Toronto
Bruce Peninsula Orchid Festival/ Photo credit: Friends of the Bruce District Parks Association
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. The mild weather means the 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 40+ fun things you can do across Ontario this spring.
40+ Must Do Activities & Events in Ontario during Spring
1. Canada’s Largest Egg Hunt | Milton
50,000 Eggs
23 Acres
Need we say more?
Saturday April 20th, 2019 @ Milton
2. Doors Open Ontario
Get to Guelph and kick off Ontario’s Doors Open celebrations.
Explore for free historical houses to modern marvels of construction during Doors Open Ontario.
Guelph (April 27)
Peterborough (May 4)
Whitby (May 4)
Hamilton (May 4-5)
Richmond Hill (May 11)
Toronto (May 25-26)
Whitchurch-Stouffville (June 1)
Northumberland County (June 1 – 2)
Ottawa (June 1-2)
Owen Sound (June 1)
Clarington (June 8)
Erin (June 8)
3. Sugar Bush | Across Ontario
Many different 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 6 ~ 7, 2019 from 10 AM to 4 PM. Participants in Maple Weekend can be found across the province in a number of maple syrup producing areas.
Guinness World Book of Records recognised World’s Largest One Day Maple Syrup festival, the Elmira Maple Syrup Festival is also held on the same weekend.
4. 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 particular to the large showy Lady Slipper Orchids. ~ 3 weeks in June. @ Purdon Conservation Area, Lanark County.
5. Cycling | Creemore
Join for 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 25, 2019
6. Ranney Gorge Suspension Bridge Run | Campbellford/Trent Hills
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 5th, 2019
7. 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 which takes place from May 10 to 20, 2019 has been drawing thousands of visitors since its founding in 1953 and symbolizes the lasting relationship Ottawa shares with the Netherlands. From May 10 to 20, 2019 @ Ottawa – Tulip festival Itinerary.
8. 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 4 to 6, 2019 @ AUD, 172 South Drive, Simcoe Fairgrounds
9. Get Fresh in the Valley | Twenty Valley
Celebrate spring in Niagara’s Twenty Valley. The spring passport program Get Fresh in the Valley entitles you to sample new vintages and aromatic wines, paired with fresh spring flavours from some of the area’s finest chefs at 20 plus premium wineries. April 27, 28 or May 4,5 2019 from 11 am to 5 pm @ Various locations in Twenty Valley Region.
10. 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.
11. Marsh Mash | Holland Marsh
Join-in or cheer 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.
12. 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. Three Canadian series – the Canadian Touring Car Championship, the IMSA Ultra 94 Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge Canada by Yokohama and the Nissan Micra Cup Series – will round out the weekend of exciting on-track racing action.
13. Radical Lines Aerial Adventure Park | Port Dover
Radical Lines Aerial Adventure Park is a tree-top obstacle and zip lining course, suspended between trees 10 to 80 feet high. It’s the perfect bonding experience with friends or family, as it will test your wits, courage, and physical prowess in a safe environment.
14. Kiwanis Walleye World Fishing Derby | Trenton
Come on out to the Bay of Quinte and participate in the largest amateur Walleye and Pike tournament in Ontario! 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.
15. Stratford Festival | Stratford
Stratford Festival is an internationally recognized theatre festival, which 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.
16. Kinsmen Duck Races | Stayner
Nostalgic about the giant duck that travelled across Ontario during Canada 150? Then, 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!
17. Best Butter Tart Festival | Midland
Mark you calendars, because on Saturday, June 9th Midland, Ontario is hosting their 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.
18. Cherry blossoms in High Park | Toronto
19. 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 extends from May 1st to May 20
More Birding Festivals: Birding Festivals to Celebrate Spring Migration in Ontario
20. Dundas International Buskerfest | Hamilton
Performers from across the globe flock to Dundas in early June to participate in the International Buskerfest. You’ll enjoy street performances including circus artistry, magicians, non-verbal shows, and live music. This year’s event takes place on June 7, 8 & 9, 2019
21. Ultimate Exotics | Hamilton
Located just 40 minutes outside the GTA in Stony Creek, this company is dedicated to offering world class exotic car experiences. You can choose between 30 minute, 3 hour, and 5 hour packages, but either way you’ll be able to get behind the wheel of some of the most expensive cars in the world. See here for prices and to book your exotic car experience.
22. 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 Hopes downtown. Participants race in canoes, kayaks, and a variety of homemade rafts and boats. This year’s event takes place on April 13, 2019
23. Beer-lesque & Carniv-ale Show| St Thomas
Sample craft beer, cider, wine, and spirits from local Ontario brewers & distillers. Explore artisan marketplace, featuring: steampunk vendors, tattoo artists, craftsmen, and other oddities.
The worlds of Steampunk & Sideshow blend together to create an extravaganza of vendors & exhibitioners like you’ve never seen before on May 21, 2019 @ Elgin County Railway Museum, 225 Wellington St, St. Thomas
24. Peony Festival | Oshawa
25. SING! The Toronto Vocal Arts Festival | Toronto
SING! The Toronto Vocal Arts Festival is dedicated to celebrating the best in worldwide acappella music. This event is relatively new, as this will be the 8th year it has been held. From May 24 to June 2 you can attend performances, workshops, and various free events for the vocal music enthusiast.
26. 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 are plenty to do in Ontario’s Parks.
27. Re-enacment 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. June 1 – 2, 2019
28. 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 their are professional guides on staff to help you learn.
29. Hot Docs Documentary Film Festival | Toronto
The Hot Docs Documentary Film Festival is the largest documentary film festival in North America! This year is the festival’s 25th anniversary and it will take place from April 25 to May 5. The festival will show 246 documentary films along with 16 interdisciplinary projects from all over the world.
30. Orchid Festival | Tobemory
31. 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. This year is the 38th anniversary and the festival will take place from April 20 – May 11, 2019
32. Mississauga Waterfront Festival | Mississauga
The Mississauga Waterfront Festival was voted one of Ontario’s Top 100 Festivals ten years in a row. The festival boasts world renowned musical talents. Past performers include Sam Roberts, Jann Arden, and Tom Cochrane. The festival also includes children’s programming, stilt walkers, fire-eaters, food, and crafters.
33. 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 bushwhacks. Peaking the summit will offer a gorgeous view of the Ontario wilderness like you’ve never seen it before. Visit if you want to ring in the spring on Ontario’s highest peak.
34. Dunnville Mudcat Festival | Dunnville
The Dunnville Mudcat Festival is a 45-year old festival that includes a parade, strongman competitions, street dancing, live music, a fireworks display, and more. You can also get a photo with the city’s mascot, a 50-foot Mudcat fish named “Muddy”. This year the festival’s theme is ‘Superheroes invade’ and it will take place from June 6 to 9, 2019
35. Sault Ste. Marie Science Festival | Sault Ste. Marie
36. 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.
37. Royal Botanical garden Burlington
Enjoy the best of spring flowers that 100,000 spring bulbs to world’s largest lilac collection and Peonies and the all new Rose garden at this 2,700 acres of breathtaking gardens and spectacular nature sanctuaries that includes 32 kilometres of trails.
38. Luminato
Luminato is Toronto’s international arts festival dedicated to performance, media and visual arts, and programming that cuts across traditional artform boundaries. This year, explore a mirror maze standing over 12.5 feet and weighing over 55 tonnes in addition to taking in fabulous events.
39. London Fringe Theatre Festival
Join for magic, musicals, and heart-wrenching performances, all while supporting the artists and their craft at London Fringe Theatre Festival. From theatre for kids, families and adults, to buskers on the streets, you can try any form of performing arts you like by local and international artists from May 28 – June 8, 2019
40. Barrie Automotive Flea Market | Oro-Medonte
Visit Burl’s Creek Event Grounds and to 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”.
41. Watch Florida Georgia Line during RBC Canadian Open
Watch Florida Georgia Line (FGL), and The Glorious Sons during the third oldest continuously running tournament on the PGA TOUR. RBCxMusic, in partnership with Golf Canada, has announced a new concert series, featuring Grammy-nominated and internationally acclaimed duo, Florida Georgia Line (FGL), and JUNO award winners and homegrown rock band, The Glorious Sons, taking place at the 2019 RBC Canadian Open.
42. AQUINO Tank Weekend | Oshawa
Visit Oshawa for Canada’s Largest Military Show with TANKS, Battle Re-enactments, Artillery, Static displays and more! This is the only place in Canada where you can ride in a Main Battle Tank or Military Vehicle. Aquino Tank weekend is on June 8 & 9, 2019, but Tank Saturdays takes place once a month from May to October.
43. Free Fishing | Ontario Waters
For this year, Ontario’s Government has introduced 2 more 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!
You may like:
100 Things to Do during Spring in Toronto
Boat Tours and Cruises in Ontario