Fun Things to Do in Toronto in October for Families

That crisp smell in the air means one thing: It’s officially autumn! Bring on the sweaters, pumpkin spice everything and an October crammed with ways to entertain your family and create special times together. Below we’ve rounded up over a dozen events and attractions that will let your family embrace this time of year. While we’ve included some Halloween-themed events, we’re working on a bigger list of spooky (but kid-friendly) entertainment happening in and around Toronto in October. Watch for that on the site in a week or two.

Fun Things to Do with Kids in Toronto in October

Farm Fun

Throughout October
Various Locations

Nothing quite says “autumn” like a trip out to one of the GTA’s many fun farms. These attractions often feature playgrounds, animals to feed and pet, tractor rides and more. If your family wants to pick apples and other produce (including pumpkins), check out our updated roundup here of where to go apple picking in Toronto.

One of the region’s most popular farms, Chudleigh’s Entertainment Farm (9528 Regional Rd. 25, Milton), often sells out while another favourite choice, Downey’s Farm (13682 Heart Lake Rd., Caledon), only sells tickets online. And you’re looking for a spot where you can get a taste of some Halloween creepiness, check out Synder’s Family Farm (936685 Blenheim Rd., Bright), where you can explore some of the displays used for the nighttime Fear Farm attraction.

Camp Spooky

Until October 29
1 Canada’s Wonderland Dr., Vaughan

Wonderland’s Haunt, with its live actors dressed as zombies, ghouls and other creepies, might be too intense for the little ones but thankfully there is Camp Spooky, a kinder, gentler Halloween event that’s perfect for the under-12 set. Kids can collect treats, watch (and sometimes even participate) in special shows, explore mazes and more, all while in their Halloween costumes. And of course (most) of the usual rides and games are open. All the fun is covered by your Wonderland ticket, which costs around $45 if purchased online (and kids under three are free).

Pumpkins After Dark

Until Tuesday October 31
Country Heritage Park, 8560 Tremaine Rd., Milton

This award-winning outdoor walk-through event returns to help get your family into a Halloween frame-of-mind. This experience has grown even bigger and in 2023 will feature 10,000 hand-carved pumpkins. There will also be live pumpkin-carving demonstrations, fall treats and sweets and other forms of Halloween fun. Your family can even bring your pets every Wednesday night. All tickets must be purchased in advance and are available for a starting price of $18 for kids, with a four-ticket family pack available for around $80.

Halloween Night of Lights & Pumpkinville

Saturday September 30 – Tuesday October 31
Scarborough Town Centre, 500 Progress Ave., Toronto

This two-in-one event features a walk-through experience and a cute, Halloween-themed fun fair. Over two million LED and RGB lights synchronised to spooky tunes, as well as pumpkin carvings and other seasonal décor, line a “trail” that will take around 45 minutes to walk. It wraps up at Pumpkinville, where you’ll find carnival rides, tons of photo ops, and even a beer garden complete with food trucks. Pumpkinville opens at noon on weekends while Night of Lights gets started once it gets dark out. Tickets for the whole experience start at $15 for kids ages two-12 (under two is free) and admission to just Pumpkinville can be purchased for $13 per person. Some nights are also pet-friendly!

A Peter Rabbit Tale

Saturday September 30 – Sunday November 19 (Weekends Only)
Wychwood Theatre, 76 Wychwood Ave., Studio 176, Toronto

Who is the naughtiest little bunny in Farmer McGregor’s Garden? Why it’s Peter Rabbit of course! The beloved Beatrix Potter tale is brought to the stage in this light-hearted musical about a mischievous fluffball and his rabbit family. This 40-minute-long show is recommended for kids ages three to seven. Tickets start at $22.50.

The Wiggles: Ready, Steady, Wiggle!

Sunday October 1, FirstOntario Content Hall at Hamilton Place, 1 Summers Ln., Hamilton
Wednesday October 4, Tribute Communities Centre, 99 Athol St. E., Oshawa
Saturday October 7 & Sunday October 8 at Coca-Cola Coliseum, 45 Manitoba Dr., Toronto

The updated, extended lineup of the Wiggles hits the stage in this new show that features plenty of classic songs and friends, including Dorothy the Dinosaur and Captain Feathersword. Want to make sure that your kid’s favourite Wiggles song will be performed? Then check out this set list. Multiple performances are scheduled across three GTAH venues, including shows at noon, 4pm and 6pm, depending on the location. Ticket pricing also varies by venue but is as low as around $45 per seat, before any fees.

Disney Pixar’s Coco in Concert

Friday October 6 & Saturday October 7
Roy Thomson Hall, 60 Simcoe St., Toronto

The Toronto Symphony Orchestra’s latest presentation of a film accompanied by a live performance is the seasonally appropriate Coco. This colourful film follows the journey of a young Mexican musician named Miguel who learns about his family’s past while travelling through the Land of the Dead. While the film plays, the TSO will play its gorgeous score. Two performances, which include an intermission so that your little one can stretch their legs, are scheduled at 7:30pm on Friday October 6 and 2pm on Saturday October 7. Tickets start at $137 each.

PumpkinFest Toronto

Friday October 6 – Monday October 9
Downsview Park, 35 Carl Hall Dr., Toronto

Enjoy fall’s fresh weather while taking in a Halloween-theme carnival. This jam-packed event features food trucks, carnival rides and games, tractor-pulled hayrides and let’s not forget about all the live entertainment including SuperDog shows! Tickets cost around $30 per person if purchased in advance (kids under two are free), and they’ll give you access to unlimited carnival rides, bouncy castles, performances and more.

High Park Community Plantsgiving

Saturday October 7
High Park Nature Centre, 375 Colborne Lodge Dr., Toronto

Looking to entertain and educate your kids this Thanksgiving long weekend? Then participate in High Park’s “Plantsgiving.” Your family will work alongside other volunteers to help restore the park’s globally rare Black Oak Savannah ecosystem by planting various native species. Yes, this task will get your hands dirty, but remember, it’s for a great cause! This event is free to attend but please register in advance.

The Jungle Book Reimagined

Thursday October 12 – Saturday October 14
Bluma Appel Theatre, 27 Front St. E., Toronto

Using The Jungle Book as inspiration, this contemporary dance performance, “…reimagines the journey of Mowgli through the eyes of a refugee caught in a world devastated by the impact of climate.” In addition to talented performers and a lush musical score, the show incorporates top-notch technology to turn “…the stage into a mythical world.” While aimed at families, this show is best for kids who are eight and older. Its run time is 130 minutes, including an intermission, and performance times include early afternoon and evening shows. Tickets start as low as $39.

Pop! Pop!

Saturday October 14 – Sunday October 22 (Weekends Only)
Young People’s Theatre, 165 Front St. E, Toronto

Looking to introduce your little one to the theatre? Then this colourful tale, set underwater and starring two creatures named “Hide” and “Seek,” is the perfect choice. Described as a sensory-rich production packed with puppetry and live music, this show clocks in a quick 45 minutes in length and has been designed specifically for kids ages two to five. Two shows, one at 11am and one at 2pm, are scheduled for each event day. Tickets start at around $25 per person and babies under one are free.

Allerjam

Sunday October 15
New Age Experience Centre, 1190 Caledonia Rd., Toronto

Are your kids among the nearly 600,000 Canadian children who have a food allergy? Then your family might want to explore Allerjam, “Toronto’s day of celebration and support for kids and allergies.” In addition to “an epic dance party,” there will be educational opportunities, meet and greets with TikTok stars and lots of games and other fun. And naturally there will be a marketplace where your family can try out and buy allergy-friendly products. While Allerjam is free to attend, it will feature fundraising opportunities for SickKids Food Allergy and Anaphylaxis Program.

The Great Benjamin Circus

Wednesday October 25 – Sunday October 29
CF Sherway Gardens, 25 The West Mall, Toronto

The circus is coming to town and it’s bringing, “high-flying aerial acts, head-spinning jugglers, stunning acrobatics, hilarious clowns, and more.” And let’s not forget the “death-defying high-speed motorbikes in the cage of death.” Designed for family fun, this show is sure to be a memorable one for your kids. Performances are scheduled as early as 11am and as late as 7:15pm, so there’s likely a time that works for your family. Tickets start at $25 for kids (those under two are free) and a special free-kid-ticket-with-the-purchase-of-an-adult ticket is available for $35

Mad Magic: The World’s Funniest Mad Scientist Magician

Saturday October 28 & Sunday October 29
Wychwood Theatre, 76 Wychwood Ave., Studio 176, Toronto

The self-proclaimed “world’s funniest mad scientist magician” returns to Wychwood Theatre for 50 minutes of science and magic focused fun! But just a warning, this show also features a ton of audience participation. It also gives your kids the opportunity to show off their Halloween costumes, which attendees are encouraged to wear. Four shows are scheduled each day at 10:30am, 12:30pm, 2:30pm, and 4:30pm. Ticket starts at around $25.