Fall Farms, Pumpkin Patches & Harvest Festivals in Ontario

By Natalie Saturday, September 19, 2026

Ontario might just be at its best in the fall. Crisp air, colourful leaves, pumpkin patches, apple orchards, corn mazes and harvest festivals make September and October some of the best months for exploring the province.

If you’re planning a family day trip, a Thanksgiving weekend adventure or a cozy fall road trip, there are plenty of ways to make the most of the season. From picking apples straight from the orchard to getting lost in a giant corn maze or riding a train through the fall colours, here are some of the best fall experiences in Ontario.

Key Points

• Ontario’s fall farm season typically runs from September through the end of October.
• Pumpkin patches, apple orchards and corn mazes can be found across the province, with many farms offering full fall festivals and family attractions.
• Thanksgiving weekend is one of the biggest weekends for Ontario fall fairs and festivals.
• Popular fall attractions can sell out, so advance tickets are recommended where available.
• Peak fall colour timing varies across Ontario, making September through mid-October a great time for scenic road trips and train rides.
• Always check individual attraction websites before visiting, as dates, hours, activities and crop availability can change.

Best Fall Farms, Pumpkin Patches and Apple Orchards in Ontario

Nothing says fall quite like wandering through an apple orchard, choosing the perfect pumpkin or getting lost in a corn maze. Many Ontario farms have turned harvest season into a full-day experience with wagon rides, farm animals, food, entertainment and activities for kids.

Downey’s Farm Market (Caledon): Downey’s annual Pumpkinfest runs from September 19 to October 31, 2026, with more than 40 attractions including wagon rides, farm animals, live entertainment, an eight-acre corn maze, jumping pillows, pedal carts and plenty more. Tickets must be purchased online in advance, so don’t wait until you arrive at the farm.

Chudleigh’s Entertainment Farm (Milton): One of Ontario’s classic apple-picking destinations, Chudleigh’s grows more than 18 varieties of apples across 60 acres. Peak apple-picking season is September and October, and visitors can also explore the pumpkin patch, take a tractor wagon ride, visit the farm animals, walk the nature trail and stop for one of Chudleigh’s famous Apple Blossoms. Tickets must be purchased online in advance.

Springridge Farm (Milton): A longtime family favourite in Halton Region, Springridge is known for its fall farm experience, seasonal treats, farm animals and activities for kids. Stop by the farm market and bakery before heading home for pies, preserves and other fall favourites.

Brooks Farms (Mount Albert): The Fall Fun Festival returns September 12, 2026 and runs on weekends throughout September and October. Attractions include farm animals, wagon rides, giant jumping pillows, a zip line, corn maze, pumpkin cannon shows, live entertainment, play structures and more. The festival also runs on Thanksgiving Monday.

Applewood Farm Winery: (Seagrave): Applewood is now located just north of Port Perry in Seagrave. Fall fun begins the weekend of September 26–27, 2026, with a corn maze, pumpkin patch, sunflower walk, farm animals and more. Adults can also stop by the winery for Applewood’s fruit wines, ciders and seasonal offerings.

Rounds Ranch (Elmvale): Pumpkin Mania is one of the big fall attractions at Rounds Ranch, with more than 25 activities including a petting zoo, corn maze, tractor rides and Pumpkin Mania games. Admission includes a pick-your-own pumpkin in any size or colour. Fall Fun Fridays are also offered throughout September and October.

Top Harvest Festivals in Ontario

Ontario’s fall fairs and harvest festivals combine agriculture, food, live entertainment, midway rides, local vendors and small-town traditions. Several of the province’s biggest events take place over Thanksgiving weekend.

Norfolk County Fair & Horse Show October 6–12, 2026: One of Ontario’s largest and longest-running agricultural fairs returns for seven days over Thanksgiving week. The fair combines agricultural and horse competitions with a full midway, motorsports, live entertainment, food, exhibits and family activities. It’s a classic Ontario fall fair experience and has been a Norfolk County tradition for more than 185 years.

Bronte Creek Provincial Park Harvest Festival (Oakville) — September 26–27, 2026: Step back more than 100 years at historic Spruce Lane Farm. The festival includes pumpkin picking, apple cider pressing demonstrations, tractor-drawn wagon rides, farmhouse tours, heritage demonstrations and seasonal food.

Erin Fall Fair (Erin) — October 9–12, 2026: A classic Ontario agricultural fair held over Thanksgiving weekend, featuring livestock and horse shows, agricultural competitions, a midway, entertainment, kids’ activities and truck and tractor pulls.

Ball’s Falls Thanksgiving Festival (Lincoln) — October 9–12, 2026: One of Niagara’s most beloved Thanksgiving traditions returns for its 52nd year. More than 150 artisan and craft vendors join local farmers, food and beverage vendors and live entertainers against the colourful backdrop of the Niagara Escarpment. Visitors can also explore the historic village, watch family entertainment and head out on a guided nature hike.

Bala Cranberry Festival (Bala) — October 16–18, 2026: This Muskoka tradition celebrates all things cranberry with hundreds of vendors, food, live music, family entertainment, arts and crafts and activities throughout the town of Bala. Make time for a separate visit to Muskoka Lakes Farm & Winery to see the cranberry harvest experience — reservations for activities at the marsh are separate from festival admission.

Ontario Corn Mazes and Haunted Farm Adventures

Looking for something a little more adventurous? Ontario’s farms take on a completely different personality as Halloween approaches, with everything from daytime pumpkin festivals for kids to elaborate haunted attractions after dark

Saunders Farm (Ottawa): Saunders Farm’s fall season begins September 26, 2026. PumpkinFest runs during the day from September 26 to November 1, while FrightFest takes over select evenings through October 31. Choose the daytime experience for family-friendly fall fun or return after dark if you’re looking for something considerably scarier.

Fear Farm (Bright, near Kitchener-Waterloo): Fear Farm opens September 26, 2026 with seven haunted attractions, including its famous Haunted Hayride. This one is geared toward visitors looking for a serious Halloween scare. Tickets must be purchased online in advance.

Kustermans Adventure Farm (Mount Brydges): Kustermans’ Fall Festival runs through September and October with a huge pumpkin patch, a seven-acre corn maze, corn cannon, weekend inflatables and face painting, plus the farm’s regular attractions. Pumpkin picking begins September 19, and special Halloween activities take place during the final weekends of October.

Howell’s Fall Fest (Fonthill): With more than 35 attractions, games and shows, Howell’s is an easy place to spend an entire fall day. Expect wagon and train rides, a corn maze, giant jumping pillow and plenty of other farm activities, along with seasonal food and fall photo opportunities.

Scenic Ontario Train Rides for Fall Colours

Want to see Ontario’s fall colours without doing the driving? A scenic train ride offers an entirely different view of the changing leaves.

Agawa Canyon Tour Train (Sault Ste. Marie): One of Ontario’s most iconic fall experiences, the Agawa Canyon Tour Train travels through the rugged Canadian Shield and into Agawa Canyon Park. The fall colour season runs through October 18, 2026, making this one worth planning well in advance.

South Simcoe Railway (Tottenham): Ride through the scenic Beeton Creek Valley aboard vintage passenger coaches during the railway’s Fall Colour Excursions. The 2026 fall rides run on select dates from September 26 through October 18. Advance tickets for the Fall Colour Excursions have already sold out, although the railway notes that a limited number of walk-in tickets may be available on operating days.

 Port Stanley Terminal Rail (Port Stanley): Take a scenic train ride through Elgin County from the lakeside village of Port Stanley. Trains operate Saturdays and Sundays throughout September and October, with special seasonal excursions including the popular Pumpkin Patch trains.

Waterloo Central Railway (Waterloo Region): Keep an eye on the railway’s seasonal schedule for fall excursions through Waterloo Region. Pair a train experience with a visit to St. Jacobs Farmers’ Market and the Village of St. Jacobs for an easy fall day trip.

Best Ontario Farmers’ Markets for Fall Harvest

Fall is harvest season in Ontario, making it one of the best times of year to visit a farmers’ market. Stalls are overflowing with freshly picked apples, pumpkins, squash and root vegetables, along with pies, preserves, baked goods, cider and other seasonal treats. Add in Ontario’s fall colours, and a market visit makes an easy stop on a fall day trip or weekend getaway.

St. Jacobs Farmers’ Market (Waterloo Region): The largest year-round farmers’ market in Canada is especially fun to explore during harvest season. In the fall, look for Ontario-grown apples, pumpkins, squash, root vegetables and other freshly harvested produce alongside baked goods, meats, cheeses, maple products and local crafts. The outdoor market continues into late October, so you can combine a visit with a fall-colour drive through the surrounding countryside.

Evergreen Brick Works Farmers Market (Toronto):You don’t have to leave Toronto to enjoy Ontario’s fall harvest. The Saturday market brings together local farmers and food producers, and fall is an especially good time to visit for apples, squash, root vegetables, preserves, baked goods and other seasonal finds. Afterwards, explore the surrounding trails and ravines as the Don Valley changes colour.

Muskoka Farmers’ Market (Bracebridge): It’s hard to beat a farmers’ market surrounded by Muskoka’s fall colours. Browse locally grown produce, baked goods, preserves and handcrafted items before heading out for a scenic drive or hike. The market’s final date for the 2026 season is October 10, making early fall the perfect time to combine a visit with a Muskoka fall-colour road trip.

Kingston Public Market (Kingston): Located in historic Springer Market Square, this is one of Ontario’s oldest markets and a great stop during a fall weekend in Kingston. During harvest season, vendors offer pumpkins, squash, apples, seasonal produce, baked goods, preserves and locally made products. Pair your market visit with a walk through downtown Kingston when the surrounding trees are showing off their fall colours.

Merrickville’s Autumn Harvest Festival (Merrickville): This charming village celebrates the season with an annual fall event featuring local makers, artisans, food, shopping and seasonal activities. Wander through historic Merrickville, browse locally made goods and pick up fall treats while enjoying the autumn atmosphere along the Rideau River.

Make a Fall Road Trip Out of It

One of the best things about fall in Ontario is that you don’t necessarily have to choose just one activity. Pair an apple orchard with a nearby hike, visit a farmers’ market before heading out to see the fall colours, or plan an entire weekend around one of Ontario’s Thanksgiving festivals.

Because fall colours, harvest dates and crop availability depend on the weather, it’s always a good idea to check directly with farms and attractions before heading out — especially if pumpkin or apple picking is the main reason for your visit.

Looking for even more things to do this fall? Check the Summer Fun Guide Event Calendar for upcoming fall festivals, fairs, Thanksgiving events and family activities happening across Ontario.

Enjoy!

Natalie