This weekend the kids can do everything from taste Moon Cake at the ROM, to reeling in some big fish at Ontario Place, to taking in a treasure hunt for International Talk Like A Pirate Day, to getting a photo taken with Fifi and the Flowertots, to participating in the Great Canadian Shore Cleanup. Great fall fun in T.O. – good luck choosing!
Harvest Moon Festival
Saturday, September 18th – Sunday, September 19th, 11 am – 4 pm, Royal Ontario Museum, 100 Queen’s Park, Toronto
The Harvest Moon Festival (Zhong Qiu Jie) dates back to the Han dynasty. Families will learn about the origins of the festival, make their own lanterns, participate in the ROM’s lantern parade and enjoy a piece of Moon Cake: www.rom.on.ca
Banana Shpeel™
September 14th – October 10th, visit site for show times, Canon Theatre, 244 Victoria Street, Toronto
Banana Shpeel™ is a new style of production from Cirque du Soleil® that features a colourful combination of slapstick comedy, eclectic dance and unique acrobatic acts. Recommended for ages 8+: www.mirvish.com
COBA Open House
Friday, September 17th & Saturday, September 18th, 5:30 pm – 7:45 pm, COBA Studios, 2444 Bloor Street West, 2nd Floor, Toronto
COBA offers a range of classes from the curious novice with little to no experience to seasoned dance professionals looking to fine tune skills. The children’s dance and drumming program provides kids 3 years and up with a solid foundation in dance forms, along with drumming and vocal chanting: www.cobainc.com
Parkdale Prom at Queen West Art Crawl
Saturday, September 18th, 6 pm – 11 pm, Green P Parking Lot, 1325 Queen Street West, Toronto
The first hour of the Prom will be a family-friendly dance fest hosted by Bunch Family Dance Party. Dancing, art, and nostalgia collide in a truly unforgettable prom experience: www.parkdaleliberty.com
Movie Night – High Park Family Fun Place
Friday, September 17th, 7 pm – 9 pm, 2968 Dundas Street West, Toronto
If you caught last week’s movie, Toy Story, make sure to come again this week for the next in the series, Toy Story 2! Movie is free with playground admission: www.hpfamilyfunplace.ca
FiFi and the Flowertots
Saturday, September 18th, 12 pm / 2 pm / 4 pm, Meet & Greet at 1 pm & 3 pm, Treehouse Live at Waterfall Stage, Ontario Place, 955 Lake Shore Boulevard West, Toronto
Enjoy Fifi Forget-Me-Not and her best friend FuzzBuzz. Help Fifi remember her words and sing along with these loveable Flowertots. Kids can also get a photo taken alongside Fifi & Buzz at the Meet N’ Greet events: www.ontarioplace.com
Power Yoga Canada – Free Kid’s Class
Saturday, September 18th, Power Yoga Canada, 155 Liberty Street, Toronto
Join the grand opening and a free kids yoga session! This session, for kids 5 – 10 years of age, intertwines yoga poses and creative play: www.poweryogacanada.com
Fall Fishing Festival
Saturday, September 18th, 10 am – 3 pm, Ontario Place, 955 Lake Shore Boulevard West, Toronto
Head to Ontario Place for a fun-filled introduction to Canada’s great family past time – the sport of fishing. Kids have a chance to reel in some big fish, win a prize and take home a keepsake photo: www.ontarioplace.com
Celebrating the English Breeds
Saturday, September 18th, 12 pm – 5 pm, Sunday, September 19th, 11 am – 3 pm, PawsWay Pet Discovery Centre, 245 Queens Quay, Toronto
More dog breeds were developed in England than any other country in the world – even Queen Victoria kept a renowned kennel of show dogs. Learn more with on-site experts who will answer all behavioural, grooming, nutritional, veterinary and training questions: www.pawsway.ca
The 17th Annual Great Canadian Shoreline Cleanup
Saturday, September 18th- Sunday, September 26th, National Event – visit site for locations
Have a positive impact on your local environment by removing litter from shorelines along ponds, streams, rivers, lakes, or oceans in your community. This family-friendly event is also a great way to introduce kids to the ecology of our local shorelines: www.shorelinecleanup.ca
Fall Wildflowers & Amazing Migrating Monarchs
Sunday, September 19th, 1 pm, Humber Aboretum, 205 Humber College Boulevard, Toronto
Come and learn about the amazing annual monarch migration, and enjoy hiking among the beautiful fall wildflowers in the meadows. Pre-registration is required: www.humberarboretum.on.ca
Sunday Royal Brunch
Sunday, September 19th, Seatings at 11 am & 12 pm, Casa Loma, 1 Austin Terrace, Toronto
Experience the splendour of Casa Loma as the next Royal Brunch Buffet is served in the stately elegance of Toronto’s famous castle. The Conservatory and Library are a spectacular setting for the meal. Brunch includes Castle admission: www.casaloma.org
Animal Encounters at KidSpark
Friday, September 17th, 2 pm, Ontario Science Centre, Level 4, 770 Don Mills Road, Toronto
Join “Safari Steve” and “Jungle Tim” on an animal encounter. Learn about slithering snakes, interesting insects, bearded dragons and tortoises: www.ontariosciencecentre.ca
Applicious Fall Festival
Saturday, September 18th, 11 am – 4 pm, Woodbine Park at Queen Street East & Kingston Road, Toronto
A fun community event with an apple theme! Families will enjoy entertainment, games, crafts and contests, such apple sack races and wooden apple decorating. Everyone can sing along with the music, meet neighbours and learn about community services. Wear a red shirt for a free activity ticket: www.applicious.ca
Bloor West Village Ukrainian Festival
Friday, September 17th (4 pm – 1 am), Saturday, September 18th (9 am – 1 am), Sunday, September 19th (11 am – 7 pm), Bloor West Village between Jane Street & Runnymede Road, Toronto
Discover Ukrainian culture and hospitality at its best! Enjoy non-stop entertainment from Ukrainian performers including dancers, vocalists and musicians, and sample delicious Ukrainian food, interactive pavilions, a kid-themed midway, and more. Don’t miss the parade on Saturday morning at 11 am: www.ukrainianfestival.com
Make it Ontario Beef Tailgate Event
Sunday, September 19th, 11:30 am – 1:30 pm, Rogers Centre, Gate 11, 1 Blue Jays Way, Toronto
Score a touchdown with Ontario Beef! In honour of football season, fans, ticket holders and passersby of all ages are encouraged to visit to sample one of 3,000 Ontario Beef Tailgate Tasters and enjoy family-friendly games: www.makeitontariobeef.ca
Toronto Relay Wheelchair Challenge
Sunday, September 19th, 9 am – 1 pm, Yorkdale Mall, 1 Yorkdale Road, Toronto
Join the 15th Annual Toronto Wheelchair Relay Challenge to help raise funds for people with spinal cord injuries. It’s a morning full of excitement with face painting, clowns and much more. All you need is a team of 8, lots of spirit, energy and enthusiasm! We provide the wheelchairs and the friendly competition: www.canparaplegic.org
Farther Afield:
Luau Party at Kidtopia
Friday, September 17th, 6 pm – 8 pm, 2041 Winston Park Drive, Oakville
Bring the whole family to enjoy a tropical fun filled evening with games and food at the indoor play facility! Advance ticket purchase is required: www.playkidtopia.com
Welcome Wagon Baby Shower (Pickering/Scarborough)
Sunday, September 19th, 1 pm – 4 pm, Pickering Recreation Complex, 1867 Valley Farm Road, Pickering
Expecting a baby? Come to the Welcome Wagon Baby Shower for helpful information, including speakers and demonstrations. Moms-to-be will take home a gift bag and are welcome to bring a guest. An afternoon of information and fun, plus exciting door prizes to be won: www.welcomewagon.ca
EXPO4KIDS
Sunday, September 19th, 10 am – 4 pm, 7601 Jane Street, Vaughan
This is a place for kids to bring their parents! Imagine an expo full of non-stop activities designed especially for kids, where they can have fun and learn about leading a healthy, active lifestyle: www.expo4kidz.ca
Pumpkinland Harvest Festivals Weekend
September 18th – October 31st, 10 am – 5 pm, Whittamore’s Farm, 8100 Steeles Avenue East, Markham
The farm is transformed into a Hallow’een wonderland of pumpkins and great activities for the whole family. Tractor drawn wagon rides, mazes and the Balloon Typhoon are only the beginning of the family fun you’ll experience: www.whittamoresfarm.com
Pillage the Village
Sunday, September 19th, 11:30 am – 6:30 pm, Pickering Village, Old Kingston Road, Ajax
Are you looking for a fun afternoon on a fall Sunday? Coinciding with International Talk Like a Pirate Day, this is a pirate-themed afternoon of entertainment, food, and a fun-filled Amazing Race style treasure hunt. A special presentation by the Pirate, Zoltan The Adequate will be held twice in the afternoon: www.pillagethevillage.org
Want to help us make this weekend guide even more bursting with fun? Just email us your family-friendly happenings, festivals, fairs and workshops in the Greater Toronto area.
And we wanted to remind you to always call or visit the website for event info before you head out just in case any changes have been made since we posted it. And of course, have fun!