Though the stunning September weather may be fooling some of us, fall weather and events are right around the corner! Harvest, Halloween, hot apple cider… yes please to all of it.

We hope you enjoy this guide to a fun, family-friendly October and November (and later added December!) in beautiful Prince Edward County. As always, I’ll be adding new events and details as I go, so check back frequently and feel free to send along any missing info to andrea@pecparents.ca.

And make sure to check out our Activities Pages for info about kids’ arts classes, sports and fitness activities, clubs, and more!

Image – A fall frolic at Outlet Beach, Sandbanks Provincial Park

Special events

OCTOBER

October 1st – Base 31 is celebrating the launch of its Children’s Sensory Garden, a new playspace for kids & kids-at-heart! The event runs from 11-2 and will feature live music entertainers for kids, introductory speeches, scavenger hunts, crafts, and the unveiling of new artworks by local artist Portia Chapman. Light snacks will be served. Info here.

October 7th-8th – The Department of Illumination is hosting their annual Scarecrow Festival fundraiser from 11-5 each day – $40 will provide you with all you need to build your very own scarecrow and support this amazing local community arts organization!

October 14th – Join fellow community members and guest artists for a fun exploratory Public Art Walk through Picton from 10:30-12:30! Participants will imagine bursts of colour on concrete, share stories of existing and past public art activations, explore potential future public art sites, and have lots of fun along the way. This is being organized by County Arts as part of PEC’s public art planning process. Learn more and sign up here.

October 14th – The Prince Edward County Pumpkinfest takes place in Wellington. The parade is at 10:30 am followed by music in the park, a Kid’s Zone in front of CML Snider, and a pumpkin weigh-off around noon at the Lehigh Arena.

October 21st – Join fellow community members and guest artists for a fun exploratory Public Art Walk through Wellington from 1-3! Participants will imagine bursts of colour on concrete, share stories of existing and past public art activations, explore potential future public art sites, and have lots of fun along the way. This is being organized by County Arts as part of PEC’s public art planning process. Learn more and sign up here.

October 21st – Early ON PEC is hosting a Fall Festival and Touch A Truck event from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. at the Hub Child and Family Centre. Info here.

October 26th – A special event for 9-13 year old kiddos hosted by the Sophiasburgh Recreation Committee! The Howler Dance will take place from 6:30-9 p.m. at the Sophiasburgh Town Hall. Music, costume contests, grab bags, snacks! Admission is $10 plus a non-perishable food item.

October 28th – Heal With Horses is hosting a Halloween Farm Spooktacular with festive Halloween farm activities from 10-4. Pony rides, petting zoo, haunted walk, costume contest, halloween goodies! Info here.

October 28th – The Picton Recreation Committee is hosting a Pumpkin Carving Contest – carve your pumpkin at home and bring it to Benson Park at 5:30 p.m. to enter the contest – top 5 pumpkin carvers win a $75 Books & Co. Gift Card! Or just come by to see the illuminated display.

October 28th – The County Museums is hosting an Ameliasburgh After Dark event from 7-9 p.m. Spooky poetry readings, candlelit historic buildings, carved pumpkins, halloween treats! Admission by donation to the Museum.

(REGISTRATION NOW CLOSED!) October 29th – The South Marysburgh Recreation Committee invites families to have a spooky good time at the Milford Haunted Shed! This event takes place at the Shed next to Mount Tabor Theatre from 6-7:30 p.m. Register by October 23rd by calling Niki (613-961-9394) or Greg (613-813-5524) Walker. For kids aged 3-12.

(CANCELLED!) October 29th – The Cherry Valley Park Association is sponsoring a Trunk or Treat event from 3-5 pm in Cherry Valley Park (1724C County Road 10) for Athol/South Marysburgh residents. Call or text Cathy at 613-827-8822 to register your child and/or vehicle in advance. Parents must accompany children.

October 6th-31st – The 2023 Deadnersville Halloween walk-through will run from 4-10 p.m. from October 6th-31st, with live actors “scaring” on the 31st. The experience features 140 foot of decorated covered canopy with 70 animatronics and mannequins and more. Free, but donations to benefit the Belleville General Hospital Foundation are welcome. The address is 1744 County Rd 3 (Rednersville Rd).

October 31st – Wellings of Picton is hosting a Halloween Haunted House with indoor trick-or-treating in their atrium! For all ages, from 6-8 p.m. Check their Facebook page for info/updates.

NOVEMBER (& December…) – Save the dates, more info to come!

November 3rd-4th – The Department of Illumination is hosting its annual Firelight Lantern Festival! Make your own lantern at an October workshop and check back on the Festival page for more details.

November 17th-December 17th (Fridays-Sundays only) – ANDARA Gallery is holding its Holiday Photo in the Barn event in support of the PEC Memorial Hospital Foundation’s “Back The Build” campaign! Their beautiful century-old barn will be decked out for the holidays with a festive portrait seating area, featuring a stunning 16-foot Christmas tree. Photo times are by appointment only from 12-4 p.m., call (613) 393-1572 to book your date and time. You supply your own fully-charged camera phone and they’ll take your photo for FREE in exchange for a donation! On November 18th-19th some friendly alpacas will be on site participating in the photos/festivities – they are asking for a $20 donation per adult on those days.

November 17th-19th – The Holly Jolly PEC Market takes place at the Crystal Palace – 12-4 Nov 17th, 10-4 Nov 18th+19th. Storytime with Santa, visits by the Grinch, creative arts table, and a “gnome hunt”.

November 25th – Santa visits the Wellington Heritage Museum from 12-4 – bring your camera and a donation for the Foodbank.

November 24th – The Bloomfield Nighttime Santa Claus Parade is back! Streets close at 6 p.m., parade starts at 6:30. Crafts at Bloomfield Public Library and Baxter Arts Centre starting at 4 p.m. Treats at Empire Inn & Suites!

November 25th – The Department of Illumination and the Picton BIA are hosting a Holiday Tree Lighting Ceremony and Candlelight Procession along Picton’s Main Street. Starting off at 4:30 p.m. at Shire Hall and ending at the Cenotaph with hot chocolate and cookies.

November 26th – From 2-4 p.m. at 14 Empire Blvd (Wellington on the Lake Recreation Centre), join The County Foundation and the WOTL Residents’ Association for a Holiday Cheer Family Gathering. Mini horses, balloon animals, facepainting, cookie decorating competition, visit from Santa. Free admission but donations for Food for Learning appreciated – tax receipts issued for donations $20+, donations will be matched by The Button Fund! Email ed@thecountyfoundation.ca for more info.

November 24th-26th – The Eddie Hotel & Farm is hosting the Red Barn Christmas Market, with a Kids Play Area from 11-2 and Santa visits at 1 p.m. on the Saturday and Sunday. Check their Facebook page for details.

November 30th – Santa visits Ameliasburgh Heritage Village from 3-7 – bring your camera and a donation for the Foodbank.

December 1st-3rd – The Festival of Trees will run for 3 days at Isiaiah Tubbs Resort! Admission is free. There will be a silent auction, live entertainment and a bucket draw raffle at Isaiah Tubbs. Santa Claus will pose for free pictures with the children.

December 1st-3rd – Campbell’s Orchards is having a holiday market – Friday 4-8, Saturday and Sunday 10-4. Local artisans will be selling their wares, bonfire, hot holiday drinks for purchase. Festive face painting, photographer on site for family photos.

December 2nd – Ameliasburgh Rec Committee and friends host Christmas in the Village from 12-3 – sleigh rides, model train display, hot drinks and treats, green screen photos, take away crafts, music, vendors, and more!

December 2nd – Tree lighting event at Wellington Park from 4-5, including treats and wagon rides through the village. Also, during the day be holiday discounts at local businesses, and pics with Santa at Creekside Cafe from 10-2.

December 3rd – Santa visits Ameliasburgh Heritage Village from 11-4 – bring your camera and a donation for the Foodbank.

December 3rd – The Prince Edward Yacht Club’s annual Pancake Breakfast takes place from 9 a.m. – 12 p.m. before the Picton Santa Claus Parade from All proceeds donated to Hospice Prince Edward. Adults = $15 / Kids = $8.

December 3rd – The Picton Santa Claus Parade returns, kicking off at 1 p.m!

December 3rd – Consecon’s annual Santa Claus Parade also takes place on the 3rd at 1 p.m. Activities for kids from 11:30-1 at the Masonic Hall (face painting, balloon artist, hot dogs). From 2-3 p.m. after the parade come back to the Masonic Hall for a reindeer food making station, and visits with Santa.

December 8th and 9th – From 6-8:30 p.m., Emmanuel Baptist Church in Bloomfield hosts A County Christmas – an illuminated hay ride through the Christmas story with live actors and animals.

December 9th – The Athol Recreation Committee is hosting Breakfast with Santa from 9-11 a.m. Pancakes, gifts from County Kids Read, and of course visits with Santa! Donations welcome but entry is free.

December 9th and 10th – Santa visits Macaulay Heritage Park from 12-4 – bring your camera and a donation for the Foodbank.

December 10th – Wander the Resort hosts Winter Wanderland from 11-4 – vendors, live music, Santa visits/photos, facepainting, food & drink for purchase from Gather (their new restaurant), alpacas, and more!

December 10th – The County School of Dance presents its annual performances of The Nutcracker at The Regent Theatre at 1 and 4 p.m.

December 17th – The Glenwood Cemetery presents a free community screening of the classic “A Christmas Story” film at 2 p.m. at The Regent Theatre. Donations of non-perishable food items are being accepted for donation to local food banks.

December 17th – Santa visits for children aged 3-10 with take-home gift bags at the South Marysburgh Town Hall from 6-7 p.m. You need to register your child by texting 613-961-9394 or 613-813-5524 by December 10th.

Harvest

Pick-your-own (PYO) Produce

Apple and pumpkin picking is in full swing at Campbell’s Orchards in Carrying Place. Say hello to the resident animals, hit the playground, and reward yourselves with apple fritters and other treats. Check out their weekend Fall Farm Passes including corn mazes, wagon rides, and more.

Farm experiences

Struisvogel Ranch is offering $5 self-guided Ostrich Walks from Thursday-Monday from 11-5 until the end of October.

LOHA farms offers farm tours to meet their pigs, goats, chickens, ducks, and sheep; message them to book a time.

There are a few other farms where kids can interact (mostly from a distance) with farm animals:

• Hagerman Farms, just outside of Picton on the way to Bloomfield, is one of our favourite places to visit – enjoy a treat from Farmhouse Eats cafe (open seasonally), do your local produce shopping, and say hello to the animals hanging out in the outdoor pens.
• The petting zoo at Waupoos Estates Winery & Restaurant is currently closed, but you are welcome to walk up to the outdoor pens and say hello to some furry friends. It would be unwise to leave without sampling from the winery’s extensive array of chocolate, candy, and gelato treats across the street!
• Carson’s Garden & Market has a friendly goat herd on site.

Farmers’ markets

Most markets will be going until mid or late October, check their social feeds for updates! Stroll the stalls and sample the treats at the Wellington Farmers’ Market (Eddie Hotel & Farm, Saturdays 9-1), Wellington Community Market (next to Wellington Park and the United Church, Saturdays 9-1) and the Picton Town Hall Farmers’ Market (Sundays 9-1). Bonus – the latter two are both playground adjacent – Wellington Park and Benson Park respectively; and the Eddie Hotel & Farm offers lots of gorgeous nature to run around in.

More rainy day activities

Early ON PEC Playgroups happen from Monday – Saturday at both indoor and outdoor locations throughout the County. Check out the schedule and pre-register on their website.

Check out the Public Skating schedule at the Prince Edward Community Centre (Picton Arena) and at the Wellington District Community Centre (Lehigh Arena) here. There are special times for Parent & Tot skating, Girls Stick and Puck, and Youth Shinny.

The Prince Edward Fitness and Aquatic Centre’s public swims happen on Thursdays from 7-8:30pm, Saturdays from 1-3pm, and every 3rd Tuesday of the month from 7-8:30pm. Contact PEFAC for rates.

The PEC Public Library offers many different kids’ events throughout the week – baby storytime, toddler storytime, afterschool Ukulele club, Maker Kids, and more – check the Events calendar for details.

Three County Museums are open to the public from Wednesday-Saturday, 11-4 – Ameliasburgh Heritage Village, Macaulay Heritage Park (Wed-Sun 10-4), and Wellington Heritage Museum. Check their website for details.

More sunny day activities

Beaches are beautiful all year round! The facilities at Sandbanks (Outlet, Dunes, or Lakeshore Beach) close on October 31st and the facilities at North Beach close on October 1st, but you can still access both on foot. Wellington Beach is open and free to the public in the fall!

Enjoy art “en plein air” at the Oeno Gallery Sculpture Garden until October 31st. A new exhibition is installed each May, and the garden is open every day from dawn until dusk. Free, but donations welcome.

Escape Camp Picton offers one outdoor adventure (Master Spy Academy) and two indoor escape adventures (A Spy’s Workshop and The Secret Guild). Check out the “Age Restrictions” section in the FAQ for more info on playing with kids.