With GTA’s best conservation areas, farms, and rib fests you will be having a summer full of fun in the Region of Halton! There are art installations, unique markets, and beautiful parks to explore in Burlington, Halton Hills, Milton and Oakville.
I. Events and Festivals – 2023
Oakville Ribfest
Enjoy award-winning, authentic southern BBQ and classic festival treats @ Sheridan College. Details
Oakville Family Ribfest | July 28 – 30, 2023
RBG After Dark: Enchanted at Twilight
Deep within the recesses of the historic Rock Garden lies an enchanted garden, a tranquil, dreamy, magical place where mystical creatures come to life. Stroll amidst the twilight glow while celebrating fantasy, myth and a touch of magic. Enjoy whimsical music, delightful bites and spirits, and discover the secrets of our Enchanted Garden.. Details
Thursday July 13, 2023 | 7:00 PM – 10:00 PM @ RBG Rock Garden, 1185 York Boulevard, Hamilton
Bronte Lake Notes
Bronte Lake Notes features contemporary music from hot local bands. Dance, sing and celebrate together while enjoying gorgeous views of the harbour. Details
Thursdays, June 22 – August 31, 2023 @ Bronte Heritage Waterfront Park – Sails Stage, Oakville
Canada’s Waterscapes
Explore some of Canada’s unique estuaries, rivers, lakes, oceans, and wetlands in this interactive exhibition from the Canadian Museum of Nature. Discover the amazing diversity of life and the environmental challenges facing these ecosystems today. This exhibition features wildlife specimens, mini ecosystems models, interpretive panels and hands-on components. From the Great Lakes to our seashores, we are a nation connected by water, find out how you can help protect our most precious resource. Details
June 8 – October 28, 2023 @ Joseph Brant Museum, Burlington
Celebrate Canada Day
Enjoy fireworks and Canada day celebrations at Spencer Smith Park, Milton Fair Grounds, or Bronte Heritage Waterfront Park.
There is also a special event for adults at Joseph Brant Museum where they can enjoy the City of Burlington’s fireworks show over Burlington Bay with a rooftop view, live entertainment, hourly draws, jumbo lawn games, beer tasting, pizza and Museum tours.
Music in the Gardens
Bring a lawn chair or pack a blanket, grab a cold drink and enjoy performances featuring local and award-winning musicians in a lovely garden setting. Details
Sundays, July 2 – August 27, 2023 | 6:30 PM – 9:00 PM @ Royal Botanical Gardens – Hendrie Park, Plains Road West, Burlington
Georgetown Farmers Market
Treat yourself to a beautiful bouquet of flowers or a houseware item handcrafted with the finest materials, while exploring Downtown Georgetown’s wonderful farmers market community. Details
Every Saturday, June 3 – October 14, 2023 | 8:00 AM – 12:30 PM @ Main Street South, Downtown Georgetown
The Little Blossom Music Series
Visit Chudleigh’s Entertainment Farm and join Aubrey and Teri in a musical adventure. This live show is perfect for little ones ages 0-5 and includes original and classic folk songs, puppets, singing, dancing, and more! Details
Various dates, June 24 – August 23, 2023 | 10:30 AM – 11:00 AM @ Chudleigh’s Entertainment Farm, 9528 Regional Road 25, Milton
Concerts in the Park
Enjoy free concerts featuring Hamilton Jazz Quintet, Dixieland All Stars, Burlington Concert Band, Bill and the Art Crawlers, and many more local artists and bands! Details
Wednesdays and Sundays, June 18 to August 27, 2023. @ Central Park Bandshell, Burlington
Summer Sweat
Join for free Fitness classes in the Square hosted by local studios and fitness experts in Downtown Oakville. There are a variety of classes for both the body and the mind. Details
Saturdays, June 3- July 29, 2023 | 9:00 AM @ Towne Square, Oakville
Fit in the Core
Join us for FREE in-studio fitness classes every week in Downtown Burlington. This series features classes like dance, yoga, pilates, physiotherapy, there is something new each week. Each week of the program will focus on a different small business, so get your superhero fit on Burlington! Details
Various dates
Walk & Talk History
Put on a comfortable pair of shoes and join the Bronte Historical Society for a free walking tour. Starting at Sovereign House, you’ll enjoy a fascinating and informative tour while you learn about Bronte from a historical lens. Develop an enhanced understanding of where Bronte has been and where it’s going. Details
Wednesdays, June 28 to October 4, 2023 | 3:00 PM @ Sovereign House, 7 West River Street, Oakville
Movies Under the Stars
Enjoy a free movie shown on a big outdoor screen across Burlington parks. Details
Thursdays, July 6 to August 17, 2023 | 9:00 PM @ Across Burlington
TD Summer Music Series
Enjoy free concerts highlighting local talent and features live performances from more than 15 bands, musicians and singers. Details
Saturdays, July and August | 3:00 PM – 7:00 PM @ Downtown Oakville
The Enchanted Garden
Make your way to Royal Botanical Gardens where a touch of magic awaits you. Meet mystical creatures, participate in delightful activities, and discover the secrets of the Enchanted Garden. Details
July 14 – 16, 2023 @ Royal Botanical Gardens – Rock Garden, 1185 York Boulevard, Waterdown
Georgetown Ribfest
Get Ready For Mouth Waterin’, Finger Lickin’, Belly Rubbin’ Good BBQ! You’re in for a weekend full of food, fun and entertainment. Details
July 7 – 9, 2023 @ Fairgrounds 1 Park Ave, Halton Hills
Burlington Car Show
See cars from various eras, exotic vehicle displays, vendors, sidewalk sales and more for the whole family. Details
Saturday, July 8, 2023 | 10:00 AM – 05:00 PM @ Downtown Burlington
Healthy Parks Healthy People Day
Ontario Parks across the province will offer events and activities that encourage people to visit parks and be active. Explore a new park, sample our facilities and services or enjoy a fun event in a great natural setting! Details
July 21, 2023 @ Bronte Creek Provincial Park
Acoustic Music Series
Experience the beauty of summer nights on the grounds at Ireland House Museum with live acoustic music. The garden stage will feature local musicians and each night will feature a different genre. Details
July 14, 21, 28, August 11, 18, 25, 2023
Burlington Food Truck Festival
30 Food Trucks will be serving up some of the best food from the country, this is a festival you won’t want to miss! Details
July 21 to 23, 2023 @ Spencer Smith Park, 1400 Lakeshore Rd, Burlington
Talons and Tailfeathers
If you’re looking to get closer to Mountsberg’s raptors then you’ll love Talons & Tailfeathers. This small-group experience offers an opportunity to meet a few of our birds of prey while learning all about them. Details
Various dates, June 24 – October 7, 2023 @ Mountsberg Park, 2259 Millburough Line, Campellville
Halton Freedom Celebration Festival
This festival brings together musical acts, children’s activities, cultural art, food, crafts, and multi-cultural groups promoting inclusivity and community integration and celebrating 189 years of Emancipation which started by Upper Canada’s Lieutenant Governor John Graves Simcoe. Details
Saturday, August 5, 2023 @ Spencer Smith Park, 1400 Lakeshore Rd, Burlington
Jazz on the Plaza
Held in the Outdoor Plaze of The Burlington Performing Arts Centre, ‘Jazz on the Plaza’ showcases a series of emerging and established Canadian musicians in an al fresco setting. Come down and enjoy the sounds of award-winning musicians. Details
August 12 – 13, 2023 | 10:00 AM – 05:00 PM @ The Burlington Performing Arts Centre Plaza, 440 Locust Street, Burlington
Oakville Latino Festival
Explore the richness of Latin American culture through food, dance, music and art exhibitions. Details
August 11 – 13, 2023 @ Bronte Heritage Waterfront Park
Acton Leathertown Festival
Visit Acton for a wonderful weekend of fun celebrating Canada’s Original Leathertown. Details
Sunday, August 13, 2023 @ 19 Willow Street North, Acton
Burlington VegFest
Discover vegan foods at this new festival. This event welcomes any and all – from the plant-based-curious to the long-term committed vegans – to join for a day celebrating a way of living that is centred on compassion, health and sustainability, all while supporting local businesses, organizations, and other causes. Details
Saturday, August 19, 2023 @ Burloak Waterfront Park, 5420 Lakeshore Rd, Burlington
Run away to the Circus
Come under the Big Top and get a glimpse into a traditional circus world. Jam-packed with explosive live entertainment, featuring high-flying acrobatics, death-defying tricks, towering feats of strength, teetering towers of balanced bodies, extreme bending and devilishly precarious aerials! Details
August 24 to 27, 2023@ Burlington Centre, 777 Guelph Line, Burlington
Living with Shakespeare
In Living With Shakespeare, Driftwood Artistic Director Jeremy Smith reckons with his life-long relationship to the Bard of Avon. Weaving scenes, passages, and music from Shakespeare’s greatest plays with personal stories from Jeremy’s lifelong relationship to the Bard, Living With Shakespeare is an exploration of our continuing fascination with the world’s most recognizable playwright. Details
August 25 – 27, 2023 @ Laking Garden, 1221 Spring Garden Road in Burlington
Canada’s Largest Ribfest
Say goodbye to summer with tummy full of good eats! Ribfest will be four days of free family-fun, jam-packed with a lineup of incredible musical entertainment, an artisan fair, activities for the kids, your favourite food vendors, and, of course, messy, mouth-watering ribs! Details
September 1 – 4, 2023 @ Spencer Smith Park, 1400 Lakeshore Rd, Burlington
II. Activities in (and near) Halton Region
Visit Best Nature Parks and Hiking Spots
These outdoor gems in Halton Region are perfect for a hike against the backdrop of some of Ontario’s best landscapes.
From Gairloch Gardens to Lucy Maud Montgomery Children’s Garden of the Senses, there is plenty to explore!
The Mill Street Cheese Market
Get a picnic box filled with a delightful assortment of cheese, meats, olives, dried fruit, nuts and bread for your picnic at a park (check the above list for inspiration) from the Mill Street Cheese Market located in Downtown Georgetown. Details
Visit a Farm
Escape to a beautiful escarpment countryside. Andrew’s scenic offers walking trails, wagon rides, a playground, animal corral, straw mountain climb, miniature straw maze, corn walk, and great photo opportunities year-round. Details
Shop at the Farmers’ Market
Get fresh produce and browse through artisan wares at Farmers’ markets:
Oakville Museum at Erchless Estate
Erchless Estate was the home of Oakville’s founding family and overlooks the harbour and Lake Ontario. Enjoy stunning views and explore the gardens and grounds at Erchless Estate. The museum houses many artifacts used by the family in the 1920s. Details
Enjoy Walking Tours
There are a many trails that one can check out in the Halton region. Check out some of them:
- Milton Historical Society Guided Walking Tour
- Heritage Walking Tour
- Heritage Downtown Walking Tour
- Downtown Burlington Public Art Walking Tour
Explore Bruce Trail
Explore and hike various trails viewing caves, swamps, old forests and cobble beaches. You could also camp in some of their designated campground areas. Check for updates and trail closures before starting. Details
Visit your Favourite Patio
Savour a bite of everything! Dine outdoors at the patios this summer!
Rock Climbing
Experience the thrill of rock climbing at these locations. Details
- Rattlesnake Point
- Kelso
- Mount Nemo
Spray Pads
Cool off at Milton Community Centre, Sunny Mount Park, or any of the other splash pads around your area. Check out the list of Milton splash pads!
Get Activated
Play arcade-style games, dive through lasers, and climb glowing walls at Activate.
Enjoy Fishing
Have a fun time fishing!
- Conservation Halton Parks
- Conservation Hamilton Parks
- Ontario Parks
Enjoy Ontario Family Fishing days from July 1-9, 2023.
Mount Nemo Conservation Area
Go for a hike at this scenic park or for something a little more adventurous try out rock-climbing). Details
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Bronte Creek Provincial Park
Spend the weekend camping, cool off by one of the largest man-made swimming pools in North America, check out the children’s farm, picnic shelters, and nature centres at this provincial park. Details
Brant Street Pier
Take an evening stroll and head over to the waterfront in downtown Burlington for stunning sunset views over the lake. Details
Chudleigh’s
Visit this farm to pick your own apples and don’t forget to check out the children’s play area and see what farm events are happening. Details
Limehouse Conservation Area
Bring your dog for a walk, do some bird watching and explore the Bruce trail at this conservation area. Details
Enjoy a Hike
Use the maps to plan your next hike.
- Heritage Trails in Oakville
- Oakville Active transportation Map
- Oakville Recreational Trails
- Cycle Trails in Oakville
- Interactive bike map
Fallbrook Trail Ranch
Try horseback riding at this ranch which also offers various summer camps. You can also host a birthday party here so you can ride horses with your friends! Details
A Night of Stargazing
Watch the stars and wonder at the celestial splendour. Stargazing is not fun as well as relaxing. Lie back in your own backyard or in a dark sky area near you and take in the awe-inspiring star-filled night sky.
You might like: Where to Stargaze in Ontario: Dark Sky Areas and Observatories
Valleyridge Park
Visit this imaginative playground and splash pad for an afternoon full of family fun. Details
Twin Valley Zoo
Take your kids to this 25 acre, family-run, wildlife park to see over 80 species of animals including Lions, Tigers, Wolves, Birds, Bears, Deer, Alpaca, Primates, and so much more! Details
Royal Botanical Gardens
Enjoy the beautiful garden areas of Royal Botanical Gardens. Explore the David Braley and Nancy Gordon Rock Garden, Hendrie Park, the Arboretum, Laking Garden, and the RBG trails. Light grab and go fare will be available at the Rock Garden as well as at the Turner Pavilion Teahouse in Hendrie Park. Once the garden is open fully, you can take part in biodiversity programs, music and art exhibitions as well as bloom celebrations. Details
Cycle the Great Lakes Waterfront Trail
Passing through Burlington and Oakville, the trails offers a quick cycle or a longer journey along the Lake Ontario shoreline:
Rattlesnake Point
Head on over to this beautiful park to see thousand year old cedars, camp under the stars, practice yoga and even rock climb! Details
Beach Day
With Lake Ontario and various small lakes only from your backyard, a trip to the beach is as easy as packing that beach towel and rounding up kids into the car!
- Beachway Park, Burlington
- Brant Street Beach, Burlington
- Bronte Beach Park, Oakville
- Coronation Park East & Coronation Park West, Oakville
- South Shell Park Beach, Oakville
- Kelso Beach
- Prospect Park Old Beach, Acton
You might like: Beaches in Greater Toronto Area
Kelso Conservation Area
Try out some new sports like mountain biking, stand-up paddle boarding, challenge courses, yoga, swimming, and more. You can explore the lake on a boat, or play volleyball while your children use the play area. Details
Springridge Farm
Check out this fun farm and pick your own strawberries or pick up a ready basket. This farm also offers a petting zoo, escarpment lookout, antique tractors and so much more! Details
Play tennis in Oakville
Oakville has over 60 tennis courts around the town, why not check some of them out this summer and have a family tennis tournament. Details
Coronation Park
Have a family picnic at this park which features designated picnic and shelter areas, complete with picnic tables and barbecue pits. Details
Rotary Park Outdoor Pool
Spend the afternoon cooling off at this outdoor pool in Milton with four lanes, a lap pool and water spray features. Details
Hilton Falls Conservation Area
Visit the famous falls, and try out some fun activities at this conservation area including mountain biking, bird watching, geocaching, fishing, and hiking. Details
Willow Park Ecology Centre
Have a fun, summer afternoon at this lovely 5-acre biodiverse nature park in Norval! Details
Visit Ontario Parks
Be it to enjoy a walk or just relax in the outdoors, fish or enjoy boating, provincial parks are great places to spend your time.
You can now visit Ontario parks for free by borrowing day-use permits from participating Ontario libraries.
Stay in Cabins at KOA
Bring the whole family and spend the weekend in cabins at this campground facility. They offer great outdoor activities including weekend recreation programs. Details
Crawford Lake Conservation Area
Mountsberg Raptor Centre
Visit the Mountsberg Raptor Centre, and walk along the Wildlife Walkway for a visit and get to know resident raptors, like Pip the American Kestrel, or Chomper the Great Horned Owl. Details
Explore Mountsberg Conservation Area
Mountsberg Conservation Area is a delight to explore with its play barn, sugar bush and mountain bike trails, reservoir, the Raptor Centre, fishing opportunities, and lookout trail. Details
Pick-Your-Own Strawberries/ Cherries
Delicious strawberries or cherries are ready for picking. Head over to your nearby U-pick Farms and enjoy ‘Pick-Your-Own’ berries!
Geocaching
For a treasure hunt-like experience try geocaching! Chances are there are some geocaches near you. Create a free account to get started. Details
Go Apple Picking
There are many farms in the region that offers apple picking. Apple picking season usually starts mid-late August/early-mid September. Do call the farms to confirm their hours before starting. Check out these farms for some great options:
- Williams’ Orchards
- Andrew’s Farm and Winery
- Wheelbarrow Orchards
- Applevale Orchards
- Chudleigh’s Farm
- Willis Family Fruit Farm
See Sunflower Fields and Mazes
A visit to a sunflower farm is surely a cause for a smile, photo ops, and plenty of sunshine. Walk on a path through a sea of yellow flowers and purchase a specialty product from a store on-site to commemorate your summer experience. In Ontario, these flowers bloom for about two weeks only from early to late August/early September.
Explore Halton’s Regional Forests
Halton Regional has many regional forests including wetlands, meadow, and wooded areas and are home to rare wildlife species. These areas can be explored by the public. Details
See a Lavender Farm
Enjoy a calming, meditative walk amongst lavender flowers at Kelso Lavender Farm
- Lochland Botanicals (Closed for 2023)
Enjoy Camping
Experience nature and camp outside!
- 25 Places to Go Camping Near Toronto
- 25 Places to Go Backcountry Camping in Ontario
- 25 of the Best Ontario Parks to go Camping