Top 8 Things to Do in the Fall: Toronto Edition

Ruby H.

28 Oct, 2025

Top 8 Things to Do in the Fall: Toronto Edition

Courtesy of Niagara College Toronto

There’s a chill in the air, the leaves are changing colour, and our days are becoming shorter. Although summer’s end feels like a farewell to good times, it’s also a reminder that fa

ll is on its way, carrying promises of its own memories. Just like that, the atmosphere, weather and vibes are new, leaving us with uncertainty in the days to come. In a way, this sense of mystery is good because it brings excitement, curiosity, and reminds us to savour every moment. This season not only brings change and beauty, but countless opportunities and activities, even when the streets of Toronto seem bare at first glance. Below, I have recommended a few things you can do in Toronto this season to make your autumn experience one to remember. 

Casa Loma: Legends of Horror

Every September, Casa Loma transforms into one of Toronto’s most iconic Halloween-themed, immersive experiences. Gather your family or friends to go on a 1-2 hour self-guided walk through the castle’s ancient grounds, tunnels, and designed sets spanning over 2km. The castle is decorated inside and out using themed sets, realistic props, moving animatronics, eerie lighting, sound effects, and jumpscares to truly bring the experience to life. Between 5:00 pm to 6:30 pm, the event is designed for families with younger children, ensuring the experience is not too immersive. The lighter atmosphere and reduced use of mechanicals, lighting and sound effects, makes this version more gentle, focusing on fun instead of fear. On the other hand, the main event runs from 7:00 pm into the night, geared towards mature and adrenaline-seeking individuals. The atmosphere becomes darker and intense as all the effects are intensified. The biggest difference is the inclusion of live actors who jump scare and chase you to heighten your horror experience. If you’re in the mood for chills or even thrills, this spooky event is one that you can’t miss.

Location: 1 Austin Terrace, Toronto, ON M5R 1X8

Time: 5:00 pm +

Duration: 1-2h

Price: $40 + 

Date: September 26, 2025 – November 1, 2025

Fall Colours Boat Tour: Exploring Toronto Islands

Ever wanted to see the natural beauty of Toronto? Now’s your chance to experience it like never before! All the way to sunset, boat tours around the Toronto Islands offer an intimate experience with nature to take a break from the city environment we’re all too used to. Multiple stops are made along the way to maintain a slow pace, giving you the chance to fully appreciate the beauty that often goes unnoticed, especially in fall. For those who like taking photos, some of the best views of Toronto’s skylines are from the islands, and the autumn colours create a truly majestic backdrop. For others curious to learn, the tour highlights the fascinating history and facts about the land along the way. The most popular tours that I recommend are: Fall Colours Boat Tour on the Toronto Islands (information listed below), Toronto: Premium Harbour Cruise with Lunch, Brunch, or Dinner, and Toronto: Harbour and Islands Sightseeing Cruise. Traverse the waters together and see Toronto from a new perspective. Make sure to layer up!

Location: Lakeshore Ave, Toronto, ON M5J 2W2

Time: 12:00pm – 8:00pm

Duration: 1h30

Price: $40-100 (depending on tour)

Date: October 1, 2025 – November 8, 2025

Ghost Tour in the Distillery: Haunted Walks After Dark

As the sun goes and darkness unravels, spooky things happen in the Distillery. The cobbled streets of this historic destination get lantern-lit and spirits roam the alleyways. Led by a costumed guide, this group-tour allows you to hear about the intriguing history of the area and fictional ghost stories, with inclusions of its tragic events along with the area’s darker past. This is a great opportunity to explore the place, deciding whether it’s the fascinating stories that interest you, or simply the corridors and modernized shops. Either way, you’ll be able to scope out the entire area and can spot any stores or cozy food spots you want to come back to. There are also private group tours if you want to be alone with your family, besties, and boos! These tours are the same format, but the timing of them is more flexible: the guide can adjust the pace based on group interest in certain areas, and you can choose if you want to focus more on real history or ghost tales. Ghosts, history and haunted surprises await. Are you brave enough to join the walk?

Location: 55 Mill St, Toronto, ON M5A 3C4

Time: 6:30pm – 8:30pm

Duration: 1h15

Price: $25-35

Date: September 5, 2025 – November 11, 2025

Nights of Lights & Pumpkinville: Pumpkin Fall Festival

Be prepared, because this dazzling two-in-one event is coming back to Toronto. Glowing lights, carved pumpkins and so many activities are all compacted into a night of fun! As you enter, you will be wowed by the display of the 1.5 million LED lights, used to compliment various fall-themed sets that you can walk through and admire at your own pace. Your journey then continues into a place called Pumpkinville. This fair is loaded with rides, carnival games, photo ops, and most importantly, a patch of 15 thousand pumpkins to bring on the fall spirit. Each year, the layout changes, allowing new additions for a unique experience. This year, there is axe throwing, fortune tellers, inflatables, shop vendors and doggy-dates. You can also explore the pumpkin patch, go pumpkin smashing, carving, launching or visit the big glowing pumpkin for cute photos. If you’re up for something more spine-chilling, join The Harvest; a decorated, haunted maze filled with creepy characters, suited for teens and adults. The festival is finally topped off with a variety of delicious food trucks along with fall-exclusive foods and drinks. Tickets are selling out so get them soon! Come for the lights and pumpkins, but stay for the fun. 

Location: Sherway Gardens, 25 The West Mall, Etobicoke, ON., M9C 1B8

Time: Mon – Fri, 5:00pm – 11:00pm | Sat – Sun, 12:00pm – 11:30pm

Duration: 1-7h

Price: $22-$25

Date: September 27, 2025 – November 1, 2025

Kensington Market: Vintage & Fall Fresh

If you’re looking for a more relaxed, self-guided and perhaps mysterious type of day, Kensington Market is the perfect place to be. The market is very well known for its vintage shops, thrift stores, and indie cafes that really capture that fall movie vibe. The cafes particularly stand out not only for their seasonal drinks and food options, but for their unique decoration and cozy interiors. Everything offered here almost feels one-of-a-kind, as a lot of the stuff comes from local shops or DIY vendors, so many things are unlikely to be found anywhere else in the city. The best part about the market is its run by a diverse community that brings together different cultures, creating an incredible variety of products and different shops. No matter the type of person you are, there will be something for you. The streets get filled with something new every day, like the sound of music, the graffiti found within each alleyway, and the smells of sweets and savoury eats, making the overall atmosphere just that much more pleasant. So whether you’re craving warm chocolate croissants, pumpkin spice lattes, funky jewelry or even a weird-shaped candle, it will all be somewhere within this small but vibrant area in Toronto.

Location: 88 Nassau St #66, Toronto, ON M5T 1M5

Time: All day

Duration: 1-6h

Price: Free

Date: Always running

St. Lawrence Market: Experiencing Fall through Food

Fall is a season for different experiences, and enjoying it through the comfort of food can be one of the best ways to embrace it! Found in the heart of Old Toronto, this market combines some of the city’s older historical looks with a taste of modern food selection. With two floors filled with fresh and seasonal produce, it really gives an old market kind of vibe. The options are limitless, with freshly made meals that you can have for breakfast, lunch or even a cozy dinner. On top of this, it’s stocked with anything you need to fill up your shopping carts with authentic flavour, all sourced locally, from breads, cheeses and meats, all made with care by the local vendors. Even if you’re looking for a midday treat, like coffee or a box of chocolates, they can all be found here. No matter what you’re craving, the vibes of being in a historical site or the warmth of hot chocolate in your hands, it’s a great place to be with your friends or family when you’re all bundled up on a chilly autumn day.

Location: Toronto, ON M5E 1C3

Time: Tues – Fri, 9:00am – 7:00pm | Sat, 7:00pm – 5:00pm | Sun, 10:00am – 5:00pm

Duration: 1-3h

Price: Free

Date: Always running, except Mondays

Evergreen Brickworks: A Fall Escape from the City

The leaves are all turning red, orange and yellow and are slowly falling to the ground. The best place to experience this phenomenon up close is at the Evergreen Brickworks. Once an old Brick Factory, now a new space for the community. Being here makes you feel like you’re not even in the city anymore, being so immersed in the scenic trails and ponds full of greenery and fish. You can choose your own path as you go on the multiple, hour-long trials, allowing you to just enjoy the natural air, environment, wildlife and the small changes that often go unnoticed. As you venture further, you will stumble upon some of the best views from above. Here, the park can be seen as a whole, giving you the chance to appreciate the elegant scenery that is amplified in colour. This spot makes the perfect backdrop for fall-themed photo ops. Not only are there natural sites, but at the front, you can also stop by farmers markets, food shops, vendors and installations of art that really bring out the fall vibes for you and your loved ones to enjoy together. It’s a great location to unwind from all the stress in everyday life, with limitless possibilities in paths and places to explore. 

Location: 550 Bayview Ave, Toronto, ON M4W 3X8

Time: 9:00am – 5:00pm

Duration: 1-6h

Price: Free

Date: Always running

Image Cinemas: Budget-Friendly Halloween Movies

Ever crave to watch a fall movie on the big screen, only to be disappointed since it isn’t in theatres anymore? Don’t worry because now you can relive that fall movie magic at Image Cinemas on Carlton Street. This cinema offers replays of some of your favourite thriller movies every fall, from spooky classics to nostalgic and cozy comfort movies. The best part is movies are only $5 per person. The great deals are endless, making for a fun and budget-friendly night of fun with your friends. If you’re interested, they also offer the newest movies for slightly more expensive. A few upcoming films you can catch are The Corpse Bride, The Exorcist, Mean Girls, Wallace & Gromit: The Curse of the Were-Rabbit, Clue, I Saw the Devil, and that’s just a few of many titles playing within the next few months. There is something for everyone, so it’s a great activity if you are tired of the busy days and cold autumn nights, and just need a chill, indoor activity. Films play every day starting today, so don’t miss your favourites; each film only shows for a limited time. What are you waiting for movie lovers? Get tickets now!

Location: 20 Carlton St., Toronto, ON M5B 2H5

Time: Afternoon

Duration: 1-3h

Price: $5+

Date: October 15, 2025 – December 4, 2025

If you’re still looking for more fall fun, here are a few extra ideas, including parks and cafes, that would be worth checking out!

🌲PARKS:

  • High Park | 1873 Bloor St W, Toronto, ON M6R 2Z3
  • Riverdale Park | 425 Carlton St. #381, Toronto, ON M5A 2M3
  • R.C. Harris Water Treatment Plant | 2701 Queen St E, Scarborough, ON M4E 1H4
  • Trillium Park | 955 Lake Shore Blvd W, Toronto, ON M6K 3B9
  • Guild Park & Gardens | 201 Guildwood Pkwy, Scarborough, ON M1E, Canada
  • Centennial Park | 256 Centennial Park Rd, Etobicoke, ON M9C 5N3
  • Edwards Gardens | 755 Lawrence Ave E, North York, ON M3C 1P2
  • Biidaasige Park | 51 Commissioners St, Toronto, ON M5A 1A6
  • Downsview Park | 70 Canuck Ave, North York, ON M3K 2C5
  • Rogue National Urban Park | 7277 14th Ave, Markham, ON L6B 1A8
  • Kew Gardens | 2075 Queen St E, Toronto, ON M4E 2N9
  • G Ross Lord Park | 4801 Dufferin St, North York, ON M3H 5T3
  • Crothers Woods | Crothers Woods Trail, East York, ON M4H 1P6
  • Dundas Peak | 590 Harvest Rd, Dundas, ON L9H 5K7
  • Moore Parks Ravine | 205 Moore Ave, Toronto, ON M4T 2K7
  • Trinity Bellwoods Park | 790 Queen St W, Toronto, ON M6J 1G3
  • Etienne Brulé Park | 10 Catherine St, York, ON M6S

☕️CAFES:

  • NEO Coffee Bar | 770 Bay St. Unit 3, Toronto, ON M5G 0A6
  • Rooster Coffee House | 568 Jarvis St, Toronto, ON M4Y 0C1
  • Cafe23 | 728 Queen St W, Toronto, ON M6J 1E8
  • Le Bleu Coffee | 728 St Clair Ave W, Toronto, ON M6C 1B3
  • Coco’s neighborhood coffee shop | 668 College St, Toronto, ON M6G 1B8
  • Coffee By Joy | 163 Sterling Rd, Toronto, ON M6R 2B7
  • Dark Horse Espresso Bar | 401 Richmond St W Suite 135, Toronto, ON M5V 3A8
  • Sounds Good | 1756 Dundas St W, Toronto, ON M6K 1V6
  • Nabulu Coffee | 6 St Joseph St, Toronto, ON M4Y 1J7
  • Three Dots Cafe Lab | 865 College St, Toronto, ON M6H 1A1
  • Moretti Cafe | 318 Wellington St W, Toronto, ON M5V 3C7
  • Cafe Belem | 546 College St, Toronto, ON M6G 1B1
  • Boxcar Social | 235 Queens Quay W, Toronto, ON M5J 2G8
  • Creek Coffee & Co | 370 Old Kingston Rd, Scarborough, ON M1C 4Z1
  • FILM CAFE | 230 Augusta Ave, Toronto, ON M5T 2L6
  • Rooms | 915 Dupont St, Toronto, ON M6H 1Z1
  • Dual Citizen | 123 Queen St W, Toronto, ON M5H 3M9
  • Edills Coffee House | 1412 Kennedy Rd #1A, Scarborough, ON M1P 2L7
  • The Circles & Squares Bakery | 197 Bartley Dr, East York, ON M4A 1E6
  • Paper Route Cafe | 462 Kingston Rd, Toronto, ON M4L 1V3
  • Tango Palace Coffee Company | 1156 Queen St E, Toronto, ON M4M 1L2

Although a lot has been covered on this list, the possibilities are endless. Find the fall activity that feels right for you. This season is a time for not only for change around us, but to also embrace the change within ourselves, appreciating it all together with your family and friends. Even though sometimes life may get repetitive living in the same place and doing the same things over and over again, there’s always excitement to be found if you look hard enough. Make sure that in every fallen leaf, every crisp breeze and every sniffle, you take a moment to savour it all, because there are some things you can only experience at this time of year. In summary, you don’t need to leave the city to get a taste of fall. So together, let’s enjoy this season of change and appreciate experiencing every moment right where we live. 

Works Cited

2025 Image Cinemas. “Carlton – Imagine Cinemas.” Imagine Cinemas, 5 May 2025, imaginecinemas.com/cinema/carlton/. Accessed 15 Oct. 2025.

Canoe Toronto. “Fall Colours Boat Tour on the Toronto Islands.” GetYourGuide, 2024, www.getyourguide.com/toronto-l177/fall-colours-boat-tour-on-the-toronto-islands-t787874/?ranking_uuid=cfe523f0-6506-45dd-9cc6-4e9d57aa0e38. Accessed 15 Oct. 2025.

Liberty Entertainment Group. “Legends of Horror – Casa Loma.” Casa Loma, 2 Sept. 2025, casaloma.ca/project/legends-of-horror/. Accessed 14 Oct. 2025.

Mcisaac, Meaghan. “Things to Do in Fall in and around Toronto!” Niagaracollegetoronto.ca, Niagara College Toronto, 26 Sept. 2022, www.niagaracollegetoronto.ca/blog/things-to-do-in-fall-in-and-around-toronto. Accessed 19 Oct. 2025.

Nights of Lights. “Nights of Lights.” Halloween Nights of Lights & Pumpkinville | Sept 27-Nov 1, 2025 | CF Sherway Gardens, 2025, nightsoflights.ca/index.html. Accessed 16 Oct. 2025.

The Haunted Walk Team. “Spirits of the Distillery District Ghost Tour.” The Haunted Walk | Ghost Tours & Paranormal Adventures, 28 Apr. 2021, hauntedwalk.com/experience/spirits-of-the-distillery-district-ghost-tour/. Accessed 14 Oct. 2025.