GO Station, and then it’s a 7 minute walk down Nova Scotia Ave to Princes’ Blvd. The Enercare Centre is located at 100 Princes’ Blvd.

Experience the diverse arts and culture scene hosted across the city of Hamilton! The annual festival organized by the Art Gallery of Hamilton is a multi-arts celebration filled with concerts, art-making workshops, film screenings, gallery tours, and panel discussions.

• When: November 4-8, 2026

• Where: AGH Festival events and activities take place at the following venues. Be sure to check the location for the event you want to attend.
• Art Gallery of Hamilton, 123 King St W
• The Music Hall, 24 Main St W
• The Westdale Theatre, 1014 King St W
• Hamilton Craft Studios, 121 Princess St, 2nd & 3rd floors
• Centre[3], 173 James St N
• ACCA Banquet Hall, 754 Barton St E
• Get There With GO: Take the Lakeshore West line to Hamilton GO Centre. It’s a 9 min walk to the Art Gallery of Hamilton, a 5 min walk to The Music Hall, and a 14 min walk to Centre[3]. For the other venues, connect to the HSR.

When you’re planning your family-friendly fall activities in Ontario, you won’t want to miss The Great Pumpkin Trail! For a magical evening, head to Royal Botanical Gardens and follow the candlelit glow of hundreds of jack-o-lanterns throughout the Hendrie Valley. Enjoy live entertainment, pumpkin-themed activities and fall-inspired treats.

Pre-purchased tickets are required.

• When: October 15 - 18 and 23 – 25, 2026
• Where: Hendrie Park, 680 Plains Rd W, Burlington
• Get There With GO: Take the Lakeshore West line to Burlington GO Station and connect to Burlington Transit.

Celebrate 101 years of the largest indoor agriculture and equestrian event in the world! At The Royal Agricultural Winter Fair you will find food competitions for cheese, hot sauce, butter tarts and more. There are livestock competitions for cows, goats, sheep, rabbits, alpacas, and poultry. Kids will love the up-close encounters with farm animals and the hands-on activities in the Farm & Play Zone.

The Royal Horse Show is the highlight of the Fair! Over 1,000 athletes and their amazing horses will be competing for over $1,000,000 in prize money. Who will be crowned Royal Champion? You can be there to find out!

• When: November 6-15, 2026
• Where: Exhibition Place

• Get There With GO: Take the Lakeshore West line to Exhibition GO Station and you’re there!

The local farmers’ markets are brimming with the bountiful fall harvest! Make your dinner extra delicious with some fresh-from-the-farm meats, cheeses, and produce. Be sure to grab some homemade baked goods for a special dessert or Sunday brunch. If you’re feeling ambitious, Toronto farmers’ markets are the perfect place to get larger quantities of high-quality fruits and vegetables to use for winter canning. Finally, walking around the Toronto farmers’ markets is just a fun way to spend a Saturday or Sunday in fall - and GO Weekend Passes make it easy to get there. Here a few of the best farmers’ markets in Toronto and beyond:

Barrie Farmers Market

The Barrie Farmers Market has been running since 1846! If you’re visiting Barrie for a day trip on a Saturday this fall, be sure to stop by and pick up some locally grown fruits and vegetables or a homemade baked treat.

• When: Every Saturday, 9 am to 1 pm
• Where: Outside City Hall, 70 Collier St., Barrie
• Cost: Free to enter
• Get There With GO: Take the Barrie line to Allandale Waterfront GO Station and then take a 15 minute stroll along the waterfront.

St. Lawrence Market 

When you think about the quintessential Toronto farmers’ market, there’s only place that comes to mind - St. Lawrence Market. Here you’ll find 120 vendors, merchants, and artisans located in a beautiful, historic building. St. Lawrence Market is open 6 days/week, but we recommend going on Saturday morning for the best selection of farm fresh goods!

• When: Year round 
  • North/Farmers’ Market: Saturday 5 a.m. - 3 p.m.
  • South Market: Tuesday - Friday 9 a.m. - 7 p.m., Saturday 7 a.m. - 5 p.m., Sunday 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.
• Where: 92 - 95 Front St. East, Toronto
• Cost: Free to enter 
• Get There With GO: Travel by GO train or bus to Union Station. Exit the station and walk east along Front St. for approximately 10 minutes.

Hamilton Farmers’ Market

Want to take a day trip to Hamilton AND visit a fantastic farmers’ market? You can do both! The Hamilton Farmers’ Market is just a short walk from West Harbour GO Station, making it easy to pick up fresh fruits and veggies while enjoying a day out this autumn.

• When: Year round Wednesday, Thursday, Friday & Saturday 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.
• Where: 35 York Boulevard, Hamilton
• Cost: Free to enter 
• Get There With GO: Take the Lakeshore West line to West Harbour GO. Walk south on James St. to York Blvd and turn right. It’s about a 15 minute walk from the station. 

Newmarket Farmers’ Market

Head up to Newmarket and visit this quaint farmers’ market that’s filled with fabulous local vendors. When you travel by GO Transit, you’ll get to combine your farmers’ market outing with a short fall hike along a beautiful trail that will lead you to the Newmarket Farmers’ Market.

• When: May - October Saturday 8 a.m. - 1 p.m.
• Where: The Riverwalk Commons - Doug Duncan Drive, Newmarket
• Cost: Free to enter 
• Get There With GO: Take the Barrie line to Newmarket GO Station. Enjoy a beautiful and relaxing 15 minute autumn stroll along the Nokiidaa bike trail/Tom Taylor trail. At the end of the trail, turn right onto Timothy St. and then left onto Doug Duncan Drive.

Downsview Park Merchants Market

The Downsview Park Merchants Market promises a great deal on fresh Ontario fruits and vegetables at their north Toronto farmers’ market. The international food court is a great place to grab something to eat while you’re there, too. Offering Jamaican, Chinese, Colombian, Peruvian, Indian, Afghani, and more - you’re sure to enjoy a tasty lunch before you go home to cook dinner with your farm fresh produce!

• When: Year round Saturday & Sunday 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.
• Where: 40 Carl Hall Road, Downsview Park, Toronto
• Cost: Free to enter 
• Get There With GO: Take the Barrie line to Downsview Park GO Station and then it’s just a 5 minute walk via Vitti St. 

Best Biking Trails for Fall

Another great way to enjoy the fresh fall air is to go for a bike ride! If you didn’t know that you could bring your bike on GO Transit, we’ve got good news for you and your fall activity plans. Bikes are allowed on GO trains except during weekday rush hour service in the peak direction, and all GO buses can carry up to two bicycles in dedicated bike racks. Best of all, some of the most picturesque bike paths in Ontario are easily accessible by GO Transit!

Best Hiking Trails in the Fall

That clear, crisp air and the satisfying sound of leaves crunching beneath your feet — is there any better season for hiking than autumn? It’s a great fall activity with family, friends, or on your own! And, while you might not live close enough to any trails to walk there, you don’t need a car to head out for a hike. GO Transit can take you to some beautiful spots for experiencing the fall foliage in all its glory.

Fall Into Savings this Season

Explore all the affordable GO travel options so you can leaf lots of room in your budget for fun fall activities around Ontario!

PRESTO Perks

Your PRESTO card offers savings beyond fare discounts! You can also use it to take advantage of discounted tickets to popular events and attractions, as well as savings at dining locations and more!

$10 Weekend Passes

Go anywhere in the GO network on a Saturday, Sunday, or holiday for just $10! A Weekend Pass gives you unlimited travel between two GO stations all day long. Choose your destination for fall fun and GO!

Weekday Group Pass

A day off during the week is the perfect opportunity to explore the outdoors and enjoy the fall scenery. Bring your friends and use a Weekday Group Pass so you can all travel together for one low fare!

Youth & Post-Secondary Student Discount

If you’re aged 13-19 or a full-time post-secondary student of any age, don’t pay more for your GO fare this fall! Set your PRESTO card to the Youth or Post-Secondary Student fare to save 40% off the regular adult fare.

Kids GO Free

With school back in session, kids will be itching to get some energy out on the weekends! Keep them busy with all the fun fall activities in Toronto and beyond. The GO ride there is half the fun, and kids 12 and under always ride for free!

Fall Activities are Easy with GO!

With so many fun and exciting things to do in the fall — and a convenient and affordable way to get there — there’s no way you’ll be bored this season. Now GO find your perfect fall adventure!