Get ready for an incredible week of family adventures! This week brings an amazing mix of activities including the Barkham Festival for dog lovers, delicious BBQ at Newmarket Ribfest, local art at the Night Market, plus stargazing parties, fire safety workshops, and outdoor adventure games. Whether you want to support young entrepreneurs at the Kid2Kid Marketplace or explore the cosmos under the stars, there's something exciting happening every day.

In today's newsletter:

🧸 Kid2Kid marketplace & young entrepreneur events

⭐ Stargazing parties, adventure games & outdoor challenges

📚 Book fairs, story time with fire fighters and astronomy workshops

🍖 Ribfest, dog festivals & community celebrations

🎭 Arts festivals & cultural programming for early years

COMMUNITY FESTIVALS & MARKETS

🐕 Barkham Festival

Saturday, May 31 & Sunday, June 1 | 11:00 AM-6:00 PM | Markham Museum, 9350 Markham Road, Markham | Tickets starting at $12.71

York Region's largest dog-focused festival featuring 75+ vendors, food trucks, games, giveaways, and fun dog activities on 25 acres! Includes Doggy Pawlimpics, breed meetups, agility games, wedding photobooth for pets, and apple orchard walks.

🔥 HOT TIP: Bring your furry friend for the ultimate dog festival experience - transit and wheelchair accessible!

Event Details

🧸 Kid2Kid Kids' Marketplace 

Saturday, May 31 | 11:30 AM - 2:00 PM | Beaches Recreation Centre, 6 Williamson Road, Toronto | Free admission

The 3rd annual indoor/outdoor market features over 100 youth vendors aged 4-12 showcasing handmade crafts, food, gifts, and more. Enjoy live music, dance performances, face painting, BBQ, and silent auction. Vendors donate 50% of profits to Red Door Family Shelter.

🔥 HOT TIP: This family-friendly and pet-friendly event supports young entrepreneurs while raising funds for charity!

Event Details

🎨 Newmarket Night Market 

Friday, May 30 | 5:00-10:00 PM | Newmarket Riverwalk Commons, 200 Doug Duncan Drive | Free admission

The 3rd annual Night Market combines an art show and sale with food, drinks, and live music in downtown Newmarket. Discover local artists while celebrating with the community. Perfect evening out for families - browse art, grab dinner, and enjoy live entertainment all in one location!

Event Details

🍖 Newmarket Ribfest

May 30-June 1 | Upper Canada Mall Southwest Lot, 17600 Yonge St, Newmarket | $2 per person, Kids under 5 FREE

Indulge in award-winning ribs from top BBQ ribbers, enjoy live entertainment featuring rock, country, and tribute bands, visit the Beer Market, and experience finger-lickin' fun! Features acts like AC/DC Show Canada and Rolling Stones tribute band.

🔥 HOT TIP: Free parking available, pets welcome (must be leashed), and most vendors accept cash, debit, and credit cards!

Event Details

👟 Sole Sisters: Parent Walking Group

Sunday, June 1 | 8:00 AM | Shops at Don Mills (meeting in front of Pablo's) | Free, all parents welcome

A new community walking group designed for fresh air, friendly chats, and meaningful parent connections. Whether you're pushing a stroller or just craving some company, join this chill-paced walk with an unmatched vibe. Dads welcome too! Follow @mommunityca and @theplaceswewillremember for all the details.

🎨 Craft Mini-Market at Campbell House Museum

Saturday, May 31, 2025 | 12:00-5:00 PM | Campbell House Museum, 160 Queen Street West | Free admission

Support local craft artists at vendor tables in the museum's garden setting while learning about Campbell House Museum programs. Combine shopping for unique handmade items with a visit to this historic Toronto site!

Event Details

ARTS, CULTURE & ENTERTAINMENT

🎶 Symphony Storytime for Neurodiverse Children 

Saturday, May 31 | 2:00-2:45 PM | North York Central Library Auditorium | Ages 4+, Free event, registration required

Inclusive musical storytime featuring live performance from Toronto Symphony Orchestra's Ah Young Kim. Specially designed for neurodiverse children including those on the autism spectrum. Therapy dog teams provide support.

🔥 HOT TIP: Specially designed inclusive program with therapy dogs for extra support - register on Eventbrite!

Event Details

🎶 Summer Music Nights at Chudleigh's Farm 

Friday, May 30 & Saturday, May 31 | 7:30-9:30 PM OR 9:30-10:30 PM | Chudleigh's Entertainment Farm, Halton Hills | All ages

Experience live music and delicious food in a beautiful outdoor farm setting. This week’s band is a Fleetwood Mac Tribute band! Perfect for making memories under the summer evening sky.

Event Details

🎵 Fred Penner: Songs and Stories 

Running through to June 1| Young People's Theatre, 165 Front St E, Toronto | Ages 3-7, tickets required

Canadian music icon Fred Penner performs his catchy classics including "The Cat Came Back" and "What a Day" in this special limited engagement. A nostalgia-filled treat for parents and a perfect introduction to live music for little ones! Approximately 50 minutes plus Q&A session.

Event Details

🎪 Immersive Art Installation 

Until June 1, 2025 | Waterworks Food Hall, 50 Brant Street (West Annex) | Free admission

Experience this unique immersive art installation while you can - only available until June 1st! Perfect for families looking for a creative and cultural experience.

Event Details

🎭 WeeFestival of Arts & Culture for Early Years 

May 30-June 8 | Various Toronto locations | Tickets required

Toronto's only contemporary arts festival for children 0-6 years features two shows this weekend: "Casa" (ages 1-4, 35 minutes) at Tarragon Theatre ExtraSpace with multiple performances Friday-Sunday, and "Mer Océane" (ages 3+) Saturday 2PM at Spadina Theatre at Alliance Française - a poetic ocean performance combining puppetry, music, and visual arts.

Event Details

🍎EDUCATION & LEARNING

📚 Tehran Book Fair - Kids Programming

Saturday, May 31 (10 AM-5 PM) & Sunday, June 1 (12-5 PM) | Richmond Hill Public Library Central Branch | Registration required for some programs

Celebrate literature and culture with special children's programming including Little Hands Big Stories workshops, Potato Stamp Printing, Yoga Adventures for Kids (ages 3-6), Magic Tree Storytelling, Art with Heart workshops, and Puppet Storytelling. Programs in English and Farsi.

Event Details

🚒 Story Time with Toronto Fire Services 

Saturday, May 31 | 10:30-11:30 AM | Toronto Public Library - Agincourt, 155 Bonis Avenue | Free, ages 2-5

Learn about fire safety and prevention while meeting a real Toronto Fire Fighter! Includes stories about emergency preparedness and a take-home craft project.

Event Details

🔧 Makerspace Open House 

Saturday, May 31 | Thornhill Community Centre Library, Markham | Free admission

Explore the library's makerspace with different stations to visit. Collect stamps on your passport to enter lucky draws for tote bags, posters, and 3D printed objects. A great introduction to maker technology and 3D printing for kids and families!

Event Details

🌌 The Birth, Life, and Bizarre Deaths of Stars 

Saturday, May 31 | 2:00-3:30 PM | North York Central Library | Registration encouraged, drop-ins welcome, suitable for teens

Join Professor John Percy from University of Toronto Department of Astronomy and Astrophysics for a fascinating lecture exploring how stars are born, live for billions of years, and transform into bizarre objects like white dwarfs, neutron stars, pulsars, and black holes. 1 hour 30 minutes.

Event Details

📚 APL Spring Book Sale 

Sunday, June 1 | 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM | Aurora Public Library, 15145 Yonge Street, Aurora | Great prices

Bi-annual book sale featuring great reads at rock bottom prices! Perfect for book lovers looking to expand their collections.

Event Details

OUTDOOR & ADVENTURE

⭐ Stargazing Party 

Saturday, May 31 | Sunset | David Dunlap Observatory Park, Richmond Hill | Free, no registration required

Learn to use star charts and basic observing techniques, then enjoy a guided binocular tour of the night sky. Bring binoculars, flashlight, and folding chair. Administration Building open for self-guided tours.

🔥 HOT TIP: Perfect family activity for a clear evening - dress warmly and bring snacks for a magical night under the stars!

Event Details

🌿 Family Nature Games Day 

Saturday, May 31 | 10:00 AM-12:00 PM | High Park Nature Centre, 375 Colborne Lodge Drive | Ages 5+ with caregivers, pre-registration required

Collect pinecones, pebbles, and twigs as nature's game pieces, then enjoy playful competitions. From ancient classics to fresh twists, these games turn the outdoors into your board game café. Pay what you can: $0, $5, $8, $10.

Event Details

🏃 Kids Adventure Games 

Saturday, May 31 | 8:00 AM-3:00 PM | Kortright Centre for Conservation, 9550 Pine Valley Dr, Woodbridge | Ages 6-15 in teams of 2

Outdoor obstacle course race featuring up to 15 man-made and natural obstacles. Teen/Youth Race (8-15): $110/racer, Mini Course (6-7): $60/racer. Includes Kortright admission for athlete + 1 adult. Teams compete by bike, running, and water elements.

Event Details

SUMMER PROGRAM REGISTRATION DATES

COMING UP NEXT WEEK

🍽️ Taste of North York 

June 6-8 | Mel Lastman Square, 5100 Yonge Street | Free admission

A three-day community and food festival celebrating North York's diverse cultures including Korean, Chinese, Persian, Ukrainian, Latin, Italian, Tamil, Japanese, Caribbean, Indian and more. Features diverse food vendors, live entertainment, cultural performances, family activities, community fair with 20+ local organizations, and Battle of the Bands on Saturday 12-3:30 PM.

🎪 Unionville Festival 

June 7-8 | Main Street Unionville & Carlton Road | Free admission

Live music & entertainment, food & craft vendors, dog show, inflatables, and family-friendly activities. Note: This year features a smaller-scale event due to Main Street Restoration with no parade, but full-scale return planned for 2026.

🗺️ Bruce's Mill Summertime Scavenger Search 

Sunday, June 8 | 10:00 AM-12:00 PM OR 2:00 PM-4:00 PM | Bruce's Mill Conservation Park Nature Centre, 3291 Stouffville Road, Stouffville | $75 per family (2-4 people), $15 per additional person

Family treasure hunt exploring beautiful trails using riddles and clues to discover natural wonders, interesting insects, and beautiful birds. Bring hiking shoes and a sense of adventure for this outdoor exploration experience.

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