40 fun fall festivals in Toronto

by José Gonzalez

As the leaves change, so does the festival season in Toronto. Take this last gasp of good weather to enjoy the many food, music and arts festivals in the city! [Photo courtesy of Toronto Oktoberfest]

Veg Food Fest
Veggie fans unite for this festival of all food vegetarian and vegan. More than 140 vendors are on hand selling locally-made items such as cashew ice cream, cookies, cupcakes, artisanal vegan cheeses, pizza, samosas, smoothies and plenty more. Also included are live musical performances and talks featuring experts on making the most of your veg lifestyle.

When: September 8: 4 pm to 9 pm, September 9: 12 pm to 9 pm and September 10: 12 pm to 7 pm
Admission: Free
Where: Harbourfront Centre
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Taste of the Kingsway
The west end neighbourhood brings out its best dishes in this annual favourite. This year it also includes three stages of entertainment, a classic car exhibit, buskers and an ice cream eating competition.

When: September 8: 6 to 10 pm, September 9: 11 am to 10 pm and September 10: 11 am to 6 pm
Admission: Free
Where: Kingsway
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Toronto International Film Festival
The stars are out for the biggest film festival in the city. Tickets will be sparse as movie fans compete to see George Clooney and Matt Damon in Suburbicon, Jennifer Lawrence and Javier Bardem in Mother!, the Tragically Hip biopic and a host of other films. There's also a festival street along King West complete with games, food and lots of other fun film-related activities.

When: September 7 to 17
Admission: Varies by film/event
Where: Various theatres
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Small World Music Festival
Now in its 16th year, this festival includes more than 50 different performers from around the world. It also includes a number of free outdoor concerts and the debut of Polyphonic Ground Presents, a new monthly series of concerts to be held in Toronto throughout the year.

When: September 14 to 17
Admission: Free, $10 to $60
Buy tickets
Where: Revival Bar, Small World Music Centre, The Rivoli, and St. Andrew's Church
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Festival of International Virtual and Augmented Reality Stories
This festival offers immersive storytelling experiences from around the world. Thirty different experiences are on offer, including a number of World and Canadian premieres. Fans of VR, or those curious about the technology, can get a sample of its newest stories. You can also sit in on a few talks and panels to learn more about the world of virtual and augmented reality.

When: September 15 to 17
Admission: Full access $42, Access to talks and panels only $30
Buy tickets
Where: House of VR
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Kensington Market Jazz Festival
More than 200 Canadian jazz musicians perform in more than 150 shows in one of the city's hippest neighbourhoods. Concerts are spread over 12 different venues, and if there's a show that speaks to your inner hep cat, make sure you arrive early because tickets are only available at the door.

When: September 15 to 17
Admission: Varies by location
Where: 4 Life Natural Foods, Eative, Fresco's Fish & Chips, Good Egg, Jimmy's Coffee, Model Citizen, Nu Bagel, Prohibition, Supermarket, Wafles & More and Wanda's Pie in the Sky
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Toronto Beer Week
Beer lovers can raise their steins in joy to enjoy beverages from more than 30 of Ontario's best craft breweries. There are 100 events throughout the week, including beer dinners, tastings and brewing demonstrations.

When: September 15 to 23
Admission: Varies
Where: Various locations
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Toronto Ukrainian Festival
Toronto's Ukrainian community celebrates its 21st year. In previous years, this festival has welcomed 500,000 visitors to enjoy Ukrainian food, music and culture. This year features Ukrainian band Mad Heads and TV personality Evanka Osmak.

When: Septmeber 15 to 17
Admission: Free
Where: Bloor West Village
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On Common Ground Festival
People come together at this festival celebrating the rich cultural landscape of Canada. This festival includes a variety of performers, music, crafts, arts and plenty of family-friendly entertainment.

When: September 15 to 17
Admission: Free
Where: Fort York Historic Site
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Pioneer Harvest Festival
Celebrate the end of the growing season with one last big harvest, done in the style of the 19 Century Mennonite and Pennsylvania-German settlers. Enjoy some homemade pies, ice cream, sausages and other country favourites. There's also a rummage sale, wagon rides, brew sampling, international foods, a cider mill demonstration, a quilting demonstration and pioneer demonstrations.

When: September 16:10 am to 4:30 pm
Admission: Adult (Age 15-59): $15, Senior (60+) & Student (15+ with ID): $12, Child (Age 5-14): $11, and Infant (Age 4 and under): Free
Where: Black Creek Pioneer Village
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Roncesvalles Polish Festival
Toronto's premiere Polish festival returns for its 12th year. Enjoy some of the traditional music and dancing of Poland while tasting some pierogi, kielbasa and bigos. The festival also includes a car show, art walk and polka party.

When: September 16 and 17
Admission: Free
Where: Roncevalles
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Food Truck Festival Ontario
Taste the best food on four wheels at the food trucks of Ontario assemble. Guests can peruse through 15 different food trucks offering different cuisines and dishes, including special $6 menus. You'll also have the chance to vote on your favourite truck, and help determine who will go home with the coveted golden fork award. VIP tickets get you into the festival 90 minutes earlier.

When: September 16 and 17
Admission: Free, VIP tickets are $25
Buy tickets
Where: Sherbourne Common
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Honey Harvest Festival
One of nature's sweetest treats gets its due at this festival. Educate yourself on bees and the honey-making process, enjoy a honey tasting, listen to some live music and join the outdoor BBQ.

When: September 16 and 17
Admission: Adult: $10 Senior: $6.50, and Children 15 & Under: Free
Where: Kortright Centre for Conservation
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Park & Bark Dog Show
Dog lovers are invited to bring along their pooch pals to this outdoor celebration of all things canine. Set outdoors, this event gives you the chance to see the many new products and services available to you and your pet, while enjoying giveaways, speakers, and a doggy fashion show you can enter your own dog into.

When: September 16 and October 15: 9 am to 1:30 pm
Admission: Free
Where: Davisville-Yonge st. Parking lot (Sep. 16) and 429 Roncesvalles Avenue at Howard Park Ave (Oct. 15)
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Toronto Garlic Festival
One of nature's most misunderstood plants gets its due in this special festival for the flavourful lily. Test your taste buds with different garlic-infused dishes, and enjoy live music, film screenings, cooking demos and plenty of drinks.

When: September 17
Admission: $5, Free for kids under 12
Where: Artscape Wychwood Barns
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Word on the Street
Literati gather for this celebration of the written word. Enjoy meeting many of your favourite authors, take part in workshops, and explore a marketplace filled with the best of Canadian literature. Featured authors this year include Monia Mazigh, Emma Donoghue, David Suzuki and Ron Sexsmith.

When: September 24: 11 am to 6 pm
Admission: Free
Where: Harbourfront Centre
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Toronto Palestinian Film Festival
Film makers from across Palestine screen their newest in this festival's tenth edition. Featured films this year include Raed Andoni's Ghost Hunting, Udi Aloni's Junction and Maysaloun Hamoud's In Between.

When: September 20 to 24
Admission: Adult: $14.50, Student/Senior: $9.50
Buy tickets
Where: TIFF Bell Lightbox
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JFL42
Have a laugh at more than 42 of the world's best stand-up comedians at this year's Just For Laughs festival. Headliners for this year are Bill Burr, John Mulaney, Ali Wong, Mike Birbiglia, My Favorite Murder, Tom Segura and Tim & Eric.

When: September 21 to 30
Admission: $25 to $299
Buy tickets
Where: Comedy Bar, ALTdot Comedy Lounge, Comedy Underground, The Second City, Absolute Comedy, Fahrenheit Coffee, and Yuk Yuks
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Queen West Art Crawl
Take a trawl down one of the trendiest streets in the city, checking out the artwork from some of the province's best artists. In addition to the art you can enjoy some food, live performances, and children can have fun in the kids’ zone.

When: September 23 to 24: 11 am to 6 pm
Admission: Free
Where: Trinity Bellwoods Park
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Fall Festival at Gibson House
The historic site's annual festival returns, complete with vendors, heritage demonstrations, hands-on activities and games, and a farm animal petting zoo. While there you can also check out their new apple orchard and their new preserves exhibition.

When: September 23: 11 am to 4 pm
Admission: Free
Where: Gibson House
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Harvest Festival at Todmorden Mills
A special edition of the festival to celebrate Canada's 150 birthday, guests here can expect samples of period recipes, a tour of the Wildflower Preserve, handmade crafts and to take home a special print from the Mackenzie House proof press.

When: September 24: 12 pm to 4 pm
Admission: Free
Where: Todmorden Mills
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Buffer Festival
A film festival for the digital space, these screenings feature videos from a number of YouTube creators, including a number of premieres. Screening themes include comedy, LGBTQ+, lifestyle, music, short films, travel & adventure, women of YouTube and vloggers. An awards ceremony will cap off the festival.

When: September 28 to October 1
Admission: $25 per screening, $150 all access pass
Buy tickets
Where: Elgin Theatre
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Nuit Blanche
One of fall's biggest highlights, this massive outdoor art exhibit turns downtown Toronto into an open-air art gallery. More than 85 different art projects are on display, from as far west as Dundas West and Bloor Street to as far east as the Queen East and Broadview. Make sure you have some comfortable shoes and a TTC day pass on if you plan on seeing all of it.

When: September 30, sunset to sunrise
Admission: Free
Where: City-wide
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Reelworld Film Festival
This festival showcases films by underrepresented film makers, focusing on works that aim to create a social good. The festival also includes panels, workshops and talks to help inspire film-making in the pursuit of social change.

When: October 11 to 15
Admission: $50
Buy tickets
Where: Famous Players Canada Square Cinemas
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After Dark Film Festival
Horror fans should brace themselves for screenings of scary movies just ahead of Halloween. More than 900 submissions have been sorted to find the best of the best in horror, sci-fi, action and other cult films. A full lineup of films will be announced by the end of September.

When: October 12 to 20
Admission: Single ticket $13.50, All-Access Pass (all 20 screenings) $159
Buy tickets
Where: Scotiabank Theatre
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ImagineNative Film and Media Arts Festival
The world's largest screening festival of films of Indigenous screen content with five days of screenings. This is the festival's 18th year, and awards will be handed out at the end of the festival.

When: October 18 to 22
Admission: $6 to $85.65
Buy tickets
Where: TIFF Bell Lightbox, Bloor Hot Docs Cinema
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Toronto Oktoberfest
Imbibe in the Bavarian festival that offers plenty of brews and the chance to make some new drinking companions. The largest Oktoberfest in the city, this year’s event features an even bigger tent (30,000 square feet), more taps and a special VIP lounge. The first 750 visitors also receive a free authentic German glass beer stein.

When: September 29 to 30
Admission: $20 to $28
Buy tickets
Where: Ontario Place
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CommFest
Set in the scenic neighbourhood of Old Toronto, this film festival screens movies from around the world by emerging filmmakers and artists. Many of the works screened combine the disciplines of film, music, art, and theatre.

When: October 10 to 16
Admission: TBA
Where: Rainbow Cinema, The St. Lawrence Great Hall, and The Performing Arts Lodge
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Festival of Arabic Music & Arts
Held for the first time by the Canadian Arabic Orchestra, a selection of Arab and non-Arab artists perform around Toronto and the GTA. More than 90 performers are expected in a series of both free and ticketed concerts.

When: October 28 to November 12
Admission: Free, $25 to $65
Buy tickets
Where: Koerner Hall, Revue Cinema, Jane Mallet, Berkeley Street Theatre, Aga Khan Museum, Isabel Bader Theatre, Bluma Appel, and Living Arts Centre
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Toronto Chocolate Festival
Chocolate gets its just desserts at this festival celebrating some of the sweeter products of the cocoa bean. Partake in the chocolate ball, an afternoon chocolate tea, the chocolympics, or try many treats crafted by expert chocolatiers.

When: Weekends November 1 to 30
Admission: $20
Buy tickets
Where: Toronto Reference Library
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Brazil Film Festival
One of the most culturally rich countries in the world takes that vibrancy to the silver screen at this film festival. A selection of films from the country's best filmmakers include features and documentaries giving you a glimpse into Brazil’s film scene.

When: November 3 to 5
Admission: Adult: $15, Student (with I.D.)/Senior (65+): $13 and Child (3 to 13): $10
Where: TIFF Bell Lightbox
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estDocs
Films from Estonia are highlighted in this festival, with works by Estonian filmmakers and films by those exploring Estonian culture. This film festival specializes in short films.

When: November 3 to 7
Admission: TBA
Where: Bloor Hot Docs Cinema
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Reel Indie Film Festival
This film festival celebrates the long relationship between film and music, with features and shorts about the music world and music videos. Winners are declared at the end of the festival for best feature, short and music video.

When: November 7 to 12
Admission: TBA
Where: Jackman Hall
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Reel Asian International Film Festival
Films by contemporary Asian filmmakers and the Asian diaspora around the world are on show during this festival. The films screened go beyond the slim vision of films often associated with Asian cinema, and offer lesser known filmmakers the chance to screen their works.

When: November 9 to 17
Admission: TBA
Where: TIFF Bell Lightbox
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International Festival of Authors
This festival includes readings, interviews, artist talks, round-table discussions and public book signings featuring authors from around the world. This year they welcome Chantel Acevedo, Kathleen Winter, Helen Humphreys, Roddy Doyle, Diane Schoemperlen, Catherine Graham, Grace O'Connell, Peter Robinson and Terry Fallis.

When: October 19 to 29
Admission: TBA
Where: Harbourfront Centre
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The Royal Agricultural Fair
A celebration of rural life, with agriculture, local food, and equestrian competitions. The festival also includes a wine competition, food demonstrations, and butter sculptures. Kids are invited to see some of the animals up close, play at the activity centre and a maze food adventure.

When: November 3 to 12
Admission: $16 - $60
Buy tickets
Where: Enercare Centre
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Toronto Indie Horror Fest
One of the newer festivals in the city, only in its second year, it features screenings of independent horror films. This year's festival includes eight features and eight shorts, including Unhinged, Cold Ground and Happy Hunting.

When: November 8 to 11
Admission: Free
Where: D-Beatstro
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Gourmet Food & Wine Expo
Fans of the finer things in life will enjoy this show featuring gourmet foods and wines from around the world. While enjoying samples, and buying new supplies for your next feast, you can also catch cooking demos or take part in wine tasting lessons.

When: November 16 to 19
Admission: $20 to $85
Buy tickets
Where: Metro Toronto Convention Centre
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Pomegranate Film Festival
Celebrating Armenian inspired film, this festival screens more than 30 films, ranging from lesser known Armenian films to major motion pictures you may be surprised to find have an Armenian connection.

When: November 16 to 19
Admission: TBA
Where: Fairview Cinplex, Hamazkayin Theatre
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Blood in the Snow Canadian Film Festival
Highlighting some of the best of new Canadian genre films, this year moving to its new home at The Royal. The festival also includes short films and seminars.

When: November 23 to 26
Admission: Individual tickets $13, Festival Passes $75 (early bird price)
Where: The Royal Cinema
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KidzFest
A festival just for the kids, right in the heart of downtown! If previous years are anything to go by, it should include games, performers, a giant bouncy castle, science shows, music and plenty more to keep the little ones entertained.