Your guide to fall festivals and events in southern Ontario

Photo credit: POP! by Gentilhomme – Ulysse Lemerise

Princess Cinemas 40th Anniversary Block Party

When: Sept. 18, doors open at 6:15 p.m.

Where: Princess Cinemas in Waterloo

More: https://princesscinemas.com/event/40th-anniversary-casablanca

Princess Cinemas is celebrating its 40th anniversary! The party begins with a screening of Casablanca, the first movie to play at the theatre on Sept. 18, 1985. The showing will be free for cinema members, though seating will be on a first come, first serve basis. Following the movie, there will be an outdoor screening of the concert film Stop Making Sense. There will also be cake, donuts and movie memorabilia on display.

Angie Hill’s 30th anniversary celebration

When: Sept. 19, 6 a.m. until 10 a.m.

Where: Bell Media studio at 4273 King Street East in Kitchener

More: www.ctvnews.ca/kitchener/article/angie-hill-invites-community-to-join-her-for-30th-anniversary-celebration

Angie Hill is marking a major milestone – 30 years on the air! The community is invited to take part in the celebration for the BOUNCE Radio 99.5 host, to be held outside the Bell Media studio in Kitchener. Chef D will serve up breakfast and Angie is giving away a variety of prizes. The event is free, but participants are asked to bring along a donation for the Food Bank of Waterloo Region.

Kitchener Rangers vs. Brantford Bulldogs at The Aud

When: Sept. 19, puck drops at 7 p.m.

Where: Kitchener Memorial Auditorium

More: https://chl.ca/ohl-rangers

The Kitchener Rangers and Brantford Bulldogs return to the ice as they kick off regular season action! Rangers fans will want to fill the stands for this home opener.

Guelph Storm vs. Erie Otters at the Sleeman Centre

When: Sept. 19, puck drops at 7 p.m.

Where: Sleeman Centre

More: https://chl.ca/ohl-storm/schedule/

The Guelph Storm start their 2025-2026 season at home. Come out an cheer on the team!

Harvest Hoedown at the St. Jacobs Farmers’ Market

When: Sept. 19, 5 p.m. to 10 p.m.

Where: St. Jacobs Farmers’ Market

More: www.stjacobsmarket.com/harvesthoedown

The St. Jacobs Farmers’ Market is going country! This event features live country music, line dancing lessons, a mechanical bull, pub trivia, shopping and selfies with alpacas and baby goats. Tickets are $10 in advance and $15 at the door.

Paris Night Market

When: Sept. 19 and Sept. 20

Where: Paris Fairgrounds

More: allcanadianevents.com

The Paris Fairground are getting a spooky makeover for the Paris Night Market. Guests are invited to step into Halloweentown and catch a fire show, listen to live music, grab a bite to eat and tour through a vendors market of more than 120 artists and makers. Costumes are highly encouraged.

Fest2Fall in Cambridge

When: Sept. 19 and Sept. 20

Where: Dickson Park

More: www.fest2fall.com

Canadian musicians take the stage at this two-day festival in Dickson Park. Friday’s lineup includes Dwayne Gretzky, Born Ruffians and Kasador, while Barenaked Ladies, Sloan, Julianna Riolino, Brooks & Bowskill, and The Advantage play on Saturday.

Lumen Festival in Waterloo

When: Sept. 20 from 6 p.m. to 11 p.m.

Where: Uptown Waterloo, 75 King St. S.

More: www.LumenFestival.ca

Lumen Festival is described as a free event that combines light, art and tech. More than 30 installations by local and international artists will be displayed in Uptown Waterloo.

Homecoming weekend at the University of Waterloo

When: Sept. 20

Where: University of Guelph, Warriors Field

More: https://uwaterloo.ca/alumni/homecoming-2025

It’s homecoming weekend at the University of Waterloo! Put on your black and gold and cheer on the Waterloo Warriors as they take on Queens at 1 p.m. Other events include a parking lot party, yoga, spin class, fun run and facility tours.

St. George Apple Fest

When: Sept. 20 and Sept. 21

Where: St. George

More: https://stgeorgeapplefest.ca/

Apples are the star of this free festival in rural Ontario. Check out the community street party, a wide variety of acts on the main stage, vendors market and, of course, enjoy some delicious, locally-grown apples.

Doors Open Waterloo Region

When: Sept. 20 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Where: Across Waterloo Region

More: www.regionofwaterloo.ca/en/exploring-the-region/doors-open-waterloo-region.aspx

Take a free tour of 23 destinations across Waterloo Region – from noteworthy buildings to interesting places and heritage sites.

New Hamburg Art Tour

When: Sept. 20 and Sept. 21 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Where: New Hamburg Community Centre, 251 Jacob St.

More: newhamburgarttour.com

Two dozen artists are featured at this local showcase. Photography, paintings, ceramics and more will be on display.

IMPACT 25 International Theatre Festival

When: Sept. 23 to Sept. 28

Where: Downtown Kitchener

More: https://mtspace.ca/impact-theatre-festival/impact25/

More than 100 international artists will show off a wide variety of work in Kitchener.

Homecoming weekend at Wilfrid Laurier University

When: Sept. 24 to Sept. 28

Where: Waterloo campus

More: https://www.laurieralumni.ca/s/1681/catalyst17/home.aspx?sid=1681&gid=2&pgid=2811

Celebrate homecoming weekend at Wilfrid Laurier University! The Laurier Golden Hawks take on the Toronto Varsity Blues on Sept. 27 at 1 p.m. Other events include a pancake breakfast, reunion dinner and reception.

Guelph Public Library’s Big Book Sale

When: Sept. 25 to Sept. 28

Where: Former BAMCO warehouse at 440 Elmira Road North, Guelph

More: fgpl.ca

Thousands of books, games, puzzles, vinyl records and more will be up for sale at this yearly event. Prices are low and all proceeds go to the Guelph Public Library. Admission is $10 on Thursday, and free the rest of the weekend. All children get to take one regularly-priced book home for free.

Preston Lantern Project

When: Sept. 27 from 8 p.m. to 10 p.m.

Where: Central Park in Cambridge (far end behind the gazebo)

More: https://explorewaterloo.ca/event/preston-lantern-project-event/

Organizers call the Preston Lantern Project a free “outdoor immersive exhibition.” Each lantern is made by community members and will light up the park after dark.

Brantford’s Halloween Showdown – House Decorating Contest

When: Registration opens Sept. 15, public voting begins Oct. 1

Where: City-wide

More: Check out Brantford Halloween Showdown on Facebook and Instagram

Brantford is getting spooky! Residents are encouraged to get into the Halloween spirit by taking part in a citywide decorating contest. Starting Oct. 1, the public can cast their vote for the coolest or creepiest display in several categories, including Best Porch, Best Door (for apartments and condos), Best Homemade Prop, Fan Favourite and Judge’s Favourite. Winners will be announced at the end of October.

Kitchener-Waterloo Oktoberfest

When: Sept. 26 to Oct. 18

Where: Venues across Waterloo Region

More: https://www.oktoberfest.ca/

Canada’s biggest Bavarian festival returns. Kitchener-Waterloo Oktoberfest boasts a wide range of events, concerts and – who can forget – the Thanksgiving Day Parade!

The party officially gets started on Oct. 10 at Carl Zehr Square with a keg tapping at 11:30 a.m. Check out all the events, including participating festhallen, on the festival’s website.

Brantford’s Scare in the Square

When: Oct. 3 (5 p.m. to 10 p.m.) and Oct. 4 (12 p.m. to 10 p.m.)

Where: Harmony Square at 89 Dalhousie St. and Mohawk Park (51 Lynwood Dr.)

More: Brantford.ca/ScareintheSquare

There are scares for everyone at this community event! At Harmony Square there will be kid-friendly Halloween-themed activities, parades and contests, with spookier events for adults at Mohawk Park. Free shuttles will take people between Harmony Square and Mohawk Park. A roller-skating party will also take place both days between 6:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. (registration is required). Don’t miss the HOWL-o-ween Dog Parade at 5:30 p.m. on Oct. 3, or the Tiny Tots Parade on Oct. 4 at 1 p.m. Children are also invited to dress up and trick-or-treat downtown. The city said residents can also expect amusement rides and carnival games, open 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. on Friday and 12 p.m. to 10 p.m. on Saturday. What else you can look forward to: a clown-themed Haunted House at the Mohawk Park Pavilion, walk the Mohawk Trail, or watch the 2017 move ‘IT’ at a free drive-in at Mohawk Park.

Burford Fall Fair

When: Oct. 11 and Oct. 12

Where: The Burford fairgrounds

More: https://burfordfair.com/fair/

Celebrate 163 years of tradition as the Burford Fall Fair returns. Enjoy the midway, take in a horse show or live entertainment and learn something new at agricultural and craft exhibits.

Ontario Cheese Festival

When: Oct. 25 and Oct. 26 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Where: Grand River Raceway in Elora (Oct. 25), University of Guelph (Oct. 26)

More: https://cheesefest.ca/

Check out the Ontario Cheese Festival! Saturday’s event will serve up the finest Ontario cheeses, dairy, artisan food and craft beverages. On Sunday, the public is invited to take part in cheese-making workshops at the University of Guelph.

Halloween Fun Fair in Brantford

When: Oct. 26 from 12 p.m. to 3 p.m.

Where: Bell Homestead, 94 Tutela Heights Road

More: https://www.brantford.ca/en/things-to-do/homestead-special-events.aspx#Halloween-Fun-Fair-October-26

Halloween-themed games and crafts for kids and sample some pumpkin spice ice cream. Event is free but donations will be accepted to fund future Bell Homestead events.