As the unofficial kick-off to Summer, Victoria Day Weekend offers an opportunity to begin the season with a bang. This year, Victorial Day Long Weekend runs from May 17 to 19. Not only does this day recognize the birthday of the current reigning sovereign but for most, this widely anticipated long weekend marks the end of Winter and the beginning of Summer!
Here are fun Victoria Day activities to start your Summer off just right:
Celebrate Victorial Day with a brilliant fireworks display at Canada's Wonderland! Spend your day playing on over 200 awesome rides, coasters, and attractions, including Wonder Mountain's Guardian. Then round out your day with an action-packed fireworks display over Wonder Mountain. Fireworks are included with park admission. Sunday May 18 at approximately 10:00pm; weather permitting.
This Victoria Day Weekend, SuperFan ComicCon will launch in Toronto for the first time. The convention will feature: comic retailers to anime vendors; local and international artists; memorabilia; toys; collectibles; crafts; movies; apparel; video games; wrestling; cosplay costume contests; celebrity guest appearances; seminars and panels; and so much more! This inaugural fan-based event will run May 17 to 19 at the Better Living Centre, Exhibition Place.
Visit Toronto Island Park! Catch a ferry to Toronto Island Park for a scenic picnic, hike, or bike ride, or visit the interactive Franklin Children's Garden. Drop by Centreville Amusement Park, a fun amusement park that delights both children and adults with more than 600 acres of parkland surrounded by rides and attractions, and a variety of sit-down restaurants and food outlets. At Centreville, you can also visit Far Enough Farm, home to a number of different animals including horses, donkeys, cows, goats, pigs, rabbits, peacocks, and emus, and is located next to Toronto's Centreville Amusement Park on Centre Island. Admission is free and the farm is open from 8:00am to 4:00pm. Family fun awaits at Centre Island.
Celebrate Victoria Day at Fort York. It is after all, the birthplace of Toronto! Enjoy tours, kids’ activities, such as soldier's drill, demonstrations of Georgian-era cooking techniques in one of the oldest kitchens in Toronto, and English country dancing. Adults: $7.96, Seniors /Youth: $4.87, Children (6-12 years): $3.76 (plus tax). Children 5 and under are free. May 19 from 10:00am to 5:00pm.
A wide variety of flowers are in full bloom at Centennial Park Conservatory and Allan Gardens Conservatory. Both conservatories are open from 10:00am to 5:00pm. Admission is free.
Celebrate Victoria Day with an afternoon tea fit for a Queen at Montgomery's Inn. Price includes a complimentary guided tour of the Museum. All ages are welcome. First come, first served. $10 plus tax. Montgomery's Inn is one of 10 Toronto Historic Sites.
Black Creek Pioneer Village is hosting three days of family fairytale fun on May 17, 18, and 19, 2014! Bring your eye patches and tiaras. Celebrate stories such as Beauty and the Beast, Cinderella, and Peter Pan. Enjoy interactive entertainment, prince and princess lessons, Village wide treasure hunts, and more. This year, there's a new Family Fairytale Tea Party!
Artfest Toronto's Spring Art & Craft Show launches the Summer season on Victoria Day Weekend with a celebration of artists and artisans from across Canada. This juried outdoor show will feature 85 artists at the Historic Distillery District for three days only. Come stroll the cobble stone lanes and explore the beauty of the District. Offerings include pottery, glass, jewellery, artisan clothing, paintings, photographs, wood products, gourmet foods, live music, and much more. Free admission.
The City of Toronto's Parks, Forestry and Recreation Division is offering a wide variety of family activities on Monday, May 19. The City of Toronto will host a sparkling display of Victoria Day fireworks at Ashbridges Bay Park starting at 10:00pm. This year the City will be featuring a combination of over 2,000 fireworks complete with a spectacular finale!
Riverdale Farm is the perfect destination for families. Visit Riverdale Farm to see cows, horses, donkeys, sheep, goats, pigs, chickens, turkeys, ducks, geese, rabbits, and cats. While you’re there, visit the Residence and the Cabbagetown Regent Park Museum. The Farm is open from 9:00am to 5:00pm and admission is free.
HarbourKIDS: The Toronto International Circus Festival blasts its willing audiences into orbit on Victoria Day Weekend, May 17 to 19. Three days of dazzling daredevils, amazing acrobats, hilarious clowns, and brazen buskers – and it’s all FREE! The Festival is co-produced by Zero Gravity Circus.
A great opportunity to see Spring babies is at the High Park Zoo located on Deer Pen Road. The Zoo offers both domestic and exotic animals including bison, llamas, peacocks, reindeer, highland cattle, capybara, and sheep. The llama pen is open on weekends and statutory holidays from 11:00am to 3:00pm (weather dependant). Come feed the llamas, pet the rabbits, and baby chickens. The Zoo gates are open daily year-round to visitors from 7:00am to dusk.
Residents can explore their city on foot on Discovery Walks. The Discovery Walks program is a series of 11 self-guided walks linking ravines, parks, and neighbourhoods. Ranging from 1.5 to 11 kilometres, the walks are designed to showcase Toronto’s outstanding natural features, cultural and historical attractions. Brochures and maps are available.
Drop by the Kids Zoo at Toronto Zoo. It's a popular place for children and a must see and do family attraction! For younger kids who like their nature hands-on, the Toronto Zoo offers the great concept of a Kids Zoo uniquely designed for kids 9 and under. Activities range from the educational to the creative to just plain fun! Splash Island and the Animal Shows open this weekend. It's also World Turtle Week so celebrate from Saturday, May 17 to Monday, May 19 at the Americas Wetlands. Turtles around the world are threatened with extinction, but they are also some of the most honoured and celebrated creatures on earth. Join the Adopt-A-Pond Wetland Conservation Programme to discover the diversity of culture and mythology associated with turtles.
It's picnic season! Nothing symbolizes the start of Summer like having a family picnic on a beautiful day. It's casual, fun, and easy. Spend time outside and take in the sights, sounds, and smells of nature while enjoying a meal with family and friends! Some great spots in Toronto and the GTA for picnicking!