Canada’s Best Fall Fairs and Harvest Festivals You Can’t Miss
Autumn in Canada is magical. Sure, winter is around the corner, but the crisp weather, blazing foliage, and opportunities for family time make this season memorable. Take advantage of the cooler weather by exploring Canada’s best fall fairs. From glowing pumpkin trails and starry night skies to apple harvests and Bavarian beer halls, these fairs highlight the best of Canada.
Plus, there’s something for everyone. Whether you’re looking for kid-friendly fun, luxe wine tastings, or unforgettable cultural experiences, these fall festivals are worth adding to your calendar.
Explore Canada’s Fall Fairs: Harvest Celebrations Across Rural Life
Canadian National Exhibition (CNE)
CNE tends to happen earlier in the season, occurring in late summer and early autumn. The next event will be from August 21 to September 27, 2026. What makes this fall fair so special is its sheer size: with 1.6 million visitors annually on average, the Canadian National Exhibition is the largest fall fair in the nation.
The festival began in 1879 as a modest agricultural fair. Today, the festival highlights agriculture, culture, and much more. Attend a talent show, baseball or basketball tournament, a chocolate challenge, or even a cat show. This event also includes children’s outdoor activities, including Kids’ AgVenture, where your kiddos can play farmer for a day, picking apples, digging up potatoes, and milking a cow.
Ontario Kitchener-Waterloo Oktoberfest
Held from September 26 to October 18, 2025, K-W Oktoberfest is the largest Bavarian festival in Canada. Spread across multiple venues, this annual tradition brings German heritage to life with parades, polka dancing, concerts, and German-inspired food and beer.
Whether you’re here for the beer or to get your kids out of the house, keep your smartphone charged up while on the go. The EcoFlow RAPID Magnetic Power Bank will juice up your phone’s battery so you’re always ready to snap a photo at this festival.
Jasper Dark Sky Festival
Jasper, Canada, is a certified dark sky area. Held October 17 to 26, 2025, the Jasper Dark Sky Festival offers a structured and fun environment to admire the cosmos. Festival-goers can purchase the Dark Sky Package ($125), which runs from 10:15 pm to 1.15 am, so you’ll want to grab a coffee to stay up late. This immersive experience includes a planetarium dome session, telescope viewing (rain or shine, thanks to weather-proof gear), and a guided tour of an exclusive stargazing area, with binoculars provided.
You’ll be outside for the entire festival, so pack accordingly. Bring the right essentials for your outdoor adventure, including layered clothes and an umbrella.
Okanagan Fall Wine Festival
The Okanagan Fall Wine Festival is the ultimate harvest-season celebration in British Columbia’s wine country. Held from October 3 to 12, 2025, this 10-day festival combines stunning landscapes with world-class food and wine.
Signature events include the British Columbia Wine Awards, which spotlight the region’s best vintages, and vineyard-hosted gatherings where you can sip, stroll, and learn directly from winemakers. Consider signing up for the Sunset Drive Fall Outdoor Tasting ($80 per person), where guests enjoy unlimited tastings, food pairings, and a DJ-curated soundtrack set against the dramatic backdrop of the valley at harvest time.
If you buy food or wine for later, keep it fresh in the EcoFlow GLACIER Classic Portable Refrigerator Freezer. Store food or wine in your RV, at your campground, or even in your vehicle to keep it fresh.
Celtic Colours International Festival
Set against the brilliant autumn foliage of Cape Breton Island, the Celtic Colours International Festival is a nine-day celebration of Celtic culture, music, and heritage. Held from October 10 to October 18, 2025, this fall fair includes over 200 events transforming the island into a living stage.
Immerse yourself in Celtic music concerts, watch living history reenactments, see a blacksmithing demonstration, or try your hand at punch needle embroidery. If you’ve got rhythm, attend the Whycocomagh step dance workshop, where you’ll learn the Cape Breton dance style.
Pumpkinferno
Founded in 2012, Pumpkinferno is a beautiful and kid-friendly harvest festival running from October 3 to November 1, 2025. This award-winning event transforms a scenic trail into a glowing gallery of intricately carved pumpkins illuminated after dark for a one-of-a-kind experience.
The trail takes around 40 minutes to walk. Admission fees are $22 per person, and children under five go free. You can also pay $20 extra for early access to the Harvest Barn, where dinner is served before the walk. Pumpkinferno also offers Accessibility Nights on October 8, 15, and 22, which provide a 30-minute driving tour through the illuminated displays.
Blue Mountain Apple Harvest Festival
The Blue Mountain Apple Harvest Festival brings Ontario’s apple country to life from October 10 to 13, 2025. The festival is hosted at Blue Mountain Resort and blends classic autumn charm with a resort-style getaway. Enjoy live music, cider samples, and family-friendly entertainment like stilt walkers, a petting zoo, and even campfire sing-alongs.
Some attendees choose to stay at the resort, but if you want to camp in the great outdoors, plan for cooler temperatures at night. Bring the EcoFlow WAVE 3 portable heater and air conditioner to stay comfortable no matter what Mother Nature has planned.
Brigden Fair
Held on Thanksgiving weekend (October 10 to October 13, 2025), Brigden Fair is a classic fall festival celebrating its 175th year. The fairgrounds come alive with tractor pulls, horse and poultry shows, wild west performances, and lumberjack acts, while kids can take part in a colouring contest or enjoy performances from the Chippewa Point Dancers and local fiddle players. Thrill-seekers will love the carnival rides and games, and foodies can indulge in all the classic fair fare.
One of the most unique offerings is the pumpkin catapult, which is a must-watch autumn event. For an unforgettable view, adventurous visitors can also book a helicopter ride ($80 per adult, $60 per child under 11), available daily from 9 am to dusk.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Are the Best Fall Fairs in Ontario?
Ontario hosts some of the biggest and most memorable fall fairs in Canada, including Kitchener-Waterloo Oktoberfest, Pumpkinferno, Brigden Fair, and Blue Mountain Apple Harvest Festival. In short, you won’t be bored this fall!
What is the Largest Agricultural Fair in Ontario?
The Canadian National Exhibition (CNE) is the largest fair not just in Ontario, but in all of Canada. It attracts an average of 1.6 million visitors every year. However, CNE has started focusing less on agriculture. For a genuine experience, check out Brigden Fair for a broader range of farm-focused activities, from horse and poultry shows to tractor pulls.
Fall Festivals Celebrate Culture, Community, and Harvest
What’s more autumnal than cider, pumpkins, and starry skies? No matter which province you visit, Canada’s fall fairs and festivals have something for everyone. Still, these fall adventures mean long days (and nights) away from power outlets. Stay powered up for family photos with the EcoFlow RAPID Magnetic Power Bank, the perfect companion for capturing every moment of fall.