25 things to do in La Petite-Nation this fall

Fall out here isn't only about the leaves. Sure, the maples go red and everybody pulls out their phone. But at the same time the theatres start up again, the villages throw their last parties before winter, and the Christmas markets are already getting organized.

We went through the calendar. Here are 25 things to do between now and the end of November, roughly in order, plus a few standbys that last all season.

Thanksgiving weekend

1. Catch the Manoir-Papineau before it closes. The Manoir-Papineau National Historic Site shuts for the winter after Thanksgiving. In the fall it's open Saturdays and Sundays, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., until October 12. If you've never seen the big red oak in the garden in October, this is your window.

2. A hundred watercolours at Jean-Yves Guindon's. The painter's fall exhibition is back October 9 to 11, 1 to 4 p.m., in his gallery and outdoor pavilions in Saint-André-Avellin. Fourteenth year, rain or shine.

3. The Pumpkin Ball in Ripon. The village harvest party, October 10 and 11, with a special market at Place du Marché and family activities scattered around town.

4. The One-of-a-Kind Experience. More than 50 exhibitors (artisans, artists, authors, musicians) plus workshops all day at the Papineauville community centre on October 10. Free admission.

5. Boileau's western méchoui supper. Listed for Saturday, October 10 on the municipality's resident portal. Double-check the details before you drive up.

6. Disco skate. The arena at Complexe Whissell in Saint-André-Avellin cranks the music on October 10 and November 7, 6 to 9 p.m. Costumes welcome. Teenagers pretend they don't want to go, then stay till the end.

The rest of October

7. A traditional dance night in Saint-Sixte. Live musicians, a caller who walks you through the steps, and nobody knows what they're doing at first. Next ones: October 16 and November 20 at 7 p.m. at the community centre. Capped at 70 people, so book online.

8. Notre-Dame de Paris's organist, in Montebello. On October 23 at 7:30 p.m., Thibault Fajoles plays Bach, Franck and Saint-Saëns on the church's hundred-year-old Casavant organ, which has been brought back to life. Free, donations welcome. Probably the most unexpected night out of the season.

9. Les Automnales de Plaisance. A brand-new fall fair, October 23 to 25 at 222 rue Principale: farmers, artisans, exhibits, shows and a karaoke night. First edition, so follow their Facebook page for the lineup.

10. Punk in Ripon. The Ripunk collective brings Dekora and Lashout to Place du Marché on October 24. $15. A nice break from the acoustic guitar crowd.

11. Autumn Harvest at the Château Montebello. October 30, 7 to 10 p.m.: wines from five Canadian producers and a standing dinner from the Château's chefs. Spots are limited, so reserve.

12. Halloween in Chénéville. On the evening of October 31, shops, local groups and residents hand out candy on the church grounds and along rue Principale. The kids walk the whole village in costume.

13. Saint-Émile's Haunted Dome. Volunteers in Saint-Émile-de-Suffolk turn the Dome next to town hall into a haunted house for Halloween. The date goes out on the municipality's channels.

November, and it's already Christmas

14. The Papineauville Christmas Fair. November 7 and 8 at the community centre behind the high school. The first Christmas market of the season around here.

15. Ripon's Christmas market. November 20 to 22, with Place du Marché at the heart of the weekend.

16. Montebello's Christmas market. The big one. It runs November 27 to 29, then again December 4 to 6, in front of the church. More than 40 producers and artisans, free shows in the evening. Leave the dog at home.

All season long

17. Mishtamishk 2 at the Centre Napoléon-Bourassa. Installations by Innu artist Sonia Robertson, until November 15. Thursday to Sunday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., and free, as always at the exhibition centre.

18. Comedy at the Salle Desjardins. Les Productions Les 2 Vallées bring their try-out shows to the Salle Desjardins in Papineauville: Louis-José Houde, P-A Méthot, Guy Nantel and José Gaudet this fall. 357 seats, so they go fast.

19. A show at Le St-André. Bernard Adamus, David Pineau, Yann Perreau, and plenty of tribute bands in between. Le St-André is half pub, half venue, and you're close to the stage.

20. A movie with Cinémaboule. La Petite-Nation's film club screens a movie every other Thursday at 7 p.m. at the Salle Desjardins. The schedule is on their site.

21. The last Saturday market in Ripon. The Place du Marché market runs 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. through Thanksgiving. After that, Market Fridays keep going all year: supper at the bistro and a show at 6:30 p.m.

Outside, and at the table

22. Climb the Mont Grand-Pic tower. At Montagnes Noires, the 12-metre tower on the summit gives you a full 360. In October, that's the best reward for a climb you'll find.

23. The Plaisance falls before closing. Parc national de Plaisance is open until mid-October. The falls drop more than 35 metres, two kilometres return from the parking lot.

24. Lost-apple cider and natural wine. Les Pommes perdues in Chénéville makes cider from wild apples picked along back roads. In Ripon, Fragments makes natural wine from cold-hardy vines, and Domaine Mont-Vézeau has more than 14,500 vines at the foot of its hill. Check opening hours before you go.

25. Order your turkey from a farm. Ferme À Sabourin in Ripon has worked the same land since 1927 and sells chicken, lamb and turkey in the fall, to order. Over in Lochaber-Partie-Ouest, the orchard switches to squash in the fall.

Quick tip: October is also hunting season. Before you hit a trail, check whether the park has closed any sections.

Is your village putting on something that isn't here? Let us know and we'll add it to the calendar.

MontebelloSaint-André-AvellinRiponPapineauvilleBoileauSaint-SixtePlaisanceChénévilleSaint-Émile-de-SuffolkLochaber-Partie-Ouest

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