Things to do in Burlington in October

🍂 Falling for Burlington Downtown
Downtown Burlington's free fall afternoon returns for its fifth year, with local tastes and treats from downtown businesses and artists around Village Square and the Promenade Walkway.
🎟️ Free
📅 Sat, Oct 3 | 1PM–4PM
📍 Village Square & the Promenade (Brant St & Elgin St)

📚 Telling Tales Festival
Two days of free family fun at the Telling Tales children's book festival in Hendrie Park, with authors, storytelling and activities. Entry is by free timed ticket, so register before you go.
🎟️ Free (timed tickets, register online)
📅 Sat, Oct 3 – Sun, Oct 4 | 9:30AM–5PM
📍 Royal Botanical Gardens, Hendrie Park

🎗️ CIBC Run for the Cure
Walk or run 5K or 1K in Canada's largest breast cancer fundraiser. The event opens at 8AM, opening ceremonies are at 10AM and the 5K starts at 10:40AM.
🎟️ Free to register (fundraising encouraged)
📅 Sun, Oct 4 | Opens 8AM, 5K starts 10:40AM
📍 Central Recreation Centre

🎃 The Great Pumpkin Trail
Follow a 1 km candlelit trail through Hendrie Valley lined with hundreds of carved pumpkins, with seasonal food and live entertainment. Tickets are for timed entry and must be bought ahead, and early time slots are already sold out on some nights.
🎟️ $20 - $27
📅 Oct 15–18 & Oct 23–25 | Timed entry 5:30PM–8:30PM
📍 Royal Botanical Gardens, Hendrie Park

🧥 The Vintage Marketplace
The Vintage Marketplace comes to the Art Gallery of Burlington for the first time, with vintage clothing and finds.
🎟️ $6 advance, $8 at the door, 12 and under free
📅 Sat, Oct 24 – Sun, Oct 25 | 11AM–4PM
📍 Art Gallery of Burlington

🌽 Harvest Festival PA Day Camp
Kids aged 5 to 10 spend the PA Day at Ireland House Museum with historic games, autumn crafts and cooking. Pre-registration is required.
🎟️ $55 per child (ages 5-10)
📅 Fri, Oct 9 | 9AM–4PM
📍 Ireland House Museum

🧶 Make Your Own Knitted Pumpkin
Knit a 12-inch plush pumpkin using just your hands, no needles or experience needed. Ages 12+, with 12 to 16 year olds joined by a paying adult.
🎟️ $50 + fees and HST (ages 12+)
📅 Fri, Oct 16 | 6PM–8PM
📍 Williams Fresh Cafe, 1250 Brant St

🐕 Novel's Trick or Treat Pack Walk
Walk your leashed dog through downtown Burlington with trick-or-treat stops at local shops handing out dog treats.
🎟️ Free
📅 Sat, Oct 17 | 4:30PM–6PM
📍 Novel Vet

🦇 RBG After Dark: Pumpkin Trail (19+)
RBG's Hendrie Park turns into an adults-only Halloween night on the Pumpkin Trail. It's 19+ with ID checked at the door, and tickets must be bought ahead.
🎟️ $27 + HST
📅 Thu, Oct 22 | 6PM–11PM
📍 Royal Botanical Gardens, Hendrie Park

🔮 Burlington Psychic & Crystal Fair
Three days of psychics, tarot and palm readers, astrologers and crystal vendors. Readings are paid separately and start around $60.
🎟️ $10 weekend pass at the door ($12.15 online), 12 and under free
📅 Fri, Oct 30 – Sun, Nov 1 | Multiple Times
📍 Holiday Inn Burlington Hotel & Conference Centre

🍬 Halloween Spooktacular
Indoor trick-or-treating around Burlington Centre, with themed photo sets, giveaways and candy.
🎟️ Free
📅 Sat, Oct 31 | 11AM–2PM
📍 Burlington Centre

🎭 Look Back In Anger
The Kitchen Sink Collective stages John Osborne's classic kitchen-sink drama for its final weekend.
🎟️ $30 + fees
📅 Oct 1–3 at 8PM, matinees Sat, Oct 3 & Sun, Oct 4 at 2PM
📍 West Plains United Church, 549 Plains Rd W

🧊 Icemen
Theatre Burlington stages Vern Thiessen's drama about two brothers who harvest ice on Kempenfelt Bay during the Great Depression and kidnap their boss when their jobs disappear.
🎟️ $33, seniors $28
📅 Oct 2, 3, 9, 10 | 7:30PM, plus 2PM matinees Oct 3 & 10
📍 Theatre Burlington, 2311 New St

🎸 Celebrating Springsteen: Unplugged
Michael Theodore tells the stories behind Bruce Springsteen's early songs in an intimate acoustic show. A third show was added because of demand.
📅 Fri, Oct 2 | 8PM & Sat, Oct 3 | 2PM & 8PM
📍 Drury Lane Theatre

🪕 Textures of Twilight
An evening of Indian classical music with sitar player Abhik Mukherjee and vocalist Samarth Nagarkar. Seating is limited.
🎟️ $35 + fees
📅 Sat, Oct 3 | 6PM–10PM
📍 St. John's Anglican Church

🎶 Southern Ontario Lyric Opera: The Barber of Seville
Southern Ontario Lyric Opera stages Rossini's comic opera with a full Canadian cast.
🎟️ $79, seniors $54, 30 and under $30, 16 and under $10
📅 Sat, Oct 3 | 7:30PM
📍 Burlington Performing Arts Centre

🎻 Burlington Symphony Orchestra: Beethoven and Brahms
The Burlington Symphony plays Brahms' Symphony No. 2, with pianist Catherine Zhou joining for Beethoven's Piano Concerto No. 3.
🎟️ $60, seniors $52, under 24 $38
📅 Sun, Oct 4 | 3PM
📍 Burlington Performing Arts Centre

🎪 Pareidolia
Chile's La Llave Maestra turns jackets into singers and tutus into ostriches in this wordless visual theatre show for all ages.
🎟️ Pay what you can
📅 Wed, Oct 7 | 7PM
📍 Burlington Performing Arts Centre

😂 Derek Seguin
Two-time JUNO nominee and Just for Laughs regular Derek Seguin marks 20 years of stand-up. Mature audiences.
🎟️ $49.50 - $69.50
📅 Fri, Oct 9 | 7:30PM
📍 Burlington Performing Arts Centre

💃 Svāhā! Nova Dance
Choreographer Nova Bhattacharya brings more than 20 dancers from different traditions together in a joyful piece of rhythm and colour.
🎟️ $39.50 - $59.50
📅 Thu, Oct 15 | 7:30PM
📍 Burlington Performing Arts Centre

🎩 Misdirection: Magic and Mentalism Show
Mentalist Ryan Edwards and comedy magician Graemazing team up for a night of mind reading and illusions at Nickel Brook. Ages 19+.
🎟️ $25 + fees (19+)
📅 Thu, Oct 15 | 9PM–11PM
📍 Nickel Brook Brewing Co.

🎭 Freaky Friday
Centre Stage Theatre Productions stages Freaky Friday, the body-swap musical based on the Disney films.
🎟️ $30, students $20 (+ fees)
📅 Oct 16 & 17 at 7:30PM, Oct 18 at 1:30PM
📍 Centre Stage Theatre School

🎤 Timeless Icons
A tribute concert covering Billy Joel, Elton John, Tina Turner and Prince.
🎟️ $57.50 - $67.50
📅 Fri, Oct 16 | 8PM
📍 Burlington Performing Arts Centre

🪘 The Secret Path Cushion Concert
Community Elders Kate Dickson and Shannon Thunderbird lead an afternoon of drumming, crafts and storytelling from First Peoples traditions.
🎟️ Pay what you can (reserve through BPAC)
📅 Sat, Oct 17 | 1PM
📍 Burlington Performing Arts Centre, Family Lobby

🪶 She Carries the Song
Celeigh Cardinal, Mimi O'Bonsawin and Lacey Hill, three Indigenous singer-songwriters, share the stage for a night of song and story.
🎟️ $37.50 - $57.50
📅 Sat, Oct 17 | 7:30PM
📍 Burlington Performing Arts Centre

🎻 Burlington New Millennium Orchestra: In Flight with Quartetto Gelato
The Burlington New Millennium Orchestra welcomes Quartetto Gelato for a globe-trotting program of classical pieces, tangos and folk songs.
🎟️ $64.50, seniors $59.50, 19 and under $29.50
📅 Sun, Oct 18 | 3PM
📍 Burlington Performing Arts Centre

🎸 Classic Albums Live: Led Zeppelin IV
Classic Albums Live plays Led Zeppelin IV note for note, from Black Dog to Stairway to Heaven.
🎟️ $74.50 - $94.50
📅 Wed, Oct 21 | 7:30PM
📍 Burlington Performing Arts Centre

🚜 Fred Eaglesmith
JUNO winner Fred Eaglesmith brings his songs about old cars, rural life and lost love, with plenty of dry wit between them.
🎟️ $59.50 - $79.50
📅 Fri, Oct 23 | 7:30PM
📍 Burlington Performing Arts Centre

🎹 The Psalms Project with Mike Janzen and Band
Mike Janzen and his band, with JUNO-nominated singer Erin Propp, perform songs from all three Psalms Project albums.
🎟️ $30, students $20 (+ fees)
📅 Fri, Oct 23 | 7:30PM–10PM
📍 Compass Point Bible Church

🎶 The Canadian Arabic Orchestra: Tribute for Melhem Barakat
The Canadian Arabic Orchestra pays tribute to Lebanese singer and composer Melhem Barakat, with vocalist Michael Snono.
🎟️ $64.50 - $80
📅 Sat, Oct 24 | 7:30PM–9:30PM
📍 Burlington Performing Arts Centre

🕺 Legends of Motown
A full cast of singers and musicians performs the hits of The Supremes, The Temptations, Marvin Gaye, Smokey Robinson and more.
🎟️ $69
📅 Fri, Oct 30 | 7:30PM
📍 Burlington Performing Arts Centre

🖼️ The Artist's Mark: Jurors' Decision and Commentary Night
Two Hamilton jurors reveal their picks for The Artist's Mark and talk through the 40 accepted works. Seating is limited, so reserve a free ticket.
🎟️ Free (reserve a ticket)
📅 Thu, Oct 1 | 6PM–8:30PM
📍 Art Gallery of Burlington

🌱 Burlington Horticulture presents: New Plants from Old
Master Gardener Allyn Walsh shows how to collect, save and sow seeds so you can grow more of the plants you love for less. It's the Burlington Horticultural Society's monthly meeting, and guests can attend one meeting before joining.
🎟️ Free (register on Eventbrite, 20 spots)
📅 Wed, Oct 14 | 6:30PM–9PM
📍 Central Arena, Auditorium

🪔 Diwali Community Garba
Celebrate Diwali with garba dancing, food and live music, with proceeds going to Joseph Brant Hospital. Garba lessons run at 8PM and 9PM.
🎟️ $45, under 3 free
📅 Fri, Oct 16 | 7PM–11PM
📍 Burlington Convention Centre

📖 DreadCon Dark Fiction & Horror Convention
Canada's only dark fiction and horror convention returns for a third year, with author signings, panels and a marketplace. Guests include Nick Cutter and Jennifer Hillier.
🎟️ $10, under 18 free, VIP $30
📅 Sat, Oct 17 | 11AM–5PM
📍 Holiday Inn Burlington Hotel & Conference Centre

🎨 The Artist's Mark Juried Art Show
The Burlington Fine Arts Association's annual juried show of work by local artists, with an opening and awards night on Oct 22 from 6PM to 9PM.
🎟️ Free
📅 Sun, Oct 18 – Sun, Nov 1
📍 The Hub, Burlington Centre

📖 An Evening With Clara Hughes
Six-time Olympic medallist Clara Hughes launches her new memoir, Learning to Breathe. A $20 livestream ticket is also available.
🎟️ $30
📅 Sun, Oct 18 | 7PM–9PM
📍 Port Nelson United Church

🔍 The Psychology of Cults
Cult investigator Mike King explains how cults recruit and control their members, drawing on cases from Jonestown to NXIVM.
🎟️ $54.50 - $74.50
📅 Wed, Oct 28 | 7:30PM
📍 Burlington Performing Arts Centre

🤠 Boot Scootin' Boogie
A free country dance night with a line dancing lesson at 7PM and three local bands, raising money for Gore Park Community Outreach. Ages 19+.
🎟️ Free
📅 Fri, Oct 2 | 7PM–10:30PM
📍 Halton Naval Veterans Association

🧶 Hand Made Craft Market
The Friends of Bronte Creek host local artisans selling woodwork, textiles, pottery, jewellery, painting and more.
🎟️ Free (Ontario Parks vehicle permit needed to drive in)
📅 Sat, Oct 3 | 10AM–3PM
📍 Bronte Creek Provincial Park

💃 West Coast Swing Social
West Coast Swing lessons at 7PM for beginners, then social dancing until midnight. No partner or experience needed.
🎟️ $15
📅 Sat, Oct 3 | 7PM–12AM
📍 Simply Ballroom, 3323 Mainway

🐕 Labrapalooza: Dog Walk and Play
A lab rescue fundraiser with a 2 km dog walk, pet caricatures, photos and pup cups. All breeds are welcome, and you don't need to register just to play.
🎟️ Free (Ontario Parks day-use permit required)
📅 Sun, Oct 4 | 10AM–1PM
📍 Bronte Creek Provincial Park

💗 Party in Pink Zumbathon
The 8th annual Party in Pink Zumbathon, two-plus hours of dance for charity, with raffle prizes.
🎟️ $20
📅 Sun, Oct 4 | 1PM–4PM
📍 Burlington Seniors' Centre

🏃 JoggenJam: 5K Run / 2K Walk Social
A social 5K run or 2K walk from the Art Gallery of Burlington, followed by a DJ, food and non-alcoholic drinks. No timing, no pressure.
🎟️ $15 + fees
📅 Sun, Oct 4 | 6PM–10PM
📍 Art Gallery of Burlington

🚗 Cruisin' Car Show
The last night of the season for Burlington Centre's Monday evening classic car show.
🎟️ Free
📅 Mon, Oct 5 | 5PM–9PM
📍 Burlington Centre, Canadian Tire parking lot

🧸 Toddler Days at Joseph Brant Museum
A hands-on morning for kids aged 2 to 4 at Joseph Brant Museum, with a different theme every week, including Halloween.
🎟️ $12 per child, adults free (pre-register)
📅 Wednesdays · Oct 7, 14, 21, 28 | 10:30AM–12PM
📍 Joseph Brant Museum

🌊 BurlingtonGreen Thanksgiving Beach Clean Up
Help BurlingtonGreen clear litter and microplastics from Burlington Beach over the Thanksgiving weekend. Rain or shine.
🎟️ Free
📅 Sat, Oct 10 | 10AM–12PM
📍 Burlington Beach, BurlingtonGreen Eco-Hub

🧀 Culture & Curds: Ontario's Finest
An evening pairing Denninger's own cured and smoked meats with Ontario cheeses and local drinks.
🎟️ $50
📅 Thu, Oct 15 | 6:30PM–8:30PM
📍 Denninger's, Burlington Centre

🏷️ Giant Indoor Community Garage Sale
The 20th annual indoor garage sale, with hot Ukrainian meals for sale.
📅 Sat, Oct 17 | 8:30AM–1PM
📍 Ukrainian Hall, 2077 Pine St

🕯️ Paws to Remember
A remembrance service for the pets we've lost. Bring a framed photo of your pet, and well-behaved pets are welcome.
🎟️ Free
📅 Sun, Oct 18 | 12PM–3PM
📍 Dodsworth & Brown Funeral Home, Burlington Chapel

🌕 The OSA Moon Series
A Hunter's Moon evening of yoga, sound bath and a fire ceremony on the beach. It may move indoors if the weather turns.
🎟️ $38 (book ahead, ages 11+)
📅 Mon, Oct 26 | 6:30PM–8PM
📍 Beachway Park

🥂 Fun and Classy Singles that like to Mingle 55+
A relaxed mixer for singles 55+ with ice-breakers and appetizers at Pepperwood.
🎟️ $60.48 (fees included)
📅 Tue, Oct 6 | 7PM–9:30PM
📍 Pepperwood Bistro Brewery & Catering

💘 15FirstDates Burlington Speed Dating (Ages 30-40)
Meet up to 15 singles aged 30 to 40 on short dates, then match through an app. You need a free profile at 15firstdates.ca first.
🎟️ $30 women, $40 men (+ fees)
📅 Tue, Oct 13 | 7PM–9PM
📍 Nickel Brook Brewing Co.

💘 Burlington Speed Dating (Ages 35-48)
Speed dating for singles aged 35 to 48 at Williams Fresh Cafe.
🎟️ $35 + HST and fees
📅 Sat, Oct 17 | 7PM–9PM
📍 Williams Fresh Cafe

🥂 Fun and Classy Singles that like to Mingle! 40s, 50s & 60s
A mixer for singles in their 40s, 50s and 60s, with ice-breakers and appetizers at Pepperwood.
🎟️ $60.48 (fees included)
📅 Wed, Oct 21 | 7PM–9:30PM
📍 Pepperwood Bistro Brewery & Catering

💘 Classy and Fun Speed Dating & Mingling 40-55
Speed dating and mingling for singles aged 40 to 55 at Pepperwood. Arrive 15 minutes early.
🎟️ $59 + fees and HST
📅 Tue, Oct 27 | 7PM–9:30PM
📍 Pepperwood Bistro Brewery & Catering

💘 Speed Dating and Mingling (Ages 56-69)
Speed dating and mingling for singles aged 56 to 69 at Pepperwood.
🎟️ $72.51 (fees included), sold out for women
📅 Wed, Oct 28 | 7PM–9:30PM
📍 Pepperwood Bistro Brewery & Catering

🎃 15FirstDates Burlington Halloween Singles Party
A Halloween singles party at Nickel Brook, with dancing from 10:30PM. Costumes are optional. Ages 19+.
🎟️ $15 early bird, $20 general (+ fees), 19+
📅 Sat, Oct 31 | 9PM–1AM
📍 Nickel Brook Brewing Co.