Toronto 
Pickering Museum Village, the largest living history pioneer village in Durham Region, opens for the 2026 season on May 16.
There are over 19 heritage buildings from 1810-1920, charming gardens, and orchards in the village; it is like stepping into a time machine, but with a quirky twist!
If this is your first time, you can explore the village on a self-guided tour using the booklet.
You can also download an interactive, self-guided, app-based experience using GooseChase. (additional cost). You can complete missions, solve puzzles, and explore the site through themed challenges like time travel, mystery-solving, and competitive races. Designed for ages five and up, the programs, depending on the activity, cater to families, groups, and events, combining storytelling, teamwork, and interactive exploration in a flexible, high-energy format.
If you are a frequent visitor, here’s a rundown of all the experiences offered this summer:
Pickering Museum Village
- Family workshops (May to September) focus on creativity and imagination. Activities include sculpting clay bird magnets, Kids Cookie Club, making puppets, and exploring themed “Magic at the Museum” sessions like wand crafting, spellbook design, and potion-making. Each program offers hands-on learning where kids create their own projects while engaging in playful storytelling, artistic expression, and interactive experiences.
- Adult workshops (various dates – May to December), offering hands-on creative and culinary experiences. Participants can craft clay earrings, forge metal pieces, build woodworking projects, weave textiles, or make jewelry. Food-focused sessions include retro cooking, gardening, and historical recipes. Seasonal events range from folklore nights to Victorian tea and holiday décor, blending practical skills, history, and social learning in small group settings.
- Little Sprouts (Last Sunday of the Month, May – September): Young children explore garden spaces through sensory-based activities designed for small hands, encouraging curiosity, nature discovery, and early learning in an engaging outdoor setting.
- Strolls & Strollers (Monthly, May – September): A guided walk for caregivers and children featuring simple hands-on activities and sensory exploration, creating a relaxed environment to spark curiosity while enjoying the museum grounds.
- Duffins Creek Festival (May 30): A community-focused event highlighting the importance of Duffins Creek through interactive exhibits, demonstrations, discussions, and hands-on activities that explore its environmental and local significance.
- Saturday S’mores (Monthly, June – September): Evening museum visits featuring themed summer adventures and campfire gatherings where guests can enjoy roasting s’mores in a relaxed, family-friendly after-hours setting.
- The Amazing Museum Race (July 11): Participants race across museum grounds, completing engaging challenges, combining teamwork, exploration, and problem-solving in an interactive and energetic outdoor experience.
- Teddy Bear Picnic (August 8): Families bring their favourite stuffed toys for a day filled with games, crafts, face-painting, treats, and a relaxed picnic experience set in the museum’s meadow.
- Movie in the Meadow (August 15): A free outdoor movie night with pre-show activities, exhibits, and exploration, offering a casual evening of entertainment under the stars at the museum site.
- Enchanted Fairy Tea Party (September 13): A themed afternoon tea featuring kid-friendly beverages and sweet treats, paired with a whimsical setting designed to spark imagination and light role-play.
- Pickering Fairy Tour (September 19 & 20): An outdoor experience filled with imaginative play, creativity, and photo opportunities, inviting guests to explore a magical environment across the museum grounds.
- Pickering Paranormal Tours (Thursdays from July – October): Explore Pickering’s waterfront after dark with a museum guide. Hear chilling stories of crime and supernatural events, and visit a historic cemetery by lantern-light.
- Pickering Ghost Walks (Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays in October): Walk through the village at night, uncovering paranormal investigations, eerie staff stories, and tragic past events in a lantern-lit setting recommended for ages 12 and up.
- Beyond the Village Veil: Spirit Seeking (August 22 & Fridays in October): Join psychic mediums to investigate unexplained activity using intuition and tools while learning about the history, lives, and lingering energies within historic village buildings.
- Hallowe’en Fest (October 24 & 25): A seasonal celebration offering Halloween-themed games, crafts, activities, and treats designed to entertain visitors of all ages in a festive atmosphere.
- Storybook Christmas (November 28 & 29): A holiday-themed experience following Teddy on a festive journey through the historic village, bringing seasonal storytelling and family-friendly activities together.
Admission costs are $4.79 for adults, $ 3.65 for students/seniors, $3.09 for children, and $15.24 for families, excluding tax. Event and workshop costs vary.
Getting There:
Pickering Museum Village
Getting to Pickering Museum Village is as easy. Just hop in your horseless carriage and drive for a mere 10 minutes from Pickering Town Centre. The village is located at 2365 Concession Road #6, accessible via Hwy 7 between Brock Road and Westney Road.
You can’t miss it unless you have a knack for getting lost in time loops.
