Visit now for hot festivals, cool annual events and neighbourhood happenings across the city.
Autumn is Toronto’s seasonal sweet spot, with buzzy, big-city events dialled down with cozy, sweater-season energy. Toronto’s fall festivals kick off after the Labour Day long weekend and extend into the holiday season.
With arts and cultural events, neighbourhood street parties and food festivals, here are the fall fêtes worth planning a long weekend around.
Toronto International Film Festival
The Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF, September 4–14, 2025) premieres award-worthy films over an 11-day festival.
Showcasing Canadian and international films, this film fest has a passionate following for screening underground gems and future blockbusters alike.
Celebs expected on the red carpet include Keanu Reeves, Seth Rogan, Channing Tatum, Jodie Foster, and Kristen Dunst. Don't miss our Local’s Guide to TIFF and check out our 2025 TIFF Must-See Films & Experiences Guide for insider picks.
Taste of the Kingsway
Taste of the Kingsway (September 5–7, 2025) is a homey neighbourhood street festival held annually in the west end’s South Etobicoke area.
The family-friendly event draws locals and visitors to the western edge of Bloor Street West, offering live music and entertainment, fun contests, vendors, and delicious food.
Tip: easy to access via the subway (hop off at Royal York station), this free festival is worth stacking onto a jaunt in verdant High Park, located just a few subway stops away at High Park station.
Cabbagetown Festival
The Cabbagetown Festival (September 6–7, 2025) is another neighbourhood party that visitors may want to check out.
Located in an eclectic and historic east-end neighbourhood, Cabbagetown is worth a stroll for its Victorian architecture and brunch spots.
The street festival features live music and local vendors selling food, crafts and other items. There is also a children’s zone, making it a great fall activity for the whole family.
Water/Fall Festival
New this year, the Water/Fall Festival (September 27–28 & October 4–5, 2025) welcomes visitors of all ages to explore the Waterfront in a celebration of creativity, culture, and community.
Don’t miss the interactive art installations on and off the water, the harvest-themed food and drink market, live music and dance performances, a sustainable makers’ market, boat tours, and more.
Toronto International Festival of Authors
Toronto International Festival of Authors (October 29–November 2, 2025) is a much-anticipated annual festival chock-a-block with readings, poetry slams, panels, master class workshops and book signings.
This is your opportunity to meet, mingle and listen to your favourite authors IRL. Past festivals have brought literary luminaries like Margaret Atwood, Billy-Ray Belcourt, Richard Ford and Kwame Alexander.
Nuit Blanche Toronto
Nuit Blanche Toronto (October 4–5, 2025) returns for an all-night celebration of contemporary art. Stretching across Toronto, with outdoor and indoor venues on major streets and tucked in hidden corners, Nuit Blanche turns the whole city into a gallery space via immersive and large-scale art exhibits.
2025’s theme, Translating the City, invites visitors to experience Toronto as a living storybook. With over 200 languages spoken in Toronto, the festival becomes a multilingual celebration of how cities “speak” through their people, architecture, soundscapes, and public art.
Toronto After Dark Film Festival
The Toronto After Dark Film Festival (October 15–19, 2025) brings five nights of horror, science fiction, action and cult cinema to the Entertainment District’s Scotiabank Theatre.
This festival, which features established talent and up-and-comers alike, allows niche filmmakers from around the world to showcase their thrilling creations to an audience of avid fans.
Tip: Grab an All-Access Pass that offers attendees priority entry and big discounts on movie tickets. Some films sell out, so this is your guarantee against film FOMO.
Halloween Haunt at Canada’s Wonderland
For one month only, Toronto’s largest theme park, Canada’s Wonderland (select nights, September 26–November 1, 2025), will be transformed into a ghoulish and sinister space with character actors, immersive sets and interactive frights.
Five sprawling Halloween Haunt scare zones have been constructed throughout the park, and visitors will also be able to ride the country’s best roller coasters and thrill rides after dark.
Toronto Oktoberfest (*Postponed for 2025)
Toronto Oktoberfest (returning 2026) transforms the Downsview Airport Lands into a Bavarian-style beer hall. Toronto’s largest and most authentic Oktoberfest celebration, it’s a must for those looking for great food, lively entertainment and even better beer.
Pull on your lederhosen and dust off your dancing shoes so you can hop along to polka music alongside Schuhplattler dancers. In between, indulge in German and European beers and spirits served with hearty bites from Toronto food vendors.
The Royal Agricultural Winter Fair
The Royal Agricultural Winter Fair (November 7–16, 2025) returns to Exhibition Place for the world’s largest indoor agricultural fair and international equestrian competition.
Also known as The Royal, this 10-day celebration of all things pastoral offers unique culinary experiences, including cooking lessons, live entertainment, a family-friendly farm and play zone, and—a local fave—herding and agility demonstrations by the Global Pet Foods SuperDogs.
—This story has been updated with new details since it was first published in September 2023.
