October in Toronto is where crisp air meets big-city spectacle. Nights glow with installations, haunted trails wind through a castle, and film buffs chase premieres between pumpkin patches and art fairs. Looking for the best Halloween events in Toronto in 2025 or just the best fall events in Toronto? Start here.

1. Nuit Blanche Toronto

All-night art in the streets is Toronto at its most electric. One night only, city blocks transform with installations, projections, and performances that reward wanderers who stay up late. This is the fall night people talk about all year. For anyone planning the best events in October in Toronto, Nuit Blanche is a lock—an anchor night in any list of October events in Toronto 2025.

When: October 4, 7:00 p.m. to October 5, 7:00 a.m. (View event here.)
Where: Across Toronto, with exhibitions in North York, Etobicoke, and downtown
What to expect: 80+ works, crowds, pop-up moments, and photo-ready installations
Tip: Start outside the core to avoid the heaviest crowds, then work your way downtown after midnight

Nuit Blanche Toronto — Image Credit: City of Toronto

2. Toronto After Dark Film Festival

Five nights of horror, sci-fi, and cult cinema hit the city just in time for spooky season. Expect packed genre screenings, special guests, and the kind of audience reactions that make jump scares a sport. For fans chasing the best Halloween events in Toronto in 2025, this festival delivers big-screen thrills squarely inside the best fall events in Toronto.

When: October 15–19, 2025 (View event here.)
Where: Scotiabank Theatre, Toronto, 259 Richmond St W
What to expect: Premieres, fan favourites, cosplay, and late-night screenings with big energy
Tip: Grab an all-access pass early for the best value and fewer sell-out headaches

Toronto After Dark Film Festival — Image Credit: Toronto After Dark

3. Legends of Horror at Casa Loma

A 2 km “promenade theatre” haunting through castle gardens, tunnels, and rarely seen spaces. It is Toronto’s most atmospheric Halloween walk, mixing theatrical storytelling with detailed sets. If you’re curating the best Halloween events in Toronto in 2025, Legends of Horror is the castle-crowned standout among October events in Toronto 2025.

When: Select nights in October 2025; first weekend shows begin October 4 (View Ticketmaster listings here.)
Where: Casa Loma, 1 Austin Terrace
What to expect: Immersive sets, live performers, family hours on select dates, and serious castle vibes
Tip: Book early evening slots for shorter lines, then stay for nighttime skyline views

Legends of Horror at Casa Loma — Image Credit: Casa Loma

4. Screemers

Toronto’s original multi-maze scream park is back with seven haunted walkthroughs, 120+ live actors, and a midway that keeps the adrenaline running between scares. The atmosphere is intense, fast-paced, and tailor-made for groups. As one of the best Halloween events in Toronto in 2025, Screemers earns a prime spot on any list of the best events in October in Toronto.

When: October 10–November 1, 2025; select nights and times, check them out here.
Where: Toronto; venue and nightly schedule listed on the official site
What to expect: Seven mazes, roaming characters, midway rides, and food-truck fuel
Tip: Aim for weeknights if you can—lines are lighter and you can hit more maze

5. Halloween Haunt at Canada’s Wonderland

A full-scale theme park takeover with mazes, scare zones, and coasters in the dark. It is a quick ride from the city and a staple for thrill-seekers who want both screams and speed. Consistently ranked among the best Halloween events in Toronto in 2025, Halloween Haunt also lands firmly in the best fall events in Toronto for pure entertainment value.

When: Select nights September 26–November 1, 2025 (View more details here.)
Where: Canada’s Wonderland, Vaughan
What to expect: Dozens of monsters, live shows, and major coasters running after dark
Tip: Buy timed entry and target early evening; hit headline mazes first, then circle back

Halloween Haunt at Canada’s Wonderland — Image Credit: Canada's Wonderland

6. Art Toronto

Canada’s biggest art fair brings 100+ galleries and serious collectors to the MTCC. Even casual visitors get a rush from the scale, the curation, and the chance to see what’s shaping the Canadian art market. For culture lovers planning the best events in October in Toronto, Art Toronto is a centerpiece among the October events in Toronto 2025.

When: October 23–26, 2025 (View ticket options and times here.)
Where: Metro Toronto Convention Centre, North Building
What to expect: Opening Night on October 23, installations, talks, and booth-hopping across leading galleries
Tip: If you love energy, go on Opening Night; if you want space to look, try Friday daytime

7. Toronto Pumpkinfest

Thanksgiving weekend at Downsview Park means rides, treats, and pumpkin-everything. It is a family magnet with a big footprint and a lot to do, especially for kids who need room to run. As one of the best fall events in Toronto, Pumpkinfest is a friendly, all-ages pick that slots perfectly into October events in Toronto 2025.

When: October 10–13, 2025 (View official event details here.)
Where: Downsview Park, 35 Carl Hall Rd
What to expect: Midway rides, pumpkin patches, live entertainment, food vendors, and activity zones
Tip: Go early Saturday or Monday to dodge peak crowds; pre-buying tickets can save time

8. Toronto International Festival of Authors (TIFA)

Writers, readers, and big ideas take over Victoria University. Late-October dates make it the perfect cool-weather cultural fix after your Halloween haunts. If you’re balancing the best Halloween events in Toronto in 2025 with quieter cultural moments, TIFA rounds out the best events in October in Toronto with depth and dialogue.

When: October 29–November 2, 2025 (Visit the website for lineup and more.)
Where: Victoria University in the University of Toronto
What to expect: Readings, conversations, workshops, and an international guest list
Tip: Scan the schedule early and stack back-to-back sessions in the same venue to maximize your day

FAQ

What are the best Halloween events in Toronto in 2025?

Legends of Horror, Screemers, and Halloween Haunt are the top immersive picks; add Toronto After Dark for film lovers.

What are the best events in October in Toronto beyond Halloween?

Nuit Blanche, Art Toronto, Pumpkinfest, and TIFA cover art, culture, family fun, and literature.

When is Nuit Blanche 2025?

October 4–5, 7 p.m. to 7 a.m.; it’s one of the best events in October in Toronto for a single all-night experience.

Are these October events in Toronto 2025 family-friendly?

Pumpkinfest and select Legends of Horror family hours are great for kids; others skew teen/adult.

Do I need to buy tickets in advance?

Yes—Legends of Horror, Screemers, Halloween Haunt, Art Toronto, and TIFA often sell out prime slots.

How do I plan transit for multiple events in one day?

Use TTC for downtown venues (Nuit Blanche, Art Toronto, TIFA); Casa Loma and Scotiabank Theatre are TTC-friendly, Wonderland needs GO/drive.

The Final Word

October in Toronto stacks the calendar with experiences that feel tailor-made for cool nights—art until sunrise, castles turned into haunted stages, film marathons, and fairs that celebrate creativity in every form. Plan a couple of anchors like Nuit Blanche and Art Toronto, sprinkle in a haunt or two, and you have a month that hits every fall note, from eerie to elevated.