It’s the most colourful time of year to explore East of Edmonton! Crisp mornings, golden leaves, and cozy fall adventures make October one of the best months to hit the road. Whether you’re chasing pumpkins, garlic, corn mazes, or stunning scenery, there’s no shortage of ways to celebrate the season.
Fall is the perfect excuse to explore our scenic highways. Choose your route and make a day (or weekend!) of it:
Highway 28 – Hit the greens and go golfing, explore provincial parks, enjoy lakeside adventures, or ride ATVs.
Highways 15 & 45 – Culture, nature reserves, and charming small-town stops await.
Highways 14 & 13 – Experience the Battle River Valley, shop, savour local flavours, and sip spirits along the way.
Highways 2 & 55 – Take in Francophone culture in Legal and Plamondon, then visit the scenic river town of Athabasca.
Highway 16 – Shop, explore nature, and enjoy family fun from Strathcona County to Vegreville and beyond.
Hit the road for the most colourful time of year! Check our Itineraries and Roadtrips page for ideas, or go to Trip Ideas for recent articles.
Celebrate Fall at Amazing Festivals
October is festival season, and you won’t want to miss these community favourites:
Smoky Lake Pumpkin Fair – October 3-5
The biggest pumpkin party in Alberta is back for its 35th year! The Great White North Pumpkin Weigh-Off (Oct 4), the famous Pumpkin Drop, midway rides, show & shine, threshing demos, markets, petting zoo & more!
Click for Your Guide to the Smoky Lake Pumpkin Fair & Things to Do in the Region!
Andrew Garlic Festival – October 11
Pancake breakfast & perogy dinner, farmers market, kids activities, parade & beer gardens, live entertainment and plenty of garlic-themed goodies!
Bruderheim Deutschland Day – October 18
Celebrate German heritage with food, music, and community fun.
To see information on these and more October events visit our Events Calendar.
Get Lost in a Corn Maze
Corn mazes are a must for fall family fun!
Keato Meadow Corn Maze (Strathcona County) – A 12-acre maze, sunflower path, games, food trucks, and more.
Starting October 3rd 7:30pm – 10 PM Fridays & Saturdays – Bookings Only
Moonlight Maze Nights will run until October 18th.
Smoky Lake Corn Maze – Open daily during the Pumpkin Fair
One night only! Vegreville Corn Maze Spook Night – October 4th Wander through the maze after dark… if you dare. It will be a haunting experience you won’t forget! Costumes encouraged – fun (and fear) guaranteed! Perfect for families, teens, and thrill-seekers.
Maizex Corn Maze– Kitscoty. The ONLY Lainey Wilson Corn Maze in Canada!
…They are also hosting a pre-paid Haunted Corn Maze- October 17th
Tickets will not be available at the door. Get your tickets at www.maizexcornmaze.ca
Find more A-Mazing fun on our current blog Get Lost in Fun Explore Amazing Corn Mazes!
More Halloween Haunt Events….
Prairie Gardens Adventure Farm Pumpkin Fest weekends begins the first weekend of October and continues until the last weekend of the month! A spooky outing to the pumpkin patch and this charming month-long Halloween celebration remains an annual tradition for the past 30 years! There’s a Pumpkin Cannon, a ghost town with Ghost Walks to the Elm Street Cemetery, and if you are brave – don a mask
to creep through the Haunted Farm House (kid friendly, no gore). Pumpkin displays, an indoor heated greenhouse pumpkin patch for when the weather turns cold.
Tickets to be purchase online at www.prairiegardens.org
Vegreville Haunted Hike
This October, The Haunted Hike opens its doors with two completely different ways to experience the haunt – one for families and kids, and one for thrill-seekers who want to face their darkest fears. Click here to purchase Tickets
CONTEST TIME!
Are you ready to scream this October? The Vegreville Haunted Hike is back – with TWO terrifyingly fun ways to experience the haunt:
Family Fun Frights – a spooktacular experience perfect for kids and families (no actors, kid friendly music.).
Full-Scare Thrills – for those brave enough to face their darkest fears!
We’re giving away TWO prizes:
Family Pass (2 Adult + 2 Kids) for the Family Haunted Hike (no actors, kid friendly music.)
Adult Tickets for the Full-Scare Haunted Hike.
To Enter, send an email to In**@**************on.com with the subject line
“Spooky Fun for the Whole Family” for the Family Pass Giveaway
or
“Win Tickets to the Full-Scare Haunted Hike!” for the Adult Scare Tickets (2 Adults)
Please include your full name, and phone number.
Passes will be sent via email
Contest closes Wednesday October 8th at 9:00pm
Metis Crossing Upcoming Workshops
Deepen your understanding of Metis traditional arts, and crafts through their upcoming workshops.
Register today! Click links below.
Reconnect with Tradition at the Métis Traditional Skills Workshop Date: October 11–12, 2025
Beaded Poppy Workshop: Stories, Culture & Reflection Date: October 25, 2025
Find Your Fairway on Falling Leaves!
Many golf courses are still open – the perfect way to soak in autumn colours before the season ends. Click here to learn more.
Enter the 2025 Photo Contest
Have you captured amazing fall colours, festivals, or roadtrip memories this year? Share them with us!
Deadline: October 31, 2025 please enter HERE!
We can’t wait to see your best shots!
Did you join the Roadtrip Adventure game this year?
Keep an eye on your email and our social media channels – winners will be revealed very soon!
Need More Inspiration?
Get your digital copy of the 2025 Go East of Edmonton Travel Guide and start planning your autumn roadtrip today!