👋 Welcome to the first week of fall!

From apple picking adventures to cozy harvest festivals, this weekend is packed with free family activities across Durham Region. Speaking of this weekend we'll be at the Toronto Baby Show! If you're heading there too, reply and let me know - would love to say hi in person. And if you need discount codes for the show, just ask!

We're trying something new for subscribers this month! We created a printable October events calendar for your fridge because there are so many cozy, spooky, pumpkin-spiced activities happening next month. Your go-to guide for fall family fun!

My Top 5 Picks This Week Around Durham

1. 🎪 Carnival Fun Fair (games, food & prizes!) – CLARINGTON

2. 🚒 Community Safety Day with vintage cruisers & emergency vehicles – PICKERING

3. 🍔 Family Picnic with pumpkin painting, face painting & bouncy castle (FREE!) – CLARINGTON

4. 📚 Amazing Race Library Edition across all 3 Brock branches! – BROCK

5. 🍂 Fall in Love with Local Market (kids under 14 free!) – OSHAWA

✨ Scroll to the bottom for ongoing FREE kids programs running across Durham this month!

🍂 Pingles Harvest Festival | CLARINGTON
Daily: Weekdays 9AM-6PM | Weekends 9AM-7PM
Location: 1805 Taunton Rd, Hampton
Cost: Thu/Fri $13, Sat/Sun $18 (+ HST & fees) | Age: All ages
🔗 Event Details
Wagon rides, corn maze, apple & pumpkin picking, fresh cider donuts. Playland access included with every ticket!

🍎 Watson Farms Pick-Your-Own Apples | CLARINGTON
Daily | 9:00 AM–5:00 PM
Location: 2287 Hwy 2, Bowmanville
Cost: Adults $5, Children $3, Kids 2 & under FREE | Age: All ages
🔗 Event Details
Tractor rides, corn maze, petting zoo, pick-your-own apples. Apples $2.75/lb or $40/25lb bag.

🍏 Maple Grove Orchards Pick-Your-Own Apples | CLARINGTON
Daily | 9:00 AM–6:00 PM
Location: 3700 Maple Grove Rd, Bowmanville
Cost: FREE admission, $35/Half Bushel Bag | Age: All ages
🔗 Event Details
Climb the tractor, race through corn stalk tunnels, jump in straw, photo ops at pumpkin house. Minimum 1 bag per 2 adults.

🍎 Archibald's Estate Winery Pick-Your-Own-Apples | CLARINGTON
Tue-Fri: 10AM-5PM | Sat-Sun: 9AM-5PM
Location: 6275 Liberty St. N, Bowmanville
Cost: FREE admission, minimum $45 per car | Age: All ages
🔗 Event Details
Drive-in apple picking through 10,000 trees! Stay in your car at check-in, then park & walk in orchard.

🍏 Ocala AppleFest | SCUGOG
Friday, Sept 26: 12:00 PM–8:00 PM | Weekend: 12:00 PM–5:00 PM
Location: Ocala Winery & Orchards, 971 High Point Rd, Port Perry
Cost: Adults $5, Children $3, Kids under 4 FREE | Age: All ages
🔗 Event Details
Apple picking, live music, food vendors throughout the weekend. Festival runs until Oct 13, dogs allowed!

🍏 Nature's Bounty Farm Pick-Your-Own Apples | SCUGOG
Daily: Thursday-Sunday | 9:00 AM–4:00 PM
Location: 651 Scugog Line 2, Port Perry
Cost: Free admission, apple picking cost varies | Age: All ages
🔗 Event Details
Pick apples, visit farm animals, climb straw pyramid, corn bin play, pumpkin picking. Open Wed-Sun until end of October.

💡 Imagination Station | AJAX
Thursday, Sept 25 | 6:00 PM–7:30 PM
Location: Ajax Public Library - McLean Branch
Cost: FREE | Age: All ages
🔗 Event Details
Monthly drop-in program with special theme. Wear your coziest sweater for creativity & fun! No registration required.

🎨 RMG Teen Art Zone: Fall 2025 | OSHAWA
Thursday, Sept 25 | 6:00 PM–7:30 PM
Location: Robert McLaughlin Gallery
Cost: FREE | Age: Ages 13-17
🔗 Event Details
Create cross stitch bookmarks using pixel art techniques with meaningful personal designs. Exploring cultural symbols through art.

🎬 Outdoor Movie Night: Jurassic World: Rebirth | CLARINGTON
Friday, Sept 26 | 7:30 PM–10:00 PM
Location: Camp 30, Bowmanville
Cost: FREE (thanks to Ontario Trillium Foundation) | Age: PG-13
🔗 Event Details
Grab your blanket & crew for a night under the stars! Snacks available for purchase. Bring chair or blanket & bug spray while supporting #SaveCamp30.

📚 Islamic History Month Storytime | AJAX
Saturday, Sept 27 | 10:30 AM–12:30 PM
Location: Audley Public Library
Cost: FREE | Age: All ages
🔗 Event Details
Celebrating Muslim contributions to arts & science with stories & discovery. Partnership with Muslim Women of Durham Region.

🎪 Live Well Family Chiropractic Fun Fest | AJAX
Saturday, Sept 27 | 2:00 PM–4:00 PM
Location: Live Well Family Chiropractic
Cost: FREE | Age: All ages
🔗 Event Details
Face painting, bouncy castle, cotton candy, balloons, vendors, live music, games & prizes!

🏃 The Amazing Race Library Edition | BROCK
Saturday, Sept 27 | 10:00 AM–1:00 PM
Location: All three Brock Libraries branches
Cost: FREE | Age: All ages
🔗 Event Details
Culture Days treasure hunt! Follow clues, earn stamps, find hidden geocache. Prize for fastest finish & bragging rights!

🎪 Carnival Fun Fair - All About Communication | CLARINGTON
Sunday, Sept 28 | 11:00 AM
Location: Hampton Hall
Cost: FREE admission | Age: All ages
🔗 Event Details
Games, food, prizes & family fun supporting local family in need. Cash & e-transfer only

🎪 Family Picnic at Camp 30 | CLARINGTON
Saturday, Sept 27 | 10:00 AM–2:00 PM
Location: Camp 30, Bowmanville
Cost: FREE (thanks to Ontario Trillium Foundation) | Age: All ages
🔗 Event Details
Pumpkin painting, face painting, bouncy castle & more! Hosted by Jury Lands Foundation. Family fun supporting.

🎬 Outdoor Movie Night: Lilo & Stitch | CLARINGTON
Saturday, Sept 27 | 7:30 PM–9:30 PM
Location: Camp 30, Bowmanville
Cost: FREE (thanks to Ontario Trillium Foundation) | Age: All ages
🔗 Event Details
Bring blanket, chair, friends & bug spray for a night under the stars! Snacks available for purchase while supporting.

🎭 Oshawa Culture Days | OSHAWA
Saturday, Sept 27 | 12:00 PM–4:00 PM
Location: Arts Resource Centre
Cost: FREE | Age: All ages (movie 14+)
🔗 Event Details
Art activity & delicious bites 12-1:30pm, documentary "Birth of a Family" at 1:30pm. Honouring Truth & Reconciliation.

🛍️ Fall in Love with Local Market | OSHAWA
Sunday, Sept 28 | 10:00 AM–3:00 PM
Location: Kingsway College
Cost: $5 admission, kids under 14 FREE | Age: All ages
🔗 Event Details
Hot beverages, live music, seasonal scents, decor, clothing, treats. Meet business owners behind local products!

🚒 Community Safety Day | PICKERING
Saturday, Sept 27 | 10:00 AM–2:00 PM
Location: Chestnut Hill Developments Recreation Complex
Cost: FREE | Age: All ages
🔗 Event Details
Chat with emergency services, browse vintage cruisers, giveaways, activities. Bring pop tabs & non-perishable food donations!

💆 Women's Day of Care | PICKERING
Saturday, Sept 27 | 12:00 PM–6:00 PM
Location: Pine Ridge Secondary School
Cost: FREE | Age: All ages
🔗 Event Details
Holistic practitioners, supervised children's area ($10+tax with snack pack), character meet & greets throughout day.

🌿 Zephyr Autumn Market | UXBRIDGE
Saturday, Sept 27 | 9:00 AM–2:00 PM
Location: Zephyr Scott Hall,
Cost: FREE | Age: All ages
🔗 Event Details
Seasonal market with homemade goods, fun activities, Scentsy, fresh florals & Lions BBQ!

🌳 LEAF Community Tree Planting | WHITBY
Saturday, Sept 27 | 1:00 PM–3:00 PM
Location: Rosedale Park
Cost: FREE | Age: All ages
🔗 Event Details
Plant native trees & shrubs to improve Whitby's urban forest! Wear closed-toe shoes & bring gloves. Registration required.

🎭 Si, Soy Latino Cultural Festival | WHITBY
Saturday, Sept 27 | 11:00 AM–3:00 PM
Location: 1450 Henry St, Whitby
Cost: FREE | Age: All ages
🔗 Event Details
Latin American art exhibit, community art workshop, live music, dance classes, cultural trivia & artisan market!

🎃 Michaels Sunday Kids Club: Halloween Lantern Jars | WHITBY
Sunday, Sept 28 | 2:00 PM–4:00 PM
Location: Michaels, 1751 Victoria St E, Whitby
Cost: FREE | Age: All ages
🔗 Event Details
Create Halloween lantern jars in-store! Check link for other Durham locations offering this craft.

📚 On Your Mark, Get Set, Read! (Ages 0-11) | WHITBY
September 8 – December 14 | All Whitby Library locations
Cost: FREE | Age: Ages 0-11
🔗 Event Details
Track your reading on Beanstack to earn mini-bookmarks, digital badges, and fun prizes! A fantastic way to keep kids motivated about reading through the fall and winter months.

🎓 Durham Region Grade 5 Action Pass | ALL DURHAM
September – June | Various locations across Durham
Cost: FREE | Age: Grade 5 students
🔗 Event Details
All Grade 5 students get free access to public swimming, skating and some drop-in programs! Visit the website to find pickup locations – bring an adult, proof of address, proof of date of birth, and a printed/digital copy of the pass.

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