We’ve got a holiday weekend coming up, friends! Family Day long weekend is upon us and we’re ready to take advantage of some sweet time off. The fun is just getting started here in Toronto, with art exhibitions, immersive experiences, festivals, and special screenings to check out around the city all weekend long. Whether you’re spending it with family, friends, or your furry companion, here are 13 of the best things to do in Toronto this Family Day 2022 to keep the good times rolling.
Winter Stations
The annual international design competition at The Beaches is back and this year’s winners have been revealed. Winter Stations will run for six weeks straight and will showcase the six winning projects along the shoreline starting Family Day. This year’s winners took their creativity to new heights, transforming the lifeguard towers into northern cardinal birds, isolation pavilions, beehives, and more.
Where: Woodbine Beach, 1675 Lake Shore Blvd E
When: February 21st — March 31st
Winter Glow
A dreamy outdoor destination has popped up in North York. Winter Glow has taken over Toronto’s Black Creek Pioneer Village and it’s all the things we love about the season combined into one magical experience. Walk or drive along a 1.8 km trail as you take in the gorgeous wintry sights synchronized to music. Some of the attractions you’ll see along the way include ice sculptures, snow carvings, life-sized snowglobes, illuminated structures, and more.
Where:Â 1000 Murray Ross Pkwy
When: Until February 27th
Hot Chocolate Festival
A celebration of all things chocolatey and sweet is now underway in Toronto. A 10-day Hot Chocolate Festival has taken over Stackt Market with an epic lineup of events, performers, and of course, delicious drinks. Plus, it’s completely free to attend! The festival will have endless chocolate pop-ups for you to check out, plus musical performances, s’mores kits, and drink specials to keep things warm and spicy during this frosty time of year.
Where:Â Stackt Market, 28 Bathurst St
When: Until February 21st
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moonGARDEN
A unique travelling art installation is lifting spirits in Toronto this weekend. The moonGARDEN is now open and it’s a dreamy illuminated experience right in the downtown core. Visitors will get to walk between the spheres as they glow and transform through animated and immersive shadow theatre designs. Get some fresh air this weekend and enjoy some unique art while you’re at it.
Where:Â 120 Adelaide St W
When:Â Until March 5th
Island of Warmth
Another interactive display is popping up in the city and it has delighted locals in cities all over the world. The installation, called Island of Warmth, is designed to resemble a campfire and uses movement and sound to keep its flames burning bright. The bonfire is surrounded by sensors placed on the floor and relies on the people around it to bring it to life. If you’re a fan of outdoor art, this one’s worth the visit.
Where:Â Yonge-Dundas Square
When: February 18th — March 20th
Immersive Klimt
An immersive art experience is happening in the heart of Toronto. Joining the ranks of Immersive Van Gogh and Beyond Monet is Immersive Klimt, a colourful exhibition curated by the “world-renowned master of digital art” Italy’s Massimiliano Siccardi. Through vivid 360 projections, the revolutionary works of Gustav Klimt come to life all around you. Klimt is described as a “rebel, genius and legend” of a painter, and now you can be swept up in his electrifying world.
Where:Â 1 Yonge St
When:Â Until March 13th
High Tea at the Castle
Care for some tea? In celebration of the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee, Toronto’s historic castle is hosting an elegant high tea experience inspired by the Edwardian era. Savour the majestic atmosphere of the castle while you indulge in scones, pastries, sandwiches, and more.
Where: 1 Austin Terrace
When: February 19th — February 21st
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Sky Skate Toronto
Another season of skating in Toronto’s skies is well underway. The popular Sky Skate rooftop rink at The Porch is now open and it’s one of the most picturesque spots in town for gliding under the stars. There are heaters all around the rink to make your skate a bit more comfortable, but you’ll definitely still want to dress for a typical Canadian winter night. You’ll also be able to warm up with a drink at the bar afterwards!
Where:Â 250 Adelaide St. W
When:Â Until March 2022
The Bentway Skate Trail
Toronto’s iconic skating trail under the Gardiner Expressway is celebrating its final weekend. The 220 metre, figure 8 loop has skating rentals, sharpening services and art installations to check out. This is your last opportunity to check out this skating trail before it closes for the season.
Where:Â 250 Fort York Blvd
When:Â Until February 21st
MALCOLM X 30th Anniversary Screening
Head over to The Revue Cinema for a special 30th-anniversary screening of MALCOLM X in tribute to the life and legacy of the late human rights leader. With theatres are open at half-capacity, now’s your chance to see this iconic 1992 film return to the big screen.
Where:Â 400 Roncesvalles Ave
When: February 21st, 2022
Terra Lumina
Are you ready to be whisked away to the year 2099? Terra Lumina has returned at the Toronto Zoo for more nightly magic under the stars. The immersive light show features an illuminated 1.5 km trail designed to make you feel like you’ve travelled to a “radiant” future world.
Where: The Toronto Zoo, 2000 Meadowvale Road, Toronto, ON
Cost: Adult (18-64) $29.99 + HST
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Dune at the IMAX Cinesphere
The Oscar-nominated film that made a splash at TIFF in September is coming to the big screen at the IMAX Cinesphere this weekend. Sit back and enjoy the show at this unbelievable theatre on the waterfront. There are multiple screenings throughout the weekend too, and visitors are encouraged to purchase their tickets in advance to guarantee their spot.
Where: 955 Lake Shore Blvd W
When: February 18th — February 21st
Fragments of Epic Memory
This exhibit at the Art Gallery of Ontario explores Caribbean history and culture through over 200 photographs, as well as paintings, sculpture, and video works by modern and contemporary Caribbean artists. According to the AGO, the exhibit will “invite visitors to experience the multiple ways of encountering the Caribbean and its diaspora, from the period following emancipation through today.”
Where:Â 317 Dundas St W
When: Until February 21st, 2022
There you have it, friends! Thirteen of the best things to do in Toronto this Family Day long weekend.
