Holy smokes — how is June almost over?
Last weekend I went to a concert at Rogers Stadium in an attempt to reconnect with my free-spirited, music festival frolicking self. I may have paid $20 for a warm tall boy and left before the encore to beat the traffic. Still glorious. Great venue, though I wish someone had told me you can BYO water bottle. Water stations set up everywhere!
OK, on to this weekend. I'm not going to overwhelm you — I know your brain is already juggling graduations, Father’s Day, teacher gifts, World Cup watch parties, strawberry picking, and long weekend planning. Take a breath. You've got this.
This Father's Day, I'll be doing what I do every other day — taking care of absolutely everything 😅 Kidding. We love you, Dada!
Hope you have a lovely weekend celebrating the incredible dads in your life.
What Durham is Talking About
📚 Registration Opens June 22 — Uxbridge Library at the Farm
Registration opens June 22nd for Uxbridge Library at the Farm — unique summer programs that will fill up quickly. Mark your calendar!
🍕 Roselina's Pizzeria Community Fundraising Campaign
For the month of June, visit Roselina's Pizzeria for ice cream and the funds go back to the community. A sweet way to give back!
🛝 Oshawa's Free Playground Program Returns — Registration Open Now
The City of Oshawa's free Playground Program returns to neighbourhood parks this summer — July 6 to August 21, with trained Play Leaders running games, crafts, and group activities. Register now to secure your spot!
I Just Signed My Kids Up for This — And I'm So Excited
A Toronto-born theatre camp that's been building little performers' confidence since 1994
I don't usually sign up for things this fast, but Great Big Theatre Company had me at "end-of-week performance for parents." We just registered my kids and honestly, I'm as excited as they are.
GBTC runs weekly summer theatre day camps for kids ages 6–14 across Toronto, Peel, Durham, and York Region. Each week is packed with improv, musical theatre, mime, theatre games, and costume creation — all building toward a Friday afternoon show that kids perform for family. The vibe is warm, non-competitive, and designed so every single kid gets to shine.
They've been doing this since 1994, and it shows. Spots are filling up — check schedules and register below!
What to Do
Thursday, June 18
⚽ Ajax Fan Zone: Canada vs Qatar | FREE | Pay Bayly Square, Ajax
⚽ FIFA Watch Party: Canada vs Qatar | FREE | Pickering Soccer Centre, Pickering
⚽ FIFA World Cup Watch Party: Canada vs Qatar | FREE | Whitby FC, Whitby
👶 Free Preschool Fun | FREE | Ages 0–6 | Brooklin Community Centre, Whitby
Friday, June 19
🎨 Indigokids: Create & Paint Father's Day Craft | $ | Chapters Ajax, Ajax
🎬 Outdoor Family Movie Night: GOAT | FREE | Orono Fairgrounds, Clarington
🍖 Pickering Ribfest | $5 donation suggested | The Esplanade Park, Pickering
⛸️ June is Recreation Month Public Skate Drop-In | FREE | Cassie Campbell Community Centre, Brampton
⛸️ June is Recreation Month Public Skate Drop-In | FREE | Susan Fennell Sportsplex, Brampton
🏀 Free Drop-In Basketball | FREE | Ages 9–13 | Brooklin Community Centre, Whitby
Saturday, June 20
⚽ FIFA Watch Party & Family Day | $ | Pickering Festival Grounds, Pickering
🛍️ Bay Ridges Community Sale Day | FREE | Bay Ridges neighbourhood, Pickering
⛸️ Free Public Skate | FREE | Chestnut Hill Developments Recreation Complex, Pickering
⛸️ Free Parent & Child Skate | FREE | Parents and young children | Chestnut Hill Developments Recreation Complex, Pickering
🌾 Strawberry Social Market and Mingle | FREE | Applewood Farm Winery, Scugog
🌈 Pride Country Festival | FREE | Palmer Park, Scugog
💧 Water Smart Challenge & Free Public Swim | FREE | UxPool, Uxbridge
🏊 Orono Park Pool Opening Weekend FREE Swim | FREE | Orono Park, Clarington
🎪 Patio Party | FREE | Kelsey's Oshawa Centre, Oshawa
🌸 St Andrew's Strawberry Festival | $ | St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church, Whitby
🛍️ A Midsummer Night's Dream Market | FREE | Celebration Square, Whitby
🌾 Brooklin Farmers' Market | FREE | 3 Vipond Road, Whitby
🏒 Whitby Ringette: Come Try Ringette | FREE | Iroquois Park Sports Center, Whitby
🍖 Pickering Ribfest | $5 donation suggested | The Esplanade Park, Pickering
Sunday, June 21 — Happy Father's Day! 👨👧👦
🌿 Storytime Special: National Indigenous Peoples Day | FREE | Ajax Library – Audley Branch, Ajax
🎉 FREE Family Yoga — National Yoga Day | FREE | Ages 6+ | Courtice Community Hall, Clarington
🏊 Orono Park Pool Opening Weekend FREE Swim | FREE | Orono Park, Clarington
🎨 Michaels: Mahjong Bag Charm | Must purchase charm | Age 13+ | All Michaels locations, Oshawa
⛸️ Free Public Skate | FREE | Chestnut Hill Developments Recreation Complex, Pickering
⛸️ Free Parent & Child Skate | FREE | Parents and young children | Chestnut Hill Developments Recreation Complex, Pickering
🏒 Free Parent & Child Stick & Puck | FREE | Parents and young children | Chestnut Hill Developments Recreation Complex, Pickering
🚶 Strolls & Strollers: Nature Noises | $ | Parents and young children | Pickering Museum Village, Pickering
🌾 Port Perry Lakefront Farmers' Market | FREE | Queen St, Port Perry, Scugog
🏡 Sunday Funday Workshop: Friendship Bracelet | $ (free with USHS membership) | Uxbridge Historical Centre, Uxbridge
🍖 Pickering Ribfest | $5 donation suggested | The Esplanade Park, Pickering
Monday, June 22
🚶 Stroller Socials | FREE | Parents and babies | Location TBA, Pickering
Tuesday, June 23
🎵 Newcastle Concerts in the Park: Irelands | FREE | Newcastle Community Hall Parkette, Clarington
🎵 Sounds of Summer Music Series | FREE | Celebration Square, Whitby
🌾 Pickering City Centre Farmers' Market | FREE | Chestnut Hill Developments Recreation Complex, Pickering
Wednesday, June 24
⚽ Ajax Fan Zone: Canada vs Switzerland | FREE | Pay Bayly Square, Ajax
⚽ FIFA Watch Party | FREE | Pickering Soccer Centre, Pickering
🚶 Hey Mama Social Club Stroller Walk | FREE | Parents and babies | Whitby Waterfront, Whitby
🥕 Whitby Farmer's Market | FREE | Celebration Square, Whitby
Thanks for reading! See you back here, next Wednesday! ✌️
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