September 18-24 (York)

Happy Wednesday!

Looks like we’ve been gifted one last blast of summer weather! Definitely your sign to get outside this weekend and soak it all up. I’m heading to Algonquin for one final camping trip before fall fully sets in, but if you’re sticking around the city, you’re in luck—there are SO many fun, free, kid-friendly things happening outdoors. Let’s make the most of it while we can!

My Top 5 Picks This Week Around York:

1. 🎃 Harvest Festival with free food & bouncy castle – MARKHAM

2. 🍎 Apple Festival with tastings & cooking demos – NEWMARKET

3. 🍯 Honey Harvest with tractor rides & bee experiences – VAUGHAN

4. 🚒 Fire Department Open Houses (3 locations with free BBQs!) – AURORA, EAST GWILLIMBURY, GEORGINA

5. 🎉 Pan Am Centre 10th Anniversary with live music & free cake – MARKHAM

🎬 Moonlight Movies - Despicable Me 4 | RICHMOND HILL
Friday, Sept 19 | 6:30 PM (Pre-show), Movie begins at dusk
Location: David Hamilton Park
Cost: FREE | Age: All ages
🔗 Event Details
Pack chairs and blankets for family movie night under the stars. Pre-show fun starts at 6:30 PM with snacks. Enter draw for free theatre tickets!

🚒 Central York Fire Services Open House | AURORA
Saturday, Sept 20 | 10:00 AM–3:00 PM
Location: Ian Laing Headquarter
Cost: FREE | Age: All ages
🔗 Event Details
Family fun with fire safety activities, games, free BBQ, and Tim Hortons Express Train. Hosted by CYFS.

🏠 Doors Open Ontario - Aurora | AURORA
Sunday, Sept 21 | 10:00 AM–4:00 PM
Location: Various Aurora locations
Cost: FREE | Age: All ages
🔗 Event Details
Explore Aurora's heritage and cultural spaces including Town Square, Hillary House, and Oddfellows Lodge. 20 in-person sites with special programming.

🌍 Aurora's Multicultural Festival | AURORA
Saturday, Sept 20 | 9:00 AM–6:00 PM
Location: Aurora Town Park & Town Square
Cost: FREE–$8.45 | Age: All ages
🔗 Event Details
Cultural performances, flavour trail with samples, Honeyland documentary, workshops, and community activities. Free food samples at Town Square!

🚒 East Gwillimbury Fire Prevention Open House | EAST GWILLIMBURY
Saturday, Sept 20 | 9:00 AM–3:00 PM
Location: Queensville Fire Station 28
Cost: FREE | Age: All ages
🔗 Event Details
Outdoor open house with free BBQ, truck tours, fire safety education, community partners, and live demos.

🏎️ KRUZ-A-PALOOZA | EAST GWILLIMBURY
Sunday, Sept 21 | 11:00 AM–3:00 PM
Location: The Sharon Temple
Cost: FREE | Age: All ages
🔗 Event Details
Classic cars, motorcycles, BBQ, contests, prizes, 40+ vendors, bouncy castles, and fresh Italian treats from Busy Bee Market.

🚒 Georgina Fire and Rescue Services Open House | GEORGINA
Saturday, Sept 20 | 10:00 AM–2:00 PM
Location: Sutton Fire Hall
Cost: FREE | Age: All ages
🔗 Event Details
Meet firefighters, see fire trucks up close, and enjoy free community barbecue. Free BBQ and on-site parking.

📸 Moments in Time: Photography Pop-up | KING
Saturday, Sept 20 | 10:00 AM–2:00 PM
Location: King Heritage & Cultural Centre
Cost: FREE | Age: All ages
🔗 Event Details
Free 15-minute professional photo shoot with heritage buildings as backdrop. Registration required. Includes 5 edited digital photos.

🏠 Doors Open - Markham | MARKHAM
Saturday, Sept 20 | 10:00 AM–5:00 PM
Location: Various Markham locations
Cost: FREE | Age: All ages
🔗 Event Details
Explore Markham's learning landscape with 14 in-person sites focusing on educational and historical locations.

🎃 Harvest Festival | MARKHAM
Saturday, Sept 20 | 12:00 PM–4:00 PM
Location: Markham Missionary Church
Cost: FREE | Age: All ages
🔗 Event Details
Community celebration with free hot dogs, chips, and corn. Bouncy castle, live music, and vintage car show.

🏊 Drop-In Parent & Tot Swim | MARKHAM
Saturday, Sept 20 | 11:30 AM–12:30 PM
Location: Centennial Community Centre
Cost: Ages 0-3 FREE, Adults $5.02, Children 3+ $3.01 | Age: Parents & children 6 and under
🔗 Event Details
Casual swim in leisure pool for parents and tots. Maximum 2 children per adult. Water diapers required for non-toilet trained.

🎉 Pan Am Centre 10th Anniversary Celebration | MARKHAM
Sunday, Sept 21 | 10:00 AM–3:00 PM
Location: Markham Pan Am Centre
Cost: FREE | Age: All ages
🔗 Event Details
Live music, food trucks, kids' activities, sport demos, and face painting. Free admission and activities plus celebration cake!

🍎 Apple Festival | NEWMARKET
Saturday, Sept 20 | 8:00 AM–1:00 PM
Location: Newmarket Farmers' Market
Cost: FREE | Age: All ages
🔗 Event Details
Celebrate apple harvest with scavenger hunt, tastings, live music, and cooking demos throughout the morning.

🎵 Musical Saturdays | RICHMOND HILL
Saturday, Sept 20 | 2:00 PM–3:00 PM
Location: Central Library
Cost: FREE | Age: All ages
🔗 Event Details
Jazz music with the James Brown Duo for families. Part of Culture Days events.

🗺️ Richmond Hill Heritage Centre Scavenger Hunt | RICHMOND HILL
Saturday, Sept 20 | 10:00 AM–4:00 PM
Location: Richmond Hill Heritage Centre
Cost: FREE | Age: All ages
🔗 Event Details
Trip through Richmond Hill's history with interactive pop-up panels and historical artifacts. No registration required.

🎨 ArtWalk 2025 | RICHMOND HILL
Sunday, Sept 21 | 11:00 AM–5:00 PM
Location: Richmond Hill Centre for the Performing Arts
Cost: FREE | Age: All ages
🔗 Event Details
Indoor and outdoor art market with local artists, live music, and make-and-take crafts. Henna and face painting available.

🎪 Oktoberfest - Canada's Wonderland | VAUGHAN
Sunday, Sept 21 | 11:00 AM–7:30 PM
Location: Canada's Wonderland
Cost: $45–$100 | Age: All ages
🔗 Event Details
Last day of Oktoberfest! Premium beers, authentic German food, live shows, and family activities. Most rides included with admission.

🎭 Vaughan Culture Days 2025 Festival | VAUGHAN
Saturday, Sept 20 | 10:30 AM–1:00 PM
Location: Carrville Community Centre
Cost: FREE | Age: All ages
🔗 Event Details
Launch of Vaughan Culture Days with on-stage entertainment, vendors, and interactive games for all ages.

🍯 Honey Harvest Celebration at Kortright | VAUGHAN
Saturday, Sept 20 | 10:00 AM–3:00 PM
Location: Kortright Centre for Conservation
Cost: Child $8.10, Adult $15.40, Senior $8.20, 3 and Under FREE | Age: All ages
🔗 Event Details
Interactive Bee Space, meet beekeepers, taste fresh local honey, tractor-drawn wagon rides. Advance tickets required.

🧵 Sunday Makebreak: Fabric Pumpkins | VAUGHAN
Sunday, Sept 21 | 2:00 PM–4:00 PM
Location: Michaels location near you
Cost: FREE | Age: All ages
🔗 Event Details
Sew fabric pumpkins for autumn decor. Purchase fabric of your choice and Michaels provides the rest for this fun DIY.

🎵 Celebrate Culture Days! Global Grooves & Family Fun | WHITCHURCH-STOUFFVILLE
Saturday, Sept 20 | 9:00 AM–2:00 PM
Location: The Stouffville Market
Cost: FREE | Age: All ages
🔗 Event Details
Vibrant day with 19 on the Park Theatre featuring face-painting, henna, live entertainment, and prizes.

👶 Parent & Tot Drop In | NEWMARKET
Monday, Sept 22 | 9:30 AM–11:00 AM
Location: Magna Centre
Cost: $3 | Age: Ages 1-4 + parents/caregivers
🔗 Event Details
Drop-in program with children's activities and toys. Located in Magna Gym - South. Wear indoor shoes.

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