October is always an eventful month in our city. Between haunted attractions, fall-themed festivals, and everything in between, it’s safe to say that your weekends will be pretty booked up all month long. We’ve rounded up all of the best things to do in Toronto this October, so let’s dive right in!

Here are the most exciting events and activities worth checking out in and around the city this month.

Halloween Events

Halloween Haunt at Canada’s Wonderland

Spooky season is starting early at Canada’s Wonderland! All month long, the park will transform into a haunted “scream park filled with Halloween attractions that offer unforgettable thrills and unspeakable horror,’ the description says.

Run from zombies, brave the haunted houses, and have yourself a freakishly good time with your favourite skeleton crew. And of course, enjoy some thrilling nighttime rollercoaster rides!

Where: Canada’s Wonderland
When: Until October 30th, 2022 (select nights)

Spooktacular Light Show

An enchanting drive-through light show is has returned to the GTA, just in time for spooky season.

The 2-km route features two million twinkling lights, a pumpkin filled drive thru tunnel, 3D displays, music lights, and much more. And you’ll want to tune into the event’s dedicated radio stations for special tunes to go along with your experience.

Where: Meadowvale GO Station & Richmond Hill GO Station
When: Until October 31st, 2022

Pumpkins After Dark

Canada’s award-winning outdoor Halloween event has returned Milton! “Featuring over 6,000+ hand-carved pumpkins, this one-of-a-kind walk-through experience is the must-see event of the fall season,” the description says.

Wander through the illuminated tunnel as thousands of unique glowing jack-o-lanterns light your path. There are many new pumpkin sculptures and installations this year, as well as live carving demonstrations and delicious treats.

Where: 8560 Tremaine Rd, Milton
When: Until October 30th, 2022

Legends of Horror – Casa Loma

Casa Loma’s Legends of Horror is one of Toronto’s most terrifying haunting experiences of the year and it’s back bigger than ever before with a new zombified installation.

When: Until October 31st, 2022
Where: Casa Loma – 1 Austin Terrace

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Screemers

Screemers is back this October to scare you senseless with all its seven haunted mazes and over 120 gruesome and horrifying characters. It’s sure to give you a spook.

When: October 6th to 31st, 2022
Where: Assembly Park, 80 Interchange Way, Vaughan

Martino Manor Haunted House

Etobicoke’s most beloved haunted attraction is back and they’re ready to scare your socks off. With the scariest props and most terrifying ambiance, Martino Manor puts the M in most spooky experience in west Toronto.

When: Until October 31st, Thursday to Sunday
Where: 7 McIntosh Avenue, Etobicoke

Dark Waters at Ripley’s Aquarium

Forget ghosts and vampires! This year, you can attend a Halloween party at Ripley’s Aquarium with real-life creatures that are even scarier than the ones in your favourite horror movie.

Dark Waters is making a comeback at the aquarium this October for a spooky 19+ party featuring DJs, a cocktail bar, snacks, and of course, underwater predators of all kinds.

When: October 28th, 2022, Doors open at 8 PM
Where: Ripley’s Aquarium of Canada

Halloween Food Truck Festival

It’s a family-friendly Halloween fair and a food festival all in one! Come out for delicious food and drinks, entertainment, crafts, kids’ costume contests, and Halloween treats.

Admission is free but you can make a donation to support Variety the Children’s Charity, which organizes unique programming for individuals with disabilities.

Where: 3701 Danforth Avenue, Scarborough
When: October 29th and 30th, 2022

Black Lagoon Halloween Pop-up

Ready to have a freakishly good time? The Halloween bar of your dreams (or should we say nightmares) is coming to Toronto for an entire month of devilish debauchery.

Running throughout October, Black Lagoon will serve up creepy cocktails in an equally creepy immersive space. Be sure to wear your costume and bring your favourite freaks along for the fun!

Where: 875 Bloor Street West (Upstairs)
When: October 1st — October 31st, 2022

 

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Fall Festivals & Events

Downey’s Farm Pumpkinfest

Pumpkinfest is back at Downey’s Farm, with loads of entertainment, activities, food, and of course, thousands of pumpkins ready for picking. Hit up the 8-acre corn maze scavenger hunt, say hello to the farm animals, and be sure to pick up some fresh goodies to take home.

Where: 13682 Heart Lake Rd, Caledon
When: Until October 31, 2022

Fall n’ Leaves T.O.

Fall n’ Leaves has returned to the heart of downtown for the third year in a row, complete with fall foliage, pumpkins, and hay bales to make you feel tucked away from the busy city.

There’s so much to do and experience at Fall n’ Leaves this season. In addition to picking and painting your own pumpkin, you can warm up by an open fire, lounge on the hay bale sofa, go pumpkin bowling, and indulge in autumn-themed food and drinks.

Where: 621 Richmond Street
When: Until October 16th, 2022

South Simcoe Railway Fall Colour Excursion

What better way to see the changing leaves than through the window of a heritage steam train? The South Simcoe Railway is holding a special scenic train ride in Ontario this October through the majestic Beeton Creek Valley.

Your trip will be accompanied by friendly and educational commentary from the train’s conductor, who will tell you all about this railway and how it helped Canada become the country it is today.

Where: 28 Mill Street West, Tottenham
When: Various dates in October 2022

Toronto Pumpkin Fest

Enjoy a fun-filled fall fair over three separate weekends in October right here in the city.

The family-friendly event includes kiddy midway rides photo ops, games, an inflatable corn maze, food trucks, live entertainment, and of course, a pumpkin patch!

Where: Downsview Park
When: October 8th to 10th, 15th to 16th, and 22nd to 23rd

Woodbridge Fall Fair

This iconic fall fair takes place during Thanksgiving weekend in the GTA. It’s the ultimate spot for wholesome family fun, with fun attractions and activities for people of all ages.

The fair’s giant pumpkin contest will be held in person this year, so prepare to have your mind blown! There are tons of fun competitions you can participate in too.

Where: Woodbridge Fair Grounds, 100 Porter Avenue, Woodbridge
When: October 8th to 10th, 2022

Pingle’s Farm Harvest Festival 

Celebrate fall on the farm with apple picking, wagon rides, a giant corn maze, live music, and delicious treats like pizza, brisket, and fried apples!

October is the season to celebrate all things autumn here in Ontario, and at Pingle’s Farm, you can do it all in one place.

Where: Pingle’s Farm, 1805 Taunton Rd, Hampton
When: Until October 30th, 2022

Arts & Culture Events

Nuit Blanche 2022

Toronto’s favourite midnight art showcase is finally returning this fall. For the first time ever, Nuit Blanche will span across the whole city, from Etobicoke to Scarborough to North York.

Known as Toronto’s biggest celebration of contemporary art, Nuit Blanche is unlike any other event in the city, taking place from sunset on October 1 to sunrise on October 2.

This year’s event will include works by more than 150 local, national and international artists, marking the finale of ArtworxTO: Toronto’s Year of Public Art.

When: Sunset October 1st to Sunrise October 2nd, 2022
Where: See all locations

imagineNATIVE Film + Media Arts Festival

The imagineNATIVE Film + Media Arts Festival is returning to venues around the city this October, showcasing Indigenous-made media from across the country and the world.

This festival is known as the world’s largest Indigenous festival showcasing film, video, audio, and digital + interactive media made by Indigenous screen-content creators.

When: October 18th-23rd, 2022 (in-person)
Where: TIFF Bell Lightbox, Hot Docs Ted Rogers Cinema & Artscape Sandbox

Confluence

A unique new display is coming to the city. The installation, called Confluence, will be located in a “secret” room under the Gardiner Expressway in Toronto and it’s free (or PWYC) to visit.

Brought to us by The Bentway and Exhibition Place, the massive art commission will take over an otherwise inaccessible storage chamber under the busy highway.

Where: Under the Gardiner at Exhibition Place
When: October 1st to 30th, 2022 (Wednesday to Sunday)

Toronto After Dark Film Festival

This festival is back for its 16th edition and in-person screenings this October for five nights of action, horror, and sci-fi movies.

Sit back and enjoy the show as you watch thrilling flicks brought to us by filmmakers from all over the world. It’s the perfect way to get into the spooky spirit!

Where: Scotiabank Theatre Toronto
When: October 19th—October 23rd, 2022

Special Events

The Queen’s Ball: A Bridgerton Experience

Bridgerton fans, your Queen’s Ball invitation is here. Toronto is getting an exclusive ball experience inspired by the hit Netflix series so you can feel like royalty for one magical night.

Get ready to mingle with other royal members, sip on cocktails and take part in an evening of music and dance.

When: Beginning on October 6th, 2022
Where: Cinespace Studios, 8 Unwin Avenue

Astronomy Night at The Riverwood Conservancy

If you’ve ever wanted to take part in an astronomy event, now is your chance. There’s a one-night stargazing event coming to Mississauga this month.

The Royal Astronomical Society of Canada is hosting a one-night event to view stars and the wonders of the universe. You will get to use binoculars and telescopes to observe the moon, the sun, planets, and more.

When: October 4 from 7:30 pm to 9 pm
Where: 4300 Riverwood Park Ln, Mississauga

Food & Drink Events

Chocolate Afternoon Tea at The OMNI King Edward Hotel

Afternoon tea on a crisp autumn day can only be made better by one thing – chocolate, of course! This October, The OMNI King Edward Hotel will offer chocolate afternoon tea as part of the Toronto Chocolate Festival.

The luxury hotel will serve an afternoon tea menu featuring chocolates and chocolate pastries every Saturday and Sunday during the festival, which runs throughout the entire month of October.

Where: 37 King Street East
When: Saturdays & Sundays in October 2022

Kampai Toronto

Canada’s largest sake testing event featuring over 50 breweries from Japan and around the world is coming to Toronto this month after two years.

Guests can expect some of the best sake brewers, restauranteurs, industry specialists, and more to be in attendance. You can even explore a wide selection of sakes that are not the easiest to find.

When: October 1st, 2022
Where: Japanese Canadian Cultural Center (JCCC) – 6 Garamond Court

Poutine Festival

Indulge in over 50 variations of Canada’s favourite comfort food. In addition to all of the poutine creations you can handle, the event will also have roller skating, fire pits for marshmallow roasting, an artisan market, and more.

The best part? Admission is free!

Where: Celebration Square, Mississauga
When: October 28th to 29th, 2022

A Taste of Nigeria

This travelling festival will be stopping in Toronto this month for an action-packed weekend of Nigerian culture, cuisine, and entertainment.

Enjoy traditional Nigerian food, live music, dance performances, fashion, art displays, comedy, artisan products, and so much more.

Where: Royal Event Centre, 30 Gordon MacKay Road
When: October 16th, 2022

Street Eats 2022

Experience an incredible culinary adventure this October at the 6th annual Street Eats, which raises money to help people experiencing poverty.

You’ll get to enjoy street-food inspired dishes featuring flavours from around the world prepared by 20 of Toronto’s finest chefs, as well as live music, prizes, and entertainment.

Where: Heart of Regent Park, 40 Oak Street
When: October 5th, 2022

Attractions & Entertainment

Illumi: A Dazzling World of Lights

Prepare to be amazed, friends. A new immersive light show has arrived in the GTA. The experience is called illumi — A Dazzling World of Lights and it’s said to be the first of its kind in the world. Here’s a first look inside so you know what to expect!

Illumi spans 600,000 square feet in Mississauga, taking visitors on a magical journey through 13 different worlds, each with its own theme and spectacular sights.

Where: 7174 Derrycrest Dr (near Hwy 407 and Hurontario St), Mississauga
When: Until January 8th, 2023

Immersive King Tut: Magic Journey to the Light

Travel back in time and experience Egypt more than 3,000 years ago at this new immersive exhibit in Toronto. Immersive King Tut: Magic Journey to the Light welcomes all to explore the wonders of ancient Egyptian history and to hear the story of King Tut’s passage into the afterlife.

When: Until October 30, 2022
Where: 1 Yonge St – Lighthouse ArtSpace Toronto

Psychedelics: The Experiential Exhibition

You won’t need any mind-altering substances for this psychedelic trip. A 12,000-square-foot experience called Psychedelics: The Experiential Exhibition has arrived in Toronto.

The exhibition dives into society’s complex and often controversial relationship with psychedelics. It will provide a unique “edutainment” experience, combining audio and visual elements into an informative and fascinating display.

Where: Lithuanian House, 1573 Bloor Street West
When: Weekly from Wednesday to Sunday

Mean Girls: The Musical

This is SO Fetch! Tina Fey’s Broadway hit Mean Girls will be hitting the stage in Toronto this month.

According to Mirvish Productions, Mean Girls is a hilarious hit musical from an award-winning creative team. And as they say, “It’s not a regular musical. It’s a cool musical.”

Where: Princess of Wales Theatre, 300 King Street West
When: October 25th – November 27th, 2022

Curiocity Staff

With a curated slate of what matters in your city, Curiocity presents you with the most relevant local food, experiences, news, deals, and adventures. We help you get the most out of your city and focus on the easy-to-miss details so that you’re always in the know.
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