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Ontario’s annual fall fairs are a staple of rural life. As summer turns to autumn, communities from east to west, north and south put on displays and events to celebrate the year’s harvest and agricultural life. From tractor pulls to giant vegetable contests, food vendors and midway rides, here’s what you’ll find at Ontario’s fall fairs.
Greater Toronto Area
Brampton Fair
When: September 14-17, 2023
Where: Brampton Fairgrounds, 12942 Heart Lake Road, Caledon
The Brampton Fair, held at the Brampton Fairgrounds in the town of Caledon is a great way to experience the country, just outside the big city. The fair offers everything from food vendors and crafts to livestock competitions, a horse show, fruits and vegetables competition, prizes for local field crops and more, including a demolition derby, car show and midway rides.
The Royal Agricultural Winter Fair
When: November 3–12, 2023
Where: Exhibition Place, 100 Princes' Boulevard, Toronto
The Royal Agricultural Winter Fair is the largest combined indoor agricultural fair and international equestrian competition in the world. Now in its 100th year, the fair takes over Toronto’s Exhibition Place and plays host to the ?Royal Horse Show with over 1000 competitors and $1,000,000 in prize money, agricultural competitions,? food vendors selling everything from finger foods to fine dining, and more.
York, Durham and Headwaters
Port Perry Fair
When: September 2-4, 2023
Where: Port Perry Fairgrounds, 15835 Old Simcoe Road Port Perry
Celebrate rural life and local agriculture with exciting events like the horse pulling competition, vintage tractor display, mini horse and donkey show, live music and even a men’s baking contest.
Orono Fair
When: September 7-10, 2023
Where: 2 Princess Street, Orono
Don’t miss the exhibits, entertainment and competitive events at one of the oldest running fairs in Ontario.
Uxbridge Fall Fair
When: September 8-10, 2023
Where: Elgin Park, 180 Main Street South, Uxbridge
A horse show, demo derby, tractor pull, classic car show and midway are just a few of the exciting attractions during this even?t.
Sunderland Fall Fair
When: September 12-13, 2023
Where: 20 Park Street, Sunderland
This year’s theme at the Sunderland Fair is Pumpkins, so in addition to a host of fun experiences including the fall parade, you’ll get to view the exhibit of giant vegetables, specifically pumpkins.
Beaverton Fall Fair
When: September 15-16, 2023
Where: 176 Main Street, Beaverton
Going strong since 1853, the Beaverton Fall Fair continues to deliver the best of the season in event and entertainment. The 2023 theme is “Blue Jeans and Country Dreams”.
Bolton Fall Fair
When: September 21-24, 2023
Where: Albion Bolton Fairgrounds: 150 Queen Street South, Bolton
Held annually at the Albion Bolton Fairgrounds, the Bolton Fall Fair truly has? something for everyone, from an exciting Tractor Pull and Demolition Derby to agricultural exhibits and shows, live entertainment, buskers, Craft Beer Festival and numerous food vendors.
Markham Fall Fair
When: End of September (more details to come)
Where: 10801 McCowan Road, Markham
One of Canada’s largest and longest running county fairs, the Markham Fall Fair attracts upwards of 60,000 visitors and hosts roughly 3,000 exhibitors that enter more than 10,000 items into various competitions. The fair also holds farm animal displays, a livestock show, horse pull, tractor pull, demolition derby and midway. The fair also holds an aerial circus show and fireworks.
Woodbridge Fall Fair
When: October 7-9, 2023
Where: Woodbridge Fairgrounds, 100 Porter Avenue, Woodbridge
Held over Thanksgiving weekend and located at the Woodbridge Fairgrounds, this fair offers a petting zoo, midway carnival rides, pumpkin carving and decorating contests. It even holds a kid’s “Farmer’s Challenge” to see how young farmers measure up in farming activities like tractor pedaling, apple picking and cow milking. The fair is free for kids five and under.
Southwestern Ontario
Western Fair
When: September 8–17, 2023
Where: 845 Florence Street, London
Founded in 1867, London’s Western Fair offers 10 days of fun for the whole family including food and craft vendors, various competitions,? live music, Smash Wrestling, and even a performance by? Mighty Mike, a man who juggles bowling balls while wearing a 1920s era swimming costume.
Forest Fall Fair
When: September 22–24, 2023
Where: 45 Jefferson Street West, Forest
Held on the site of the? Forest Agricultural Society Fairground since 1939, the Forest Fall Fair takes place every third weekend after Labour Day. With agricultural competitions, animal shows, food vendors and? live events.
Caledonia Fall Fair
When: September 28–October 1, 2023
Where: Caledonia Fairgrounds, 151 Caithness Street East, Caledonia
From homemade pies to heavy horse displays, the Caledonia Fall Fair combines the traditional elements of a fall fair with family-friendly entertainment. Celebrating its 150th year at the Caledonia Fair Grounds, the fair promises to be an exciting one with midway rides, baby show, demolition derbies and free fun activities for kids.
Fall Festival, Brantwood Farms
When: each weekend, through September and October, 2023
Where: 251 Powerline Road, Brantford
There’s lots of fall fun to be had at Brantwood Farms: take a wagon ride, get lost in the corn maze, or have a bounce on the giant jumping pillow. And the fun doesn’t end there! Give yourself a fright in the haunted barn, explore the straw castle, take a ride on the spider web crawler, or enjoy a game of pumpkin bowling. Then take a break to pick your own apples and pumpkins to enjoy at home.
Niagara Region
West Niagara Fair
When: Start of September (more details to come)
Where: West Niagara Fairgrounds, 7402 Mud Street West, Grassie
The West Niagara Fair offers three days of family-friendly entertainment at the West Niagara Fairgrounds near the town of Grimsby. The fair hosts numerous craft and food vendors, including photography, antiques and art, along with competitions for everything from livestock to baking, a demolition derby and tractor pull.
Hamilton, Halton and Brant
Ancaster Fair
When: September 21-24, 2023
Where: Ancaster Fairgrounds, 630 Trinity Road, Jerseyville
An annual event held each September, the Ancaster Fair is put on by the? Ancaster Agricultural Society at the fairgrounds in Jerseyville, just outside of Hamilton. The fair features competitive exhibits of local agricultural products and livestock, along with carnival rides, food vendors, demolition derby and various sporting events.
Milton Fall Fair
When: September 22-24, 2023
Where: Milton Fair Grounds, 136 Robert Street, Milton
Come celebrate the 166th year of the Milton Fall Fair, held each year at the Milton Fair Grounds. Events and attractions at this annual event include a midway, equestrian events, pet show, baby contest, live bands, tractor pull, demolition derby and a whole lot more. A local favourite is always the 4-H animal show and rabbit hopping agility course. For kids wishing to compete, the Milton Fair hosts a children’s pedal tractor pull.
Huron, Perth, Waterloo and Wellington
Cambridge Fall Fair
When: September 7-10, 2023
Where: Dickson Park, 30 Parkhill Road West, Cambridge
Featuring four days of fun and games, live music and more, the Cambridge Fall Fair offers everything from sing-along Karaoke events to Monster Truck rides and a large midway. Plus, relax in the ??Waterloo Brew Company Beer Garden and explore the vendors, crafts and displays inside the Dickson Centre.
New Hamburg Fall Fair
When: September 14-17, 2023
Where: 251 Jacob Street, New Hamburg
Started over 160 years ago, the New Hamburg Fall Fair offers fun activities for the whole family. Spend time on the midway rides, take in livestock demonstrations and competitions, tractor pulls, demolition derbies, and countless food, craft and art vendors and a barnyard children’s area. Check out the full schedule in the ? 2023 fair book.
Kitchener-Waterloo Oktoberfest
When: September 22-October 14, 2023
Where: 2 King Street West, Kitchener
First held to celebrate the wedding of Bavaria’s Crown Prince Ludwig and Therese Von Sachesen-Hildenburghausen in 1810, Kitchener-Waterloo Oktoberfest offers a taste of Munich in Southern Ontario. The festival includes countless vendors, numerous? Festhallen (German-style beer halls), Canada’s largest Thanksgiving Day Parade, a car show and harvest celebration honouring the region’s agricultural bounty. Don’t miss the? Official Keg Tapping, and special events for kids during? Kidoberfest.
Kinderfest
When: September 30-October 1, 2023
Where: 425 Bingemans Centre Drive, Kitchener
There’s fun for the whole family at the region's newest fall festival. Kids can enjoy a live performance by songwriter and entertainer Erick Traplin, as well as carnival rides and inflatables, pumpkin cookie decorating, an open fire s'mores roasting station and face painting. Adults can shop? local at the Fall Market.
Erin Fall Fair
When: Thanksgiving weekend, October 6-9, 2023
Where: Erin Fairgrounds, 184 Main Street, Erin
Now in its 170th year, the Erin Fall Fair is held at the fairgrounds on the main street of Erin. Calling itself “Ontario’s preview to the Royal Winter Fair”, visitors will find plenty of activities including home crafts, animal exhibits, agricultural competitions and a midway full of rides. Plus, there’s great food, activities for kids, truck and tractor pulls and a giant pumpkin contest.
Bruce, Grey and Simcoe
Owen Sound Fall Fair
When: September 8-9, 2023
Where: Victoria Park, 858 10th Street East, Owen Sound
Held annually at Victoria Park in Owen Sound, the Owen Sound Fall Fair highlights the agricultural achievements of the region. The fair hosts the ?Grey County beef show and regional 4-H show, along with classic fair activities like a pie-eating contest, hay bale maze and face painting, craft and vendors market and a Medieval Knight Show.
Orillia Fall Fair
When: September 8-9, 2023
Where: Orillia Fairgrounds, 4500 Fairgrounds Road, Severn
The Orillia Fall Fair, now in its 172nd year, offers urban visitors an opportunity to take an up-close look at rural life in Ontario. Hosted by the Orillia & District Agricultural Society, the fair features a ?tractor pull, demolition derby, horse competitions, and even a? j?unior fair with activities and competitions for kids.
Port Elgin Pumpkinfest
When: September 30-October 1, 2023
Where: Downtown Port Elgin
A one-day family-friendly event, Pumpkinfest has been held in downtown Port Elgin since 1986. The star of the festival, the pumpkin growing contest, wows visitors with pumpkins that routinely weigh in at over 1700 pounds (770 kilograms). Pumpkinfest also offers an opportunity to stroll the main street to take in the ?classic car show, a midway and numerous food and beverage vendors.
Blue Mountain Apple Harvest Festival
When: Start of October (more details to come)
Where: 156 Jozo Weider Boulevard, Blue Mountain Village
Celebrate this year’s apple harvest in Ontario’s largest apple-growing region. Blue Mountain’s Apple Harvest Festival features live music, hiking among the fall colours, cider tasting and AGORA: Path of Light, an interactive lighting installation based on the five elements of air, space, earth, water and fire.
Kawarthas and Northumberland
Bobcaygeon Fall Fair
When: September 28-30, 2023
Where: 47 Mansfield Street, Bobcaygeon
Held at the Bobcaygeon-Verlan Community Centre, in a typical year the Bobcaygeon Fall Fair welcomes over 5,500 visitors with numerous attractions, activities and events. From home craft and handicraft displays to tractor pulls, music, food vendors, farm animals and a midway, the Bobcaygeon Fall Fair offers a packed schedule of fun things to do.
Keene Pumpkin Festival
When: October 14, 2023
Where: 1137 Heritage Line, Keene
Celebrate all things pumpkin at the Keene Pumpkin Festival in the village of Keene, located about 20 minutes outside of Peterborough. Featuring a pumpkin weigh-in, in which specimens often clock in at over 1000 pounds (450 kilograms), the Keene festival also offers a Kid Zone with bouncy castles and face painting, hay bale maze, petting zoo, horse and wagon rides, along with food and drink on site and an antique car and tractor show.
Southeastern Ontario
Kingston Fall Fair
When: September 14-17, 2023
Where: Kingston Memorial Centre, 303 York Street, Kingston
Sponsored by the Kingston & District Agricultural Society, the Kingston Fall Fair is held over? four days every september. Come on down and check out dairy and beef shows, celebrate young farmers during Frontenac 4-H Achievement Day, catch the country singing showdown and more. The fair also hosts a tractor pull, demolition derby and a freestyle motocross show.
Ottawa and Countryside
Carp Fair
When: September 21-24, 2023
Where: 3790 Carp Road, Carp
Sometimes called “the best little fair in Canada”, the Carp Fair, held in the Village of Carp, near Ottawa, offers everything from live music to horse shows, the President’s Choice ?Super Dogs, a large midway and petting zoos. Visitors can also take part in activities like the Duck Race on the Carp River, quilt raffle and junior craft night.
Haliburton Highlands to the Ottawa Valley
Tweed Harvest Festival Extravaganza
When: September 22-24, 2023
Where: Tweed Fairgrounds, 617 Louisa Street, Tweed
Celebrate all things pumpkin at the Tweed Harvest Festival Extravaganza, located in the charming town of Tweed. Enjoy a pancake breakfast, try your hand at pumpkin carving, explore the fall craft vendors and view the entries in the annual scarecrow competition.
Muskoka, Parry Sound and Algonquin Park
Bracebridge Fall Fair & Horse Show
When: September 15-17, 2023
Where: J.D. Lang Park, 331 Fraserburg Road, Bracebridge
For over 155 years, locals and visitors alike have gathered in Bracebridge for this annual harvest time celebration. With pancake breakfasts, exhibits, live music, wagon rides, square dancing and horse demonstrations, the Bracebridge Fall Fair offers a truly rural experience in cottage country. For those looking to camp, the fair also offers family camping on site.
Huntsville Fall Fair
When: September 22-24, 2023
Where: 407 Ravenscliffe Road, Huntsville
Hosted by volunteer members of The Huntsville and District Agricultural Society, the Huntsville Fall Fair offers a taste of rural life in cottage country, just on the outskirts of Huntsville. The fair features vegetable growing and baking competitions, a horse? show and agricultural prizes for all age groups, including the tallest sunflower and heaviest potato.
Northeastern Ontario
Cochrane Fall Fair
When: September 8-9, 2023
Where: 385 First Avenue, Cochrane
Learn about the importance of agriculture in Northern Ontario at one of the region’s longest running fall fairs. Running the first weekend after Labour Day, the Cochrane Fall Fair hosts competitions for everything from livestock to poultry, flowers, fruit and vegetables, art by local artists, quilts and baking.
New Liskeard Fall Fair
When: September 14-16, 2023
Where: New Liskeard Fall Fairgrounds, 11 May Street, Temiskaming Shores
There’s no shortage of entertainment at the New Liskeard Fall Fair, one of the largest of its kind in Northern Ontario. Enjoy live shows, music, animals, agricultural activities, craft concessions, a dog show, a midway and more at the New Liskeard fairgrounds. And don’t miss the traditional crowning of the Harvest Queen, which celebrates the accomplishments of young women.
Sault Ste. Marie and Algoma
Bruce Mines Fall Fair
When: September 8-10, 2023
Where: Central Algoma Centennial Grounds, 35 Highway 638, Bruce Mines
Running since 1880, the Bruce Mines Fall Fair offers three days of family-friendly fun. Watch the demolition derby and tractor pull, take in the livestock competition, browse the entries in arts and crafts, baking, flowers, fruits and vegetable competitions, then dance the night away with a DJ.
Northwest Ontario
Hymers Fall Fair
When: September 3-4, 2023
Where: 47 Hymers Fair Drive, Kakabeka Falls
A classic country fair, the Hymers Fall Fair has been held since 1912 and is located in the? town of Kakabeka Falls, about half an hour from Thunder Bay. The fair offers a showcase of the region’s agricultural bounty, including contests for the biggest local pumpkin and horse and cattle shows. The fair also offers fresh home-cooked food, a farmer's market and various food and craft vendors.
Find a fair near you
This fall, get out and explore Ontario’s rural and agricultural heritage. If you don’t see a fair here near you, search over 200 fairs through the? OntarioAssociation of Agricultural Societies directory and find more ?tractor pulls and ? giant vegetable contests.
Visit Festivals and Events Ontario to discover more seasonal fun in Ontario.
Source: Destination Ontario