Fall fairs, family-friendly art events, museum weekends, and of course Halloween events crowd the calendar in October. Get out and enjoy the fall with the many fun things to do in the city this month!
Here are our top picks for kid-friendly events this October in the GTA.
For even more happenings in the GTA, see our events directory, updated daily.
On this month in Toronto for kids:
Harvest & Pumpkin Festivals
Get lost in a corn maze, sip hot apple cider, set the kids loose in a big barn-shaped bouncer and pick a pumpkin at the amazing fall harvest and pumpkin festivals taking place at area farms. Some festivals are weekends only; be sure to check individual websites and schedules. Ongoing through October; dates vary.
Nuit Blanche
FREE Staying up all night may not seem like a family-friendly thing to do, but the annual Scotiabank Nuit Blanche contemporary art festival has a selection of family-friendly exhibits that are fun for kids. It starts at sundown, so you can squeeze in a few without pushing bedtime too late. Check the online Project Index and filter by “family-friendly” to find the best options for the kids. October 3
The Baby Show Toronto
Score some swag for your baby, toddler, or bun in the oven at the bi-annual Baby Show at the Ex, an everything expo for new and expectant parents, with hundreds of products and services to do with pregnancy, baby, and toddler. Check the schedule for workshops and Q&A sessions in cloth diapering, breastfeeding, vaccinations and more. October 3–4
Oktoberfest
You’ll have to make a day of it, but the annual Kitchener-Waterloo Oktoberfest celebration is not to be missed! There’s plenty of beer, but this is far from an adults-only affair. Highlights for kids include a Gymtoberfest carnival and gymnastics event (Oct. 10), an Oktoberfest family breakfast (Oct. 10), Cook Like Oma German-themed cooking for kids (Oct. 10), rides on the Waterloo Central Railway Heritage Train (Oct. 10), and helicopter rides (Oct. 11). October 9–17
Thanksgiving Feasts
You may have your own Thanksgiving meal planned, but why not go for another? Black Creek Pioneer Village’s Thanksgiving Dinners (Oct. 11 & 12) are held annually and include a three-course meal with the bonus of wagon rides through the historic village and historic ales to sample. Or dine in Edwardian elegance with Casa Loma’s Thanksgiving Feast (Oct. 11). October 11–12
Plays, Musicals and Concerts
Fall is when theatre productions really ramp up. Here are some top picks for kids this month:
Mary Poppins at Lower Ossington Theatre (through Oct. 10)
Under the Big Top from Famous People Players (through Oct. 28)
Sleeping Beauty at Solar Stage Theatre (Oct. 3–4)
Alvin and the Chipmunks at Massey Hall (Oct. 4)
Hana’s Suitcase at Young People’s Theatre (Oct. 5–30)
Sleepy Hollow at Solar Stage Theatre (Oct. 10–11, 17–18, 24–25)
Baobab at Young People’s Theatre (Oct. 13–23)
Sesame Street Live at the Sony Centre (Oct. 17–18)
Nancy Kerrigan’s Halloween on Ice at the Hershey Centre Mississaga (Oct. 22)
Legally Blonde the Musical at Lower Ossington Theatre (Oct. 22–Nov. 22)
Hallowe’en Howl at Solar Stage Thteatre (Oct. 31)
Digging the ROM
At the October ROM Big Weekends event, kids learn about archaeology and meet real archaeologists who share their discoveries and experts explain why archaeologists dig for bones. Plus, Roman army re-enactors demonstrate drills and skills and answer questions about Ancient Rome. October 17–18
Robots Rule!
Robots take over the Ontario Science Centre for the Robots Rule! weekend in October! Highlights include demos of robots of all shapes and sizes as well as robotic devices and the newest in robot technology, plus hands-on sessions for kids with robotics experts. October 24–25
InToyStellar 2015
This Toronto toy fair for new and retro action figures, board games, video games, miniatures, collectibles and more is back by popular demand. If your kids (or you!) love sci-fi, comics, superheroes, animé, and other geek-chic toys and games, stop by to browse the vendors and enjoy the video gaming area and tournaments, costume contest, and more. October 25
Halloween Events
Attend spooktacular Halloween events around the city like the Halloween Extravaganza at the Bata Shoe Museum (Oct. 24–25), spooky ghost walks at Black Creek Pioneer Village (Oct. 24) or the annual Howling Hootenanny party for families.
Many of the family-friendly farms near the city have Halloween-themed events, too. Be sure to check our events calendar for more events closer to Halloween! Dates vary; check individual schedules.
Find more Toronto events for kids, updated daily.
READ MORE LIKE THIS:
• 30 best things to do in fall with Toronto kids
• best spots for apple-picking in the GTA
• cool fall jackets for kids
• Toronto-area pumpkin patches and corn mazes
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