Best of Fall (September, October & November) in Charlottetown

Charlottetown offers many fantastic reasons to visit during the fall, where an array of yellows, oranges, and reds are splashed across the Island’s landscape. From the abundance of food-focused fall festivals to the variety of outdoor activities that are perfect in sweater weather temperatures, it’s all too easy to fall in love with the crisp days and cozy nights in Charlottetown.

Make it a getaway! Watch the leaves of Charlottetown change colour and take in all the amazing fall events with a stay at one of the city’s many accommodations.

1) A PLETHORA OF FESTIVALS & EVENTS

70 Mile Coastal Yard Sale – Celebrating its 25th anniversary, the 70 mile yard sale has grown to one of the largest outdoor events on PEI. Every September, people line the roads east of Charlottetown with all of their treasures, making it a bargain hunter’s dream! Stay in Charlottetown and launch your adventures “down east” from there. Sept 14

PEI International Shellfish Festival – Taking place at the Charlottetown Event Grounds, this is a kitchen party of epic proportions you do not want to miss. Packed with culinary demos, celebrity chefs, delicious dining experiences, the best of the best seafood chowder, live music, oyster shucking competitions, and more. Sept 19 – 22

Wild Threads Literary Festival – This four-day celebration of the written and spoken word brings together a diverse lineup of talented writers and covers creative events such as panel discussions, spoken word, music and comedy, and more. Whether you’re an up-and-coming writer, or a literary enthusiast, Wild Threads offers a vibrant and inclusive space to connect, learn, and be inspired. Sept 19 – 22

Fall Flavours Festival – If you enjoy incredible food, celebrity chefs and unique experiences, you’ll definitely want to come during the annual Fall Flavours Festival. This autumn celebration features numerous culinary festivals, events & foodie adventures from tip to tip across the Island. Sept 26 – Oct 12

Moonlight Bazaar – An award-winning, unconventional street festival that celebrates creativity by blending music, food, art, and live performances under the light of a 7-metre inflatable Moon. Get ready for an electric atmosphere on Victoria Row! Sept 28

Charlottetown Scarecrow Festival – This annual festival decks the streets of downtown with hundreds of unique scarecrow installations & fall decor, live music, haunted ghost walks, psychic fairs, and many more festive (and spooky) events. All October long

Treaty Day Celebrations – Learn traditional Mi’kmaq customs and enjoy the beautiful culture through games, dance, songs, stories, art, and more! All are welcome. Oct 1

PEI Fibre Festival – “Woolcome” to the PEI Fibre Festival, where the fibre meets the shore. Celebrate all things fibre – including a marketplace, a fibre fan lounge, classes and Maritime entertainment. Oct 3 – 5

Okto-Beer-Feast – This annual PEI Brewing Company event puts a twist on tradition! With incredible beers brewed on-site, German-inspired food stations, the chance to compete for prizes in yard games, keg races, a stein holding competition, and more, PLUS live entertainment all day. Oct 5

Farm Day In The City – Taking place on Queen Street in downtown Charlottetown and presented by the PEI Potato Growers, Farm Day is one of the most magical, fun and delicious days of the year. Join over 180 farmers, producers, hot food purveyors, crafters, and artisans from across Prince Edward Island for the Island’s largest outdoor market and street festival. This year is Farm Day’s 15th birthday! Oct 6

Street Feast – A colourful two-day block party featuring special food creations and quirkiness from some of the city’s favourite local hangouts. Kent Street comes alive with street food & local drinks, live music, party games, dance performances, street art, and more. Oct 11 & 12

Charlottetown Film Festival – Celebrating its 10th Anniversary, the Charlottetown Film Festival champions emerging filmmakers, programs exciting new films across all genres, and provides rewarding networking opportunities for creatives in the entertainment industry. Oct 17 – 20

The PEI Marathon – Seasoned marathoners searching for a gorgeous Boston Marathon qualifier race, first-time 10kers looking for a new challenge, or even enthusiastic cheerleaders will all love the PEI Marathon. It’s an exciting and invigorating way to discover the beauty of Charlottetown and the surrounding area while pursuing your personal best or cheering on the runners. Oct 18 – 20

PEI Spirits Festival – An event showcasing both local and worldwide unique, high-end spirits. Sample and shop limited quantity spirits exclusively at this fine-tasting festival. Nov 16

2) ADVENTURE AWAITS
Whether you’re an avid mountain biker or a casual hiker, there’s no better place to witness the colours of the seasons than throughout the various wooded trails just beyond the city limits. For the thrill-seekers, check out Meridian63° MTB for a guided mountain biking adventure, or head to Brookvale, Bonshaw, or Winter River for some of the most stunning hiking trails on the Island. You can also hook onto the Confederation Trail from downtown Charlottetown, which features over 400km of cycling and walking trails spanning across the Island.

Check out The Island Walk, this 700km walking trail loops around PEI, taking you from tip to tip along the outer perimeter of the Island. It features a mix of inland and coastal sections, and intertwines through PEI’s two major cities, Charlottetown and Summerside.

3) FRESH FLAVOURS
Fall is the ultimate time to nuzzle into restaurants across the city and enjoy the flavours of PEI’s harvest. From pan-fried halibut to garlic mashed potatoes, and bubbly baked oysters to roasted root veggies, our chefs are primed and ready to rock your world with the freshest seasonal ingredients in the most charming spaces. Don’t forget to top it all off with your favourite pumpkin-infused dessert! Check out our friends at Ada Culinary Studio for upcoming intimate feasts with the freshest ingredients, or cook up a dish of your own with a Culinary Bootcamp in the Culinary Institute of Canada’s impressive commercial kitchen. For a curated experience, check out the current tours that PEI Tasting Tours has on offer.

4) COUNTRYSIDE COLOURS
Pack a picnic and plan to make a day of exploring the Island’s stunning red clay heritage roads, where breathtaking scenery greets you at every turn. Keep a lookout for local plants and flowers, as well as signs of rural life that have shaped the Island’s character and culture. Old barns and golden hay bales also make for great photo ops and stunning red cliffs towering over the ocean are never far from view.

5) MARKET MOSEYS
Fall is the ideal time to hit up one of the city’s many open-air markets. Whether it’s the Charlottetown Farmers’ Market on Wednesdays (seasonally) and Saturdays, the Downtown Farmers’ Market at Confederation Landing each Sunday, or Farm Day in the City (Oct 6), the Island’s largest outdoor market and street festival on Queen Street, nothing gives you a better sense of Island culture than meeting the people who make this place so special.

And there you have it! Come make all your cozy fall dreams come true in Charlottetown this year.

Need a place to stay? Check out our amazing selection of accommodations. Curious about what else to do around Charlottetown? Don’t miss a beat over on our events page.

Looking to start planning this year’s holiday getaway? Read our blog post 12 Ways to Embrace the Holiday Magic in Charlottetown to get inspired!