Things to Do in Hamilton This Long Weekend: October 9–11, 2026
It’s Thanksgiving long weekend, and if you’re hunting for things to do in Hamilton this weekend, fall has you covered: 15,000 pumpkins at the RBG, a ghost tour that ends inside Dundurn Castle, a magical Hallowe’en market and the Rockton World’s Fair running right through Monday. Here’s what’s worth fitting in between turkey and pie for October 9–11.
Wander through 15,000 pumpkins in Hendrie Park
Opens Saturday, October 10 (runs to November 1) · Royal Botanical Gardens, Hendrie Park, Burlington · RBG admission applies
Fall is taking over Hendrie Park with a massive display of more than 15,000 pumpkins spread throughout the gardens. It’s an easy family outing: a walk through the park, autumn colour everywhere and more pumpkin photo ops than you’ll know what to do with. Opening weekend is the perfect excuse to go.
Browse the Fall Harvest Market at Lime Ridge Mall
Saturday–Sunday, October 10–11 · 2–8 PM · Lime Ridge Mall, 999 Upper Wentworth St. · See listing for details
Street Eats Market and The Hammer are bringing the Fall Harvest Market to Lime Ridge every weekend in October, packed with family fun, food, shopping and entertainment. Swing by for a snack and some seasonal shopping, then come back on October 17–18, 24–25 or Halloween.
Shop the 2nd Annual Diagon Hallowe’en Market
Saturday, October 10 · 10:30 AM–3:30 PM · Courtyard by Marriott, 1224 Upper James St. · Tickets required
Witches, wizards and muggles welcome. This magical market fills a full room with 20+ vendors selling everything magical, mortal and spooky, plus photo-op backdrops and a costume contest with $100 in prizes. Wear your best costume and get there early.
Ride a ghost bus to Dundurn Castle after dark
Saturday, October 10 · 7–9 PM · Dundurn Castle, 610 York Blvd. · Tickets required
Billed as the most popular event of the year, this tour starts with a one-hour guided ghost tour of Hamilton on a luxury coach, then heads inside Dundurn Castle for a nighttime “Death & Dying” tour and finishes with a mini ghost walk of the grounds. Book ahead to save your spot.
Make a day of it at the Rockton World’s Fair
Thursday, October 8 – Monday, October 12 · Rockton · See website for admission
Old-fashioned fall fair fun just outside the city, with amusement rides, fair food, livestock shows, craft sales and the demolition derby. It runs right through Thanksgiving Monday, so you can fit it in any day of the long weekend.
Also Worth Knowing
- Monday Painters art show: The 12th annual show opens Saturday, October 10 at 1:30 PM at 139 Park St. W. in Dundas, with 18 local artists and 58 plein air pieces. Free, and on until January 17, 2027. Show details.
- Coming soon on Locke: Carm’s Parms, a new spot for Italian-style parm sandwiches, has its signage up and is opening this fall. Follow along on Instagram.
- Coming soon in Waterdown: Swing Vault, a self-automated indoor golf simulator at 245 Dundas St. E., is set to open in fall 2026. Learn more.
- More Fall Harvest Market dates: October 17–18, October 24–25 and Halloween, October 31, at Lime Ridge Mall.
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That’s your long weekend, Hamilton. Happy Thanksgiving. Go enjoy it. 🔨
