Spring is here. The trees are budding with new life and the flowers are budding everywhere. After a long winter, we’re happy to peel away a few layers and take the family out to enjoy what this city has to offer. Here are some of our favourite family events happening in Toronto this month.
TD Canadian Children’s Book Week: May 4 to 11
Each May, over 400 readings are given to over 28,000 children, teens and adults in roughly 175 communities across the country even in the most remote places. Hundreds of schools, public libraries, bookstores, and community centres host events as part of this major literary festival. Thirty Canadian children’s authors, illustrator, and storytellers will be visiting schools, libraries, community centres and bookstores across Canada throughout the week.
Evergreen Brick Works celebrates Ravine Day: May 12
Free outdoor activities on this day from 10 am to 3 pm. Family-friendly activities as part of City of Toronto’s week-long Ravine Days celebration. Take in guided walks into the Don River Valley Park, collaborative art projects, bee hotel building, birdhouse painting, and more. This day is also is the opening day of the Sunday Artisan Market.
JUNIOR Toronto’s International Children’s Festival: Harbourfront Centre. May 18 to 24
The second annual festival features contemporary performing artists from Canada and around the world including Australia, Norway, Belgium, USA, and the Republic of Korea. The program includes live concerts, plays, dance, storytelling, circus acts (ticketed and some free) . The perfect opportunity for young people to explore identity, growth, belonging and transformation.
Doors Open Toronto: May 25 and May 26 Various locations
The annual event is a popular outing for all ages. Explore the city’s most significant buildings. More than 150 buildings will open doors and some rarely ever open to the public for viewing. Also included in the weekends’ events are walking tours, guest speakers, free films and youth programs.
Last Chance! Zuul: Life of an Armoured Dinosaur: Royal Ontario Museum. This is the last chance to meet ROM’s newly discovered dinosaur, Zuul. The exhibit wraps up Monday, May 20. Visitors of all ages have marveled at the massive and remarkably preserved fossils since the exhibition opened in December 2018. Explore how this mighty dinosaur lived.
Cherry Blossoms: Various locations across the city. High Park seems to be the mecca for viewings and this year seems like the blossoms will peak Mother’s Day weekend if the weather is on our side. We’ve listed several more places in the city where you can check out the pretty white and pink blooms.
Carassauga Festival: May 24, 25 and 26. Mississauga’s festival of cultures celebrates with 29 cultures represented in Pavillions in 12 locations. Enjoy arts, culture, music, performances, food and more. Family friendly. Passport can be purchased online and offers unlimited access to all the venues. Some events are additional ticketed. Free admission for kids under 12 with accompanying adults. Kick-off parade on Saturday, May 4 at Dixie Outlet Mall from 1 pm to 4 pm.
Woofstock: May 25 & 26 at Woodbine Park. Considered North America’s largest festival for dogs Woofstock will showcase more than 150 exhibitors including Dyson, Canada Pooch, Ruffstitched, and Open Farm. Tons of sample treats for sure! There will be oodles of activities for the entire family – Children’s Village, Wiener Dog Races, Running of the Pugs, Doggy fashion shows plus meet and greets with “insta-famous” dogs, concerts for dogs and a VIP lounge.
Just announced!
AGO All Hours Event: All ages all day event launching on May 25th (additional dates: October 26, 2019 and January 18, 2020). AGO All Hours launches a new platform for up-and-coming local and international talent, offering everything from special art installations and art-making activities to artist projects, marquee performances and more. AGO All Hours channels the intergenerational vibe of a classic Toronto block party, with art and artists at its core. On May 25 celebrate the first day of the AGO’s new pricing model, which offers unlimited free admission to visitors 25 and under and a new $35 Annual Pass that includes access to the AGO for a year. Running from 10:30 a.m. to 1 a.m., AGO All Hours is the first durational event of its kind in the Gallery’s history. Rise and play! AGO All Hours kicks off early with a morning of artful play for children of all ages, beginning at 10:30 a.m. Raccoons inhabit the Weston Family Learning Centre and Dr. Mariano Elia Hands-On Centre as artist Emily May Rose helps visitors make shadow puppets and raccoon masks. Surrounded by a thicket of colourful inflatable sculptures and dotted by hula-hoops and hopscotch courts, Walker Court is reimagined as a forested playground by Toronto artists Cam Lee and Kalpna Patel (a.k.a. Ghostfaceknitta). Additional programming for youth and adults continue throughout the day and into the evening. Advance tickets are on sale now. More information can be found at AGO.ca
