Thanksgiving in Toronto leaves plenty of room for plans beyond the dinner table. A Saturday market visit, an afternoon outdoors, or a seasonal outing can make staying in the city feel like a welcome change of pace.
With the long weekend running from October 10 to 12, there are opportunities to gather with family, plan a date, catch up with friends, or enjoy a few hours alone. Here are five ways to make the most of it.
Photos via Evergreen Brick Works
Start With a Seasonal Market Visit
For anyone hosting Thanksgiving, Saturday morning at Evergreen Brick Works offers a chance to shop locally while enjoying a leisurely start to the weekend. Its year-round farmers market runs from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., with the October market taking place outdoors under the pavilions.
Browse the stalls for ingredients, pick up something to share, or simply see what catches your eye. Meeting local growers and food producers adds another dimension to a meal built around the harvest.
The ravine setting also makes this an appealing outing in its own right. Bring a reusable bag, leave time to explore, and turn the grocery run into a morning out.
Take a Nature Break in High Park
A long weekend is a good opportunity to enjoy Toronto’s green spaces at a slower pace. High Park offers a nature-focused outing that can be as simple as a short walk and a stop to watch the birds.
Head toward Grenadier Pond, follow designated paths, or bring binoculars for a closer look at the park’s wildlife. During fall migration, diving ducks stop at its ponds, while the annual High Park Hawk Watch continues through November 30.
Whether the outing is a family walk, an afternoon together, or time alone with a camera, let curiosity set the pace. Fall colours vary with the weather, but there’s plenty to notice beyond the changing leaves.
Photos via Toronto PumpkinFest
Make It a PumpkinFest Afternoon
For families looking for a livelier outing, Toronto PumpkinFest returns to Downsview Park from October 10 to 12, running from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. each day.
The festival brings together a pumpkin patch, midway rides, inflatables, an inflatable corn maze, stage entertainment, and food trucks. Seasonal photo spots offer a chance to capture the day, and pumpkins are available to purchase for carving or decorating at home.
With several activities in one place, it’s an easy option for families whose children have different interests. Check ticket details before heading out, and allow time for the attractions that appeal most.
Top left photo via the Toronto Zoo
Spend a Day with Wildlife
The Toronto Zoo combines time outdoors with a chance to discover wildlife from around the world. Explore its walking trails and animal habitats, then head into the indoor tropical pavilions for a change of scenery. Over Thanksgiving weekend, October 10 to 12, the zoo is open from 9:30 a.m. to 6 p.m., with last admission an hour before closing.
For an evening outing, Glow in the Wild features illuminated animal lanterns after regular zoo hours. The experience requires a separate ticket, so check available sessions before heading out.
Let Someone Else Prepare the Holiday Meal
A Thanksgiving meal out can leave more time for conversation and enjoying the weekend. Old Mill Toronto is offering holiday buffet dining from October 10 to 12, with brunch and dinner options on Saturday and Sunday, and lunch on Monday.
Its menu includes turkey, savoury sides, and desserts in a historic setting. Reserve ahead and choose the seating that suits your plans.
However the weekend unfolds, Toronto offers plenty of ways to enjoy the season close to home. Sometimes, one good outing is all it takes to make an extra day off feel special.
How are you spending Thanksgiving weekend in Toronto? Connect with BAZIS on social media (Facebook, X, or Instagram) and let us know!