Best Fall Things to Do in London, Ontario: 2026 Guide
Fall suits London particularly well.
Maybe it’s because we aren’t called the Forest City for nothing. Once September gives way to October, London’s parks, trails and tree-lined neighbourhoods begin changing from green to shades of yellow, orange and red. Add apple picking, pumpkin patches, farmers’ markets, fall festivals, and Halloween events, and you’ll have plenty of reasons to get outside before winter arrives.
Whether you live in London, are visiting for the weekend, or are considering making the city your home, here are some of the best things to do in London, Ontario this fall
See the Fall Colours at Springbank Park
If you visit only one London park this fall, Springbank Park is an easy choice.
Stretching along the Thames River in west London, the park offers kilometres of pathways lined with mature trees, expansive open spaces, and river views. By October, many of those trees have changed colour, making it one of the easiest places in the city to enjoy fall scenery without leaving London.
The Thames Valley Parkway runs through the park, so you can make your visit as short or as ambitious as you like. Go for a walk, bring a bike, pack a coffee, or simply find a bench overlooking the river.
For families, Springbank also has playgrounds and plenty of room for kids to explore. Storybook Gardens is also within the park, though admission applies to its attractions.
Local tip: Don’t limit your visit to the main areas around Storybook Gardens. Walking farther along the river gives you a very different perspective of the park
Walk or Bike the Thames Valley Parkway
One of the best ways to experience London in autumn is simply to follow the river.
The Thames Valley Parkway, usually called the TVP by Londoners, includes roughly 45 kilometres of paved pathway and connects to a much larger network of pathways throughout the city. It passes through parks, crosses the Thames River, and connects several parts of London to the downtown core.
You don’t need to tackle the entire route. Pick a section and make an afternoon of it.
The stretches through Springbank Park, Harris Park and areas approaching downtown are particularly enjoyable when the leaves begin changing. Cyclists can cover considerably more ground, while walkers can use the pathway to connect several parks in a single outing.
It’s also free, making it one of the easiest fall activities in London.
Look Down on the Forest City from City Hall
This one is especially worth including in the 2026 guide because it is happening right now.
The City of London has reopened the observation deck at the top of City Hall for its Fall in Love with the Forest City program. From September 24 to October 25, 2026, visitors can head to the top floor to look out over downtown, Victoria Park, and the city’s changing tree canopy. Admission is free.
London looks surprisingly different from above, and fall may be the best time to see why the nickname Forest City still makes sense.
Explore Westminster Ponds
For something that feels a little farther removed from the city, head to Westminster Ponds.
Located in south London, this environmentally significant area offers trails through forests and around ponds and wetlands. It’s an excellent place for a quieter fall walk, birdwatching or nature photography.
Unlike a manicured city park, Westminster Ponds feels considerably more natural. Fallen leaves cover the trails, the ponds offer changing views as you walk, and there are plenty of opportunities to forget you’re still in the city.
Wear suitable footwear, particularly after rain, and remember that this is an environmentally sensitive area rather than simply a recreational park.
Take a Fall Hike at Komoka Provincial Park
Drive just west of London and the landscape changes quickly.
Komoka Provincial Park is one of the best nearby options for a proper fall hike. Ontario Parks reports an approximately 11-kilometre trail network, with trails passing beneath maple, oak and beech trees and along portions of the Thames River. The White Trail is particularly suited for experiencing the forest canopy, while other trails offer meadow views with autumn colours in the distance. Ontario Parks
Go Apple Picking Near London
Few activities say fall quite like walking through an apple orchard.
London is surrounded by agricultural communities, so you don’t have to travel far to find one. Apple Land Station near Thorndale is a particularly popular option. Beyond picking apples, the farm offers seasonal family activities, including pumpkins, farm animals, a train and corn mazes.
Tourism London also highlights Great Lakes Farms as another apple-picking option within driving distance of the city.
Apple varieties and picking conditions change throughout the season, so check what’s available before making the drive.
And yes, buying more apples than you could reasonably eat before leaving the orchard is practically part of the experience.
Find the Perfect Pumpkin
If apples aren’t enough, pumpkin season provides another excuse to head into the countryside.
Kustermans Adventure Farm, southwest of London, runs fall activities in September and October, with its Pumpkin Festival featuring attractions such as wagon rides, a corn maze and family play areas.
Clovermead Adventure Farm is another option for families willing to make a slightly longer drive. Its 2026 Pumpkin Festival runs from September 19 to October 31 and features a range of seasonal activities.
For something closer to a traditional pumpkin-shopping stop, Tourism London also points to Phillips’ Farm for its selection of pumpkins in different shapes, colours and sizes.
These outings can get busy on October weekends, so earlier in the day is usually the better bet.
Make a Fall Stop at Heeman’s
Heeman’s has become more than a place to buy plants.
Located just east of London, the family-run farm is a great stop in the fall. Pumpkins and seasonal displays fill much of the property, while the Berry Beanery offers seasonal drinks and Heeman’s Cellar produces locally made cider and mead.
For 2026, Food Trucks on the Farm is scheduled on Fridays through Sundays from August 28 to October 11, with rotating local food vendors.
It’s an easy half-day outing: grab lunch, wander around the farm market, pick up something for the porch and head home with considerably more fall décor than you intended to buy.
Spend a Fall Morning at Covent Garden Market
You don’t have to leave downtown to get a taste of harvest season.
Covent Garden Market remains one of London’s best places to browse local food, baked goods and specialty vendors year-round. During the warmer part of fall, its outdoor farmers’ market operates on Saturday mornings, offering seasonal produce, preserves, flowers and other locally produced goods.
Pair the market with a walk through downtown, Victoria Park or along the Thames Valley Parkway and you’ve got an easy fall morning without leaving the centre of the city.
See Thousands of Pumpkins After Dark
Once October arrives, Storybook Gardens takes on a very different personality.
Pumpkins After Dark runs from October 2 through October 31, 2026. Visitors follow an outdoor trail featuring thousands of hand-carved pumpkins and illuminated displays, with live pumpkin carving and seasonal food and drinks.
New additions for 2026 include a BeeHive Maze, themed nights and a haunted attraction intended for ages 13 and up. Tickets are required, and advance purchase is recommended.
It’s one of London’s more distinctive October activities and gives families something to do after the sun goes down.
Take a Fall Drive Outside London
Sometimes the best fall activity is simply getting in the car and leaving the city for a few hours.
London’s location in Southwestern Ontario puts several small towns, conservation areas, farms and rural roads within easy reach.
Head west toward Komoka and Kilworth, south toward Port Stanley, or east toward Dorchester and Thorndale. Explore communities such as St. Marys and Stratford farther north and east.
You don’t necessarily need a destination. Part of the appeal is watching the landscape transition from city streets to farmland, woodlots and small towns.
Why Fall Is One of the Best Times to Explore London
Summer tends to get most of the attention, but fall may be one of the best seasons to actually explore London.
The temperature is comfortable for walking and cycling, the city’s enormous tree canopy begins to change, farms surrounding London enter harvest season, and the event calendar stays busy well after summer festivals have finished.
It is also a good time to explore parts of London you don’t normally visit. Walk through Wortley Village. Cycle a different section of the Thames Valley Parkway. Spend an afternoon in Springbank. Visit a farm outside the city. Or simply grab a coffee and walk through your own neighbourhood while the leaves are changing.
Sometimes discovering London doesn’t require finding something new.
It means seeing somewhere familiar at a different time of year.
The Elevate Team
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