March in Toronto means milder weather, longer days, and the official start of spring! From St. Patrick’s Day celebrations to concerts, food festivals, and so much more, there is tons going on in the city to check out this month.
Here’s a round-up of 12 marvelous things to do in Toronto this March.
1. Embrace all things maple at Sugar Shack TO
Time to get your Canadian on! Sugar Shack TO, a weekend-long event that celebrates all things maple-flavoured, returns to Toronto’s Waterfront on March 9 and 10, 2024. There, you’ll find everything from maple taffy shacks, a winter circus lumberjack show, bon fires, classes, giveaways, and more.
When: March 9-10, 2024
10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Where: Sugar Beach
11 Dockside Drive at Lower Jarvis and Queens Quay
2. Admire magical light installations at Lumiere
From March 12 through April 20, Lumière: The Art of Light will take over Trillium Park at Ontario Place with magical light installations created by local artists. This year’s curatorial theme is “CONNECTIONS”, and you’ll get to explore the park completely for free.
When: March 12 – April 20, 2024
Where: Trillium Park
955 Lake Shore Blvd W
3. Attend the St. Patrick’s Day Parade
Toronto’s annual St. Patrick’s Day parade comes back on March 17, 2024, and this year will be one of the city’s biggest ever. The parade begins at noon at the corner of St. George and Bloor St West, but you can follow the full route here.
When: March 17, 2024
Where: Parade Route
4. Go to a romantic Candlelight Concert
There’s nothing like experiencing a Candlelight Concert in Toronto, where a talented string quartet covers some of the most popular global musicians in a magical setting. If you aren’t yet convinced, here are 7 reasons why you should reconsider.
Candlelight: A Tribute to Taylor Swift
Candlelight: The Best of Bollywood and Tollywood on Strings
Candlelight: Queen Meets ABBA
Candlelight: A Tribute to Coldplay
Candlelight: A Tribute to ABBA
Candlelight: Best of Joe Hisaishi
Candlelight: Best of Joe Hisaishi
Candlelight: From Bach to The Beatles
Candlelight: Favourite Anime Themes
Candlelight: A Tribute to Adele
Candlelight Jazz: Nina Simone, Ella Fitzgerald, and the Women of Jazz feat. Joanna Majoko
Candlelight Jazz: Nina Simone, Ella Fitzgerald, and the Women of Jazz feat. Joanna Majoko
Candlelight: A Tribute to Ludovico Einaudi
When: Various dates
Where: Various locations
5. Get your Irish on at Canada’s largest St. Patrick’s Day party
The biggest St. Patrick’s Day party in Canada is coming to Toronto next month, so it’s time to get your best green outfits ready and unleash your Irish side! Hosted by Guinness SPD, the epic party is happening at Rebel on Saturday, March 16, featuring three outdoor patios, a huge lakeside beer garden, Irish dancers, fiddlers, and more.
When: March 16, 2024
11:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m.
Where: Rebel Entertainment Venue
11 Polson Street, Toronto, ON
6. Celebrate Toronto’s Birthday
In honour of Toronto turning 190 years old, the city is celebrating in style with a massive party on Saturday, March 9. There will be everything from local bands, a 6000 sq ft marketplace with locally crafted goods, food stations, and a big fireworks show at 9 p.m.
When: Saturday March 9, 2024
3 p.m. – 10 p.m.
Where: Nathan Phillips Square
7. Play some of the best retro arcade games at Hotel X
Stop by the Retro Arcade at Hotel X Toronto to play some of the best arcade games of the 80s and 90s, from Dance Dance Revolution to Street Fighter. The arcade will be around until March 17 with double the amount of last year’s games, DJ nights, competitions, and more!
When: February 16 – March 17
Monday to Thursday 9 a.m. – 10 p.m.
Friday to Sunday 9 a.m. – 11 p.m.
Where: Hotel X Toronto’s Kandy Gallery
111 Princes’ Blvd, Toronto
8. Bounce around at a giant inflatable theme park
For a thrilling indoor activity to escape the last of the winter cold, The Bubble recently opened a second location you have to check out! The expansive entertainment complex features a massive obstacle course, including huge slides, a suspended ropes course, arcade games, laser tag, climbing attractions, and more.
When: Tuesday – Thursday 3 p.m. to 8 p.m., Friday from 3 p.m. to 9 p.m., Saturday from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., Sunday from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., closed Mondays.
Where: 7979 Weston Road, Vaughan
9. Visit surreal art installations at Toronto’s beaches
Each winter, the lifeguard stations of Woodbine Beach are imaginatively transformed into unique art installations at the annual exhibition called Winter Stations. Back for its tenth year, you’ll find everything from a UFO you can climb up into to a dreamy raincloud.
When: February 19, 2024 and on
Where: Woodbine Beach, Woodbine Park, Kew Gardens, and Ivan Forrest Gardens
10. Ice skate outside an airplane hangar
Before the ice melts, lace up those skates for skating at a free pop-up rink right outside an airplane hangar at Toronto’s Downsview Airport. There will be everything from immersive light shows, DJ Skate Nights, free skating lessons, and delicious bites to eat.
When: Fridays until March 17, 2024
6 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Where: 34 Hanover Rd, Toronto
11. Get cozy at an Apres Ski Weekend at The Distillery District
Party like you just went skiing in The Alps at one of The Distillery District’s Après Ski Weekends. Running every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday until the end of March, the event has everything from fireside s’mores and live DJ sets to food trucks stocked with tasty snacks, hot chocolate, mulled wine, and beer. Don’t miss their Happy Hour specials every Friday from 1 – 7 p.m.
When: Every weekend until the end of March
1 p.m. – 7 p.m.
Where: 55 Mill Street, The Distillery District
12. Hunt for Easter eggs and watch the parade
Easter Sunday falls on March 31 this year, so why not celebrate the occasion with The Beaches Easter Parade and egg scavenger hunt? The search for eggs happens on Friday, March 29 from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m., and will take you and your group to a dozen various locations across The Beaches. The parade occurs two days later on Sunday, March 31 at 2 p.m., starting on Queen Street at Munro Park and then heading west along Queen Street before ending at Woodbine Ave.
When: Easter Egg Scavenger Hunt – Friday, March 29
10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
The Beaches Easter Parade – Sunday, March 31
2 p.m. – 4 p.m.
Where: Various locations