If you’ve had enough of the snow after this week’s whopper of a storm, stay warm and cozy inside with a 3D clay animation workshop, backyard bird watching, or watch your kids skate with the Toronto Maple Leafs and raise money for other kids! Outdoor enthusiasts who love our winter wonderland will enjoy the Winterfest events scattered throughout the city and beyond. Either way, there’s bound to be some fun (and hot chocolate) up for grabs throughout T.O. this weekend!
Can’t Sit Still – Eureka! (3D clay)
Saturday, February 5th, 10:30 am, NFB Mediatheque, 150 John Street, Toronto
In honour of Black History Month, learn about notable African-Canadian inventors and then recreate their incredible inventions! Followed by a complimentary screening program: www.onf-nfb.gc.ca
Winterfest 2011
Saturday, February 5th, 11 am – 4 pm, Downsview Park, I-35 Carl Hall Road, Toronto
Bundle up and enjoy festivities like ice sculpture demos, meet the husky dogs and learn about the tradition of dog sledding, build a snowman, play a round of winter mini golf, take a horse-drawn wagon ride, and warm up with a hot chocolate: www.downsviewpark.ca
Black History Month, Mackenzie House
Saturdays & Sunday February 5th – February 27th, 12 pm – 5 pm, Mackenzie House, 82 Bond Street, Toronto
Learn more about the early Black community in Toronto, including those who published newspapers. Take a trip back in time and print a souvenir bookmark in the recreated 1850′s print shop: www.toronto.ca
Toronto Maple Leafs Skate For Easter Seals Kids
Sunday, February 6th, 9 am – 5 pm, MasterCard Centre For Hockey Excellence, 400 Kipling Avenue, Etobicoke
Help your kids create a lasting memory with a rare opportunity to skate with the Toronto Maple Leafs in support of Ontario’s kids with physical disabilities. Skate participants must raise a minimum of $125 in pledges for kids with physical disabilities. All proceeds go to Easter Seals Ontario. Spectator tickets are available for $30 on Sunday, February 6th (no access to ice): eastersealsskate.org
Kuumba
Saturday & Sunday, February 5th – February 13th, starts at 12:30 pm, Harbourfront Centre, 235 Queen’s Quay West, Toronto
Bring the family to Harbourfront for these two entertaining and educational weekends commemorating both the history and the future of black culture. This winter, Harbourfront Centre presents programming that questions the idea of witness. So come and witness black history through audio installations, visual arts, theatre, dance workshops, film screenings, music, comedy, family activities and more: www.harbourfrontcentre.com
KidSpark: Backyard Birdwatching
Saturday, February 5th & Sunday, February 6th, 2 pm, Ontario Science Centre, 770 Don Mills Road, Toronto
Did you know that KidSpark has a great view of some woodlands and wetlands? Kids can experience the art of bird watching while learning all about the animals that live in and around our backyard wetlands. Ages three to eight: www.ontariosciencecentre.ca
Mosaic Storytelling Festival
Sunday, February 6th, 3 pm – 4 pm, The Parish Hall of St. David’s Anglican Church, 49 Donlands Avenue, Toronto
Join a master of the Zimbabwean mbir, a great jazz and klezmer guitarist, and one of Toronto’s favourite storytellers as they play music, dance, and tell stories filled with guessing games, riddles, and dilemmas to challenge every listener. As a special Valentine’s Day event, Rukhsana Khan tells love stories from Persia and the Middle East: www.stdavidstoronto.ca
The Big League
January 31st – February 24th, Lorraine Kimsa Theatre for Young People, 165 Front Street East, Toronto
Tommy loves playing hockey with his friends, but his Dad pressures him to up his game and moves him to a “better” team. Does friendship get benched when the competition heats up between teammates? While his Dad is yelling, Tommy gets conflicting advice from Don Berry and Ron McKleen. LKTYP’s Mainstage is transformed into a hockey arena, complete with actors on rollerblades, in a unique production that cleverly stick-handles Canada’s national pastime. Recommended for Grades two to eight: www.lktyp.ca
Farther Afield:
Snowshoes & Snow-clues
Saturday, February 5th, 10 am – 12 pm, Heart Lake Conservation Area, Brampton Scout House, 10747 Heart Lake Road, Brampton
Discover the wonders of winter wildlife! Identify the tracks and signs of local animals and learn some of their secrets for surviving chilly winter weather. Wear your winter boots and bring a travel mug for hot chocolate. Snowshoes provided or you can bring your own. Recommended for ages seven and up: www.trcastewardshipevents.ca
Got My Kids Show
Sunday, February 6th, 10 am – 4 pm, Richmond Hill Centre For The Performing Arts, 10268 Yonge Street, Richmond Hill
Come visit D Jay Entertainment at the Got My Kids Show. In addition to face painting and balloon sculptures, D Jay will perform two stage shows during the day. Fun for the whole family: www.gotmykids.com
Vaughan Celebrates Winterfest
Sunday, February 6th, 10 am – 3:30 pm, Vellore Village Community Centre, 1 Villa Royale Avenue, Woodbridge
This is a family-themed event with entertainment on the outdoor stage, rides for the kids, and fun for everyone. Don’t miss highlights such as DreamWorks Shrek Stompin’ the Swamp, a Justin Bieber tribute, “Camp Dance to the Beat” Recreation program, and Doo Doo the International Clown. Bring your skates and enjoy some fun on the outdoor ice rink. This is an outdoor event: www.city.vaughan.on.ca
Lowville Winter Games
Sunday, February 6th, 12 pm – 4 pm, Lowville Park, Guelph Line – North of Britannia Road, Burlington
Lowville Park is the place to be for family fun this weekend! There will be a flurry of entertainment, including the log sawing competition, horse-drawn wagon rides, birds of prey show, lumberjack performance, crafts, pancake eating contest, snowshoeing, outdoor obstacle course, ice skating and tobogganing, and tasty treats: cms.burlington.ca
Do you have an event you would like to see in our weekend guide? Then send us your details and we’ll help you get the word out. Looking for a feature listing? Contact Erin, our Director of Sales and Marketing, for more information.
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!