The Short Answer
October 2026 in Markham brings Pumpkins After Dark at the Markham Museum through the month, the seasonās last Markham Farmersā Market on October 10, a free Historic Unionville Walking Tour on October 11, and Thanksgiving on October 12. Fall colours in Rouge National Urban Park peak until about mid-October. Later in the month, there are concerts on October 23 and 24, a dog-friendly Halloween event on October 18, municipal election voting from October 16 to 26, and Halloween on Saturday, October 31.
New to Markham and want to know which neighbourhood fits your lifestyle? Call the Kaizen Real Estate Team at (647) 370-8885.
Markhamās October 2026 Calendar at a Glance
Date | Event | Where |
|---|---|---|
Through October | Pumpkins After Dark | Markham Museum, 9350 Markham Road |
Late Sept to mid-Oct | Peak fall colours | Rouge National Urban Park |
Saturday, October 10 | Final Markham Farmersā Market of 2026 | Main Street Markham at Robinson Street |
Sunday, October 11 | Historic Unionville Walking Tour (free) | Main Street Unionville |
Monday, October 12 | Thanksgiving | Across the city |
October 16 to 26 | Municipal election voting | Online and at any Markham voting place |
Sunday, October 18 | Halloween Howl 5.0 (free, dog-friendly) | Pride of Canada Carousel |
Friday, October 23 | Teresa Carpio: A Musical Life | Bayview Glen Alliance Church |
Saturday, October 24 | Candlelight concerts; The Cory Band | Toronto Marriott Markham; 22 Esna Park Drive |
Saturday, October 31 | Halloween | Neighbourhoods across Markham |
Compiled from Visit Markham, Elections Markham, Parks Canada and public event listings as of October 7, 2026. Dates and details can change, so confirm with the organizer before you go.
Michael John Lau, a REALTORĀ® with the Kaizen Real Estate Team, one of the most active real estate teams in Markham and York Region, puts together guides like this one because community life is a big part of why families choose Markham, and it is often what newcomers ask about first.
Questions About Markham Neighbourhoods?
Every Markham community has its own events, parks and character. Call the Kaizen Real Estate Team at (647) 370-8885 and speak to a REALTORĀ® who works this market daily.
Pumpkins After Dark at the Markham Museum
Pumpkins After Dark returns to the Markham Museum at 9350 Markham Road, with illuminated pumpkin displays along an outdoor walking path. Event listings show evening hours from 6:30 p.m. and general admission from $21.95 for youth and $24.95 for adults, with maze add-ons and VIP options available. The path is hard-packed gravel and listed as wheelchair accessible, and listings mention free parking at Mount Joy GO station. Tickets are sold online, and popular nights near Halloween sell out, so book early.
Neeraj Moolchandani on Getting to Know a Neighbourhood
Neeraj Moolchandani, REALTORĀ® at Kaizen Real Estate, suggests buyers visit a neighbourhood they are considering on an ordinary weekend, not only during a showing. A Saturday at the local market or a walk through the nearest park says a lot about daily life.
October is a good month to do it. Community events, busy parks and Halloween evenings show who lives on a street, how lively it feels and how close everyday spots really are.
Thanksgiving Weekend: October 10 to 12
Thanksgiving weekend is one of the busiest of the month. Saturday, October 10 is the final Markham Farmersā Market of 2026, held in the parking lot at Main Street Markham and Robinson Street. On Sunday, October 11, Visit Markham lists a free Historic Unionville Walking Tour on Main Street Unionville, a good way to learn the stories behind the villageās heritage buildings.
For turkey, pies and produce, see where to buy fresh turkey, pies and local produce in Markham. Remember that Thanksgiving Monday is a public holiday in Ontario, and many stores close or shorten their hours.
Fall Colours in Rouge National Urban Park
Parks Canada says fall colours in Rouge National Urban Park usually peak between late September and mid-October, so the first half of the month is the time to go. For a scenic drive, try 19th Avenue, Reesor Road or the 11th Concession. For walks, the quieter Central, Harvest and Northeast trails are good choices on busy weekends. See fall foliage walks and trails near Markham for more.
Finding Your Place in Markham?
The Kaizen Real Estate Team helps families find neighbourhoods that match how they like to spend their time.
Halloween in Markham
Halloween falls on a Saturday this year, which means a full evening of trick-or-treating in many neighbourhoods. Earlier in the month, Halloween Howl 5.0 on Sunday, October 18, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Pride of Canada Carousel, is a free, dog-friendly costume event with shopping, photo spots and treats, according to its public listing.
A few tips for the big night: keep walkways clear of leaves and well lit, use battery candles in pumpkins, and plan routes with younger children before dark. Streets with many young families tend to be the busiest.
Music and Arts
- Teresa Carpio: A Musical Life, Friday, October 23, 8 p.m., Bayview Glen Alliance Church. Tickets listed from $83.
- Candlelight Markham, Saturday, October 24, at the Toronto Marriott Markham, with a Vivaldiās Four Seasons program at 6:30 p.m. and an Ed Sheeran and Coldplay tribute at 8:45 p.m. Tickets listed from about $50.
- The Cory Band, presented by UCB, Saturday, October 24, 7:30 p.m., 22 Esna Park Drive. The brass band from Wales is billed as making its Canadian debut. Tickets listed from $33.
Prices and times are from public event listings and may change. Check the Flato Markham Theatre and Markham Public Library calendars for more events through the month.
Municipal Election: October 16 to 26
Markhamās municipal election is on Monday, October 26, 2026. Online voting runs from 10 a.m. on October 16 to 8 p.m. on October 26, and in-person voting is open at any Markham voting place from October 23 to 26, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. See where, when and how to vote in Markham for the full guide.
October in the Markham Real Estate Market
For anyone thinking about a move, October is also a busy month in real estate. In September 2026, TRREB reported 245 Markham sales at an average price of $1,125,353, with 729 new listings. Late fall usually brings fewer listings and fewer buyers, and the Bank of Canadaās next rate decision is on October 28. See the September 2026 Markham market update for details.
Ultimately, the decision is yours. The goal is to make sure you have all the information when the time is right.
Next Steps
- Markham neighbourhood guide: find the community that fits your lifestyle.
- Buying a home in Markham: explore homes near the places you love.
- Request a free home evaluation: see what your home is worth this fall.
Work With Michael John Lau in Markham
Michael John Lau helps Markham buyers and sellers turn market numbers into a clear plan for their own situation. That means looking past city-wide averages to recent sales on your street, explaining the reasoning behind every recommendation, and making sure you have the information you need to decide with confidence.
š Contact Michael John Lau, REALTORĀ®
š www.callmikelau.com
š” www.livinginmarkham.ca
š¢ www.kaizenrealestate.ca