July 24-30 (York)

July 23, 2025

👋 Hey York families!

I’m halfway through summer with my 3 littles and here is what I’ve learned so far:

  1. There's nothing relaxing about the summer. Fun? Yes. Tranquil? I think not.

  2. Routine still matters. But make it flexible and don't forget down time.

With that in mind, we've scouted out free events this week to help you fill these glorious long July summer days. Oh and if you're new here, we are 4 moms from the GTA who curate weekly lists of free and low-cost family activities, plus all those helpful tips like where to park and what to bring that can make or break an outing with little ones.

Here's what's happening this week around York Region:

🎵 Taylor Swift Tribute Concert – Richmond Hill
🎪 Royal Canadian International Circus (2-for-1 promo code!) – Newmarket
🎬 Moonlight Movies with Moana 2 and Mamma Mia – Newmarket
🧚‍♀️ Fairy Festival (think fairy parade, flower crowns) – Whitchurch-Stouffville
🏖️ De La Salle Beach Bash – Georgina
💦 Frank Stronach Spray Pad open daily – Newmarket
⚽ Sports Dome Opening Party (relay games + pizza!) – Markham
🎭 Canada's Circus Spectacular – Aurora

THURSDAY, JULY 24

🏃‍♀️ Outdoor Adventures | AURORA
Date: Thursday, July 24 | Time: 2:30 PM–4:30 PM
Location: Aurora Town Square/Aurora Public Library, Aurora
Cost: FREE | Age: All ages
🔗 Event Details
Drop by for outdoor fun! Activities include lawn games, chalk drawing, and bubble blowing. Drop-in program perfect for families. Also runs every Thursday through the summer.

🛒 EG Artisan and Farmers Market | EAST GWILLIMBURY
Date: Thursday, July 24 | Time: 2:00 PM–7:00 PM
Location: East Gwillimbury Civic Centre, Sharon
Cost: FREE | Age: All ages
🔗 Event Details
Connect with local farmers, indulge in sweet treats, and browse unique artisan vendors! Special activities today include water safety prevention demos, children's arts and crafts table, water games, and assembling mini first aid kits. Also runs every Thursday until September 11.

💦 Frank Stronach Spray Pad | NEWMARKET
Date: Thursday, July 24 | Time: 10:00 AM–9:00 PM
Location: Frank Stronach Park, Newmarket
Cost: FREE | Age: All ages
🔗 Event Details
Beat the heat at this fully accessible spray pad! Features picnic tables with UV shading, amphitheatre seating, and portable washrooms. Want more splash pads? Check out our guide of the top 32 rated splash pads in the GTA. Open daily all summer.

🎵 Taylor's Story (Taylor Swift Tribute) | RICHMOND HILL
Date: Thursday, July 24 | Time: 7:00 PM–9:00 PM
Location: Mill Pond Park, Richmond Hill
Cost: FREE | Age: All ages
🔗 Event Details
Shake it off at this free Taylor Swift tribute concert! Part of Richmond Hill's weekly Concerts in the Park series. Limited parking available - consider biking or using Mackenzie Health East parking lot after 6 PM.

FRIDAY, JULY 25

🎪 Canada's Circus Spectacular | AURORA
Date: Friday, July 25 | Time: 4:30 PM–8:30 PM (shows at 4:30 PM & 7:00 PM)
Location: Aurora Community Centre, Aurora
Cost: Pre-sale special $19 - limited quantity available! | Age: All ages
🔗 Event Details
This 90-minute super tour features international artists including comical clowns, spellbinding aerialists, and dare-devil motorcyclists. Doors open 1 hour early for face painting and Scarlett's Dance Party!

🎄 Christmas in July - Aurora Legion | AURORA
Date: Friday, July 25 | Time: 11:30 AM–2:00 PM
Location: Aurora Legion- Branch 385, Aurora
Cost: $25 per person | Age: All ages
🔗 Event Details
Traditional turkey dinner with dessert, coffee/tea, and door prizes! Advanced tickets only - purchase in person with cash/credit or E-transfer to [email protected].

🏖️ De La Salle Beach Bash | GEORGINA
Date: Friday, July 25 | Time: 10:30 AM–5:00 PM
Location: De La Salle, Jackson Point
Cost: FREE (volleyball tournament $45 per team) | Age: All ages
🔗 Event Details
Fun community day supporting water safety and drowning prevention during National Drowning Prevention Week. Features hands-on activities and beach volleyball tournament with proceeds going to the Lifesaving Society.

🎬 Movies in the Park - Moana 2 | WHITCHURCH-STOUFFVILLE
Date: Friday, July 25 | Time: 7:00 PM (sundown)
Location: Memorial Park, Whitchurch-Stouffville
Cost: FREE | Age: All ages
🔗 Event Details
Enjoy popular family films under the stars! Features food vendors and free face painting on site. Bring lawn chairs and blankets. Also runs August 15.

🎪 Royal Canadian International Circus (Day 2/4) | NEWMARKET
Date: Friday, July 25 | Time: 4:00 PM & 7:30 PM
Location: Upper Canada Mall, Newmarket
Cost: $39.50-$60 | Age: All ages
🔗 Event Details
Two shows today! Children 3 and under are free if not occupying a seat. Show length is approximately 2 hours including 30-minute intermission. Strollers not allowed inside tent but can be stored in concession area. 2-for-1 tickets with promo code BIGTOP2025!

SATURDAY, JULY 26

🎵 The ClearWater Farm Music Showcase | GEORGINA
Date: Saturday, July 26 | Time: 10:00 AM–7:00 PM
Location: ClearWater Farm Ontario, Willow Beach
Cost: FREE | Age: All ages
🔗 Event Details
Celebrate homegrown musicians with live performances all day against stunning lake backdrop! Features morning yoga, family art-in-nature activities, food & beer garden, and local vendors. Bring your picnic blanket!

🚗 Pefferlaw Classic Car Show + Community Festival | GEORGINA
Date: Saturday, July 26 | Time: 9:00 AM–11:00 PM
Location: Pefferlaw Lions Park, Georgina
Cost: FREE | Age: All ages
🔗 Event Details
Classic cars, vendors, bouncy castles, food, games, and fun for the whole family! Long day of festivities in beautiful Pefferlaw.

🚜 Main Street Markham Farmers' Market | MARKHAM
Date: Saturday, July 26 | Time: 9:00 AM–1:00 PM
Location: Guardian Pharmacy parking lot, Main Street Markham
Cost: FREE | Age: All ages
🔗 Event Details
30 weekly vendors including farmers, honey producers, artisans, and baked goods! Features weekly live music, family activities, and amazing giveaways. Rain or shine event. Also runs every Saturday until October 11.

⚽ Markham Sports Dome Open House | MARKHAM
Date: Saturday, July 26 | Time: 12:30 PM–4:30 PM
Location: Markham Sports Dome, Markham
Cost: FREE adults, $5 children | Age: Kids 4-14 + adults
🔗 Event Details
Fun-filled event featuring soccer, volleyball, and team games with experienced coaches! Child entry includes play plus pizza slice. Register online through Eventbrite.

🎪 Royal Canadian International Circus (Day 3/4) | NEWMARKET
Date: Saturday, July 26 | Time: 12:00 PM, 4:00 PM & 7:30 PM
Location: Upper Canada Mall, Newmarket
Cost: $39.50-$60 | Age: All ages
🔗 Event Details
Three spectacular shows today! Children 3 and under are free if not occupying a seat. Show length is approximately 2 hours including 30-minute intermission. Strollers not allowed inside tent but can be stored in concession area. 2-for-1 tickets with promo code BIGTOP2025!

🧱 Summer of Fun - Indigo Kids LEGO Ice Cream Make & Take | NEWMARKET & RICHMOND HILL
Date: Saturday, July 26 | Time: 11:00 AM–2:00 PM
Location: Check participating Chapter stores in your area
Cost: $5 plus fees | Age: 6+
🔗 Event Details
Build the ultimate summer treat one colourful LEGO brick at a time! Take your creation home for play and display. Includes storytime. Last event of the summer season - spaces limited! Locations: Hillcrest Mall (11 AM, 1 PM, 3 PM) and Newmarket (11 AM, 1 PM, 3 PM). 🔗 Hillcrest: Book Here | Newmarket: Book Here

SUNDAY, JULY 27

🎪 Royal Canadian International Circus (Day 4/4) | NEWMARKET
Date: Sunday, July 27 | Time: 1:00 PM & 5:00 PM
Location: Upper Canada Mall, Newmarket
Cost: $39.50-$60 | Age: All ages
🔗 Event Details
Final two shows of this spectacular circus run! Children 3 and under are free if not occupying a seat. Show length is approximately 2 hours including 30-minute intermission. Strollers not allowed inside tent but can be stored in concession area. 2-for-1 tickets with promo code BIGTOP2025!

🎵 Music at Riverwalk | NEWMARKET
Date: Sunday, July 27 | Time: 2:00 PM
Location: Newmarket Riverwalk Commons, Newmarket
Cost: FREE | Age: All ages
🔗 Event Details
Live music performance by the riverfront! Rain date on July 29 at 7:00 PM. Bring your own lawn chair for seating.

🛒 Hillcrest Farmers Market | RICHMOND HILL
Date: Sunday, July 27 | Time: 10:00 AM–4:00 PM
Location: Hillcrest Mall (Near Carville Road Entrance), Richmond Hill
Cost: FREE entry | Age: All ages
🔗 Event Details
Vendors include East End Produce, The Strudel King, Lotus Sourdough Breads, Superior Deli Meats & Cheese, and more delicious local offerings! Also runs every Sunday until October 5.

🧚‍♀️ Fairy Festival at Perennial Petals Flower Farm | WHITCHURCH-STOUFFVILLE
Date: Sunday, July 27 | Time: 11:00 AM–2:00 PM (two time slots: 11:00 AM or 1:00 PM)
Location: Perennial Petals Flower Farm, Whitchurch-Stouffville
Cost: $27-$56 | Age: All ages
🔗 Event Details
Magical day with flower fairies! Features scavenger hunt, wish bottle making, fairy parade, and flower crown creation. Full fairy tickets ($56.86) include all activities and snacks; adult companions ($27.37) get snacks too. Pre-purchase required.

MONDAY, JULY 28

🎬 Moonlight Movies - Moana 2 | NEWMARKET
Date: Monday, July 28 | Time: 7:30 PM–9:30 PM
Location: Environmental Park, Newmarket
Cost: FREE | Age: All ages
🔗 Event Details
Meet and Greet with your Ward Councillor begins at 6:00 PM, movie at 7:30 PM. Bring lawn chairs/blankets, snacks, drinks, flashlight, and bug spray. Also runs Mondays/Tuesdays through August 26.

TUESDAY, JULY 29

🎵 Music Nights - Epic Eagles Tribute | EAST GWILLIMBURY
Date: Tuesday, July 29 | Time: 7:00 PM–9:00 PM
Location: East Gwillimbury Civic Centre, Sharon
Cost: FREE | Age: All ages
🔗 Event Details
Last Tuesday performance of the summer featuring Epic Eagles, the original Eagles tribute band! Food vendors on site including Mount Albert Lions Club and Little Beasts Brewing Co. Bring lawn chair or blanket. Donations for Holland Landing Food Pantry accepted.

🎬 Moonlight Movies - Mamma Mia | NEWMARKET
Date: Tuesday, July 29 | Time: 7:30 PM–9:30 PM
Location: George Richardson Park (North of Davis Drive)
Cost: FREE | Age: All ages
🔗 Event Details
Meet and Greet with your Ward Councillor begins at 6:00 PM, movie at 7:30 PM. Bring lawn chairs/blankets, snacks, drinks, flashlight, and bug spray. Part of the summer series running through August 26.

COMING UP NEXT WEEK

How did we do?

What did you think about today's newsletter

Login or Subscribe to participate in polls.

Follow us!

👇Follow our new account for day-of event updates, weather changes, and last-minute tips! We share real-time info about where to park, what to pack and all the "wish I had known before arriving" details to make your family outings smoother @mayhemadventure.