Thanksgiving Milton Ontario Canada 2025: Best Things To Do All Weekend

Thanksgiving in Canada lands on Monday, October 13, 2025. That gives you a full long weekend to soak up peak fall colours across Milton, Burlington, and Oakville—from escarpment hikes and chairlift rides to farmers’ markets and special holiday dinners. Below is a fully verified, 2025-ready guide tailored for families, nature lovers, and foodies planning their best local holiday yet.

🍁 Why These Three Towns Shine At Thanksgiving

Set along the Niagara Escarpment and Lake Ontario, Milton, Burlington, and Oakville pack a lot into a small radius: unbeatable fall views, family-friendly parks, and easy dining/reservation options. You can start your morning on a cliff-edge lookout, spend midday at a market, and wrap up with a Thanksgiving feast—all within 30 minutes of each other. Thanksgiving Milton Ontario Canada.

Quick plan: Book Kelso chairlift rides, pick one escarpment hike (Mount Nemo/Rattlesnake Point), add one market stop (Burlington Centre Lions Farmers’ Market), and reserve one dinner/brunch (PLANKSGIVING or Glen Abbey). Details below with official sources and 2025 dates.

🗓️ Key 2025 Dates (Bookmark These)

  • Thanksgiving Monday (statutory): Oct 13, 2025. Time and Date+1

  • Kelso/Glen Eden Fall Chairlift Rides: Oct 4 – Nov 2, 2025 (weekends + Thanksgiving Monday; weather permitting). Bookable add-on to your Kelso visit. Conservation Halton+1

  • Hops & Harvest Festival (Milton): Oct 13–15, 2025 (Area 8, Steeles Ave W). Tickets via ParkPass; check official page for vendor/music updates. ParkPass Project+1

  • Burlington Centre Lions Farmers’ Market: Open through Oct 25, 2025, Wed/Fri/Sat 8am–2pm—so it runs Sat, Oct 11 of the long weekend. Burlington Lions Club+1

  • Bronte Creek Provincial Park (Oakville): Day-use open year-round in 2025; camping closes Oct 26. Ontario Parks

  • Glen Abbey Golf Club Thanksgiving Brunch (Oakville): Sun, Oct 12, 2025 (seatings from 10am). Glen Abbey Golf Club

🏞️ Milton: Nature & Adventure

🚠 Kelso / Glen Eden: Chairlift + Colour Views

Take in the escarpment from above: Fall Chairlift Rides run Saturdays, Sundays, and Thanksgiving Monday from Oct 4–Nov 2, 2025 (weather permitting). You can add the ride to your Kelso reservation; book early because time slots sell out. Conservation Halton+1

Pro tips, Thanksgiving Milton Ontario Canada

  • Aim for late afternoon golden hour for photos.

  • Build buffer time: ParkPass reservations and gate lines move faster if you pre-book. Conservation Halton

🧑‍🦅 Mountsberg Raptor Centre

Meet Ontario’s raptors up close. Specialty programs like Raptor Encounter run on weekends; check availability Thanksgiving Sunday (Oct 12) and across the weekend. Trails, farm animals, and lookouts make this great for families. Conservation Halton+1

🪶 Crawford Lake (Read This Update)

Crawford Lake’s reconstructed 15th-century longhouse village remains a unique cultural stop. However, the boardwalk around the meromictic lake is temporarily closed for reconstruction starting Sept 29, 2025, with completion targeted for Jan 2026. Trails and village experiences continue; verify day-of details before you go. Conservation Halton

🍻 Hops & Harvest Festival (Area 8)

A lively outdoor festival featuring local food, craft beverages, live music, and a makers’ market—Oct 13–15, 2025. Tickets are released via ParkPass; check the official hub for schedules and vendors. ParkPass Project+1

🌄 Burlington: Escarpment Hikes & Gardens

🥾 Mount Nemo Conservation Area

Quiet, panoramic hikes with classic escarpment lookouts. Reservations aren’t required but are recommended on busy weekends (you’ll also save on gate fees when booking ahead). Bring layers—the cliff edge gets breezy. Conservation Halton

🌿 Royal Botanical Gardens (RBG)

RBG’s gardens and nature sanctuaries are open daily 10am–5pm in October. Watch for fall bird migration on the trails and seasonal content on the RBG site. Check the events calendar for guided walks or pop-up activities over the weekend. Royal Botanical Gardens+2Royal Botanical Gardens+2

🧺 Burlington Centre Lions Farmers’ Market

Stock your table with local produce, pies, and flowers on Saturday, Oct 11 (8am–2pm). The market runs Wed/Fri/Sat through Oct 25, 2025—plenty of time to restock for leftovers. Burlington Lions Club+1

🌊 Oakville: Parks, Galleries & Holiday Dining

🌳 Bronte Creek Provincial Park (Day-Use)

Picnic fields, easy trails, a children’s farm, and fall photo backdrops—all open for day-use year-round in 2025. Camping wraps Oct 26. Expect holiday-weekend crowds; arrive early. Ontario Parks

🖼️ Gairloch Gardens + Oakville Galleries

A lakefront gem for quiet walks and photos—park hours generally 6am–10pm (municipal parks), with Oakville Galleries at Gairloch hosting fall exhibitions (Gallery typically closed on statutory holidays; confirm hours). Paid municipal parking rules apply in nearby districts. Oakville+2OAKVILLE GALLERIES+2

🦃 Where to Eat: 2025 Thanksgiving Specials

  • PLANK Restobar – “PLANKSGIVING” (Bronte & Hamilton): annual turkey-dinner tradition, advertised for Sun Oct 12 & Mon Oct 13, 2025—reserve early. Facebook+1

  • Mo’s Family Restaurant (Oakville) – 15th Annual Free Thanksgiving Dinner, Mon Oct 13, 2025 at 5:30 pm (467 Speers Rd). Limited capacity; donations support Oakville Meals on Wheels. Facebook+1

  • Glen Abbey Golf Club – Thanksgiving Brunch (Sun Oct 12, 2025) with multi-station menu; multiple seatings starting 10am. Glen Abbey Golf Club

🧭 Reservation & Timing Tips (Do This First)

  • Pre-book Conservation Halton: Many parks use ParkPass for timed entry and add-ons (e.g., chairlift). Booking reduces gate fees and keeps lines short. Conservation Halton+1

  • Check closures the day of travel: Weather affects chairlift operations; Crawford Lake boardwalk is temporarily closed fall 2025. Conservation Halton+1

  • Go early on Saturday: Hit the Burlington market by 9–10am; hikes get busy late morning. Burlington Lions Club

🗺️ Sample Itineraries

🧒 Family-Friendly Sunday

🥾 Hiker’s Long Weekend

🍽️ Foodie Focus

🧠 Accessibility & Kid-Friendly Notes

  • Strollers: Kelso base areas and RBG’s Hendrie Park paths are stroller-friendly; escarpment trails (Nemo/Rattlesnake) have roots/rocks. Royal Botanical Gardens

  • Wheelchairs: Escarpment lookouts can be uneven; check RBG’s accessibility pages for garden access details. Royal Botanical Gardens

  • Wildlife Etiquette: Keep a safe distance at Mountsberg and on RBG trails during migration season. Royal Botanical Gardens

🧾 Quick Checks Before You Go

  • Parking & permits: Conservation Halton gate fees via ParkPass; Oakville municipal lots have paid hours; Bronte Creek requires a daily vehicle permit for day-use. Conservation Halton+2Oakville+2

  • Weather windows: Chairlifts pause for high winds/lightning; build a Plan B (RBG, galleries, downtown strolls). Conservation Halton

  • Holiday hours: Galleries/municipal offices may observe statutory closures on Monday. Verify day-of hours for Oakville Galleries. OAKVILLE GALLERIES

❓ FAQ

Q1: When is Thanksgiving in 2025?
A: Monday, October 13, 2025 (Canada), with most events spread across the entire long weekend. Time and Date

Q2: Do I need reservations for Conservation Halton parks?
A: Recommended on busy fall weekends (and often cheaper to pre-book). Add chairlift rides to your Kelso reservation on eligible days. Conservation Halton+1

Q3: Is the Kelso chairlift running on Thanksgiving Monday?
A: Yes—weekends + Thanksgiving Monday through Nov 2, 2025, weather permitting. Conservation Halton

Q4: Is Crawford Lake’s boardwalk open?
A: No. The boardwalk is temporarily closed from Sept 29, 2025 to Jan 2026 for reconstruction. The longhouse village and other experiences remain—check the park page before visiting. Conservation Halton

Q5: What day can I shop the Burlington market on the long weekend?
A: Saturday, Oct 11 (8am–2pm). The market runs Wed/Fri/Sat until Oct 25, 2025. Burlington Lions Club

Q6: Any special Thanksgiving meals in Oakville?
A: Yes—PLANKSGIVING (Sun/Mon), Glen Abbey brunch (Sun), and Mo’s Free Community Dinner (Mon). Book early; Mo’s fills up quickly. Facebook+2Glen Abbey Golf Club+2

Q7: Are these hikes suitable for kids?
A: Mount Nemo has cliff-edge lookouts—keep children close. Consider flatter trails at RBG or Bronte Creek for younger families. Conservation Halton+1

Q8: What’s the best time for peak colour photos?
A: Late afternoon “golden hour” on the escarpment; chairlift slots near sunset (if available) deliver dramatic views. Watch RBG’s On the Trails (Oct 2025) for phenology notes. Royal Botanical Gardens

🔗 Helpful Links (External)

✅ Online Research Verification (What We Checked)

  • Holiday date (Oct 13, 2025): Cross-checked with Timeanddate and general references. Time and Date+1

  • Chairlift schedule (Oct 4–Nov 2 + Thanksgiving Monday): Confirmed on Conservation Halton. Conservation Halton

  • ParkPass/reservations & fees: Verified Conservation Halton pages. Conservation Halton+1

  • Hops & Harvest dates (Oct 13–15, 2025): Verified via ParkPass booking flow and event hub. ParkPass Project+1

  • Burlington market schedule (through Oct 25, 2025; Wed/Fri/Sat, 8–2): Verified via Burlington Lions Club. Burlington Lions Club

  • Bronte Creek day-use (open year-round 2025; camping to Oct 26): Verified via Ontario Parks. Ontario Parks

  • Dining (PLANKSGIVING; Mo’s free dinner; Glen Abbey brunch on Oct 12): Verified via official posts/menus. Facebook+2Facebook+2

  • Crawford Lake boardwalk closure (Sept 29, 2025–Jan 2026): Verified on Conservation Halton park page. Conservation Halton

🏁 Wrap-Up

From chairlift panoramas and quiet garden strolls to lively markets and festive meals, Thanksgiving Milton Ontario Canada delivers a long weekend packed with family-friendly and photo-worthy moments. Build your plan with the dates above, book your time slots, and you’ll beat the crowds while catching peak colour.

📚 Sources & References

Timeanddate – Canadian Thanksgiving 2025; Conservation Halton (Chairlift, ParkPass, Hops & Harvest, Mountsberg, Crawford Lake update); Royal Botanical Gardens (hours/events + October trails article); Burlington Lions Club (market schedule); Ontario Parks (Bronte Creek operating dates); Glen Abbey Golf Club (Thanksgiving brunch); PLANK Restobar & Mo’s Family Restaurant (2025 holiday posts). Facebook+13Time and Date+13Conservation Halton+13

Fall into Nature at one of Conservation Halton’s great parks  (Video)

Kelso Conservation Area | Chairlift Ride | Milton  (Video)

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