Fantastic Fall Fairs and Festivals in Full Effect Across Ontario’s Cottage Country
There is a particular kind of magic that arrives in cottage country when the summer crowds thin out, the air turns crisp, and the maples begin their spectacular transformation. Fall in the Great Canadian Wilderness is a season worth celebrating, and nobody does that better than the rural communities that have been gathering for harvest festivals, agricultural fairs, and cranberry celebrations for well over a century.
Fall fair season is one of the most genuinely joyful traditions in Ontario’s cottage country; a chance to slow down, connect with the land, and experience the agricultural heart of the region through livestock shows, midway rides, homemade pies, horse pulls, giant vegetable weigh-offs, square dancing, and more freshly harvested food than you can possibly eat in a weekend. Great fun for the whole family, sweater weather included.
Here’s a partial list of the fall fairs and harvest celebrations happening across the region in September and October 2026 including the granddaddy of them all the Bala Cranberry Festival:
Almaguin Highlands
Emsdale Fall Fair August 29 and 30
The 137th annual Emsdale Fall Fair, themed “Cornstalk 2026” with a peace, love, and hippie-groovy focus, takes place at the Emsdale Fairgrounds and Community Centre located at 25 Joseph Street in Emsdale
Armour, Ryerson & Burk’s Falls Agricultural Society Fall Fair September 7
Live music, children’s entertainment, food booths, horse competitions, exhibit hall with baked goods, crafts, and maple syrup and the heavy horse pull at the Burk’s Falls Fairgrounds.
South River/Machar Fall Fair September 12
For more than 140 years, the fair has celebrated the agricultural roots, community spirit, and northern hospitality that define the South River and Machar area. This year boasts a parade, heavy horse pull, traditional kid’s games, music and dancing, food and local vendors at the South River/Machar Community Centre.
Strong Agricultural Society Fall Fair Sundridge September 18-19
Dating back to 1885, this year will feature a horse pull on Friday with the main events on Saturday. These include the parade, car show, horse show, farmer’s market and events such as log sawing, and prizes for everything from the best honey, to baked goods and quilting.
Parry Sound
Dunchurch Fall Fair August 21-22
Head to the Dunchurch Community Centre for a beloved area tradition featuring a walking parade, farmers Olympics, log sawing and spike driving competitions, a petting zoo, horseshoe tournament, children’s sports, pie and sandwich shop, live music, and a square dance on Saturday night to round out a small-town fair experience.
Rosseau Fall Fair August 29
The 151st annual Rosseau Fall Fair takes place on at the Rosseau Field House. Admission is $2 per person or by donation, and children under 12 are free.. Children’s games, races, and frog jumping contest, log sawing and nail driving competitions, live music and food vendors.
Foley Fall Fair September 5
A Labour Day tradition. Don’t miss out on the delicious fair food like the famous Foley beef on a bun, fries and poutine, hot dogs and hamburgers. This fair has lots of vendors and games for both kids and adults including a horse show, live pro wrestling, and dunk tank!
McKellar Agricultural Fall Fair September 12
Tug-of-war competitions, arm wrestling, races, baked goods competition, open mic, horse show, livestock display, and a parade.
Parry Sound Bee & Honey Festival September 19
Held at Kinsmen Centennial Park it is a free event that is a great chance to meet local beekeepers, learn about bees and buy a variety of local honey. Enjoy food and other items made form bee bi-products or supporting bee awareness. Lots of fun and games for the kids!
Rosseau Pumpkin Festival October 10
There will be something for everyone, including bouncy castle, climbing wall, local and market vendors, pumpkin bingo, pumpkin decorating, local cuisine and farm animals. Activities run throughout the whole village.
Muskoka
Severn Bridge Fall Fair September 12
Saddle up for the 151st Severn Bridge Fall Fair. This year’s Wild Wild West theme brings cowboy boots, denim, and sun to the historic fairgrounds at 1153 Southwood Road, with a light horse show, livestock displays, junior and senior hall exhibits, a parade, contests, local entertainment, and vendors.
Bracebridge Fall Fair & Horse Show September 18-20
Head to J.D. Lang Park in Bracebridge for the 157th Bracebridge Fall Fair & Horse Show. Three action-packed days of horse shows, tractor pulls, the Super Dogs Wild Woof Show, Birds of Prey, a lumberjack show, livestock displays, live music, and a harvest supper.
Huntsville Fall Fair September 25-27
Celebrating 144 years, the Huntsville Fall Fair returns for three days of classic agricultural fair fun featuring livestock shows, horse competitions, junior and intermediate exhibits, live entertainment, midway rides, and the now famous demolition derby.
Township of Georgian Bay Honey Bee Festival October 3
A variety of honey-themed events from a pancake breakfast, scavenger hunt, art walk, marketplace at Honey Harbour and a beer garden. There is also a speed boat tour, kids’ zone and live music. Sweet!
Bala Cranberry Festival October 16-18
One of Ontario’s most beloved harvest celebrations returns to the charming village of Bala. The Bala Cranberry Festival brings three full days of juried arts and crafts, live music, cranberry-inspired culinary delights, a Kids Zone, buskers, and the warm community spirit of the Cranberry Capital of Ontario, welcoming visitors to stroll from one end of town to the other in a blaze of Muskoka autumn colour. A visit to Johnston’s Cranberry Marsh and Muskoka Lakes Farm and Winery should definitely be a part of your festival experience.
Did we miss anything? Email [email protected] to be added to the list.