Searching for ideas for a fun-filled summer staycation in Markham?
Credit: City of Markham
Enjoy Markham’s signature events like Markham Village Music Festival, Taste of Asia, and Markham Jazz Festival or rediscover the city this summer in Markham.
Here are 25+ fun things to do this summer in Markham:
Fun Summer Festivals & Entertainment – 2025
1. Steering for Steer Friends Automotive Festival
Get ready to gear up for a good cause! The fifth annual Steering for Steer Friends Automotive Festival is back at Markham Fairgrounds, featuring exotic and vintage cars, live entertainment, food trucks, raffles, and more. It’s all in support of Steer Friends’ efforts to build an inclusive facility for people with disabilities and complex care needs.
June 21, 2025 @ Markham Fairgrounds, 10801 McCowan Rd, Markham
2. Markham Village Music Festival
Markham Village Music Festival is set to be an incredible event with over 50 artists performing across five stages, showcasing a diverse range of musical genres. In addition to the amazing performances, attendees can enjoy various attractions like the Kidz Zone, vendor village, beatbox battle, craft and food booths, Barkham, farmers’ market, and more.
June 20 & 21, 2025 @ Main Street, Markham
3. Taste of Asia
Markham sees the coming together of dazzling cultural performances, culinary artists, iconic celebrities, dignitaries, sports fans, artisans and food connoisseurs. This year’s event will fill the streets with three days of non-stop multicultural performances for families and friends.
June 27 to 29 @ Kennedy Rd & Steeles Ave E, Markham
4. Celebrate Canada Day
Join the City of Markham for the official Canada Day celebration.
July 1, 2025 @ Markham Centre, Birchmount Road/Enterprise Boulevard
5. YONEX Canada Open
The 2025 edition of the YONEX Canada Open will bring together the world’s best badminton players for an unforgettable week of electrifying matches, world-class competition, and cultural celebrations.
July 1 to 6, 2025 @ Markham Pan Am Centre, 16 Main Steet, Unionville
6. Markham Ribfest
Markham Ribfest is serving up a weekend of smoky, mouth-watering BBQ with four top rib teams from Florida, Alabama, BC, and Ontario. Alongside award-winning ribs, enjoy classic fair foods, cold beer, live tribute bands, a kids zone, face painting, and a local marketplace. It’s a full weekend of food, fun, and music for the whole family.
July 4 to 6, 2025 @ Downtown Markham, 179 Enterprise Blvd, Markham
7. Kickin’ It Country
Markham Museum is launching a brand-new summer celebration with Kickin’ It Country, taking place on July 5. This inaugural event will feature high-energy line dancing from Cheatin’ Hearts and refreshing local brews courtesy of Rouge River Brewing Company.
Saturday, July 5, 2025 @ Markham Museum, 9350 Markham Rd, Markham
8. Markham Ribfest
Markham Ribfest is serving up a weekend of smoky, mouth-watering BBQ with four top rib teams from Florida, Alabama, BC, and Ontario. Alongside award-winning ribs, enjoy classic fair foods, cold beer, live tribute bands, a kids zone, face painting, and a local marketplace. It’s a full weekend of food, fun, and music for the whole family.
July 4 to 6, 2025 @ Downtown Markham, 179 Enterprise Blvd, Markham
9. Markham International Film Festival
Markham Int’l Film Fest 2025 showcases diverse global films, including features and shorts, for free.
July 19 to 20, 2025 @ 101 Town Centre Blvd, Markham
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10. Music on the Main
Listen to free concerts by talented musicians every weekend.
Every Friday night | 6:00pm – 9:00pm. @ Main Street, Markham
11. The Big Bounce Canada
Treat the kids to an unforgettable day at The Big Bounce Canada, the world’s largest touring inflatable event. Featuring the 24,000 sq. ft. World’s Largest Bounce House, a 900+ ft. obstacle course, foam-filled OctoBlast, Sport Slam arena, and space-themed airSPACE, this event offers non-stop excitement with seven massive inflatables that take family fun to the next level.
July 5 to 13, 2025 @ Markham Meadow, 8100 Steeles Ave E, Markham
12. DTM Music Nights
DTM Music Nights at Origin Square feature free, captivating performances by local artists every Saturday.
Saturdays | 7.30 – 10 PM @ Origin Square, 169 Enterprise Blvd, Downtown Markham
13. Sunflower Fields of Markham
Explore over 20 acres of vibrant sunflower fields in Markham, home to 400,000+ blooms. Located on Highway 48, north of Major Mackenzie, it’s the perfect summer spot for scenic walks, memorable photoshoots, and outdoor fun with friends, family, or your partner. Soak up the sun and capture your dream sunflower moment in this stunning natural setting.
July 25 to August 18 @ 10378 ON-48, Markham
14. Night at the Museum
On four different summer nights, bring your lawn chairs and watch a family-friendly movie under the stars.
July 10, 24, August 7, 14, 2025 @ Markham Museum, 9350 Markham Road, Markham
15. TD Markham Jazz Festival
The TD Markham Jazz Festival is an exciting and vibrant five-day event featuring well-known professional jazz musicians performing on three stages.
August 15 to 17, 2025 @ Main Street Unionville, Markham
16. Markham-Milliken Children’s Festival
The Markham-Milliken Children’s Festival is the party kids wait for all summer! Festival highlights include a variety of free play zones, gigantic inflatables, arts & crafts, educational and engaging activities, food from around the world, live entertainment, popular kids characters and much more.
Saturday, September 5, 2025 @ Aaniin Community Centre & Library, 5665 14th Avenue, Markham
Nature Fun & Farm Fun
1. Go Berry Picking
Visit Reesor’s Farm Market, which has been in operation since 1804. Pick your own strawberry fields, which are typically open from late June to early July. They also sell a variety of produce and berries. You can get fresh Ontario fruits & vegetables, baked goods and more year-round at the market or Reesor’s Online Market.
Another option is Organics Family Farm, located at 7550 19th Avenue at Reesor Rd. Markham. Organics Family Farm is a health-conscious farm offering fresh and organic strawberries and apples for you to pick since 2001.
2. Rouge National Urban Park
Hike through Rouge National Urban Park, enjoying wildflower meadows, wetlands and urban parkland. Visit Bob Hunter Memorial Park and hike the northbound 5.1 km trail that connects 19th Avenue Day Use Area from the Reesor Day Use Area.
3. Do a Forest Therapy Walk
Deepen your connection with nature by going on a Shinrin Yoku at Pomona Mills Park. (244 Henderson Ave, Markham).
4. Toogood Pond Park
Visit Toogood Pond Park for a family picnic and enjoy the wildlife. You could take a walk, relax by the water and don’t forget your camera, as the scenery is beautiful.
5. Milne Dam Conservation Park
Spend the afternoon bird-watching, cross the suspension bridge, and explore its trails by biking, hiking, or cycling. It also has a leash-free dog area.
6. Bike Rouge Valley Trail
Bike or hike the 15km Rouge Valley Trail which follows the Rouge River along Toogood Pond, continues south to Austin Drive Park and connects to Milne Conservation Park.
7. Get Farm Fresh Produce
Get locally grown fruits, vegetables, and treats from Main Street Markham ( Saturdays, from 9am – 1pm until Saturday, October 7th) Farmers Market.
8. Go Golfing
Tee off at Angus Glen Golf Club.
They also have a beautiful patio overlooking the golf course and have a delightful Sunday brunch.
Walking Tours, Museums & More!
1. Pride of Canada Carousel
Check out this beautiful art tribute to iconic Canadians and their rich culture and history. Cool fact: It was built with recycled and repurposed objects.
2. Do a Heritage Tour
Rediscover Markham’s heritage and history by going on a self-guided walking tour. There are two tour stops to choose from – the Markham Remembered Plaque Tour which commemorates stories of people and places of special historical significance throughout the City, and the Markham Village Heritage Tour, where you can learn about the history of Markham Village.
3. Go on a public art tour
Discover Markham’s public artworks. See the Cloudflower by Douglas Walker, Gambrel Journey by kipjones, Henderson Bridge Mural (2013) by Andrea End, Robin Hesse, Matthew Moloney, Glen Ou and Susan Weisz. Mentored by Katharine Harvey, Quarry by Mary Anne Barkhouse and more at locations around Markham.
4. Markham Museum
This museum offers great learning opportunities about how we have adapted to our changing world. There are also different exhibits, programs, events and research facilities.
5. Walking tour of historic Thornhill
Take a walking tour of historic Thornhill and explore their village library, notable houses, streets, parks and much more!
6. Varley Art Gallery
Explore Varley Art Gallery, register for an art class, join for drop-in studio programs at this art gallery named after Frederick Varley, an artist from the Group of Seven.
7. Downtown Markham
Visit Downtown Markham for a day full of exploring art, theatres and shopping. Don’t miss the Street Art Wall and Remington Contemporary Art Gallery.
8. Explore Unionville
Visit historic Main Street Unionville and check out their boutique shops, learn more about history and culture, dine at unique restaurants and so much more in this heritage village.
9. Old Firehall Confectionery
Head over to this confectionery for a variety of homemade treats including truffles, macarons, ice cream, pastries, and so much more!
10. Markham Public Library
Markham Library offers plenty of free, low-cost events throughout the summer. Register for them in advance.
11. Mayfair Clubs
Head over to Mayfair Clubs to play your favourite sports or try out some new fitness activities. They have lots of great things to do for kids, youth and adults. They also have summer camps and you can even host your birthday with cool themes like a spa party or World Cup party.
12. Unionville Tennis Club
Have a family tennis tournament at this tennis club. They have a variety of programs, lessons, social events and tournaments.
13. City Programs
The City of Markham offers great summer programs and fitness classes for different age groups. They also offer family programs so you have the opportunity to learn archery, tennis and even practice Taekwondo.
14. Outdoor Pools
Check out some of the indoor and outdoor pools around the city, like Rouge River Pool, Markham Pan Am Pool and Centennial Pool.
15. Markham Golf Dome
Head over to Markham Golf Dome for a day of family fun golfing. They have an indoor dome, and outdoor range as well as lessons.
16. Indoor Sports Dome
Check out this Indoor Sports Dome that offers various programs and summer camps for kids, they also have drop-in programs for adults.
17. Rainy Summer?
Do you think that it is going to be a rainy day? Here are all the fun indoor places to check out in Markham.