Fall is wrapping up and the holiday season is right around the corner. Here is my pick of what is happening across the GTA and beyond from October 27 to November 15, 2026, from Remembrance Day services and Diwali celebrations to craft shows, indoor markets and the first holiday markets of the year. Times and details can change, so please check the official link for each event before you head out.
Toronto
Remembrance Day services: Wednesday, November 11
The City of Toronto holds civic Remembrance Day services at eight locations, including the cenotaph at Old City Hall (60 Queen St. W.), the Etobicoke and East York civic centres, the Scarborough War Memorial, Fort York and the Toronto Zoo. Most sites ask guests to arrive by 10:45 a.m. so everyone is in place for the two minutes of silence at 11. Full details are on toronto.ca.
Photo: Nick Fewings on Unsplash
The Royal Agricultural Winter Fair: November 6 to 15
A quick reminder that the Royal is back at the Enercare Centre at Exhibition Place for ten days of animals, food and show jumping. It is one of the easiest family outings in the city by transit. Tickets and daily schedules are at royalfair.org.
Distillery Winter Village opens: Thursday, November 12
The Christmas market in the Distillery District opens on November 12 and runs into early January. Entry is free at certain times, while evenings and weekends need a timed ticket, so book ahead on the Distillery's website.
Evergreen Brick Works Farmers' Market: every Saturday
One of Toronto's best-known year-round markets runs Saturdays from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Evergreen Brick Works in the Don Valley. Parking is limited, so Evergreen recommends its free shuttle from Broadview Station.
Looking ahead
The Original Santa Claus Parade returns on Sunday, November 22 (route details at thesantaclausparade.com), and the Cavalcade of Lights tree lighting at Nathan Phillips Square is listed by Destination Toronto for Saturday, November 28.
Thinking of living in Toronto? See homes and rentals on my Toronto page.
York Region: Vaughan, Markham and Richmond Hill
Last weekend of Halloween at Canada's Wonderland (Vaughan): to November 1
The park's daytime Tricks and Treats event for families and its after-dark Halloween Haunt both wrap up on November 1, on select dates only. The park then switches over to WinterFest, which opens on select nights starting November 21. Check the park calendar before you go.
Celebrate Diwali at Vellore Village Library (Vaughan): Sunday, November 1
Vaughan Public Libraries is hosting a free family afternoon of stories, songs and activities for the Festival of Lights from 2 to 4 p.m. at Vellore Village Library, 1 Villa Royale Ave.
Vaughan Fan Fest: Saturday, November 7
A full day of cosplay, trivia, an artist alley, board games and maker activities at the Pierre Berton Resource Library, 4921 Rutherford Rd. in Woodbridge, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Costumes are welcome.
Markham Remembrance Day Ceremony: Wednesday, November 11
The City of Markham's free indoor service takes place at Flato Markham Theatre, 171 Town Centre Blvd. Doors open at 10:30 a.m. and the service begins at 10:50 a.m. The Main Street Unionville BIA also holds a short outdoor service at the cenotaph by Crosby Arena.
Heintzman House Artisan Craft Show (Thornhill): November 14 and 15
Now in its 54th year, this holiday craft show fills a historic house at 135 Bay Thorn Dr. with local makers from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. both days. Admission is $5 at the door, and children 12 and under get in free.
Merry Marketplace (Richmond Hill): Saturdays from November 14
Richmond Green Park, 1300 Elgin Mills Rd. E., hosts an outdoor evening holiday market from 4 to 8 p.m. on Saturdays from November 14 through December 12, with local vendors, food, live entertainment, a winter lights display and visits with Santa. While you are in town, the Richmond Hill Heritage Centre at 19 Church St. N. has a new exhibit on the history of tea running into February.
Photo: Megan Majocha on Unsplash
Looking ahead
The Markham Santa Claus Parade travels along Main Street Markham on Saturday, November 28, starting at 11 a.m. at Highway 7.
Thinking of living in York Region? See homes and rentals on my York Region page.
Peel: Mississauga, Brampton and Caledon
Fall Fun & Frights (Brampton): October 30 and 31
Brampton's free family Halloween event at Cassie Campbell Community Centre runs Friday from 6 to 9 p.m. and Saturday from noon to 3 p.m., with themed attractions, entertainment and a costume dance. Admission is a donation to the food bank. Confirm details at brampton.ca.
Saturday Family Fun at Bradley Museum (Mississauga)
Every Saturday from 1 to 4 p.m., Bradley Museum at 1620 Orr Rd. offers free drop-in crafts and games for kids and their grown-ups.
Caledon Diwali Drone Show & Festival: Saturday, November 7
The Town of Caledon is holding an evening of food vendors, live performances and a drone show at the Brampton Fairgrounds, 12942 Heart Lake Rd., from 6 to 9 p.m. The rain date is November 8.
Brampton Diwali Mela: Sunday, November 8
The City of Brampton's free Diwali festival takes over Sesquicentennial Park, 11333 Bramalea Rd., from 4 to 10 p.m. with music, cultural performances, food, fireworks at 7:30 p.m. and a drone show at 8:15 p.m. Free shuttles run from several locations, including Mount Pleasant GO, so it is worth leaving the car at home.
Photo: Udayaditya Barua on Unsplash
Remembrance services in Brampton and Caledon
Brampton's main Remembrance Day parade and service starts at 10:30 a.m. on November 11 at the Ken Whillans Square cenotaph, 2 Wellington St. W. In Caledon, Bolton's service is on Sunday, November 8 (parade at 12:30 p.m., service at 1 p.m. at the Bolton cenotaph), and Caledon East's is at 10:50 a.m. on November 11 at Town Hall.
Looking ahead
Both big Peel parades are on Saturday, November 21: the Mississauga Santa Claus Parade, with the tree lighting and rink opening at Celebration Square (4 to 7 p.m.), and the Brampton Santa Claus Parade, starting at 5 p.m. at Bramalea Rd. and Central Park Dr.
Thinking of living in Peel? See homes and rentals on my Peel page.
Simcoe County: Barrie, Innisfil, Orillia and Collingwood
Collingwood Downtown Trick or Treat Trail: Saturday, October 31
Kids can trick-or-treat at downtown shops from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., followed by a costume contest at the Downtown Parkette on Hurontario St.
Innisfil Pumpkin Walk: Sunday, November 1
Bring your carved pumpkin to Innisfil Beach Park, where hundreds are lit along the walkway from 5 to 8 p.m. Afterwards, the pumpkins go to local farms as feed or compost.
Innisfil Autumn Art Show & Sale: November 7 and 8
Local and regional artists and artisans fill the Innisfil ideaLAB & Library (Lakeshore), 967 Innisfil Beach Rd. Admission and parking are free.
Holiday markets and indoor farmers' markets
The Orillia Farmers' Market has moved indoors to the Orillia Public Library for the season (Saturdays, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.), and adds a Friday-evening Christmas Market from 3 to 7 p.m. starting November 13. Near Barrie, Bradford Greenhouses' Garden Gallery on Highway 90 hosts a free weekend holiday market with local artisans starting November 7. The Barrie Public Library also has free (ticketed) author talks on November 10 and 12; see barrielibrary.ca.
Looking ahead
The Barrie Santa Claus Parade is confirmed for Saturday, November 21 at 5 p.m., ending with the Noella Tree Lighting at Meridian Place. Collingwood's Christmas season launch and Santa Claus Parade is the same day.
Thinking of living in Simcoe County? See homes and rentals on my Simcoe page.
Durham: Pickering, Ajax, Whitby and Oshawa
Oshawa Remembrance Day Parade and Ceremony: Wednesday, November 11
Oshawa's civic ceremony takes place at Memorial Park, 110 Simcoe St. S. The parade steps off at 10:25 a.m. and the ceremony begins at 10:45 a.m. It is also livestreamed for anyone who cannot attend.
Winter Nights, City Lights (Pickering): November 13 and 14
Pickering's winter festival brings lights, a vendor market, food and entertainment to Esplanade Park and the recreation complex near City Hall from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m., with the tree lighting and fireworks at 6 p.m. Please confirm details on pickering.ca before you go.
Remembrance Day across Durham
Whitby, Ajax and Pickering usually hold services at their local cenotaphs on the morning of November 11. The 2026 details had not been posted on the town websites at the time of writing, so check whitby.ca, ajax.ca and pickering.ca closer to the day.
Looking ahead
Oshawa's Santa Claus Parade of Lights is on Saturday, November 21 at 6:30 p.m. on Bond St., and the Ajax and Pickering parades are both on Saturday, November 28. Whitby's Lights the Night opens at Civic Park on November 27.
Thinking of living in Durham? See homes and rentals on my Durham page.
Thinking about a move?
Whether you want to rent near the action or are thinking about buying or selling in any of these communities, I would be happy to help. Browse current listings on my Rentals page, or call or text me at 416-357-4076.
Anthony Ochoa, Sales Representative, Red House Realty Inc.