Outdoor events in Toronto this fall will let you embrace the crisp air. Heat waves may be a thing of the past, but there's plenty to do outside before full blown hibernation is required. Scattered among the cozy indoor events that arise when sweater season hits are few outdoor gatherings worth layering up for.

Here are my picks for the top outdoor events in Toronto this fall.

Cask Days (October 23-25)
Arguably the best annual beer event held in Toronto if not all of Ontario, this year the 11th annual tribute to real ale returns to the Brickworks over five separate sessions featuring 150 participating breweries and over 300 beers. Tiered access tickets range from $35-$80 and are already selling fast.

Lightsaber Battle (October 24)
If you can't wait until the new Star Wars movie premieres later this year, you can awaken the force earlier thanks to a showdown that'll pit Jedi versus Sith for an epic-sounding lightsaber battle happening in the nearby galaxy of Toronto. Organized by homegrown company Newmindspace, the battle is scheduled to go down on October 24.

Night of Dread (October 24)
Clay & Paper Theatre is throwing its annual bash a week in advance of Halloween. The dress code is simple: black, white and dreadful. After partygoers parade around the streets in costume, there will be a bonfire, food, and live music by The Shuffle Demons.

PS Kensington (October 25)
Head to Kensington Market for the final installment of Pedestrian Sundays (until next year, that is). As per usual, you'll find a host of street performers, food on sticks, dancing in the streets and the Kensington Art Fair.

TFC Playoffs (October 28-29)
The Blue Jays may be considered our city's top team at the moment, but our soccer squad should stay on your radar. Toronto FC is headed to its first playoff game in franchise history.

Church Street Halloween Party (October 31)
The city's biggest Halloween extravaganza is back for another year, taking over Church Street for a night of ghoulish festivities. With the street closed from Alexander to Gloucester, there's plenty of partying to be done. If you don't have the funds to dip into every bar on the block, the street is just as lively (if not more so).

Day of the Dead (November 1)
Dia de Muertos festivities will be taking over the Evergreen Brick Works on the first day of November. Honour the deceased with live latin music and dance, and sample some Mexican food and drink. There will also be a few crafting activities, if you're bringing kids along

Santa Claus Parade (November 15)
Get into the Christmas spirit early by watching floats and entertainers take to the streets for the 110th Santa Claus Parade. If you're feeling athletic, you can take part in the Holly Jolly Fun Run, a 5k sprint that goes down before the parade.

Toronto Christmas Market (November 20-December 20)
The Toronto Christmas Market is returning to the Distillery District on November 20th. The illuminated streets will host street vendors, a beer market, live music and more. If you drop by, make sure you have your iPhone at the ready, the festive scene is very instagrammable.

Cavalcade of Lights (November 28)
The Cavalcade of Lights will have you thinking about the holidays, but it's still a fall event -- one that's been going on for 49 years at Nathan Phillips Square. There will be a fantastic fireworks display, the lighting of the city's Christmas tree, and skating at the City Hall rink. Bundle up and enjoy.

What did I miss? Add your favourite outdoor event this fall to the comments.

With contributions by Amy Grief. Photo of Cavalcade of Lights by chewie2008 in the blogTO Flickr pool.