February is here and that means we get a long weekend to enjoy this month! Family Day weekend 2023 is February 18-20, 2023 and it’s not too soon to start making plans to enjoy the holiday with your family. Family Day is a statutory holiday in Ontario so many people will have the day off. Continue reading to learn about Family Day Weekend 2023 events in Toronto.
Murdoch Mysteries Escape Game at Casa Loma
Detective Murdoch is missing and you, Toronto’s newest constables, have been summoned to solve the case! Murdoch Mysteries Escape Game: The Secret of Station House No. 4 features a live actor in-character as a detective to assist participants. The escape game is designed for players aged 12 and up. Adult accompaniment is required for players aged 15 and under at a ratio of 1 adult to every 5 children. Murdoch Mysteries Escape Game is 60 minutes plus a 15 minute intro and 15 minute conclusion. Booking times are Tuesday to Friday at 4:30 p.m.; 7 p.m. and 9 p.m.; and Saturday and Sunday at 2:30 p.m.; 4:30 p.m.; 7 p.m. and 9 p.m.
Admission to Murdoch Mysteries Escape Game is $42 plus tax from Monday to Thursday and Sunday and $50 plus tax on Friday and Saturday. Use promocode FAMILY15 to get 15% off for weekday games in February. Purchase tickets online. Tickets do not include tours of Casa Loma.
The Darkest Dark at Young People’s Theatre
The world premiere of Commander Chris Hadfield’s The Darkest Dark opens at Young People’s Theatre on Family Day: Monday, February 20, 2023. The play is based on Commander Hadfield’s bestselling children’s book, The Darkest Dark, and is directed by Jim Millan (Broadway’s record-breaking The Illusionists). In 1969, Apollo 11 is about to land on the moon and this makes a huge impact on nine-year-old Chris. Though wanting to become an astronaut, Chris has a fear of the dark. In order to achieve his dreams, Chris will have to conquer his fear and embrace the unknown. Kids will enjoy multi-media and magic performed by world renowned illusionist David Ben.
The cast includes Aurora Browne (CBC’s Baroness von Sketch Show, director of Young People’s Theatre’s Snow White) and Craig Lauzon (CBC’s Royal Canadian Air Farce). The Darkest Dark is being performed from February 20 to April 2, 2023 and is suitabl for children ages 6-12. The Ada Slaight Stage at Young People’s Theatre is located at 165 Front Street East.
Tickets are Adults (19-64) $54.81; Seniors (65+) $49.16; and Youth (1-18) $49.16 and can be purchased online.
Toronto Maple Leafs vs. Montreal Canadiens
The Toronto Maple Leafs play the Montreal Canadiens on Saturday, February 18, 2023 at 7 p.m. The legendary rivalry will make for an exciting game on Family Day weekend! Purchase verified resale tickets online at Ticketmaster.
Westfall’s World Family Day Magic Show at The Wychwood Theatre
Take your kids to see WESTFALL’S WORLD: Family Day Magic Show at The Wychwood Theatre. Chris Westfall has performed across North America and is a creator and author of magic that is taught to magicians worldwide. The show engages the audience through audience participation.
Tickets are: Front Row (Adults & Under 12): $33.28; Adults $27.96; and Under 12 $25.29 and can be purchased online. Doors open 20 minutes before showtime. Runtime is 50 minutes.
IMAX Theatre at Ontario Science Centre
If you haven’t been to the Ontario Science Centre in a while, Family Day Weekend is a great time to visit. The IMAX Theatre is showing several exceptional documentaries that the whole family will enjoy including:
- Dream Big: Engineering Our World narrated by Jeff Bridges
- Dinosaurs of Antarctica
- Great Bear Rainforest narrated by Ryan Reynolds
- Into Nature’s Wild narrated by Morgan Freeman
- Oceans: Our Blue Planet
Tickets are Adult (18-64) $12; Senior (65+) $9; Youth (13-17) $9; Child (3-12) $9; Student (with ID) $9; and Infant (under 3) Free.
Harry Potter and the Cursed Child at CAA Ed Mirvish Theatre
Kids won’t bring their parents reluctantly to see the dazzling Harry Potter and the Cursed Child at CAA Ed Mirvish Theatre on Family Day weekend 2023. A new generation of wizards cast tantalizing spells as they race to stop mysterious forces. Performances on Family Day weekend are on Friday, February 17, 2023 at 7 p.m.; Saturday, February 18, 2023 at 12:30 p.m. and 7 p.m.; and Sunday, February 19, 2023 at 2 p.m.; and Monday, February 20, 2023 at 2 p.m. Tickets are $109, $129, $149, $159, $169, $199 and $250 and can be purchased online at Mirvish or by calling 1-800-461-3333. Run time is 3 hours and 20 minutes with intermission. CAA Ed Mirvish Theatre is located at 244 Victoria Street.
Free Family Day Skate at The Bentway 2023
Celebrate the last day of The Bentway’s winter season on Monday, February 20, 2023, Family Day 2023 with a free DJ Skate Party. This all-ages party will feature local DJs, energizing music, and delicious refreshments such as beaver tails. The party takes place from 12 noon to 9 p.m. Try The Bentway’s figure-eight skate trail while enjoying the beats of some of Toronto’s DJs including:
• LL Cool Wei: 12 p.m. – 2 p.m.
• Sikh Knowledge: 2 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.
• DJ Buncha: 4:30 p.m. – 7 p.m.
Family Day Weekend 2023 at The Royal Ontario Museum
The Royal Ontario Museum is offering free activities with the price of admission on Family Day Weekend 2023. The free events are inspired by their current exhibition, Canadian Modern. These design-focused activities will encourage visitors to get creative about ways to reduce our impact on urban wildlife.
- Nature-inspired Design Â
Currelly Gallery, Level 1Â Â
Design everyday objects using animals and the environment as inspiration. Find out what a racoon-inspired chair or a forest-inspired car might look like. - Green Bridges: Living with the World Around Us Â
MakerSpace, Level 1
In this collaborative design challenge, team up with other families in the MakerSpace to design creative and functional structures that allow various types of wildlife to travel safely throughout our streets.
- Designing Bird-Safe Windows for Your Home Â
Earth Rangers Studio, Level 2
Flying into glass windows is one of the most significant human-caused dangers to birds. In partnership with FLAP Canada, learn how to make the windows of your home safe for birds without affecting your view. - Hike the ROM
Museum-wideÂ
Follow a Hike the ROM trail for some indoor exercise! Pick up free trail guides at either entrance, and head off on a fun, step-filled adventure on two themed trails.
Family Day Weekend 2023 at the Art Gallery of Ontario
Enjoy special Family Day weekend programming at the AGO, including the following storytelling, artmaking, and screening events:
Children’s Read Aloud and Dance Along with Valene Campbell – Walker Court, Daily, 11 – 11:40 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. – 2:10 p.m.
Valene Campbell shares stories and dance inspired by her acclaimed series The Amazing Zoe. Between performances, attend a Meet and Greet with the author at shopAGO.
Documentary Screening: Girls/Museum by Shelly Silver –  Jackman Hall, Daily 11 a.m. – 4 p.m.
From New York-based filmmaker Shelly Silver comes a tour of the Museum der bildenden Künste Leipzig, Germany, as seen through the eyes of young girls aged 7 to 19. This screening will run daily on a continuous loop and visitors are invited to drop in anytime.
You Look Beautiful Like That: Pop-Up Photo Studio with Roya DelSol and Bidemi Oloyede  – Robert Harding Hall (Concourse Level), Sunday, February 19 and Monday, February 20, 2023 from 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. Sign up in person – First come, first served
Inspired by the exhibition, You Look Beautiful Like That: Studio Photography in West and Central Africa (Level 2, Gallery 249), Toronto lens-based artists Roya DelSol and Bidemi Oloyede will photograph families, friends, and loved ones in a pop-up studio setup. Participants will be able to take home their Polaroid keepsakes. This two-day event is presented in collaboration with the Black Daddies Club (BDC) in support of Black and racialized families.
Art Carts – Galleria Italia, Joey and Toby Tanenbaum Sculpture Atrium, Education Commons, Daily 11 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Gather for artmaking at the Art Carts – a roving maker station with activities to explore art through the senses.
Gallery Tours – Weston Family Learning Centre (WFLC), Departures at 11:30 a.m., 12:30 p.m., 1:30 p.m. and 2:30 p.m.
Enjoy family friendly tours inspired by the works of artist Denyse Thomasos: just beyond. Conversations will focus on materials she used, the journey she took as an artist, the travels that inspired her and the ideas she wanted to share through her art.
Dr. Mariano Elia Hands-On Centre, Daily 11 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Enjoy artmaking activities and creative play opportunities at the Dr. Mariano Elia Hands-On Centre. Recommended for ages 6 and under, but all are welcome.
Family Friendly Snacks, Daily 11 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.
Drop by the Annex on the Concourse Level for a bite to eat at the Family Day Weekend pop-up, which is available while supplies last.
I hope you enjoyed reading about Family Day Weekend 2023 events in Toronto. I will add more to this article as I hear about them. You may be interested in reading, “Valentine’s Day Menus at Toronto Restaurants 2023“.
So many fun things to do! I’ll save this list for my next visit!
I wish we had a holiday like this in the US. It sounds like it will be a great weekend for all.
Hi Renee, They announced this holiday about 14 years ago because people were complaining the winter was too long lol. Cheers, Lori
Wow! How I wish we had this kind of holiday! The whole family would love this for sure
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