With its abundance of colourful outdoor forests, the City of Markham is truly one of the GTA’s most beautiful places to be during the fall season.
It is, without a doubt, also one of the most festive – with many of the city’s most popular festivals and events taking place in September and October. Without having to leave the city, families can enjoy a wide range of activities, from pumpkin shopping and wagon rides, to fun concerts and exhibits.
While just a glance at Markham’s fall event calendar can be overwhelming, here are a few of our favourite upcoming events for this year’s autumn season.
September 24 -25: Applefest at the Markham Museum
10:00 AM – 4:00 PM | 9350 Markham Road (just north of 16th Avenue)
For those hoping to get an early jump on Thanksgiving shopping, you can’t go wrong with this popular annual festival – where apple cider, apple butter, and apple bread will all be available for sale. The museum’s Cider Mill will also be open, for families to drop by and try a free sample of ultra-fresh cider without any added preservatives.
It’s not just about the food, though – families can also enjoy a huge assortment of activities, including geocaching, fun crafts, Mini Golf, and a ride on the Little Train.
Cost: $4 for adults, free for kids.
September 29 – October 2: Fun and Variety at the Markham Fair
Markham Fairgrounds, 10801 McCowan Road
As almost any Markham family already knows, the annual Markham Fair is every bit as familiar a tradition as the Thanksgiving Holiday, taking place exactly one weekend prior. If you’re on the hunt for seasonal treats, be sure to check out Homecraft building and the famous food stands – where indulgent fudge, delectable jams, and farm-fresh produce abound.
As usual, the fair will be presenting a wide range of livestock shows and horse races, as well as a musical lineup that includes well-known Toronto country act The Little White Lies.
October 22: Spook-Tacular Pumpkins at Sheridan Nurseries
10:30 AM – 11:15 AM | 4077 Highway #7 (just east of Village Parkway)
This family-friendly event takes place at one of Markham’s most popular destinations for gardeners, and invites kids to dress up in their favourite costumes for a morning of pumpkin decorating. Each participant gets to take home a jack-o-lantern for the big night.
Cost: $7 for non-members. Pre-registration is required; more details can be found here.
October 29: Halloween Comes Early in Historic Markham
12:00 PM – 4:00 PM | Main Street Markham between Highway 7 and Bullock Drive
More often than not, kids can’t wait for Halloween night to come. This year, they’re invited to kick off the fun two days early, by heading to Main Street Markham in costume for a Saturday afternoon of spooky fun. Shop and business owners will be dressed up, too, and handing out treats for children to enjoy.
September 17 – October 31: Pumpkinland Takes Over Whittamore’s Farm
10:00 AM – 5:00 PM (Last Entry at 4:00 PM) | 8100 Steeles Avenue E.
It wouldn’t be Halloween in Markham without a visit to Whittamore’s Farm, where the special Pumpkinland installation invites families to enjoy wagon rides, a spooky forest, pumpkin-themed bouncy jumpers, a corn maze, a Pumpkin Cannon Show, and more. As usual, visitors can also grab all kinds of fresh farm goods at the on-site retail store.
Cost: $9 per person on weekdays; $13 per person on weekends and Thanksgiving holiday.
