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Markham fosters tons of art, culture, and old town feeling, making the Winters here quaint and scenic. Here are 15 ways to make your winter more exciting through these active, artistic, and unique events dotted around the city.
You may like: Indoor Attractions & Amusement Centres in Markham
Fun Things to Do during Winter in Markham
1. Go skating at the Civic Centre
Skating has always been the most popular winter activity for all – so rent some skates and enjoy the colder months with a day out at the 25,000 square foot rink situated in front of the civic centre. Enjoy skating from December to March (weather dependent) at 101 Town Centre Blvd.north-west corner of Highway 7 and Warden. Skate rentals are available.
2. Go Winter Walking at Toogood Pond Park
This 33-hectare park is an outdoor hotspot for wildlife and leisurely walks. Located near the historic Main St. Unionville, the beautiful walkways, picnic tables, and park benches are a perfect place to relax after a look around the city.
3. Catch a movie at Markham at the Movies this winter
This season, check out a screening at the Markham at the Movies collaboration with the TIFF – including an adaptation of the Indian Horse based on the novel by Canadian author Richard Wagamese, Hearts Beat Loud, and the Italian film Tulipani, to name a few.
4. Go hiking and explore the outdoors through the Rouge Valley
Credit: Parks Canada
Venture out into the Rouge Valley on the Tanglewood Trail and walk through the stunning wilderness on a 5km – 8km journey.
5. Celebrate the Chinese New Year at Lunarfest
Celebrate the Year of the Rat at Lunarfest with expressions of Asian arts and culture, built on the collaboration between Canadian and International presenters.
6. Go Snowshoeing at Markham Museum
Explore Markham Museum’s 25 acre winter wonderland in a new way this winter – with a set of snowshoes! Learn the basics of snowshoeing from our program instructors, from turning and running, to standing from a seated position. Drop-in from Tuesday to Sunday. Snowshoe rental is included in regular admission.
7. Tobogganing
You need to obey all signs posted by City of Markham and obey city by-laws. We may not be aware of newer laws and restrictions.
Delight the inner child in you with this free winter activity.
- Milliken Mills Parks, 4277 14th Avenue(West side of the park, Kennedy Road and 14th Avenue)
- Paramount Park, East side of Paramount Drive, Between Fincham Avenue south to Church Street,Markham
- Milne Dam Conservation Park (Main Street & Hwy 7 ) – east end
- Mint Leaf Park (Fincham Avenue just East of Larkin )
8. Join for Kidapalooza Family Festival
Celebrate Family Day weekend at this 3-day indoor & outdoor festival with fun for the whole family! The event will feature Kidapalooza‘s signature activity stations, interactive inflatables, mechanical rides, stage shows, meet and greet with characters, a Video Gaming RV, bike course, skateboarding lessons plus so much more!
9. Check out the Winter Exhibitions at the Varley Art Gallery
Head to the Varley Art Gallery to celebrate the opening of the Winter Exhibitions this year, which includes gallery talks and refreshments to compliment the “Weave and Moving through darkness into the clearing” exhibition.
10. Go Skiing at Uplands Ski Centre
Credit: Uplands Golf & Ski Club
With a vertical drop of some 100′ feet and slopes of varying difficulty averaging 1000′ feet in length; Uplands is the perfect environment for beginners of all ages – but especially for children.
11. Feel creative at PechaKucha Night
A collaboration between the Varley Art Gallery and the Markham Public Library, gather at PechaKucha Night to view the creative ideas and works of Markham’s talented folk.
12. Support Canada’s best athletes at the PanAm Centre
The Markham Pan Am Centre plays host to International, National, Provincial, and Regional events in a variety of sports including swimming, water polo, badminton, table tennis, volleyball, rhythmic gymnastics, and many more. Check the calendar of events and visit the centre to support our athletes.
13. Take in a Performance at Flato Markham Theatre
Take in a variety of performances at Flato Markham Theatre — from enchanting Disney classics like Beauty and the Beast performed by the Unionville Theatre Company to Agatha Christie’s classic “whodunit”, The Mousetrap by The Markham Little Theatre, and toe tapping performances by touring artists, you will never be short of entertainment this winter season.
14. Enjoy the Sugarbush Maple Syrup Festival
Later in the Winter season, tap into Spring with wagon rides, fun activities, and a taste of pancakes and maple syrup at several conservation areas around the area just north of Markham.
15. Take in these events
Varley Art Gallery of Markham, 216 Main Street Unionville, Markham
February 2, 2020
Free
LunarFest invites Markham’s diverse community to celebrate the Lunar New Year like no other! What fortunes await you in the Year of the Rat? With fun ... »
Varley Art Gallery of Markham, 216 Main St Unionville, Unionville, Markham
February 17, 2020
(905) 477-7000 ext. 3261
$40/family of 4
Families are invited create their own canvas creation to bring home in this fun, educational and interactive program. experience! Guided by an experienced art educator, families will ... »
Main Street Unionville, Unionville
January 31, 2020 To February 13, 2020
Varies
It’s time to dig into Unionville’s delicious food scene with Unionvillicious! Unionvillicious gives residents and visitors the opportunity to experience our community’s best restaurants ... »
CF Markville, Highway 7, Markham
January 25, 2020
Free
While many Canadians have already celebrated the start of a new calendar year and set their intentions and resolutions for 2020, Torontonians are eagerly preparing for new beginnings ... »
Flato Markham Theatre, 171 Town Centre Blvd, Markham
January 16, 2020
905-305-7469
$15-$70
With a world-class horn section, a rocking rhythm section, and vocals stacked sky-high, Brass Transit transports audiences back to the freewheeling days of the seventies. The premiere ... »
Flato Markham Theatre, 171 Town Centre Blvd, Markham
January 17, 2020
905-305-7469
$15-$65
“. . the five-star favourite . . . a clear demonstration of the artistry of circus” – The Guardian, UK Circa is Australia’s most in demand circus-arts Company on the international stage. ... »
Flato Markham Theatre, 171 Town Centre Blvd, Markham
January 23, 2020
905-305-7469
$15-$75
Los Angeles Times proclaimed, “Blood Sweat & Tears just may be the most important pop music group of the decade.” BST frontman, David Clayton-Thomas, began his journey ... »
Flato Markham Theatre, 171 Town Centre Blvd, Markham
February 1, 2020
905-305-7469
$15-$50
With a growing international profile Cuba’s Malpaso Dance Company has become one of the most sought-after dance troupes on stages around the world. Led by its ... »
Flato Markham Theatre, 171 Town Centre Blvd, Markham
February 5, 2020
905-305-7469
$15-$65
JUNO nominee for the 2019 Breakout Artist of the Year, Meghan Patrick is Canada’s rising female country star. She made waves in 2018 with five nominations and a ... »
Flato Markham Theatre, 171 Town Centre Blvd, Markham
February 6, 2020
905-305-7469
$15-$70
Acclaimed smooth jazz pianist and composer, Keiko Matsui’s transcendent and haunting melodies have long sought to build bridges. Her sonic cultural exchange has reached the hearts ... »
Flato Markham Theatre, 171 Town Centre Blvd, Markham, ON, Canada
February 27, 2020
905-305-7469
$15-$60
Two of Canada’s brilliant lyricists, songwriters, and musical exports come together for an inspiring double bill in their Markham debut. A staple of the Canadian arts ... »
Flato Markham Theatre,171 Town Centre Blvd, Markham
February 28, 2020
905-305-7469
$15-$65
Afropop superstar Fatoumata Diawara has built a modern global career from her traditional West African roots. Village Voice music critic Robert Christgau calls her the “subtlest of ... »
Flato Markham Theatre, 171 Town Centre Blvd, Markham
February 29, 2020
905-305-7469
$15-$80
New Orleans is a musical melting pot that’s been cooking up music royalty for nearly a century. At its mid-winter Markham performance, the renowned New Orleans ... »
Flato Markham Theatre, 171 Town Centre Blvd, Markham
March 5, 2020
905-305-7469
$15-$60
They’re a sensation because of their unique style on the world beats stage. Rolling Stone reported how this “Ukrainian folk drone Björkpunk quartet DakhaBrakha went ... »
Flato Markham Theatre, 171 Town Centre Blvd, Markham
March 7, 2020
905-305-7469
$15-$65
The Fourth Light Project, the newest program of the highly acclaimed Persian, Middle Eastern, and Indian electroacoustic super group NIYAZ – in collaboration with interactive designer and visual ... »
Flato Markham Theatre, 171 Town Centre Blvd, Markham
March 8, 2020
905-305-7469
$15-$65
Known for their adrenalized performances, original compositions, and notorious music videos, Greg Anderson and Elizabeth Joy Roe are revolutionizing the piano duo experience. Hailed as “rock stars ... »
Flato Markham Theatre, 171 Town Centre Blvd, Markham
March 12, 2020
905-305-7469
$15-$65
Patti Labelle has called her “A ‘bad’ little girl! Her violin sounds like a human voice!” Miri Ben-Ari, a Grammy® award-winning violinist, music producer, and Goodwill Ambassador ... »
Flato Markham Theatre, 171 Town Centre Blvd, Markham
March 13, 2020
905-305-7469
$15-$50
Your whole life, you just wanted to get married and have babies. It took a bit of time to get there. And now, your perfect life has ... »
Flato Markham Theatre, 171 Town Centre Blvd, Markham
March 14, 2020 To March 15, 2020
905-305-7469
$15-$75
“We’re talking knock-your-socks-off, JAW-DROPPING magic!” – Fox 4 News Masters of Illusion is back by popular demand! Starring the world’s greatest award-winning magicians, this 21st century magic ... »
Varley Art Gallery of Markham, Unionville
January 11, 2020
9054777000
Free
NEXT | WAVE John Ancheta, Nima Arabi, Shea Chang, Annie Dunning, Elham Fatapour, Katelyn Gallucci, Rhenix Shi, Dan Tapper, Nava Waxman, Arma Yari, and Jes Young. On view ... »
Flato Markham Theatre, 171 Town Centre Blvd, Markham
February 8, 2020
905.305.7469
$15-40
Although not penned for specific persons or those of the past, Bruch’s In Memoriam is a one-movement heartfelt lament for solo violin and orchestra. Hungarian-Canadian pianist ... »
Milliken Mills Library, Kennedy Road, Markham
January 26, 2020
Free
The Carol C Dance Studio will perform three dances to celebrate Lunar New Year. Come and celebrate Lunar New Year with us at the Markham Public Library. ... »
Markham Fair Grounds, 10801 McCowan Road, Markham
February 15, 2020 To February 17, 2020
416-414-2466
$9-25
The 5th annual Kidapalooza Family Festival takes place Family Day Long Weekend FEBRUARY 15-17, 2020 at the Markham Fairgrounds in over 50,000 sq ft of INDOOR space with some ... »
Varley Art Gallery of Markham, 216 Main Street Unionville, Unionville
February 15, 2020
905-477-7000 ext. 3261
Free
The place to be on a Saturday night in Markham! Join us for a triple exhibition opening: filling the Klein bottle (x) {, Emotional Landscapes and To make ... »
Various Restaurants, Downtown Markham
February 21, 2020 To March 6, 2020
$15 to $45
Running from February 21 to March 6, the Dine Out DTM Festival is a celebration of food and drink in Downtown Markham, featuring exclusive prix fixe menus at an ... »
Markham Fair Grounds, 10801 McCowan Road, Markham
March 14, 2020 To March 15, 2020
$10 to $20
March Break begins with a family friendly indoor festival filled with inflatables, rides, games, crafts as well as live entertainment, delicious food & drinks. Interactive activities & ... »