Labour Day always feels bittersweet. It marks the end of summer’s slow, carefree days and the beginning of school lunches, early mornings, and packed calendars. Usually, I’m ready for the routine, but this year, it all came a little too fast. Still, there’s a quiet excitement in the air. A new school year, a fresh start.

This week, our family is squeezing in one last adventure with a road trip to Ottawa for the annual hot air balloon festival in Gatineau Park. Follow along on our Instagram for updates from our final summer hoorah!

My top picks for the week:

🍯 Celebrate Honey festival, 🎪 Port Perry Fair, 🐢 Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Meet & Greet, 🍕 Dominos make your own pizza, 🏁 NASCAR racing with kids' zone, and 🏊 FREE Ajax 70th anniversary pool celebration.


Here’s to one last long weekend and the season ahead. Happy Labour Day!

- The Mayhem Mamas

📆 Quick reminder: Registration for fall recreational programming across Durham Region is now open! Check out full programming in your neighbourhood!

🎵 Durham Youth Orchestra's Heart Strings Quartet | OSHAWA
Thursday, August 28 | 7:00 PM–8:30 PM
Location: Ed Broadbent Waterfront Park
Cost: FREE | Age: All ages
🔗 Event Details
Talented local youth perform classical and popular music in this beautiful waterfront setting. Perfect evening to bring a blanket and enjoy live music by the water.

🎶 Waterfront Concerts: Echo | PICKERING
Thursday, August 28 | 7:00 PM–9:00 PM
Location: Millennium Square
Cost: FREE | Age: All ages
🔗 Event Details
Enjoy decades hits by Echo at Pickering's gorgeous waterfront. Bring lawn chairs and soak up the lakefront atmosphere with the family.

🎶 Concerts in the Park: Queen and the Crandells | SCUGOG
Thursday, August 28 | 6:30 PM–7:30 PM
Location: Palmer Park
Cost: FREE | Age: All ages
🔗 Event Details
Live music with lakeside views in downtown Port Perry. Grab lawn chairs or blankets for this perfect summer evening combo. Rain location is Latcham Centre if available.

🏃 Family Friendly Training Run for Ajax Race | WHITBY
Thursday, August 28 | 6:00 PM–8:00 PM
Location: Kintec: Footwear & Orthotics
Cost: FREE | Age: All ages
🔗 Event Details
Join this training run for fun, fitness, and prizes! Runners under 14 must be accompanied by an adult. Limited to 50 participants, registration required.

🤱 Nest and Bloom: Delpark Splash Pad Meetup | OSHAWA
Thursday, August 28 | 11:00 AM
Location: Delpark Community Centre
Cost: FREE | Age: Parents with young children
🔗 Event Details
Casual mom meetup to cool off at the splash pad and socialize as summer wraps up. Perfect opportunity to connect with other parents.

💃 Dance Inc August Open House | AJAX
Thursday, August 28 | 5:00 PM–7:30 PM
Location: Dance Inc
Cost: FREE | Age: All ages
🔗 Event Details
Three nights of fun with face painting, jumping castles, sweet treats, and FREE dance classes for all ages and styles. Drop in for fun or book free trial classes!

🍕 Dominos Pizza Newcastle: Kids Make Their Own Pizza (Day 1/2) | CLARINGTON
Thursday, August 28 | 12:00 PM–3:00 PM
Location: Domino's Pizza Newcastle
Cost: $5 per child | Age: All ages
🔗 Event Details
Back by popular demand! Kids create their own pizza for just $5. Space is limited – call 905-987-5556 to reserve your spot for this end-of-summer fun.

🏁 Canadian Tire Motorsport Park Labour Day Weekend Sprints (Day 1/4) | CLARINGTON
Thursday, August 28 | 10:00 AM–4:30 PM
Location: Canadian Tire Motorsport Park
Cost: See website (children 16 & under FREE with paying adult) | Age: All ages
🔗 Event Details
NASCAR Canada + Trans Am weekend at Canada's legendary motorsport venue. Canadian Tire Fun Zone keeps families entertained, plus marketplace with food trucks. Advanced discount tickets until August 27th.

🎬 Back to School Movie & Lunch: Dog Man | AJAX
Friday, August 29 | 10:00 AM–12:30 PM
Location: Ajax Public Library
Cost: FREE | Age: All ages
🔗 Event Details
Celebrate the end of summer reading with a free halal pizza lunch and Dog Man movie! Perfect way to wrap up the library's summer program.

🎵 Rick Johnson Memorial Park: Alex Pangman Swing Band (Jazz) | PICKERING
Friday, August 29 | 5:30 PM–7:30 PM
Location: Rick Johnson Memorial Park
Cost: FREE | Age: All ages
🔗 Event Details
Delightful evening of live jazz music in a lovely park setting. Bring lawn chairs for this outdoor concert experience.

🍕 Dominos Pizza Newcastle: Kids Make Their Own Pizza (Day 2/2) | CLARINGTON
Friday, August 29 | 12:00 PM–3:00 PM
Location: Domino's Pizza Newcastle
Cost: $5 per child | Age: All ages
🔗 Event Details
Last day for kids to build their own pizza creation for just $5! Call 905-987-5556 to reserve your spot for this popular end-of-summer activity.

🏁 Canadian Tire Motorsport Park Labour Day Weekend Sprints (Day 2/4) | CLARINGTON
Friday, August 29 | 9:00 AM–5:00 PM
Location: Canadian Tire Motorsport Park
Cost: See website (children 16 & under FREE with paying adult) | Age: All ages
🔗 Event Details
Heart-pounding muscle cars like Camaros, Corvettes, Challengers and Mustangs battle on the Grand Prix circuit. Free parking and Canadian Tire Fun Zone for families.

🏁 Canadian Tire Motorsport Park Labour Day Weekend Sprints | CLARINGTON
Saturday, August 30 | 8:45 AM–5:30 PM; Sunday, August 31 | 10:00 AM–4:00 PM
Location: Canadian Tire Motorsport Park
Cost: See website (children 16 & under FREE with paying adult) | Age: All ages
NASCAR Canada + Trans Am weekend featuring heart-pounding muscle cars and the grand finale WeatherTech 200 on Sunday! Canadian Tire Fun Zone for families, marketplace with interactive displays, vendors, and beer garden for adults.

🧘 Puppy Yoga | CLARINGTON
Saturday, August 30 | 10:00 AM–1:00 PM (classes at 10am, 11am, 12pm)
Location: PKS Dance Elite Ltd
Cost: $33.59 + tax | Age: 6+
🔗 Event Details
Relaxing yoga with adorable puppies! $5 from each ticket supports Clarington Animal Shelter – help provide care and loving homes for dogs in need.

🐢 Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Meet and Greet | PICKERING
Saturday, August 30 | 11:00 AM–3:00 PM
Location: The Shops at Pickering City Centre
Cost: FREE | Age: All ages
🔗 Event Details
Free family-friendly fun every Saturday in August! Meet the Ninja Turtles on the lower level near Ardene – perfect for photos and smiles.

🎪 Port Perry Fair | SCUGOG
Saturday, August 30 | Gates open 11:00 AM–5:30 PM; Sunday, August 31 | Gates open 9:30 AM–9:00 PM
Location: Port Perry Fairgrounds
Cost: Adult (14+): $15; Child (5-13): $10; 4 & under FREE | Age: All ages
🔗 Event Details
Classic county fair with midway, tractor pull, demo derby, and livestock! Sunday is the longest day with events until 9 PM. On-site gate admission with full daily schedule posted.

🌻 Celebrate Honey at Forsythe Family Farms | UXBRIDGE
Saturday, August 30 & Sunday, August 31 | 9:30 AM–5:00 PM
Location: Forsythe Family Farms
Cost: $13.00 + HST (children 2 & under FREE) | Age: All ages
🔗 Event Details
Sweet celebration of bees and honey with crafts and corn maze opening! Perfect weekend activity for families to learn about beekeeping and explore the newly opened maze. Online booking available but not required.

🧗 Kid's Night out at Aspire Climbing Whitby | WHITBY
Saturday, August 30 | 6:00 PM–9:00 PM
Location: Aspire Climbing Whitby
Cost: $45.99 + tax per child | Age: 6-12
Parent's night off while kids enjoy rock climbing, ninja warrior course, activities and games! Waiver must be completed online before arrival.

🌱 Little Sprouts - Forest Friends | PICKERING
Sunday, August 31 | 10:00 AM–11:00 AM
Location: Pickering Museum Village
Cost: $16 | Age: 1.5-4 years
Interactive garden experience for caregivers and tots exploring nature through fun activities and crafts. Includes museum admission for the day! Each child needs their own registration.

🎬 Movie Night in the Meadow: The Princess Bride | PICKERING
Sunday, August 31 | 7:00 PM
Location: Pickering Museum Village
Cost: FREE | Age: All ages (movie rated PG)
🔗 Event Details
Outdoor movie under the stars with museum exploration before the film! Free concessions included – just bring lawn chairs and blankets for this magical evening.

🏊 Free Public Swims at Ajax Memorial Pool | AJAX
Monday, September 1 | 1:30 PM–4:30 PM and 6:00 PM–8:00 PM
Location: Ajax Memorial Pool
Cost: FREE | Age: All ages
🔗 Event Details
Celebrate 70 years of Ajax with free swimming! Two sessions available. If you can, bring a non-perishable food item to donate to the Salvation Army.

🎵 Labour Day Celebration | OSHAWA
Monday, September 1 | 11:00 AM–2:00 PM
Location: Memorial Park Oshawa
Cost: FREE | Age: All ages
🔗 Event Details
Annual celebration with live music, children's entertainment, jumping castle, and face painting. Come dressed in your union/labour swag and celebrate with the community!

🎪 Port Perry Fair (Day 3/3) | SCUGOG
Monday, September 1 | First event 8:00 AM, final event 5:30 PM
Location: Port Perry Fairgrounds
Cost: Adult (14+): $15; Child (5-13): $10; 4 & under FREE | Age: All ages
🔗 Event Details
Final day of classic county fair fun! Early start at 8 AM with all your favorite fair activities – midway, livestock shows, tractor pull, and more.

🌻 Celebrate Honey at Forsythe Family Farms (Day 3/3) | UXBRIDGE
Monday, September 1 | 9:30 AM–5:00 PM
Location: Forsythe Family Farms
Cost: $13.00 + HST (children 2 & under FREE) | Age: All ages
🔗 Event Details
Last day to celebrate bees and honey! Perfect Labour Day activity with crafts, learning about beekeeping, and navigating the corn maze.

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