It’s time to show a little love to the dads in our lives, and there are plenty of ways to do that here in Toronto. Whether he’s a foodie, a history buff, an outdoorsman, or a sports fanatic, you’ll find a bonding activity that’s just right this Father’s Day. Take a look at this list of the best things to do for Father’s Day in Toronto and start planning your day with dad.
Paddle to a live concert
Boating, music, warm weather — put em’ all together and you might have the perfect early Father’s Day activity. Music on the River is a concert series right on the Humber River and you’ll get to paddle your way to the show. Your ticket comes with a boat rental, paddle, lifejackets, access to the show, and a glowstick to wave along with the music.
Where: Humber River Paddling Centre, 9 Old Mill Rd
When: June 17, 2022
Harry Potter and the Cursed Child
The highly-anticipated production of Harry Potter and the Cursed Child is finally in Toronto and it’s the world’s most award-winning play with an all-Canadian cast.
Featuring “spectacular spells, a mind-blowing race through time, and an epic battle to stop mysterious forces,” this show will have you and dad on the edge of your seats from start to finish! And if luck is on your side, you may even be able to score super cheap tickets in the Golden Snitch Lottery.
Where: 244 Victoria St
When: June 19, 2022, 2 p.m.
Toronto Blue Jays vs. New York Yankees
A classic Father’s Day activity! The Jays are going head to head with the Yankees on June 19, and it’s an ideal way to bond with dad. You don’t need to be a baseball fanatic to enjoy the cheering crowd, hot dogs, and sunshine. And a cold beer doesn’t hurt, either.
Where: Rogers Centre
When: June 19, 2022, 1:37 p.m.
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Go on a FREE museum crawl
If your dad’s a history buff, here’s an activity you can do for free. The City of Toronto has made general admission permanently free at 10 history museums and sites, including Spadina Museum, Scarborough, Museum, Todmorden Mills, Fort York, and more.
Plus, the Royal Ontario Museum (ROM) is allowing access to its main floor galleries and public spaces for free all season long, including Kore 670, “a stunning sculpture from antiquity on loan from Greece.”
Where: See the list here
Italian Father’s Day brunch
When in doubt, do brunch! This year, you can indulge in a delicious Italian Father’s Day tradition this year that dad is sure to love.
Zeppole al Caffe is an Italian pastry in the form of a delicious ball of fried or baked choux pastry, topped with powdered sugar and filled with pastry cream and amarena cherries. It’s served only on Father’s Day in southern Italy, and you can get it at Oretta locations around Toronto — their take on the pastry involves made-in-house coffee gelato. Yum!
Where: 633 King St W & 2131 Yonge St
When: June 19, 2022
Stuff your faces at Taco Fest
This epic food festival will give you something to taco ’bout this Father’s Day. Enjoy some quality time while you explore over 100 varieties of tacos from Toronto’s top restaurants and chefs, toast with specialty cocktails, and listen to the sounds of live mariachi bands.
Where: The West Island, Ontario Place, 955 Lakeshore Blvd West
When: June 17-19, 2022
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Go on a glow-in-the-dark kayak ride
What better way to bond with dad than by gliding through Humber Bay in a glow-in-the-dark transparent kayak. Toronto Kayaks supplies the city’s only transparent-LED-light-and-bluetooth-equipped-hybrid-kayak-canoe, which you can rent by the hour.
Your rental also comes with a waterproof pouch for your electronics, bug repellent, a safety kit, and a life jacket, in addition to the boat, paddle, and bluetooth speaker. Everything you need for an evening on the water.
Where: See location
When: June 19, 2022
Picnic in a lavender field
If your dad’s got a green thumb, he will definitely appreciate the expansive fields at this lavender farm just outside of Toronto. This Father’s Day, you can pack a picnic and head to Avalon Lavender Farm’s opening weekend. You can also purchase a curated picnic box on-site.
Prepare to be “surrounded by the beautiful smells of lavender, captivating wildlife, and complete serenity,” according to the event’s description. You can buy tickets in advance online for $14 each.
Where: 347036 Mono Centre Road, Mono
When: June 18 & 19, 2022
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Suit him up in Canadian activewear
Every dad could use a little more athleisure in his closet, and Forward With Design (FWD) has all the bases covered. This Canadian brand sells a range of active life essentials that helps you transition seamlessly from day to night, from the office to the gym to an activewear cocktail. A few staple pieces will go a long way. You can buy them online or in-store at your nearest Sportchek.
Where: See website
Fish for free in Ontario’s waters
Every Father’s Day weekend, Canadian residents can fish in Ontario for free. That means you don’t need to buy a fishing licence if you want to fish this weekend, and you can even borrow a rod and reel for free at TackleShare. You don’t have to venture far outside of the city to do some fishing, either — there are plenty of urban fishing spots you can check out.
Where: Ontario-wide
When: June 18 & 19, 2022
