Looking for a creative escape from Toronto? Just an hour northeast of the city lies a world of rolling hills, charming historic towns, and extraordinary local art.
Rediscover Art Just Outside Toronto
If you're hunting for unique things to do near Toronto this fall, look no further than the Uxbridge Studio Tour, a vibrant art adventure that takes place on the third weekend of each September. For 2025 the tour will take place on Saturday, September 20th and Sunday, September 21st.
Marked on calendars since 1985, the tour is celebrating its 40th anniversary with more than 60 talented artists opening doors to their creative worlds.
A Self-Guided Journey Through Creativity
The Uxbridge Studio Tour is built around a self-guided format, using handy maps and the Toureka! app to help visitors explore 23+ studios across central, north, and south Uxbridge. They even provide an interactive map if that's your preference.
Visitors can wander through historic downtown spaces, discover workshops hidden in forests, and meander through pastoral farmland studios, all within easy reach of Toronto by car or GO Transit.
JURIED QUALITY: Each studio artist is chosen for the tour through a rigorous selection process, ensuring high standards in creativity, skill, and studio access. You can expect to see some truly magical spaces as well as a wide array of art styles, including:
- Painting – From vivid landscapes and rural scenes to expressive abstracts and modern impressionism. The paintings on display span a wide range of techniques and visual styles. Watercolours, acrylics, and oils bring nature, emotion, and imagination to life.
- Ceramics & Pottery – Expect everything from elegant, functional tableware to sculptural pieces with unexpected textures, glazes, and themes. Many of the tour ceramists draw inspiration from the natural world, creating pieces that feel both grounded and artful.
- Jewellery – Discover dazzling pieces handcrafted with metals, stones, and glass. Whether minimalist or intricately detailed, the jewellery and glass beads are eye-catching and deeply personal.
- Textile, Leather & Fibre Art – A tactile delight, these works incorporate felt, wool, thread, paper, fabric, and leather. Explore everything from modern quilting and leather wall art to wearable pieces and hand-dyed goods that blend tradition with innovation.
- Sculpture & Woodworking – For lovers of form and structure, there are sculptural works in glass, metal, wood, and mixed materials. Organic curves, unexpected combinations, and bold experimentation make this category especially memorable.
- Photography & Mixed Media – You’ll also find breathtaking photography, collages, encaustic (wax-based) art, and mixed media experiments that push the boundaries of conventional categories.
This diverse range of artistic styles makes the Uxbridge Studio Tour a top destination for art lovers, families, and Toronto weekend explorers alike.
Plan Your Route with Ease
Download the Toureka! app to map your day across the central, north, and south studio clusters. Whether you opt for a few downtown stops or a full-day rural trek, you can map out the perfect route to match your pace. Studios stay open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday. Visitors are welcome to walk straight in without an appointment, and parking is available at each site.
Eat, Sip, Refuel & Relax
Exploring art builds an appetite, and the Uxbridge area is the perfect place to quench that thirst and fill your tummy. Weather you are looking for a quick refreshment or a sit down meal, Uxbridge has it all! Some great stops to consider include tour sponsors:
- Annina’s Bakeshop & Café: Perfect for country-style breakfasts, brunch, or fresh-baked treats
- Bridge Social: Cozy café ideal for coffee and refuelling between studios
- The Passionate Cook’s Essentials: Stop for gourmet grilled cheese or charcuterie boxes—they’re walking-friendly fuel
- Second Wedge Brewing Co.: Sample local craft beer or cider alongside Foundry Kitchen’s wood-fired pizza in their leafy beer garden
- 9 by Tin: Stylish lounge serving artisan pizza, fresh pasta, burgers, desserts, and cocktails in an intimate setting
- Muko Sushi: For lovers of Japanese and Korean fusion cuisine in elegant surroundings
- Urban Pantry & Fig Kitchen & Market: Farm-to-table fare with seasonal menus—perfect for a sit-down lunch
- Tindall Farm & Market: A farm stand stocked with seasonal produce, baked goods, and DIY picnicking options
Uxbridge’s historic downtown rewards visitors with boutiques like Blue Heron Books and The Passionate Cook’s Essentials, and for outdoor lovers, nearby Durham Forest trails offer a post-art reflective walk under the fall foliage.
Tips for a Smooth Visit
So, how should you prepare for a fantastic tour? Here are a few tips from a regular tour goer:
- Wear comfortable shoes and bring a water bottle, layered clothing, and a notebook to jot down art desires or contact information.
- Bring cash and a card. You never know when you'll spot that perfect piece. Many studios accept credit cards and eTransfers, but some accept cash only.
- Be mindful of photography rules. Always ask permission before snapping photos of artists or their work.
- Make reservations well in advance for sit-down places like 9 by Tin, Urban Pantry, and Fig Kitchen - they fill up quickly.
Ready to Explore?
The Uxbridge Studio Tour 2025 is one of the best day trips near Toronto this September, blending live art, creativity, natural beauty, and small-town hospitality. Whether you're discovering painting, pottery, jewellery, or woodwork, the Tour connects you with artists and their spaces.
Bring family, friends, or go solo! Embrace the magic of this milestone celebration.
- Save the dates: September 20–21, 2025
- Plan your route with Toureka!
- Book ahead at restaurants
- Follow @UxbridgeStudioTour on social media with #UxbridgeStudioTour to stay inspired and inspire others.
