Ths spookiest month of them all is almost here!! Costume or not, we’re ready for you October and so is Toronto. Get ready to enjoy all the things to do in Toronto this month. We’re talking festivals, concerts, conventions, haunts and more!
Toronto is gearing up for a big month and there’s so much to get excited about.
Are you ready? We sure are.
Here are 25 of the best things to do in Toronto this October:
Harvest Festival
Grab those hoodies, sport some leggings, and wear your UGGS because the Harvest Festival will kick off the brisk season starting September 28th.
Night Market Toronto is behind this event, welcoming all to partake in festive autumn fun.
Square One’s P6 Lot will host the 16-day festival, bringing all the joys of the fall season under one roof. There will be a pumpkin patch photo-op and even a haystack for some cute selfies.
When: September 28th to October 13th, 2024
Where: Square One – P6 Parking Lot
Cost: Free
Billie Eilish: Hit Me Hard and Soft: The Tour
The multi-Grammy award winner will take over Scotiabank Arena on the first day of October.
Toronto is starting the month off right!
When: October 1st, 2024 at 7 PM
Where: Scotiabank Arena
Cost: $557+
Sponsored Pick: Legends of Horror
Celebrating its ninth year, Legends of Horror presented by Captain Morgan, returns to Toronto’s celebrated historic castle, Casa Loma. Legends of Horror is a theatrical interpretation of classic horror characters, themes and décor known as promenade theatre — where guests wander at their own pace through an interactive set as the sun sets, and the autumnal moon rises
Guests begin the 2 km outdoor walking trail in the lower gardens of the property and wind their way through to Sir Henry Pellatt’s dank, dimly lit tunnels under the street. Next, the castle’s historic – chamber of horrors – Stables, resides the freaky and fantastical home of Dr. Frankenstein, where his cast of ghoulish characters await.
Tickets are now on sale.
When: Select night starting October 3rd to November 3rd, 2024
Where: Casa Loma – 1 Austin Terrace
Cost: $45+
Elevate Festival
Elevate Festival, Canada’s largest homegrown tech and innovation event, will be in Toronto this October.
The three-day event will have world-class speakers, ecosystem socials, opportunities to grow your business, and a space to find like-minded individuals.
When: October 1st to 3rd, 2024
Where: Meridian Hall and the St. Lawrence Centre for Arts.
Cost: $450+
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 AM
Where: Toronto Reference Library, 789 Yonge St
Cost: $6 per person
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
Picklefest
Explore the over 50 vendors serving up the best of the best in pickled and fermented eats. There will be fully licensed beverage selections too.
When: October 5th from 11 AM to 6 PM & October 6th from 12 PM to 5 PM
Where: Henderson Brewing Co. – 128a Sterling Rd.
Cost: $15+
Sneaker Con Toronto
Get ready for a weekend of sneakers and the latest in streetwear. Shop, sell, browse – whatever you do, check out Sneaker Con this October.
When: October 5th & 6th, 2024
Where: Enercare Centre – 100 Princes’ Boulevard
Cost: $31.74+
Halloween Haunt
Back for its 19th season! Halloween Haunt will have hundreds of monsters, freaky food and drinks, night rides, live shows and 13 haunted attractions.
Venture through seven scare zones and six mazes, including the new Demons of the Deep.
When: Select dates in October
Where: 1 Canada’s Wonderland Drive, Vaughan, ON
Cost: $44.99+
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 PM to 11 PM
Where: King Taps First Canadian Place, 100 King St W
Cost: Free admission
Toronto Maple Leafs season
Though the official Leafs season starts on October 9th, the Toronto team doesn’t play in the city until October 12th. That game will be against the Pittsburgh Penguins.
When: October 12th, 2024
Where: Scotiabank Arena
Cost: TBA
Screemers
It’s time to start practising your most blood-curdling screams! Starting October 11th, Screemers will bring your worst nightmares to life with its “7 haunts of horror”.
All under a huge 15,000 sq ft open tent, the Screemers grounds feature realistic props and stage shows to entertain, along with a fully licensed Vampire Lounge.
When: October 11th to November 1st, 2024
Where: Assembly Park, 80 Interchange Way, Vaughan
Cost: $44.95 plus tax GA; VIP $64.95 plus tax
PumpkinFest Toronto
For four days this October, Downsview Park will host the annual Toronto PumpkinFest, welcoming guests from across the city with delicious eats, fun games and of course, pumpkins!
When: October 11th to 14th from 10 AM to 6 PM
Where: Downsview Park – 35 Carl Hall Road
Cost: $30 pp if purchased online, $35 pp at the door
Toronto Dark Arts Market – Hallowmas Market
This market takes Halloween very seriously!
Over 35+ artisans will bring their witchy and mystical wares together for an unforgettable market.
When: October 12th from 11 AM to 5 PM
Where: Ground Control, 1279 Queen St W
Cost: Free admission
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.
Make a day of strolling around and checking out all the amazing flower vendors. The blooms are absolutely beautiful
When: October 12th from 10 AM to 3 PM
Where: 1001 Queen St W
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
Justin Timberlake
Watch JT do his thing at the Scotiabank Arena for two thrilling nights.
When: October 17th & 18th, 2024 at 7:30 PM
Where: Scotiabank Arena
Cost: $89.70+
North York Diwali Fest
Get ready for two days of celebration and experience the magic of Diwali at Mel Lastman Square.
Expect stunning light displays, delicious Indian and world cuisines, live music and dance performances, too.
When: October 19th & 20th, 2024
Where: Mel Lastman Square Rink – 5100 Yonge St
Cost: Free
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 PM
Where: 1649 Yonge St, Cemetery entrance on Yonge St
Cost: Free
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 AM to 3 PM
Where: Riverdale Farm, 201 Winchester St
Cost: Free/$5 donation to the farm
Toronto Raptors season
Get your red gear ready and cheer on the Toronto Raptors when they kick off the 2024/25 season this October.
When: October 23rd, 2024
Where: Scotiabank Arena
Cost: TBA
In honour of Taylor Swift‘s upcoming Eras Tour, Choir! Choir! Choir! announces six themed shows in honour of the singer – three of which will be in October.
Each night will be a different song!
When: October 28th, 29th & 30th, 2024
Where: Longboat Hall – 103 Dovercourt Rd
Cost: $19.89+
Riverside Halloween Fest
The Riverside Halloween Fest is a family-friendly and dog-friendly event. There will even be a dog costume contest so don’t forget to dress up your furry friend.
When: October 27th from 10 AM to 3 PM
Where: Riverside Common Park, 657 Queen St E
Cost: Free
Pedestrian Sundays
On the last Sunday of every month from May to October, Toronto’s most eccentric neighbourhood hosts a street-wide celebration of community and culture.
The last Pedestrian Sunday at Kensington Market for the year is on October 27th.
Where: Kensington Market
When: October 27th, 2024
Cost: Free
Halloween on Church
The annual event will be back this year in the Church-Wellesely neighbourhood.
Church Street will transform into a pedestrian party zone on Halloween night.
Everyone is welcome to participate in the event!
When: October 31st, 2024
Where: Church Street from Carlton Street to Gloucester Street
Cost: Free
