This Weekend in Toronto with Kids

Family Weekend Guide · March 14–15, 2026

🎉 March Break Kickoff: Sugar Shack, Shrek, and St. Patrick's Parade

March Break officially starts Monday, but this weekend is packed. Sugar Shack TO returns to the waterfront for free maple madness, Shrek 2 plays in concert at Meridian Hall, the St. Patrick's Day Parade marches down Bloor and Yonge on Sunday, and Casa Loma opens its medieval dragon adventure. Plus ROM Sharks is in its final 8 days.

🍁Maple Syrup Madness

Free Sugar Shack downtown, plus horse-drawn rides in the sugar bush

Sugar Shack TO at Harbourfront Centre

Toronto's biggest free maple event is back after last year's cancellation. Two sugar shacks, a circus lumberjack show, the Great Canadian Fiddle Show, maple taffy on snow ($5), and bonfires to warm up. Dog-friendly too.

📅 Sat & Sun, 11 AM – 6 PM📍 Harbourfront Centre, 235 Queens Quay W💰 Free (food and taffy for purchase)👶 All agesMore info →

Sugarbush Maple Syrup Festival at Kortright

Horse-drawn carriage rides through the sugar bush, Indigenous and settler syrup-making demos, magicians, stilt walkers, and taffy on snow. Week two — less hectic than opening weekend.

📅 Sat & Sun, 9:30 AM – 5 PM📍 Kortright Centre, 9550 Pine Valley Dr, Vaughan💰 Adult $12.35, Child (4-13) $7.95, under 3 free👶 All agesMore info →

Maple Syrup Festival at Bronte Creek

Guided tours of Maple Lane with costumed interpreters, wagon rides to the Pancake House, and farm animal visits. A beautiful provincial park setting — less crowded than the TRCA festivals.

📅 Sat & Sun, 9:30 AM – 3 PM📍 Bronte Creek Provincial Park, 1219 Burloak Dr, Oakville💰 $16 vehicle permit👶 All agesMore info →

🎬Shrek 2 with a Live Orchestra

The full movie on the big screen with a live orchestra performing the score

Shrek 2 in Concert at Meridian Hall

The full Shrek 2 movie projected in HD while a live orchestra performs the score. A rare cinema-meets-concert experience the kids will love. Two shows only — both weekend afternoons.

📅 Sat & Sun, 2 PM📍 Meridian Hall, 1 Front St E💰 $59.50–$113.50👶 All agesMore info →

☘️St. Patrick's Day Parade

Sunday street party from Bloor to Dundas — green costumes, marching bands, and floats

Toronto St. Patrick's Day Parade

Toronto's annual St. Patrick's Day Parade — floats, marching bands, dancers, and a sea of green. Starts at Bloor & St. George, heads east on Bloor, turns south on Yonge, finishes at Dundas. Arrive early for a good spot along the route.

📅 Sun, 12 PM – 2:30 PM📍 Bloor & St. George to Yonge & Dundas💰 Free👶 All agesMore info →

🦈Last Chance: Sharks at the ROM

Megalodon jaws and shark design stations — exhibition closes March 22

🏰Dragons & Knights at the Castle

Casa Loma transforms into a medieval adventure with acrobats and aerialists

Imagine Dragons: March Break at Casa Loma

JUST OPENED

Opening weekend of Casa Loma's medieval takeover. The Jambo Brothers acrobatic troupe performs three times daily, plus an interactive play and aerialist performances throughout the castle. Runs through March 21.

📅 Sat–Sun, 9:30 AM – 5 PM (last admission 4 PM)📍 Casa Loma, 1 Austin Terrace💰 $45 per person, under 3 free👶 All agesMore info →

🎨Art and Animals Indoors

AGO's March Break kickoff and the Zoo's orchid bloom — warm and wonderful

AGO: March Break Art Adventures

March Break kicks off at the AGO with collaborative art projects in Walker Court, Art Cart stations for hands-on experiments, and a free AGO PLAY activity booklet. Under 25 always free — one of the best deals in the city.

📅 Sat & Sun, 10:30 AM – 4 PM (drop-in)📍 Art Gallery of Ontario, 317 Dundas St W💰 Free for ages 25 & under; Adult $25👶 All agesMore info →

Toronto Zoo + Orchid Oasis

Five indoor pavilions keep the kids warm in March. Orchid Oasis is in full bloom in the Greenhouse with hand-picked orchids and guided talks. March Break programming begins Monday but the orchids are gorgeous all weekend.

📅 Sat & Sun, 9:30 AM – 4:30 PM (last admission 3:30 PM)📍 Toronto Zoo, 2000 Meadowvale Rd, Scarborough💰 Adult $23–33, Child (3-12) $14–23, under 3 free👶 All agesPlan your visitEvents calendar

Free Art After Dark

Glowing installations at Ontario Place and interactive art on the beach

Winter Stations at Woodbine Beach

Temporary art installations built around lifeguard towers along the beach. This year's theme is "Mirage." Kids can climb on and interact with many of the structures. Combine with a beach walk.

📅 Open 24/7 through Mar 30 (best after dark)📍 Woodbine Beach, 1675 Lake Shore Blvd E💰 Free👶 All agesMore info →

🎭Stories on Stage

Robert Munsch stories brought to life — Saturday has a relaxed performance

YPT: Love You Forever and More Munsch

Five Robert Munsch stories — Paper Bag Princess, Mortimer, Zoom, and more — woven into one 45-minute show. Saturday 1 PM is a relaxed performance with reduced sound and lighting, ideal for younger or sensory-sensitive kids.

📅 Sat 1 PM (relaxed) & 3:30 PM, Sun 11 AM & 2 PM📍 Young People's Theatre, 165 Front St E💰 $35–$54👶 Ages 4–9More info →

Looking for more family activities?

Torontosaurus tracks 40,000+ activities for kids across Toronto — drop-ins, classes, and programs updated daily.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the best things to do with kids in Toronto this weekend?
Every Thursday, Torontosaurus publishes a curated weekend guide with the best family-friendly events in Toronto. This weekend's top picks include Sugar Shack TO at Harbourfront Centre, Sugarbush Maple Syrup Festival at Kortright, Maple Syrup Festival at Bronte Creek.
Are there free activities for kids in Toronto this weekend?
Yes! Free events this weekend include Sugar Shack TO at Harbourfront Centre at Harbourfront Centre, 235 Queens Quay W; Toronto St. Patrick's Day Parade at Bloor & St. George to Yonge & Dundas; AGO: March Break Art Adventures at Art Gallery of Ontario, 317 Dundas St W. Beyond weekend events, Torontosaurus tracks hundreds of free drop-in programs for kids every week across Toronto.
Where can I find family-friendly events in Toronto?
Torontosaurus publishes a curated weekend guide every Thursday with the best family events. We also track 40,000+ drop-in programs, classes, and activities for kids aged 0–18 across Toronto, updated daily at torontosaurus.ca.

Past Weekend Guides

Always check venue websites for the latest hours and availability.