toronto: what to do, what to do?
Filed Under Events | July 28, 2011
Welcome to yoyomama’s weekend guide! Your go-to list of family friendly fun things to do with kids in Toronto and the GTA.
This is a great weekend to hit the City, and get outdoors, especially with the temps continuing to rise and the civic holiday! Take in the TD Irie Music Festival, or visit Ontario Place, a one-stop destination this weekend for family fun, with beloved characters Bob The Builder and Barney putting in appearances; if you want to go beyond the city limits, visit Pioneer times at Westfield Heritage Village and indulge in their ice cream festival treats. We’ve also included links to ongoing summer fun at the end of the event guide, in case you need some more inspiration. Happy long weekend, Toronto!
TD Irie Music Festival
Friday, July 29th – Monday, August 1st, Queen’s Park, College Street & University Avenue, Toronto
This multi-day, family-friendly festival celebrates music — from reggae, to salsa, to African, to gospel and soul, plus dance from the African Diaspora, a visual arts exhibition, film, and international food and drinks to whet the appetite: www.iriemusicfestival.com
Bob The Builder, Ontario Place
Friday, July 29th – Sunday, July 31st, Showtimes: Noon / 3 pm / 5 pm, Treehouse Live! Waterfall Stage, Ontario Place, 955 Lakeshore Boulevard West, Toronto
Bob the Builder demonstrates to children the value of teamwork, problem-solving and positive-thinking, because regardless of how difficult the challenge, he and his Can-Do Crew make sure each of their projects is seen through to completion. The interactive live show features Bob the Builder and his friend, as they sing and laugh their way through a perplexing building project, with a little help from the audience. The show is a huge hit with kids and grown-ups alike: www.ontarioplace.com
Earth Rangers’ Wild Experience Show
Friday, July 29th – Sunday, July 31st, Showtimes: 1:30 pm / 3:30 pm / 5:30 pm, Marina Square, Ontario Place, 955 Lakeshore Boulevard West, Toronto
Earth Rangers’ Wild Experience show is a multi-media presentation that takes the audience on a trip around the world to meet and celebrate some of the planet’s most amazing creatures. The show creates a powerful connection between the audience and the natural world, and inspires children and their families to take action in their everyday lives: www.ontarioplace.com
Guided Tour, Bata Shoe Museum
Saturday, July 30th, 10:30 am – 11:15 am, Bata Shoe Museum, 327 Bloor Street West, Toronto
Join docents as they provide you and the kiddos with first hand information about the museum, and all the unique artifacts (shoes!) in it. Tour is free with Museum admission: www.batashoemuseum.ca
Caribana de Lime, Ontario Place
Sunday, July 31st, Noon, Echo Beach, Ontario Place, 955 Lakeshore Boulevard West, Toronto
Highlighting the various cultures of the Caribbean, Caribana de Lime features song, dance, theatrical drama, and storytelling. Returning for its second year is the Grace “Tropical Rhythms” Food Festival, where the islands come to the islands at Ontario Place. Visitors can enjoy exotic cuisine prepared by gourmet Caribbean chefs, and quench their thirst with Grace coconut water: www.ontarioplace.com
Barney, Ontario Place
Monday, August 1st (continues to September 11th – see site for dates), Showtimes: Noon / 3 pm / 5 pm, Treehouse Live! Waterfall Stage, 955 Lakeshore Boulevard West, Toronto
Barney takes to the stage to delight preschoolers with well-known songs from the Barney & Friends television show. Barney offers young kids and their caregivers a unique opportunity to sing and dance during this interactive and musical live performance. Following the show, for the first time at Ontario Place, Barney is joined by BJ and Baby Bop to meet all of their special friends: www.ontarioplace.com
Farther Afield:
Ice Cream Festival
Sunday, July 31st, 10 am – 4 pm, Westfield Heritage Village, 1049 Kirkwall Road, Rockton
Experience the fun and nostalgia of ice cream in pioneer and Victorian times. Families will enjoy live music, horse and wagon rides, magic shows, games, and living history. A perfectly sweet family outing! Kids aged 5 and under are free: www.westfieldheritage.ca
Joseph Brant Day At LaSalle Park
Monday, August 1st, 10 am – 5 pm, Joseph Brant Museum, 1240 North Shore Boulevard East, Burlington
Drop in to celebrate Joseph Brant Thayendanegea – one of Burlington’s earliest settlers. With an incredible line-up of entertainment throughout the day, including Sophisticated Swing’s 19-piece Big Band, the Lost Nations Dancers of the Six Nations, jugglers, entertainers and so much more! There’s something for everyone. There will also be community exhibitors, a BBQ, a splash park for the kids, crafts and hands-on activities. Admission is free: www.museumsofburlington.com
Ongoing Fun:
Don’t forget there’s plenty on the go throughout the summer in T.O. Here’s a reminder of other events and activities you can take in this weekend if you need to fill some time:
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!
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