We’re in for one heck of a long weekend, friends. There are so many exciting things to do in Toronto this Thanksgiving weekend, we don’t know where to start.
Between harvest festivals, concerts, Oktoberfest celebrations, and spooky skeleton-themed revelry, we’ve got so much to be thankful for right about now.
There’s no time to waste, friends. Let’s get into these incredible things to do in Toronto this Thanksgiving weekend.
Have a spectacular one!
Toronto Oktoberfest
Toronto’s beloved Bavarian bash is back this weekend!
Get ready to enjoy a truly authentic Oktoberfest experience through food, drinks, music, and dance for two full days.
Back for its 11th anniversary, Oktoberfest kicks off on October 6th and ends on the 7th with a weekend full of authentic German and European beer, non-stop entertainment, authentic Oktoberfest eats, and an undeniably fun experience.
When: October 6th & 7th, 2023
Where: Garrison Common at Fort York
Cost: $20-40+ per adult
Pumpkinfest Toronto
The beloved annual Pumpkinfest is returning to Downsview Park this Friday, just in time for Thanksgiving weekend.
Enjoy a weekend filled with unlimited midway rides, unlimited inflatable fun, a sprawling pumpkin patch, local food trucks, live entertainment, photo ops, and memories with the whole fam.
When: October 6th to 9th, 2023
Where: Downsview Park, 35 Carl Hall Road
Cost: $30 per adult
Sponsored Pick: Screemers
Who needs a haunted house when you can experience a whole haunted village? Toronto’s original haunted attraction, Screemers, is back and this year it has not one, but SEVEN nightmare-worthy walk through mazes. Sip on eerie refreshments at the Vampire Lounge, ride the ferris wheel at the Midway of Horrors, or if you’re feeling brave, journey through one (or all) of Screemer’s 7 Haunts of Horror. Visit the Screemer website for all the spooky deets.
When: October 6th to 31st, select week days & weekends
Where: Assembly Park – 80 Interchange Way, Vaughan
Cost: Weekend passes starting at $45.95 per person
Drake: It’s All A Blur Tour
The one and only 6ix God himself is coming back home for a two-night stint at Scotiabank Arena.
We can only imagine what Drake is cooking up for his city this weekend. It’s going to be one heck of a show!
When: October 6th & 7th, 2023
Where: Scotiabank Arena
Cost: Tickets here
Sponsored Pick: Bingemans Oktoberfest Celebration
Dust off your lederhosen and “Prost” at Oktoberfest! Bingemans Oktoberfest will have everything you need to get into the spirit, from food, beer, games, and a live entertainment lineup featuring headliners like Marianas Trench, David Wilcox, Finger Eleven, The Trews, and Germany’s Dorfrocker. Get your tickets and party like the Bavarians!
When: 7:00 PM to 1:00 AM
Friday & Saturday on Sept 22 & 23, Sept 29 & 30, Oct 6 & 7
Where: 425 Bingemans Centre Drive, Kitchener ON
Cost: Tickets start at $50
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Pumpkinville
Get lost in a sea of 30,000 pumpkins this weekend!
Pumpkinville features thousands of locally grown pumpkins designed into fascinating sculptures and installations by artists.
Not only is it the spot for those perfect fall photo ops, but it’s also an all-in-one destination for fall-themed fun, including food, entertainment, rides, games, and twinkly lights.
When: Thursday to Sunday until October 31st, 2023
Where: Scarborough Town Centre Outdoor Parking Lot (across from Best Buy)
Cost: $19.99 per adult
Sponsored Pick: Shop and save big at Medici Designer Pop-Up Sale
We all can appreciate good-quality clothing and what makes it even better is when it’s on sale! Lucky for you, Medici Designer is hosting a massive pop-up sale of designer brands this weekend and you can save up to 80% off brands like Dior, Moncler, Gucci, Fendi, Prada and more!
When: Thursday, Oct 5th – Sunday, Oct 8th from 10AM-9PM
Where: 421 Bentley Street, Markham ON
Cost: Free Admission
Trinity Bellwoods Marketplace
This free event is a chance to shop local, mingle with the community, and enjoy the great outdoors all at once.
There will be over 50 artisan vendors to browse, as well as free face painting for kids.
It’s the perfect spot to pick up a one-of-a-kind gift for yourself or someone you love.
When: October 7th, 2023
Where: 790 Queen Street West
Cost: FREE
Sponsored Pick: Norfolk County Fair & Horse Show
It’s that time of year again – fall, fairs and a whole lot of fun! Norfolk Country Fair is back, and trust us, this year is going to be 7 days of electric energy. Jam out to A-list artists like The Reklaws, Josh Ross and Alli Walker before exploring 150 vendors all while sipping on cold local bevvys and delicious grub.
When: Tuesday, October 3rd – Monday, October 9th
Where: 172 South Drive, Simcoe ON, N3Y1G6
Cost: Starting at $12
Harvest Festival
The annual Harvest Festival is happening at Square One this weekend.
It’s going to be a magical autumn-themed experience filled with delicious eats, warm sips, rides, games, a marketplace, and a pumpkin patch.
When: Until October 8th, 2023
Where: Parking Lot 6, Square One Shopping Centre, Mississauga
Cost: FREE
Sponsored Pick: Get Tickets for This Is Brampton
Brampton On Stage is opening the stage to local talent for an October filled with must-watch shows and top-tier entertainment. From slam poetry that’ll leave you inspired to a cabaret-style queer extravaganza that’s making history, and don’t even get us started on the non-stop comedy and ’60s jazz revival!
When: click here for October’s event lineup
Where: The Rose Studio – 1 Theatre Lane, Brampton
Go for Thanksgiving dinner
Thanksgiving is a holiday to be enjoyed with good food and good company,
There’s no reason why you shouldn’t turn your turkey day festivities into an evening on the town!
There are so many restaurants serving Thanksgiving dinner in Toronto, from traditional turkey to seafood and decadent buffets.
Pumpkin pie for dessert, of course!
Where: See Toronto restaurants serving Thanksgiving dinner
Skeledance
Embrace the spooky season at this frightfully fun bash, put on by rave duo Squid Lid!
This multi-level extravaganza will treat revellers to “stunning costumes and makeup, spine-tingling musical and visual performances,” all in one massive space.
This year’s event will feature the “enigmatic Squid Lid themselves, apocalyptic beatmasters Dirty Wizards, the fiery Bass Witch coven, and 4-piece phantasm Night Chill, plus an unstoppable psyLush-presented DJ lineup and unforgettable decor in the basement,” the description says.
It’s a party you don’t want to miss.
When: October 7th, 2023, Doors 9 PM
Where: Revival, 783 College Street
Cost: $35-$69 per peson
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Woodbridge Fall Fair
Get excited, friends — the Woodbridge Fall Fair is coming back this Thanksgiving weekend!
This beloved historic fair will have midway rides and games, as well as farm animals to visit, arts and crafts, a main stage for performances, and all kinds of vendors.
There are all kinds of competitions taking place too. The categories include Agriculture, Art, Culinary Arts, Floriculture, Antiques, Elementary School Arts, Photography, and Needle Work/Crafts.
When: October 7th to 9th, 2023
Where: Woodbridge Fair Grounds, 100 Porter Avenue, Woodbridge
Cost: $10 per adult
aluCine Latin Film and Media Arts Festival
This weekend, the aluCine Festival will showcase the best independent Latin American cinema from around the world, right here at the Spadina Theatre.
There will be some incredible films and creative works to see at this three-day festival, and you don’t want to miss it.
When: October 5th to 7th, 2023
Where: Spadina Theatre, 24 Spadina Road
Cost: Tickets here
Queen + Adam Lambert: The Rhapsody Tour
Queen and Adam Lambert? Name a better duo, we’ll wait!
This incredibly talented duo is sure to bring the house down at Scotiabank Arena this Sunday.
It’s not one to miss!
When: October 8th, 2023
Where: History
Cost: Tickets here
