Think beyond the pumpkin spice and scarf layering – October in South Eastern Ontario is brimming with events and activities that celebrate fall in some seriously creative ways! From comedy to star gazing, an ode to craft beer to farm tours, this month is going to be as vibrant as the changing leaves. Pick your fall favs and plan to attend these 24 autumn happenings in South Eastern Ontario.
1. Diwali Festival in Belleville
Get ready for a spectacular celebration of lights, culture and fun! The Belleville Diwali Festival is set for Saturday, October 14, 2023 and promises to be brighter than ever. Look to West Zwick’s Park for traditional arts and crafts, savour Indian cuisine, a dance party and fireworks. This event won the Festival and Events Ontario Best New Festival award last year!
Celebrating all things local craft beer! Join in the family-friendly fun on Saturday, Oct. 14 featuring sips and quips from craft breweries and beverage makers across Bay of Quinte region. Hops on the Water takes place at the Front Street Farmers’ Market pavilion from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Did you know it’s highlighted as one of the top 100 festivals and events in the province?
3. History and Hauntings: Ghost Walks of Napanee
Historic, charming – and haunted! Discover a different side of Napanee as you explore the downtown with a guide to all the heritage architecture as well as the terrifying tales on the 90-minute eerie walking tour every Saturday until Oct. 28.
4. Dinosaurs: An Exhibit at Base31
It’s positively prehistoric! Step back in time this month at the Drill Hall at Base 31 with authentically-sized casts of real dinosaur fossils. Presented in partnership with Research Casting International, guests can wander through the life-sized exhibits, take pictures with the fossils and take the learning a step further with dinosaur activities. Be sure to spot the 80-foot-long Diplodocus skeleton! Running until Oct. 28.
Workshops galore! From mood colour painting, to sketching to ceramics, October is a creative masterpiece at SHED at Chetwyn Farms. The modern alpaca farm shop in Hillier, Prince Edward County specializes in alpaca yarns and premium products, designed and curated with sustainability top of mind. Look for other intriguing workshops coming up in the series at SHED Chetwyn Farms!
Have you ever been referred to as a mean oyster shucking machine? Yes?! Then this event is for you! The backyard at Sand and Pearl will host a fierce but festive Oyster Shucking Tournament on Oct.22, 2023, live fire cooking, fresh oysters and libations. This competition is tasty! Tourney starts at 2:45 p.m. – register ahead to compete.
7. Bruce McCulloch’s Tales of Bravery and Stupidity
Funny, relatable and courageously stupid. Join in the fun on October 21 as Bruce McCulloch takes the stage at The Regent Theatre in Picton to muse about life, his observations and struggles. McCulloch is a Canadian comedy icon known for his involvement with sketch troupe, The Kids in the Hall, in addition to being an accomplished writer, director and producer. Don’t be a Cabbage Head – come out to see it!
8. Laser-guided Stargazing Tour
Get acquainted with the night sky! The laser-guided stargazing tour at the Lennox & Addington Dark Sky Viewing Area is always a popular event, happening Oct. 13 and 14. Starting about an hour after dusk, the tour is informative and intriguing – and participants typically get to take a look through a telescope, too! The Dark Sky Viewing Area is the most southerly place in Ontario that offers a night sky experience like what was available more than 100 years ago – a clear night sky is the star of the show, unobstructed by light pollution.
Gather together on October 14, 2023 at Hollow Square in Newburgh to celebrate community, bounty and cheer! Enjoy an evening of local food, music, art and togetherness at the Hollow Square Market from 3 p.m. to 9 p.m. With more than 40 local vendors, face painting, live music featuring John Denver tribute Jimmy Gribbon, and much more, it’s set to be a good time.
10.Sydenham Fall Trail Run
Lace up and enjoy an 8km run on the Cataraqui Trail along Sydenham Lake! See the fall colours with a water view during the run which takes place on Sunday, October 29 at 10 a.m. New this year for little runners, the Little Eagles Kids Run gets in motion as a 2km run for children up to age 12. Fees apply and include a post-run meal, souvenir and registration fees. The run is hosted by MT Adventures, which stages unusual and exciting experiences such as adventure treks, trail rides and runs.
11. From Farm to Cidery
A four-course all-local menu with cider pairings? We’re pulling up a chair! In celebration of Open Farm Days, Hard Way Cider Co. is hosting Otter Creek Kitchen for a special brunch on October 1, showcasing Frontenac County growers and producers. With two seatings at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m., this event also features a Frontenac County musician and a floral artisan pop-up from Kingston’s Butternut Creek Flower Farm. Local from start to finish!
12. Ghost and Mystery Cruise
Stories swirl on the water of death, murder, wreckage and mystery during the 1.5 hour Kingston 1000 Islands Ghost and Mystery Cruise! Sail the harbour after dark and approach the famously eerie sites in Kingston from the water’s edge. The cruise departs Friday evenings in October at 8 p.m. See Kingston Penitentiary, Fort Henry and Rockwood Asylum from a different perspective – and at night.
13. Halloween on the High Seas
Gather around all ye mermaids, pirates and scuba divers! Halloween on the High Seas returns at the Marine Museum of the Great Lakes in Kingston on Saturday, October 28 from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. New activities, mystical highlights and spaces to explore. This interactive event is fun for the whole family and we hear there may even be some trick-or-treating involved!
Read more scare-iffic events from across South Eastern Ontario here.
1000 Islands Rideau Canal Waterways
As the leaves change colour, enjoy all aspects of the tree with North Grenville’s Fall in Love with Maple event Sept. 30 and Oct. 1! On the Bend Sugar Shack and the Ontario Maple Syrup Producers Association in partnership with Kemptville Campus – Agroforestry Centre presents tours of the operation, pancake breakfasts, live music and guided forest tours at Peter Wensink Maple Forest. The maples will be singing a stunning harmony of yellows, oranges and reds. Book your table today.
15. Eastern Ontario Craft & Gift Market
With more than 40 vendors, games for kids, live entertainment, door prizes, free parking, and more, find something unique and inspiring on Sunday, October 1, 2023 at the Eastern Ontario Craft & Gift Market. The market takes place from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the North Grenville Municipal Centre. We hear there may even be a piñata for the kids!
The freshest products around! The Kemptville Farmers Market features local veggies, fruit, meat, herbs, flowers, baked goods and snacks, honey and maple products, ethnic cuisine and so much more. What’s unique is that the market starts at noon, meaning that growers and bakers can harvest or bake in the morning to ensure the products brought to market are super fresh. Find the market at 200 Sanders St. in Old Town Kemptville, taking place every Sunday from noon to 4 p.m. until the end of October. Come meet local producers and revel in the harvest!
17. Guided birding adventure in Rideau Lakes
This birding adventure is ready to fluff feathers! The Rideau Lakes is a popular stop for migrating waterfowl and is known for smaller species who breed here. Discover birds on two full days of birding guided by Eastern Ontario Birding expert, Jon Ruddy. The birding adventure includes two packed lunches, snacks and beverages for the outing, as well as two 8-hour days of birding. Available through Newboro House Bed & Breakfast, this adventure is available October 19 to 22, 2023.
18. Fall for Merrickville at Heritage Stables
Experience an autumn day in the county! Hay rides, petting zoo, live music, face painting and food – what’s not to love?! This annual Thanksgiving market is hosted by Pickle & Myrrh and Heritage Stable on Saturday, October 7 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Local vendors will have handmade art, pottery, crafts, treats, pies, maple syrup, artisan bread, flowers, caramels and more at the red barn. Top that off with Musical Ride performances and you’ve got the perfect fall day along the Rideau River. It won’t take long for you to fall for Merrickville!
19. Festival of Small Halls Ontario
Big music in a little place! Community halls and spaces across the Rideau region are coming alive with the sound of music this October, as the Ontario Festival of Small Halls brings big names in music to rural communities across South Eastern Ontario. From Terra Lightfoot to Corb Lund and The Irish Descendents to Kim Mitchell to Aysanabee and even Matthew Good, the Festival is running over three weekends from October 5 to 22, 2023. Check out the full schedule and see small places in a new light!
The iconic Brockville Railway Tunnel transforms into a Tunnel of Terror surrounding Halloween! The tunnel turns spooky October 19 to 22 and again October 26 to 29, 2023. Enter if you dare…
21. 1000 Islands & Seaway Cruises Brockville
Talk turkey in a different way this Thanksgiving! 1000 Islands and Seaway Cruises in Brockville is hosting two special Thanksgiving Dinner Cruise on Saturday October 7 and Sunday, October 8 featuring traditional fare of turkey, ham, potatoes and all the fixings with dessert – while cruising the scenic 1000 Islands! The leaves are brilliant colours, the water is blue and peaceful and stories are still begging to be told among the islands. Hop on board a 1000 Islands Cruise and leave the cooking to them, while making memories.
22. Williamstown Ghost and Discovery Walk
Every Friday in October, the Williamstown Ghost and Discovery Walk explores the hauntings and happenings of Williamstown, surrounding Ontario’s oldest surviving home, the Sir John Johnson Manor House, which dates back to the late 1700s. It is now a National Historic Site – and is rumoured to be haunted. Find out what other legends lie around the village during the discovery walk!
23. Canadian SuperDIRT Weekend
Feel the need for speed! Enjoy a weekend of racing action at the Cornwall Motor Speedway with the annual Canadian Super DIRT Weekend. Taking place Friday, October 6 to Sunday, October 8, 2023, this event features edge-of-your-seat racing in a variety of classes that will get the adrenaline pumping!
24. Cornwall Psychic and Crystal Fair
Mediums, psychics, tarot card readings, astrology, crystal vendors, intuitive healers and much more available for readings, learning and digging deeper. Come to the Cornwall Civic Complex from Friday, October 27 to Sunday, October 29 to be a part of the enlightenment. Admission is $10 with children 12 years old and under free.
Enjoy fall to the fullest this October in South Eastern Ontario!
