17 Fall Activities in New Tecumseth (2024)
Looking for fall activities in New Tecumseth – Beeton, Alliston or Tottenham? You’re in the right place. With small communities surrounded by farmland and agriculture, there are a lot of indoor and outdoor fall activities in the New Tecumseth area.
From pumpkin patches to scenic hikes, and cozy harvest festivals – there’s something for everyone during fall in our little corner of Ontario.
Some of the activities are fall harvest-themed and family-friendly, while others are on the spooky side and geared towards an older audience.
You don’t have to head to Algonquin to appreciate the fall. I enjoy taking part in outdoor and indoor fall activities in Alliston, Beeton and Tottenham every year and have compiled a list of all the 15 best things there are to do this fall 2024.
So let’s jump in – fall activities in New Tecumseth and surrounding areas!
15 Fall Activities in New Tecumseth
Here are the fall activities happening in Alliston, Beeton or Tottenham (or nearby)
1. Beeton Fall Fair
The Beeton Fall Fair is one of the oldest agricultural fairs in Canada and has been running since 1857. There are rides, farm animals, and displays of artwork, baked goods that people have submitted for judging.
There are different events scheduled throughout the weekend, such as vendor markets, animal shows, baby content, a Zoo to You visit, a tractor pull and movies in the park. The timing of events can be found here.
The Beeton Fall Fair for 2024 will be held on the weekend of September 13th – 15th, 2023.
The admission cost is $15 per adult, with elementary school-age kids being free.
Beeton Fair 2024 Hours
- Friday, Sept. 13 โ 5pm to midnight
- Saturday, Sept.14 โ 8am to 11pm
- Sunday, Sept, 15 โ 8am to 5:30pm
2. Visit Laura’s Farm Stand
5590 Simcoe County Rd 27 in Cookstown
Laura’s Farm Stand is one of the most festively fall places around. The owner, Laura transforms the beautiful sunflower fields from late August into a family fall set up starting in September.
You can buy pumpkins, do a corn maze, get cute family photos in front of the instagrammable photo ops that are set up in the field, and buy produce and candy corn from the market.
The Pumpkin Patch at Laura’s Farm Stand is typically open from mid September until late October.
This year, they’re having a special Fall Market on the weekend of September 30th- October 1st. 10am to 4pm. The cost is $6.95+ tax.
There is no charge to visit the shop part of Laura’s Farm Stand, but you need to pay admission in order to access the pumpkin patch, corn maze and the photo ops regardless of which day you come, and its normally $8.99 per adult
3. Head to the Boo Bash
Treetops subdivision
The Treetops neighbourhood east of Alliston held their first Boo-Bash last year, open to residents of the subdivision only.
This year though, they’re opening it up to all of New Tecumseth!
The Boo Bash was a huge success last year, run by incredible volunteers who brought in lots of talent.
There was an escape room, costume party, vendor market, sensory tables for young kids, music, live performances, food trucks, spooky Halloween decorations and so much more.
I’d highly recommend making your way over to Treetops for this community event on Saturday, October 19th at 12pm.
4. Check out the 12th Line Creepers
7311 12th line, Alliston
Drive past a farm on the 12th Line, just south of Alliston, to see an annual display of some seriously creepy scarecrows and Halloween decorations.
The owner is passionate about Halloween and is always finding new creepy additions to add to her display.
The spooky setup will start in mid-September and run until at least Halloween. Take a drive-by to see something truly unique in the area!
The address is the corner of the 12th line and the town line – you can’t miss it!
If you want to keep up to date with the 12th Line Creepers, the owner manages a Facebook group you can join.
In addition to the spooky decorations, there will also be self-serve pumpkins for sale at the 12th Line Creepers address starting the week of September 21st.
5. Pick a pumpkin at Murphy’s Fall Festival
5141 County Rd 10, Alliston
Murphy’s is a family farm in Alliston that features a popular fall festival every year, and sells fall-themed foods and treats in their shop.
You can drop into Murphy’s at any point to grab some of their fresh baked fall treats, such as pies, soups, cookies, and produce such as squash and pumpkins. Perfect for Thanksgiving dinners.
At the fall festival, can walk through their pumpkin patch to choose from a variety of multicoloured pumpkins of different sizes, take wagon rides, and there’s usually a cornfield maze. Families with small children can enjoy the playground on the farm fun yard.
Murphy’s Fall Festival 2024 dates are TBA, but it typically runs from mid-September until Halloween.
6. Do some Halloween Art
Various locations
Tab Creates is partnering with a few businesses in town to organize some Halloween art nights, for teens (14+) and adults.
There are three different events this year where you can create your own unique spooky Halloween craft to take home, to become a part of your annual fall decorations.
Here are the details on the three Halloween art events held this year:
- October 10th – scarecrow art Beattie’s Distillery ($75 per person)
- October 20th – Van Boo Paint Night at the Mad Hatter’s Table in Cookstown ($50 per person)
- October 25th – Creeper Paint Night at Mackenzie’s Farm in Alliston ($50 per person)
If you’re interested in any of these events, you can register here.
7. Go on a Haunted Walk
Going on one of the Ghost Walks allows you learn about the history of the towns, and listen to some bone-chilling stories.
Ghost Walks in New Tecumseth (Alliston, Beeton and Tottenham) are run by volunteers and have become very popular in the past couple years.
The ghost walks in New Tecumseth are free of charge, and run during the month of October. (With other random events sprinkled throughout the year.)
Get into the Halloween spirit as you’re guided around town listening to old legends and tales and spooky stories about the towns.
All ages are welcome at the Ghost Walks, but some of the stories might be a bit scary for younger kids who are old enough to understand them. No reservation required, simply show up!
Ghost Walks of New Tecumseth 2024 Dates
The ghost walks will be happening in Alliston, Beeton and Tottenham on the following dates:
- Friday, October 25th, 7pm and 9pm
- Saturday, October 26th, 7pm and 9pm
- Thursday, October 31st, 7pm and 9pm
I also found out from one of the organizers that there is funding for the ghost walks this year, and there will be professional actors leading the ghost walks in Alliston and Beeton!
To stay updated, you can join the New Tecumseth Ghost Walks Facebook group
8. See a spooky movie at the Circle Theatre
The Circle Theatre is a single-screen movie theatre in the heart of Alliston that has been running since 1938.
Every year, the Circle Theatre features A Rocky Horror Picture Show as a special before Halloween.
The date for their 2024 showing of Rocky Horror is TBA, but it is almost always the Friday before Halloween, so look out for ticket sales.
Tickets, when available, can be purchased on their website here.
9. See a play at the South Simcoe Theatre
If you haven’t been to the South Simcoe Theatre in Cookstown, you’re missing out. The South Simcoe Theatre is a not-for-profit community theatre that has been running since the 1960s in Cookstown’s Old Town Hall.
Their plays feature talented actors who put on entertaining plays that are suitable for kids 5+.
This fall, the South Simcoe Theatre will be playing “The Secret Garden” from November 1st-17th.
Grab your tickets for The Secret Garden and other upcoming shows on their website here
10. Go apple picking
Apple picking is has become a family-favourite activity every fall, and is often available from August through to October, depending on the variety.
Apples are nutritious, easy snacks for kid’s lunches, can be included in many fall recipes. Plus, by going to pick apples, you are supporting a family farm.
Unfortunately, there aren’t currently any apple-picking orchards right in New Tecumseth that are open to the public, but if you’re willing to drive up to 30 minutes, there are a few different options for apple-picking.
Here are the places closest to New Tecumseth that are known for providing good apple-picking experiences.
- Albion Orchards Apple Farm & Country Market (23 minutes from Tottenham) Featured in Chateline magazine! Open from 10am – 6pm every day except Sundays. Pick your own is first come first served – no dogs allowed. A variety of apple varieties are available, depending on the month. Cost is $25 for 10 lb bags, or $45 for a 20 lb bag.
- Barrie Hill Farms (30 minutes from Alliston) There are a range of apple varieties depending on the time, as well as a market where you can buy other farm produce. The cost for pick your own apples is $1.99/lb.
11. Get photos in front of a spooky display
Tottenham and Beeton always have the most impressive fall displays. The display is different every year, but almost always includes some festive Halloween decorations.
There are usually places to sit built into the display, so people can sit in costumes and get photos with the display. It’s the perfect place for a homemade Halloween family photoshoot.
In previous years, these displays were at the corner of Main and Victoria street in Tottenham.
The displays used to be at the corner of Main and Church in Tottenham, but last year in 2023, they moved to the fire hall in Tottenham, and at the library in Beeton.
So, keep your eyes peeled for where they’ll be set up in 2024!
12. Ride the Halloween train
The South Simcoe Railway is a 1920s locomotive that makes a scenic round trip from Tottenham to Beeton.
The railway runs special fall colours excursions from late September to the end of October, as well as a special Halloween train the weekend before Halloween.
The fall colours excursions are held on weekends between September 28th and October 20th, and run a few times per day.
Each ride is an hour long and allows you to ride in the old-fashioned coach as you enjoy the colourful foliage of the landscape. Tickets for the fall excursion can be purchased from the South Simcoe Railway website here.
The weekend before Halloween, there is also usually a family-oriented Halloween train ride where passengers are encouraged to dress in costume, and there are prizes for best children’s and adults’s costumes on each trip, as well as candy given out.
The Halloween train, unfortunately, did not run last year, and it hasn’t been announced whether it will run in 2024 or not.. keep our fingers crossed!
13. Trick or Treat the Monster Mash
Monster Mash, aside from the potato festival, is the only other time of year that Victoria street in Alliston is closed. It runs in conjunction with the Alliston Rurban Farmer’s Market.
Adults can enjoy a leisurely walk and shopping on Victoria street and at the Farmer’s Market, while kids can wear their costumes and trick or treat at the local businesses.
The Monster Mash is held on the Saturday before Halloween each year. The expected date for 2024 will be Saturday, October 26th!
14. “Frightfully Fun” in Beeton and Tottenham
Local businesses in Beeton and Tottenham will be open for trick-or-treating on Saturday, October 26th in the afternoon.
Get the kids into costume and have them visit businesses in the community – they’ll enjoy meeting staff around town and getting some early Halloween treats. We can’t wait to see all the little ones in their costumes!
15. A Day on the Farm Sheldon Creek Dairy
Sheldon Creek Dairy, just outside of Alliston, has been hosting “A Day on the Farm” events every few months for the past year which are a hit with local families.
There are vendors, games, a playground for young kids, a farm store to shop at, and plus – you can meet the cows. Best of all? Its free of charge!
There will be two “Day on the Farm” events happening at Sheldon Creek in October; one right before Thanksgiving and another right before Halloween.
Events this year are TBA. Once they come available, you can register for free on their website .
Tip: Based on our recent experience at Sheldon Creek, there is normally only 1-2 outhouses available and a lot of people. If you have young children, then I would bring a portable potty for them to use just in case!
16. Try a fall-themed drink
As the weather starts to cool, there’s nothing like cozying up with a cup of your favourite fall-themed coffee.
Aside from the most classic Pumpkin Spice latte, you can also find flavours like Caramel Apple, Maple Pecan, Toasted Marshmallow Mocha, and Gingerbread Latte during the fall months.
Most of us love our Timmies and Starbucks for their famous fall drinks, but why not give one of our locally-owned small businesses a try?
Check out Northern Blush on Victoria st in Alliston for a delicious, warming fall-themed drink!
17. Have a meal with a view
Riverview restaurant at the restaurant at the Nottawasaga Inn is extra pretty in fall with the views of the colourful foliage in the golf course. (The food is pretty good as well!)
Afterwards, you can take a stroll through the wedding garden, which is extra colourful in fall and used for many fall wedding photoshoots.
As long as it’s not a weekend and booked for a wedding, then you are welcome to take a stroll to enjoy the vibrant fall colours in the wedding garden. There are benches to relax on, and a beautiful wooden wheel and stream flowing through it – very relaxing.
For more information about Riverview Restaurant and to see the menu, click here.
18. Have a High Tea
What better way to warm up on a chilly fall day than to try a high tea with sandwiches, and traditional English desserts?
There are two places in New Tecumseth to have a traditional English high tea, both in Alliston.
- The Tea Corner in Alliston, open from 12-4pm each day. (Closed Monday.) Reservations are required.
- The Lady Sadie Tea Room at the British Shop in Alliston. Open from Tuesday through Sunday from 11:30 and 3pm. Call for a reservation!
Final Thoughts on Fall Activities in New Tecumseth
I hope that this article has left you with lots of ideas for ways to enjoy fall in New Tecumseth. Aside from driving up north to Algonquin to experience fall, there’s so much to do in our area to embrace the season’s beauty.
Taking part in fall activities in New Tecumseth helps us get outdoors to enjoy the season of colourful leaves and crisp weather, support small businesses, and make memories with family and friends in the process.
Now that the fall season is wrapping up, we can start looking forward to the holiday and Christmas events in New Tecumseth during the months of November and December!