No school on Monday, October 26? Why not turn that extra day off into a family adventure in Niagara Falls?
- Race Into PD Day at Niagara Speedway
- Take in the Fall Views From the Niagara SkyWheel
- Make a Full Day of It With the Clifton Hill FUN PASS
- Celebrate Halloween Early With Clifton Hill’s Spooky Attractions
- Grab Lunch and Keep Exploring Clifton Hill
- Catch a Whirlpool Jet Boat Ride Before the Season Ends
- Explore Niagara’s Fall Colours Before November
- Heartland Forest PD Day Camp
- Ball’s Falls Autumn Adventure PD Day Camp
- Free PD Day Activities at Niagara Falls Public Library
- Go Public Skating at the Gale Centre
- Which Ontario Schools Have a PD Day on October 26, 2026?
- Frequently Asked Questions About the October 26 PD Day
- Is Monday, October 26, 2026, a PD Day in Niagara Falls?
- Is October 26 a PD Day in Mississauga and Brampton?
- Are Clifton Hill attractions open on October 26?
- Can you visit Niagara Speedway in late October?
- Are Whirlpool Jet Boat Tours still operating in late October?
- What are the best free activities for kids on October 26?
- Are there organized PD Day camps in Niagara Falls?
- Make the Most of Your October PD Day in Niagara Falls
Thousands of students across Southern Ontario have a Professional Development (PD) or Professional Activity (PA) Day, including schools in Niagara, Hamilton, Peel, Waterloo and Durham regions. For families coming from Mississauga, Brampton, St. Catharines, Hamilton or Kitchener-Waterloo, Niagara Falls makes an exciting day-trip destination.
And with Halloween just five days away, there’s plenty to look forward to. Race around the elevated Niagara Speedway, enjoy the attractions on Clifton Hill, take in autumn views from the Niagara SkyWheel or catch one of Niagara’s seasonal outdoor adventures before they close for the year.
There are also local day camps, free library programs and affordable activities for families staying closer to home.
Here’s where to find the fun on Monday, October 26, 2026.
Race Into PD Day at Niagara Speedway
Location: Clifton Hill, Niagara Falls
If your family enjoys a little friendly competition, the Niagara Speedway is a great place to start your PD Day adventure.
This isn’t an ordinary go-kart track. Niagara Speedway combines a four-storey elevated spiral with a winding outdoor racecourse, creating a ride that feels part go-kart racing, part roller coaster.
Parents and kids can challenge one another as they navigate the turns, climb the spiral and race toward the finish line.
Niagara Speedway is one of Clifton Hill’s seasonal attractions, so late October is an especially good time to get in another race before the off-season. Most other major Clifton Hill attractions operate year-round.
Driver and passenger age and height restrictions apply.
Best for: Families with school-aged children, teens and parents who love a little competition.
Planning tip: Check operating hours for Monday, October 26, before visiting, as Speedway operations are seasonal and weather-dependent.
Take in the Fall Views From the Niagara SkyWheel
Location: Clifton Hill, Niagara Falls
There are few better ways to appreciate Niagara Falls in autumn than from 175 feet above Clifton Hill.
The Niagara SkyWheel offers sweeping views of the Horseshoe Falls, American Falls, Niagara River and surrounding city. At this time of year, colourful trees add another layer to the scenery, especially along the Niagara Gorge.
Each gondola is fully enclosed and climate-controlled, making it a comfortable experience even when late-October temperatures turn chilly.
The SkyWheel is a year-round attraction, making it a family favourite long after the fall season ends.
Best for: Families of all ages, including those visiting with younger children or grandparents.
Make a Full Day of It With the Clifton Hill FUN PASS
If you’re travelling to Niagara Falls for the PD Day, the Clifton Hill FUN PASS is an easy way to build an afternoon of family entertainment.
The pass combines six popular attractions in one package, giving families plenty of variety without having to drive between different destinations.
You can enjoy several attractions together or plan your visit around your children’s interests.
It’s especially convenient for families coming from Hamilton, Peel Region or Waterloo who want enough activities to fill a day trip.
Explore the Clifton Hill FUN PASS
Celebrate Halloween Early With Clifton Hill’s Spooky Attractions
With Halloween arriving Saturday, October 31, this PD Day is a great excuse to add a few spooky experiences to the family itinerary.
At Creepy Castle, guests can step into an immersive XD theatre experience filled with motion and special effects.
Ghost Blasters offers a different kind of haunted adventure. Riders travel through a ghost-filled setting, using laser blasters to hit targets and compete for points.
For even more entertainment, explore the Great Canadian Midway, home to hundreds of arcade games, or try Carnival Chaos, Strike Game Zone and Movieland Wax Museum.
These attractions offer plenty of family fun throughout the year, not just during Halloween.
Best for: Families who enjoy interactive entertainment, arcade games and a few playful scares.
Grab Lunch and Keep Exploring Clifton Hill
With so many attractions close together, it’s easy to enjoy Clifton Hill without spending the day driving between locations.
Stop for lunch at Boston Pizza or Kelseys Original Roadhouse, then head back out for mini-golf, arcade games or another ride on the SkyWheel.
Families driving into Niagara Falls can use the Clifton Hill parking lot, offering more than 700 spaces within walking distance of the entertainment district and the Falls.
For visiting families, the convenience of parking once, enjoying a meal and exploring several attractions is one of the biggest advantages of spending PD Day on Clifton Hill.
Catch a Whirlpool Jet Boat Ride Before the Season Ends
Location: 55 River Frontage Road, Queenston
For families who want to add a little adventure to their October outing, Whirlpool Jet Boat Tours offers one of Niagara’s most memorable outdoor experiences.
These powerful boats race through the lower Niagara Gorge toward the famous Class V rapids, surrounded by towering rock walls and colourful fall scenery.
October can be a particularly scenic time to experience the river, with brilliant autumn colours lining the gorge.
The 2026 season is scheduled to finish October 31, so this is among the final opportunities to enjoy the attraction before next year.
Families can choose between wet and dry jet boat tours. The dry Freedom Jet is a particularly appealing choice during cooler October weather.
Minimum age and height requirements apply.
Best for: Adventurous families with children who meet the ride requirements.
Planning tip: Confirm October 26 departure availability and reserve ahead of time.
Explore Niagara’s Fall Colours Before November
By late October, some of Niagara’s most scenic landscapes are approaching the end of their peak fall-colour season.
For families who enjoy spending time outdoors, there are several excellent places to explore.
Whirlpool Aero Car
Enjoy sweeping views of the Niagara Whirlpool and the surrounding gorge from a cable car suspended high above the water.
The fall colours make this historic attraction particularly photogenic.
White Water Walk
Follow a boardwalk alongside the Niagara River’s powerful rapids, with towering gorge walls rising around you.
It’s a remarkable way to experience the natural landscape up close.
Niagara Glen
For families who enjoy hiking, Niagara Glen offers winding trails through wooded areas and ancient rock formations.
The terrain includes steep stairs and uneven trails, so sturdy footwear is recommended, especially when fallen leaves cover the ground.
The Whirlpool Aero Car and White Water Walk are seasonal, so check their operating status before visiting.
Explore Niagara Fall Season Attractions
Heartland Forest PD Day Camp
Location: 8215 Heartland Forest Road, Niagara Falls
For parents looking for a supervised day camp, Heartland Forest is offering nature-focused programming on Monday, October 26.
Children can participate in games, crafts, science experiments and outdoor exploration.
The camp combines creative activities with opportunities to spend time outside and learn about the natural environment.
Camp details:
- Ages: 5–9
- Time: 9:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.
- Cost: $53 per child
- Activities: Nature exploration, games, crafts and science experiments
Registration is required.
Ball’s Falls Autumn Adventure PD Day Camp
Location: Ball’s Falls Conservation Area, 3292 Sixth Avenue, Lincoln
The Niagara Peninsula Conservation Authority is hosting an Autumn Adventure camp for children ages 4–11.
With the conservation area’s colourful fall landscape as a backdrop, campers can enjoy guided nature walks, seasonal crafts, games and hands-on outdoor activities.
Camp details:
- Ages: 4–11
- Time: 9:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m.
- Extended care: 8:00 a.m.–4:30 p.m.
- Cost: $55 per camper
- Extended care: Additional $13 per day, per family
Advance registration is required.
Free PD Day Activities at Niagara Falls Public Library
Families looking for free activities have several options at Niagara Falls Public Library branches.
PD Day Drop-In Fun
Time: 10:00–11:30 a.m.
Cost: Free
Ages: All ages
Participating locations include:
- Community Centre Library
- Stamford Centre Library
- Victoria Avenue Library
Children can enjoy hands-on activities such as games, creative crafts, scavenger hunts and obstacle courses.
Library PD Day Program Listings
Free Afternoon Movie: The Super Mario Galaxy Movie
Location: Community Centre Library
Time: 1:00–3:00 p.m.
Cost: Free
Enjoy a family-friendly afternoon screening of The Super Mario Galaxy Movie, listed with a G rating and a 99-minute runtime.
City of Niagara Falls PD Day Activities
EarlyON: Play, Learn & Connect
For families with younger children, EarlyON offers free play-based programs featuring songs, stories, games and hands-on activities.
Locations: Chippawa Library and Victoria Avenue Library
Ages: Birth to six years
Cost: Free
Consult the library schedule for individual session times.
Go Public Skating at the Gale Centre
Location: Gale Centre, Niagara Falls
Time: 12:45–2:45 p.m.
Another option for families on October 26 is public skating at the Gale Centre.
It’s an active and affordable way to spend an afternoon, particularly for families looking for an indoor activity.
Check with the City of Niagara Falls for current admission fees and skating guidelines.
Niagara Falls Recreation Programs
Which Ontario Schools Have a PD Day on October 26, 2026?
Monday, October 26, is a scheduled PD or PA Day for numerous school boards across Southern Ontario.
That means families from several communities within day-trip distance of Niagara Falls may have an extended weekend.
| Region | School boards observing October 26 |
|---|---|
| Niagara | District School Board of Niagara and Niagara Catholic — elementary and secondary |
| Hamilton | Hamilton-Wentworth public and Catholic boards |
| Peel — Mississauga, Brampton, Caledon | Peel District and Dufferin-Peel Catholic |
| Waterloo — Kitchener, Waterloo, Cambridge | Waterloo Region public and Catholic |
| Durham — Ajax, Whitby, Oshawa, Pickering | Durham public and Catholic |
| York — Vaughan, Markham, Richmond Hill | York Region public and Catholic — elementary only |
| London and area | Thames Valley District School Board |
The October 26 PD Day is not province-wide. Toronto and Halton school boards have different professional activity dates, and some calendars vary by grade level.
Check your local school board’s official calendar before making plans.
For Niagara families, refer to the DSBN PD Day Calendar and Niagara Catholic PA Day Calendar.
Frequently Asked Questions About the October 26 PD Day
Is Monday, October 26, 2026, a PD Day in Niagara Falls?
Yes. Both the District School Board of Niagara and Niagara Catholic District School Board have scheduled a PD/PA Day for elementary and secondary students.
Is October 26 a PD Day in Mississauga and Brampton?
Yes. Peel District School Board and Dufferin-Peel Catholic District School Board have October 26 scheduled as a professional activity day.
Are Clifton Hill attractions open on October 26?
Most major Clifton Hill attractions operate throughout the year, including the Niagara SkyWheel, indoor mini-golf, wax museum and arcade attractions. Niagara Speedway operates seasonally, so its hours should be confirmed before visiting.
Can you visit Niagara Speedway in late October?
Niagara Speedway is a seasonal attraction. Late-October operations are subject to its current schedule and conditions, so check operating availability for October 26 before planning a visit specifically around racing.
Are Whirlpool Jet Boat Tours still operating in late October?
The 2026 season is scheduled to end October 31, although departure availability varies. Check with the operator for October 26 departures.
What are the best free activities for kids on October 26?
Niagara Falls Public Library has free morning PD Day activities and an afternoon movie, while EarlyON offers free activities for younger children. Families can also explore the Falls and public parks.
Are there organized PD Day camps in Niagara Falls?
Yes. Heartland Forest is offering a PD Day Camp for children ages 5–9, while the Niagara Peninsula Conservation Authority has an Autumn Adventure program at Ball’s Falls for ages 4–11.
Make the Most of Your October PD Day in Niagara Falls
With Halloween around the corner and autumn winding down, Monday, October 26, is a great opportunity for families to make some memories together.
Get in another race at Niagara Speedway if it’s operating, see the fall scenery from the Niagara SkyWheel, enjoy six attractions with the Clifton Hill FUN PASS or take one of the season’s final jet boat adventures through the Niagara Gorge.
For families across Southern Ontario enjoying an extended weekend, Niagara Falls offers the perfect mix of excitement, outdoor scenery and easy-to-plan family entertainment.
And while a few outdoor experiences wrap up for the season, Clifton Hill’s year-round attractions keep the family fun going long after October.
Operating hours, program availability and admission prices may change. Confirm details directly with individual attractions and organizers before visiting on Monday, October 26, 2026.