Things to do in Simcoe County in October
Pumpkins spice everything, leaves changing colours and cooler temperatures mean fall is upon us. Here are some events happening in and around beautiful Simcoe County this October.
Pumpkin Festival
When: October 19th-31st
Where: Chappell Farms, Oro-Medonte
What it is: Enjoy a wagon ride to pick a pumpkin, explore the corn maze, visit the petting zoo and enter the haunted barn- if you dare!
Harvest Day at the Barrie Farmers’ Market
When: October 1st
Where: Barrie City Hall
What it is: Celebrate the bounty of the harvest at Barrie’s fall festive market. Join dozens of growers, farmers, producers, chefs and artisans and enjoy live musical performances, crafts and fun for the whole family!
Soupfest at Holland Marsh
When: October 1st
Where: Ansnorveldt Park, Bradford
What it is: Enjoy savoury soups made fresh with locally sourced ingredients from the Holland Marsh growers. www.soupfest.ca
Soupalicious
When: October 1st, 11am-2pm
Where: Utopia Hall, Barrie
What it is: Sip, slurp and savour delicious homemade hearty fall soups. http://www.essatownship.on.ca/community/communityevents
Brechin Scarecrow Festival
When: October 1st, 10am-4pm
Where: Brechin Community Ball Park, Ramara
What it is: This year’s theme: Fifty Shades of Hay! Enjoy picking a pumpkin in the patch, pumpkin decorating, arts and crafts, mini putt, doggie parade, a vendor’s market, scarecrow competitions and so much more!
http://www.ontarioslakecountry.com/event/brechin-scarecrow-festival
Thanksgiving Showcase of Homes Tour
When: October 1st, 9:30am-4:30pm
Where: Various
What it is: The 19th annual showcase of homes sponsored by Big Brothers & Big Sisters of North Simcoe. View five spectacular homes and enjoy lunch at Sainte Marie Among the Hurons.
http://www.midland.ca/quick-links/events
Festival at Fort Willow
When: October 1st, 10am-4pm
Where: Fort Willow Conservation Centre, Springwater
What it is: Enjoy historical re-enactments of the daily lives of British soldiers, camp followers and First Nations people from Simcoe County in the 19th Century. Learn about traditional blacksmith, carpentry and candle making.
http://www.nvca.on.ca/events-education/events
The Bay Studio Tour
When: October 1st – 2nd
Where: Various
What it is: Featuring 28 local artists from Penetanguishene and Tiny Township, view unique works of art at local studios and galleries around the shores of Georgian Bay.
http://www.thebaystudiotour.com
Pumpkinferno at Haunted Harbour
When: October 1st – 30th
Where: Discovery Harbour, Penetanguishene
What it is: View amazing carved pumpkin displays at Discovery Harbour. Enjoy mazes and crafts for the whole family or take a thrilling walk through the Terror Zone!
http://www.discoveryharbour.on.ca/dh/en/SpecialEvents/HalloweenDay/index.htm
Drysdale’s Halloween Family Fun Festivities
When: October 3rd – 30th
Where: Drysdale’s Tree Farm, Essa
What it is: Frightful fun, pumpkin picking, Halloween shopping and activities for all ages!
Innisfil Farmers’ Market Pumpkin Festival
When: October 6th, 2pm-7pm
Where: Innisfil Recreation Complex
What it is: A special market celebrating everything pumpkin! Pick up a decorating or cooking pumpkin, collect pumpkin recipes and enjoy pumpkin baked goods!
http://www.innisfil.ca/innisfil-farmers-market-pumpkin-festival
Elmvale Fall Fair
When: October 6th-9th
Where: 14 George Street, Springwater
What it is: A traditional fall fair with fun for all ages! Enjoy home craft displays, culinary exhibits, animal displays and 4-H competitions, a tractor pull, midway rides and so much more!
Harvest of the Arts
When: October 8th-10th
Where: Downtown Collingwood
What it is: Celebrate the bounty of the harvest at the final Collingwood market of the season. Enjoy music and arts all weekend long at venues throughout town.
Thanksgiving Harvest Festival
When: October 8th-9th
Where: Sainte-Marie Among the Hurons, Midland
What it is: Celebrate the changing of colours and the fall season with an Arts and Crafts show and sale and activities the whole family can enjoy! Decorate a pumpkin, browse seasonal displays and view the works of over 35 local artisans.
http://www.saintemarieamongthehurons.on.ca/sm/en/SpecialEvents/ThanksgivingHarvestFest./index.htm
Oktoberfest
When: October 8th-9th, 11am-4pm
Where: Creemore
What it is: Sponsored by the Toronto & North York Hunt Club, watch the Horse and Hound parade, sip a beverage from the Creemore Springs brewery, snack on a pretzel and enjoy live music and festival fun!
Bubble Soccer
When: October 9th, 10am-4pm
Where: 4 Fallowfield Lane, Waubeshene
What it is: Hosted by the Legion on Thanksgiving Sunday, come out and play or watch a game of Bubble Soccer and enjoy a BBQ lunch. All proceeds and donations support the upgrade of the Legion. $30 per person or $250 per team to play. $2 per person to watch.
http://www.tay.ca/en/Calendar/Events/default.aspx
Orillia Jazz Festival
When: October 14th– 16th
Where: Downtown Orillia
What it is: The 26th annual celebration of jazz music. A weekend full of live entertainment at venues throughout the town.
http://www.orilliajazzfestival.com
Last Blast Fall Steam Up
When: October 15th, 10am-4pm
Where: Simcoe County Museum, Springwater
What it is: View historical construction equipment in action one last time before winter!
Murder Mystery Event
When: October 15th, 7pm-10pm
Where: Huronia Museum, Midland
What it is: A night of mayhem, mystery and murder at the museum. Watch the story unfold or unveil your inner sleuth to solve the crime. Enjoy themed refreshment stations, dessert and an evening of fun for all! $50 per person.
Witches Walk
When: October 19th, 6pm-9pm
Where: Downtown Coldwater
What it is: An event for the ladies… come out dressed in your witchiest wear and fill up a passport with stamps from local merchants. Return your passport to be entered in a draw for some amazing prizes! Donations being accepted for the local food bank.
http://www.ontarioslakecountry.com/event/coldwater-witches-walk
Princess and Pirate Party
When: October 22nd, 10am-1pm
Where: Magna Centre, 800 Mulock Dr., Newmarket
What it is: Come dressed as your favourite princess or pirate. Listen to an enchanted story and enjoy jumping castles, crafts and games. Participate in a princess and pirate pool party at 11 am to walk a plank and dive for buried treasure. $5 per child, additional $2 to join the pool party.
Discovery and Adventure Night
When: October 25th, 6pm-7:30pm
Where: Magna Centre, 800 Mulock Dr., Newmarket
What it is: An evening of family fun celebrating fall and Halloween. Enjoy pumpkin decorating, a haunted house tour and fall crafts.
The Haunting
When: October 25th– 26th
Where: Downtown Orillia
What it is: Experience spooky tours through the Orillia Opera House, a haunted house at the Museum of Art & History and so much more!
http://downtownorillia.ca/event/downtown-halloween-haunted-tours
An Evening of Halloween
When: October 25th– 27th
Where: Simcoe County Museum, Springwater
What it is: Enjoy Halloween themed festivities at the museum!
Spooktacular Trick-or-Treat Event
When: October 29th, 11am-2pm
Where: Innisfil Public Library
What it is: Hosted by the Innisfil Public Library and ideaLAB, enjoy crafts, treats, activities and ghoulish fun. Wear your costume and Trick-or-Treat at participating local merchants.
http://www.innisfil.ca/downtown-spooktacular-trick-or-treat-event
Halloween Boonanza
When: October 29th
Where: Cookstown
What it is: Trick-or-Treat along the streets of historic Cookstown gathering treats from participating merchants.
Black Harvest Festival
When: October 29th, 11am-3pm
Where: Downtown Collingwood
What it is: Witches and Warlocks of the woods take over the streets of Downtown Collingwood. Enjoy Halloween themed activities and events for all ages. Trick-or-Treat at local participating merchants.
Halloween Movie Night
When: October 29th, 7pm-10pm
Where: 509 Bay St Parking Lot, Midland
What it is: A Halloween themed Midland Movie Night to watch a movie under the stars. Enjoy the special feature “The Nightmare Before Christmas”. Bring your lawn chairs and a non-perishable food item for donation to the food bank.
http://midland.ca/quick-links/events