It’s March Break for thousands of students in the Greater Toronto Area and ‘what do we do?’
This is the first March break in three years with no lockdown restrictions and there is plenty going on around town for those looking to make up for lost time.
With people flocking to the GTA for activities and events, Destination Toronto says it may be worth planning in advance and taking advantage of deals and packages.
“There are a lot of people who are now coming into the city for March break,” Kathy Mouton, senior communications manager for Destination Toronto, told CP24. “There is so much to see and do throughout the city. So you know, there are quite a few hotels that are offering March break packages that can be booked, lots of options.
He said it was great to see “the vibrancy in our city again” after years of lockdown and restrictions.
“It is very important,” she said.
If you’re left scratching your head for something to do, here’s a sampling of the activities (many of them free) that are on offer this March break:
Note: See venue website for full hours and ticket information
The City of Toronto has a full list of free exhibitions and events at cultural venues around the city. Kids can play history detective at Fort York National Historic Site or take a free yoga workshop at the Scarborough Museum.
City pools will offer free leisure swimming during March break. All indoor leisure skating events at city facilities with caregivers and tots, including Family Skate and Shinny, are free for all ages. Outdoor rinks are open, but skaters are advised to check conditions before heading out as they may be closed depending on the weather.
If your kids love animals, you can check out some at High Park or Riverdale Farms. The Toronto Zoo is open daily and has a full list of March break programming on its website.
Local Toronto Public Library branches have events, workshops, books and more for kids and teens all week long. More information is available on the Toronto Public Libraries website.
Malls, parks and movie theaters will also be open throughout the week, including Toronto Island Park.
Events take place throughout the week in many of the city’s most common venues.
Hours will be extended for March break at Ripley’s Aquarium, which opens daily from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m.
Nearby, the CN Tower is open from March 13 to 17 from 9:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. and offers activities designed by the Ontario Society of Professional Engineers from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. as part of March Break admission. is offering. People of all ages can build and test their own marble maze made of Lego, paper gliders, electrical circuits, buttons, and more.
If just a little Lego isn’t enough, the Legoland Discovery Center in Von Botes boasts “Millions of Lego bricks under one roof!” Ticket information and opening hours are on their website.
The Ontario Science Center will also be open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily from March 11 to March 19. People are advised to take transit if possible as parking is limited and to plan ahead using your online schedule + planner. Visitors can watch an IMAX film or tour the “Indigenous Ingenuity” exhibit.
The Royal Ontario Museum (ROM) will have a variety of March Break activities, including live demonstrations, “Ask Me Anything” with ROM curators, hands-on activity tables, an exhibit on “Tea. Rex: The Ultimate Predator, even more.
The Art Gallery of Ontario (AGO) also has a variety of March Break activities, including artmaking, family-friendly tours of the AGO collection, a drop-in film screening in Jackman Hall, and maker stations throughout the gallery.
Toronto Comicon is back at the Metro Toronto Convention Center March 17-19 and promises “a spectacular three-day sci-fi, horror, anime and gaming event.” Celebrity guests this year include Lord of the Rings’ Andy Serkis, Karl Urban, Jack Quaid and many other cast members from “The Boys”, Robbie Amell from “The Flash” and others.
Disney fans will want to check out the Disney Immersive Experience at Lighthouse Artspace (1 Young St.).
Those with a sweet tooth can appreciate the allure of some maple syrup in town and farther afield.
Sugar Shack Too, presented by Redpath, is “a free, family-friendly, winter event on Toronto’s waterfront that celebrates all things maple.” It’s happening March 11-12 at Sugar Beach. Offerings include maple baked beans, maple cream cheese sandwiches, maple fudge, and more. admission is free.
If you don’t mind the drive, you can witness maple syrup season at Westfield Heritage Village in Rockton, about an hour west of the city. Online reservations are advised.
You can check out the Government of Ontario’s March Break page for a list of activities in the GTA and Ontario, as well as the city’s website to see more March Break activities around the city.