Fall Family Fun in Toronto in September

And that’s a wrap on summer 2024! We hope it was a good one that resulted in some incredible family memories.
And while summer might technically be over in Toronto in September, the weather is usually still gorgeous and there are plenty of festivals, street fairs, and other outdoor fun events scheduled. Below we round up a few of those events, as well as some indoor activities, for those rainy days.

Family Fun Events and Activities in Toronto in September:

Fun Farms

If your family is up for a bit of a drive, fun farms across southern Ontario are entering the fall festival season. We’ll take a deeper look at these attractions in the near future but for now, we’ll highlight a few reliable choices: PumpkinFest at Downey’s (13682 Heart Lake Rd., Caledon), Chudleigh’s (9528 Regional Rd. 25, Halton Hills) and Pingle’s Harvest Festival (1805 Taunton Rd., Hampton).

Parks & Rec

Something else you might want to mark on your calendar is that registration for the City of Toronto’s Parks and Recreation fall programming takes place September 10 or 11, depending on your location. Best of luck with snagging your preferred swimming lesson slot!

Bubble Planet

Now Open
30 Hanover Rd., Toronto

Pop into some excitement at this bubble-themed experience. Over the course of an hour or so, explore 11 thematic and fully interactive environments. Swim through an ocean of balloons, be mesmerized by an infinity room, watch robots put on a soap bubble show and more! There’s even a virtual reality experience. Kids under four are free while prices for everyone else start at around $26 for kids and around $34 for adults.

Toronto Dragon Festival

Friday August 30 – Sunday September 1
Nathan Phillips Square, 100 Queen St. W., Toronto

Celebrate Chinese culture with a trip to City Hall. Pose for photos with a giant Chinese dragon, indulge in plenty of delicious food, and watch all kinds of entertainers, including lion dance teams. This year will also feature the Illumi Water Show at night, which will dazzle the whole family. Access to the festival is free.

Toronto International BuskerFest for Epilepsy & Bark in the Park

Friday August 30 – Monday September 2
Woodbine Park 1695 Queen St. E., Toronto

Raise funds for a great cause-—Epilepsy Toronto—while watching circus acts, magicians, and daredevils from around the world. New this year, over in the family fun zone, is a daily, noon-time foam party. This area will also feature a mini acrobatics area, for your budding young busker.

As a fun bonus, this event includes Bark in the Park, a special space for dogs and their owners where they can challenge obstacle courses, pose for photos, and check out vendors. The Ultimutts will also be on site, with its celebrity cat and dog show. Admission is by donation, with a suggested donation of $20 for a family.

Drive Festival

Friday September 6 – Sunday September 8
Canadian Tire Motorsport Park, 3233 Concession Road #10 Bowmanville

If you have a vehicle-obsessed kid in your house, you might want to drive out to this festival dedicated to all things car-related. Check out dozens of classic, muscle, sport, exotic, race and hyper cars, some of which will be zigging around the Mobile 1 Dream Car Speed Run. Some vehicles will even be available for test drives (just note that kids must be eight or older to participate in this aspect of the event). Kids 12 and under attend for free while one-day adult tickets start at $25 if you buy them before September 1.

Taste of North York

Friday September 6 – Sunday September 8
Mel Lastman Square, 5100 Yonge St., Toronto

Last year’s inaugural Taste of North York festival was such a success that it’s returning for a second year. But this year organizers are promising, “…even more delicious food, live entertainment, artisans, family activities and representation from dozens of local organizations!” Music from around the world will entertain you while your family browses hundreds of tasty food choices. Access to the festival is free but you’re encouraged to bring a food bank donation.

Markham-Milliken Children’s Festival

Saturday September 7
Aaniin Community Centre, 5665 14 Ave., Markham

Be prepared for a busy day at the Markham-Milliken Children’s Festival, where your kids can meet mascots, particpate in STEM activities, and watch all kinds of live entertainment, including magic, science, and animal education shows. And for the adults, there’s the opportunity to win free Tim Horton’s coffee for a whole year (the company is the title sponsor for the event). Note that while many activities are free, to maximize your kids’ fun, you’ll want to grab a play-all-day pass for $10 (if purchased in advance), which will give your children unlimited access to all the rides and inflatables that will also be onsite.

Cabbagetown Festival

Saturday September 7 – Sunday September 8
Parliament St. from Gerrard St. E. to Wellesley St. & Carlton St. from Parliament St. to Ontario St.

Building upon last year’s return to a traditional street festival, the 2024 edition of this event will feature tons of music, everything from EDM to blues; lots of food and shopping opportunities and even a closing evening parade. There’s also a kids’ zone where your children can bounce, craft, get their faces painted and more. Admission to the festival is free.

Riverdale Farm Fall Festival

201 Winchester St., Toronto
Saturday September 7 & Sunday September 8

If you’re checking out the Cabbagetown Festival, be sure to set some time aside to take a stroll over to Riverdale Farm, which is hosting its annual fall festival. In addition to visiting with the animals, enjoy face-painting, line dancing and games such as corn shucking and hot and chicken calling. Fresh corn will be available for sale both days starting at noon, and on Sunday, from 9 am to 11 am, there will be a pancake breakfast for only $5 a plate. Entrance to the festival is free.

Pape Village Block Party

Saturday September 14 – Sunday September 15
Pape Ave. between Mortimer & Gamble, Toronto

The fun at this east-end street festival is expanding to two days in length. Expect lots of live music (including cover acts), a vintage car show, face painting and a kids’ zone that of course comes complete with bouncy castles. And of course, in this part of town, there are plenty of tasty food options. Access to the festival is free.

Roncesvalles Polish Festival

Saturday September 14 – Sunday September 15
Roncesvalles between Dundas St. W. and Queen St. W., Toronto

Street festival fun continues with one of the city’s bigger outdoor parties over on Roncesvalles Avenue. Featuring over 40 restaurants, cafes and bakeries, food is the star of this event, with live performances being a close second (catch around 40 performances spread across four stages). There are also two kids’ zones that in years past hosted midway rides and games, bouncy castles, and even a visit from the Reptilia crew. Entry into all this fun is free.

Toronto Waterfront Festival

Saturday September 14 – Sunday September 15
7 Queen Quay E., Toronto

A canine water competition is just some of the fun showcased at this year’s Toronto Waterfront Festival. There will also be cultural programs from Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation and Moccasin Identifier, activations from the Canadian military, and a chance to walk the plank, courtesy of Pirate Life Theatre. And while the World’s Largest Rubber Duck won’t be there in 2024, Lucky, its 10-foot-long baby, will be waiting to pose for photos. Access to the festival is free however, donations are encouraged.

Curious George and the Golden Meatball

September 21 – October 20; weekends only
Wychwood Theatre, 76 Wychwood Ave. Toronto

Everybody’s favourite monkey takes over the Wychwood Theatre with this playful, and in this production, musical antics. Kids age four and up will love this fun show that revolves around George exploring the city of Rome and learning about a secret cooking ingredient. The 60-minute-long production (with no intermission) runs at 10:00 am and 12:30 pm every show day, and tickets start at $37.49, with a discounted four-ticket pack available.

Fall Festival

Saturday September 21 & Sunday September 22
Black Creek Pioneer Village, 1000 Murray Ross Pkwy., Toronto

The city’s living history museum invites your family to, “Immerse yourself in the sights, sounds, and tastes of fall.” Play period-accurate games, watch a magic show performed by the “travelling medicine man,” participate in the vegetable judging contest and more. Also appearing is Cousin Molly, a children’s folk music performer who will get your whole family’s toes tapping. Tickets start at around $20.