- Updated on March 27, 2026
Local guide to FREE events for kids and families
Some of the best things in life really are free. Explore fun, no-cost events for kids and families across Toronto, Mississauga, York Region, Durham, Halton, and surrounding areas — all in one easy, always-updated guide. Check back often to discover new ways to get out with the kids and enjoy quality time together without stretching your budget.
Earth Month at Evergreen Brick Works
Apr 1
to Apr 30, 2026
Evergreen Brick Works
Celebrate Earth Month at Evergreen Brick Works this April with a full month of family-friendly and community programming focused on sustainability, nature, and environmental learning. Events take place on Sundays and select Saturdays throughout April and include hands-on workshops, nature walks, eco-art activities, educational presentations, and community events. ...
Oshawa Museum Craft Circle
Apr 26
to Apr 26, 2026
Oshawa Museum
Calling All Crafters! Join us at the Oshawa Museum for a friendly, all-ages Craft Circle on the fourth Sunday of every month. Bring your latest project—knitting, crocheting, embroidery, quilting, or anything else—and spend a relaxed afternoon with our museum volunteers and fellow makers. Whether you’re just getting started ...
AGO Khan BMO Free Wednesdays
Apr 29
to Apr 29, 2026
Aga Khan Museum
Enjoy free admission to the Museum’s galleries during extended hours every Wednesday evening from 4 to 8 pm, presented by BMO Financial Group. BMO Free Wednesdays provides barrier-free access to the arts, allowing the Museum to remain a welcoming and inclusive environment for all.
Bowmanville Maplefest
May 2
to May 2, 2026
Clarington Fields
There’s nothing more Canadian than freshly harvested Maple Syrup! Come celebrate the start of spring in Historic Downtown Bowmanville on the first Saturday in May. This highly anticipated festival showcases many of our local syrup producers who offer up the best of the region. Maple products abound at MAPLEFEST ...
2025 CFMA winners MAGGIE'S WAKE - Celtic Traditions
May 2
to May 2, 2026
Midland Cultural Centre
Mod-trad, female-fronted folk-celtic crew MAGGIE’S WAKE are fresh off their acclaimed debut at Ireland’s premier music industry showcase, and appearing at the Midland Cultural Centre (pres. by Brookside Music) on Saturday, May 2, 7:00pm (Free for Children/Students, $35 Adults, https://tinyurl.com/BrooksideMusic-MaggiesWake-tix ). Expect a fiery fusion of Celtic tradition ...
AGO Khan BMO Free Wednesdays
May 6
to May 6, 2026
Aga Khan Museum
Enjoy free admission to the Museum’s galleries during extended hours every Wednesday evening from 4 to 8 pm, presented by BMO Financial Group. BMO Free Wednesdays provides barrier-free access to the arts, allowing the Museum to remain a welcoming and inclusive environment for all.
Mother's Day Vendor MRKT
May 9
to May 9, 2026
Mimico Square
Treat your mom to a special day out at our in-person event. Join us for a day of shopping with over 30 vendors selling handmade goods, crochet, art, candles, sauces, stationary, skincase, jewelry, bath bombs, soaps, apparel, food, and fun as we celebrate all the amazing moms out ...
Nature Connection: Introduction to birding
May 10
to May 10, 2026
Downsview Park
Join us for a beginner-friendly introduction to the birds of Downsview Park. Binoculars are not required but are encouraged. Participants under the age of 16 must be accompanied by an adult. Pets are not permitted at this program. Service animals are always welcome. Our Education programs are proudly ...
AGO Khan BMO Free Wednesdays
May 13
to May 13, 2026
Aga Khan Museum
Enjoy free admission to the Museum’s galleries during extended hours every Wednesday evening from 4 to 8 pm, presented by BMO Financial Group. BMO Free Wednesdays provides barrier-free access to the arts, allowing the Museum to remain a welcoming and inclusive environment for all.
Portarama Family Festival
May 15
to May 18, 2026
Port McNicoll, Ontario
Portarama Family Festival Returns for 40th Year of Community Celebration! Portarama Family Festival will take place over the Victoria Day Long Weekend – May 15-18, 2026. This year marks 40 years of this cherished local tradition that offers something for everyone — from FREE live entertainment and a ...
Victoria Day Weekend at Blue
May 15
to May 18, 2026
Blue Mountain Village
This May Long Weekend, let the rhythm of the Village set the tone for your first great escape of the season. At Blue Mountain Village, it’s all about that perfect blend of scenic beauty, vibrant energy, and effortless fun. Stroll cobblestone streets with coffee in hand, toast to ...
Victoria Day Fireworks
May 15
to May 15, 2026
Memorial Park Stouffville
Our Victoria Day Fireworks is the kickoff of the Town’s summer events. Come join us to celebrate Victoria Day in Memorial Park. Rain or shine, enjoy food trucks, live music, and a spectacular fireworks show. The event begins at 8 p.m., with fireworks at 9:30 p.m. Memorial Park ...
Victoria Day Weekend at The Great War Flying Museum
May 16
to May 18, 2026
The Great War Flying Museum
The 57th season of the Great War Flying Museum takes off Victoria Day weekend, May 16-18 2026! Our friendly and knowledgeable members are excited to get back to giving tours of our museum and answering any questions you may have about the aircraft and Canada’s participation in World ...
Nobleton Victoria Day
May 18
to May 18, 2026
Nobleton Arena Grounds
Celebrate King Township’s Nobleton Victoria Day with us on Monday, May 18 at Dr. William Laceby Nobleton Community Centre and Park, 15 Old King Road, Nobleton This family-friendly, quintessential kick-off to summer has been enjoyed by the community for more than 50 years. Each year, the event attracts ...
AGO Khan BMO Free Wednesdays
May 20
to May 20, 2026
Aga Khan Museum
Enjoy free admission to the Museum’s galleries during extended hours every Wednesday evening from 4 to 8 pm, presented by BMO Financial Group. BMO Free Wednesdays provides barrier-free access to the arts, allowing the Museum to remain a welcoming and inclusive environment for all.
Barrie Waterfront Festival
May 22
to May 24, 2026
Barrie Waterfront
The 21st annual Barrie Waterfront Festival is a free admission festival that brings Centennial Park to life with amazing musical acts, food trucks, vendors, beer garden, midway and more! Featuring a variety of activities and attractions, including live music performances, food trucks, artisan market, beer garden, and a ...
Pickering Artfest
May 23
to May 24, 2026
The Esplanade Park
Celebrate creativity and community at Artfest, in Esplanade Park! This two-day festival showcases the vibrant work of emerging and local artists, artisans, independent authors, and performers, offering something for everyone. Explore: Live performances Diverse Artisan Vendor Market Pickering Garden Club Variety of delicious Food Trucks Saturday, May ...
Doors Open Toronto
May 23
to May 24, 2026
Multiple Venues in the GTA
Each May, Doors Open Toronto invites the public to explore the city’s most-loved buildings and sites, free of charge. The event provides rare access to buildings that are not usually open to the public and free access to sites that would usually charge an admission fee. Since its ...
Spring Bird Festival
May 23
to May 23, 2026
Colonel Samuel Smith Park
Enjoy a day of guided bird walks, live birds, reptiles and amphibians, backyard habitat building, art workshops, children’s activities, and educational displays. Bird walks start regularly throughout the festival. If you are planning on coming to the festival with your four-legged friend, remember to keep your dog on ...
AGO Khan BMO Free Wednesdays
May 27
to May 27, 2026
Aga Khan Museum
Enjoy free admission to the Museum’s galleries during extended hours every Wednesday evening from 4 to 8 pm, presented by BMO Financial Group. BMO Free Wednesdays provides barrier-free access to the arts, allowing the Museum to remain a welcoming and inclusive environment for all.
Luminato Festival
Jun 3
to Jun 28, 2026
Multiple Locations in Toronto
Luminato Festival Toronto, the city’s international festival of arts and ideas, returns this summer from June 3 to June 28 with an exceptional program set to invigorate Toronto with creativity. Experience free performances and installations that will take over the city like you’ve never seen before, in addition ...
AGO Khan BMO Free Wednesdays
Jun 3
to Jun 3, 2026
Aga Khan Museum
Enjoy free admission to the Museum’s galleries during extended hours every Wednesday evening from 4 to 8 pm, presented by BMO Financial Group. BMO Free Wednesdays provides barrier-free access to the arts, allowing the Museum to remain a welcoming and inclusive environment for all.
Pickering Village Jam Fest
Jun 5
to Jun 7, 2026
Old Kingston Road
Join us for Father’s Day weekend at this year’s Pickering Village Jam Fest. Pickering Village’s favourite FREE ADMISSION music festival, will fill the streets with music along closed to traffic Old Kingston Road between Elizabeth and Linton. There will be amazing music. There will be delicious food and ...
Do West Fest
Jun 5
to Jun 7, 2026
Dundast West
Do West Fest is Toronto’s start to the summer, in the heart of Little Portugal (Little Portugal Toronto BIA). This annual celebration of music, arts, food, fun, and community takes place along Dundas Street West, from Shaw St to Lansdowne Ave, covering 16 blocks of downtown Toronto. Do ...
Unionville Festival
Jun 6
to Jun 7, 2026
Historic Main Street Unionville
Kick off the summer with the Unionville Festival! This annual event takes place on historic Main Street Unionville and is a celebration of the local community, featuring live music, delicious food, and a wide range of activities for people of all ages. Whether you’re looking to enjoy some ...
Re-enactment of the Battle of Stoney Creek
Jun 6
to Jun 7, 2026
Battlefield House Museum & Park
Witness the re-enactment of the Battle of Stoney Creek June 6, 1813, a significant turning point in the War of 1812. Bring the whole family for period games, food, demonstrations, historical music and fireworks. Visit the merchants and military encampment and discover traditional pastimes. The event features Indigenous ...
Brampton KiteFest
Jun 6
to Jun 7, 2026
Greenbriar Park S
Brampton KiteFest is an eco-friendly, family-friendly event that celebrates multiculturalism – especially South and East Asian cultures – in an accessible way that encourages participation from all ages! Children can learn the joys of building and flying their own kite, and parents and grandparents can reconnect with their ...
Lakeshore Village Grilled Cheese Challenge
Jun 6
to Jun 6, 2026
Lakeshore Village
Black Diamond Presents the 2026 Grilled Cheese Challenge! The Lakeshore Village BIA welcomes back their annual street festival on Saturday, June 06, 2026 from 11:00am to 8:00pm. The Grilled Cheese Challenge is Ontario’s largest celebration of grilled cheese sandwiches; featuring live music, entertainment, family fun zones, amazing food, ...
Riverside Eats & Beats Streetfest
Jun 6
to Jun 6, 2026
Riverside Toronto
Taste the Eats and feel the Beats in Toronto’s Riverside neighbourhood – it’s all coming back Saturday, June 6th, 2026, 12pm-6pm! Spanning 10 vibrant blocks outdoors along Queen Street East between the Don Valley to just past the world-famous De Grassi Street. This year, the 12th Riverside Eats ...
Downtown Milton SummerFest
Jun 6
to Jun 6, 2026
Downtown Milton
Downtown Milton SummerFest is happening on Saturday, June 6th! Hosted by the Downtown Milton Business Improvement Area, with support from the Town of Milton, the event features local businesses and vendors, live entertainment, family fun and more! Main St. will be closed for the event.
AGO Khan BMO Free Wednesdays
Jun 10
to Jun 10, 2026
Aga Khan Museum
Enjoy free admission to the Museum’s galleries during extended hours every Wednesday evening from 4 to 8 pm, presented by BMO Financial Group. BMO Free Wednesdays provides barrier-free access to the arts, allowing the Museum to remain a welcoming and inclusive environment for all.
Mississauga Halal Food Festival
Jun 12
to Jun 13, 2026
Mississauga Celebration Square
The Mississauga Halal Food Festival is one of the region’s largest and most anticipated cultural celebrations, drawing tens of thousands of visitors each year. The festival brings together a wide variety of halal cuisines from around the world, offering families a chance to sample diverse flavours while enjoying ...
Ontario's Best Butter Tart Festival
Jun 13
to Jun 13, 2026
Downtown Midland
If you love butter tarts you don’t want to miss this festival! Thousands of butter tarts will be available for sale at Ontario’s Best Butter Tart Festival, so if you like them with or without raisins or with a firm or runny filling (elbow lickers), you’ll find your ...
Port Union Waterfont Festival
Jun 13
to Jun 13, 2026
Port Union Village Common
The Port Union Waterfont Festival is organized by the Port Union Waterfront Festival Committee and in association with Community Groups in Southeast Scarborough. Events & Activities Enjoy the kiddie rides Climb the rock wall Meet your neighbours and neighbourhood businesses BBQ Free popcorn and candy floss Community Information ...
Toronto Beaches Rib & Beer festival
Jun 19
to Jun 21, 2026
Woodbine Beach Park
Hot Dang! The Toronto Beaches Rib & Beer festival is back for 2026. Get ready for MOUTH WATERIN’, FINGER LICKIN’, BELLY RUBBIN’ GOOD BBQ! Savour the best BBQ ribs at the Toronto Beaches leg of the Northern Heat Rib Series! Indulge in perfectly cooked ribs from from the ...
Markham Village Music Festival
Jun 19
to Jun 20, 2026
Main Street Markham
The Markham Village Music Festival returns to Main Street Markham on June 20-21, 2025 Featuring: Live Music Featured Musician and Performers on all 5 Stages on Friday & Saturday Kidz Zone Enjoy a variety of family friendly performances and hands-on crafts. Barkham The dog-friendly zone is held on ...
Stouffville Strawberry Festival
Jun 26
to Jun 28, 2026
Memorial Park Stouffville
The Whitchurch-Stouffville Strawberry Festival takes place over the Canada Day weekend and is run for the benefit of our community – all the Festival organized entertainment and kids’ activities are free. From the festival market, to inflatables, live entertainment, the food zone, pancake breakfast, the Red Berry Café, ...
Party 4 Paws Pet Fair
Jun 27
to Jun 28, 2026
Trinity Bellwoods Park, Dog Bowl
Get ready for a tail-wagging weekend at the annual Party 4 Paws Pet Fair at Trinity Bellwoods Park in downtown Toronto! 🐾 Calling All Animal Lovers & Pet Parents! 🐾 Join us at the Party 4 Paws Pet Fair in Toronto for a heartwarming, tail-wagging celebration of everything ...
Canada Day in Richmond Hill
Jul 1
to Jul 1, 2026
Richmond Green Park
Come to the Richmond Green Park to celebrate our nations birthday! With a full day of live entertainment on multiple stages, a beer garden, artist exhibits, and midway, there is something for everyone to enjoy. Don’t forget to stick around and experience a fantastic fireworks display starting at ...
Backyard Story Time at the RMG
Jul 15
to Jul 15, 2026
Experience the magic of outdoor story time at the art gallery! Through books, songs, games, and creative activities, storytellers from Oshawa Public Libraries will spark your imagination in The Backyard at the RMG! This event is free and no registration is required. Backyard Story Time at the RMG ...
Clowns Reading Shakespeare
Jul 28
to Jul 28, 2026
Kinsmen Amphitheatre
On July 28 the St. Lawrence Shakespeare Festival’s Spotlight Series will feature “Clowns Reading Shakespeare”, created by Kenzia Dalie and Panoply Theatre Collective. Directed by Kenzia Dalie with Alyssa Pothier, Brendan Kinnon, Callan Forrester, Paige Madsen, and Sienna Singh, Clowns Reading Shakespeare is a family-friendly theatrical performance featuring ...
Toronto Food Truck Festival
Jul 31
to Aug 3, 2026
Woodbine Park
Woodbine Park has never tasted this delicious before. Back for another year, The Toronto Food Truck Festival is serving up some real must-eats! As always, admission is free and there’s something for everyone, including Free Children’s Games. Entertain yourself with some of Toronto’s best local talent, participate in ...
Pickering Food Truck Festival
Aug 7
to Aug 9, 2026
The Esplanade Park
You’ll want to bring your friends and kids to Esplanade Park for some unbelievable food! We’re transforming the park to a foodie haven, including Free Children’s Games, a beer garden and live entertainment stage. As always, admission is free and we’ll be beefing up the park with some ...
Orillia Waterfront Festival
Aug 7
to Aug 9, 2026
Port of Orillia
Looking for fun things to do in Orillia this summer? Don’t miss the Orillia Waterfront Festival, happening at the beautiful Port of Orillia. This exciting family-friendly festival features live entertainment, delicious festival food, a vibrant vendor market, the thrilling Dock Diving Dogs competition, and the fan-favourite Cardboard Boat ...
Backyard Story Time at the RMG
Aug 12
to Aug 12, 2026
Experience the magic of outdoor story time at the art gallery! Through books, songs, games, and creative activities, storytellers from Oshawa Public Libraries will spark your imagination in The Backyard at the RMG! This event is free and no registration is required. Backyard Story Time at the RMG ...
Mississauga Italfest Inc.
Aug 21
to Aug 22, 2026
Mississauga Celebration Square
Mississauga Italfest has dazzled crowds for over 14 years, standing out as one of the most vibrant and dynamic Italian festivals in Canada. Named a Top 100 Festival in Ontario from 2016 to 2025, this unique festival has brought together tens of thousands of local fans and enthusiastic ...
Orillia Pirate Party
Sep 4
to Sep 6, 2026
Port of Orillia
Prepare to batten down the hatches — the Pirates of the Orillian Sea are setting their course for Orillia’s Downtown Waterfront! Word on the wind is they’ll make landfall just in time for Labour Day weekend, bringing a treasure chest full of swashbuckling fun, live entertainment, and high-seas ...
Bloor West Village Toronto Ukrainian Festival
Sep 18
to Sep 20, 2026
Bloor West Village
The Bloor West Village Toronto Ukrainian Festival welcomes you to come and enjoy everything the Ukrainian culture has to offer. Discover Ukrainian culture in Canada and share the Ukrainian spirit at North America’s largest Ukrainian Street Festival.
Arts of the Middle East Festival
Sep 25
to Sep 26, 2026
Mississauga Celebration Square
The Arts of the Middle East Festival brings people together to celebrate the rich culture, vibrant traditions, and incredible flavours of the Middle East. This year, join us for unforgettable performances, cultural experiences, and delicious cuisine that highlight the beauty and diversity of the region. Step into a ...
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1 thought on “Free Things To Do with Kids in the GTA”
It is really important for the sake of your family that once a week, the whole family should visit some place or take part in a family activity. This will help in increasing the bond between all members.