Fall Festivals

One of the best things about Autumn is the diversity of festivals happening across the country. Regardless of the theme, almost every city in the country has a festival that takes place in the fall. These festivals are the perfect places to discover what every region and culture across the country has to offer. Make sure you’re prepared with a tote from eBags and steal the show in a new jacket from Barneys New York. With festivals based on the fall harvest, you can buy seasonal fruits and vegetables and enjoy local produce. Whether these festivals focus on fall colours, food or culture, and art, everyone can find an activity that they will enjoy. As for beer lovers, several cities across the country have Oktoberfest, the perfect place to sample traditional German beer and food. Before you head out remember to wear your most comfortable shoes to walk in, or if you don’t have a pair, it’s a great time to pick up a pair from Shoes.com. You can also grab an Ultimate Dining Gift Card to have some lunch or dinner after all that walking and beer!

Autumn Events

Plan now to buy tickets for your favourite musicians or theatre shows. Whether it’s a world tour or an intimate show, make sure you see them all before the new year. Fall is also the return of some of our favourite sports and the end of baseball season. Starting October 3rd, 2018, hockey fans will get to cheer on their favourite team for another season. Basketball makes its comeback on October 17th, 2018, and with all the crazy trades this offseason, it’s looking like it’s going to be a great year! Get a great deal on tickets to the games on StubHub, or if you’re staying in to watch the games, grab a Loblaws Gift Card to stock up on snacks! Whether you watch games in the comfort of your home on TV, or in the stadium, it's always fun to cheer for your favourite athletes, yell at the referees, or play the armchair quarterback! Football season is also in full swing this fall. Prepare your entire family for their first tailgate party, dress warmly to get the most out of the experience and make it unforgettable! Get all your team apparel from Sport Chek and keep those toes toasty with a pair of boots from UGG!

Cottage and Camping

Who doesn’t love going to the cottage? This fall, watch the trees change colours and breathe in the fresh and clean air. Invite friends and family to join you for a Thanksgiving weekend in the country. You can create delicious dishes with fall ingredients and top it off with a fresh fruit pie. If you need to grab anything before you head up, check out AliExpress to tie up any loose ends, and maybe even buy a Margaritaville blender for a throwback to the summer. The beginning of autumn is also a prime time to go camping with your family. It’s not too hot during the day, the nights are usually cool and calm, and best of all, no mosquitoes! No need to go far to enjoy all this, you can simply visit a provincial park near you. Whether you are at the cottage or camping in the woods, nothing is more enjoyable than relaxing with a drink, nibbling on snacks, and chatting with friends and family around a campfire. No camping or cottage trip is complete without a board game or two from Mastermind Toys, and make sure you stay warm by the campfire with a selection of sweaters from Joe Fresh.

Getting Active

Fall is the perfect opportunity to get in some quality time doing outdoor activities. Cycling enthusiasts will enjoy the last beautiful moments of weather before the winter cold, as well as those who enjoy hiking and climbing in national parks. In September and October, several cities across the country hold marathons for all experience levels. Tune up your ride and make sure you’re ready to go with Performance Bicycle, and grab yourself a new pair of kicks from New Balance so you stay ahead of the pack. For all those avid golfers out there, the last couple weekends of fall might be your only opportunity to get a round of two in before the first snowfall. As for those who prefer to train outdoors, plan ahead with getting a gym membership and moving your training indoors if you haven’t already! Check for an end of season sale at Golf Town for great savings, and get a Canadian Tire Gift Card to pick up a set of weights or resistance bands for your winter training.

Vacation Prep

Do you still have vacation days remaining that you did not take this summer? If you want to go on a trip, a last-minute vacation is definitely in order! Grab a cheap all-inclusive vacation and spend time on a beach or book a European getaway! Short on time? Take a short trip and visit another part of your province. If you want to plan ahead, it's never too early to start shopping for a vacation down south later this winter. The more you plan, the more likely you will get better deals, and the more you will save. Check daily for the best deals on flights and packages with Expedia.ca, and if you’re not sure about a specific resort, TripAdvisor will have reviews to keep your mind at ease. If you live far away from your family and you want to see them during the holiday season, now is the perfect time to watch for flights, to get the most for your money. A little trip tip - try to travel on a weekday, the rates are usually lower than during the weekends! Need new luggage? The Luggage Pros have everything you need to make sure your clothes and toiletries will be safe, wherever you travel. Pick up a couple new swim suits from the GAP as they sell them year-round online, and to save a little extra on your flight by picking up an Air Canada Gift Card.

Outdoor Adventures

In Autumn, one of the most rewarding activities is a weekend escape. Rent a car and discover your surroundings, such as stopping by a farm for a hayride or getting your apple picking done for the fall! Promote organic farming by buying fresh fruits & vegetables from local farmers. Or lose yourself in a maize maze, which is a cornfield! Check out Dollar Rent-A-Car to help you put your city in the rear-view mirror, and if you’re a fan of fresh produce and home cooked meals but can’t get away, you can always count on HelloFresh to deliver! Some parts of the country have a microclimate that is good for growing grapes, so stop by and have a wine tour with friends and enjoy the local flavours. When you're home, you can prepare great food and recipes with your fresh fruit and vegetables, and enjoy the wines you bought on your vineyard tour in the comfort of your own home. When you get home after your adventure, why not grab some new glasses from Oneida to enjoy your wine in, and a Sobeys Gift Card for the perfect pairings!

Staying In

Generally, the fall brings nice cool sweater weather, but what does one do when it’s raining cats and dogs? Fortunately, it’s Autumn, and there are so many things to do! With back to school behind us, Thanksgiving and Halloween are around the corner. Get a head start on all the house prep and cooking! Since you've been stocking up on fruit and vegetables from the farm, you definitely have enough to start making some comfort food. Take the opportunity to prepare soups, jams, stews, and pies, for when the family is over. What you don’t use right away, you can always put in the freezer or in Mason jars for later. It will be convenient for lunches or dinners on busy weekday evenings. Grab some new storage and meal prep ideas from The Container Store and stay dry with a classic raincoat from Talbots. This is also the perfect time to prepare your costume and decorate the house for Halloween. If you’re really handy, you can DIY your own decorations. The individuals who go crazy over Halloween can even prepare dishes with a spooky theme, Jell-O that looks like a brain, or even finger-shaped cookies! Kick your Halloween into overdrive with Spirit Halloween and get all your crafting materials from the trustworthy folks at Etsy.

Start Shopping

Autumn screams preparation, but you should be able to have fun while you’re getting everything done. Prepare the house for the winter, make sure the chimney is swept and cleaned. Take care of your garden and lawn, plant bulbs for next spring, and store your patio furniture and barbecues away. For pool owners, it is also necessary to close the pool. You can find everything you need for your house at the Home Depot and for outdoors at the Gardener’s Supply Company. Once you’re done all the hard stuff, it’s time to have some fun! The beginning of the fall is also a great time to shop. Look after your car, pick up new winter tires or get a rust proof spray. Once your house and car are looked after, it’s time to take care of the family. Shop for boots, toques, mittens, and winter jackets for your children, and make sure the whole family stays warm this winter. As for you, spoil yourself with a new jacket and some fashionable accessories. Don’t stop there, you may as well take a look at your Christmas list and see if there is anything you can cross off early. This is an amazing opportunity to think about what you want to buy for your family and friends and take advantage of fall sales like Black Friday and Cyber Monday. You can make your loved ones happy without going over budget! Build your shopping cart ahead of time on Amazon.ca, they will have everything you could possibly want, and keep your babies warm and fashionable with apparel from The Children’s Place.