Top Things to do in Ontario
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What to do and see in Ontario, United States: The Best Cultural Events
Discover the best top things to do in Ontario, United States including Magic of Lights, Toronto Caribbean Carnival, Pride Toronto, Winterlude Ottawa, Winter Festival of Lights, Canal Days Marine Heritage Festival, The Royal Agricultural Winter Fair, Toronto Christmas Market, Canada Day, Canadian Tulip Festival.
Restaurants in Ontario
1. Magic of Lights
2. Toronto Caribbean Carnival
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 16 reviews
Over three weeks, Toronto explodes with the fast and vibrant rhythms of Calypso, Soca, Reggae, Chutney, Steel Pan, and Brass bands. Over a million people take over the streets and venues to dance alongside the passionate dancers wearing eye-popping and colorful costumes. The music styles integrate the staple Calypso beat that has been a part of the festival since its first debut in 1967 and newer music styles like Soca. The main events include the Carnival Ball, and the Grand Parade (the largest Caribbean parade in North America).
3. Pride Toronto
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 16 reviews
For flamboyant fun with lots of color, laughter, and amazing spectacles, Pride Toronto is the place to be. It's one of biggest gay pride festivals in the world with an incredible parade, live music, and DJs, and has attracted top stars such as Cyndi Lauper and Pussy Riot to celebrate the LGBT community in the Toronto area. The city takes on a colorful hue as its diverse community celebrates solidarity through music, conferences, and three incredible parades: Trans Pride, Dyke March, and the massive Pride Parade with floats, fancy dress, and feathers. It’s a fabulous chance to dress up and join the crowds of thousands in one of the biggest cultural events in North America covering 22 blocks of the city.
4. Winterlude Ottawa
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 87 reviews
Winterlude is one of the most popular winter events in Canada and takes place in Ottawa, the country's capital. Since 1979, thousands of visitors from Canada and the U.S. have come to enjoy a variety of winter activities over a few weeks. Visitors can try the world's largest skate rink on the Rideau Canal, which extends 7.8 kilometres and runs through Ottawa's downtown area. Other popular event features include stunning ice sculptures, made by carvers from around the world, and the world's largest snow playground. Plus, if people want to try a truly Canadian snack, they can grab a Beaver Tail pastry from the ice.
Reviewed By pjwcanada - Pickering, Canada
For the last couple of years, my husband and I have made the four hour drive from Toronto to Ottawa to enjoy the Winterlude festivities! We usually stay downtown at the Marriott Residence Inn on Laurier, as it's a short, two minute walk to Confederation Park where the ice sculptures are on display (and a very short walk to the Byward Market and City Hall). The ice sculptures on display at Confederation Park are incredible - the world's best ice sculptors have their creations exhibited, and if you see them at night, they're magical with the lights behind them. We were fortunate this year to also see the evening's entertainment in the park - The Boogie Woogie Band. They were a high-energy band of funksters who performed all the old 70s disco hits (KC & the Sunshine Band, Donna Summer, the list is endless). Thoroughly enjoyed that! The volunteers at Conderation Park during Winterllude are great, and they hand out lighted tubes to kids (and adults alike) that light up and flash white and red. My husband enjoys lengthy skates on the canal, and we also love finding new restaurants in town to try during our annual visits. Looking forward to Winterlude again next year!
5. Winter Festival of Lights
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 61 reviews
The OPG Winter Festival of Lights is a holiday tradition for over one million visitors from around the globe annually. Be enchanted by 3 million lights and dazzling displays along the 8km illumination route that travels along the Niagara Parkway, passed the mighty Falls, into Dufferin Islands and throughout city streets. Experience the Festival lights and Falls Illumination nightly from November 14, 2020 to January 10, 2021 (5:00PM to midnight, including holidays).
6. Canal Days Marine Heritage Festival
7. The Royal Agricultural Winter Fair
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 9 reviews
Reviewed By N543CDbrianb - Toronto, Canada
This is a big agricultural fair. Attended by city folk who come to gawk and hold their noses at the barnyard smells, but this is the real deal - there are the farmers and breeders here from around the world. Most of the stages are held by the livestock auctions and prize ceremonies. A different animal species is featured each day. There is a big commercial market show of food booths and crafts and all the regular junk of a craft show... Look for the small craftsmen shops - hand made goods, farmers direct sales of jams, jelly, meats, leather goods etc. The evenings are for the horse show - - jumping, rodeo, carriages, dressage - you name it. The horse show is extra and is ticketed seating. There are a few upscale bars and eateries associated with the horse show - but hard to get in.... A must see for every Canadian.
8. Toronto Christmas Market
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 12 reviews
Reviewed By Tarahhhk
We stopped by the Toronto Christmas Market before our Maple Leafs game and were very glad we did. This is the best Christmas market we have been to with fantastic decorations, vendors and businesses to visit. Highly recommend a visit if you are in Toronto over the Christmas period!
9. Canada Day
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 26 reviews
Millions of Canadians throughout the world fly their national flag with the iconic red maple leaf to celebrate Canada Day on July 1 each year; marking the momentous day that the Province of Canada, Nova Scotia, and New Brunswick were joined as one in 1867. It’s a day to be patriotic with loud and proud parades being held in most cities and towns as well as music, picnics, and magnificent firework shows. Canada Day is an incredible display of solidarity when the nation’s many cultures join together to celebrate what makes their country so special, and is a time to feel proud of Canada’s many achievements in the world of arts, literature, science, and sports.
Reviewed By Liz_Brom_Holiday - Kitchener, Canada
We celebrated Canada Day's 150 Year weekend in Wakefield, Hull and Ottawa on our siblings family holiday. What an amazing experience for everyone who attended the celebration.
10. Canadian Tulip Festival
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 128 reviews
Reviewed By ThomasTCat
When we arrived in Ottawa, we were worried that the 30 to 50 degree unseasonable temperatures would prevent the tulips from blooming, and the main reason for our trip was to go to the tulip festival. At first when we were walking around the streets, we noticed that the tulips planted in the flower boxes were up but not yet blooming. Next we went to Majors Hill Park that overlooks the Parliament Building and the tulips there were in full bloom, but there weren't as many as I thought there would be. There were some planted in front of the Parliament Building as well, but again, not that many. We went to the visitors center, and they suggested we go to the main site of the Tulip Festival in Commissioners Park. The next day, as we were getting ready to leave town, we headed over to Commissioners Park, and there were all the tulips you could ever hope to see in one location, and they were in full bloom! Every color imaginable, and they were absolutely beautiful. Across the road on the bike path was a children's area set up and vendors, as well. We bought a Beaver Tail, one of Canada's trademark desserts, and it was delicious. The fried dough was thin and crispy and we bought one that was topped with Nutella and Chocolate and it was absolutely perfect. It was much better that the one we previously had while in Niagara Falls a few years ago because theirs had a much thicker crust. Commissioners Park Tulip Festival was the perfect ending to our trip to Ottawa!!!!
