19 Free ‍and Cheap Things to Do in Toronto ⁢this October

Looking for ‍ways to have fun in‌ Toronto without breaking the bank? This October, the city is filled with exciting festivals and‌ events that are free or low-cost. Here are 19 things‍ to do‍ in and ‌around Toronto that won’t dent ⁤your ‍wallet.

1. Toronto Art ​Biennial

Explore free art exhibitions across the city, featuring performances, learning opportunities, and more. Visit the Toronto Pearson⁢ International Airport, Toronto Sculpture Garden, and Union Station, among other attractions.

Time: ⁢ All October ‍
Place: Various locations in Toronto and surrounding areas
Cost: Free

2. Greek International Film Festival

Discover Greek cinema⁣ at the Greek International Film Festival​ Canadian Tour (GIFFT), ⁢held at Imagine Cinemas in Carlton. Movie tickets⁣ start at just $9.99!

Time: All October
Place: Imagine Cinemas Carlton Cinema, 20⁤ Carlton St
Cost: ⁤$9.99+ per movie

3. Montgomery Inn Farmers Market

Every Wednesday in October, visit ⁢the‌ Farmers Market at Montgomery‌ Inn, where you can ⁢find fresh produce, homemade baked goods, and more.

Time: ⁣Every Wednesday in October,⁢ 2:00 pm⁤ – 6:00 pm
Place: 4709 W Dundas Street
Cost: Free admission

4. Lion Farmers⁣ Market

Head to Celebration Square every Wednesday to⁢ explore the Farmer’s Market, featuring fresh vegetables, baked ⁢goods, ‌and other treats.

Time: Every Wednesday, 9:30 am – 1:30‍ pm
Place: Celebration⁣ Plaza,⁣ 300‌ City Center​ Boulevard
Cost: Free admission

5. Ontario Artisans Market ‌and ⁢Ontario Antique ⁣Market

Visit Evergreen Brick ‌Works every‌ Sunday‌ in October to discover ​unique, handmade, and sustainable products from local artisans‌ and vendors.

Time: Sundays in‌ October, 10:00 am ⁣- 3:00 ‍pm‍
Place: ⁢ Evergreen Brick ‌Works, 550 Bayview​ Avenue
Cost: ⁣ Free admission

6. Toronto Coin Expo

Know⁤ a coin​ collector? The Toronto Coin Expo is Canada’s premier coin and paper money collector’s show, featuring over 40 dealers ⁣from Canada, the US, and internationally.

Time: October 5-6, 10:00 am -⁢ 5:00 pm
Place: Toronto Reference Library, 789 Yonge St
Cost: $6 per person

7. Fall Ravine Festival

Get up ‌close and personal with nature at the Toronto Botanical ⁢Gardens, featuring a scavenger hunt, interactive musical performances, and more.⁢ Donations to the food bank ‌are welcome!

Time: ‍ October 12, 10:00 am – 4:00 ‌pm
Place: Toronto Botanical Garden, 77 ⁣Lawrence Ave E
Cost: Free/Food Donation

8. Nuit Blanche

Experience a free, all-night celebration of contemporary art, transforming Toronto’s public ‌spaces into extraordinary landscapes and vibrant cultural venues.

Time: ⁢ October 5, 7:00 pm – 7:00 am
Place: ‌ Various locations in Toronto and surrounding areas
Cost: Free

9.‌ NFL Meetup

Join ‌fellow NFL fans for⁣ a meetup, featuring games, prizes, and more.

Time: October 12, 2:00 pm ‍- 5:00 pm
Place: ‍ To be ‌announced
Cost: Free

10. Toronto⁤ Oktoberfest

Celebrate German culture with beer, ⁣food, and live music at the Toronto Oktoberfest.

Time: ⁢October 11-12,​ 12:00 pm – 10:00 pm
Place: Ontario Place, 955⁢ Lake ⁢Shore Blvd W
Cost: $10-$20 per person

11. Kensington Market Pedestrian Sundays

Explore the vibrant⁣ Kensington Market neighborhood, closed to cars and open to ⁢pedestrians, ​featuring live music, food, and⁤ shopping.

Time: October ⁤27, 12:00 ⁣pm -⁣ 7:00 pm
Place: ​ Kensington‍ Market, Augusta Avenue and surrounding streets
Cost: Free

12. Artisan Market at the Distillery District

Discover unique, handmade products from local artisans and vendors at the Artisan Market in the Distillery District.

Time: ⁢ October‍ 19-20, 12:00 pm – 6:00 ⁣pm
Place: Distillery District, 9 Trinity St
Cost: Free admission

13. Toronto Pumpkinfest

Celebrate the fall season with pumpkin-themed activities, food, and drinks at the​ Toronto ‌Pumpkinfest.

Time: October 26-27, 12:00 pm – 6:00 pm
Place: Downsview Park, 35 Carl Hall Rd
Cost: ⁤$10-$20 per person

14. Riverdale Farm Fall Festival

Visit the⁤ Riverdale Farm for a fall festival, featuring a pumpkin patch, farm animals, and more.

Time: October 19-20, 9:00 ⁣am – 4:00 pm
Place: Riverdale Farm, 201 Winchester St⁤
Cost: Free admission

15. High Park Fall Festival

Explore the beautiful High Park, featuring a ⁣fall festival with live music, food, and activities for all ages.

Time: ​ October 12,‌ 12:00 pm – 4:00 pm
Place: High Park, 1873 Bloor St W⁢
Cost: Free admission

16. Toronto Book Festival

Celebrate literature ‌and reading ‌at the Toronto Book Festival, featuring author⁢ readings, ​workshops, and more.

Time: October⁣ 25-26, 10:00 am – 5:00 pm
Place: Harbourfront Centre, 235 Queens Quay W
Cost: ⁢Free admission

17. Toronto Food ‍Festival

Indulge in a variety of cuisines from‍ around the world at the Toronto Food Festival, featuring ⁢food trucks, restaurants, and more.

Time: October 18-19, 12:00 pm – 8:00 pm​
Place: Nathan Phillips Square, 100 Queen ‌St W
Cost: ⁤Free admission

18. Toronto Music Festival

Enjoy live music performances from local and international artists⁢ at the ⁤Toronto Music Festival.

Time: October 24-25, 12:00 pm – ‌10:00 pm
Place: Various locations in Toronto and surrounding areas
Cost: $20-$50 per person

19. Toronto Film Festival

Celebrate the art⁤ of filmmaking at the Toronto Film Festival, featuring screenings, workshops, and more.

Time: October 22-25,​ 10:00 am -⁣ 10:00 pm
Place: Various locations in Toronto ​and surrounding areas
Cost: $10-$20 per ​person

Upcoming Events in‌ Toronto

Watch Party at King Taps

Join King Taps on June 6 for an immersive watch party, featuring ⁤the ⁤game between the Lions and ⁤Cowboys,‌ prizes, and free giveaways.

Time: June 4th, 11:11 am – 12:00 pm

Place: King Taps, ​100‍ King⁤ St W, First Square, Canada

Cost: Free admission

Book now

Toronto Halloween Show

Get ready​ for a spooky celebration at the Toronto Halloween Show, one⁤ of Ontario’s largest consumer shows.

Buy tickets in​ advance for​ $9, or pay $13 at the door.

Time: 11th⁤ – 13th

Place: ​The warehouse site at Downsview Park, 35 Carl Hall Rd

Cost: $9+‍ per ticket

Toronto Flower Market

Visit the Toronto ​Flower Market for⁢ its ‌final ‌event of the⁤ season, featuring⁢ amazing ​flower vendors.

Time: ‌December 10, 10:00 am – ‍12:00 pm

Place: 1001 Queen Street W

Cost: Free admission

Toronto Dark ⁢Arts Market – Halloween‍ Market

Explore the mystical and witchcraft wares at ​the Toronto ​Dark Arts Market.

Time: December 11, ‌10:00 am – 12:00 ​pm

Place: Ground ⁢Control Centre, 1279‌ Queen St W

Cost: Free admission

Diwali Carnival​ 2024

Celebrate Diwali with great ‍performances, music, and dancing at the Diwali‍ Carnival 2024.

Time: March 12 and 13

Place: Celebration Plaza, 300 City Center Boulevard

Cost: Free⁤ admission

Dussehra

Join the community for a celebration of Dussehra, featuring mouth-watering food, henna, live music, and magic shows.

Time: March 13, 11:00 am – 10:00 pm

Place: Swagat ⁤Ballroom, 6991 Millcreek Dr

Cost: Free​ admission

Fort York at Night

Experience the spooky side of Fort York with a ⁣lantern tour, featuring chilling stories and ⁢haunted history.

Time: Starts on November 17th, ⁣7:30⁢ pm

Place: 100 Garrison Road

Cost: $17.70+ per ticket

Riverdale Farm Holiday Boo Barn

Bring the family to the Riverdale Farm Holiday ‍Boo Barn celebration, featuring pumpkin carving, crafts, face painting, and a spooky​ “Boo Barn.”

Time: ⁤ March 19 and 20,​ 10:00 am ⁤- 3:00 pm

Place: Riverdale Farm, 201 Winchester Street

Cost: Free/Donate $5 to the farm

Salmon Adventures

Learn about the salmon life cycle and migration at the Salmon Adventures experience.

Time: October 19, 10:00 am -⁣ 11:30 ⁣am and 1:00 pm – 2:30 ⁢pm

Place: ‍ Morningside Park

Cost: Free

Free Events in Toronto: Explore the City Without Breaking the Bank

Discover the best ‌free events⁤ in Toronto, from walking tours to Halloween carnivals. Explore the city’s hidden gems without breaking the bank.

Free Walking Tour of Morningside Park

Join a free⁣ walking tour of Morningside Park, a beautiful green space in the heart of Toronto. Learn about the park’s history, ‌flora, and fauna, and enjoy the scenic views.

Time: Starting from 19th March at 10:00 AM
‍

Place: Morningside Park, 390 Morningside Avenue

Cost: Free/Donate $5 to the farm

ROM Walking Tour of Mount Pleasant Cemetery

Explore one of Toronto’s largest cemeteries on a free walking tour organized by the ROM. Learn about the⁢ city’s history and hear stories of influential figures from Toronto’s Victorian boom.

This walk takes you through a​ beautiful “wooded landscape” and offers a unique⁢ perspective ‍on the city’s past.

Time: Starting from 20th March‌ at 00:00 PM
⁢

Place: 1649 Yonge St, cemetery entrance on Yonge ‌St
⁣

Cost: ⁤Free

Halloween Carnival⁣ on the Riverbank

Get into the Halloween spirit with a free​ carnival on the riverbank. Enjoy costumes, haunted houses, pumpkin patches, and more!

This family-friendly and‌ dog-friendly event features a costume⁤ contest for dogs, so don’t forget to dress up‌ your furry friend.

Time: March 27 from 10:00 ‍am to 3:00 pm

Place: Riverside‌ Public Park, 657 Queen St E

Cost: ‍ Free

About the Author

Taylor Lucas is a Toronto-based journalist with a passion for storytelling. With⁤ years of experience covering sports, local/national news, and entertainment, Taylor brings creative ideas to ⁢the media⁢ world.

In her free time, ⁣Taylor enjoys trying out​ new restaurants, ⁣cooking,​ playing​ golf, or binge-watching true crime documentaries.