Take your pick: adrenaline packed or slow and contemplative?
Published on Aug 25, 2026
Back to school doesn't have to mean back to routine. September in the Eastern Townships still serves up plenty of warm days, outdoor adventures, festivals, and delicious reasons to get away—plus the first spectacular colours of fall.
And with the region just a short drive from Montreal, Ontario, and northern New England, escaping for a day or a whole weekend is easy. Here are some of the best things to do in the Eastern Townships this September.
September brings one of the moments we've been waiting for all year: the return of fall colours. As green gradually gives way to brilliant shades of yellow, orange, and red, head for the mountains to hike, take in the views, and celebrate the beginning of one of the Eastern Townships' most beautiful seasons.
September fall colour highlights
September 18–October 18 – Flambée des couleurs at Mont-Orford – Celebrate fall with colourful mountain scenery and seasonal activities.
September 19–October 18 – Sutton Fall Festival – Hikhttps://montsutton.com/en/activity/fall-fest/e, ride the chairlift, and soak up spectacular fall scenery.
Find even more fall fun on our Eastern Townships Events page.
September is harvest season—and your appetite is invited. Some of the region's most delicious events arrive just as local fields, orchards, and vineyards are hitting their stride. Think wine and craft beer, apple pie and plenty of gourmet discoveries.
September foodie highlights
September 5–7 & 12–13 – Fête des Vendanges in Magog – Celebrate the harvest with Québec wines, ciders, spirits, local products, and plenty of festive entertainment.
September 18–20 – La Grande Coulée at Mont Orford – Raise a glass to craft beer in the setting of Mont-Orford.
September 20 – Apple Pie Festival in Stanbridge East – Celebrate a quintessential fall favourite with plenty of apple-filled goodness.
Discover even more foodie events worth adding to your September itinerary.
September’s cooler temperatures and beautiful scenery make it a great month to get moving. Want to cycle for fun, test your endurance, cheer on competitors, or simply look for an excuse to spend the day outdoors? We’ve got just the challenge for you.
September sporting highlights
September 6 – Défi des Collines in Sainte-Catherine-de-Hatley – Take on a running challenge from 5K to 30K through scenic rolling hills.
September 12 – L'Estriade la nuit in Granby – Experience the Estriade bike path after dark on a festive nighttime ride for all ages, with costumes, immersive stations, and more.
September 19 – Fête du vélo in Sherbrooke – Join cyclists of all stripes for fun, food, entertainment, and even a special challenge.
Explore even more outdoor activities in the Eastern Townships
Why squeeze all the fun into a single day? September is ideal for a family weekend away: the summer crowds have eased, the fall colours are beginning to appear, and there's still plenty of time to play outside.
Choose an itinerary that fits your family's idea of a perfect getaway:
Magog: Hiking, Biking & Local Flavours – A 3-day, 12-stop circuit that combines outdoor adventures with delicious local discoveries.
Outdoor & Nature Exploration – A 3-day, 11-stop journey during which you’ll meet friendly animals, reach mountain summits and spend your nights under the stars.
Looking for more places to stay? Find the perfect cabin for your September family getaway.
Fall may be putting on a show outdoors, but there's plenty happening on stage, in galleries, and throughout the region's towns and villages too. September brings literature, visual arts, music, heritage, and plenty of opportunities to make culture part of your getaway.
September arts & culture highlights
September 3–6 – Rendez-vous d'Howard in Sherbrooke – An arts and culture festival with a deep love of history, including an antique car show.
September 10–13 – Les Correspondances d'Eastman – This year’s festival explores friendship and the bonds that unite us through literature, with special guests and artists.
September 11–13 – La Grande Virée artistique de Sherbrooke – Thirty local artists and artisans open the doors to their studios and workshops. Stop in, meet the creators, and discover their work.
Explore even more Eastern Townships cultural and heritage experiences.
September is that sweet spot between seasons: warm afternoons, cool evenings, brighter colours, smaller crowds… and plenty of reasons to squeeze in another getaway before autumn takes over completely.
Share your favourite September moments with us on social media and tag the Eastern Townships so we can follow along. Then come back next month—we'll be sharing the best things to do in the Eastern Townships in October, when fall is officially in full colour.
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