Toronto is Canada’s biggest city, home to around 2.7 million people. Throughout the year, the city affectionately referred to by Canadians as “The 6ix” hosts lots of seasonal festivals to entertain locals and bring in tourists from around the country and beyond. Fall is a fantastic time of year to visit the city; temperatures are comfortable, and the colorful leaves make for beautiful scenery. Explore Toronto this season by attending one of its upcoming festivals.
10 Just For Laughs Toronto
- Festival Date(s): September 22-30, 2022
- Festival Location: Multiple venues
The Just For Laughs Comedy Festival is renowned worldwide and originated in Montreal, Quebec. As the largest international comedy festival in the world, it attracts visitors from abroad and some of the world’s most popular comedians. This fall, the festival is coming to Toronto for a limited time. John Mulaney, Amy Schumer, and Issa Rae are just a few of the big names set to perform.
9 Halloween Haunt
- Festival Date(s): September 23 & 24, September 30-October 30, 2022
- Festival Location: Canada’s Wonderland
Torontonians for visitors who want to jump into the Halloween spirit early can head to Canada’s Wonderland, just north of the city, for the entire month of October to experience Halloween Haunt. From 7 PM to midnight on these select dates, the park transforms into a destination for terror, jump scares, and Halloween-themed fun.
8 Toronto International Film Festival
- Festival Date(s): September 8-18, 2022
- Festival Location: TIFF Bell Lightbox
The Toronto International Film Festival is a massive celebration of cinema in downtown Toronto, primarily in the Entertainment District at the TIFF Bell Lightbox. Films and documentaries from across the globe are selected to premiere at this prestigious festival, and film crews, actors, and directors flock to the city for the event. During the festival run, it’s easy to spot celebrities around the city, particularly in the Entertainment District and Yorkville. Tickets to attend screenings can be purchased on the TIFF website.
7 Nuit Blanche
- Festival Date(s): October 1, 2022
- Festival Location: Multiple venues
Nuit Blanche takes place over the course of a single night and involves art installations and displays around the city. Torontonians can spend the entire night exploring the city and admiring contemporary art displays from sunset on October 1 to sunrise on October 2.
6 Poutine Festival
- Festival Date(s): October 14-16, 2022
- Festival Location: Street Eats Market at Scarborough Town Centre
The Toronto Poutine Festival is one of the most Canadian events taking place in the city this fall. Poutine is synonymous with Canadian cuisine, and the festival gives attendees a chance to try a variety of flavors and types of the dish. Traditional poutine is fries topped with gravy and cheese curds. The festival opens at 12:00 PM on the 14th and ends at 11:00 PM on the 16th.
5 The Royal Agricultural Winter Fair
- Festival Date(s): November 4-13, 2022
- Festival Location: Coca-Cola Coliseum at Exhibition Place
Exhibition Place is home to some of Toronto’s biggest events of the year, including The Royal Agricultural Winter Fair (The Royal). The Royal takes place annually during the first two weeks of November and invites Torontonians to learn about and enjoy the best of Ontario’s agriculture. There are showing events for horses, vendors selling artisan goods, dog shows, and a variety of food options from local businesses.
4 Queen West Art Crawl
- Festival Date(s): September 24-25, 2022
- Festival Location: Trinity Bellwoods Park
The Queen West Art Crawl takes place in one of the city’s trendiest neighborhoods on Queen Street West. Anywhere from 65k to 85k people typically attend the festival, which seeks to raise funds for artists in the city through this outdoor exhibition. The festival is extremely inclusive, featuring a 2SLGBT+ friendly Kids' Zone. There is also the Main Stage, where 50% or more of the performers playing music or performing in drag are BIPOC. Queen West Art Crawl also partners with organizations like Workman Arts and the Native Canadian Centre of Toronto to ensure underserved populations are represented at this event.
3 Toronto International Festival Of Authors
- Festival Date(s): September 22 - October 2, 2022
- Festival Location: Harbourfront Centre
The Toronto International Festival of Authors (TIFA) is a major literary festival on the city’s waterfront, celebrating the best literature from around the world. Authors from across the globe come to speak and sign novels at the event, while avid readers and aspiring writers alike attend the festival for networking and inspiration.
2 Toronto After Dark Film Festival
- Festival Date(s): October 19-23, 2022
- Festival Location: Scotiabank Theatre
Horror movie fans will love this unique fall film festival, which features five nights of horror and sci-fi film screenings at one of the city’s best cinemas. It’s a chance for cinephiles to watch the best new horror films from around the world just in time for Halloween.
1 Toronto Oktoberfest
- Festival Date(s): September 30-October 1, 2022
- Festival Location: Ontario Place
Travelers don’t have to go all the way to Germany for an Oktoberfest experience this year. Toronto is hosting its very own version of the Oktoberfest festival in a Festhalle tent and outdoor Bavarian Village. Festival attendees are encouraged to dress in traditional attire, such as lederhosen, and attempt to speak German, sing, and mingle with other guests. There is beer, pretzels, and other delicious traditional Bavarian foods to try on site.