Crisp air and pumpkin spice lattes are back for fall and so are festivals. Whether you love spooky vibes or a vibrant art scene, musical notes or starry skies, or drinking out of a stein glass for Oktoberfest, we’ve rounded up the best fall festivals in Canada for you to travel to this year.
Put on your lederhosen and dirndl because it’s time to celebrate German culture at the second largest Oktoberfest in the world, the Kitchener Waterloo Oktoberfest. What makes this one of the best fall festivals in Canada? For one, Downtown Kitchener transforms into a Bavarian village, Willkommen Platz – complete with biergartens, German cuisine and live music. Complete your Oktoberfest experience with making new festhalle friends, attending the Kinderfest Fall Fair and watching the So You Think You Can Tanz, dance competition.
Book your stay at Best Western Plus Waterloo.
Celebrate the vibrant arts scene of Saskatoon at the Nuit Blanche Saskatoon festival, one of the most popular fall festivals in Canada. Starting in 2014, the festival has supported and advocated nearly ten years of art and artists and this free night-time event engages your curiosity and sparks your creativity. This year’s art installations include bibliophile ghost sculptures, animated light painting, glow-in-the-dark prints with printmakers and a dance party to Indigenous themes and music in an illuminated tipi. Join in on the global arts movement of Nuit Blanche this year.
Book your stay at Best Western Blairemore.
If you’re into spooky things and Halloween, you need to take a trip to Upper Canada Village this fall for one of the most artistic fall festivals in Canada. Pumpkinferno is an award-winning fall art exhibit that showcases over 7,000 hand-carved pumpkins. Though the pumpkins are artificial, the hard work behind them is not. Designs start as early as April, with carvers dedicating themselves to pumpkin carving production from May to August. The wait is worthwhile and visitors far and near come to admire the craftsmanship. Celebrating over a decade’s worth of Pumpkinfernos, past sculptures have included a zombie bride and groom, a rock band and Area 51.
Book your stay at Best Western Parkway Inn & Conference Centre.
Who doesn’t love looking up at the stars? Jasper National Park is the second largest Dark Sky Preserve in the world, meaning no artificial light is visible, and there is minimal light pollution so skies are clear for all to view. It’s no wonder that travelers from all over attend Jasper Dark Sky Festival, one of the best fall festivals in Canada. Ride the Jasper Skytram for a Star Session with astronomy extends or attend the Cocktails & Constellations event, which boasts a three-course constellation-inspired menu. The Dining with Aurora event is a fully dark experience, where you can indulge in food and your other senses while you dine and Yoga Under the Stars will help you find Zen under the night skies.
Book your stay at Best Western Plus Hinton Inn & Suites.
Wine and dine to your heart’s desire with sips and bites from Edmonton’s top restaurants. From arepas to tacos to kabobs, from beer to wine to whiskey, there will be hundreds of vendors to choose from and samples to be had at this is the ultimate culinary event. Bring the whole gang for this foodie adventure and join over 25,000 guests who attend annually.
Book your stay at Best Western Plus City Centre Inn.