10 Things to Do in Toronto in September

September in Toronto is the time of year for renowned festivals such as the International Film Festival and locally important festivals such as Pedestrian Sundays and the Canadian National Exhibition. It's also a great month to visit Niagara Falls and Algonquin Provincial Park, which are 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 553-metre high CN Tower and the Beta Shoe Museum, which showcases the history of footwear, as they don't get as many visitors as in the summer. Here are the most interesting things to see and do in Toronto in September to 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 performances, 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 city's largest convention centre, which is often included in the main Toronto sightseeing tours. In addition to enjoying the various exhibits, you can browse the shops, sample traditional Canadian food and enjoy the many family-friendly outdoor shows on the grounds.

This event is ideal if you're 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 US and Canadian Air Force. In addition, there are often competitions related to gaming and electronics, robotics and AI gaming.

Facts and figures of interest

• Days and times: 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: around €18 per person. The event offers discounted family tickets and promotional all-day passes.

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

The festival usually takes place the second week of the month, and usually starts 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 "people's festival" 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 programme 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 your 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 photos taken. Access to the red carpet is free, but you should go early if you want to take a selfie with your favourite celebrity. TIFF is a must-see event for film fans, but also for anyone who wants to integrate into the local culture, with plenty of free events on the streets.

Interesting facts

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

Kensington Market is a popular residential neighbourhood in Toronto. Every first Sunday of the month from May to October, Kensington Market hosts Pedestrian Sundays, a festival that brings together artists from the neighbourhood to display their workshops in the street in a festive setting with live music. Vehicles are banned from the streets on this day, and Kensington Market becomes a pedestrianised neighbourhood.

During the festival, you can browse shops offering a variety of goods including vintage clothing, crafts, jewellery and a range of homewares. There are also food and drink stalls, in addition to the restaurants and bars in the neighbourhood. Kensington Market is known to be one of the best places in the city for a food tour in Toronto, as it has some of the best restaurants in the city.

The neighbourhood 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 times: the first Sunday in October from 1pm.
• Admission fee: free of charge.

September is a good month to visit one of the world's greatest natural spectacles, 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 Niagara Falls tour from Toronto with transport included. Many of these tours include entrance fees to various viewpoints, from where you can enjoy incredible views of the falls.

Note that the falls can be seen from the city's waterfront, but if you want to get up close, you can opt for the following options (at extra cost):

• Board a cruise ship: these boats get as close to the falls as possible (as far as it is safe). Don't forget to protect your phone or camera with waterproof cases!
• Platforms at the base of the falls: tunnels leading to this platform can be found at the 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 things 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. At 553 metres high, it provides an unmissable panoramic view of the city. September is a good month to visit, as the late summer in Toronto is less crowded 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. Please note that the number of visitors decreases after the second half of September, when summer ends. In addition, the CN Tower has a bar located at 400 metres above sea level where you can have lunch or a snack, while enjoying the excellent 360-degree panoramic view.

You can go up to the observation deck both during the day and at night, as the city has a particular charm at all times. Another thing to mention is that if you tour Toronto at night, you can watch the tower light up to commemorate historical events, charitable causes and other events of importance to the city.

As soon as you get on the lift, you can enjoy the views, as the lift has glass walls and stops at different floors so you can see the city before you reach the platform. You can also see the city from a glass floor located 342 metres above the ground, if vertigo doesn't stop you.

Interesting facts

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

RibFest is a food festival with barbecue at its heart. It is held during Labour Day week each 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 stalls, there is also entertainment, live music, barbecue competitions, and a variety of 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 times: 1 to 4 September from 11 am to 11 pm approximately.
• Location: Spencer Smith Park, 1400 Lakeshore Rd, Burlington.
• Entry fee: about €1.5 per person per day. VIP tickets are available for approximately €7 to €30, which gives you access to a more comfortable seating area with tables, shade and a better location for viewing the shows.

The Dragon Festival is an event celebrating Chinese art and culture, held every year in Toronto in early September. It is notable for its lion dance competitions, an original and internationally recognised sport consisting of synchronised acrobatics and agility movements, accompanied by music and drumming. 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 flea markets selling handicrafts and other local products.

In addition to the competitions and entertainment, during the festival you can sample traditional Chinese, Asian and Canadian food from the various street food stalls. It's a must-attend event for food lovers and those who want to connect with Toronto's cosmopolitan culture.

Interesting facts

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

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

You can visit the 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 displayed 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: around £14 for adults and £5 for children. Discounted tickets for families

September is a great month to visit Algonquin Park, when the autumn colours come into focus and it's not as hot as in summer. Located about 250km from Toronto, Algonquin Park is home to 1,500 lakes, waterfalls, 1,200km of streams, ponds and rivers.

This vast provincial park of more than 7,650 square kilometres is one of the largest in Canada. Here you can see the rushing Ragged Falls, spot moose and wolves (if they show up), hike numerous trails or see the northern lights at night if conditions are right. If you've got time to spend, camping is a great option.

If your stay is shorter, you can opt for a day trip from Toronto, with transfers included. These tours include hiking activities and visits to the park's main viewpoints. Canoeing, canoeing and other sporting activities are also often included.

Facts and Figures

• Location: south-central Ontario, 250km north of Toronto.
• Hours: All day. Camping permit lasts from 7pm to 10am the following day.
• Entry fee: about €9 per person. Parking fee per vehicle is approximately €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 takes place every year from late September to the first week of October in Toronto for about 12 days.

Highlights include performances by dancers from the National Ballet of Canada at various theatres and performing arts venues in the city, including Meridian Hall, Holy Blossom Temple, 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, as well as behind-the-scenes footage which can be viewed on the festival's website. The aim of the event is to promote interest in dance and to showcase 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: in various theatres and performing arts venues in the city of Toronto.
• Ticket price: general admission around €15 per person.