36 things to do in Toronto this long weekend: February 14 to 17

Happy Family Day, Toronto. Whether you’re spending it with your relatives, the family you found, or just taking some much needed “me” time, we’ve got the event for you this weekend.

Friday, February 14

Mac and Cheese Festival

What: Get ready to try concoctions created by celebrity chefs, talented cooks, and innovative entrepreneurs all throughout the year’s most romantic weekend. This year’s event will feature over 40 cheesy, creamy, mouthwatering creations.

When: February 14 to 16
Where: Small Arms Inspection Building – 1352 Lakeshore Road East, Mississauga
Admission: $16, available online

Auto Show Transformative Times

What: See some of the greatest and latest in automotive technology. This massive car show is perfect for the gearhead in your life — especially if that person is you. It’s 10 days of truely awesome metal and oil, all in one place.

When: February 14 to 23
Time: 6 to 10 pm
Where: Metro Toronto Convention Centre
Admission: Tickets start at $14, available online

Wavelength Winter Festival

What: Wavelength Winter Festival will be taking over the Garrison, Longboat Hall, and more venues this month, giving Toronto an epic lineup of music all weekend long. Celebrate 20 years of the music festival this year.

When: February 14 to 16
Time: Showtimes vary by day
Where: Various venues
Price: Tickets start at $15, available online

Post Malone – Runaway Tour

What: Congratulations, Toronto, Posty is back in the city. See the combination singer and rapper in all his face tattooed glory.

When: Friday, February 14
Time: 8 pm
Where: Scotiabank Arena — 40 Bay Street
Admission: Tickets currently start at $75, available online

Winter Fridays

What: Skate under the stars on a picturesque outdoor skating rink, grab a hot chocolate (or something stronger) at the Sipping Station and cozy up around the fire with some street fare from our food trucks. Sounds for skating will be provided by a rotating line up of emerging Toronto DJs in partnership with UforChange.

When: Friday, February 14
Time: 5:30 to 9:30 pm
Where: 550 Bayview Avenue
Admission: Free, skate rentals $5

Inception at Cinesphere

What: Pre-Oscar Leo takes you into a dream within a dream — within a freaking dream, man. Get your mind bent in all the good ways on the massive IMAX screens.

When: February 14 to 16
Time: 7:30 pm
Where: Cinesphere — 955 Lake Shore Boulevard West
Admission: $15, available online

StreetARToronto You’ve Changed Exhibit

What: This exhibit showcases the ways these artists and artworks have transformed Toronto’s streets, laneways, and parks into a city-wide art gallery. Featuring videos, special displays and photographs that showcase more than 100 projects, the exhibit tells the story of how local street artists have taken Toronto street art to a level of renown.

When: On until April 19
Time: Tuesday to Friday, 10 am to 4 pm; Saturday, 9 am to 4 pm
Where: The Market Gallery — 95 Front Street East
Admission: Free

Printmakers Unleashed

What: The printmakers at Neilson Park are excited to display works created with techniques using plates made from zinc, styrofoam, cardboard, lino blocks, wood, mylar, screens, and geli plates to produce prints on printing paper, Japanese paper, material and even collaged prints.

When: On until February 20
Time: Monday to Friday, 9 am to 8 pm; Saturday and Sunday, 9 am to 5 pm
Where: Etobicoke Civic Centre Art Gallery — 399 The West Mall
Admission: Free

2020 GeekFest

What: GeekFest Toronto is a one-Day Festival of Films, Docs and Talks on everything Nerdy, Science-y and Geeky. An alternative to Valentine’s Day and an appreciation for the genres and films that inspire so much love.

When: Friday, February 14
Time: 5:15 to 11 pm
Where: Chez BonBon – 234 Queen Street East
Admission: $22, available online

Asialicious

What: This season, step up to the plate and taste what Asian Restaurants has to offer. Each restaurant will present one delicious signature food and bonded with its special offers. One Dish, One Story. More than 100 Asian restaurants and daily tasting events, there’s so much for your taste buds to explore.

When: February 14 to 28
Where: Venues vary, check online

Saturday, February 15

Progress Festival

What: Progress is an international festival of performance and ideas, with shows ranging from theatre to dance to music. The festival is co-presented by the SummerWorks Festival and the Theatre Centre and it brings groundbreaking work from around the world to Toronto for three weeks.

When: On until February 15
Time: Varies by day
Where: Theatre Centre — 1115 Queen Street West
Price: Single tickets are $25, available online

The Singing of Birds

What: This unique theatre-in-education program exposes audiences to the joys and struggles of two young immigrants: Rose, a servant who fled the Irish famine, and Clara, an African American, who escaped American slavery with the help of the Underground Railroad in the 19th century US with its terminus at the Canadian border.

When: Saturday, February 15
Time: 4 to 6 pm
Where: 4709 Dundas Street West
Admission: $10 to $20

DJ Skate Nights

What: Sharpen your skates and skills at Toronto’s number one outdoor winter party. This year you can expect another stellar lineup of DJs that will bring the heat to your Saturday nights. It’s the last event of the season!

When: Saturday, February 15
Time: 8 to 11 pm
Where: Harbourfront Centre — 235 Queens Quay West
Price: Skating is free

Saturday Family Clay

What: Every Saturday is a family art day at LucSculpture. Head down and learn some of the basics of sculpting figures, building hand objects, and creating with your kids. They’ll fire all the pieces after you’re done.

When: Every Saturday
Time: 1 to 4:30 pm
Where: LucSculpture Art School — 663 Greenwood Avenue
Admission: $15 to $35, tickets available online

TIESTO

What: There is no lack of increadible music this season. TIESTO, once voted the best DJ in the world, is spinning in Toronto this winter. See the living legend himself live at Rebel.

When: Saturday, February 15
Time: 10 pm
Where: Rebel — 11 Polson Street
Admission: Tickets currently start at $108, available online

Bedroom Antics

What: Bedroom Antics is a fun and lighthearted stand-up show about dating, relationships, the bedroom, and everything in between. A positive night of comedy with some of Toronto’s favourite stand-ups talking and laughing about love.

When: Saturday, February 15
Time: 10 pm
Where: Second City Training Centre — 99 Blue Jays Way
Admission: $15

The Story of Us: Sharing Black Torontonian Stories

What: Check out the Story of Us displays and learn about Chloe Cooley, a young black woman enslaved in Fort Erie and Queenston, Upper Canada in the late 1700s whose resistance sparked the beginning of emancipation in Ontario. Don’t leave without trying some hearty foods such as rice and peas with jerk sauce, Somali malawah and spice buns. This event is part of Toronto History Museums’ Black History Month programming.

When: February 15 and 16
Time: Noon to 4 pm
Where: Scarborough Museum — 1007 Brimley Road
Admission: By donation

Intrigue at the AGO

What: Over 100 years ago, Tom Thomson, Canadian outdoorsman and iconic artist, disappeared into the mists. On the anniversary of his death, a journalist is digging into the cold case when she uncovers a startling connection between his suspicious death and a forgotten secret hidden by the Toronto art world. It’s a mystery scavenger hunt in the AGO, can you find the clues and solve the case?

When: Saturday, February 15
Time: 1 pm
Where: Art Gallery of Ontario — 317 Dundas Street West
Admission: $44.99, available online

Sunday, February 16

Tove Lo – Sunshine Kitty Tour

What: See the artist Rolling Stone called “Sweden’s darkest pop export.” Tove Lo is bringing her signature grunge-inspired pop jams to the city tonight. If you’re looking for a very danceable, awesome concert, this is it.

When: Sunday, February 16
Time: 7 pm
Where: Queen Elizabeth Theatre — 190 Princes’ Boulevard
Admission: $46, available online

2020 Winter Markets in the Distillery

What: The Leslieville Flea is be bringing their awesome mix of vintage and handcrafted vendors to the Fermenting Cellar in the Distillery this month. Shop some one of a kind gifts and goodies created locally.

When: Sunday, February 16
Time: 10 am to 5 pm
Where: The Fermenting Cellar — 28 Distillery Lane
Admission: Free

Murder at the ROM

What: A curator has been murdered and a trail of clues left behind, all connected to secrets in the collections. Work in teams of two to six people and follow the clues through the museum, collecting pieces of information while piecing together a tale of greed, lust, pride and revenge. There are multiple suspects, one victim and you must crack a cryptic code left in the curator’s appointment book to solve the mystery. After solving the crime, you’re free to explore the museum.

When: Sunday, February 16
Time: 1 pm
Where: Royal Ontario Museum — 100 Queens Park
Admission: $44.99, available online

Leslieville Flea

What: This Sunday, come and enjoy this curated market selling vintage, salvaged, up-cycled goods, furniture, antiques, collectibles and handcrafted goods.

When: Sunday, February 16
Time: 10 am to 5 pm
Where: Fermenting Cellar — 28 Distillery Lane
Price: Admission is free

All Vinyl Everything Family Day Long Weekend Edition

What: All Vinyl Everything is always a celebration but this Family Day Sunday, they’re take it to another level as they help ring in The Drake Hotel’s 16th birthday. Join residents Mista Jiggz, Agile, and Mensa as we bang out the beats strictly on wax. No laptops, vinyl only. 

When: Sunday, February 16
Time: 10 pm to 2:30 am
Where: Drake Hotel — 1150 Queen Street West
Admission: Free, register online

Girl Power’D: A live performance

What: Girl Power’D teaches creativity, confidence and self-expression through an understanding of heritage for girls. Head to Colborne Lodge for a free performance celebrating where these talented young performers have come from and be inspired by the creative future they are cultivating for their peers.

When: February 16 and 23
Time: 2 to 3 pm
Where: Colborne Lodge — 11 Colborne Lodge Drive
Admission: Pay what you can

Monday, February 17

Winter Stations 2020

What: A massive public art festival, the winning pieces were selected from 100s of submissions. This year’s theme is beyond the five senses and will feature some of the most interesting and imaginative creations from some increadible creative minds.

When: February 17 to March 30
Where: Woodbine Beach — 1675 Lake Shore Blvd East
Admission: Free

Family Day at The Bentway

What: There’s so much going on at The Bentway this Family Day. Skate the beautiful trail or partake in any of the family-friendly activities. From storytime to blanket forts — and a place for adult beverages —

When: Monday, February 17
Time: Noon to 9 pm
Where: The Bentway Skate Trail — 250 Fort York Boulevard
Admission: Skate rentals $10 adult, $5 children

WinterRouge

What: Bundle up for a free day of family-friendly winter activities at Rouge National Urban Park. There will be horse-drawn sleigh rides, bird watching, ice carving demonstrations and more.

When: Monday, February 17
Time: 11 am to 3 pm
Where: Zoo Road Welcome Area — 1749 Meadowvale Avenue
Admission: Free

Family Day at Evergreen Brick Works

What: This year, you’re invited to spend Family Day at Evergreen Brick Works. Celebrate indoors with Brewer’s Backyard, enjoy outdoor activities in the Children’s Garden, or grab a bite to eat from tasty food vendors with your loved ones. Admission is free!

When: Monday, February 17
Time: 10 am to 5 pm
Where: Evergreen Brick Works — 550 Bayview Avenue
Admission: Free

Mary Ann Shadd Cary and the Black Press

What: For Black History Month, learn about the abolitionist and journalist, Mary Ann Shadd Cary — the first female African American publisher in North America. Print a souvenir copy of her newspaper, The Provincial Freeman, in the recreated 1850s print shop.

When: On until March 1
Time: Friday to Saturday, noon to 5 pm
Where: Mackenzie House — 82 Bond Street
Admission: Adult, $8; child $5

‘On Thin Ice’ by Christine Montague

What: An exhibition of paintings depicting polar bears, which aims to connect this northern animal with a southern audience, while exploring both the wonder they evoke and the warning their changing habitat offers as the world struggles to deal with climate change.

When: On until March 1
Where: Montgomery’s Inn — 4709 Dundas Street West
Admission: Free

Family Winter Fun Day at Scarborough Museum

What: Enjoy Family Day at Scarborough Museum and be transported back in time as you can watch a blacksmith ply his trade. Build a snowman and take part in an ice cube scavenger hunt. Roast marshmallows by the bonfire and go inside to warm up in one of the historic kitchens where there will be demos on how to make potato soup and hot chocolate.

When: Monday, February 17
Time: 10 am to 4 pm
Where: Scarborough Museum — 1007 Brimley Road
Admission: Free

Nathan Phillips Square Skating Party

What: Everyone is invited to visit Nathan Phillips Square on Monday and take part in a fun-filled outing which will feature informal skating instruction and hot beverages. Cut some lines on this Toronto landmark. Skate rentals are available.

When: Monday, February 17
Time: 1 to 4 pm
Where: Nathan Phillips Square — 100 Queen Street West
Admission: Free

Family Day at the Toronto Railway Museum

What: Learn more about why railways were introduced to Toronto in the first place, and how the ever-increasing population impacted train travel as we know it. See multiple exhibitions in the hour-long guided tour.

When: Monday, February 17
Time: Noon to 5 pm
Where: Toronto Railway Museum — 255 Bremner Boulevard
Admission: $3 to $4, available online

Family Day Drop In

What: See pieces of history at the Textile Museum while having some fun with family friendly activities like arts and crafts.

When: Monday, February 17
Time: 1 to 4 pm
Where: Textile Museum of Canada — 55 Centre Avenue
Admission: Free with admission

The Elephant Queen

What: A perfect doc for the cinema lover in your family. For four years, filmmakers Mark Deeble and Victoria Stone lived up close with these elephants, capturing their intimate moments. The Elephant Queen is a story of familial bonds

When: Monday, February 17
Time: 12:45 pm
Where: Hot Docs Ted Rogers Cinema — 506 Bloor Street West
Admission: $11.50, available online

Family Day at Fort York

What: This Family Day, bring your family to explore the history of Toronto and Fort York. Visit the Fort’s historic kitchen and sample some baking from the hearth, enjoy hot chocolate, the roaring fire, and plenty of activities for the little ones. Don’t forget your skates – The Bentway at Fort York public skating trail is open until 9 pm.

When: Monday, February 17
Time: 10 am to 5 pm
Where: Fort York National Historic Site — 250 Fort York Boulevard
Admission: Free