Toronto 
Photo Credit: Town of Richmond Hill
Explore Richmond Hill this summer! From great food festivals to getting an exquisite view of the heavens up-close, there are plenty of ways to enjoy a staycation this summer in Richmond Hill! Here is a list of 25+ things to get a head start on a great summer in Richmond Hill.
**Some places mentioned will open only by early August due to COVID-19 restrictions.**
1. David Dunlap Observatory
Join for astronomy programs at David Dunlap Observatory that hosts the largest telescope in Canada. It is also great venue for an evening walk!
Get introduced to the wonders of astronomy through an indoor planetarium experience, activities for younger visitors and stargazing during select nights. You can spend time at both the main building as well as the Observatory to visit the 74″ telescope to learn its history and experience stargazing celestial targets first hand. (In-Person events schedule TBA)
2. Celebrate Canada Day
Join for a fun-filled celebration this Canada Day, ranging from a virtual interactive showcase of performers (including local talent!) to fun and games for the whole family.
July 1, 2021 @ Online and In-Person
3. Eat and Play at Oasis Patio
Plan a day out or a staycation at Sheraton Parkway Toronto North Hotel. They have various summer staycation packages with complimentary pool access for hotel guests. If you rather visit for a day, treat yourself to a day pass. Laze around Oasis Outdoor Pool + Patio and cool off this summer with poolside food and drink service.
Oasis Outdoor Pool + Patio
4. Ribfest
Richmond Hill Ribfest’s signature menu will be available this year in a drive-thru format! Browse the menu then book a time slot to the drive-thru event at Elgin Barrow Arena.
July 23 to 25, 2021 at Elgin Barrow Arena Parking Lot, 43 Church St S, Richmond Hill
5. Richmond Hill Farmers Market
Check out various vendors at this farmers market offering local organic produce, flowers, baked goods, crafts and much more.
Sundays, 10am-4pm at Hillcrest Mall, Richmond Hill
6. Drive-In Movies
Take your family to the drive in! On select Mondays in August and September, the town of Richmond Hill will have a pop-up community drive-in so your family can go and enjoy a movie from the comfort of your car.
7. Explore Museum of the Streets
Go on a free, self-guided tour of Richmond Hill’s heritage sites. Green and tan signs will guide you through the streets of Old Richmond Hill.
8. Try Something New at Street Eats Market
Choose from delicious food offered by food trucks of Street Eats Market. Street Eats is open from 12 PM to 8 PM every day.
Hillcrest Mall, 9350 Yonge Street
9. Afternoon Tea @ Richmond Hill Heritage Centre
Celebrate summer with a full-service tea at the Heritage Centre. Enjoy a platter of dainty sandwiches, tasty sweets with scones, clotted cream and preserves.
2021 – TBA
10. Fishing
Go fishing at the many venues around the town including Lake Wilcox, Haynes Lake, Humber River, Rouge River, Don River!
11. Lake Wilcox Park
This is a great place to spend the afternoon, with lots of amenities like a playground, splash pad and waterfront area.
12. Eyer Homestead Ropes Challenge Course
Set goals with your group and then begin working together on various challenges and activities in the beautiful Eyer Homestead Park.
13. Free Summer Concerts
Photo Credit: Town of Richmond Hill
Enjoy exquisite musicians that showcase a variety of music styles from Blues, Country, Rock ‘n’ Roll
Celtic, Tribute bands and more at this free event.
14. Disco Bowling
Visit World Bowl and experience disco bowling for a family bowling night with great music, food and bright lights.
15. Splash Pads
Spend the day at one of the many splash pads around the town like Rouge Crest Park, Grovewood Park and Newberry Park.
16. Glaze Craze
Try some new art activities from their canvas workshops to pottery classes to glass etching. They have walk in classes as well as kids and adult classes.
17. Barbecue at Phyllis Rawlinson Park
Pack a picnic and utilize the park’s fire pits to prepare a meal. On-site, there is also the George Forster House and the Robert Holland Interpretative Centre.
18. Cycling Parks
Check out some of the best cycling around the town with this map of great parks and tips about cycling. Some parks worth checking out include, Crosby Park and Bayview Hill Park.
19. Join for City offered programs
Try out some of the many summer camps and programs being offered in Richmond Hill like sports camps, leadership programs, computer classes and many more!
20. Virtual Sting
Visit this virtual reality gaming arcade for team building, educational events and most importantly an unforgettable experience. This arcade offers cyber pong, rec room and much more!
21. The Wave Pool
Photo Credit: Town of Richmond Hill
Spend the day enjoying waves, waterslides and a warm water swirl pool at this indoor facility.
22. Richmond Hill Public Library
Visit the libraries to read some great books, meet new people and participate in their programs.
23. Play tennis
Spend the evening at one of the many tennis courts around town like Mount Pleasant Park, Brickworks Park and Newberry Park.
24. Origin Room Break
This unique escape room uses story-lines that push you to your limits, challenges your skills and thinking capabilities, work as a team to solve clues and break free within a limited amount of time.
25. Richmond Green Sports Centre
This sports centre and park have just about everything including a skateboarding park, art exhibition space, splash pad, barn, basketball court and so much more!
26. Mill Pond Park
Share a picnic, go for a walk or enjoy a summer evening at this popular park in Richmond Hill!
27. Beaufort Trail
Explore 5 of Richmond Hill’s parks through Beaufort Trail that connects Beaufort Hills Park, Black Willow Park, Willow Hollow Park, Pine Needle Park, Raccoon Park and Russell Tilt Park.
Cool! A telescope like Hubble. I’ve always wanted to see space through a telescope like this. Is there really one in Richmond Hill? If so, then I’m already leaving)
The Wave Pool is not open due to COVID.