Toronto 
Ontario is a beautiful place to be in the spring. As the winter snow melts and the flowers begin to bloom, it is a time of great hope for many people after the darkness of winter.
Credit: Samantha Hare
The mild weather means that Ontarians can spend more time outdoors.
There are many ways to enjoy the nice weather, including festivals, hiking trails, outdoor tours, and other unique activities.
Read on to discover 60+ fun things you can do across Ontario this spring.
More Fun: 9 Ideas for Spring Getaways or Road Trips in Ontario
60+ Things to Do This Spring in Ontario
Sugar Bush | Across Ontario
Many cities and regions in Ontario celebrate the making of maple syrup with tours of sugar bush facilities where sap is harvested and maple syrup celebration festivals where hundreds of pancakes are consumed. Hurry though! Most sugar shacks close down by mid-April, but it’s the perfect way to kick off a lovely springtime. See here for a list of Ontario’s sugar shacks and maple syrup festivals.
The Ontario Maple Syrup Producers’ Association will be hosting the Annual Maple Weekend on April 4 & 5 from 10 AM to 4 PM. Participants in Maple Weekend can be found across the province in several maple syrup-producing regions.
Meadows Music Festival | Fergus
Head to Fergus for Meadows Music Festival.
Held at the Centre Wellington Sportsplex, this two-day event blends live music, local food, drinks and camping. Friday features Dallas Smith, Cameron Whitcomb, Jason Blaine and Karli June. Saturday includes Arkells, Wild Rivers, Joel Plaskett Emergency, Yukon Blonde and Softcult. A relaxed weekend of music in a small-town setting.
Guided History Tours | Midland/Wasaga Beach/Penetanguishene
Step into history this spring with small-group guided tours at Sainte-Marie among the Hurons, Nancy Island Historic Site and Discovery Harbour before peak season begins. Led by experienced interpreters, each tour follows a curated route through historic grounds, shipwrecks and landmarks tied to the War of 1812 and early settlement life. Visitors also get access to museums, shops and, at Sainte-Marie, an introductory film and restaurant.
Orchid Show | Niagara Falls
Niagara Parks’s Floral Showhouse will feature an impressive collection of over 1,500 delicate orchids until April 26. Visitors can explore a variety of orchid species, such as Blackadder, Little Pinky, Lotte, Pikachu, Pinky, Sunshine, Super, and White Apple Orchids. These are complemented by Majesty Palms, Alocasia Polly, Tradescantia Zebrina, and Blue Star Ferns.
I Heart Beer & Taco Festival
The annual I Heart Beer Festival promises to be an evening of pure fun and entertainment for attendees. The Spring edition — I Heart Beer & Taco Festival — is a celebration of everything beer, cider, and tacos. From foosball and pong to board games, 1UP arcades, and classic consoles, there’s something for everyone. DJs will be providing the soundtrack for the evening, keeping the energy levels high and attendees on their feet dancing.
- Barrie – Saturday, April 18th, 2026 @ East Bayfield Community Centre
- Guelph – Saturday, April 25th, 2026 @ Sleeman Centre
- Peterborough – Saturday, May 2nd, 2026 @ Healthy Planet Arena
Easter Bunny Train Rides
Ontario’s heritage train tour locations offer Easter bunny train rides during the long weekend. Head to Tottenham, Waterloo, Uxbridge, or Smith Falls to enjoy a spring season train ride.
Float Your Fanny Down the Ganny | Port Hope
Float Your Fanny Down the Ganny is a 10km river race along the Ganaraska River in honour of the 1980 flood that destroyed Port Hope’s downtown. Participants race in canoes, kayaks, and a variety of homemade rafts and boats.
This year’s event takes place on Saturday, April 11, 2026
Eat & Drink Norfolk
Check out Norfolk County’s best restaurants, wineries, breweries and food producers, all under one roof for 3 days! The event happens from April 9 to 11 @ AUD, 172 South Drive, Simcoe Fairgrounds
Doors Open Ontario
Doors Open Ontario lets you explore many tourist attractions across Ontario for free.
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- Stratford — April 18-19
- Guelph — April 25
- Oshawa — May 2
- Hamilton — May 2-3
- Along the Grand — May 9
- Richmond Hill — May 9
- Toronto — May 23-24
- Whitchurch-Stouffville — June 6
- Ottawa — June 6-7
- St. Catharines — June 13
Poutine Feast | Ontario
Poutine Feast Ontario Inc is bringing travelling poutineries with their own unique variations to various locations in Ontario from April to October. The festival promises vegetarian, vegan, keto and gluten-free options – thus putting a spin on the classic Canadian dish. You can also find all time favourites like ice cream, donuts and fresh lemonade.
Spring Dates:
- Renfrew – April 23–26, 2026 @ Renfrew Information Centre, 190 Mask Rd
- Carleton Place – May 7–10, 2026 @ Riverside Park, 137 John St
- Hamilton – May 14–17, 2026 @ Gage Park, 1000 Main St
- London – May 21–24, 2026 @ Victoria Park, 580 Clarence St
- Sarnia – May 28–31, 2026 @ Centennial Park, 430 Front St N
- Windsor – June 4–7, 2026 @ Riverfront Festival Plaza, 340 Riverside Dr E
- North Bay – June 11–14, 2026 @ Lee Park, 800 Memorial Dr
WEFTFest Fibre Art Festival in Waterloo
If you’re planning a spring outing, WEFTFest Fibre Art Festival offers a quieter kind of beauty. Set near the St. Jacobs Farmers Market, it invites you to slow down and take in stories stitched into fabric. From the Quilt of Belonging to the Grand River Quilt Project, each piece reflects community and craft, with local guilds and a fibre art auction adding to the experience. April 11 & 12, 2026.
ScrapFest in Kitchener
Come to the Ultimate Papercrafting Destination at ScrapFest in Kitchener! It is the chance to see the newest products on the market, learn a new technique, and purchase needed crafting supplies. April 17 to 18, 2026.
Elora Antique and Vintage Show
The heritage village of Elora becomes the epicentre of everything antique, vintage and retro during the Elora Antique and Vintage Show on April 18 to 19, 2026.
— Elora: Ontario’s Charming Village Escape For Family and Romantic Getaways
Cherry Blossoms in High Park | Toronto
See Spring Colouring Ontario
See how the spring changes Ontario’s landscape by hiking to a lookout near you or from these: 25 Fabulous Scenic Lookouts to Visit in Ontario.
Hot Docs Documentary Film Festival | Toronto
The Hot Docs Documentary Film Festival is the largest documentary film festival in North America! This year, it will take place from April 23 to May 3, 2026. The festival will show documentary films along with interdisciplinary projects from all over the world.
— Top Festivals to Attend During Spring in Toronto and the GTA
Indian Falls Conservation Area | Owen Sound
The Bruce Peninsula’s shifting landscapes and escarpment-fed streams create stunning waterfalls like Indian Falls, where a short but challenging hike leads to a dramatic 15-metre cascade best seen in spring.
— Explore Waterfalls of Owen Sound and Grey County
Aberfoyle Antique Market | Guelph
A visit to Canada’s oldest and largest outdoor antique market, Aberfoyle Antique Market, is not just a shopping trip; it’s an immersive journey into the past, set within a family-friendly and welcoming atmosphere. The market returns for the 2026 season on April 26.
Victoria Day Speedfest | Oshawa
Head to Canadian Tire Motorsport Park on Victoria Day weekend for the Victoria Day SpeedFest, featuring the NASCAR Pinty’s Series and the Pirelli World Challenge Series. The schedule includes races in the Sports Car Championship Canada presented by Michelin, Emzone Radical Cup Canada presented by Michelin, and the Super Production Challenge.
Orillia Perch Festival | Orillia
The Orillia Perch Festival is one of Canada’s largest registered fishing derbies. Participants have a chance to win cash and product prizes in both the adult and children’s categories. The festival will take place from April 24 to May 9, 2026.
Kiwanis Walleye World Fishing Derby | Trenton/Quinte West
Head to the Bay of Quinte to compete and participate in Ontario’s largest amateur Walleye and Pike tournament.
The Kiwanis Walleye World is a massive fundraising effort by the Trenton Kiwanis Club to help raise money for the community in support of the goals of Kiwanis International.
With over $260,000 in prizes to be won, it is the largest Walleye Fishing Derby in the world.- May 2 & 3, 2026
Festival of Birds | Point Pelee National Park
The Festival of Birds is a way to witness the migration of many different species of birds and is the perfect spring activity for the avid bird watcher. The festival is located in Point Pelee National Park against the backdrop of lush forests, blooming wildflowers, and marshes teeming with wildlife. This year’s festival runs from May 1 to 18, 2026.
More Birding Festivals: Birding Festivals to Celebrate Spring Migration in Ontario
Ranney Gorge Suspension Bridge Run | Campbellford/Trent Hills
Credit: Northumberland Tourism
Join for scenic 10.55K and 5K the annual Ranney Gorge Run held in May that will take you through the roads of Ferris Provincial Park and over the breathtaking and picturesque Ranney Gorge Suspension Bridge. It is all for a good cause – funds raised will support patient care and the purchase of new high-priority medical equipment for Campbellford Memorial Hospital. — Sunday, May 3, 2026. Register
Mother’s Day Brunch
Boat cruises around Ontario usually kick off during Mother’s Day Weekend. Head to Grand River, Lake Ontario (Kingston, Toronto), and treat mom to a scenic cruise and a delicious brunch onboard.
- Guide to Planning a Summer Boating Trip on Trent-Severn Waterway
- 3 Places to Go For a High-Speed Jet Boat Cruise in Ontario
Pick Your Own Asparagus
The tender shoots of the asparagus poke their head every spring during the month of May. Some farms allow you to pick the May crop that starts as little purple specks and grows into delicious spears in Ontario.
Tulip Festival | Ottawa
Canada’s most colourful festival celebrates the tulip, Ottawa’s official flower and an international symbol of friendship and peace, through art and culture. This outdoor festival has been drawing thousands of visitors since its founding in 1953 and symbolizes the lasting relationship Ottawa shares with the Netherlands. From May 8 through 18, 2026 @ Ottawa – Tulip festival Itinerary.
Cycling | Creemore
Join Creemore Springs Turas Mór for a truly unique bike tour. Inspired by the vintage rides of Europe, Turas Mór – meaning ‘Great Journey’ in Gaelic – is a cycling journey on gravel and non-gravel roads through the rolling hills of Creemore. May 9th, 2026.
Victoria Day Fireworks | Ontario
Canadian Tulip Festival
We are looking forward to the traditional Victoria Day weekend fireworks across Ontario this year. The cities and towns have not yet announced Victoria Day weekend Fireworks, but check here near the long weekend for the list of fireworks.
Muskoka 2/4 Craft Beer Festival
The Muskoka 2/4 Craft Beer Festival is back on Victoria Day weekend. Spend a Saturday hanging out on the beautiful Muskoka River in downtown Huntsville.
Lilac Festivals | Warkworth/Franktown
Warkworth Lilac Festival: This unique month-long festival brings together gardeners and flower enthusiasts from many parts of the country. Held in the rural town of Warkworth, this is an event that will leave you feeling good for the rest of the year. Warkworth is a quiet and serene town located just ninety minutes east of Toronto.
The quaint hamlet of Franktown in Beckwith Township is known as the Lilac Capital of Ontario, as many homes and fields in the village include these beautiful, fragrant bushes. Visit Franktown, which was established in 1818-19 as the site of a supply store between Richmond and Perth and explore its famous Lilac Lane.
Marsh Mash | Holland Marsh
Join in or cheer for the participants of Marsh Mash Canoe and Kayak Race, the 4th oldest Marathon Canoe Race in Ontario. The race attracts Canoeists, Kayakers, stand-up paddleboarders, and Outrigger Paddlers from all over the province to Bradford /West Gwillimbury. Saturday, May 9, 2026.
The Big Sound Comedy Festival | Parry Sound
Join for big belly laughs on the shores of the Big Sound on May 30th and June 6th.
Ontario Pinfest | Stayner
Head to the shores of Georgian Bay for a weekend on May 30 and 31 that feels like stepping inside a living arcade. Ontario’s only pinball festival brings together machines from the 1940s to the latest 2026 releases, all set to free play. Just walk in, press start and keep going. It’s an easy, all-ages outing with a nostalgic twist and plenty to explore.
Stratford Festival | Stratford
The Stratford Festival is an internationally recognized theatre festival that runs annually from April to October in Stratford, Ontario. The main goal of the festival is to put on plays based on William Shakespeare’s works, but you’ll also catch Broadway-style musicals and other types of theatre productions.
Kinsmen Duck Races | Stayner
Credit: Stayner and District Kinsmen
Head to Stayner with the whole family to participate in the Duck races. Featuring 2000 rubber ducks (of the small kind) and 200 corporate decorated ducks, the Kinsmen Duck Races will be sure to entertain the whole family! Live music, food and more!
Food Truck Frenzy | Whitby
Get ready for a taste bud extravaganza at Food Truck Frenzy – Durham’s biggest culinary bash! With 30+ mouthwatering food trucks, a vibrant Makers Market, and an epic Kids Zone, this two-day festival (May 30 to 31, 2026) is a feast for the senses.
Ottawa Chinatown Night Market
This year’s night market promises to be a spectacular celebration of culture, community, and culinary delights. Get ready to immerse yourself in the heart of Ottawa’s Chinatown, where the streets come alive with an array of stalls, performances, and an unforgettable atmosphere.
— 30 Things to Do Outdoors During Spring in Ottawa
Big Cheese Days | Oxford
Oxford County, synonymous with high-quality cheese, flaunts its pride in its gourmet creations by showcasing cheese factories, bakeries, and restaurants through its Cheese Trail. The Cheese Trail is open around the year, but offerings and experiences vary depending on the date and the season.
During the month of May, the factories and restaurants part of the Cheese Trail offers specialty flavours, special discounts, and experiences like goat yoga, alpaca picnics and more. May 2-30, 2026
Cirque Du Soleil | Toronto
Photos: Matt Beard & Anne Colliard
Cirque Du Soleil is bringing one of its iconic productions, Luzia to Toronto.
Performed under the iconic Big Top at Lake Shore Blvd West, this production combines poetic storytelling with acrobatics, paying tribute to Mexico’s landscapes, traditions, and mythology. Guided by the elements of light (“luz”) and rain (“lluvia”), the production explores encounters between a parachuted traveller and a kaleidoscope of dreamlike characters.
Barrie Waterfront Festival
The Barrie Waterfront Festival is back in Centennial Park for live music, food trucks, vendors, a midway, and more! May 22 to 24, 2026.
Best Butter Tart Festival | Midland
Mark your calendars because on Saturday, June 10th, Midland is hosting its annual Ontario’s Best Butter Tart Festival. The event is a free street festival where over 60 businesses sell butter tarts and butter-tart-inspired foods and products and the Contest crowns the best butter tarts in the province.
Flower Picking | Ontario
Ontario is full of sprawling farmland and lush landscapes where fresh flowers, plants, and produce are grown and harvested. This spring and summer, escape the city limits and find yourself on a beautiful farm amidst wild and colourful petals. If you enjoy picking flowers directly off a farm, visit one of these U-Pick flower farms in Ontario.
Peony Festival | Oshawa
Downtown Milton SummerFest
Celebrate summer’s arrival at Downtown Milton’s SummerFest on June 6, supported by the town and local sponsors. Enjoy live bands at Main & Martin, explore the Vendor Marketplace for food and unique items, and immerse in family activities and photo ops. Local restaurants will entice with food and drinks on their patios.
SING! The Toronto Vocal Arts Festival | Toronto
SING! The Toronto Vocal Arts Festival is dedicated to celebrating the best in worldwide acappella music. Festival concerts will span an array of musical styles, including pop, rock, jazz, classical, barbershop, world, gospel, folk, live looping and beat boxing, all performed a cappella (voices without instrumental accompaniment). May 20 to June 1, 2026.
Kite Festivals | Brampton & Thunder Bay
Brampton KiteFest brings colour to the sky with a two-day outdoor celebration built for families on June 6 & 7. Kids can build and fly their own kites while learning how they work, and skilled fliers fill the air with choreographed displays. With food vendors, hands-on fun and a relaxed community feel, it’s an easy way to spend time outside and reconnect.
Thunder Bay Kite Festival at Chippewa Park offers a family-friendly day packed with colour and outdoor fun. Fly your own kite or borrow one in designated areas, enjoy amusement rides with special pricing, and stop by for temporary tattoos. It’s a relaxed way to spend time outside with activities for all ages.
See Thousands of Wild Orchids | Lanark County
There is something extra special about native, wild Orchids growing free in the wild. Have you ever dreamed of surrounding yourself with thousands of wild, stunning Orchids? Now you can, with an exciting day at Purdon Conservation Area! Each Spring, some 16,000- 18,000 Orchids blossom, inviting guests to explore this unique wetland, native to the large showy Lady Slipper Orchids. ~ 3 weeks in June. @ Purdon Conservation Area, Lanark County.
Explore Ontario’s Parks
From climbing on a “sleeping giant” to walking the world’s longest freshwater beach and enjoying spring’s new growth, there is plenty to do in Ontario’s Parks.
See Thousands of Wild Orchids | Lanark County
There is something extra special about native, wild Orchids growing free in the wild. Have you ever dreamed of surrounding yourself with thousands of wild stunning Orchids? Now you can, with an exciting day at Purdon Conservation Area! Each Spring, some 16,000- 18,000 Orchids blossom, inviting guests to explore this unique wetland, native to the large showy Lady Slipper Orchids. ~ 3 weeks in June. @ Purdon Conservation Area, Lanark County.
Re-enactment of The Battle of Stoney Creek | Hamilton
Visit the encampment and mingle with early 19th-century settlers and soldiers as they go about their daily life. Shop among one-of-a-kind merchants. Witness historical demonstrations of cooking, dancing, blacksmithing and more. Enjoy food, games and musical entertainment. Wander through the original 200-year-old Gage homestead. The first weekend of June.
— 30+ Things to Do This Spring in Hamilton
1000 Islands Kayaking | Gananoque
Choose between full-day guided tours and self-guided rentals at 1000 Islands Kayaking. This is the perfect way to reconnect with nature and celebrate spring with family and friends in a distraction-free, peaceful environment. No experience is necessary, as there are professional guides on staff to help you learn.
Ishpatina Ridge Tower Summit | Lady Evelyn Smoothwater Provincial Park
The Ishpatina Ridge is the highest point in Ontario! It can be climbed over the course of a day by following logging roads, bush roads, hiking trails, and bushwhacking. Peaking the summit will offer a gorgeous view of the Ontario wilderness as you’ve never seen it before. Visit if you want to ring in the spring on Ontario’s highest peak.
Spring Wildlife Workshops | Algonquin Provincial Park
Take in the natural beauty of spring in Algonquin Provincial Park, where you could have a chance encounter with a moose or a beaver. See a half dozen or more of these magnificent animals during a leisurely drive along Highway 60 on a May morning or evening. Algonquin Park is famous for its diversity of birds and wildlife. Friends of Algonquin Park offers a variety of workshops that helps you to develop a deeper understanding of the wildlife in the park.
Royal Botanical Garden | Burlington
Enjoy the best of spring flowers that 100,000 spring bulbs to the world’s largest lilac collection, Peonies and the Rose garden at this 2,700 acres of breathtaking gardens and spectacular nature sanctuaries that include 32 kilometres of trails.
Luminato | Toronto
Luminato is Toronto’s international arts festival dedicated to performance, media and visual arts, and programming that cuts across traditional artform boundaries.
Orangeville Blues & Jazz Festival
The Orangeville Blues & Jazz Festival returns to historic downtown Orangeville this June. This award winning festival boasts over 90 acts on multiple stages over 3 days. With amazing concerts, special events, the ever-popular Blues Cruise on Broadway and a broad selection of food and craft vendors, there is sure to be something for everyone.
Barrie Automotive Flea Market | Oro-Medonte
Visit Burl’s Creek Event Grounds and explore Canada’s Finest Automotive Flea Market. There is everything from collectibles & classic cars to those hard-to-find car parts. “If you can’t find it here, you can’t find it anywhere”.
Barrie Airshow
Look to the skies over Kempenfelt Bay as aircraft take flight during the Barrie Airshow, featuring the Canadian Forces Snowbirds marking their 55th season. The weekend from June 12 to 14 brings family-friendly entertainment across the city, with a new twilight show on Saturday capped by a fireworks finale.
RBC Canadian Open | Hamilton
Played annually continuously since 1904, except during World War I and World War II, the Canadian Open is the third-oldest continuously running tournament on the PGA TOUR, after The Open Championship and the U.S. Open. The RBC Canadian Open takes place from June 10 to 14, 2026.
Free Fishing | Ontario Waters
Ontario’s Government has two family fishing weekends to coincide with Father’s day and Mother’s Day Weekends. So head to the nearest body of water (where fishing is allowed) and reel in!
Art in the Park | Windsor
Attend one of Ontario’s largest outdoor arts and crafts shows, with exhibitors from all over Ontario and Quebec. Explore wares in booths set up around the 15.5 acres of gated grounds surrounding the beautiful and historic Willistead Manor in Walkerville from June 6 & 7, 2026
Lasalle Strawberry Festival
During Southwest Ontario’s Strawberry Festival, you can enjoy strawberries and ice cream, a grand parade, midway rides, and more from June 11 to 14, 2026.
Caledon Day
Caledon Day, set for June 20, 2026, at the Caledon East Community Complex, is a celebration that unites the community with free activities, local vendors, and music. Highlighted by a performance from the Brett Kissel, this award-winning event promises a day filled with family fun, culminating in fireworks, underlining the community spirit of Caledon.
FIFA Fan Festival | Toronto
Welcome, Summer, as the FIFA World Cup comes to town.
No tickets? You can still be part of the FIFA World Cup 2026 atmosphere at Toronto’s free Fan Festival. Held at Fort York National Historic Site and The Bentway, it features live match screenings, food vendors, music and cultural performances. Running from June 11 to July 19, it offers a lively, shared way to experience the tournament.
