10 Things to Do in Toronto in October

Toronto is a cosmopolitan city famous around the world for the diversity of festivals and cultural events it hosts. But it is also a city that offers great natural wonders nearby, such as the Toronto Islands and Niagara Falls, in addition to the green spaces that are renewed with the colours of autumn.

There are many things to see and do in Toronto in the month of October, when the tourist influx decreases and you can explore the city without the hustle and bustle of the high season. That's why, here you'll find the most interesting things to do in this month and start planning your next trip to Toronto.

The CN Tower, with a height of about 553 metres, is one of the tallest towers in the world, from where you can enjoy a spectacular panoramic view of the city. It is visited by millions of tourists every year, especially during the high season, but as the number of tourists is lower during the month of October, it is an ideal time to take in the views at leisure.

You can visit the tower both during the day and at night, at different times, to enjoy the panoramic view from the observation deck. The tower is often lit up at night to commemorate historical events, charitable causes and events of importance to the city. Without a doubt, climbing the tower is one of the best things to do in Toronto at night.

The building, which is included in almost every Toronto city tour, has a glass-walled elevator from which you can take in the views. The elevator makes several stops on different floors so you can see the city from different angles before reaching the platform.

If you don't suffer from vertigo, you can also go to the glass floor and see the city below you from a height of 342 metres. Finally, you can enjoy a traditional Canadian meal at a bar located 400 metres above sea level, which offers a 360-degree panoramic view of the city.

Interesting facts

• Location: 290 Bremner Blvd, Toronto, ON M5V 3L9, Canada.
• Hours: daily from approximately 9.30 am to 9 pm.
• Entry fee: around €55 per person.

Every year since 2012, Toronto celebrates Oktober Fest, the beer-focused event that takes place in different parts of the world in October. In Toronto, it is a 2-day festival that celebrates not only beer, but also traditional Bavarian food, music and culture.

About 500 beer and food stalls are set up for the event, which includes live performances and music concerts. In addition, attendees are encouraged to wear traditional clothing, which adds to the festive spirit of the celebration.

The city of Toronto has a long tradition of beer and brews some of the best beers in the world, many of which can only be tasted in this country. That's why beer tours in Toronto are highly recommended, as they allow you to sample unique varieties of beer and get to know the city's most traditional breweries.

October is the height of autumn in Toronto, so it's a great time to explore Toronto's green spaces and enjoy the warm colours of the season. Among the most recommended places to enjoy this season are High Park, East Point Park, Evergreen Brick Works, David A. Balfour Park, Crothers Woods and the Toronto Islands.

Many of these parks are included in some of the best city tours in Toronto, but you can also visit them on your own, using public and private transportation or renting a bicycle. As for Toronto's islands, they can only be reached by ferry or cruise ship in Toronto. The islands are a real green oasis in front of the city, where you can practice different sports or just enjoy nature.

October is also a good time to visit the Toronto Botanical Garden, which has about 17 themed gardens and hosts different events and workshops. It's located next to Edwards Gardens, so you can also take the opportunity to explore this park with its seasonal flowers and plants.

October is a good month to visit Niagara Falls as the temperatures are still pleasant and the tourist crowds are much lower than in the summer. In addition, boat tours to see the falls up close are still available in October, as they run from May to November in Toronto. The falls are located in the city of Niagara Falls, about 2 hours from the city.

You can reach the city by bus, private transport or join a guided tour from Toronto, which includes round-trip transportation. There is no cost to visit Niagara Falls, as you can see it from the Niagara Falls waterfront promenade. Of course, it's more interesting to get as close as possible to the falls, and get a glimpse of the full force of this waterfall, considered one of the largest in the world.

One of the best ways to see it is by cruise ship, but you can also see it from platforms at the base of the falls, which you reach through tunnels from the Table Rock Welcome Centre. From there you can also walk along the White Water Walk, a 600-metre path that takes you along the rushing Niagara River.

The city of Niagara Falls also offers other things to enjoy, such as visiting wineries, taking the cable car across the border, practising sports like rappelling down the river or taking in the views from different lookout points, including the 160-metre-high Skylon Tower. There are many reasons to visit Niagara Falls, one of the world's greatest natural spectacles.

PumpkinFest Toronto is an annual event held during the fall season in October at Downsview Park. The festival provides an immersive experience in Halloween culture and pumpkin lore.

PumpkinFest Toronto offers a variety of activities for all ages, including themed games, carriage rides, corn mazes, live performances and delicious food and drink. It also offers specially designed entertainment areas for the little ones, making it one of the best things to do with kids in Toronto.

PumpkinFest is an ideal experience for those who enjoy the festive spirit of autumn and the traditions associated with Halloween. The event not only celebrates the harvest season, but also provides a playful community experience. It is recommended that you visit the festival's official website before you go, or their social media channels, to find out the specific dates and activities that are planned for the event each year.

Interesting facts

• Days: Thanksgiving weekend (first week of October).
• Location: Downsview Park. 35 Carl Hall Road Toronto, Ontario.
• Ticket price: The festival ticket price is approximately €30 per person.

Culture Days is an annual event held across Canada to celebrate the richness and diversity of arts and culture. This event aims to encourage cultural participation and provide communities with an opportunity to showcase their creative and artistic expressions.

During this annual event, the city of Toronto becomes the stage for a variety of free cultural activities, taking place in local galleries and public parks. For the festival, you can enjoy live performances ranging from music and dance to theatre and poetry, participate in interactive workshops led by local artists and explore innovative art exhibitions.

Locations range from small gallery spaces in local neighbourhoods to iconic cultural spaces such as the Royal Ontario Museum, one of Toronto's finest museums. It's definitely a good opportunity to also visit this museum, which showcases famous works of art from around the world.

Accessibility and inclusivity are key aspects of this event, which celebrates creativity and cultural expression in the heart of the city. Ontario Culture Days in Toronto offers you the opportunity to immerse yourself in the cultural richness of the city and participate in a variety of enriching and educational cultural experiences.

On the first Sundays of the month from May to October, the streets of the Kensington Market neighbourhood are closed to vehicles and transformed into a vibrant pedestrian market offering a wide variety of food and drink to enjoy. It's a very popular celebration in the city of Toronto, drawing crowds of locals and visitors alike.

Pedestrian Sundays, as this festival is known in Toronto, features live music shows, performance art, art exhibits and various presentations. Many artists display their art workshops on the streets and exhibit their creative process in public. Without a doubt, it is a great opportunity to get to know the creativity of the neighbourhood and its different artistic manifestations.

Kensington Market is less than 2 km from downtown Toronto and can be reached in about 15 minutes by bus. It is a residential and commercial neighbourhood known for its street murals and colourful shops, and for being one of the best places to go on one of the best food tours in Toronto. Here you can find all kinds of fresh local produce, designer clothes, electronics and much more.

Interesting facts

• Days and hours: the first Sunday of October from 13 hs.
• Admission fee: free.

Thanksgiving is not only an important holiday in the United States, but is also celebrated in Canada in October. To celebrate Thanksgiving, families gather to prepare food for dinner that night, especially turkey with cranberry sauce and for dessert, apple pie or pumpkin.

It's traditional to go to Black Creek Pioneer Village, one of Toronto's best open-air museums, where you'll feel like you've travelled back in time to the 1860s and can immerse yourself in Canada's colonial past. It's definitely the place to celebrate Thanksgiving, where you can do traditional chores such as butter making, cornbread making, candle dipping and apple preserving.

Black Creek Pioneer Village is located just outside of Toronto, about 25 km away, and can be reached by car in about 30 minutes or by bus in about 1 hour. They usually offer programmes of about 90 minutes at various times, which I recommend you check their website to make sure you have up to date information before you go.

Interesting facts

• Days and times: second Monday in October.
• Location: Black Creek Pioneer Village, 1000 Murray Ross Parkway, Toronto.
• Entry fee: from approximately €22 per person.

Fall For Dance North Festival is an annual dance event held in September and October in Toronto. It includes a diverse program of contemporary and modern dance performances, and offers you the opportunity to enjoy the creativity and talent of both local and international dancers and choreographers.

Fall For Dance North Festival generally presents a series of shows and performances at various venues in Toronto, particularly in the city's theatres and performing arts spaces. Performances span a wide range of dance styles, from contemporary ballet to experimental dance, and often include innovative and cutting-edge pieces.

In addition to the main performances, the festival often includes special events, talks and workshops that allow attendees to further immerse themselves in the world of dance. This festival not only provides a platform for emerging and established dance artists, but also seeks to encourage interest in dance and promote diversity in the performing arts world.

ImagineNATIVE is an annual film and media arts festival. During this event, Indigenous filmmakers and artists from around the world come together to share their stories and perspectives through a variety of media, from films and documentaries to digital media installations.

Screenings and exhibitions take place in various venues across Toronto, including cinemas and art spaces, giving you a full experience in contemporary Indigenous creativity. The festival includes a wide range of activities, including film screenings, panel discussions, live performances, art exhibitions and networking events.

ImagineNATIVE has become a vital space for cultural exchange, fostering collaboration between Indigenous filmmakers and artists, as well as dialogue on social and cultural issues affecting Indigenous communities around the world.

Useful information

• Location: Screenings and exhibitions are held at various venues, including TIFF Bell Lightbox, 350 King Street West, Toronto.
• Admission: Some screenings are free.
• Days and times: Days and times vary from year to year, which you can check on the event's official website.