From winter festivals to family fun events and fireworks, there is plenty of fun and fabulous activities to do with your family and friends this Family Day weekend. Here is a list of things to do this February long weekend across Ontario.
1. Across Ontario
1. Free Fishing Weekend
OFFE is a province-wide opportunity for Canadian residents to fish Ontario licence-free. Participants fishing without a license must fish under the Conservation fishing license limits which are set out in the current Ontario Recreational Fishing Regulations Summary. With the exception of the licensing requirement, Ontario fishing regulations, fees and limits continue to apply during license-free days.
2. Visit Ontario Parks
Most provincial parks in Ontario remain open in the winter months and offer several winter activities, nature programs and unique nature sightings. If you enjoy bundling up, getting some fresh air and challenging yourself, then visit some of the provincial parks that remain open over the winter and offer invigorating winterized activities, no matter your particular level of experience.
3. Celebrate Family Day with Planet Fitness
In celebration of Family Day, anyone 13 and over can work out at select Planet Fitness Canada locations for FREE from February 17-23.
More Things to Do:
2. Southwestern Ontario
S’mores and Cocoa Festival
Prepare for a delightful adventure as Windsor welcomes the inaugural S’mores & Cocoa Festival! Picture velvety chocolate, gooey marshmallows, and comforting hot cocoa, creating a symphony of flavours. Embrace the warmth and sweetness as you roast marshmallows, indulge in chocolate, and sip on cocoa. A dreamy S’mores experience on the long weekend!
Adventure Bay Family Water Park
Have a blast at the indoor water park in Windsor. The park features 35,000 square feet of wild water fun with five giant waterslides, FlowRider, wave pool, splash zone, lazy river and more.
Southwold Winterfest
Attend the annual Winterfest event at the Keystone Complex!
Enjoy live entertainment, games, and the warmth of a bonfire. It’s a celebration of family and community, capped off with a spectacular fireworks show—all for free! Let’s make memories together this Family Day weekend at Winterfest.
Backus-Page House Museum
Visit the museum in Wallacetown for fun family activities, including butter making, scavenger hunts, wool and felting crafts, snow painting, pioneer games, and more!
Kinsmen Fanshawe Sugar Bush
It is almost Sweet water season. See how Maple syrup was discovered and how it is made today at Kinsmen Fanshawe Sugar Bush.
You may like:
Amherstburg Freedom Museum
February is Black History Month. So why not visit the Amherstburg Freedom Museum to view a display about the No. 2 Construction Battalion, in addition to a separate display featuring the Honourable Lincoln Alexander, in celebration of his 100th birthday.
Fish at Sarnia Bay
While the annual ice fishing derby is cancelled, you can still head to Sarnia Bay and enjoy fishing for free.
A Winter Walk
Enjoy a winter walk along John E. Pearce Provincial Park‘s Spicer Trail enjoying the views of the frozen Lake Erie. Learn about the history and the culture of rural Victorian society along a trail with fifteen interpretive stops along the century-old forest.
Winter Carnival Weekend at Schneider Haus
Celebrate Family Day at Schneider Haus! Explore Miijim exhibit, delving into Traditional Anishinaabe Foodways. Meet Scott Norton and his animal puppets, sharing Indigenous Knowledge from 12-2 pm. Then, join Scott for a puppet show at 2 pm, narrating the Anishinabek creation story. Later, learn to make Three Sisters soup and Wild Rice salad with Chef Destiny Moser from Cedar Spoon Indigenous Catering.
Family Day Long Weekend in Kitchener – Waterloo Region
Fire & Ice Family Day Event
Experience Fire & Ice Family Day Weekend in St. Jacobs Village on February 17th. Enjoy John Rula’s art at TriSisters Art House, live music at The Tasting House, a hotdog roast at Change Lifestyle & Apparel, meet Elsa and Olaf at Spoil the Dog Bakery, and more.
Outdoor Winter Activities
3. Niagara Region
Cyclamen Display
Running until March 3, the floral display with the theme “The Heart of Resilience” showcases an array of cyclamen in vibrant burgundy, pink, and magenta hues, symbolizing the plant’s enduring qualities.
Enjoy a family meal with Falls Views
Book a table at a restaurant overlooking the magnificent falls. Dine with a view and satisfy your palette!
St. Catharines Museum and Welland Canals Centre
Take advantage of a fun-filled day at the museum. Under the theme of All Fun and Games, the museum will be transformed into a carnival-style destination where families can join in activities and learn about the types of play enjoyed by people in the past at carnivals and circuses.
Chocolate & Cheese
Explore the decadently sweet and savoury art of pairing wine with chocolate & cheese. You can visit 20 Niagara Region wineries and enjoy a maximum of sixteen tastings with a Chocolate & Cheese touring pass. (16 tastings for per person, $75 plus tax and service fee) or a Couple’s Pass (16 tastings per couple, $75 plus tax and service fee).
Family Day at First Ontario Performing Arts
Enjoy a few fun family shows, lots of FREE fun activities and furry friends in the lobby, films and hands-on activities on February 19th! You can watch daring acrobats, accompanied by their musicians, perform to the pulsating rhythm of the djembes of Guinea with their authentic and original choreography and acrobatics.
Winter Activities
4. Hamilton – Greater Toronto Area
Hamilton Winterfest
Check out what is on at the Hamilton Winterfest Hub at Auchmar. Enjoy live theatre, dance, musical acts, massive inflatable sculptures, a new mural celebrating the Black community, 4 custom-made geodesic domes and much more.
Taste of Oakville
Taste delicious fare by Oakville’s restaurants during Taste of Oakville – a prix fixe food series that will awaken your taste buds and allow you to explore a variety of local restaurants.
Enchanted Lights
Embrace the magic of the season at Enchanted Lights at Mel Lastman Square. This enchanting event invites all to indulge in the beauty of diverse cultures through a mesmerizing display of lights, entertainment, and culinary delights.
Kids Fest TO
Three days of non-stop fun with over thirty themed inflatables, jumping castles, interactive games, slides, obstacle courses, and so much more at The International Centre, Mississauga! Get ready to laugh, play, and create unforgettable memories with live stage shows, pony rides, carnival games, prizes, delicious food, and surprises around every corner!
Disney on Ice
Embark on a magical voyage with Disney On Ice: Into The Magic! Join Moana and Maui as they navigate the high seas on a quest to save her island. With the ice transformed into an oceanic landscape, witness Moana’s courage shine. Don’t miss this enchanting experience at the Tribute Communities Centre from February 15 to 18, 2024.
Lunar Nights: Year of the Dragon Festival
Experience the enchantment of Lunar Nights: Year of the Dragon Festival at Markham Museum. Wander through 20 scenes adorned with over 250 vibrant silk lanterns, illuminating the city with the spirit of Lunar New Year. Explore indoor exhibitions, traditional vendors, hands-on activities, and captivating dragon performances from until February 25.
More Ideas:
Family Day Weekend in Hamilton
Family Day Weekend GTA (Plenty of events during the week)
Outdoor Winter Activities
5. Central Ontario
Gravenhurst Winter Carnival
Explore Gravenhurst during the annual winter carnival. Events will include Ignite Gravenhurst, Winter Carnival Music Night, Sculptures in Gull Lake Park, Walking Tours from the Town of a Municipal Heritage Committee and SO MUCH MORE!!
Baysville Winterfest
Enjoy some winter fun at the annual Baysville Winterfest. Enjoy a wide range of free activities that include a pancake breakfast, live music, outdoor games – great winter fun for the whole family!
Winter in the Wild Festival
Celebrate winter at Algonquin Park. Events include guided bird walks, guest speakers, guided snowshoe excursions, skating, winter camping demos, marshmallow roasting and a special evening program.
28 Days of Fun in Dysart et al
Winter in the Municipality of Dysart et al is filled with snow and ice, and bright sunny days. Pick up your passport to track activities and be entered to win valuable prizes from local partners.
Breaking the Ice Festival
Get ready for a musical extravaganza at Wasaga Beach’s 50th Anniversary Celebration! Iconic Canadian legends like Blue Rodeo and Burton Cummings will headline the Breaking the Ice festival, marking the grand opening of the new arena and library. Join the festivities, with Cummings rocking the stage on February 17th and Blue Rodeo on February 18th.
Family Day Weekend at Blue Mountains
Family Day at Blue is jam packed with fun for the whole family. Enjoy live music, extended activity hours, and early morning fresh tracks!Everything from headlining music acts to family friendly activities to keep the energy levels high.
Penetanguishene Winterama
Experience the charm of Penetanguishene Winterama, Ontario’s oldest winter carnival. This cherished event celebrates Canadian seasonality, promoting outdoor activities and fostering community spirit. Through partnerships and cultural showcases, Winterama shares the town’s heritage and welcomes families, friends, and visitors to revel in a festive celebration of winter.
While here, visit the beautiful historic Discovery Harbour and celebrate winter! All the fun will be on February 17th to 19th, 11:00am to 4pm each day. Super demonstrations include blacksmithing, costumed characters, local artisan vendor market and live musicians. Yummy snacks and hot chocolate available in the Snowshoe Café. Don’t miss out on all the snowy fun!
Peterborough Snofest
Snofest offers a wonderfully diverse range of events and activities for children, young people, families and seniors, all of which remind us how important it is to celebrate the seasons, embrace winter and remain active.
Dorset Snowball Winter Carnival
Enjoy a variety of winter activities such as a pancake breakfast, polar plunge, horse-drawn wagon rides, cardboard toboggan rides, kids vs adult hockey game, Hockey Night in Dorset and more!
Élevage Winter Wine Festival
Visit Prince Edward County for Élevage, a unique winter wine festival on February 17th-18th. Celebrate wine, family, and connection with seasonal fare, artisanal cheeses, and exquisite wines and ciders. Meet enthusiasts, learn from experts, and experience the heart of The County’s wineries at Huff Estates.
Hot Cocoa Trail
Taste some yummy hot chocolate at Barrie’s Hot Cocoa Trail. This winter tradition showcases some deliciously unique and creative hot chocolate-inspired beverages and dishes by downtown Barrie coffee shops, cafés, restaurants, and bistros. With each purchase of a signature Hot Cocoa Trail food item, fill out a ballot and enter to win one of three DWNTWN E-Gift Cards!
Arrowhead Ice Skating Trail and Fire & Ice Nights
Visit Arrowhead Provincial Park on Friday and Saturday nights and explore 1.3 km skating trail that winds through the Muskoka forest lit with hundreds of tiki torches.
Winter at Haliburton Sculpture Forest
This winter, discover the magic of Haliburton Sculpture Forest – a unique outdoor collection of sculptures by Canadian and international artists located in the Haliburton Highlands. Entry is free or by donation.
Outdoor Winter Activities
6. Eastern Ontario
Tweed Winter Carnival
The Tweed Winter Carnival is a winter wonderland of family-friendly winter events. Activities include the Snowman contest, maple syrup tasting, craft sale, demo derby, fireworks on Sunday, bonfire and more!
Glengarry Polar Dip
Visit Island Park in Alexandria on Sunday, February 18 for Glengarry Sports Hall of Fame’s Annual Polar Bear Dip fundraiser. Dip your toes or the whole body and see whether you can brave the waters of Mill Pond.
Winterlude
Visit Ottawa for Canada’s signature winter festival. Winterlude transforms Canada’s Capital Region into the ideal destination to celebrate Canadian traditions in wintertime.
You may like: Family Day Weekend in Ottawa
Family Day at Downtown Kingston
Visit Springer Market Square to make memories and skate with Kingston Frontenacs on Feb 18th.
The city recreation facilities will also offer plenty of activities.
Frost & Fire
FROST & FIRE is Perth Tourism’s winter carnival. Taking place over the long Family Day weekend in February, there will be a mix of indoor and outdoor activities for people of all ages. Activities include Axe Throwing Competition, Vendor Marketplace, Horse & Wagon Rides, Fire Performance, Luminary Walk, Free Public Skate and more!
Winter in Fulton
Fulton’s Pancake House and Sugar Bush is one of Lanark County’s best-loved and well-known sugar camps. Enjoy the quiet solitude and fresh air of our 400-acre sugarbush filled with young and decades-old maple, pine, spruce, cedar, white birch trees. Details
Calabogie Peaks Resort
Go skiing at Calabogie Peaks Resort, Eastern Ontario’s premier all-season resort destination.
Outdoor Winter Activities
7. Northern Ontario
Head to Wagonwheel Ranch in Sudbury, climb aboard our horse-drawn sleigh and take in winters’ beauty as a team of draft horses lead you & your family through groomed scenic trails!
Parry Sound SnowFest
Spend some time outdoors and enjoy all that winter has to offer: toboganning, ice fishing and skating – then come inside and warm up with a hearty meal and let loose on the dance floor. Don’t miss the breathtaking fireworks show.
SnowDay on the Waterfront
Celebrate winter at Thunder Bay’s Marina Park and enjoy all the creative snow sculptures located in the Festival Area of the park. Experience the interactive Exposure exhibit from 4:00 pm to 10:00 pm both days. Enjoy skating, arts, games, and more at various locations including the Baggage Building Arts Centre and Taiji Park. Don’t miss special performances by All the DAZE Productions from 6pm-8pm.
Voyageur Winter Carnival
Visit Fort William Historical Park for the Voyageur Winter Carnival. Come out and enjoy plenty of fun indoor and outdoor activities, including sledding and tubing hills, winter games and contests, visiting farm animals, and much more!
Ready For Take-Off
Plan your Family Day Activities to include the Canadian Bushplane Heritage Centre. The museum is hosting plenty of activities including cultural performances, food, and hands-on activities, promising a vibrant celebration of heritage and community.
Mini Pop Kids Live
Don’t miss Mini Pop Kids Live GOOD VIBES TOUR at Fraser Auditorium in Sudbury on February 17th! Featuring family-friendly versions of top hits by Taylor Swift, Beyonce, and more, it’s a perfect family experience. Sing, dance, and groove with Mini Pop Kids Live, accompanied by local dance studio Happiness Is Dancing.
Terrace Bay WinterFest
Join in for the annual Terrace Bay WinterFest. Activities include Snow Sculptures, Crokicurl, dance parties, bowling party, winter games, sliding and tubing, painting Sugar Shack, and more!
Outdoor Winter Activities
FAMILY DAY WEEKEND EVENTS