Looking for ways to make the most of Holiday Monday? Check out this list of fun activities happening Feb. 16!
"Family Day is almost upon us, and there are plenty of fun events and activities scheduled in Toronto and across the GTA. While not everything is open on Feb. 16 , here’s a look at what’s on the schedule for the holiday Monday:
Skating in the city
Toronto’s network of drop-in rinks with free admission are expected to be open, but make sure to check out this map tool showing the status for individual rinks across the city.
The city’s Skate Lending Library, which provides free skate and helmet rentals, will tour different locations over the weekend and be at Mel Lastman Square from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Monday.
You can also skate at the Bentway Skate Trail (Fort York Boulevard) from 12 p.m. to 9 p.m. Family Day is the last day of operation for the season.
Toronto Zoo
Gabby from the TV show “Gabby’s Dollhouse” will drop by the zoo for a meet-and-greet with kids from every day on the holiday weekend from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. It’s free with the price of admission and will take place in the Special Events Centre in the Discovery Zone.
Families can join Gabby “for a fun-filled day of smiles, photos, and purr-fectly magical moments that little fans won’t want to miss,” said the zoo.
Art Gallery of Ontario
The AGO has programming throughout Family Day weekend. All art activities will be free with admission — which is also free for people 24 and under.
If you’re looking for a crafts-filled holiday, visit the AGO to make a “time capsule of your family,” embark on a guided, family-friendly tour of the gallery, participate in a hands-on printing experience and more.
Royal Ontario Museum
The ROM will be open as usual on Family Day and will also have events throughout the weekend. The Lunar New Year will be celebrated worldwide Tuesday, and the museum will have several activities to mark the occasion, from Saturday through Monday.
Events and activities at the ROM during the holiday weekend include a New Year wish tree, Chinese calligraphy pop-up, “shark sleuths,” “Nature Misunderstood,” and “Hike the ROM.”
Aga Khan Museum
The Aga Khan Museum will also be marking Family Day weekend by celebrating Lunar New Year, with performances in partnership with the Chinese Cultural Centre of Greater Toronto.
Free admission will be provided to the Museum Collections Gallery from Feb. 14 to Feb. 16. Calligraphy demonstrations and lion dance performances will take over the museum’s atrium.
Tickets are also being sold for $20 to participate in activities like lantern painting, metal embossing, fan painting and clay tile workshops at the museum’s education centre.
Hockey Hall of Fame
“Kids rule Family Day at the Hall!” according to the hall’s website.
This Family Day, they’re offering free admission of up to four kids under the age of 13 with the purchase of an adult ticket.
What’s in store for the children?
They can meet Slapshot, the mascot of the HHOF, receive a free Upper Deck collectible card, watch a 17-minute action-comedy and enjoy free sweet treats.
High tea at Casa Loma
The castle will open daily for general admission but will also hold several events throughout Family Day. These include afternoon tea and a multitude of escape rooms. Afternoon tea will set you back $75 per person, while the escape rooms start at $45 per person.
City conservatories
Toronto’s Allan Gardens and Centennial Park Conservatories are both open regularly from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. with free admission to their collections of exotic plants and flowers.
The Friends of Allan Gardens organization is also hosting a Family Day event, welcoming folk musician Pete Moss at the Children’s Conservatory at 10 a.m.
Little Canada
The miniatures attraction in downtown Toronto will have its regular weekend hours of 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on holiday Monday. There’s a 15 per cent off Family Day discount when tickets are purchased online here.
Winter Festival at Queen’s Park
The Winter Festival at Queen’s Park is a two-day, free event for families that features guided tours, arts and crafts, face painting and live performances. The building will be open to visitors from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday and Monday, according to the online schedule.
What else?
Here are more fun activities you can enjoy with the whole family on Feb. 16:
The CN Tower and Ripley’s Aquarium will both be open
Peel Art Gallery Museum + Archives is hosting a Family Day event full of creativity in Brampton
Visit the animals at Riverdale Farm from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. for their Family Day event
The Canadian International AutoShow is parked at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre starting on Feb. 13, with online tickets around $30 for adults
Free fishing across Ontario for the Feb. 14 to 16 Family Day weekend, when the Ontario government drops the requirement for a license (participants still must follow regulations like size and catch limits)
Enjoy free swimming and drop-in fitness programs at recreation centres across Toronto"