What’s better than saving a few bucks? Doing so while still having fun! Toronto is gearing up for an amazing October and the city is bustling with fun and exciting festivities that won’t break the bank. Here are 19 free and cheap things to do in and around Toronto in October.
Toronto Biennel of Art
Free art exhibitions are going to be all around the city this October!
Toronto Biennel of Art is “a 10-week period that transforms Toronto and its partner regions with free exhibitions, performances, and learning opportunities.”
Toronto Pearson International Airport, Toronto Sculpture Garden and Union Station are just a few of the sites you can visit.
When: All October
Where: Various locations around Toronto
Cost: Free
Greek International Film Festival
Greek cinema is coming to life in Toronto!
Greek International Film Festival Tour of Canada (GIFFT) is a showcase and celebration of Greek cinema, happening at Imagine Cinemas Carlton this year.
Movies start at 9.99!
When: All October
Where: Imagine Cinemas Carlton Cinema, 20 Carlton St
Cost: 9.99+ per movie
Montgomery’s Inn Farmers’ Market
Every Wednesday in October, farmers and small businesses come together for a farmers’ market selling everything from fresh produce to delicious homemade baked goods.
When: Every Wednesday in October from 2:00 PM – 6:00 PM
Where: 4709 Dundas St W
Cost: Free admission
Lions Farmers Market
Head to Celebration Square every Wednesday for a farmers’ market featuring fresh veggies, baked goods and other tasty treats.
When: Wednesdays in October until the 16th from 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM
Where: Celebration Square, 300 City Centre Dr
Cost: Free admission
Ontario Artisan Market and Ontario Vintage Market
Head to Evergreen Brick Works every Sunday in October to enjoy an artisan/vintage market!
“Connect with local artists and makers, and treat yourself to the beauty of craft. Shop a wide range of vendors offering unique, handmade, locally made and sustainable products,” says Evergreen Brick Works.
When: Sundays in October from 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM
Where: Evergreen Brick Works, 550 Bayview Ave
Cost: Free admission
The Toronto Coin Expo
Know a coin collector? The Toronto Coin Expo is Canada’s “premier coin and banknote collectible show”.
The expo will feature 40+ internationally renowned coin & banknote dealers from Canada, the US and internationally.
When: October 4th & 5th starting at 10:00 AM
Where: Toronto Reference Library, 789 Yonge St
Cost: $6 per person
Fall Ravine Festival
Get hands-on with nature at this family-friendly experience at Toronto Botanical Gardens.
From a site-wide scavenger hunt to an interactive musical performance, there’s something for everyone. While the festivities are free, food bank donations are welcomed!
When: October 5th from 11:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Where: Toronto Botanical Garden, 77 Lawrence Ave E
Cost: Free / food donations
Nuit Blanche Toronto
Nuit Blanche is a free all-night celebration you won’t want to miss out on.
The celebration of contemporary art transforms Toronto’s public spaces into “extraordinary landscapes and animates cultural sites”.
This year’s theme is Bridging Distance and will feature over 80 local pieces around the city.
Check out what to expect here.
When: October 5th from 7:00 PM – 7:00 AM
Where: Various locations around Toronto
Cost: Free
The Huddle NFL
Enjoy an immersive viewing party at King Taps on October 6th!
NFL Canada is hosting the game and not only will the game between the Lions and Cowboys be on, there will be prizes and freebies, too!
Make your reservation here.
When: October 6th from 4:00 PM – 11:00 PM
Where: King Taps First Canadian Place, 100 King St W
Cost: Free admission
The Toronto Halloween Show
Love spooky season?
One of Ontario’s largest consumer shows for “All Things Halloween” is coming to Toronto to bring “exhibitors and visitors together to celebrate their love of this fun and scary season.”
If you buy tickets ahead of time they’re only $9, otherwise it will cost $13 for entry.
When: October 11th – 13th
Where: The Warehouse Venue at Downsview Park, 35 Carl Hall Rd
Cost: $9+ per ticket
Toronto Flower Market
It’s the final flower market of the season!! The beloved market is holding its last of 2024, so be sure to come out and grab some stunning blooms.
If anything, just make a day of strolling around and checking out all the amazing flower vendors.
When: October 12th from 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM
Where: 1001 Queen St W
Cost: Free admission
Toronto Dark Arts Market – Hallowmas Market
This market takes Halloween very seriously!
35+ artisans are bringing their witchy and mystical wares together for an unforgettable market.
When: October 12th from 11:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Where: Ground Control, 1279 Queen St W
Cost: Free admission
Diwali Razzmatazz 2024
This celebration of Diwali will have dazzling performances, music and dancing!
Be a part of the fun, free festivities all happening at Celebration Square in Mississauga.
When: October 12th & 13th
Where: Celebration Square, 300 City Centre Dr
Cost: Free admission
Dussehra Mela
Celebrate Dussehra Mela with the community!
There will be mouthwatering food, henna, live music and a magic show to enjoy. Admissions is free, too!
When: October 13th from 11:00 AM – 10:00 PM
Where: Swagat Banquet Hall, 6991 Millcreek Dr
Cost: Free admission
Fort York After Dark
Time to get spooked! Hear “chilling and eerie tales” on a lantern tour of Fort York and its historic surroundings.
Guests will learn about a haunted lighthouse and the bloody Battle of York! The tours start on the 17th with other select dates until the end of the month.
When: Starting October 17th at 7:30 PM
Where: 100 Garrison Road
Cost: $17.70+ per ticket
Riverdale Farm Holiday Boo Barn
This is a great way to get out of the house with the family!
The Riverdale Farm Boo Barn festivities will include pumpkin carving, crafts, face painting and exploring the spooky “Boo Barn”.
While admission is free, a cash donation of $5 is appreciated, with proceeds going to the farm.
When: Starting October 19th & 20th from 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM
Where: Riverdale Farm, 201 Winchester St
Cost: Free/$5 donation to the farm
Adventures of Salmon
This is a pretty cool way to try something new.
Learn all about the salmon life cycle, migration, and ongoing restoration efforts as this experience allows guests to search for salmon swimming upstream during the fall salmon run.
There are two time slots: 10:00 AM to 11:30 AM and 1:00 PM to 2:30 PM.
The experience is free but you can register ahead of time here.
When: Starting October 19th starting at 10:00 AM
Where: Morningside Park, 390 Morningside Ave
Cost: Free/$5 donation to the farm
ROMWalk of Mount Pleasant Cemetary
Enjoy this free walk put on by the ROM and learn something new about the city!
This walk will be in one of Toronto’s largest cemeteries where the walk will take you through the beautiful, “treed landscape”.
Hear stories of influential people from Toronto’s Victorian-era boom while you stroll.
When: Starting October 20th starting at 2:00 PM
Where: 1649 Yonge St, Cemetery entrance on Yonge St
Cost: Free
Riverside Halloween Fest
Costumes, haunted houses, pumpkin patches and more!
This free Halloween Fest is family-friendly and dog-friendly. There will even be a dog costume contest so don’t forget to dress up your furry friend.
When: October 27th from 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM
Where: Riverside Common Park, 657 Queen St E
Cost: Free
The best things to do are free things to do – enjoy October, Toronto!
Recent Posts:
How to observe the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation in Toronto
Metallica is going on a world tour & Toronto’s the only stop in Canada
