Things To Do in Toronto This Week (September 28-October 4)
Hoping for a quiet weekend before October arrives? Toronto may have other ideas. Hunt down installations during Nuit Blanche, sample your way through Picklefest, or fill your camera roll with giant pumpkin displays at Halloween Nights of Lights. I’ve put together this guide to things to do in Toronto this week (September 28-October 4) to help you find seasonal attractions, festivals, concerts, family-friendly outings, and a few worthwhile stops beyond the city limits.
Editor’s Note: Event details can change, so it is always a good idea to check official pages before you head out. Some free events may require an RSVP, and it’s best to have cash or a digital payment method ready for any on-site purchases.
Things to Do in Toronto This Week: 12 Epic Fall Events
Food Festivals & Fall Fun
Halloween Haunt at Canada’s Wonderland
September 25-November 1, 2026丨9580 Jane St, Vaughan
Now we’re talking about the opposite experience. Halloween Haunt transforms Canada’s Wonderland into a scream-filled playground packed with haunted mazes, scare zones, live shows, roaming monsters, and nighttime rides. The Conjuring: Beyond Fear attraction adds another reason to test your courage. The person who claims horror movies never scare them usually changes their tune after a few minutes here.
Halloween Nights of Lights & Pumpkinville
Advertisement
September 26-November 1, 2026丨CF Sherway Gardens丨Ticketed
Got a camera roll full of summer photos and nothing from fall yet? That problem disappears quickly here. More than 1.5 million synchronised lights guide you through a Halloween-themed trail before leading into Pumpkinville, where giant pumpkin sculptures, pumpkin houses, and a candy forest built with over 25,000 real pumpkins take over the grounds.
It’s a huge hit for families looking for Halloween events in Toronto and anyone who wants to snap some great seasonal photos.
Tricks and Treats at Canada’s Wonderland
September 26-November 1, 2026丨9580 Jane St, Vaughan
Advertisement
Halloween does not always need haunted houses and jump scares. Tricks and Treats focuses on daytime family fun with costume parades, live entertainment, seasonal snacks, character appearances, candy, and select rides throughout the park. If your kids started talking about Halloween before the leaves even changed colour, this gives them plenty to look forward to.
Picklefest Toronto 2026
October 3-4, 2026丨Henderson Brewing Co.丨Ticketed
You might arrive thinking a pickle festival sounds like a joke and leave wondering why there are not more pickle festivals. Picklefest expands into a two-day celebration of pickled, fermented, cured, marinated, and preserved foods, with vendors finding creative ways to work those flavours into snacks, drinks, and dishes.
The first 2,500 guests receive a free door prize, which gives you another reason to show up early. By Saturday afternoon, you’ll understand why this Toronto food festival keeps attracting curious eaters year after year.
Art, Film & Culture
aluCine Latin Film + Media Arts Festival
September 30-October 3, 2026丨Spadina Theatre
Tired of seeing the same titles appear on every streaming platform? aluCine showcases independent Latin American cinema and media arts from creators across Canada, Latin America, and the diaspora. The festival highlights voices and stories that rarely receive mainstream attention, with all screenings presented with English subtitles. If your movie routine could use a refresh, this Toronto film festival offers a strong reason to leave the couch behind.
Nuit Blanche 2026
October 3, 2026丨Public Spaces Across Toronto丨Free
The hardest part of Nuit Blanche is deciding where to start. Toronto’s all-night contemporary art celebration marks its 20th anniversary this year, filling public spaces with installations, performances, and thought-provoking projects from 7 p.m. until sunrise.
Wear your most comfortable shoes, as you’ll be doing plenty of walking. If you want a free Toronto event that turns the city into a massive outdoor gallery, clear your schedule for Saturday.
Concerts & Live Entertainment
The Red Clay Strays – Grateful Tour
September 30, 2026丨RBC Amphitheatre
A few years ago, many people first heard The Red Clay Strays through “Wondering Why.” Since then, the Alabama group has built serious momentum with their blend of country, Southern rock, and soul. Their rise from self-released music to major stages has been impressive to watch. If your playlist jumps from country to rock, this show is a must-see among the concerts in Toronto this week.
Slayyyter – WORST GIRL IN THE WORLD TOUR
October 1, 2026丨The Danforth Music Hall
Your old iPod playlist would approve of this show. Slayyyter’s latest album, Worst Girl in America, pulls inspiration from 2000s and 2010s pop, hip-hop, and punk influences while adding her own twist. Following a breakout year that included a headline-grabbing Coachella appearance, she arrives in Toronto with plenty of momentum and a setlist packed with fan favourites and newer material.
Jacob Collier – The Light For Days Tour
October 3, 2026丨Winter Garden Theatre
Few artists can move between jazz, pop, folk, classical, and electronic music as naturally as Jacob Collier. His live performances have earned a reputation for audience participation, unexpected arrangements, and moments that make musicians in the audience shake their heads in disbelief. If you like shows where anything can happen, you’ll have a great time at this one.
Josh Thomas – Jiggle Jiggle Tour
October 3, 2026丨The Elgin Theatre
Still deciding how to spend Saturday evening? Spending it laughing sounds like a good start. Australian comedian Josh Thomas arrives with Jiggle Jiggle, a stand-up show packed with personal stories, awkward observations, and the kind of humour that makes you laugh before realizing you probably relate to it. Ninety minutes can disappear quickly when the room is laughing together.
Raffi Live In Concert
October 3-4, 2026丨Massey Hall
Parents may find themselves singing along just as loudly as the kids. Raffi returns to the stage with beloved songs like “Baby Beluga,” “Down By The Bay,” and “Bananaphone,” creating a concert that spans generations. There is a good chance you’ll hear adults finishing lyrics before their children get the chance. This family event in Toronto offers a rare opportunity to share childhood favourites in a live setting.
Home & Lifestyle Events
Fall Home Show 2026
October 2-4, 2026丨Enercare Centre丨Tickteted
That Pinterest board you’ve been adding to for months might finally come in handy. The Fall Home Show fills the Enercare Centre with more than 225 vendors and experts covering renovations, organization, design, and smarter living solutions. You may walk in looking for a paint colour and leave pricing out an entire kitchen renovation. If improving your home has been sitting on your to-do list, this Toronto home show offers plenty of ideas and practical advice.
Looking for October birthday ideas?
The cooling weather makes this the right time to get out and enjoy the city. Check out my guide to October Birthday Ideas Toronto: 11 Spooky & Cozy Spots to find a spot that matches your style.
Frequently Asked Questions
Nuit Blanche is an excellent option if you’re looking for activities that do not require admission. It encourages visitors to explore different parts of the city while experiencing contemporary art in unique settings.
Yes. Halloween Nights of Lights, Tricks and Treats at Canada’s Wonderland, and Raffi Live In Concert all cater to families. Each offers a different experience, ranging from seasonal attractions and rides to live music that parents and kids can enjoy together.
Music fans can catch The Red Clay Strays, Slayyyter, Jacob Collier, and Raffi this week. There is also live comedy from Josh Thomas, giving you several options if you’re planning an evening around live entertainment.
You May Also Like:
- Toronto Events 2026 Calendar: 10 Major Events You MUST Book Tickets For Now
- Top Things to Do in Etobicoke This Fall
- Toronto Farmers’ Market Guide: What to Buy & Eat This Fall
Advertisement
