Pawtumn Adventures in South Ontario (Without the Ruff TO Traffic)
9/7/2025
Pawtumn Adventures in South Ontario (Without the Ruff TO Traffic)
🍁 Fall in Southern Ontario is packed with dog-friendly events and activities that don’t require battling Toronto’s gridlock. From markets and festivals to pet expos and themed outings, here’s your guide to wag-worthy fun this season. And remember — these are only a few of the pawsome things going on out there, so please share your favourite fall activities and events too
September 27, 2025 — Grimsby Paws in the Park (Grimsby, ON – Coronation Park)
A charming, park-side shindig featuring pet vendors, snack stalls, and “Paws Up Studio” snapping adorable pro portraits of your pup’s “Cutest Side Eye.” Totally free to attend.
🔗 Grimsby Paws in the Park
September 27 – Canine Dash @ Hounds of Erie (Clear Creek, Norfolk County)
Feel fancy while your pup struts through vineyard trails on a fun 7 km run (or stroll). Wine tasting for humans, dog treats for your furry bestie—$22 advance tickets.
🔗 Hounds of Erie Canine Dash
October 4 – Barktoberfest Walk-a-thon (St. Catharines – Burgoyne Woods)
Fundraiser stroll for the Humane Society of Greater Niagara, with both 1 km and 5 km routes, a BBQ on-site, raffles, and a 50/50 draw. Bring that wagging tail—and your appetite.
🔗 Barktoberfest Walk-a-thon
October 5 – Bark-toberfest @ Pinery Market (Grand Bend)
Dog-welcome micro-fest blending local crafts, food, and adult beverages. Entry is just $2—and your pup might just find a sniff-worthy comfort zone here.
🔗 Pinery Bark-toberfest
October 26 – Grimsby Howl-o-Ween Parade (Grimsby)
Grimsby Pet Valu and Happy Paws Pet Studio are putting on their 2nd annual community paw-rade worth wagging about! Dress up your pup (bonus points if you match) and join fellow pet lovers for a spooktacular walk through downtown Grimsby. Expect free trick-or-treat bags, fun prizes, and a costume contest for both pets and pawrents. The parade makes a spirited 25-minute loop, starting and ending at Grimsby Pet Valu. Tail wags guaranteed.
🔗 Grimsby Howl-o-Ween Parade
October 8, 15, 22 & 29 – Pumpkins After Dark (Milton – Country Heritage Park)
A twilight journey through eerie jack-o'-lantern displays—bring your leashed pup (on select nights) and snag timed tickets in advance. Spooky, seasonal, and oddly soothing.
🔗 Pumpkins After Dark
October 18 – Fall Harvest Festival (Colborne – Walnut Grove)
A tasteful fête with pumpkin picks, fall vendors, corn roasting, and pup-costume prizes supporting K9 Crusaders. Because nothing says fall like pumpkin spice and dog collars.
🔗 Fall Harvest Festival
October 18 – Howl-0-Ween Pawty (Brantford – Children’s Safety Village)
Costume-crazy pups only! Trick-or-treat, strut your style in a pet parade, enjoy food trucks and vendor booths—all for a good cause: Autism Dog Service.
🔗 Howl-0-Ween Pawty
October 18 – Niagara Pet Fest (St. Catharines – Market Square)
A paws-itively fun evening for pets and their humans! Sniff out local vendors, catch some live entertainment, and maybe even make a few furry friends along the way.
🔗 Niagara Pet Fest
November (Dates TBD) – Snowy Paw Canicross (Orangeville – Island Lake Conservation Area)
Snowflakes + sneakers + sniffers. This canicross event offers 5 km or 10 km runs with your pup (plus a fun-run option for gear-free newcomers). Proceeds help the Ontario SPCA.
🔗 Snowy Paw Canicross
Fall (Date TBD) – Trails & Tails 3K Fun Trek (Orangeville Region)
A dog-friendly 3 km trek for walkers, hikers, and budding canicrossers. Whether you stroll, jog, or gallop, all levels welcome—with wagging tails alongside you.
🔗 Trails & Tails 3K Fun Trek
Tips for Attending with Dogs
Pack the essentials: water, collapsible bowl, poop bags, treats - because nobody likes a hangry pup.
Mind the paws: cold pavement, gravel, or sticky cider spills aren’t paw-friendly. Don’t let Fido do the splits.
Respect the space: not every dog wants a sniff hello - read those tail signals.
Know your pup: some thrive in crowds, others prefer quiet trails. Don’t be that owner dragging a stressed pooch around.
Look cute together: optional, but Instagram points if coordinated fall scarves are involved.
For Shy or Reactive Dogs
Not every dog is a social butterfly. Try quieter alternatives like:
Early morning hikes on less-travelled trails so your dog will feel like the king/queen of the leaves.
Mini fall festival adventures at local farms = controlled sniffing, max fun.
Backyard fall games: bobbing for apples, leaf pile fetch. Low crowds, max fun.
Tip: reward bravery, but don’t force interactions. You’re there to make memories, not mini traumas.
Your Challenge 🍂
Attend at least one of these events, or an event that is local to you. Snap a pic, share with #RadowgFallPassport and tag us @RadowgFood on fb or Insta!
Bonus points if your dog wears a sweater that looks better than your fall wardrobe ;)
Did you know? You just found one of our Radowg Fall Passport blogs.
It's part of our Fall 2025 Adventure Checklist of dog-friendly activities where you can earn discounts, prizes, and ultimate bragging rights.
Stumbled onto this blog without the passport? Rookie move.
No sweat—we'll save that for the adventures!
Head to the Radowg Fall Passport HQ to grab your Radowg Fall Passport and get all the deets on how to play along and win prizes.
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Know another event we missed? Share it — let’s make this the ultimate list of fall paw-sibilities!