👋 Hey! Lots of new faces here, so we wanted to introduce the moms behind Mayhem. We're 4 moms from the GTA who curate a weekly list of free activities in Toronto, Durham, Peel and York. We also add those helpful tips like where to park, what to bring, and facility info - basically all the details that can make or break an outing with little ones.

This week, we're hunting for free activities to fill those tricky gaps between summer camp sessions and your already chaotic summer schedule.

Oh, and if you're like me and have been doing the great splash pad tour of the city to beat this heat, you'll love that we put together a list of our Top-rated 32 Splash Pads in the GTA 🌊!

Here's a teaser of what's happening this week around York Region:

THURSDAY, JULY 10

🎬 Night at the Markham Museum: “Coco”

Thursday, July 10 | 8:45 PM - 11:00 PM | Recurring 4 Fridays in summer | Markham Museum, Markham | FREE | Event Details 

Gates open at 8:45pm, movie starts at 9:30pm. Bring your lawn chairs and watch under the stars!

🏃‍♀️ Outdoor Adventures, Aurora 

Thursday, July 10 | 2:30 PM - 4:30 PM | Recurring Thursdays in July & August | Aurora Town Square/Aurora Public Library, Aurora | FREE | Event Details 

Drop-in program for kids 5 & under with caregivers. Activities include lawn games, chalk drawing, and bubble blowing all summer long!

🥂 King After Five: Rooftop Sunset Mingle 

Thursday, July 10 | 5:00 PM - 9:30 PM | ACE Performance Gym, King City | FREE for King Chamber Members, $10 for non-members | Event Details 

Parents night out! Evening networking event with music, local vendors, food, and entertainment. Hosted by the King Chamber of Commerce.

FRIDAY, JULY 11

🎬 Friday Movie Mania, Newmarket: “If”

Friday, July 11 | 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM | Recurring Fridays in July & August | Newmarket Library, Newmarket | FREE | Event Details 

🌮 Lucky Lion Night Market, Vaughan 

Friday, July 11 | 4:00 PM - 12:00 AM | Multi-day event Friday-Sunday | Assembly Park, Concord | FREE admission | Event Details 

Experience the magic of Asian night markets! Enjoy 100 delicious food items and unique merchants. Energetic K-pop dance performances and nightly Chinese lion dance shows, plus artisan market and games & prize booths.

SATURDAY & SUNDAY, JULY 12-13

🎭 Vaughan Latin Festival 

Saturday, July 12 | 11:00 AM - 10:30 PM | Mackenzie Glen Park, Vaughan | FREE admission | Event Details 

Live performances & music, delicious Latin cuisine, 65+ vendors, family-friendly fun, and dancing! Kid Zone & water park on location 🌊!

🦆 Duck Races and Festival, Georgina

Saturday, July 12 | 10:00 AM - 3:00 PM | High Street, Sutton | FREE | Event Details

Fun day for the entire family with kids games, vendors, indigenous art and music, food booths and the rubber duck races on the Black River.

🍖 Stouffville Fusion fest Taste of the Mediterranean 

Saturday, July 12 | 12:00 PM - 11:00 PM | Memorial Park, Stouffville | FREE entry | Event Details 

Immersive Mediterranean experience with diverse cuisine, mesmerizing music, and infectious dance. Free parking. Parents and children can explore bouncy castles and activities at the Kids' Zone!

🌮 Lucky Lion Night Market, Vaughan 

Saturday, July 12 | 2:00 PM - 12:00 AM | Sunday, July 13 | 12:00 PM - 8:00 PM | Assembly Park, Concord | FREE admission | Event Details 

🎨 Purple Turtle Art Festival, Georgina 

Saturday, July 12 | 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM | Sunday, July 13 | 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM | The Briars Resort & Spa Meadow, Jackson's Point | FREE entry | Event Details 

🌮 Taco & Tequila Festival, Vaughan 

Saturday, July 12 | 11:00 AM - 8:00 PM | The Village at Black Creek, Vaughan | $12-18 | Event Details 

Parents night out! Celebrate vibrant Latin flavors with gourmet tacos and premium tequilas. Rain or shine event (19+ only).

🐎 The Polo Picnic, Richmond Hill 

Saturday, July 12 | 12:00 PM - 5:00 PM | Toronto Polo Club, Richmond Hill | Kids 12 & under FREE, adults $25 | Event Details 

Exciting polo games benefiting Southlake Regional Hospital. Online ticket sales are closed but tickets will be available for purchase at the gate. Bring picnic and lawn chairs. Watch two polo matches, stomp divots with complimentary champagne, shop vendor village. No pets allowed.

🎵 Uptown Keswick Parkette Concert Series, Georgina 

Saturday, July 12 | 3:30 PM - 7:30 PM | Recurring select Saturdays | Uptown Keswick Parkette, Keswick | FREE | Event Details

Browse unique stores and shops while enjoying incredible local musicians. All concerts are weather permitting.

🎪 Youth Day 2025, Newmarket 

Sunday, July 13 | 12:00 PM - 10:00 PM | Riverwalk Commons, Newmarket | FREE | Event Details FREE 

All-day arts festival where over 100 emerging performers will take the stage across two outdoor stages. Expect unforgettable vocals and original music, grab a bite at the international food market, support local artisans and vendors, cool off at the Mercedes-Benz Splash Pad on site, and explore job leads at YD Career Futures. Free parking & free shuttle.

WEDNESDAY, JULY 16

🌳 The Forest and Me, Stouffville  

Wednesday, July 16 | 9:00 AM - 10:30 AM | Hollidge Tract, Whitchurch-Stouffville | FREE | Event Details 

Unique outdoor experience for families with young children 0-6 years. Scenic stroll along smooth, accessible trail perfect for strollers. Features nature-based activities and story time by EarlyON Stouffville! Spots are limited - register online. Events are rain or shine.

🧺 Picnic In The Park - Mommy Connections York Region 

Wednesday, July 16 | 10:30 AM - 12:30 PM | Upper Mill Pond Park, Richmond Hill | FREE | Event Details 

Must register online for all guests attending. Bring a picnic blanket for your family. There will be toy testing, giveaways and freebies!

OUR TOP PARK PICKS THIS WEEK

🏖️ De La Salle Chapel & Park 

Daily | 8:00 AM - 9:30 PM | De La Salle Chapel and Park, Jackson's Point | FREE | Park Details 

Beach volleyball, drinking water, playground, picnic areas, soccer field, swimming, and public washrooms (May to August). Check York Region's beach water testing page for current advisories.

💦 David Hamilton Park + Splashpad 

Daily | 9:00 AM - 8:00 PM | David Hamilton Park, Richmond Hill | FREE | Park Details 

This is one of our top splash pad picks! Children must be supervised at all times. Infants must wear swim diapers, slip-resistant footwear recommended. No pets except Service/Guide Dogs. Want to find more of our favourite splash pads in your neighborhood? Check out our top-rated 32 splash pads in the GTA guide!

COMING UP NEXT WEEK (JULY 17-23)

🍖 Richmond Hill Ribfest 

Friday, July 18 - Sunday, July 20 | Richmond Green Park, Richmond Hill | FREE admission

🎠 KidZfest at Canada's Wonderland 

Saturday, July 19 - August 3 | Canada's Wonderland, Vaughan | Included with park admission

🛍️ Revolution Markets - Summer Market 

Sunday, July 20 | 11:00 AM - 5:00 PM | Sharon Museum & Gardens, Sharon | FREE

Have a wonderful week exploring York with your little adventurers!

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