Family Day is upon us, and there are plenty of fun events and activities scheduled in Toronto and across the GTA.
While not everything is open Feb. 16, here’s a look at what’s on:
Skating in the city
Toronto’s drop-in rinks are expected to be open, but be sure to check out this map tool showing the status for individual locations across the city. Free admission.
The city’s Skate Lending Library, which provides free skate and helmet rentals, will be at Mel Lastman Square from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m.
The Bentway Skate Trail (Fort York Boulevard) is open from 12 p.m. to 9 p.m. (The trail has extended its season to March 9.)
Toronto Zoo
Gabby from the TV show “Gabby’s Dollhouse” will drop by the zoo for a meet-and-greet with kids from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. It’s free with the price of admission and will take place in the special events centre in the Discovery Zone.
Families can join Gabby “for a fun-filled day of smiles, photos, and purr-fectly magical moments that little fans won’t want to miss,” said the zoo.
Art Gallery of Ontario
The AGO has programming throughout Family Day weekend. All art activities will be free with admission — which is also free for people 24 and under.
If you’re looking for a crafts-filled holiday, visit the AGO to make a “time capsule of your family,” embark on a guided tour of the gallery, participate in a hands-on printing experience, among other activities.
Spadina Museum
Take part in a free, drop-in collage-making event from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Participants are encouraged to bring family photos for the craft. Staff will provide instructions and support.
Royal Ontario Museum
The ROM will be open as usual on Family Day, with several activities to celebrate Lunar New Year, among other offerings.
Aga Khan Museum
The Aga Khan Museum will also be marking Family Day weekend by celebrating Lunar New Year, with performances in partnership with the Chinese Cultural Centre of Greater Toronto.
Free admission will be provided to the Museum Collections Gallery on Feb. 16. Calligraphy demonstrations and lion dance performances will take over the museum’s atrium.
Tickets are also being sold for $20 to participate in activities including lantern painting, metal embossing, fan painting and clay tile workshops at the museum’s education centre.
Hockey Hall of Fame
“Kids rule Family Day at the Hall!” according to the hall’s website.
This Family Day, the purchase of one adult ticket will allow free admission for up to four kids under the age of 13.
Kids can meet Slapshot, the hall of fame’s mascot, receive a free Upper Deck collectible card, watch a 17-minute action-comedy and enjoy free sweet treats.
High tea at Casa Loma
The castle will open daily for general admission but will also hold several events, including afternoon tea and a multitude of escape rooms. Afternoon tea costs $75 per person, while escape rooms start at $45 per person.
City conservatories
Toronto’s Allan Gardens and Centennial Park Conservatories are both open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. with free admission to their collections of exotic plants and flowers.
The Friends of Allan Gardens organization is also hosting a Family Day event, welcoming folk musician Pete Moss at the Children’s Conservatory at 10 a.m.
Little Canada
The miniatures attraction in downtown Toronto is operating its usual weekend hours of 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on the holiday Monday, offering a 15 per cent off Family Day discount when tickets are purchased online here.
Winter Festival at Queen’s Park
The Winter Festival at Queen’s Park is a two-day, free event for families featuring guided tours, arts and crafts, face painting and live performances. The building will be open to visitors from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Monday, according to the online schedule.
Arcadia Earth
The multi-sensory exhibit combining art installations and technology is open from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. on the long weekend, including Monday. Valentine’s Day programming runs on Friday and Saturday from 6 p.m.
Families can explore the regular exhibit and additional programming, including drop-in crafts, free cotton candy and music, with tickets available online.
Montgomery’s Inn
The inn will be hosting cultural storyteller Kesha Christie, who will be presenting African and Caribbean folk tales about family and community on Monday in two 45-minute sessions. One session will start at 12 p.m. and the other at 2 p.m.
What else?
Here are more fun activities you can enjoy with the whole family on Feb. 16:
- Head to Woodbine Beach to check out the popular annual Winter Stations international competition winners, including teams from Toronto Metropolitan University and University of Waterloo
- The CN Tower and Ripley’s Aquarium will both be open
- Peel Art Gallery Museum + Archives is hosting a Family Day event full of creativity in Brampton
- Visit the animals at Riverdale Farm from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. for their Family Day event
- The Canadian International AutoShow is parked at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre, with online tickets around $30 for adults
- Free fishing across Ontario for the Feb. 14 to 16 Family Day weekend, when the Ontario government drops the requirement for a license (participants still must follow regulations including size and catch limits)
- Enjoy free swimming and drop-in fitness programs at recreation centres across Toronto
With files from Gabriel Hilty
