Free, Family-Friendly Fall Activities in Mississauga
Top Image Photo Credit: Mark Ashford on Unsplash
Food and living expenses continue to increase but you can enjoy the return of cooler weather this fall with these FREE activities in Mississauga! Whether it’s ongoing free activities you can sign up for, cultural festivals or events to celebrate the spooky season – we’ve compiled a list for you to explore the nature and diversity of Mississauga without spending anything (or very little).
Scheduled Weekly / Monthly Activities
Community Rides
Saturdays this fall, you can hop on your bike for different community rides across the city! Join the Salmon Run Community Ride on Saturday, October 3 and the Downtown Community Ride on Saturday, October 17. There’s also a nighttime Halloween Community Ride happening on Saturday, October 24, for all the witches, ghouls and goblins to explore Port Credit!
Play in the Park
The City of Mississauga hosts a free, supervised, outdoor program for children aged 6-12 years old at various parks across the city. These programs feature organized games, sports, crafts, and theme days. This drop-in program runs on a first-come-first-served basis, and each program location has a limited number of participant spots available each day. Check out this list to find participating parks.
Astronomy Night on the Chappell House Lawn | Photo Credit: The Riverwood Conservancy
$5 – $10 Riverwood Conservancy Programs
The Riverwood Conservancy offers inexpensive programs and activities for all ages! Enhance your strength and balance with Tai Chi Stick in Nature ($10) on October 3, witness the Salmon Run at Erindale Park ($10) on September 24 and October 8, enjoy the brightly coloured leaves on the Great Riverwood Hike on October 4 and the Fall Colours Walk ($10) on October 15 and October 19, marvel at the stars during one of their Astronomy Nights ($10) on October 27, and so much more!
The above events are free or discounted to those with a TRC membership, which range depending on age from $35 – $50.
Latin Arts & Crafts for Kids
On the last Saturday of every month from 10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m., kids ages 4+ and their families are welcome to participate and learn about Latin American culture with fun arts and crafts activities! This event, held at the Mississauga Community Centre, is free and all materials are provided. You must register in advance for this monthly activity. The dates this fall are: September 26, October 24, and November 28.
Line Dancing
On Wednesdays, we line dance! Join the Irish Club of Mississauga on Ridgeway Drive from 7:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m. for an evening of line dancing! Everyone is welcome, but it does cost $15 for n0n-members ($10 for members).
Food Banks Mississauga’s Distribution Warehouse | Photo Credit: Food Banks Mississauga
Food Banks Mississauga Events
Wednesday, September 30: Food Banks Mississauga Fall Open House
Volunteer at Food Banks Mississauga
Sign up to volunteer with our ReclaimFRESH Food Rescue Program! Sort fresh and frozen food in our warehouse for distribution to neighbours in need through our network of 60+ agency members across the city. Children who want to volunteer must be at least 9 years old and be accompanied by an adult. Any youth volunteers 14 years of age and older can volunteer independently if they choose.
Thursday, October 1: Mayoral Debate Livestream
Food Banks Mississauga and The Metamorphosis Network are co-hosting a mayoral candidate debate from 7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. on October 1. The in-person event has reached capacity, but you can watch the debate virtually!
Thursday, October 15: Pasta Fundraiser Dinner
We’re hosting a casual buffet pasta dinner fundraiser at the Port Credit Legion on the evening of Thursday, October 15. Tickets are $50 each, BUT 100% of the proceeds of the dinner go towards providing nutritious food for families in need across Mississauga through our network of 60+ food programs! NEW this year, you can also purchase handcrafted bowls by the Mississauga Potters’ Guild. Bring your friends and family, and connect with fellow community members for fun, food, and fundraising!
Arts of the Middle East Festival | Photo Credit: Chameleon Advertising & Marketing Solutions Inc.
Weekend Events & Festivals
Friday, September 25: Saturday, September 26: 3rd Annual Arts of the Middle East Festival
Save the date for the second annual Arts of the Middle East Festival happening at Celebration Square! Attendees can enjoy live performances by local artists and from the Middle East, a dedicated kids’ area, exciting family activities, a bustling bazaar, and a diverse food corner offering authentic Middle Eastern flavours.
Saturday, September 26: Dogsville
Toronto Dog Moms is transforming Streetsville Village Square into a festival celebrating all things dogs! Bring your four-legged friends for a day of dog-friendly fun featuring local vendors, food, music, photo opportunities, and more! This free event will feature vendors, music, and much more and will on from 12 p.m. – 5 p.m. on September 26.
Saturdays, September 19, October 3, October 17: Port Credit BIA Historic Walking Tours
These free Saturday morning walking tours include “Mississauga’s Lost Neighbourhood”, “Hiawatha-on-the-Lake”, and “Change at the Centre of the Village.”
Saturday, October 10 – Sunday, October 11: Thanksgiving Festival
Pop by the Erin Mills Town Centre on Thanksgiving weekend for free, fun, family-friendly activities, local vendors, and entertainment! From 9:30 a.m. – 9:00 p.m. on Saturday, October 10th and 9:30 a.m. – 7 p.m. on Sunday, October 11th, there will be bowling, arts & crafts, giant board games, family friendly food, and more!
Saturday, October 24: Buntoberfest 2026!
Calling all bunny lovers! Pumpkin’s Acres Rabbit Rescue is hosting Buntoberfest from 11 a.m. – 4 p.m. on October 24 at Vic Johnston Community Centre! Come hang out with like-minded bunny people and meet adoptable rabbits, eat yummy vegan food and shop for yourself and your bunny!
Diwali Razzmatazz | Photo Credit: City of Mississauga
Diwali Events
Saturday, October 10 – Sunday, October 11: Diwali RazzMatazz
Get ready to light it up at Diwali RazzMatazz happening at Celebration Square! This event is all about the Razzle and Dazzle around the festive celebrations of Diwali, also known as the festival of lights. The event will showcase dance performances and musical concerts, feature kids activities and a Diwali Bazaar, and offer lots of mouth-watering food flavours!
Halloween in the ‘Ville | Photo Credit: Yousouf Photographs
Halloween Events
Friday, October 16 – Saturday, October 17: Luna Halloween Market
Looking for a spooky evening of fun? Put on your costume and go check out the Luna Halloween Market (free admission, all ages welcome!) from 6:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. on Friday, October 16 or 4:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. on Saturday, October 17! There will be over 40 mystical vendors, tarot card readers, a vampire scavenger hunt, a Halloween-themed photo booth, costume contests, and more!
Saturday, October 31: Streetsville Spooktacular
If you’re looking for an event to kick off Halloween, visit the Streetsville Spooktacular! It will be taking place on Saturday, October 31 from 10:00 a.m. – 1:00 pm. Come in costume, bring your treat bag, and get ready for a spooky good time!
Saturday, October 24: Halloween Community Ride
From 6:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. on Saturday, October 24, pedal through the trails and roads of Port Credit to explore the city at night while admiring some haunted locations. This free, family-friendly community ride is after dark, so make sure you have a working white front light and a red back light for your bike. Dressing up in spooky costumes is encouraged but optional!
Saturday, October 31: Halloween in the Village
It’s the return of spooky season so bring your family and put on your most boo-rific costumes for Halloween in the Village! There will be trick-or-treating, activities and more happening at Clarkson Village on Saturday, October 31 from 11:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Saturday, October 31: Trick or Tree! Woodington Green Tree Planting
Celebrate the spooky season by dressing up and planting trees with Credit Valley Conservation from 9:30 a.m. – 12 p.m. on Saturday, October 31! Wear your favourite costume and help grow a greener community. As a thank-you, every participant who comes in costume will receive a Halloween treat bag.
ReclaimFRESH Food Rescue Program volunteers | Photo Credit: Food Banks Mississauga
Ongoing Free Activities
To participate in the following ongoing free activities, you must sign up online or borrow a pass.
Visit the Peel Art Gallery
With a Mississauga Public Library card, you can get a “PAMA Family General Admission Pass” that allows free admission to the Peel Art Gallery for you and your family (up to 2 adults and 5 children).
Explore Mississauga’s Natural Beauty
With a Mississauga Public Library card, you can borrow a pass to visit the Credit Valley Conservation area or any Toronto and Region Conservation Authority (TRCA) parks for free. TRCA Parks include the Black Creek Pioneer Village, Bruce’s Mills Conservation Park, Heart Lake Conservation Park, and more! You can also get an Ontario Parks Pass to access and visit over 100 provincial parks for free.
Volunteer at Food Banks Mississauga
Sign up to volunteer with our ReclaimFRESH Food Rescue Program! Sort fresh and frozen food in our warehouse for distribution to neighbours in need through our network of 60+ agency members across the city. Children who want to volunteer must be at least 9 years old and be accompanied by an adult. Any youth volunteers 14 years of age and older can volunteer independently if they choose.
Discover Egyptian History in Mississauga
Learn all about Egyptian history at the Egyptian Museum in Riverview, Mississauga. Families with children under six can visit the Egyptian Museum for free, while also taking advantage of the 50% discount for all other ages to enter with tickets at only $10.
Sauga At Play
Sauga At Play is a free, drop-in, after-school program offered during the school year for 10 to 18-year-olds. Find drop-in programs like badminton, basketball, volleyball, and soccer at various community centres across the city. Youth Memberships may be required, visit your local community centre to pick up your membership and view the drop-in program schedule!
This article is a part of a seasonal series, so check back this winter for a list of free, family-friendly activities for the winter months!
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