Oktober Fest has returned to Muskoka with live music, food specials, signature events and more.
Today (Oct.21), an afternoon kick-off party takes place at 1:30 p.m. at Christie’s Mill Inn and Spa. Festivities continue on Friday and Saturday in different locations across Muskoka.
Norah Fountain, Executive Director at the Muskoka Lakes Chamber of Commerce, says the festival aims to keep people at the cottage for another week to “extend the shoulder season.”
“We worry about staff shortages,” says Fountain. “The idea is it’s not just for the business owners. It’s their employees. They can give them more hours to keep them busy right through to the end of October.”
According to Fountain, some attractions are already completely booked this year.
“One attraction alone has reported they used to have 300 people through on that weekend; they’ve been seeing 1500 and more,” she says.
She says they also have some ticketed events this year.
“We’ve got big bands like Bass Blow from Kitchener-Waterloo. They’ve won eight years in a row, the best big Oktober Fest Award, and they’re going to be playing at the Foundry,” Fountain continues.
Fountain says people who buy tickets for the Bracebridge Hall event online or at the door can win a free general admission pass to the Tall Pines Summer Festival 2025.
She adds the Gravenhurst Chamber of Commerce also organized a bus tour of four craft breweries on Saturday.
For more information on the events, schedule and tickets, click here.
