Autumn foliage with the chilly breeze sets a perfect backdrop for wholesome and fun events. A time for holidays and get-togethers, the fall season experiences the highest spike in bus trips. From motorcoach tours to a simple tourist bus, you can hop on and hop off at any point in the country.
Before you go looking for a bus tour near you, here is a list of must-experience fall events in Canada that you should check out.
Fall Event Bucket List
Great Canadian bus tours can take you to the best events. From food, wine, beer, and music, you can have it all at every stop. Experience the glorious autumn months at each visit to these unforgettable festivities:
1. Prince Edward Pumpkin Fest
Known for their agricultural bounties, 3 hours away from Toronto, is the village of Wellington. Celebrating their abundant harvest, they hold the annual County Pumpkin Fest on the first Saturday after Canadian Thanksgiving.
On the 16th of October, this autumn festival features games, carnivals, food, and contests that highlight the mighty squash. A staple in every festival, they even have pumpkin weighing contests that award the juiciest harvest.
2. Prince Edward Fall Flavours
Featuring the world-class talents of local chefs and Canadian cuisine, this Prince Edward Island festival is a must-go on your autumn bucket list. Explore the flavours of native ingredients with every bite.
For an entire month, from September 16 to October 10 this Fall Flavours Fiesta is the culmination of the East Coast fresh bounty. From cheeses, oysters, wine, and various seafood, this autumn celebration gives you a taste of these wonderful delicacies.
3. Manitoba Culture Days
Dubbed as the center of art and philosophy, Manitoba is the perfect spot for every connoisseur. From September 24 to October 24, the northern province of Manitoba is transformed into a colourful haven as they celebrate Culture Days.
Paying homage to Canadian ingenuity, native culture, and the local bustling art scene, your schedule will be jam-packed with museum and gallery tours.
4. Niagara Wine Festival
Along the gorgeous mountains of Ontario lie the lush and intoxicating local vineyards of the country. Every September 17 to 26, they welcome Canadian and international tourists alike to their annual Niagara Wine Festival.
With extravagant street parades, concerts, artisan shows, winery tours, wine tastings, and night food markets, it’s a perfect vacation for every family. With Niagara falls thundering right around the corner, this autumn festival should be on top of your list.
5. Quebec Mont Sutton Festival
Fall is the perfect time to bond outdoors. As the leaves turn red and as nature changes pelts, it offers a whole new world of magical sceneries and views. Mont Sutton is no exception to these fall wonders.
Every year, from September 12 to October 12 Quebec opens its doors to hiking tourists who want to open their holiday season with a bang. Serving as a perfect backdrop for family barbecues, jazz music, and morning hikes, this outdoor soiree is one for the books.
6. Vancouver International Film Festival
The cold breeze that autumn brings often drives people inwards to their homes. However, instead of getting stuck at home with nothing to do, why not warm yourself up while watching a movie during Vancouver’s International Film Festival 2021.
From October 1 to October 11, this globally-renowned gathering showcases the undeniable and world-class talent that Canadian filmmakers have to offer. Using different mediums of language such as Mandarin, French, English, Colombian, and more everyone is welcome to join as they provide different subtitles in every viewing.
So, grab your popcorn and take your pick, because the theatres are finally back!
7. BC Culture Days
Highlighting the colourful and rich cultures of the different communities residing in British Columbia, this festival is all about celebrating diversity. With art exhibits, literature readings, folk dance performances, and theatrical displays spend your autumn days as a time to learn and expand your worldview.
From the 24th of September to the 24th of October, this month-long celebration offers a kaleidoscope of educational and fun activities. With different countries banning travel, why not journey around the world by visiting British Columbia this autumn?
8. Vancouver Halloween Parade and Expo
Give yourself a fright and experience a thrilling Halloween this October 10, as Vancouver holds its annual Monster Parade. Dress up in your most awful and terrifying costumes, while you dance along with zombies, heroes, ghouls, goblins, and witches!
Starting on October 8, Granville gladly welcomes its visitors with spooky costumes and plenty of candies! Child-friendly and wholesome, you can bring the entire family to this Halloween Expo. There are even contests and cash prizes for Best Costume, so bring your A-game and have a howling autumn night.
9. Celtic Colours International Festival
Proud vanguards of Nova Scotia’s Celtic culture, every October 8 to 16, the citizens of Cape Breton Island celebrate their annual Celtic Colours International Festival. All around the island are communities steeped in rich Celtic history and tradition, where tourists can learn about the wonderful art, music, and food of the locals.
For an entire autumn week, every visitor can immerse themselves in the vibrant Celtic customs.
10. Ontario Oktoberfest
Bringing a piece of German spirit into Canada, Ontario’s Oktoberfest is one of the craziest and fun-filled parties of the year. From September 24 to October 11, tourists and locals alike can enjoy an endless stream of beer, food, and dancing at every corner of the city.
Mainly celebrated in the twin cities of Kitchener and Waterloo, this week-long fiesta is a convention for more than 1 million tourists all around the globe. So, raise your glass and grab some friends, because Ontario’s Oktoberfest is the perfect way to open your holiday season.
11. Imagine Van Gogh Art Exhibit
An eight-month-long immersive tribute, this Vancouver art exhibit honours the incomparable talent and genius of the Dutch impressionist painter, Vincent Van Gogh. Ethereal and full of whimsy his works will truly transport you to another world.
With modern technology, organizers have found a way to bring his works into the 3-dimensional world, giving you a feeling of stepping inside the paintings. Featuring 200 pieces of his original art, they are the perfect backdrops to an autumn afternoon.
Ending this October 15, grab your tickets now and don’t let the opportunity go. Expand your mind and explore the limitless imagination that Van Gogh’s paintings have to offer.
12. Vancouver Walking Tours
Steeped in history and wonderful sights, Vancouver is truly a Canadian treasure. And, the locals proudly highlight that as they offer different tours during the fall. With the Lost Souls of Gastown tour, you’ll be guided around downtown Vancouver by a costumed tour guide, as you learn about their heritage.
They also offer inclusive tours with The Really Gay History Tour, exploring the LGBT communities in the Couve. One of the bestselling tours among them is a must-attend — The Forbidden Vancouver Tour which explores the dark stories of the Canada’s past. Available until October 15, get your tickets now, and travel back in time with Vancouver’s immersive walking tours.
13. Diez Vista Trail Run
If you’re a fitness junkie hoping to get out of the house and explore breathtaking sights, then British Columbia’s Diez Vista Trail Run is perfect for you. Held this October 24, this 50 km run begins at White Pine Beach at 6:45 AM until 7:00 PM.
Ending with a celebration at one of the local pubs, this marathon not only gives you a chance to stretch and get fit during autumn, but you also get to meet new people.
14. Taste of Yale Festival
Food tastes better when eaten with the sights and sounds of Mother Nature. The Taste of Yale Festival exactly does that with their 10-day celebration in Vancouver. Celebrated on October 16 to 26, this cuisine bonanza is a haven for any adventurous foodie with an insatiable palette.
15. Dark Sky Festival
Every October 15 to October 24, Alberta brings the nighttime sky to life with its gorgeous and mesmerizing light displays. Hop on a bus now and don’t miss the Jasper Dark Sky Festival’s symphony under the stars.
With photo tours and talks on space science, this week-long celebration will be an educational and fun trip for the family. There’s no need to worry about light pollution because they have experts onsite that control any excessive display.
16. Okanagan Wine Festival
Tucked between the scenic valleys of Okanagan lies many vineyards, which are harvested at the beginning of the autumn season. On October 1 to 18 locals gather their bounty and showcase their delectable wines to the outside world.
With Fab Five Wine trail tours and Lakeshore Wine Routes offered to tourists, this week-long festival proudly displays the outstanding gastronomic creations of their local chefs. Partnering their dishes with different wines, this autumnal wine festival is a chill way to welcome the cold season.
Warm up your palette and fill your stomach with the scrumptious bites of paradise that the bounty Okanagan Valley offers. So, grab your bib and wine glass because your visit to the Okanagan Valley will be a delicious and unforgettable experience.
17. Vancouver Fall Homeshow
A commemoration of the modern world’s leading experts in engineering, science, and art, Vancouver Fall Homeshow is a fun way to intellectually explore the ins and outs of house design.
This October 14 to 17 the entire city is turned upside down as home designers and architecture experts flock from all over the globe to Vancouver’s Convention Center. Open to all attendees, you can mingle with other artists and designers as you discuss the various concepts that make these gorgeous installations.
The autumn season is more than just a time for holidays and indoor fun. Limitless adventures await you with just a single bus tour. Whether you’re arranging a bus tour in Toronto or Vancouver, every spot in Canada has something to offer for you. From music, art, food, outdoor camping, and more, any of these events will give you an unforgettable memory. However, before you arrange a tour do some research beforehand, as dates and events might be subject to change or cancellation due to the pandemic.
Showcasing the world-class talent and creativity of Canadians, these fall events are the perfect occasion for you to get to know the Great White North. Bus tour companies also offer bus tours for senior citizens that cater to their preferences so you won’t have to worry about gramps and granny getting left behind.
Have the best moments of your life as you discover the fun and cultures that Canadian events give. For bus charter rentals for Toronto and Mississauga look no further than Parkinson Coach Lines. We are a family-owned and operated bus company serving satisfied customers since 1922. Call us today at (905) 451-4776 to request a quote.
