First observed in Ontario in 2008, Family Day is a welcome break from the February blahs. Shake off the winter blues and get out and about to enjoy the many celebrations (indoors and out) this Family Day, Monday, February 18!
Toronto Family Day Events
Whatever your interpretation of winter fun, you can find it in Toronto on Family Day weekend. Outdoor bonfires, indoor inflatables, history activities, sports activities, nature activities, art activities…and plenty of family skating opportunities in every corner of the city.
All In Winter Festival (East End)
There’s something for everyone at this free festival, hosted at East York Community Centre – kids can enjoy the pop-up playground and photo scavenger hunt as well as the free food and drinks, while families can contribute to the outdoor clothing drive.
Where: 1081 1/2 Pape Ave., TorontoWhen: Monday, 1–4 pm
Cost: Free
Improv Showdown at The Second City (Downtown)
The Second City presents a special high-energy Family Day comedy show, specially created for kids and their grown-ups. Two teams of improvisers face off in a winner-takes-all comedy showdown, helped by suggestions and volunteers from the audience.
Where: The Second City,When: Showtimes Saturday and Sunday at noon, Monday at 2 and 4:30 pm
Cost: Kids (12 and under) $12, adults $15
AGO Family Day 2019 (Downtown)
Have an artistic holiday at the Art Gallery of Ontario’s all-day collage party. Build sculptures, make a puzzle, or create a zine. Get musical in the family karaoke lounge or learn some new dance moves from the FlowHER House Collective dance crew, or take a break in the Quiet Space.
Where: 317 Dundas St. W., TorontoWhen: Monday 10:30 am–4 pm
Cost: Admission $11–$19.50; ages 5 and under free
DUKE on Ice Family Winterfest (North York)
Spend the afternoon skating to music and entertainment presented by the Duke Heights BIA. There will be food stalls, maple syrup candy, face painting, caricatures, books, and raffle prizes to keep everyone entertained. And skate rentals will be available at no cost!
Where: 2 Champagne Dr., TorontoWhen: Monday, 1–5 pm
Cost: Free!
Family Day Fun at Bata Shoe Museum (Midtown)
Bata Shoe Museum has made plans for the Family Day holiday, and invites you to come along. Arts and crafts with a Winter Wonderland theme will be waiting for you to get creative, surrounded by shoes, shoes, shoes!
Where: 327 Bloor St. W., TorontoWhen: Monday, 10 am–4 pm
Cost: $5–$14, free for kids under 5
Family Day Weekend at the Toronto Zoo (Scarborough)
Celebrate National Hippo Day with the zoo’s newest hippo, Penelope, explore the Orchid Oasis and “Meet the Gardener”, and take part in the family Owl Prowl this Family Day weekend.
Where: 2000 Meadowvale Rd., TorontoWhen: Saturday–Monday 9:30 am–4:30 pm; Owl Prowl Sunday 7 pm–9 pm
Cost: Admission $14–$23; free for ages 2 and under; Owl Prowl $20
Family Day Winter Fair (Scarborough)
The family can enjoy carnival games, face painting, crafts, Plinko, and a magic show while they warm up at the hot chocolate station at the Church of the Holy Trinity, Guildwood’s Winter Fair.
Where: 85 Livingston Rd., TorontoWhen: Monday 1–3 pm
Cost: Free!
Family Winter Fun Day (Downtown)
The Bentway skating trail leads you to a myriad of activities at Fort York. The whole family can dress up in period costume and sip hot chocolate and feast on roasted marshmallows. With face painting, performances, crafts, and interactive exhibitions.
Where: Fort York, 250 Fort York Blvd., TorontoWhen: Monday 10 am–9 pm
Cost: Free!
Family Day Weekend at Ontario Place (Downtown)
Ontario Place is celebrating winter with family-friendly activities like skating parties, a YMCA pop-up camp, a free screening at the Cinesphere, special-effects makeup workshops from SPFX Kids, community bonfires (with hot chocolate!), and more. The Winter Lights Exhibition and twinkling fairy lights to create a festive winter feel. Some activities require registration.
Where: Ontario Place, 955 Lake Shore Blvd. W., TorontoWhen: Saturday 3–11 pm, Sunday 3–8 pm, Monday 1–10 pm; most special events take place on Monday
Cost: Free
Family Winter Fun Day at Scarborough Museum (Scarborough)
Visit the blacksmith, build a snowman, and join the ice cube scavenger hunt, then warm up by the bonfire with marshmallows, hot chocolate, potato soup and fresh bread. Don’t miss going inside, where you can pose for “historic selfies” and play board games.
Where: 1007 Brimley Rd., TorontoWhen: noon–4 pm
Cost: Free
Toronto Qinhuai Lantern Festival (Scarborough)
The Lantern Festival features lanterns large and small, beautifully artistic and whimsical, as well as the Lion Dance, family games, Chinese cuisine, prizes, and more.
Where: 1500 Birchmount Rd., TorontoWhen: 5:30–9:30 pm
Cost: Free
Family Fun Fest (North York)
There’s fun for the whole family on Family Day Weekend, with bouncy castles, kiddie midway rides, live entertainment, carnival and arcade games, and giant inflatable slides, all at Downsview Park.
Where: Downsview Park, 40 Carl Hall Rd., TorontoWhen: Saturday–Monday 10 am–6 pm
Cost: Kids $30, adults $10, family $70
VIP Kids Day at the Hall (Downtown)
The Hockey Hall of Fame celebrates Family Day by granting kids VIP status. They will receive a free gift, take a picture with the Stanley Cup and the hall’s mascot Slapshot, and play all day in the interactive zones. And, with admission, kids eat at the next door restaurant for free!
Where: 30 Yonge St., TorontoWhen: 10 am–5 pm
Cost: Kids $14, adults $16–$20, free for ages 3 and under
WinterRouge (Scarborough)
Learn to camp, try snowshoeing, feed the birds! Enjoy all aspects of the great, wintry outdoors at Rouge Park’s Family Day fest. With ice carving demos, hockey interactives, and a colossal straw snowman. And satisfy your sweet tooth with maple syrup treats, s’mores, and hot chocolate!
Where: Bob Hunter Memorial Park, Rouge Park, TorontoWhen: Monday 11 am–3 pm
Cost: Free
Family Day Events Out of Town
You don’t have to be downtown to enjoy Family Day fun on February 18. See a play, explore the wonders of nature in winter, and go snow tubing!
Aurora’s Arctic Adventure (Aurora)
Enjoy a host of family activities an hour’s drive from Toronto, such as ice carvings, skating, mini snow tubing, live entertainment, inflatables, fire juggling, and a cozy bonfire. And take part in winter games like mini ice fishing and mini curling.
Where: 49 Wells St., Aurora Town Park, AuroraWhen: Monday 10 am–4 pm
Cost: Free!
Free Family Day at Kortright (Woodbridge)
Embrace the great outdoors on Family Day, with snowshoeing or hiking through the forest, hot chocolate and snacks at a fire, and building winter shelters. Then pop inside the Kortright Centre’s Visitor Centre to make a craft and visit some reptiles.
Where: 9550 Pine Valley Dr., WoodbridgeWhen: noon–3 pm
Cost: Free
Geronimo Stilton: Mouse in Space (Richmond Hill)
The famed, reluctantly adventurous mouse, Geronimo Stilton, is joined by pals Thea, Trap, and Benjamin as he blasts off in this theatrical event from Electric Moon Theatre. Based on the popular book series, Elisabetta Dami’s original idea has been adapted for the stage by John Maclay for this action-packed production.
Where: Richmond Hill Centre for the Performing Arts, 10268 Yonge St., Richmond Hill.When: Showtimes Monday at 11 am and 2 pm
Cost: $20
Sharron Matthews Cabaret for Kids (Brampton)
Award-winning artist Sharron Matthews brings her cabaret act Invincible Me, Invincible You to the children, with tales of childhood and contemporary songs that kids can relate to and sing along with.
Where: 1 Theatre Lane, BramptonWhen: Showtimes Monday at 2 pm and 6:30 pm
Cost: $25
Kids-Fest (Hamilton)
Come to the Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum all Family Day Weekend for some family fun. Exotic birds and animals, a cheerleading exhibition, Mad Science, and Ugly Dolls all put on a show, as kids enjoy a huge array of inflatables and parents check out the long list of exhibitors.
Where: Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum, 9280 Airport Rd., Mount HopeWhen: Saturday–Monday 10 am–5 pm
Cost: Kids $25, adults $10, family $60
Kids Fest Toronto (Mississauga)
More than 30 inflatables await on Family Day weekend for children to slide, ride, and bounce on. Also enjoy live entertainment, carnival games, crafts, and interactive activities.
Where: International Centre, 6900 Airport Rd., MississaugaWhen: Saturday–Monday 10 am–6 pm
Cost: Kids $30, adults $10, family $70
Lunarfest (Mississauga)
Watch a Lunar movie, take part in some Lunar crafts (like Pig Hero Lanterns and ginger leaf fish), have fun with some Lunar activities, and marvel at Lunar exhibitions! This Lunar New Year, come celebrate the Year of the Pig at Mississauga’s Living Arts Centre.
Where: Living Arts Centre, 4141 Living Arts Dr., MississaugaWhen: 11 am–4 pm
Cost: Free!
Winter Racers! (Oshawa)
Kids can have their pictures taken with Lightning McQueen, make a snowman craft, and take part in a scavenger hunt. There will also be balloon animals, crafts, activities, and guided tours at this fun day out at The Canadian Automotive Museum.
Where: Canadian Automotive Museum, 99 Simcoe St. S., Oshawa.When: Monday 9 am–5 pm
Cost: $6–$12; free for ages 5 and under
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There’s always something fun going on at the Ontario Science Centre over Family Day weekend. This year, learn about the solar system at the Planetarium, discover the ancient art of paper-making and get charged up at the (literally) hair-raising Van de Graaff generator.