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Sweetwater Harvest Festival

Celebrating: Maple Syrup
Location: Wye Marsh Wildlife Centre & Sainte Marie among the Hurons, Midland

Date: March 23 – 24, 2024

Tap into Maple

Celebrating: Maple Syrup
Location: Various (Orillia & area region)

Date: March – April

Beerhurst-at-Deehurst Craft Beer Festival

Celebrating: Ontario Craft Beer
Location: Deerhurst Resort, Huntsville

Date: March 4 or weekend package March 1 – 3, 2024

TO Food & Drink Fest

Celebrating: Food & Drink
Location: Toronto

Date: April 5 – 7, 2024

Roots North Music Festival

Celebrating: Live Music
Location: Various venues across Orillia

Date: April 18 – 21, 2024

Forest Festival

Celebrating: Women in Music
Location: Haliburton Forest & Wildlife Reserve

Date: TBA

Ontario’s Best Butter Tart Festival

Celebrating: Butter Tarts
Location: Downtown Midland

Date: June 8, 2024

Blue Mountain Village TD Salsa Festival

Celebrating: Salsa Dance
Location: Blue Mountain Village

Date: June 21 – 23, 2024.

Mariposa Folk Festival

Celebrating: Folk (+) Music
Location: JB Tudhope Park, Orillia

Date: July 5 – 7, 2024

Festival du Loup

Celebrating: Francophone Culture in Ontario
Location: Lafontaine, Ontario

Date: July 13, 2024

Rama Pow Wow

Celebrating: Indigenous dancing and culture.
Location: Rama, Ontario

Date: August 24 – 25, 2024

Tweed Stampede

Celebrating: Horse stampede, Country & Western
Location: Tweed, Ontario

Date: Labour Day Weekend

Gussapolooza Music Festival

Celebrating: New, emerging, independent artists
Location: Cookstown, Ontario

Date: TBA

Country Live Laugh Love Music Festival

Celebrating: Country Music
Location: Barrie, Ontario

Date: TBA

Click Here For More Ontario Events

Other Notable Ontario Festivals Happening in 2024

Toronto St. Patrick’s Day Parade
Date: March 17, 2024.

Niagara Falls 420 Expo
Date: April 20, 2024.

Doors Open Toronto
Date: May 25 – 26, 2024.

Tall Pines Music & Art Festival
Date: June 19 – 20, 2024.

TD Salsa on St. Clair Festival
Date: July 6 – 7, 2024

Luminato Festival
Date: June 5 – 16, 2024.

TD Toronto Jazz Festival
Date: June 21 – 30, 2024.

PRIDE Toronto Festival Weekend
Date: June 30, 2024.

Toronto Caribbean Carnival
Date: July 15 – August 4, 2024.

Ottawa Bluesfest
Date: July 4 – 14, 2024.

Ottawa Bluesfest Getaway @ Fairmont Fairmont Château Laurier

With its close proximity to LeBreton Flats, Fairmont Château Laurier is your perfect homebase during RBC Bluesfest.

BOOK NOW

Rock the Park Music Festival
Date: July 12 – 15

Festival of the Sound
Date: July 19 – August 5

Hillside Festival
Date: July 28 – 30

Toronto Food Truck Festival
Date: August 4 – 7

Kempenfest
Date: August 4 – 7

Boots and Hearts Music Festival
Date: August 10 – 13

TD Toronto JerkFest
Date: August 10 – 13

Alliston Potato Festival
Date: August 11 – 13

Taste of the Danforth
Date: TBA

CNE (Canadian National Exhibition)
Date: August 18 – September 4

TIFF (Toronto International Film Festival)
Date: TBA

Bala Cranberry Festival
Date: Weekend after Thanksgiving

Festival Accommodations in Ontario

Some of the festivals in Ontario have on-site camping. However in some cases for multi-day festivals you might need to find accommodation.

Many Ontario accommodations have great packages and offers. Packages that would help save you money or include activities.

Make sure to check the nearby hotels and resorts and see if they have any festival rates.

Check out these great Ontario Getaway Offers by season

Summer Getaway Offers
Fall Getaway Offers
Winter Getaway Offers
Spring Getaway Offers

Are You Ontario Experienced? Find more things to do this summer in Ontario and read the ‘Are You Ontario Experienced – Summer Edition blog‘.

After Dark Activities To Do in Ontario

The world is transformed after the sun dips below the horizon and night settles. Familiar experiences become new, new experiences enhanced.

The change from day to night impacts our senses. Since our vision is impeded, our sense of hearing is heightened, especially in a moonlit wild space. Every rustling branch or soft crunch of the snow is that much more intense. During a nighttime snowshoe trek or ski, pause and listen closely; that faint noise may well be an owl roosting above or the padding of a fox on the hunt.

In the right conditions, nighttime equally appeals to our sense of vision. When you escape the light pollution of urban areas the sky above suddenly becomes more expansive and more brilliant, the stars like billions of Christmas lights illuminating the night. Dining in an enclosed ice globe while gazing up at the brilliant constellation and surrounded by a moonlit landscape, for example, is one of the most memorable experiences you’ll ever enjoy. At night, events become more intimate, cozier.

But you don’t have leave urban areas to enjoy the appeal of night. You can explore cities through a whole new lens after the sun settles and streetlights pop on. Nightlife creates a whole new vibrancy, one of concerts and fine dining and the arts.

Experience all that Ontario offers after dark with this Ontario Nightlife ToDo List:

Scenic Caves Guided Night Snowshoe Hike

An unforgettable experience with experienced guides, trail pass, showshoes, headlamps. Experience forest trails, lookout points and trek across Southern Ontario’s longest Suspension Bridge taking in the night sky over Georgian Bay and Collingwood. Upon returning to the lodge, relax by the firepit enjoying a hot cider or hot chocolate with your fellow snowshoe hikers. Should there not be enough snow, guided night hikes will still run. Guests will be provided with ice cleats, and a longer hiking experience exploring more of the trails. Dates:

Dates: Saturdays at 6pm in January and February.

January 20, 27 – February 3, 10

Saturdays at 6:30pm in March

March 2, 9, 16

Saturday Nights at the Muskoka Lakes Farm & Winery

Light the Night Skate Pass
Fire Lounge – outdoor propane fire table with 4 Muskoka Chairs
Porch-Side Fire Pits – wood burning fire pits with 5 Muskoka Chairs near Café
Ice Trail Fire Pits – trail-side, skate up, wood burning fire pits with benches (seats 6)
Cheese Fondue & Wine
Café – open 10 am to 9 pm (hot food ends at 8 pm)

All activities (besides shopping) can be booked up to a day ahead. The host will accommodate drop-ins when they can, but have limited capacity. Bookings are highly recommended to avoid disappointment.

Uncorked: A Winter Culinary Experience

Adamo Estate Winery invites you to embark on a journey of culinary delight with Uncorked – a winter experience like no other! Overlooking the vineyards, you’ll savour a cicchetti-style dinner in a cozy winter setting. Dress warmly, bring your favourite company, and prepare for an unforgettable evening. Uncorked is the perfect date night idea, promising warmth, flavour, and memories.

Snow Globes at Hockley Valley Resort

Experience this culinary theatre, the Snow Globes. Enjoy a farm to table, 5 course meal with wine pairings. Twinkling lights, your own music, faux fur throws, a heater (to take the chill off) and candlelight complete the setting.

Snow Valley Resort Night Snow Tubing, Snowboarding & Downhill Skiing

Whether it’s a family activity, a gathering of old friends or a company social, snow tubing or playing on the ski hills at Snow Valley creates unique experiences and enjoyable times, especially at night. Night tickets cover 3 pm – 9 pm.

Guided Evening Snowshoe & Cookout @ Snow Valley Resort

Ready for a magical night under the stars? Join Snow Valley Resort for an enchanting 1.5 to 2-hour guided snowshoe hike through a sparkling, snow-laden forest!

Torchlit Self-Guided Snowshoe Hike

Enjoy a self-guided Torchlit Snowshoe hike through the forests of Snow Valley. Over two hundred torches will light your way. Cozy up with your friends next to the bonfire to enjoy some complementary tasty treats.

Hockley Valley Resort Night Skiing

Just a short drive north of Toronto, you can enjoy the night lights on the hills of Hockley Valley Resort.

Operating Hours

Monday 1:00pm to 9:00pm

Tuesday to Saturday 9:00am to 9:00pm

Sundays 9:00am to 5:00pm

Holidays 9:00am to 9:00pm

The Skate Escape at Friday Harbour Resort

Embrace the best of the winter season at Friday Harbour with ice skating, outdoor recreation offers, live entertainment, and more! 11 AM – 8 PM

- Free Ice Skating in the Piazza
- Skate and Equipment Rentals available
- Après Skate Domes serving hot chocolate and handcrafted cocktails
- Enjoy classic favourites and sweet treats from the FH Cabins, or dine at Lake Club Restaurant
- Special activities and entertainment on the Promenade
- Visit the Winter Outdoor Adventure Centre or join a game with our Recreation Team
- Tee off at the Harbour Master Building on our TrackMan Golf Simulator
- Shop and dine on special offers from our collection of Restaurants and Retail on the Promenade

Beach Club After Dark @ Friday Harbour Resort

Beach Club transforms into an after-dark lounge! Featuring DJ Donovan, dancing a late-night menu, and bottle service. Doors open at 9:00pm. Admission is free.

After Dark – Feb 10
After Dark – March 16

Sharks After Dark at Ripley Aquarium of Canada

Starting at 5:00 p.m., guests can save $5.00 on tickets to experience all the wonders of the aquarium after dark. Whether you’re exploring Planet Jellies or watching the sharks swim in the Dangerous Lagoon, this opportunity is the perfect chance to visit outside of our peak hours!

Blumination at Blue Mountain Resort

Blumination Light Trail -DAILY | DUSK TO 10PM
Embark on a mesmerizing journey through the Village Light Trail, where every step unveils a new spectacle. Adorned with dazzling lights, this immersive pathway leads you through a winter wonderland, creating an enchanting atmosphere that captures the spirit of the season.

Woodview Mountain Top Skating – DAILY | 10AM-8PM*
Glide under the moonlight on our breathtaking mountaintop skating rink. Surrounded by the majestic snow-capped peaks, experience the magic of skating beneath a canopy of stars with friends and family. A perfect blend of adventure and romance awaits on the ice! Play-All-Day Pass Required. *Weather Permitting

Candelight Dining – VILLAGE WIDE
Indulge in a culinary delight with a Candlelight Dining experience. Savor delectable dishes in the warm glow of candlelight at Blue’s cozy village restaurants, offering an intimate and charming atmosphere that complements the winter night. It’s not just a meal; it’s a symphony of taste and atmosphere.

Night Skiing – DAILY | 3:30-9PM*
Blue Mountain Resort has the slopes open for night skiing, an exhilarating adventure for those seeking the adrenaline rush of carving through the snow under the moonlit sky. Experience the mountain in a whole new light! Valid Lift Tickets & Passes Required. *Weather Permitting

Shopping – DAILY | 10AM-7PM (9PM WEEKENDS)
Discover unique treasures as you shop under the stars at our charming village boutiques. Find the perfect gifts or treat yourself to a special memento from over 25 storefronts! Explore the best of brand-name designs and one-of-a-kind finds, all while surrounded by the magical ambiance of Blue Mountain Village.

Night Tubing – DAILY | 12-8PM*
For an exhilarating rush, don’t miss a chance to experience Night Tubing at Blue! Slide down illuminated lanes under the starry sky, and let the laughter and thrill create memories that will last a lifetime. It’s tubing like you’ve never experienced before! Play-All-Day Pass required. *Weather Permitting

Winter DJ Series Presented by Liquid I.V.
Feel the beat, embrace the rhythm, and dance like nobody’s watching at the Winter DJ Series presented by Liquid I.V.! Under the open sky, these DJs will turn the night into a pulsating, electrifying experience. Get ready to move and groove in the snow-covered paradise.

Fireside Grab n’ Go -DAILY
Cozy up by the fire with Fireside Grab n’ Go. Indulge in winter treats and hot beverages that will keep you warm and energized for the night’s adventures. It’s the perfect pitstop to refuel and enjoy the crackling warmth of the fire.

Taste of Oakville

More than thirty-five restaurants from across Oakville will showcase an array of mouthwatering dishes via multi-course prix fixe lunch and dinner menus. Prices range from $20-$35 for lunch and $30-$65 for dinner.

Marsh by Moonlight Snowshoe Series

Snowshoe through the Wye Marsh on a frosty night, under sparkling stars and moonlight. Warm up by a cozy fire. Sip some cedar tea or hot chocolate. Take home memories that will last a lifetime, plus a unique Marsh by Moonlight souvenir.

Canada’s Most Unique Ice Bar

Prepare to be entertained in a -15°C Ice Bar where guests will experience signature flights of Crystal Head Vodka expressions: Crystal Head Original made from Canadian corn, Aurora from English wheat, and Onyx crafted from premium Blue Weber agave.

Fireside Après

Available every Friday and Saturday from 11:00am – 8:00pm. Nothing says Après quite like gathering around a crackling fire table in the brisk winter air with your closest friends. Bundle up and enjoy stunning winter views, delicious sharable food items and specialty hot beverages.

These are just a few of things you can do in Ontario. ToDoOntario.com is the best place to find events, activities and getaway packages to help you explore our great province all year long.

February 1, 2024 Algonquin Park, Almaguin Highlands, Muskoka & Parry Sound, Bruce Peninsula, Southern Georgian Bay & Lake Simcoe, Greater Toronto Area, Haliburton Highlands to the Ottawa Valley, Hamilton, Halton & Brant, Huron, Perth, Waterloo & Wellington, Kawartha Northumberland, Niagara Falls, Northeastern Ontario, Northwest Ontario, Ottawa & Countryside, Sault Ste. Marie - Algoma, South Eastern Ontario, Southwest Ontario, York, Durham, Headwaters

The Sweet History of Maple Syrup in Ontario

What is the history of maple syrup production in Ontario?

Read on to find out!

Nothing says spring in Ontario like the maple harvest. Like the melting of snow, the first crocuses poking their heads above ground, and the singing of early returning robins, it’s a sure sign that the seasons are changing.

The harvesting of sap from red and silver sugar maple trees to produce sweet, delicious syrup is a beloved tradition in rural Ontario. And for many of us, spring wouldn’t be spring without experiencing the sweetness of maple season in some manner – a tour of a sugar bush, delightful maple-inspired dishes, a family-friendly festival celebrating the season.

Mother Nature dictates the timing of maple season. For sap to flow, the sugarbush must be in a midst of a freeze/thaw cycle where temperatures are below freezing at night but warm to above freezing during the day. The freezing temperatures at night cause negative pressure in the tree. Essentially, the tree turns into a vacuum so that it sucks up water from the roots. On its way in, that water gathers sugars stored in the tree. During the day, warmer temperatures create positive pressure that pushes the water, now sap, down to the bottom of the tree. This is what they mean when they say the sap is running.

When does maple sap run?

This perfect confluence of environmental conditions typically lasts about four-six weeks, in Ontario generally from early March to late mid-April (depending on the region).

Of course, collecting maple sap for sugar was not the invention of European settlers. Woodland First Nations had been practising it for centuries before the first white man even appeared on the shores of the New World. Some historians have postulated that at some point in the distant past First Nations people, in a desperate attempt to ward off starvation after a harsh winter, began cutting bark off maple trees to reach the cambium, the edible part between the hardwood and bark. Cuts that went too deep, penetrating the hardwood, produced leaking sap that was surprisingly sweet. And thus, maple water was discovered. First Nations peoples each have their own distinct lore as to what led to the discovery.

When was maple first used in Ontario?

Whatever manner by which it was discovered, maple sap became an important part of First Nations life. They drank it as a fortifying tonic – modern studies have confirmed what they long knew; that maple sap served as an antioxidant and anti-inflammatory. They also would have used it to cook – Bannock, a sort of unleavened bread used as a provision on long journeys, was made from corn flour, bear fat, and maple sugar.

First Nations’ methods of making maple sugar were relatively crude by modern standards, but ingenious, nonetheless. Blades were used to gash a maple tree in a slanted direction, cutting through the bark into the wood beneath. Into this wound was inserted a wooden chip along which the leaking sap would run, eventually dripping into birch pails or into hollowed out logs resting on the ground below. The sap was then boiled down in earthenware pots over a fire or by adding red-hot stones into a sap-filled a trough.

Experience the maple season through a First Nations lens at the Wye Marsh Sweetwater Festival, held jointly at Wye Marsh and Sainte-Marie among the Hurons. Enjoy Indigenous storytelling, roast bannock on a stick, watch historical demonstrations, and learn how the Huron-Wendat traditionally welcomed spring.

Early European settlers, first in Quebec, as early as the 17^th century, and then in Ontario learned from First Nations the value of tapping maple trees. The settler methodology of making maple sugar was on a far larger scale than that practised by First Nations people, but at first largely similar. Gashes were made into trees and a round wooden spout was inserted an inch into the wood. Pails were placed below to collect the dripping sap. The collected sap was then boiled down in large iron or copper kettles.

The 19th century saw an evolution in maple syrup harvesting. In the 1870s, metal taps began to take the place of wood. Then, in 1889, the evaporator was invented and patented in the United States. The evaporator represented a significant investment, so while harvesters on a commercial scale quickly adopted them kettles remained in use by small-scale producers well into the 20^th century.

Harvesting maple sap was an important yearly rite in rural Ontario, an example of typical pioneer ingenuity in using local resources to provide for one’s needs. Unlike today, comparatively little maple syrup was produced; instead, settlers used the sap for manufacturing maple sugar. At the time cane sugar, what we commonly call white sugar, was expensive because it had to be imported from the Caribbean. Maple sugar, painstakingly manufactured from the sweet springtime sap of maple trees, was an ideal substitute.

Additionally, settlers used sap to create maple butter. The name of this product is a bit of a misnomer. There’s no dairy whatsoever in maple butter. Instead, it’s maple syrup that is heated to 100 degrees, quickly cooled, and then whipped into a smooth spread that would be added to cakes or put on bread.

Harvesting maple sap was time consuming and tiring. Consider that it takes 50 gallons of sap to make just 1 gallon of syrup, and that it takes two or three trees to produce that quantity of sap over the course of an entire season, and you begin to get an idea of how many trees had to be tapped. The bush might be covered in wet, heavy snow, and where it wasn’t the ground would be soft mud – in either event, you returned home at the end of the day wet and exhausted. And then you headed out again the next day.

As the 20th century dawned, sugar was becoming cheaper and more readily available throughout Ontario. The harvesting of maple sap became rarer, and those who continued did so with an eye largely towards supplying the growing demand for maple syrup rather than for sugar.

Modern-Day Maple Syrup Production

Modern methods of harvesting sap are far removed from the days of manually emptying buckets. Today, food grade tubing stretch through the woods, connecting hundreds of trees to the sugarhouse. Aided by a vacuum pump, sap runs through the tubes to the storage tanks in the sugarhouse. Once enough sap has been collected it is pumped to a reverse osmosis machine that concentrates all the sap by removing approximately 75-80 % of the excess water. When enough concentrate has been collected, the sap moves to the evaporator to be turned into syrup. Ontario Maple regulations state the density of maple syrup must be a minimum of 66% sugar. Once the correct sugar density is reached the syrup is ready to be filtered and then packaged.

Experience the methods behind the harvest for yourself with the Yours Outdoors Maple Magic program – pancakes included!

Celebrating Maple Season in Ontario

In Ontario, hundreds of producers continue to embrace maple season today. Maple syrup is produced commercially wherever maples are found, from the southern tip of the province to Thunder Bay in the northwest. With a production level of close to a million litres per year, Ontario is the second largest producer of maple syrup in the country next to Quebec. Maple is generally considered to be the first agricultural crop of the year.

Many farms open their sugar bushes for tours and other sweet experiences. Among them is Windlee Farms near Midland, a family-operated business which taps 500 trees and has an onsite store.

‘Sugar bush season’ has been increasingly popular. And why not? It is a great way to shake off winter and embrace spring, to get out into nature, and to enjoying local, sustainable agriculture. And while a tour of a sugar bush may be a highlight, there are many more experiences to enjoy – maple-themed dining, soothing maple spa treatments, savoring maple themed beer, shopping in quaint shops for maple candles and other novelty items, and more.

Setting aside a day or weekend to make your own maple memories has never been easier. Orillia and Lake Country Tourism hosts an annual Tap into Maple program, running March 3 to April 2 (2024) with 20 participating locations. Muskoka has a similar tour, the Muskoka Maple Trail, culminating in the Muskoka Maple Festival in Huntsville on April 27 (2024).

You’ll need a place to rest your head if you plan to make a weekend of your adventures. There are plenty of resorts in the region that embrace the maple season. In addition to warm hospitality, Bayview Wildwood Resort, Sherwood Inn, and Christie’s Mill Inn and Spa all offer maple-themed dining. All three are charming, tranquil, and historic – a recipe for a memorable stay.

The culinary team at JW Marriott The Rosseau Muskoka Resort likewise creates sweet dishes, but this resort also offers maple experiences of their own. JW Marriott The Rosseau offers maple-infused spa treatments at its award-winning HydroSpa Muskoka, maple campfire treats, and a sugar-tent where you can learn about the history of maple syrup production.

Maple sap runs for only a brief window, and so too does the opportunity to savour the bounty of the springtime forest at one Ontario’s varied maple farms and maple experiences.

Article written by Andrew Hind.

January 27, 2024 Algonquin Park, Almaguin Highlands, Muskoka & Parry Sound, Bruce Peninsula, Southern Georgian Bay & Lake Simcoe, Greater Toronto Area, Haliburton Highlands to the Ottawa Valley, Hamilton, Halton & Brant, Huron, Perth, Waterloo & Wellington, Kawartha Northumberland, Niagara Falls, Northeastern Ontario, Northwest Ontario, Ottawa & Countryside, Sault Ste. Marie - Algoma, South Eastern Ontario, Southwest Ontario, York, Durham, Headwaters

Taste of Oakville is Back and Serving up Oakville’s Best Dishes this Winter

NEWS RELEASE
January 24, 2024
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Taste of Oakville is Back and Serving up Oakville’s Best Dishes this Winter!

OAKVILLE – Oakville’s culinary scene is set to dazzle taste buds once again as the highly anticipated Taste of Oakville returns for its 2024 edition from February 15 – March 10. This year, more than thirty-five restaurants from across town will showcase an array of mouthwatering dishes via multi-course prix fixe lunch and dinner menus. Prices range from $20-$35 for lunch and $30-$65 for dinner.

“We’re thrilled to welcome the return of this year’s edition of Taste of Oakville as well as the return of live music at select venues,” said Rebecca Edgar, Executive Director, Visit Oakville. “Taste of Oakville is a great opportunity for both visitors and locals to get out and experience the incredible talents of our local chefs and some of the amazing restaurants that make our town a culinary destination.”

Participating restaurants include: Beacon, Borgo Antico Cucina Bar, Buca Di Bacco, Ce Soir Brasserie + Bar, Chocolato and Tommy Café, Chop Steakhouse & Bar, Colossus Greek Taverna, Community, Coriander Green, The Crepe Kitchen, Doughbox, Easy on Fourth, El Spero Family Restaurant, French Lunch, Fresh Kitchen + Juice Bar, Harper’s Landing, J.A.C.’s Bistro, The King’s Arms, Laylak, Mary’s Muffins, Maverick’s Donut Company, Mercato Sociale, The Mermaid and the Oyster, Nyla’s Room, Oakville Fish and Chips, Odd Burger, Paradiso, Pescaraa, Piano Piano, Piazza Bistro, Puckz Pub, Ritorno, Sandwich Society, Second Cup, Shanghai Alley, Simple Kitchen, STACK BBQ Smokehouse, Sugar Suite, The Sweetest Thing Bakery, and Zara’s On Wheels.

For the second year in a row, select restaurants will host live music by local entertainers on Tuesdays during Taste of Oakville. This year, nine restaurants will have live music every Tuesday throughout the event including:
Buca Di Bacco
Community
Coriander Green
Odd Burger
Paradiso
Pescaraa
Piazza Bistro
Ritorno
STACK BBQ Smokehouse

For full details, please visit the Live Music section on the Taste of Oakville website.

Visiting from outside of Oakville? Visit Oakville’s Hotel Guide offers great suggestions on where to stay during the event.

Visit Tasteofoakville.ca to learn more about the event, the participating restaurants, and to view their menus. Stay updated on the latest news by following @visitoakville on social media. Be sure to share your culinary experience and favourite dishes using the hashtag #TasteofOakville2024.

About Visit Oakville:
Visit Oakville is an incorporated, not-for-profit, destination marketing organization (DMO). It is led by a volunteer Board of Directors representing the local tourism and business community. Visit Oakville aims to drive economic impact through marketing and partnerships, curating visitor experiences and advocating on behalf of Oakville’s tourism industry.

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For more information, please contact:
Christa Poole
Visit Oakville
[email protected]

January 24, 2024 Greater Toronto Area, Hamilton, Halton & Brant

Things To Do on March Break: Ontario 2024

Welcome to the best Guide to March Break in Ontario!

Ontario is one of the best destinations to go to during March Break, thanks to the variety of activities and events available.

Big cities and small towns in Ontario have so much to offer to keep children busy over the March Break Holiday. Furthermore, attractions, outdoor activities and the beginning of maple season all make March Break and exciting and fun time for everyone.

Here are some of the ways you can enjoy March Break in Ontario in 2024:

Things You Can Do in Ontario on March Break

March Break Day Camps

Children love to go to camps with their friends and to make new friends. March Break kids camps in Ontario can offer a ton of great activities for kids like art camps, ski camps, nature camps and indoor and outdoor play camps. Parents can find camps near their homes or even while away discovering Ontario.

Tip: Check the ski hills, museums and outdoor attraction for March Break camp programming.

March Break Vacation Packages + SAVINGS

SAVE UP TO 15% OFF YOUR MARCH BREAK VACATION AT DEERHURST RESORT

BOOK BY FEBRUARY 21 USING CODE “TODO” AND RECEIVE UP TO 15% OFF YOUR GETAWAY!

2024 March Break Magic Stay Includes:

Magic shows and workshops with illusionist Ron Gudel – one of our most popular performers!
Indoor Fun Zone with fun and games
Hiking, Cross Country Ski & Snowshoe trails
Use of cross country skis, snowshoes and kick sleds
Outdoor skating rink. Skates are available but best to bring your own if you have them.
Winter Disc Golf
Daily campfires
NEW Deer Scout Series programs include Nature Arts & Crafts and Muskoka-inspired demos
Family Trivia & Bingo
19+ Trivia & Karaoke
Maple syrup treats & tastings
Treehouse Children’s Playspace, indoor pool and fitness room
Sonshine & Broccoli children’s show March 14th @ 2pm

BOOK A DEERHURST RESORT MARCH BREAK GETAWAY NOW

Family & Kid Friendly March Break Events

Many attractions come to life during March Break, helping to fill Ontario with things to do on March Break. Special events and trade shade also start filling our calendars with things to do or things to plan to do. Spring and summer start to feel like they are around the corner, so you better be ready!

You will have no shortage of events to choose from over March Break that will be perfect for your kids and family.

March Break Activities @ Blue Mountain Village

Get ready for days filled with adventure and fun on and off the slopes! March Break is family time at Blue Mountain with activities, live music, interactive performances and more.

March Break Escape @ Friday Harbour Resort

Embrace the best of the winter season at Friday Harbour with ice skating, outdoor recreation offers, live entertainment, and more!

Free ice skating in the Piazza.
Skate and equipment rentals available.
Après Skate Domes serving hot chocolate and handcrafted cocktails.
Enjoy classic favourites and sweet treats from the FH Chalet Cabins, or dine at the Lake Club Restaurant.
Special activities and entertainment on the Promenade
Visit the Winter Outdoor Adventure Centre or tee off on the TrackMan Golf Simulator at the Harbour Master Building.
Shop and dine on special offers from the FH collection of restaurants and retails on the Promenade.
Note that some activities are weather dependant.

March Break Escape @ Haliburton Forest & Yours Outdoors

March Break is a breeze with one of Haliburton Forest or Yours Outdoors pre-planned itineraries. Or pick and choose your own activities!

PLUS save 25% off your accommodations this March Break with promo code: 25MBFUN

Have fun in the Treetops – Treetop Trekking

Keep your family happy, healthy, and active this March Break with a visit to Treetop Trekkin’s tree-house adventure parks in Hamilton and Stouffville.

Start of Maple Syrup Season in Ontario

Sticky, sweet, delicious and fun! Since maple syrup season has officially started, check out a maple event or activity near you. You can visit a sugar shack and see maple production from the tree to the bottle. Additionally, there are lots of on-site activities to keep the kids active and busy. Many Ontario restaurants will also start to offer special maple menus to try. Watch for those!

2024 Weekend Maple Syrup Experience & Maple Syrup Museum

The Elliott Tree Farm Maple Syrup Experience includes entry to the Maple Syrup Museum of Ontario, all you can eat pancakes and a side of bacon and breakfast sausage with their award-winning Ontario pure maple syrup, and a walk on the sugar shack trail to their maple sugar shack to see maple syrup being made firsthand while tasting maple taffy over snow, maple sugar, sap and syrup. Starts Family Day weekend 2024.

The event runs from Family Day weekend to Ontario Maple weekend (first weekend of April). Click here to LEARN MORE

Tap into Maple in Orillia & Lake County region

This March Break take the self-tour through lesser-traveled routes to working sugar shacks. You will get a first hand view of the maple syrup process. Click here to LEARN MORE

Find More Maple Events

Ripley’s Aquarium of Canada – Toronto

Dive into Ripley’s Aquarium of Canada and experience the waters of the world up close and personal like never before this March Break.

Visit the Ripley’s Aquarium website to learn more about March Break programming and to buy tickets.

Sea the Sky Combo Ticket – Two Great Attractions, One Low Price!

ToDoOntario - Ripley's Aquarium of Canada, Sea the Sky Combo Ticket

The Sea the Sky package includes general admission to the CN Tower and Ripley’s Aquarium of Canada.

FROM THE SKIES…

At the CN Tower, take in stunning views of Toronto as you travel 346 metres skyward aboard a high-speed glass-fronted elevator in a mere 58 seconds!

Once you reach the Main Observation Level, elevate your experience using the free Viewfinder app! Use it to identify the city’s most famous landmarks and points of interest as you take in the 360-degree view. On a clear day, see as far as 160 kilometres all the way to Niagara Falls and into New York State!

… TO THE SEA!

At Ripley’s Aquarium of Canada, explore the waters of the world from the heart of downtown Toronto!

Go on an underwater adventure alongside 20,000 aquatic animals, including sharks, jellies, turtles, and octopuses! This awe-inspiring attraction boasts more than 5.7 million litres of water, North America’s longest underwater viewing tunnel, and more than 100 interactive opportunities. Carefully curated galleries showcase an incredible variety of saltwater and freshwater environments from around the world, starting with species from Toronto’s backyard!

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Downhill Skiing/Snowboarding – Double check conditions before you go.

ToDoOntario - Blue Mountain Resort, family downhill skiing

Mountain destinations can be found all over Ontario, and they are great places for skiing and snowboarding. Visit Snow Valley Resort for activities the family can enjoy. You can also spend time at the luxurious Blue Mountain Resort, filled with March Break activities. Skiing and snowboarding are go-to activities during this time as the weather is calmer than in previous months. While you’re there, check out other fun activities like mountain top skating, fat biking, snowshoeing and more!

If you’re looking for value-packed deals, then getting a getaway package in Ontario may be the best option for you. These packages contain numerous unique activities that have accommodations for you and your loved ones.

Ontario comes to life this season thanks to fun March Break activities. Stay tuned to our website and social for more fun things to do ideas.

January 24, 2024 Algonquin Park, Almaguin Highlands, Muskoka & Parry Sound, Bruce Peninsula, Southern Georgian Bay & Lake Simcoe, Greater Toronto Area, Haliburton Highlands to the Ottawa Valley, Hamilton, Halton & Brant, Huron, Perth, Waterloo & Wellington, Kawartha Northumberland, Niagara Falls, Northeastern Ontario, Northwest Ontario, Ottawa & Countryside, Road Trip Tips, Sault Ste. Marie - Algoma, South Eastern Ontario, Southwest Ontario, York, Durham, Headwaters

Best Maple Festivals & Events in Ontario

Guide to Maple Season in Ontario 2024

You have landed on the ultimate ToDo list of maple syrup festivals and events in Ontario.

Decidedly, you can use this page as your ultimate Ontario Maple Season Guide. This way you won’t miss out on any of the sweet fun of spring.

Maple Celebration season in Ontario starts in March. Trees can be tapped sometimes as early as February, depending on the weather.

Read on below to find the ultimate list of maple themed events and festivals in Ontario. If you’re looking for the maple production, sugar shack or maple farm to visit, you can find them here.

Featured Festivals & Events

Tap into Maple
Ontario’s Lake Country – March – April, 2024

Between March and April, take the self-tour through lesser-traveled routes to working sugar shacks. You will get a first hand view of the maple syrup process.

Maple Weekend – Windlee Maple Farm
April 6 – 7, 2024

Windlee Farms Maple Syrup Hosted by Peter & Anne Lorriman

Address: 10 Baseline Rd North, Tiny, ON

Hosted by Peter & Anne Lorriman

Windlee Farms will be opening their sugar bush and sugar shack by letting the public come and experience what maple syrup is all about.

Come taste pure maple syrup, smell it boil, and learn how maple syrup is made, from tree to bottle. This is what Maple Weekend is all about at Windlee Farms Maple Syrup, Tiny.

Explore the trails and take a wagon ride to the sugar bush to see the miles of pipeline and listen to the arborist in the maple bush. Windlee Farms Maple Syrup is a family owned and operated craft maple syrup producer located in Tiny, Ontario. Maple syrup has been produced from our sugar bush at Windlee Farms for over 30 years.

The property spans over 150 acres, with approximately 20 acres dedicated to the sugar maple bush.

Click here to LEARN MORE

2024 Weekend Maple Syrup Experience & Maple Syrup Museum

The event runs from Family Day weekend to Ontario Maple weekend (first weekend of April).

Click here to LEARN MORE

MUSKOKA MAPLE TRAIL

MARCH 8 – APRIL 26, 2024

The most Canadian of culinary trails, the Muskoka Maple Trail features stops across Muskoka that have infused locally harvested maple syrup into their culinary offerings. From maple drizzled waffles to smoky-maple ribs, discover the incredible depth of Canada’s most beloved natural product on the Muskoka Maple Trail.

ToDoOntario features the following stops of notable mention, be sure you don’t miss these stops along this trail.

Muskoka Maple Trail Stop @ Christie’s Mill Inn & Spa

Enjoy “Maple Inspired” restaurant features each day of the Muskoka Maple Trail! Enjoy “Maple Inspired” restaurant features at the waterfront restaurant each day of the Muskoka Maple Trail!

Muskoka Maple Trail Stop @ Sherwood Inn

Enjoy maple inspired dining at Sherwood Inn. Enjoy a maple cocktail and maple crème brûlée at Sherwood Inn!

Muskoka Maple Trail Stop @ Deerhurst Resort

Enjoy a 3 course Muskoka Maple Trail table d’hote menu at Compass Restaurant from March 8 – April 26 with a special maple smoked old fashioned feature cocktail.

Also enjoy the popular Lookout Trail that will have a mini maple route set up with tapped trees and signs with facts to learn all about maple season.

Muskoka Maple Trail Stop @ Bayview Wildwood Resort

2024 TBA

Get sapped with a maple inspired menu. Click to learn more about this delicious menu at Bayview Wildwood Resort in Muskoka.

Maple Menu & Spa Services @ JW Marriott The Rosseau Muskoka – Stop on Muskoka Maple Trail

2024 TBA From feisty beverages and hearty meals to decadent desserts and relaxing spa treatments, JW Marriott The Rosseau Resort is infusing the goodness of maple into everything!

Click here to LEARN MORE.

Maple Mayhem at the Cranberry Farm

Highlights:

Wagon Tours to the Sugar bush
Tutored Wine Tasting
Instagram Scavenger Hunt – an Easter hunt for grown ups!
Log Sawing Contest (on Saturday)
Cranberry Pancakes
Maple Taffy
Fire Side Adventures
Maple Cheddar Fondue
Book Here

Click here to LEARN MORE

Maple Magic Experience in Haliburton
Yours Outdoors, Haliburton Highlands

Ready to make maple memories with your loved ones? Then this experience is for you! Maple Magic is geared towards families, kids of all ages and anyone who has a sweet tooth! During this ~2 hour experience, you’ll hear the ins and outs of maple syrup production, follow the impressive journey from sap to syrup, check out a real sugar shack, and eat a pancake meal and of course!

Click here to LEARN MORE

Sweetwater Harvest Festival
March 23-24, 2024

Join the Friends of Wye Marsh and Sainte-Marie Among the Hurons for an awesome celebration of maple syrup this spring.

he Sweetwater Harvest Festival is the Wye Marsh Wildlife Centre’s biggest fundraiser of the year – and ONE ticket gets you access to TWO fantastic sites.

20+ Of The Sweetest Ontario Maple Festivals & Experiences

Ontario Maple Weekend (Across Ontario)
April 6 – 7, 2024

Weekend Maple Syrup Experience at Elliott Tree Farm (Hillsburgh)
Opening Family Day 2024

Spring Tonic Maple Syrup Festival (Barrie)
TBA 2024

Elmvale Maple Syrup Festival
April 27, 2024

Pefferlaw Creek Farms Maple Weekends
March weekend and first two weekends of April, 2024

Proulx Farm Maple Fest (Cumberland)
TBA 2024

Holstein Maple Syrup Festival
TBA 2024

Wintergreen Maple Syrup & Pancake Barn
TBA 2024

Festival of the Maples (Perth)
April 27, 2024

Maple at the Village (Toronto)
TBA 2024

Muskoka Maple Festival (Huntsville)
April 27, 2024

Wheelers Maple Harvest Season (Lanark Highlands)
TBA 2024

Elmira Maple Syrup Festival
April 6, 2024

Sunderland Maple Syrup Festival
April 6 – 7, 2024

Warkworth Maple Syrup Festival
March 9 – 10, 2024

Maple Madness (Little Cataraqui Creek Conservation Area)
TBA 2024

Powassan Maple Syrup Festival
April 27, 2024

Sugar Bush Maple Syrup Festival (Terra Cotta Conservation Area)
March 9 – April 7, 2024

Brooks Farms Maple Sugar Festival (Mount Albert)
Weekends in March + March Break

Maple Syrup Tours on the Farm (Stouffville)
TBA 2024

Taste the Countryside (Waterloo region)
TBA 2024

Maple Trail @ St. Jacobs Market
Month of March

Sweet Maple Festival
April 13, 2024

Maple Syrup Facts

Maple Syrup is one of Canada’s 4M’s that goes with Canada’s Moose, Mountains and Muskies! Ontario has more Maple Syrup production than most other provinces.

Maple Syrup Health Facts

The most important information you need to know is that maple syrup is good for you (within reason of course). Over 50 beneficial compounds are found in maple syrup.

The Sweetest Ontario Maple Getaway Offers

>> FIND A MAPLE VACATION <<

If you’re looking to buy Ontario maple syrup >>these producers offer online ordering and shipping<<

January 22, 2024 Algonquin Park, Almaguin Highlands, Muskoka & Parry Sound, Bruce Peninsula, Southern Georgian Bay & Lake Simcoe, Greater Toronto Area, Haliburton Highlands to the Ottawa Valley, Hamilton, Halton & Brant, Huron, Perth, Waterloo & Wellington, Kawartha Northumberland, Niagara Falls, Northeastern Ontario, Northwest Ontario, Ottawa & Countryside, Sault Ste. Marie - Algoma, South Eastern Ontario, Southwest Ontario, Travel Tips, York, Durham, Headwaters

Don’t Miss These Candlelight Valentine’s Experiences in Ontario

Turn on your lovelight this Valentine’s Day and take your partner to one of these Candlelight Experiences taking place in cities across Ontario, and near you!

Hamilton

Candlelight concerts bring the magic of a live, multi-sensory musical experience to awe-inspiring locations like never seen before in Hamilton. Get your tickets now to discover romantic music for Valentine’s Day at The Cotton Factory under the gentle glow of candlelight.

Candlelight: Valentine’s Day Special ft. “Romeo and Juliet” and More

Venue: The Cotton Factory
Date: February 14, 2024

Kitchener-Waterloo

Candlelight concerts bring the magic of a live, multi-sensory musical experience to awe-inspiring locations like never seen before in Kitchener-Waterloo. Get your tickets now to discover Valentine’s inspired music at the Kitchener Public Library under the gentle glow of candlelight.

Candlelight: Valentine’s Day Special ft. “Romeo and Juliet” and More

Venue: Kitchener Public Library
Date: February 10, 2024

London

Candlelight concerts bring the magic of a live, multi-sensory musical experience to awe-inspiring locations like never seen before in London, ON. Get your tickets now to discover romantic music for Valentine’s Day at Metropolitan United Church under the gentle glow of candlelight.

Candlelight: Valentine’s Day Special ft. “Romeo and Juliet” and More

Venue: Metropolitan United Church
Date: February 9, 2024

Oshawa

Candlelight concerts bring the magic of a live, multi-sensory musical experience to awe-inspiring locations like never seen before in Oshawa. Get your tickets now to discover the music of Valentine’s Day Special ft. “Romeo and Juliet” and more at The Biltmore Theatre under the gentle glow of candlelight.

Candlelight: Valentine’s Day Special ft. “Romeo and Juliet” and More

Venue: The Biltmore Theatre
Date: February 8, 2024

Ottawa

Candlelight concerts bring the magic of a live, multi-sensory musical experience to awe-inspiring locations like never seen before in Ottawa. Get your tickets now to discover romantic music for Valentine’s Day at Carleton Dominion-Chalmers Centre under the gentle glow of candlelight.

Candlelight: Valentine’s Day Special ft. “Romeo and Juliet” and More

Venue: Carleton Dominion-Chalmers Centre
Date: February 8, 2024

Toronto

Candlelight concerts bring the magic of a live, multi-sensory musical experience to awe-inspiring locations like never seen before in Toronto. Get your tickets now to discover Valentine’s Day inspired music at The Metropolitan Community Church of Toronto and Paradise Theatre under the gentle glow of candlelight.

Candlelight: Valentine’s Day Special ft. “Romeo and Juliet” and More

Venue: Metropolitan Community Church of Toronto
Date: February 10, 13, 14 & 16, 2024

Candlelight: Valentine’s Day R&B featuring Zenesoul

Venue: Paradise Theatre
Date: February 15, 2024