Step 3 Gathering Limits & Rules in Ontario

Ontario has announced that Step 3 of the reopening will start on July 16, 2021.

According to Ontario’s 2021 three-step plan for reopening, outdoor social gatherings will be permitted with up to 100 people and indoor social gatherings with up to 25 people.

In all cases, individuals are required to continue to maintain physical distancing of at least two metres with people from outside their households.

Step 3 Gathering Limits & Rules in Ontario

Social Gathering:

  • 25 people if the event is held indoors
  • 100 people if the event is held outdoors

An organized public event ( if it is held at a private dwelling, including houses, apartment buildings, condominium buildings and post-secondary student residences):

  • 25 people if the event is held indoors
  • 100 people if the event is held outdoors;

Wedding, a funeral or a religious service, rite or ceremony (at a regulated venue):

  • Indoor religious services, rites or ceremonies, including wedding services and funeral services permitted with physical distancing;
  • Indoor dining permitted with no limits on the number of patrons per table with physical distancing and other restrictions still in effect;
  • Outdoor wedding, funeral or religious service, rite or ceremony –  All persons attending the gathering must comply with public health guidance on physical distancing

Meeting or event space, conference centres, convention centres:

  • Indoors: The total number of members of the public permitted to be in an indoor portion of the rentable meeting or event space at any one time must be limited to the number that can maintain a physical distance of at least two metres from every other person in the indoor portion of the rentable meeting or event space and in any event may not exceed 50 per cent capacity, as arrived at by taking 50 per cent of the capacity of every room in the rentable meeting or event space and totalling the result, or 1,000 persons, whichever is less.
  • Outdoors: The total number of members of the public permitted to be in an outdoor portion at any one time may not exceed 75 per cent capacity, or 5,000 persons, whichever is less.

Sports & Recreational Fitness Facilities :

  • Indoor sports and recreational fitness facilities to open subject to a maximum 50 per cent capacity of the indoor space.
  • Capacity for indoor spectators is 50 per cent of the usual seating capacity or 1,000 people, whichever is less.
  • Capacity for outdoor spectators is 75 per cent of the usual seating capacity or 15,000 people, whichever is less.

Museums, Festivals & Other Tourist Attractions

  • Museums, galleries, historic sites, aquariums, zoos, landmarks, botanical gardens, science centres, casinos/bingo halls, amusement parks, fairs and rural exhibitions, festivals, with capacity limited to not exceed 50 per cent capacity indoors and 75 per cent capacity outdoors;
  • Concert venues, cinemas, and theatres permitted to operate at:
      • 50 per cent capacity indoors or a maximum limit of 1,000 people for seated events (whichever is less)
      • up to 75 per cent capacity outdoors or a maximum limit of 5,000 people for unseated events (whichever is less); and up to 75 per cent capacity outdoors or a maximum of 15,000 people for events with fixed seating (whichever is less).

Cineplex Theatres in Ontario to Reopen on July 16th

Retail, Restaurants, & Other Businesses

  • Essential and non-essential retail with capacity limited to the number of people that can maintain a physical distance of two metres;
  • Personal care services, including services requiring the removal of a face covering, with capacity limited to the number of people that can maintain a physical distance of two metres;
  • Real estate open houses with capacity limited to the number of people that can maintain a physical distance of two metres
  • Indoor food or drink establishments where dance facilities are provided, including nightclubs and restobars, permitted up to 25 per cent capacity or up to a maximum limit of 250 people (whichever is less).

Upcoming Festivals

21 Apr

Queen Street, Stratford

April 21, 2026 To November 1, 2026

Varies

North America’s largest classical repertory theatre, presenting the works of William Shakespeare and other great writers.  »

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26 Sep

Muskoka Lakes Farm & Winery, 1074 Cranberry Road, Bala

September 26, 2026 To October 25, 2026

705-762-3203

$5 to $67

Visit Cranberry Marsh and take part in an experience that is unique in Northern America!! See how 27 acres of marsh that produce around 300,000-400,000 lbs of cranberries ...  »

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01 Oct

Discovery Harbour, 93 Jury Drive, Penetanguishene

October 1, 2026 To October 31, 2026

705-526-7838

$13 - $15

Join us this October at Pumpkinferno, where Discovery Harbour transforms into a glowing autumn wonderland featuring more than 5,000 artificial “fun‑kins,” dazzling lights, music, and interactive activities. ...  »

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02 Oct

Various Venues, Ontario

October 2, 2026 To December 5, 2026

$29 & up

The Ontario festival of Small Halls will feature a wealth of Canadian artists at numerous venues in the Ottawa Valley and beyond. 2026 Lineup: Ashley MacIsaac, Còig, ...  »

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22 Oct

Various Venues, Ottawa

October 22, 2026 To October 25, 2026

Varies

Canada’s Festival of Ideas presenting entertaining and passionate discussions with the world’s leading thinkers. Since 1997, The Writers Festival has been celebrating the world’s best ...  »

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23 Oct

Ken Seiling Waterloo Region Museum, 10 Huron Road, Kitchener

October 23, 2026

$22.57

​​Calling all teenagers for a night of pumpkin carving, music, mocktails, and spooky activities across Doon Heritage Village!  »

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29 Oct

Legacy Hall, Deerhurst Resort, 1235 Deerhurst Dr, Huntsville

October 29, 2026 To November 1, 2026

4162527800

$75 &up

Elvis & Co is a 4-day immersive music event that features not only the world’s leading Elvis Tribute Artists, but also the artists that influenced and ...  »

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06 Nov

Exhibition Place, Princes' Boulevard, Toronto

November 6, 2026 To November 15, 2026

416-263-3400

Free to $41.08 +fees

The Royal Agricultural Winter Fair takes place every November in the City of Toronto. Come celebrate the best in agriculture, local food, and equestrian competitions from across ...  »

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29 Jan

Various Venues, Toronto, ON

January 29, 2027 To February 11, 2027

$20 to $75

Toronto’s winter culinary celebration offers the perfect opportunity to discover delicious cuisine at more than 200 restaurants and experience unique culinary events. Produced by the City of ...  »

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06 Aug

Mohawk Park, 51 Lynnwood Drive,  Brantford

August 6, 2027 To August 8, 2027

5197540169

Free

Brantford Ribfest is three days of great food, live music and family fun brought to you by the Brantford Kinsmen Club. Five of North America’s best ...  »

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