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.