October 16-22 (York)

👋 Hey everyone! It's a short week, so let's jump right in. We're officially at PEAK pumpkin spice season—fall activities are everywhere and things are getting wonderfully spooky with Halloween events. Have an amazing week!

My Top Picks This Week Around York:

1. 🍂 The Fall Festival (FREE pumpkins, indoor play barn & autumn fun!) – EAST GWILLIMBURY

2. 🚒 Storytime & Fire Truck Tour with Sparky the Fire Dog – RICHMOND HILL

3.  🍰 Tarts4Hearts Buttertart Festival (artisan vendors, Ontario bakers & sweet treats!) – GEORGINA

4. 🛍️ Sidewalkable Saturday: Shop & Stroll (face painting, pumpkin painting & live music!) – KING

5. 🐕 Halloween Howl 4.0 (dog costume parade, contests & spooky vendors!) – MARKHAM

6. 🎃 BooFest (haunted house, carnival games & FREE pumpkins!) – VAUGHAN

 🪔 Diwali Celebration | VAUGHAN
Thursday, October 16, 2025 | 6:30 PM–8:30 PM
Location: Vaughan City Hall
Cost: FREE | Age: All ages
🔗 Event Details
The City of Vaughan's third annual Diwali event features greetings from Mayor Del Duca, traditional music and dance performances, and complimentary refreshments. Pre-registration is encouraged.

📚 East Gwillimbury Public Library: Queensville Branch Grand Opening | EAST GWILLIMBURY
Friday, October 17, 2025 | 5:00 PM–9:00 PM
Location: Queensville Library Branch
Cost: FREE | Age: All ages
🔗 Event Details
Celebrating the grand opening of the new Queensville Branch with various family-friendly activities.

😱 Halloween Howl | RICHMOND HILL
Friday, October 17, 2025 | 6:00 PM–8:00 PM
Location: Bayview Hill CC - Al White Auditorium
Cost: Resident $5, Non-resident $20 | Age: Grades 6-8
🔗 Event Details
Spooky fun Halloween event with carnival games, scary stories, fortune telling, mad science experiments and more! Dress up in your favorite costume for a chance to win prizes. Reserve your spot online.

🎃 Kreepy Kortright | VAUGHAN
Friday, October 17, 2025 | 6:30 PM–8:30 PM
Location: Kortright Centre for Conservation
Cost: Child $8.10 + HST, Adult $15.40 + HST, Senior $8.20, 3 and Under FREE | Age: All ages
🔗 Event Details
Discover a haunted house, a frightening forest walk, Halloween activities, bonfire and more. This event is taking place on multiple dates through October 26th.

🎨 Aurora Holistic Healing Fair | AURORA
Sunday, October 19, 2025 | 10:00 AM–4:00 PM
Location: Aurora Royal Canadian Legion Branch 385
Cost: FREE | Age: All ages
🔗 Event Details
Step into the magical realm where holistic healing reigns supreme. Explore alternative therapies, discover natural remedies, and embrace wellness practices. The first 50 attendees will receive enchanted Wellness Swag Bags!

💃 Just Dance Groove Party | AURORA
Saturday, October 18, 2025 | 2:30 PM–4:30 PM
Location: Aurora Public Library
Cost: FREE (drop-in) | Age: Suitable for kids
🔗 Event Details
Get your groove on in the library with a Just Dance Party. Show off your moves and dance to the beat with Just Dance on Nintendo Switch. Located in the Optimist Room.

📚 East Gwillimbury Public Library: Queensville Branch Grand Opening | EAST GWILLIMBURY
Saturday & Sunday, October 18–19, 2025 | 10:00 AM–5:00 PM
Location: Queensville Library Branch
Cost: FREE | Age: All ages
🔗 Event Details
Celebrating the grand opening of the new Queensville Branch with various family-friendly activities each day.

🍂 The Fall Festival (FREE) | EAST GWILLIMBURY
Saturday, October 18, 2025 | 10:00 AM–12:00 PM
Location: Rose Family Farm
Cost: FREE (ticketed) | Age: All ages
🔗 Event Details
Join us for a day of autumn excitement! Pick out your very own pumpkin to take home, enjoy the crisp fall air, and explore all the fun activities including the indoor play barn. Free pumpkin giveaway! Register for free tickets online.

🍰 Tarts4Hearts Buttertart Festival | GEORGINA
Saturday, October 18, 2025 | 10:00 AM–4:00 PM
Location: Georgina Ice Palace
Cost: FREE | Age: All ages
🔗 Event Details
Browse the artisan vendors, purchase tarts and other goodies from Ontario bakers. All proceeds raised support its day program for adults with disabilities and special needs.

🛍️ Sidewalkable Saturday- Shop & Stroll | KING
Saturday, October 18, 2025 | 11:00 AM–2:00 PM
Location: Schomberg Main Street
Cost: FREE | Age: All ages
🔗 Event Details
Many local businesses will be opening their doors and spilling onto the street with community groups and fun activities. Family-friendly activities include face painting, balloon art, pumpkin painting + games, BBQ run by the Schomberg Lions, and live music.

🪔 Diwali Festival of Lights- Diya Decorating Workshop | MARKHAM
Sunday, October 19, 2025 | 11:00 AM–1:00 PM
Location: CF Markville (Bay Court)
Cost: $25 (register online) | Age: All ages
🔗 Event Details
A hands-on workshop with Anjoonie Art, where participants can decorate their own diya with colourful materials and sparkling jewels. Each $25 registration includes a diya and all the decorating materials needed to make it into a one-of-a-kind keepsake!

🐕 Halloween Howl 4.0 | MARKHAM
Sunday, October 19, 2025 | 11:00 AM–5:00 PM
Location: Pride of Canada Carousel
Cost: FREE | Age: All ages
🔗 Event Details
Bring your dog in costume to walk in the parade, enter costume contests, halloween photos, and shop spooky themed vendors! Sign up for a free ticket online.

🔧 Indigokids: MAGNA-TILES | MARKHAM
Sunday, October 19, 2025 | 11:00 AM–12:00 PM (doors open at 10:30 AM)
Location: Indigo Markville
Cost: $5 + fees | Age: Ages 3+
🔗 Event Details
Earn a Junior Engineer certificate and sticker by exploring speed, motion, and problem-solving. Plus, enter for a chance to win the Rail Racers set! Reserve online.

🔧 Indigokids: MAGNA-TILES | RICHMOND HILL
Sunday, October 19, 2025 | 11:00 AM–12:00 PM (doors open at 10:30 AM)
Location: Indigo Hillcrest
Cost: $5 + fees | Age: Ages 3+
🔗 Event Details
Earn a Junior Engineer certificate and sticker by exploring speed, motion, and problem-solving. Plus, enter for a chance to win the Rail Racers set! Reserve online.

🍂 Fall Colours Walk | RICHMOND HILL
Saturday, October 18, 2025 | 10:00 AM–12:00 PM
Location: Phyllis Rawlinson Park
Cost: FREE | Age: All ages
🔗 Event Details
Join the TRCA and the City of Richmond Hill to explore the bright colours of fall as native wildflowers and trees put on a beautiful seasonal show. This gentle, nature-filled walk is a great way to enjoy the fresh autumn air.

🚒 Storytime & Fire Truck Tour with Sparky the Fire Dog | RICHMOND HILL
Saturday, October 18, 2025 | 10:30 AM–11:15 AM
Location: Richmond Hill Public Library (Central Branch)
Cost: FREE (drop-in) | Age: Families, all ages
🔗 Event Details
Join us for a special storytime with a firefighter from Richmond Hill Fire & Emergency Services. After the stories, there will be a fire truck tour (subject to truck availability). This program will take place in the Kids Corner, 1st Floor

🎨 Michaels: MakeBreak- Pumpkin Fest | RICHMOND HILL
Saturday, October 18, 2025 | 1:00 PM–3:00 PM
Location: Michaels- Richmond Green Market Place
Cost: Purchase of pumpkin | Age: Ages 13+
🔗 Event Details
Come in-store and craft a pumpkin using supplies from Michaels. Please note you'll have to purchase your craft pumpkin. The supplies are available to decorate for free.

🎃 BooFest | VAUGHAN
Saturday & Sunday, October 18–19, 2025 | 10:00 AM–6:00 PM
Location: Assembly Park
Cost: $5 admission (FREE for kids under 2, rides are extra cost) | Age: All ages
🔗 Event Details
Step right into the spooky world of BooFest! This Halloween extravaganza combines the enchanting allure of our spine-tingling haunted house, thrilling carnival games, delectable treats, and so much more! 1 free pumpkin per family (while supplies last). Event also occurs on October 25-26.

🎃 Camp Spooky at Canada's Wonderland | VAUGHAN
Saturday & Sunday, October 18–19, 2025 | 11:00 AM–5:00 PM
Location: Canada's Wonderland
Cost: From $40 (Daytime BOO Bundle) | Age: All ages (younger focus)
🔗 Event Details
Daytime family-friendly Halloween event featuring kids rides, themed shows, and trick-or-treating. Designed for younger children. Saturdays & Sundays until November 2nd.

🎨 Stouffville Fine Art Studio Tour | WHITCHURCH-STOUFFVILLE
Saturday & Sunday, October 18–19, 2025 | 10:00 AM–5:00 PM
Location: Various Studio Locations
Cost: FREE | Age: All ages
🔗 Event Details
A vibrant event featuring more than thirty artists across over twenty venues.

👶 EarlyON Drop-in: Storytime | MARKHAM
Tuesday, October 21, 2025 | 9:30 AM–11:30 AM
Location: Markham Public Library (Cornell Branch)
Cost: FREE | Age: Birth to 6 years
🔗 Event Details
In partnership with Family Day's EarlyON Child & Family Centres, drop-in for welcoming, supportive and accessible sessions where children and their parents, grandparents, or caregivers can play and learn together.

🎃 Wee Fun Wednesday; Pumpkin Patch Fun | NEWMARKET
Wednesday, October 22, 2025 | 10:00 AM–11:30 AM
Location: Elman W. Campbell Museum
Cost: $5.50 | Age: Ages 1-4
🔗 Event Details
Drop-in program for Tots and Caregivers will stimulate communication, cooperation, imagination, and help tots make new friends! Join in for crafts, fun tabletop activities and explore our many displays. You can register online.

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