By Natalie Friday, September 20, 2024

The fall season is perfect for exploring farms, harvest festivals, and a plethora of autumn activities. Planning a family outing or a cozy weekend getaway? here’s your guide to the best fall farms, harvest festivals, and autumn activities in Ontario. Whether you’re looking to pick the perfect pumpkin, wander through a corn maze, or sample local harvest delicacies, Ontario offers endless opportunities to soak up the season’s magic.

Fall Farms, Pumpkin Patches and Apple Orchards

Nothing says fall quite like a visit to a pumpkin patch or apple orchard. Ontario is home to some of the best spots for picking your own seasonal produce paired with loads of fun farm activities!

• Downey’s Farm Market (Caledon): A family favorite, Downey’s offers a wide variety of pumpkins and squash, along with an incredible corn maze. Don’t miss their Pumpkinfest where you can enjoy wagon rides, farm animals, and a variety of delicious treats.
• Chudleigh’s Entertainment Farm (Milton): Famous for its apple picking, Chudleigh’s also offers a pumpkin patch and a variety of fun activities for kids, including tractor rides and a petting zoo.
• Springridge Farm (Milton): With its Fall Festival, Springridge Farm offers a wide variety of family activities includingwagon rides, farm animals, and a giant corn trail. It’s the ideal spot for families looking for a full day of autumn fun.
• Brooks Farms (Mount Albert): Known for its Fall Fun Festival , Brooks Farms offers a full day of activities, including pumpkin picking, a corn maze, farm animals, and even a zip line. With weekend entertainment and delicious fall foods, it’s a popular spot for families.
• Applewood Farm Winery (Stouffville): Perfect for apple and pumpkin picking, Applewood Farm Winery also offers wagon rides and a play area for kids. Adults can sample the farm’s fruit wines and ciders, making it a fun destination for visitors of all ages.

Harvest Festivals

Fall is the season of abundance, and Ontario’s harvest festivals are a celebration of the region’s rich agricultural heritage. These festivals are the perfect opportunity to sample local food, enjoy live music, and immerse yourself in the festive fall spirit.

• Norfolk County Fair & Horse Show (Simcoe): As one of Ontario’s oldest agricultural fairs, the Norfolk County Fair offers a wide range of activities, including horse shows, concerts, a midway, and plenty of food vendors serving up harvest-inspired dishes.
• Bala Cranberry Festival (Bala): This festival is a celebration of the cranberry harvest. You can tour the cranberry marshes, shop for unique cranberry products, and enjoy live entertainment. It’s a fantastic way to enjoy the beautiful Muskoka region in the fall.
• Erin Fall Fair (Erin): With agricultural displays, a midway, a demolition derby, and lots of delicious local food, the Erin Fall Fair is a quintessential fall event. It’s perfect for families and anyone looking to experience a classic country fair.

Corn Mazes and Haunted Farms

For those looking for a bit of adventure this fall, Ontario’s corn mazes and haunted farms provide the perfect mix of fun and fright.

• Saunders Farm (Ottawa): Famous for its Haunting Season, Saunders Farm offers a variety of spooky experiences, from haunted hayrides to frightening mazes. By day, it’s a family-friendly destination with a pumpkin patch and a variety of mazes for all ages.
• Fear Farm (Kitchener-Waterloo): For those seeking a true scare, Fear Farm offers haunted hayrides, terrifying mazes, and a haunted house. For families, there are also daytime activities that are less intense but equally fun.
• Kustermans Adventure Farm (Mount Brydges): With its giant corn maze, pumpkin patch, and a variety of farm activities, Kustermans Adventure Farm is a family favorite.

Fall Train Rides

Fall is the perfect time to hop aboard a scenic train ride to witness Ontario’s stunning fall foliage. These train rides offer a unique way to experience the season’s colors while learning about the region’s history.

• Agawa Canyon Tour Train (Sault Ste. Marie): One of the most popular fall train tours in Ontario, this full-day adventure takes you through the rugged Canadian Shield and vibrant fall foliage of the Agawa Canyon. It’s a photographer’s dream!
• South Simcoe Railway (Tottenham): This scenic route winds through the picturesque Beeton Creek Valley. The vintage steam train ride takes passengers back to the golden age of rail travel, and during the fall weekends, they offers the Fall Colour Excursions, making it an easy and accessible way to experience the beauty of the season
• Waterfront Trail Train (Port Stanley Terminal Rail): This is a unique opportunity to ride along the north shore of Lake Erie, with spectacular views of the fall foliage along the Waterfront Trail. Enjoy fall-themed rides, including the popular Pumpkin Patch Express for families, which includes a stop at a pumpkin patch.
• Heritage Train Tours (Waterloo Central Railway): This railway offers seasonal fall train tours that provide a stunning view of the countryside blanketed in vibrant fall colors. The railway’s fall excursions include the Harvest Celebration Train, where passengers can enjoy the scenic beauty of the region and even make a stop at the famous St. Jacobs Farmers’ Market, for seasonal goodies. It’s a perfect way to combine a relaxing train ride with a visit to one of Ontario’s most popular markets.

Farmers’ Markets and Harvest Feasts

Fall is the season of harvest, making it the ideal time to visit Ontario’s farmers’ markets. Here, you can sample and purchase fresh, local produce, artisanal products, and fall-themed treats.

• St. Jacobs Farmers’ Market (Waterloo Region): The largest year-round farmers’ market in Canada, St. Jacobs offers an array of seasonal produce, baked goods, and crafts. During the fall, you’ll find an abundance of pumpkins, squash, apples, and more.
• Merrickville’s Autumn Harvest Festival (Merrickville): This charming village hosts an annual harvest festival featuring local artisans, farmers, and food vendors. It’s a great spot to pick up fall decor, seasonal treats, and unique crafts.
• Evergreen Brick Works Farmers Market (Toronto): Located in the heart of Toronto, Evergreen Brick Works hosts a weekly farmers’ market on Saturdays featuring local produce, baked goods, and handmade products. In the fall, the market is filled with seasonal offerings, making it a great spot for city dwellers to enjoy the harvest season.
• Muskoka Farmers’ Market (Bracebridge): Set against the backdrop of Muskoka’s stunning autumn scenery, this market is a fall favorite. Stock up on locally grown fruits, vegetables, baked goods, and handcrafted items, all while soaking in the vibrant colors of Muskoka’s fall foliage.

There are so many fall farms, harvest festivals, and autumn activities to choose from in Ontario! For a full list of upcoming events, visit our Event Calendar and search for a region near you.

Enjoy!

Natalie