Good morning, Markham! 

Happy early Thanksgiving! Wishing you and your loved ones a wonderful holiday weekend filled with good food, laughter, and memories. This week is a bit quiet on the event front, but I’ve rounded up everything I could find to keep you in the loop. As always, if you spot any events or have suggestions, give me a shout ‘cause I’d love to hear from you.

Note: Events marked with a “➡️” are not in Markham but they’re too good not to share!

Alright, let’s get into it.

CITY UPDATES

Road Closure 🚧

Old Kennedy Road (between Sunrise Drive and Aldergrove Drive) will be closed from October 6–20. Detours are in place, so plan a little extra travel time.

FESTIVAL CENTRAL

Markham FCCM Lantern Festival 2025

📅 Friday, October 10 – Sunday, October 12, 2025 

🕒 Fri 5:00 PM – 11:00 PM | Sat 11:00 AM – 11:00 PM | Sun 11:00 AM – 5:00 PM

📍 Markham Civic Centre – 101 Town Centre Blvd, Markham, ON

🎟️ Free Admission

Celebrate the magic of lights, culture, and food at the Markham FCCM Lantern Festival with performances, vendors, lantern displays, and a water lantern experience. Volunteers are welcome to join the team and help bring this festive celebration to life. Details here. 

Richmond Hill PumpkinFest 2025 ➡️

📅 Tuesday, October 7, 2025 – Thursday, October 9, 2025 | 10:00AM – 6:00 PM

📍 1300 Elgin Mills Road East, Richmond Hill, ON L4S 1M5

🎟️ $25.00+HST

Welcome to Richmond Hill PumpkinFest, the ultimate autumn extravaganza! Enjoy unlimited bouncy castles, a sprawling pumpkin patch, local food trucks, live entertainment, tons of family photo ops, and so much more all festival long. Details here. 

PumpkinFest Toronto 2025 ➡️

📅 Friday, October 10 — Monday, October 13, 2025 | 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM

📍 Downsview Park – 35 Carl Hall Road, North York, ON

🎟️ $15 – $55 | Free for children under 2

PumpkinFest Toronto returns this Thanksgiving long weekend with a giant pumpkin patch, midway rides, inflatable slides, live shows, and plenty of food and family entertainment. Enjoy four days of festive fun, photo ops, games, and even an antique miniature train ride at one of the GTA’s favorite fall events. Tickets here. 

North York Diwali Fest 2025 ➡️

📅 Friday, October 10 – Sunday, October 12, 2025

📍 Mel Lastman Square, North York, ON

🎟️ Free Admission

Celebrate the Festival of Lights with music, dance, food, workshops, and a bustling marketplace over three days of vibrant performances and community activities. Enjoy Bollywood nights, interactive workshops, kids’ crafts, and a grand finale featuring a musical Ramayana and a community lamp-lighting ceremony. Learn more here. 

SHOWTIME IN MARKHAM

The United Nations of Comedy ➡️

📅 Tuesday, October 7 to Thursday, October 9, 2025 | 8:00 PM – 9:30 PM

📍 Richmond Hill Centre for the Performing Arts

🎟️ $73.68 

Enjoy a world-class lineup of comedians at The United Nations of Comedy, featuring Joe Avati, The Portuguese Kids, and special guests Efthimios Nasiopoulos and Leonard Chan, hosted by Ali Hassan. Experience a night of laughter, cultural storytelling, and side-splitting tales for the whole family. Tickets here. 

A Night of Originals ➡️

📅 Friday, October 10, 2025 | 8:00 PM – 2:00 AM

📍 Sugar Café & Lounge – 550 Hwy 7 East, Unit 281, Time Square Plaza, 2F, Richmond Hill, ON

🎟️ Free Admission

Celebrate creativity and passion as rising local artists take the stage with their original songs, featuring performances by Julie. Y, Harry Tsai, Chris Kung, and Luke Yao. Enjoy live music from 8 PM–11 PM, followed by a DJ afterparty until 2 AM, with dinner and drinks served all night. Details here. 

Lighthouse Live in Concert

📅 Friday, October 10, 2025 | 8:00 PM – 10:00 PM

📍 Flato Markham Theatre, 171 Town Centre Blvd

🎟️ $78

Lighthouse, Canada’s iconic 13-piece jazz-rock powerhouse, returns to the stage with their signature horns, strings, and high-energy sound. Don’t miss this electrifying performance from the band behind Canada’s first platinum album. Tickets here. 

Aurora’s Colours of Fall Concert 2025 ➡️

📅 Thursday, October 9, 2025 | 6:30 PM – 8:30 PM

📍 Aurora Town Park – 49 Wells Street, Aurora, ON

🎟️ Free Admission

End the outdoor concert season with a bang at Aurora’s Colours of Fall Concert! Enjoy a high-energy performance by Fiddlestix, a dynamic band that blends rock with Celtic, folk, and country tunes. Get creative with free pumpkin carving (while supplies last), and don’t miss the free corn roast for a perfect fall evening of music, creativity, and community fun.

COMMUNITY CONNECTIONS

Cornell Library Community Social

📅 Thursday, October 9, 2025 | 10:30 AM – 11:30 AM

📍 Markham Public Library - Cornell Branch

🎟️ Free Admission

Join your neighbors for a warm and welcoming community social featuring engaging conversations, shared stories, and light snacks. This session highlights Markham’s parks and trails. Bring photos of your favorite spots and enjoy a lively discussion about local outdoor spaces. Register here. 

Board Game Meetup

📅 Thursday, October 9, 2025 | 5:30 PM – 8:30 PM

📍 Markham Public Library - Unionville Branch

🎟️ Free Admission

Embrace your playful side at this casual meetup featuring a wide selection of board games for all skill levels. An expert from WoodForSheep Hobbies Ltd. will be onsite to teach the rules, recommend games, and join in the fun. Register here. 

Glow Ride Bike Rave

📅 Friday, October 10, 2025 | 7:00 PM – 10:00 PM

📍 Millennium Bandstand, Unionville Main Street – 146 Main St, Markham, ON L3R 6L7

🎟️ Free Admission

Light up your bike and body for a high-energy, music-fueled rolling dance party through the city as part of the Glow Ride Bike Rave Series. Kick off at 7 PM at the Millennium Bandstand and ride with the crowd for an unforgettable night. Learn more here. 

Village Market – Harvest Celebration 2025 ➡️

📅 Saturday, October 11, 2025 | 8:00 AM – 1:00 PM

📍 9100 Bathurst Street, Thornhill, Vaughan, ON L4J 8C7

🎟️ Free Admission

Celebrate the autumn harvest at the Village Market’s Harvest Celebration, where farmers’ tables will be overflowing with seasonal produce. Enjoy crafts, games, and an acoustic open mic at our indoor organic farmers’ market, and join the community for a festive fall morning. Details here.

Celebrate World Migratory Bird Day 2025

📅 Saturday, October 11, 2025 | Multiple Times

📍 Old Unionville Library | 2:00 PM – 4:00 PM

📍 Swan Lake Park | 9:45 AM – 12:00 PM

📍 German Mills Settlers Park | 9:45 AM – 12:00 PM

🎟️ Free Admission

Celebrate World Migratory Bird Day with the theme “Shared Spaces: Creating Bird-Friendly Cities and Towns” through guided walks, birding tips, and ethical photography insights from walk leader Kathleen Elizabeth Noël. Learn how to use binoculars, field guides, and apps while discovering the importance of protecting habitats in our communities. Learn more here. 

SHOPPING BUZZ

MPL Small Business Market

📅 Saturday, October 11, 2025 | 12:00 PM – 4:00 PM

📍 Markham Public Library - Markham Village Branch

🎟️ Free Admission

Celebrate Markham’s local entrepreneurs at the MPL Small Business Market featuring 10+ vendors with handmade goods, baked treats, and unique art pieces. Discover one-of-a-kind products while supporting small businesses in your community. Learn more here. 

Toronto Pop Up – Plant Sale

📅 Friday, October 10 – Saturday, October 11, 2025 | 9:00AM – 6:00PM

📍 Monte Carlo Inn & Suites – Downtown Markham, 7255 Warden Ave, Markham, ON L3R 1B4

🎟️ Free Admission

Browse hundreds of plants at this special two-day pop-up sale and find the perfect greenery to take home. More details here. 

HEALTH & WELLNESS

Alzheimer Society York Region – Active Living Program

📅 Thursday, October 9, 2025 | 10:30 AM – 12:30 PM

📍 Markahm Public Library - Milliken Mills Branch

🎟️ Free Admission

This Active Living Program promotes social inclusion, physical activity, and creative therapies for people living with dementia and their care partners. This session, Crochet for Wellness, introduces participants to the calming and creative world of crochet in a supportive environment. Register here. 

Free Healthy Grocery Shopping Tour

📅 Thursday, October 9, 2025 | 1:30 PM – 2:30 PM

📍 Loblaws – 200 Bullock Dr, Markham, ON

🎟️ Free Admission

Join Registered Dietitians Gigi Loong and Alison Bankier for a guided grocery shopping tour and learn practical tips for making healthier food choices while navigating the store. Details here. 

LEARN & GROW

Bookkeeping Made Easy

📅 Wednesday, October 8, 2025 | 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM

📍 Online Event

🎟️ Free Admission

Learn the fundamentals of bookkeeping and discover how financial records, tax-deductible expenses, and key statements like balance sheets and cash flow can support your business success. This practical session also introduces software tools to help streamline bookkeeping and drive informed decisions. Register here. 

30 Lessons I Learned Before 30 – How to Make Money and Travel

📅 Wednesday, October 8, 2025 | 6:30 PM – 7:30 PM

📍 Markham Public Library - Cornell Branch

🎟️ Free Admission

Join author Ellier Leng as she shares personal stories and insights from her book 30 Lessons I Learned Before 30, exploring themes of mindset, happiness, personal growth, and financial wisdom. Discover how embracing minimalism, new perspectives, and stepping out of your comfort zone can inspire a more fulfilling life. Register here. 

GETTIN’ SPORTY

Pettawee Sor Kittichai Seminar

📅 Sunday, October 12, 2025 | 1:30 PM – 3:30 PM

📍 Markham Martial Arts – Unit 123, 2600 John Street, Markham, ON L3R 3W3

🎟️ $80 + tax ($90.40)

Join martial arts master Pettawee Sor Kittichai for a two-hour seminar at Markham Martial Arts. Limited spaces are available, so reserve early by visiting the gym or sending an e-transfer to [email protected]. Details here. 

Toronto Turkey Trot 2025 ➡️

📅 Monday, October 13, 2025 | 7:00 AM – 11:30 AM

📍 Cherry Beach Sports Fields, Toronto, ON M5A 1A2

🎟️ Ticketed Event

Join the Toronto Turkey Trot, a family-focused Thanksgiving Day run/walk featuring a flat, fast course for all fitness levels, from elite runners to casual walkers. Enjoy the festival area, costume contest, kids’ fun runs, and awards ceremony as part of one of the country’s biggest holiday block parties. Register here. 

BUSINESS BOOST

MBT October VIP Breakfast Networking

📅 Thursday, October 9, 2025 | 7:30 AM – 9:30 AM (EDT)

📍 Bayview Golf & Country Club

🎟️ Free for MBT Members | Guest Pass Available with Code MBTVIP

Rise & Shine, It’s VIP Time! Enjoy a morning of networking and a delicious breakfast with fellow MBT Members. As a special perk, members may bring one non-member guest at no cost—just use the code MBTVIP when registering. Register here. 

Networking in Nature – Women Entrepreneurs

📅 Tuesday, October 14, 2025 | 6:00 PM

📍 Markham Trail

🎟️ $40 ($33 each with a friend)

Step away from the usual networking scene and join a walking circle for women entrepreneurs—connect, reflect, and find clarity in nature while building meaningful connections. Tickets here. 

WEEKLY MUSIC & SPORTS

LIVE MUSIC LOWDOWN

🎤 The Duchess of Markham | Open Mic | October 9th | 8PM-11PM

🎤 Main’s Mansion | Karaoke | October 9th | 10PM to Close

🎤 The Duchess of Markham | Open Mic | October 9th | 8PM-11PM

🎤 Monte Carlo Inn | Open Mic | October 9th | 7PM-10PM

🎤 Col. Mustard Sports Bar | Karaoke | October 10th | Begins at 9PM

🎵 Sugar Cafe & Lounge | A Night of Originals | October 10th | 8PM-11PM

🎵 Rouge River Brewery | Mark Thackway | October 10th | 6PM-8PM

🎵 The Duchess of Markham | Live Music | October 11th | Begins at 4PM

🎵 Village Organic Market and Music | Live Music | October 11th | 8AM-1PM

🎤 Main’s Mansion | Karaoke | October 11th| 10PM to Close

🎵 Costa Sorrento | Pierina & Ivano  | October 12th | 6PM-9PM

🎤 Richmond Hill Centre for the Performing Arts | Open Mic | October 12th | 2PM-5pm

SPORTS HAPPENIN’S THIS WEEK

🏒 Toronto Maple Leafs v Montreal Canadiens | October 8th

⚽ York United v Pacific | October 9th

🏀 Toronto Raptors v Boston Celtics | October 10th

⚾ Toronto Blue Jays v New York Yankees | October 10th

🏒 Toronto Maple Leafs v Detroit Red Wings | October 13th

THANKS FOR READING!

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