Spring Festival Guide for Toronto and the GTA

Spring is a special time in Toronto when the sun starts to shine, flowers start to bloom and everyone wants to start the party! Whether you’re looking to get into nature, eat delicious food, appreciate the arts or be active, there’s a festival just right for you and your family to enjoy. And we’ll be adding more too, so stay tuned! So, live it up with our Spring Festival Guide for Toronto and the GTA…

Spring Festival Guide — April

Toronto and Region Conservation Authority (TRCA): Sugarbush Maple Syrup Festival
Date: Continuing until April 6, 2026
Participate in demonstrations and activities for the whole family (with special hours for Easter Weekend) at the annual Sugarbush Maple Syrup Festival in Woodbridge and Stouffville.

Shaw Festival
Date: April 2 – October 11, 2026
The Shaw Festival returns for its 63rd season in the picturesque lakeside town of Niagara-on-the-Lake with a varied program of plays, including family favourites like “The Wind in the Willows”.

⭐ Dino Park
Date: April 3-6, 2026
Dino Park stomps into Scarborough’s Bridlewood Mall for the whole Easter long weekend! This immersive walk-through experience features roaring animatronic life-size dinosaurs, carnival rides, games, food and more.

⭐ Easter HopFest
Date: April 3-6, 2026
Easter HopFest supplies all the springtime magic families are looking for over the Easter long weekend, with epic egg hunts, adorable animals, thrilling rides, and nonstop fun for every bunny. Of course, there’s also magical photo ops with the Easter Bunny!

Easter Fun Fest
Date: April 3-6, 2026
Easter Fun Fest is the GTA’s destination for family fun with jumping castles, kiddie midway, pony rides, mini-putt, easter egg hunts and more.

Ontario Maple Syrup Producers’ Association: Ontario Maple Weekend
Date: April 4-5, 2026
Enjoy the sweetest time of the year with the annual Ontario Maple Weekend at participating maple producers across Ontario.

Nottawasaga Valley Conservation Authority: Spring Tonic Maple Syrup Festival
Date: April 11-12, 2026
The Spring Tonic Maple Syrup Festival at the Tiffin Conservation Area in Barrie explores traditional maple syrup, along with family shows, and more.

Sunderland Maple Syrup Festival
Date: April 11-12, 2026
Sunderland Maple Syrup Festival celebrates maple syrup with a pancake breakfast, sugar shack tours, plus two days of free shows and activities.

Canadian Latin Fest
Date: April 12, 2026
Canadian Latin Fest celebrates culture, unity and diversity at Nathan Phillips Square, including free entertainment, food vendors, kids zone, sports heroes wall, multicultural community zone, and more!

ICFF Youth Festival
Date: April 13-17, 2026
The ICFF Youth Festival is an annual multi-lingual film program at Cineplex Cinemas Yorkdale that celebrates film as an art form.

TIFF Next Wave Film Festival
Date: April 16-19, 2026
Toronto International Film Festival Next Wave Film Festival returns to the TIFF Bell Lightbox, with brand-new movies FREE for those under 25.

Stratford Festival
Date: April 21 — October 31, 2026
The Stratford Festival returns with Shakespearean classics, musicals, comedies, dramas and family favourites, plus a kids ticket deal.

Hot Docs Festival
Date: April 23 — May 3, 2026
Hot Docs Festival returns with a full line-up of documentary films, including special presentations and events, plus free tickets to students for all screenings before 4:00 PM.

Muskoka Maple Festival
Date: April 25, 2026
Join Spring’s sweetest party at Muskoka Maple Festival, with free admission, maple-inspired dining options, games and live music.

Downsview Park: Earth Day Festival
Date: April 26, 2026
Hug a tree on Earth Day at Downsview Park to enjoy free hands-on activities, learning opportunities with the staff, plus vendors and more.

Japanese Canadian Cultural Centre (JCCC): SakuraFest
Date: April 28 — May 9, 2026
JCCC hosts their new SakuraFest to celebrate the traditional appreciation (or “hanami”) of cherry blossoms, Japan’s spectacular flowering trees.

Contact Photography Festival
Date: May 1-31, 2026
Contact Photography Festival is an annual festival with public art installations, programs, and special events throughout Toronto.

WeeFestival — Arts and Culture for Early Years
Date: May 1-17, 2026
WeeFestival returns with performances and events in various locations around Toronto, intended for children newborn to six years old.

Canada’s Wonderland: Spring Festivals
Date: Starting May 3
Canada’s Wonderland is reopening for the 2025 season on May 3 (plus a Season Passholder Sneak Preview on May 3!) with exciting events happening throughout the spring months.

Departure Festival + Conference
Date: May 4-10, 2026
Toronto comes alive with the newly transformed Departure Festival + Conference (formerly Canadian Music Week), a dynamic convergence of music, art, comedy, and technology.

Toronto International Storytelling Festival
Date: May 7-10, 2026
Toronto International Storytelling Festival returns this year, celebrating verbal storytelling and featuring free family programming.

Toronto and Region Conservation Authority: Spring Bird Festival
Date: May 9, 2026
At TRCA’s free Spring Bird Festival at Tommy Thompson Park and across the GTA, families can take part in kid-friendly guided walks and bird-themed activities.

SING! The Toronto Vocal Arts Festival
Date: May 20 — June 1, 2026
Sing along with Canada’s premier music festival featuring artists performing “a cappella”, which means to sing without instruments.

Doors Open Toronto
Date: May 23-24, 2026
Doors Open Toronto lets you explore many of our city’s most notable buildings and rediscover our city in a new way, all for FREE!

City of Toronto: Colonel Samuel Smith Park Spring Bird Festival
Date: May 23, 2026
The City of Toronto hosts the Spring Bird Festival at Colonel Samuel Smith Park in Etobicoke, where families can enjoy a day of guided bird walks, children’s activities and more.

More details coming soon!

Guide to Maple Syrup Events and Festivals in the GTA and Southern Ontario

Here in Ontario, we really, *really* love our maple syrup. So, head to the forest for special events to seek out that “liquid gold” with our Guide to Maple Syrup Events and Festivals in the GTA and Southern Ontario!