Updated August 24, 2022.
Do you remember that song from the animated version of Charlotte’s Web? “A fair is a veritable smorgasbord, smorgasbord, smorgasbord…” That’s certainly how I felt when I was a kid. What wasn’t to like, whether it was the small fall fair in my hometown in Toronto’s western suburbs, or the non-stop lights and action of the venerable CNE in Toronto? Fairs meant midways, stuffed animals, cotton candy, free food samples—just about everything kids love, all in one noisy, garish package.
If you feel the pull of nostalgia—or if your kids have been begging you to win them a stuffed animal—here are 20+ places where you can enjoy summer and fall fairs. All distances are measured from Parliament Hill.
- Williamstown Fair (August 11 to 13, 2023) (109km from Ottawa)
- Capital Fair (August 12 to 21, 2022) (19km from Parliament Hill)
- Russell Fair (August 17 to 20, 2023) (42km from Ottawa)
- South Mountain Fair (August 18 to 21, 2022) (59km from Ottawa)
- Vankleek Hill Fair (August 18 to 21, 2022) (93km from Ottawa)
- Chesterville Fair (August 26 to 28, 2022) (61km from Ottawa)
- Cobden Fair (August 26 to 28, 2022) (116km from Ottawa)
- Riceville Fair (August 26 to 28, 2022) (84km from Ottawa)
- Shawville Fair (September 1 to 5, 2022) (77km from Ottawa)
- Perth Fair (September 2 to 5, 2022) (87km from Ottawa)
- Stormont County Fair in Newington (September 2 to 5, 2022) (75km from Ottawa)
- Renfrew Fair (September 8 to 11, 2022) (94km from Ottawa)
- Spencerville Fair (September 8 to 11, 2022) (74km from Ottawa)
- Picton Fair (September 9 to 11, 2022) (270km from Ottawa)
- Richmond Fair (September 15 to 18, 2022) (30km from Ottawa)
- Lyndhurst Turkey Fair (September 17, 2022) (129km from Ottawa)
- Middleville Fair (September 17, 2022) (70km from Ottawa)
- 1860s Fall Fair Weekend at Upper Canada Village (September 17 and 18, 2022) (90km from Ottawa)
- Carp Fair (September 22 to 25, 2022) (33km from Ottawa)
- McDonald’s Corners Annual Fall Fair (September 24, 2022) (97km from Ottawa)
- Metcalfe Fair (September 29 to October 2, 2022) (35km from Ottawa)
Do you know of any fairs I’ve left out? Let me know and I’ll add them!
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As the owner of Ottawa Road Trips, I acknowledge that I live on, work in and travel through the unceded, unsurrendered territory of the Algonquin Anishinaabeg Nation. I am grateful to have the opportunity to be present on this land. Ottawa Road Trips supports Water First, a non-profit organization that helps address water challenges in Indigenous communities in Canada through education, training and meaningful collaboration.
14 comments
A reader on Facebook pointed out one I missed: the Shawville Fair (September 3 to 7). http://www.shawvillefair.ca/ Any other suggestions? Please add them to the comments!
Hi ! Please note that Carp Fair is NOT CANCELLED for 2021. Please visit our website for details
Oh my, you gave me a fright–I was afraid I’d gotten the information wrong in the post! But I did have it right when I posted initially–the post says that the Carp Fair is running from September 24 to 26! Best of luck with the event!
[…] Curious about whether other fall fairs throughout our region are happening this year? Check my recently updated list of 20+ fairs in Eastern Ontario, the Outaouais and beyond. […]
it’s over now but the Williamstown Fair is Canada’s oldest
https://williamstownfair.ca/about/history/
Thanks! I’ve mentioned the Williamstown Fair elsewhere on the site before, so I’m doubly sorry I missed it here! I’ll add it.
[…] And if you’re looking for information on fairs later in the season, check out my list of 20+ fabulous fairs near Ottawa. […]
[…] Time is running out if you want to do a fall fair road trip; the last fair of the year on my big list is the Metcalfe Fair next […]
[…] Looking for more ideas? Check out my roundup of 20+ fabulous fairs. […]
[…] All three fairs offer a midway, a demolition derby, livestock shows and lots more. (Looking for fairs in September and October? Check out my extensive list of fairs.) […]
[…] Looking for more fairs this month? Check out my comprehensive list of summer and fall fairs! […]
[…] P.S.: Don’t forget to check out my comprehensive list of local fairs. […]
[…] Looking for more ideas? Check out my big list of local fairs. […]
[…] All three fairs offer a midway, a demolition derby, livestock competitions and lots more. (Looking for more fairs in September and October? Check out my extensive list of fairs.) […]