At datenight, we always welcome October with open arms! Seasonal drinks and treats, the best scary and cozy date ideas, and so many fun things to do before the weather turns and a long winter arrives.
We’re bringing you the ultimate list of events, festivals, farms, and treats to check out with your date this autumn season!
See below for the ultimate fall date ideas round-up:
Festivals, Events & Fairs
PumpkInferno
Perfect for all ages, explore the magic of PumpkInferno, a nighttime walk-through experience where thousands of hand-crafted pumpkins come to life in a spectacular display of artistry and creativity along the streets and paths of Upper Canada Village’s historic landscape.
The pumpkins you’ll see at PumpkInferno aren’t your average jack-o’-lanterns – they’re incredibly realistic, hand-carved artificial pumpkins, each molded from the shape of a real one. The event also features fun activities like the Miniature Toy Train ride, an Interactive Zone, and a Sound & Light Show.
For a fun date idea, make your night extra special with a meal at the Harvest Barn! Guests booking the 6:30 p.m. (October 3-13) or 6 p.m. (October 16-November 1) timeslots can add a $20 Harvest Barn Voucher to their order. This voucher gives you early access to the Harvest Barn so you can enjoy your meal before entering PumpkInferno, and the $20 serves as a credit toward your meal.
Located: 13740 County Road 2, Morrisburg, Ontario
When: Select dates from October 3 – November 1, 2025
Day of the Dead Festival
Experience the richness of Mexican culture through art, gastronomy, music, and dance. The Day of the Dead is one of the most important holidays in Mexico where friends and family gather to pray and remember their loved ones who have passed away, and support their spiritual journey.
During this year’s festival in the ByWard Market, you can experience workshops, free Childnre’s Zone activities, live musical performances, artisinal markets, delicious Mexican food, and more!
Located: Byward Market, Ottawa, ON
When: October 31 – November 2, 2025
Festiv’Halloween – U-pick & Labyrinth
Located just an hour and a half away from downtown Ottawa, La Belle de Coteau-du-Lac is hosting their Festiv’Halloween – Pick-your-own and Labyrinth where you can discover over 60 varieties of pumpkins and squashes directly from their field. Choose the perfect specimens for your fall decorations and recipes. In addition to pumpkins, you and your date can challenge yourself in their corn maze and admire the Halloween decorations of 11 themed scenes.
This year, access to the Pumpkin Trail is included with your day ticket! Discover a brand-new trail decorated in the colors of autumn, filled with photobooth scenes perfect for creating beautiful memories.
Located: 75 Rte 201, Coteau-du-Lac, Quebec
When: Select dates from September 27 – October 26, 2025
Scary Date Ideas
Hammond Hill Haunted Forest
If you’re a lover of all things scary, head on over to Hammond Hill for a spine-chilling walk through the Haunted Forest! This is one of the most fun fall date ideas to do as a group, but just be sure to bring friends you can outrun!
Located: 861 Du Golf Road Hammond, ON
When: October 23 – 26, 2025
Catch a Scary Movie at the Mayfair Theatre
The Mayfair Theatre is one of Ottawa’s last two neighbourhood cinemas and one of the oldest surviving independent movie houses in all of Canada. It is one of the few surviving examples of an “atmospheric cinema”, built with a particular theme to enhance the movie-going experience and draw the movie-goer into the world of the film’s imagination.
The theatre’s programming includes independent, second-run, and classic films. During the fall season, you can catch various scary movies including The Exorcist, The Rocky Horror Picture Show, The Texas Chainsaw Massacre, and more.
Located: 1074 Bank Street, Ottawa
When: Various dates (check website for screening schedule)
Studio B Horror
This year, the creatives behind 1D Studios are bringing back their iconic haunted house with a brand new name!
Step onto real sets built inside a working film studio and descend into the twisted imagination of Andi Cryst—a cult horror creator whose B-movie nightmares refuse to stay on screen. This isn’t a haunted house you shuffle through in a line. They limit how many guests enter at once, so every scream, every scare, and every shadow is yours to experience fully.
With in-house mastery of set design, props, costumes, makeup, and effects, every hallway and every scare is built with film-level craftsmanship. It’s a spooky date night you won’t want to miss out on!
Located: 2935 Conroy Road, Ottawa
When: Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays until November 1, 2025
Fall Farm Dates
Saunders Farm
This award-winning family farm is 100 acres of aMAZEing fun and food this fall season.
FrightFest at Saunders is now on until November 1 bringing re-VAMP-ed haunts along with a brand new haunt – The Sawmill, live performances, and farm-fresh cider and treats to Ottawa this fall.
For the little ones, Pumpkin Days is a Canadian family tradition. This wholesome farm event includes tons of outdoor attractions, including pumpkin picking from their amazing pre-picked selection of pumpkins, hedge mazes, jumbo jumpers, play structures, wagon rides, a zipline, and so much more.
Located: 7893 Bleeks Rd, Ottawa
When: FrightFest runs Friday & Saturday nights starting Sept 20th – November 1st 2025 and every night during “Halloweek” (22nd Oct-1st Nov). PumpkinFest 2025 runs weekends starting Sept 20th – November 1st from 10am-5pm.
Millers Farm, Market & Garden Centre
Just a short drive away of Ottawa, Millers’ Farm & Market offers an authentic countryside escape that’s perfect for a fall date filled with charm and seasonal fun. From mid-September through October, the farm opens its pumpkin patch—with over eight acres to explore and pick your own gourds and pumpkins. You can also hop on a scenic wagon ride or wander through a corn maze, both available for just $5.
Before you head out, be sure to browse the market shed for fresh pies, jams, local honey, and decor to bring home!
Located: 6158 Rideau Valley Drive N, Ottawa
When: Open daily until October 31, 2025
Fall Markets and Shops
Signatures Handmade Market
Experience a burst of creativity this October at the Signatures Handmade Market, held at the historic Aberdeen Pavilion in Ottawa this October. The show features over 130 Canadian artisans and makers displaying one-of-a-kind handcrafted fashion, jewellery, home décor, ceramics and more.
With live music, a fully licensed bar area for sipping as you browse, and free rides on OC Transpo with your ticket, it’s the perfect fall shopping date.
Located: Lansdowne Park, Ottawa
When: October 23-26, 2025
One World Bazaar
If you’re looking for a one-of-a-kind fall market, head to One World Bazaar in Manotick! Set inside a charming heritage barn, this seasonal marketplace opens for seven weekends starting in September and running through mid-November—perfect for a relaxed fall date.
Inside you’ll find handmade treasures from around the globe—vibrant textiles, artisan jewelry, unique home décor and furniture—each piece thoughtfully sourced from fair-trade artisans in more than twenty countries. With the cozy setting, live music on select weekends and complimentary admission, One World Bazaar is a must-visit shopping destination this season.
Located: 6100 Mitch Owens Rd, Manotick ON
When: Open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays until November 23
Halloween Night Market Party
Calling all ghouls and ghosts! The Urban Art Collective is hosting their third annual Halloween Night Market Party for a fun, family-friendly night out. Stroll through an eerie market filled with local eats, chilling treats, and handmade creations. There will be over 15 vendors plus spooky entertainment, a costume photo booth, tarot readings, and more!
Located: Outdoors at the UAC Art Hub – 1088 Somerset St. W, Ottawa
When: October 25, 2025 from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Fall Foliage
Gatineau Park
There’s no better spot for a fall hike than Gatineau Park and every year, the vibrant fall colours attract hundreds of thousands of visitors, In fact, popular, well-known destinations such as Pink Lake often reach visitor capacity!
To admire these colourful landscapes and get even more out of the experience, we recommend exploring the less visited destinations like Meech Creek Valley or Philippe Lake. You can also ride the free shuttle so that you don’t have to worry about parking. Enjoy peace of mind while appreciating the amazing views!
Located: Several stops in the Ottawa-Gatineau region
When: The NCC shuttle service operates 6 days a week (no service on Wednesdays). Shuttle service is every 20 minutes.
Stroll Through Major Hill’s Park
Major Hill’s Park is the perfect calm oasis in Downtown Ottawa, and the perfect spot to take a break between visits to the ByWard Market and nearby museums and galleries.
This park features some of the best lookouts in Ottawa, offering stunning views of the Ottawa Locks on the Rideau Canal, the Ottawa River, and the Parliament Buildings. Spend an afternoon taking a stroll through the park, plan a cute fall picnic under the trees, and learn about its history through a series of interpretation panels.
Located: Mackenzie Avenue, Ottawa
Admire the View at Hog’s Back Falls
Hog’s Back Park is an urban nature park that offers historical displays, as well as a renovated heritage pavilion. Autumn is one of the best times to visit with beautiful vantage points of the waterfalls and the vibrant fall foliage.
Make this a fun active date idea by riding bikes along the Capital Pathway and the multi-use pathway along the Rideau River!
Located: 600 Hog’s Back Rd, Ottawa
Fall Sips and Bites
Indulge in Seasonal Ice Cream Flavours
If you ask us, it’s always a good time for ice cream! The Merry Dairy has tons of festive fall flavours including Pumpkin Cheesecake, Honey Dipped Apple, and Caramel Popcorn. You can take your favourite person for a fall ice cream date, because there’s no season that ice cream dates aren’t the best in.
They also have some fun Halloween flavours including Crunch ‘N Sunbutter, BooBerry Lemon, Candy Bar, and Cookie Monster. YUM!
Located: Order online for free delivery anywhere in Ottawa or pickup at 102 Fairmont Avenue
When: Open Tuesday to Thursday & Sunday from 12 p.m. to 8 p.m. and Friday to Saturday from 12 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Sip on Festive Fall Drinks
Drip House is offering so many delicious fall drinks this season! Their seasonal menu includes a Spicy Hot Chocolate, Caramel Apple Tea Latte, and a Sea Salt Maple Latte. Delish!
These fall beverages are available at all of their locations for a limited time only.
Located: Hintonburg (340 Parkdale, Unit B, Ottawa), Chinatown (692 Somerset St W, Ottawa), The Glebe (843 Bank St, Ottawa
Treat Yourself to Some Pumpkin Scones
The SconeWitch is known for having delectable baked goods all year round but there’s something extra special about their pumpkin scones. Perfect for snacking on a coffee date or to bring home to your loves ones for a potluck!
Located: 35 Beechwood Ave, Ottawa
When: Available during the fall season
Photo Credits: @citrouilleville (left), @ncc_ccn (right)
We’re sharing date ideas from all over Ontario and Canada throughout this season from all things haunted, to all things pumpkin spice, and more. Stay tuned and keep your eyes peeled here for the best!
