Best Fall Fairs and Festivals in Ontario – 2026
By admin Sunday, August 16, 2026
Fall fair season is one of the best times to explore Ontario. As the leaves begin to change, communities across the province celebrate the harvest with midway rides, demolition derbies, giant pumpkins, horse shows, tractor pulls, local food, live music and plenty of classic fair treats.
From century-old agricultural fairs in small Ontario towns to huge harvest festivals and Thanksgiving weekend traditions, there’s something happening almost every weekend from Labour Day through Thanksgiving.
If you’re planning a fall road trip, looking for something fun to do with the kids or just really craving a funnel cake, these are some of the best fall fairs and festivals in Ontario to visit in 2026.
KEY POINTS
🍂 Ontario’s fall fair season runs from early September through Thanksgiving weekend.
🎡 Expect everything from midway rides and demolition derbies to livestock shows, giant pumpkins, local food and live entertainment.
🚗 Many fairs take place in charming small towns, making them perfect for a fall colours road trip.
📅 Always check the event website before heading out, as dates and programming can change.
Fall Fairs Worth the Drive in Central Ontario
Rolling farmland, colourful country roads and classic agricultural fairs make Central Ontario an especially good destination during fall fair season.
- Beaverton Fall Fair – September 18–19, 2026
Celebrating its 171st year, Beaverton’s traditional country fair brings together agricultural exhibits, horse events, midway rides, fair food and entertainment for a classic small-town Ontario weekend. - Warkworth Fall Fair – September 11–13, 2026
Come hungry! Warkworth is known for its pie competitions, but there’s plenty happening beyond the baking tent. The 2026 fair includes sheep shearing, horse shows, a horse pull, steam show, live entertainment, beer gardens and plenty of agricultural fun. - Apple Harvest Festival – Blue Mountain
Thanksgiving weekend is one of the prettiest times to visit the Blue Mountains. Celebrate apple season surrounded by spectacular fall colours with live music, cider, apple-inspired treats, hiking and family entertainment throughout Blue Mountain Village. 2026 dates to be confirmed. - Elmvale Fall Fair – October 9–10, 2026
Spend Thanksgiving weekend at one of Simcoe County’s favourite agricultural traditions. The fair features a midway, livestock displays, truck and tractor pulls, parades, homecraft competitions and plenty of country fair food. - Norwood Fall Fair– October 10–12, 2026
A Thanksgiving weekend tradition since 1868, Norwood combines old-fashioned agricultural fair charm with livestock shows, horse events, exhibits, competitions, midway rides, entertainment and more.
Top Fall Fairs & Harvest Festivals in Eastern Ontario
Some of Ontario’s longest-running agricultural traditions can be found throughout Eastern Ontario, where fall fairs celebrate everything from livestock and homecrafts to pumpkins and live music.
- Roseneath Fair – October 2–4, 2026 – This long-running country fair packs a lot into one weekend. Watch the demolition derby and truck pull, browse agricultural and homecraft exhibits, check out the Show & Shine and horse events, hit the midway and catch live entertainment.
- Havelock Fair – September 12–13, 2026 – Experience agricultural displays, kid-friendly activities, and local food vendors in this charming village fair.
- Tweed Harvest Festival – September 18–20, 2026
Tweed turns harvest season into a town-wide celebration with live music, a pumpkin patch, car show, Touch-a-Truck, kids’ games, vendors, BBQ, a movie under the stars and plenty more happening throughout the weekend.
Fall Fairs Near Ottawa You’ll Want to Visit
The Ottawa area is home to some seriously impressive agricultural fairs. If horse shows, demolition derbies, tractor pulls and big midways are your idea of a great fall weekend, put these on your list.
- Picton Fair – September 11–13, 2026
Ontario’s oldest agricultural fair returns to Prince Edward County with midway rides, tractor pulls, agricultural competitions, horse and livestock shows, live entertainment, homecraft exhibits and more. - Richmond Fair – September 17–20, 2026
One of the biggest annual events in the area, Richmond Fair showcases livestock, produce, arts and crafts alongside midway rides, live entertainment and traditional agricultural competitions. - Carp Fair– September 24–27, 2026
Nicknamed “The Best Little Fair in Canada,” Carp Fair is anything but little. The 2026 lineup includes SuperDogs, a demolition derby, horse shows, heavy horse competitions, tractor displays, livestock, midway rides and live entertainment — including David Wilcox on Sunday. - Metcalfe Fair– October 1–4, 2026
Celebrating its 170th edition, Metcalfe Fair takes over 24 acres in rural south Ottawa with agricultural exhibits, livestock competitions, horse events, a midway, entertainment and plenty of traditional fair fun.
Best Fall Fairs and Festivals in the Greater Toronto Area
You don’t have to travel far from Toronto to find a great fall fair. Some of Ontario’s biggest agricultural celebrations happen right in and around the GTA.
- Nuit Blanche Toronto – October 3–4, 2026
Not your traditional fall fair, but definitely one of Ontario’s biggest fall events. Toronto’s free all-night contemporary art celebration runs from 7 p.m. Saturday until 7 a.m. Sunday. The 20th anniversary theme is Tomorrow’s Memories, with installations transforming public spaces across the city. - Brampton Fall Fair – September 17–20, 2026
The 173rd Brampton Fall Fair celebrates the journey from “Hometown to Downtown” with livestock shows, midway rides, live entertainment, food vendors and four days of agricultural fun. - Sunderland Fall Fair – September 15–16, 2026
Celebrating 173 years with the 2026 theme “Holy Cow, It’s Fair Time,” Sunderland’s community fair brings together agricultural exhibits, entertainment, competitions and classic country fair traditions. - Markham Fair – October 1–4, 2026
One of the GTA’s biggest fall fairs has been celebrating agriculture since 1844. Explore animal exhibits, competitions, homecrafts, horticulture and baking displays before hitting the midway and catching one of the live shows. - Georgetown Fall Fair – September 11–13, 2026
A great mix of country fair and live entertainment, Georgetown offers concerts, a midway, petting zoo, agricultural exhibits, children’s activities, truck pull, car show and plenty of fair food.
Best fall Festivals in Southwestern Ontario
Southwestern Ontario takes fall fair season seriously. This is where you’ll find some of the province’s biggest agricultural fairs, giant pumpkin competitions and Thanksgiving traditions.
- Oxford Renaissance Festival – August 29–30, 2026 | Thorndale
This one technically arrives just before fall, but it’s too much fun to leave off the list. Watch jousting knights, meet colourful Renaissance characters, try archery, browse artisan vendors and catch live performances as the Thorndale Fairgrounds travel back in time. - Western Fair – September 11–20, 2026 | London
- Ten full days of midway rides, food, music, animals and entertainment return for the 149th Western Fair. New for 2026 are additional midway rides and a $6 Taste of the Fair promotion before 6 p.m. — perfect if you want to sample your way around the fairgrounds.
- Fergus Fall Fair – September 18–20, 2026
One of Ontario’s oldest fall fairs celebrates its 189th year in 2026. Expect a weekend rooted in agriculture, with competitions, livestock, exhibits, entertainment and plenty of rural Ontario tradition. - Port Elgin Pumpkinfest – October 3–4, 2026
Come for the giant pumpkins and stay for everything else. Pumpkinfest hosts two international giant vegetable weigh-offs alongside one of Ontario’s largest two-day outdoor car shows, a midway, Kiddie Karnival, petting zoo, pumpkin carving, live entertainment and an Artist’s Village. - Norfolk County Fair & Horse Show – October 6–12, 2026 | Simcoe
This is one of the BIG ones. Seven days of livestock showcases, horse competitions, midway rides, agricultural exhibits, live entertainment, food and competitions make Norfolk County Fair a destination in itself. - Rockton World’s Fair– October 9–12, 2026Thanksgiving weekend means Rockton World’s Fair! This beloved Southern Ontario tradition brings together midway rides, animal exhibits, horse shows, homecraft competitions, fair food, entertainment and demolition derby action
Fall Fairs and Festivals in Niagara and Northern Ontario
From Niagara’s wine country to the forests outside Thunder Bay, these fairs prove that fall festival season stretches right across the province.
- Ball’s Falls Thanksgiving Festival October 9–12, 2026 | Lincoln
One of Niagara’s most beautiful fall events takes place among the changing leaves of Ball’s Falls Conservation Area. Browse 150+ artisan vendors, shop the farmers’ market, enjoy local food and craft beverages, listen to live music, explore the heritage village and take a guided hike along the Niagara Escarpment. - West Niagara Fair September 11–13, 2026
Celebrate Niagara’s agricultural roots with livestock competitions, homecraft displays, local vendors, educational experiences, entertainment and plenty of activities for the whole family. - Hymers Fall Fair September 6–7, 2026 | Near Thunder Bay
A true Northern Ontario country fair held over Labour Day weekend, Hymers is known for its horse and cattle shows, agricultural competitions, exhibits, markets, music, bingo and homemade fair food.
🚗 Plan the Ultimate Ontario Fall Fair Road Trip
Summer may be winding down, but Ontario definitely doesn’t slow down in September and October. In fact, fall is one of the best times to road trip around the province.
Pair a fall fair with a drive through the changing leaves, explore a town you’ve never visited before and save room for some classic fair food along the way.
With events happening almost every weekend, you could easily visit a different Ontario fall fair from Labour Day right through Thanksgiving.
Looking for even more things to do this fall? Browse the Summer Fun Guide Event Calendar for upcoming fairs, festivals and events across Ontario, or check out our Fall Fun Guide Here for more seasonal adventures.
Happy fall fair season!
Natalie,
