👋 SLOOOW down summer. August is flying by but there is still plenty of summer left and family fun to be had. If you're in town this week, there are free events happening across the GTA to help you make the most of these last precious weeks of summer.

Things I'm loving this week:

1. The Canada Strong Pass - we'll be cashing this in for a trip to Ottawa next week. Children travel free on VIA Rail! (Note: it's not a physical pass you purchase, just visit participating Parks Canada sites, national museums/galleries and VIA Rail to benefit from free admission or discounts).

2. This Tick Check and Remover Kit I picked up for an upcoming camping trip. Hopefully we don't have to use it, but it includes a helpful tick identification card.

FREE events I’m checking out this week:

🇮🇹 Italfest with kids' zone, 🥘 Jollof Fest in Mississauga, 🏃‍♂️ Sports Day in Brampton, ✨ Mount Pleasant Night Market. 💸 Plus 12 other FREE events happening this week!



- The Mayhem Mamas

⚠️ Quick reminder: Registration for fall recreational programming across Peel Region opens this week! Check out last week's newsletter for direct links to your municipality's programming and registration timing.

🃏 TCG Expo | MISSISSAUGA
September 12 VIP Night (5PM–9PM), September 13 (10AM–6PM) & September 14 (10 AM–5PM)
Location: International Centre  
Cost: Kids under 12 FREE, Adults $25/day or $40/weekend pass (💸use code "MAYHEMCSC" for $3 off!) VIP Night $5 (no promo code)
🔗 Event Details | Follow on Instagram
Perfect weekend for TCG collectors, players, and families! Hundreds of vendors selling Pokemon, Magic: The Gathering, Yu-Gi-Oh!, and rare collectibles across two full days. Watch live performances, join exciting tournaments, and browse exclusive merchandise. Kids will love the interactive demos and beginner-friendly play areas, while parents can hunt for nostalgic cards from their childhood. VIP night on Friday features play tables, trade night, early vendor setup, goodie bags (while supplies last), and a private shopping experience to grab the best items before the busy weekend!

THURSDAY, AUGUST 21

🌃 Mount Pleasant Night Market | BRAMPTON
Date: Thursday, August 21 | Time: 4:00 PM–8:00 PM
Location: Mount Pleasant Village Square
Cost: FREE | Age: All ages
🔗 Event Details
Evening market with food vendors, live entertainment, and free kids' activities. Perfect dinner-time outing with the family!

🎯 Downtown Brampton: Thursday Game Nights | BRAMPTON
Date: Thursday, August 21 | Time: 5:00 PM–7:00 PM
Location: Ken Whillans Square
Cost: FREE | Age: All ages
🔗 Event Details
Family-friendly pop-up event with classic lawn games like cornhole, giant Connect 4, and jumbo LEGO. Outdoor fun in the heart of downtown!

🚶‍♀️ Mommunity- Loafers Lake Stroller Walk | BRAMPTON
Date: Thursday, August 21 | Time: 10:30 AM
Location: Cyril Clark Brampton Library
Cost: FREE | Age: Moms + little ones
🔗 Event Details
Grab your coffee, pack the stroller, and join for fresh air, good chats, and a little sunshine! No RSVP needed.

🎤 Open Mic with Spitty (Brampton Library) | BRAMPTON
Date: Thursday, August 21 | Time: 6:00 PM–8:30 PM
Location: Springdale - Multipurpose Room 2
Cost: FREE | Age: Teens + Adults
🔗 Event Details
Monthly drop-in open mic with local hip-hop sensation and BAO Ambassador Spitty, featuring guest artists.

🎵 Music in the Park | CALEDON
Date: Thursday, August 21 | Time: 6:00 PM–8:00 PM
Location: Dennison Park
Cost: FREE | Age: All ages
🔗 Event Details
Outdoor concert featuring live music by Caledon Concert Band (6-7 PM) and Matt Zadkovich (7-8 PM). Family-friendly entertainment!

🎬 Movie Nights presented by INsauga: IF | MISSISSAUGA
Date: Thursday, August 21 | Time: 8:00 PM–10:00 PM
Location: Celebration Square
Cost: FREE | Age: All ages
🔗 Event Details
Outdoor movie screening of "IF". Pre-show starts at 7:30 PM. Bring blankets and chairs! Weather permitting.

🏃‍♀️ Play in the Park | MISSISSAUGA
Date: Thursday, August 21 | Time: 9:00 AM–4:00 PM
Location: Various neighbourhood parks
Cost: FREE | Age: 6-12
🔗 Event Details
Supervised drop-in outdoor program with organized games, sports, crafts, and theme days. Check link for specific park locations. All programs are supervised by qualified staff trained in HIGH FIVE® principles of healthy child development.

FRIDAY, AUGUST 22

🎵 Friday Nights at Garden Square | BRAMPTON
Date: Friday, August 22 | Time: 7:00 PM–9:00 PM (approx.)
Location: Garden Square
Cost: FREE | Age: All ages
🔗 Event Details
Live music performances in an intimate outdoor setting, featuring TAYOW and Divine Lightbody.

🇮🇹 Mississauga Italfest (Day 1/2) | MISSISSAUGA
Date: Friday, August 22 | Time: 5:00 PM–11:00 PM
Location: Mississauga Celebration Square
Cost: FREE | Age: All ages
🔗 Event Details
Celebration of Italian history, heritage and culture with main stage, kid zone performers, activities and family-oriented entertainment!

SATURDAY, AUGUST 23

🥬 Brampton Farmers' Market | BRAMPTON
Date: Saturday, August 23 | Time: 8:00 AM–1:00 PM
Location: Downtown Brampton (Main Street N & S)
Cost: FREE | Age: All ages
🔗 Event Details
Explore local produce, artisan goods, and food vendors in downtown Brampton. Free municipal parking available!

🏃‍♂️ Sports Day in Brampton | BRAMPTON
Date: Saturday, August 23 | Time: 10:00 AM–4:00 PM
Location: Cassie Campbell Community Centre
Cost: FREE | Age: All ages
🔗 Event Details
Learn about youth sports leagues and participate in try-it demonstrations. See website for full schedule of various sports activities!

🎬 Saturday Night Movies at Garden Square: "Wish" & "Mufasa" | BRAMPTON
Date: Saturday, August 23 | Time: 6:00 PM: "Wish", 8:00 PM: "Mufasa"
Location: Garden Square
Cost: FREE | Age: All ages
🔗 Event Details
Two family-friendly films under the stars with provided popcorn and character meet-and-greets! Pre-show fun at 5PM with games, vendors, and costumed characters. Bring blankets and chairs!

🇮🇹 Mississauga Italfest (Day 2/2) | MISSISSAUGA
Date: Saturday, August 23 | Time: 12:00 PM–11:00 PM
Location: Mississauga Celebration Square
Cost: FREE | Age: All ages
🔗 Event Details
Celebration of Italian history, heritage and culture with live events, kid zone performers, activities and engaging family entertainment!

🥘 Jollof Fest Mississauga | MISSISSAUGA
Date: Saturday, August 23 | Time: 12:00 PM–9:00 PM
Location: Streetsville Memorial Park
Cost: Free admission (some activities may require tickets) | Age: All Ages, Families
🔗 Event Details
Unforgettable celebration of Jollof rice with Afrobeat music! Think face painting for the little ones, Jollof trivia games for the curious, a photo booth for your crew, and even a special kids' cooking demo to get the next generation inspired.

🎨 Saturday Family Fun at Bradley Museum | MISSISSAUGA
Date: Saturday, August 23 | Time: 12:00 PM–4:00 PM
Location: Bradley Museum
Cost: FREE | Age: All ages
🔗 Event Details
Drop-in afternoon with crafts and outdoor games beside the historic barn. Adult supervision required, but no pre-registration needed!

SUNDAY, AUGUST 24

🦸‍♂️ Brampton ComiCon | BRAMPTON
Date: Sunday, August 24 | Time: 10:00 AM–3:00 PM
Location: Lion's Banquet Hall
Cost: $5 general admission, kids 12 & under are FREE | Age: All ages
🔗 Event Details
Comic book enthusiasts' paradise with vendors selling comics, toys, video games, sports cards, and more! Bring non-perishable food items for the food bank to win prizes.

🥕 Lakeview Farmers' & Artisan Market | MISSISSAUGA
Date: Sunday, August 24 | Time: 9:00 AM–2:00 PM
Location: Small Arms Inspection Building
Cost: FREE | Age: All ages
🔗 Event Details
Outdoor market with local produce, artisan goods, live music, and family-friendly activities. Free parking and transit accessible!

TUESDAY, AUGUST 26

👶 Music & Movement - EarlyON | MISSISSAUGA
Date: Tuesday, August 26 | Time: 9:00 AM–11:00 AM
Location: Clover Meadows Park
Cost: FREE | Age: 0-6
🔗 Event Details
Parent-child program with music and movement activities. First-come, first-serve. Bring hats, sunscreen, plenty of water and towels/blankets.

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 27

🚶‍♀️ Mommunity- Applewood Greenbelt Stroller Walk | MISSISSAUGA
Date: Wednesday, August 27 | Time: 10:30 AM
Location: Starbucks, 1016 Eglinton Ave West
Cost: FREE | Age: Moms + little ones
🔗 Event Details
Grab your coffee, pack the stroller, and join for fresh air, good chats, and a little sunshine! No RSVP needed.

DAILY ACTIVITIES

💦 Caledon Splash Pads | CALEDON
Date: Daily, August 21-27 | Time: 10:00 AM–8:00 PM
Location: Multiple locations
Cost: FREE | Age: All ages
🔗 Event Details
Water features at Adam Wallace Memorial Park, Caledon East Park, Dennison Park, and R.J.A. Potts Memorial Park. Weather permitting, unsupervised.

💦 Celebration Square Fountain Splash Pad | MISSISSAUGA
Date: Daily | Time: 10:00 AM–9:00 PM
Location: Celebration Square
Cost: FREE | Age: All ages
🔗 Event Details
Large outdoor splash pad with fountains and water jets, perfect for cooling off. Weather permitting.

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