The blue skies, long days, and warm weather are finally here to stay. June is a great month to start spending more time outside, and it’s also the start of the season for festivals and outdoor markets, so there are tons of great family-friendly activities you won’t want to miss. Grab your family and get out there to enjoy all the wonderful events Toronto and the GTA have to offer.
For even more happenings in Toronto and the GTA, see our Events Directory, updated daily.
On this month in Toronto and the GTA:
Toronto Public Library: Aboriginal Celebration Month – FREE
The Toronto Public Library is celebrating Canada’s Indigenous heritage for the entire month of June with some amazing free programs for kids and families. At their Aboriginal Celebration Month, you can enjoy storytelling, musical performances, puppet shows, arts and crafts, and so much more. Check your local branch for details. All month: June 1–30
Pirate Ship Adventure
Enjoy the sea faring life on your very own Pirate Ship Adventure. Kids and parents will love this interactive experience. Become part of the crew using costumes, face paint and a new pirate name. With water canons and sword fights, this is adventure theatre at its best. The search for sunken treasure starts and ends at Centre Island. June – October
Sharing Dance Day
Head to Yonge-Dundas Square for a day of exercise and fun with Canada’s National Ballet School. Sharing Dance Day includes professional dance performances, free dance classes, a live band, and more. Participants will even get to learn their own dance routine to perform with friends and family. June 3
Solar Observing at the Ontario Science Centre – FREE
Get up close and personal with our nearest star at the Ontario Science Centre’s Solar Observing event. Kids can safely observe the sun (weather permitting) with specially filtered telescopes, and learn more about the sun while trying to spot exotic surface features, including sunspots, spicules, and prominences. June 4
100in1Day – FREE
The third annual 100In1Day is a festival of civic engagement to unite hundreds of people to improve Toronto one small act at a time. Individually, a single act may not seem like much, but performing hundreds of acts as a group will make a BIG impact; just imagine the possibilities! June 4
ROMwalks – FREE
Every Wednesday and Sunday, the Royal Ontario Museum hosts a walking tour (ROMwalks) around one of Toronto’s historic neighbourhoods. Rain or shine, you and your family can learn about Toronto’s architectural and cultural history, discuss the changes happening in our growing city, and get a unique perspective of each vibrant neighbourhood you visit. June 5,
4th Annual Liberty Village Art Crawl – FREE
One of the best outdoor art fairs in Toronto, the Liberty Village Art Crawl gathers 65+ talented artists, designers and local food truck vendors. Enjoy some live music and support our local talent. There is a Man Cave section to the event, so be sure to pick up something for Dad for Father’s Day! June 11
Jr. Jays Saturdays
Bring your family to the ballpark every Saturday home game for fun activities and entertainment at Jr. Jays Saturdays. There are specially priced kids’ tickets, and kids can run the bases after the game! June 11, Jays vs. Orioles
Donkey Day
Head to Donkey Day at the Donkey Sanctuary of Canada for a full day of fun and fundraising for animal lovers. Enjoy family-friendly activities, including the Kids’ Fun Fest, live entertainment, demonstrations, food trucks, and a silent auction. Feel free to bring a picnic or snacks to enjoy pond-side and go for a walk on one of the trails. And don’t forget to visit with one of the 70 donkeys and mules on site! June 12
Family Funday: Calling all Makers
Head to the Royal Ontario Museum (ROM) for Family Funday: Calling all Makers. You and your family can build and design, or just play around. Get creative with some great interactive activities that will have you getting hands-on with making! You can also enjoy some live choir music (and join in the singing), and head over to the ROM arcade to play some unique video games. June 19
Pajama Night (Good Night Barn)
Head over to Cambellville for an evening of family fun under the stars. Put the kids in their pjs and say good night to the whole barn, including the rabbits, sheep, horses, and goats at Mountsberg’s farm. At Pajama Night, you’ll learn all about the nighttime habits and rituals of the animals, create a farm-themed craft, take a night hike, and enjoy storytelling and s’mores by the campfire. June 25
Theatre, Concerts, Dance, and Movies
Alice in Wonderland at Shaw Festival All month
The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe at Stratford Festival All month
Agatha Christie’s The Mousetrap at Lower Ossington Theatre Until June 12
Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat at Lower Ossington Theatre All month
The Last Dinosaur at Solar Stage Children’s Theatre June 4
Le Petit Prince – Ballet World Premiere by the National Ballet of Canada June 4–12
The Whole Shebang Burlington – FREE at The Burlington Performing Arts Centre June 4
Hansel and Gretel at Solar Stage Children’s Theatre June 5
Colour Me Spring by Young Voices Toronto Children’s Choir June 5
The Hobbit by Canadian Children’s Opera Company June 9–12
The Emperor’s New Clothes at Solar Stage Children’s Theatre June 11–26
The Little Mermaid at Solar Stage Children’s Theatre June 11–26
McCarthy School of Dance: Dance Dreams at The Burlington Performing Arts Centre June 12
The Little Mermaid at Betty Oliphant Theatre June 19
Gotta Sing, Gotta Dance 2016 at The Burlington Performing Arts Centre June 21–22
Free Flicks at Harbourfront – Mean Girls – FREE June 22
Pirates Don’t Babysit at Toronto Fringe Festival June 29–July 10
Free Flicks at Harbourfront – Strange Brew – FREE June 29
Festivals
Open Tuning: A Free Music Festival – FREE
Seaton Village is coming alive with music for the 3rd annual Open Tuning: A Free Music Festival. You can enjoy live performances from all musical genres on local streets and porches, in alleyways, parks, garages, and businesses. The music will be all around you! June 1
Toronto Festival of Children’s Opera
A full two weeks of inspirational music and creative drama for the whole family. This is opera for, by and about young people, including an epic production of The Hobbit, a lecture by a children’s author, community performances, and a children’s opera symposium. The Toronto Festival of Children’s Opera is not to be missed. June 2–12
Mac and Cheese Festival
The Mac and Cheese Festival is exactly what is sounds like: an entire festival just for mac and cheese! But this is no ordinary mac and cheese – think unusual toppings, fancy cheese, and crazy taste combinations. Ontario Place is re-opening to bring us our favourite comfort food, prepared by 45 of Toronto’s best chefs, cook, and food entrepreneurs. Don’t forget to vote for the best one! June 3–5
Field Trip Music and Arts Festival: Day Camp – FREE for kids
Each year at the Field Trip Music and Arts Festival, a day camp is available for kids (free for ages 12 and under), with great kid-friendly activities, live musical performances, bouncy castles, ping pong tables, and more. A great way to spend a day. June 4–5
Downtown Milton Street Festival – FREE
Head to the Downtown Milton Street Festival and enjoy some great music, local artisans, community groups, live entertainment, shopping opportunities, food trucks, an entire Kid Zone, and more. Transit to and from the festival is free! June 4
DIVERSITYfest – FREE
Head to Yonge-Dundas Square for DIVERSITYFest and an entire day of great family-friendly activities. Festivities include cultural performances, local entertainment, and international stars. Be sure to taste some of the delicious food from around the world. June 5
Burlington Kite Festival – FREE
Let fun take flight at the annual Burlington Kite Festival! Join in for a day of soaring discovery, with activities such as face painting, kite building, clown performances, and more. June 5
Luminato Festival
The Luminato Festival is a boisterous event sprawling all over the city with music, theatre, dance, visual arts, literature, film, and much more. Many of the events and activities are family-friendly, including daily concerts, literary talks, and food events inspired by different countries. June 10–26
Ribfests in the GTA
Kick off summer with great bands, tasty ribs, and much more at one of the great Ribfests in the GTA. Enjoy live music, entertainment, kid fun zones, great food, midway rides, and even fireworks.
Oakville Family Ribfest June 24–26
Toronto Ribfest 2016 June 30–July 3
Oh Canada Ribfrest in Waterdown June 30–July 3
Flea and Farmers’ Markets
Sherway Farmers’ Market
For over 20 years, Sherway Farmers’ Market has been offering fresh local produce and locally made products. With fresh veggies, cheese, meats, desserts, and more, the market has everything you need to create a delicious meal. It’s open every Friday, rain or shine. Fridays from 8 am–2 pm
Waterfront Artisan Market
The Waterfront Artisan Market showcases local designers, chefs, bakers and makers to inspire our city and highlight its culture. This open-air market takes place over six weekends along Toronto’s beautiful waterfront. June 18–19
Richmond Hill’s Farmers’ Market
Celebrate opening day at Richmond Hill’s Farmers’ Market with some yummy food, an experienced children’s performer, and some kid-friendly activities. The market has fresh produce, baked goods, handmade arts and crafts, and great family entertainment and activities every Sunday between June and September. June 19 – Opening Day
Leslieville Flea
With 50+ vendors selling a variety of items, the Leslieville Flea is a great place to take the family shopping (or just browsing!) on a Sunday. There are handcrafted items, upcycled goods, furniture, collectibles, antiques, and other great pieces sold by select artisans. Find something unique!
June 19 at Ashbride Estate
June 25 at the Distillery District
For more farmers’ markets, check out our Guide to Toronto Farmers’ Markets feature!
Father’s Day
Father’s Day is June 19th, so be sure to check our Father’s Day Event Guide or updated event listings to plan a great day for Dad.
Fundraisers and Charity Events
Gutsy Walk for Crohn’s and Colitis Canada
Gutsy Walk for Crohn’s and Colitis is a one-day fundraiser to fuel research, improve lives, and help find cures. The event supports Canadians living with Crohn’s or colitis, as well as the family, friends, and coworkers affected by the disease. It’s a community event! June 5
Relay for Life
The money raised through Relay For Life funds Canada’s most promising cancer research and vital support services for cancer patients and their families in our local communities. You can join the walk, cheer for friends and family, or participate in the trackside activities. Enjoy physical family fun and raise money for a good cause!
Relay for Life Brampton June 11
Relay for Life Toronto June 18
Relay for Life Mississauga June 25
British Car Day at Black Creek Pioneer Village
Black Creek Pioneer Village is hosting this amazing event for car lovers to help raise money for Sick Kids Hospital. You and the family can explore more than 50 amazing cars and have your picture taken with your favourite for a small donation at British Car Day. Don’t forget to explore the village while you’re there. June 26
READ MORE LIKE THIS:
- 50 Free Spring Family Activities in Toronto and the GTA
- Toronto’s 9 Best Burgers for Kids
- 24 Summer Reads for Kids, Tweens, and Teens
Keep informed with all our camps coverage and find the perfect camp by searching our Toronto & GTA camps directory.
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