10 Things to Do in Toronto in September

During the month of September in Toronto there are renowned festivals such as the International Film Festival and festivals of local importance such as Pedestrian Sundays or the Canadian National Exhibition. It is also an ideal month to visit Niagara Falls and Algonquin Provincial Park, which are undoubtedly among the best things to see and do in Toronto.

Also, in September you can take the opportunity to visit tourist attractions such as the CN Tower, 553 meters high; and the Beta Shoe Museum, which disseminates the history of footwear, since they do not receive as many visitors as in summer. Here are the most interesting things to see and do in Toronto in September, so you can make the most of your stay.

The Canadian National Exhibition, CNE "The ex" is a unique event that starts in the second half of August in Toronto and ends on September 4th. There you can enjoy rides, live music and cultural, artistic and industrial exhibits. You can also choose from dozens of presentations, shows, parades and the best Canadian food.

Every year thousands of tourists come to enjoy CNE, a festival that has been held in the city since 1879. The event is held at Exhibition Place, the largest convention center in the city, which is usually included in the main tourist tours of Toronto. In addition to enjoying the various exhibits, you can browse the stores, sample traditional Canadian food and enjoy the various family-friendly outdoor shows held in the gardens.

This event is ideal if you will be in Toronto for 3 days or more at the beginning of the month and want to soak up the local culture. Many editions of the festival have also featured air shows performed by the United States and Canadian Air Force. Moreover, there are often competitions related to gaming and electronics, robotics and games with AI, artificial intelligence.

Interesting facts

• Days and hours: from the second half of August to the first days of September, from morning to midnight.
• Location: Exhibition Place, 100 Princes' Blvd, Toronto, ON M6K 3C3, Canada.
• Ticket price: about €18 per person. The event offers discounted family tickets and all-day promotional passes.

The Toronto International Film Festival or TIFF is considered the second best film festival in the world, after the renowned Cannes. It is held every year for ten days in September. It is undoubtedly a real party for the city, when several streets become pedestrian streets and live concerts, artistic performances, open-air film screenings and food trucks with a variety of food are set up. The public is also encouraged to attend in costume.

The festival usually takes place the second week of the month, and usually begins the day after Labour Day in Canada (the first Monday in September). TIFF, which began in 1976, is considered a prelude to the Oscars and also "the festival of the public" as many of the films selected for the People's Choice Award have received Academy Awards.

At the Toronto Film Festival, you can see the most critically acclaimed films of the year, including independent films. The schedule is usually available at least a month before the festival, so you have time to choose the films that interest you most. Also, if you buy tickets in advance, you can take advantage of discounts.

Celebrities also attend this festival, so every day they can be seen on the red carpet, where they are interviewed and have their pictures taken. Access to the red carpet is free, but you should go early if you want to take a selfie with your favorite celebrity. TIFF is a must-see event for film fans, but also for all people who want to integrate into the local culture, due to the large number of free events in the streets.

Interesting facts

• Schedule: films are shown at different times. Check the updated schedule on the festival's website.
• Ticket price: about 25 € per person per film.

Kensington Market is a very popular residential neighborhood in Toronto, where every first Sunday of the month, from May to October, there is Pedestrian Sundays, a festival that brings together artists from the neighborhood to display their workshops in the street, in a festive environment with live music. Vehicles are not allowed to circulate that day, and Kensington Market becomes a pedestrianized neighborhood.

During the festival, you can browse stores offering a variety of products such as vintage clothing, crafts, jewelry and various household items. There are also food and drink stalls, in addition to the restaurants and bars in the neighborhood. It is known that Kensington Market is one of the best places in the city for a gastronomic tour in Toronto, as it has some of the best restaurants in the city.

The neighborhood is about 20 minutes from downtown Toronto and the CN Tower, and is one of the most visited places in the city, which is included in the main city tours. It is also a popular place for shopping, as you can find everything from fresh produce to electronic equipment.

Interesting facts

• Days and hours: the first Sunday of the month of October from 1 pm.
• Admission fee: free of charge.

September is a good month to visit one of the best natural spectacles in the world, Niagara Falls, as the weather is nicer than in early summer, and you can still take a boat cruise to see them up close. The falls are located on the Niagara River, between the countries of Canada and the United States, and are considered the largest waterfalls in the world.

To visit the falls you must go to the city of Niagara Falls, which is about two hours from Toronto. You can get there by bus or book a tour to Niagara Falls from Toronto with transportation included. Many of these excursions include tickets to different viewpoints, from where you can enjoy incredible views of the waterfalls.

Note that the falls can be seen from the city's waterfront, but if you want to get closer, you can opt for the following options (with additional costs):

• Boarding a cruise ship: these boats get as close as possible to the falls (as close as it is safe). Don't forget to protect your phone or camera with waterproof cases!
• Platforms at the base of the falls: the tunnels that take you to this platform are located at Table Rock Welcome Centre.
• Helicopter flight: it is also possible to see the falls from the air.

The area around Niagara Falls has been declared a National Heritage Area of Canada. Throughout the area you will find a variety of attractions and proposals to enjoy, such as wineries, parks, bars, restaurants and many attractions along the Niagara River. You can also enjoy a variety of sports, such as boating, hiking and rappelling.

The CN Tower is the tallest building in Toronto and one of the tallest telecommunications towers in the world. With its 553 meters high, it provides an unmissable panoramic view of the city. September is a good month to visit the CN Tower, as the tourist flow decreases at the end of the summer in Toronto and you can enjoy the views in a quieter environment.

As the building is an icon of the city and receives thousands of visitors every year, it is best to book your ticket in advance. Keep in mind that the tourist influx decreases after the second half of September, when summer ends. In addition, the CN Tower has a bar located at 400 meters high where you can have lunch or a snack, while appreciating the excellent 360-degree panoramic view.

You can go up to the lookout both day and night, as the city has a particular charm at all times. Another fact to mention is that if you tour Toronto at night, you can see how the tower is illuminated to commemorate historical events, charitable causes and other events of importance to the city.

From the moment you get on the elevator, you can enjoy the views, as the elevator has glass walls, and makes stops at different floors so you can see the city before reaching the platform. You can also see the city from a glass floor located 342 meters high, if vertigo does not prevent you.

Interesting facts

• Location: 290 Bremner Blvd, Toronto, ON M5V 3L9, Canada.
• Hours: every 9.30 am to 9 pm.
• Admission fee: about 55 € per person.

RibFest is a food festival with barbecue as the main attraction. It is held during Labour Day week every year at Spencer Smith Park, which is located on the shores of Burlington Lake, approximately 1 hour from Toronto.

The event takes place over 4 days, usually from September 1 to 4 each year. In addition to the delicious traditional foods offered at the street stalls, there are also different shows, live music, barbecue competitions, and different activities for children. You can also visit a craft market and take barbecue classes with a renowned chef.

If you want to get to know Toronto's gastronomy, you can't miss this festival, where you can taste ribs and barbecue prepared by outstanding chefs from all over the world.

Interesting facts

• Days and hours: September 1 to 4 from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. approximately.
• Location: Spencer Smith Park, 1400 Lakeshore Rd, Burlington.
• Admission fee: about $1.5 per person per day. You can get VIP tickets from 7 to 30 € approximately, with which you have access to a more comfortable area with tables, shade and a better location to see the shows.

The Dragon Festival is an event that celebrates Chinese art and culture, held every year in Toronto in early September. It is highlighted by lion dance competitions, an original and internationally recognized sport that consists of acrobatics and synchronized agility movements, accompanied by music and drums. The celebration is usually held in Toronto's central Nathan Phillips Square.

The event offers a variety of entertainment options for all ages, including fashion shows, folk dance shows, performance art, water stage shows, Kung Fu exhibitions and live Chinese music concerts. There are also markets of handicrafts and other local products.

In addition to the competitions and entertainment, during the festival you will be able to taste typical Chinese, Asian and Canadian food, which is offered at the various street food stalls. Undoubtedly, it is an event not to be missed for food lovers and for those who wish to connect with the cosmopolitan culture of Toronto.

Interesting facts

• Days and hours: from September 1 to 3, from 11 am until 10:30 pm.
• Location: 100 Queen St W, Toronto, ON M5H 2N1, Canada, Nathan Philips Square.
• Admission: free of charge.

The Bata Shoe Museum is one of the most popular museums in Toronto, where you can learn about the evolution of footwear fashion over 4,500 years of history. There you will find very interesting exhibits on the culture of Canada, China, Italy, Greece, Egypt and many other places around the world.

You can visit this museum all year round, but September is one of the best months to visit, as the city is less crowded with tourists. The museum has very interesting permanent exhibition halls, with thousands of shoes exhibited in different rooms.

In the museum you can also see unique objects, such as shoes worn by Elvis Presley and Elton John, a 16th century platform shoe and even shoes worn by Queen Victoria. Without a doubt, it is one of the best museums in Toronto and one of the most interesting places to visit in the city.

Interesting facts

• Location: 327 Bloor St W, Toronto Ontario M5S 1W7.
• Hours: Monday to Saturday from 10 am to 5 pm and Sunday from 12 pm to 5 pm.
• Admission fee: around 14 ¤ for adults and 5 ¤ for children. Discounted tickets for families

September is an ideal month to visit Algonquin Park, when the fall colors take center stage and it's not as hot as in summer. It is located about 250 km from Toronto, and has 1,500 lakes, waterfalls, 1,200 km of streams, ponds and rivers.

This immense provincial park of more than 7,650 square kilometers is one of the largest in Canada. There you can visit the torrential Ragged Falls, watch moose and wolves (if they appear), walk along numerous trails or see the aurora borealis at night if conditions are favorable. If you have the time to walk it, a great option is to stay and camp.

However, if your stay is shorter, you can opt for a day trip from Toronto, with transfers included. This type of tour includes hiking activities and visits to the main viewpoints of the park. They also include canoeing, canoeing and other sporting activities.

Interesting facts

• Location: south-central Ontario, 250 km north of Toronto.
• Hours: All day. The camping permit lasts from 7 p.m. to 10 a.m. the following day.
• Entrance fee: about €9 per person. The cost of parking per vehicle is about €10.

The Fall For Dance North Festival is a major dance festival showcasing contemporary and modern dance choreography and performance, featuring dancers, choreographers and artists from around the world. It is held every year from late September to the first week of October in Toronto, for about 12 days.

Among the most outstanding performances are those of the dancers of the National Ballet of Canada, which take place in different theaters and performing arts spaces in the city, such as Meridian Hall, the Holy Blossom Temple, the Ted Rogers Cinema, the University Theatre and the Toronto Metropolitan.

The festival also often includes other events related to the world of dance, such as talks and workshops and behind-the-scenes events that can be viewed on the festival's website. The aim of the event is to promote interest in dance and to disseminate the work of artists, dancers and choreographers.

Useful information

• Days and times: last week of September to first week of October at different times.
• Location: at various theaters and performing arts venues in the city of Toronto.
• Ticket price: general admission about 15 € per person.