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Discover Canada’s Best Fall Festivals

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That slight chill in the air signals that fall has arrived in Canada. There’s no better way to celebrate the season then will some of Canada’s best fall festivals. Whether you’re a star gazer, a film buff, a serious foodie or looking for some family-friendly outdoor fun, Canada’s got a festival that’s sure to please. Here’s just a sample of some of the best autumn festivals going on throughout the country.

 Alberta

Jasper Dark Sky Festival

One of Canada’s most star-studded fall festivals is undoubtedly the Jasper Dark Sky Festival that runs from Oct 15 to 24. The festival is a celebration of the stars and the beauty of the universe held in one of the world’s largest accessible dark sky preserves. In 2011, the town was designated as a Dark Sky Preserve by the Royal Astronomical Society in Canada thanks to its lack of light pollution that allows for unparalleled celestial displays. Star gazers of all ages and all knowledge levels will enjoy the opportunity to take part in a line-up of extraordinary events and knowledgeable speakers. Out-of-this-world activities include a stunning Sunrise and Sunset photoshoot and Fireside Chats with Warrior Women, who will share Indigenous stories of the land. And don’t miss the Symphony under the Stars, where guests can delight in the Edmonton Symphony Orchestra Strings under a canopy of twinkling stars.

Taste for Adventure

Food lovers won’t want to miss Banff and Lake Louise’s Taste for Adventure that runs November 1 to 28. Participating restaurants from the region will be offering exclusive menus, unique dishes and scrumptious specials cooked up by some of Canada’s most talented chefs and award-winning restaurants.

British Columbia

Mid Autumn Moon Festival at Sun Yat Sen Gardens

From September 21 to September 26th, come explore one of Canada’s most beloved and unique gardens. Activities include mooncake tasting, tea ceremony demonstrations, live music, moon-watching with the HR Macmillan Space Centre and more.

BC Culture Days

Running from September 24 to October 24, the 2021 BC Culture Days features a spectacular range of virtual and in-person events that highlight the rich and diverse arts and culture scene happening in B.C. Activities include things like a self-guided historic tour of a Matsqui Village, a chamber music performance and more.

Maan Farms’ Annual Fall Festival

Set in the heart of the Fraser Valley, this family friendly festival runs from September 17 to October 31. Experience an enchanted pumpkin patch, a corn maze, a barnyard Adventureland, an animal play area with baby goats and more. Save room for signature treats like field-to-plate pumpkin pie and apple cider slushies.

Whistlers Writer Festival

If you’re in the mood for something a little more cerebral, check out the Whistler Writers Festival, which runs from Oct 14 to 17. This annual fall event celebres the written word and offers a chance to meet some top Canadian and international authors and attend workshops, readings and speaker panels, as well as enjoy evenings of music and compelling conversation.

LUNA Art Fest

From September 24 to 26 the charming resort town of Revelstoke holds one of the province’s leading art festivals. This weekend-long celebration of art and energy features immense projections, pop-up performances and new installations peppered throughout Revelstoke’s downtown area.

Prince Edward Island

 The PEI Fall Flavours Festival

The Fall Flavours Festival is a month-long (September 16 to October 10) culinary festival that showcases unique and authentic Prince Edward Island tastes and traditions. You’ll get to partake in some of the most fabulous food experiences you can imagine, including Signature Events hosted by FOOD NETWORK celebrity chefs, tasty food, charming venues, entertaining hosts, and one-of-a kind experiences. Some of the most popular events that are returning this year include: Beef N’ Blues, Toe Taps and Taters, Clammin’ N Jammin’ and the PEI International Shellfish Festival.

New Brunswick 

Kings Landing  

This incredible village of living history holds several annual fall events like Apple Fest, Military Muster and Thanksgiving Weekend. Best of all, visitors can truly experience the 1800s when they visit the largest living history village in eastern Canada. Kings Landing has over 70 historic buildings and 100+costumed staff that provide an authentic glimpse of what New Brunswick was like in the 1800s.

La Grande Grouille

This festival takes place in Edmundston from Sept. 30 to Oct. 3. Kids will love the chance to see thousands of pumpkins illuminated at night at the lovely New Brunswick Botanical Garden  

Indulge Food and Wine Festival

The Indulge Food and Fine Festival takes place in the lovely town of St. Andrews from Oct. 13 to 17. This event offers an incredible opportunity to chow down on creations by some of the province’s best chefs and food producers.

Ontario

Pumpkinferno

The award-winning Pumpkinferno will return this year from September 24 to October 31 for its 10th season. Best of all, this fall, the St. Lawrence Parks Commission is celebrating the season by offering double the Pumpkinferno fun. It has expanded its award-winning event to the west by adding an additional Pumpkinferno experience in the city of Kingston. Guests can take in the festival at the original home of Pumpkinferno, in the Upper Canada Village in Morrisburg, Ontario or at its new incarnation at Fort Henry in Kingston. One of the main highlights of this popular, family friendly event is the amazing installation of over 7,000 handcrafted, glowing pumpkins.

Fleurs de Villes Niagara Falls

Premiering for ten days only from September 24 – October 3, Fleurs de Villes Niagara Falls is a one-of-a-kind self-guided, socially spaced, indoor/outdoor floral celebration. The event features a Fresh Floral Trail throughout Niagara Falls with more then 30 pop-up installations created by the region’s best floral talent. Special programming, including culinary experiences, afternoon tea, floral workshops and artisan markets will also take place throughout the city. The Fleurs de Villes Niagara Falls Floral Trail is free and will feature an array of beautiful large scale fresh floral installations, interactive displays and the famous Fleurs de Villes floral mannequins.

Manitoba

Oak Hammock Marsh and FortWhyte Alive

If you think fall is for the birds, then you’ll want to check out fall migration viewings at Oak Hammock Marsh and FortWhyte Alive. FortWhyte Alive offers a series of wonderful Sunset Goose Flights where viewers can take in the incredible sight of hundreds of geese landing at sunset. Food trucks on site make the viewing even more enjoyable. Oak Hammock Marsh has an incredible lineup of events for bird lovers, including Birding and Breakfast, Virtual Birding Hour – Waterfowl ID, Migration Fest and more.

Saskatchewan

Nuit Blanche

During Nuit Blanche, which takes place on September 25, the city of Saskatoon shows off its creative side with an incredible array of projections, sculptural installations, performances, music, theatre and other incarnations of contemporary art. Attendees of all ages can enjoy this free, nighttime festival that explores Saskatoon’s vibrant arts scene in a safe and fun space.

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