The Victoria Day long weekend, also known as the May 24 long weekend, is the unofficial kick-off of summer activities! Whether you’re in the mood to relax, see family and friends, or just take in a great light show, isure has you covered. Here’s our top list of things to do during the Victoria Day long weekend in Ontario.
Victoria Day long weekend outdoor activities
1. Play a round (or two) of golf
From urban nine-hole courses, like Belle Park in Kingston, to lush and sophisticated fairways, like Black Bear Ridge in Corbyville, there’s a golf course for you. No matter your skill level, Ontario has multiple courses for beginner players and the more advanced. Book your tee time now to avoid disappointment! To learn more about Ontario’s 10 best golf courses, check out this list!
2. Go camping this Victoria Day long weekend
From car camping to backcountry and everything in between, we have some perfect campsites for your consideration. Reservations at Sandbanks Provincial Park and the Parks of the St. Lawrence boast hundreds of campsites. This includes gorgeous waterfront sites. Hardy campers will appreciate the peaceful backcountry at rugged Frontenac Provincial Park. If you’re curious about where to look, check out our article on the best 10 camping sites in Ontario!
3. Go stargazing
It’s hard to believe that just a short drive north of the 401 is a place with beautiful, serene skies. Arguably one of the province’s best-kept secrets, the Lennox and Addington Dark Sky Viewing Area is a must-see for night sky photographers and lawn chair astronomers!
4. Build sand castles at the beach
If you’re more of a day tripper, grab your kiddos, a sand bucket, and a shovel, and head to Sandbanks Provincial Park. It’s the world’s largest baymouth barrier dune formation with three expansive sandy beaches that some say are among the best in Canada.
5. Go fishing this Victoria Day long weekend
Species of fish, like Northern pike and walleye, open the second weekend in May. Therefore, you can head out and try your hand at catching the “big one”. Remember to follow all fishing regulations, including having a valid Outdoors Card. If it’s your first time or one hundredth, getting outdoors this Victoria Day weekend in nature is a great option. To learn more about licenses and the best places to drop your line, check out this list here!
6. Cruise the 1000 Islands
Cruising the St. Lawrence River is a classic experience in South Eastern Ontario. With various boats to choose from, like the Wildcat high-speed catamaran to the elegant Island Queen, there’s no better way to experience the river. There are ports in Picton, Gananoque, Kingston, Rockport, and Brockville. Looking for more options to discover Ontario? Have a look at some other great couple-oriented, as well as family-friendly tours, here.
Food & drinks to enjoy during the Victoria Day long weekend
7. Go on a wine tour
Prince Edward County terrier is recognized throughout the world as being unique, if not for the wine, but for the hospitality. The County’s winemakers will make you feel right at home. Self-guided wine tours or chauffeured options are available. Another awesome alternative is Niagara-on-the-Lake!
8. Pack a picnic of local food
On Saturday, go to a farmers’ market and pack a picnic lunch of local food, such as bread, cheeses, honey, fruit, and vegetables. Kingston’s Springer Market Square is home to the province’s oldest open-air market. Belleville, Cornwall, Gananoque, and Brockville all have markets a short walking distance from parks where you can sit down and enjoy the sunshine.
9. Street Eats Festival
Celebrate the Victoria Day long weekend with your family and friends in Toronto at the 2024 Street Eats Festival. Running from May 18-20, 2024 in Mississauga at the Erin Mills Town Centre, it’s one of the largest ongoing food and drink festivals. Taste over 150 menu items from local street food vendors and take in live performances, and games. and a host of unique dishes from local vendors.
10. It Hurts When I Laugh Comedy Show
Are you in the mood for some laughs this May 24 weekend? if so, we have you covered. Check out the It Hurts When I Laugh Comedy Show this May 19th at the infamous Second Street comedy club, no matter who you are, the lineup of Luke Lynndale, Angela Maiorano-Thurston, and Leny Corrado is sure to give you a laugh!
11. Victoria Day Boat Festival
Is there anything better than relaxing on the water? Celebrate the long weekend at Toronto’s Official Long Weekend boat party! Take in the beautiful views of the Toronto skyline and listen to some of the best DJs in the city all while relaxing on a luxury yacht. Tickets go quickly, so make sure to pick them up soon!
Family-friendly activities to enjoy during the Victoria Day long weekend
Do you have some little ones that will be tagging along with you this weekend? If that’s the case, check out our list of family-friendly activities for the long weekend!
12. Toronto Blue Jays vs. Chicago White Sox at Rogers Centre
One of the most popular Toronto activities during the Victoria Day long weekend is attending the Blue Jays game! Watch Vladimir Guerrero Jr., Alex Manoah, Bo Bichette and the rest of the Toronto Blue Jays play the Chicago White Sox at the Rogers Centre. Games will be played May 20 through 22nd. Junior Jays Sundays are a great family outing suggestion!
13. The Castrol Victoria Day SpeedFest
This weekend, the Canadian Tire Motorsport Park’s 2024 major event season kicks off. With the NASCAR Pinty’s Series featured on the track and fireworks lighting up the sky, this holiday weekend classic shouldn’t be missed. From the 17th-19th, the schedule includes races in the Sports Car Championship Canada, presented by Michelin. There’s also the Emzone Radical Cup Canada by Michelin and the Super Production Challenge. A special highlight is their traditional Victoria Day fireworks display Saturday night. Launched at dusk from Corner 1, the fireworks show is a spectacular celebration for your first long weekend of the summer.
14. Upper Canada Village
In Kingston, Victoria Day celebrations kick off at Lake Ontario Park at 1 PM on the 21st of May! Is there any better way to celebrate Queen Victoria’s Day than by visiting one of Canada’s largest living history sites? Culminating in spectacular fireworks at 9:30 p.m. Upper Canada Village is surely a relaxing way to celebrate the long weekend that the whole family will enjoy.
15. JUNIOR International Children’s Festival
One of Canada’s largest children’s festivals is returning to Harbourfront Centre this spring! The event will be bustling with an exciting schedule of performances in theatre, dance, music, and interactive activities. Geared towards children from ages 5–12, the event is designed to inspire children to recognize their limitless potential. It’s a long weekend full of surprises, fun and joy. Bring the whole family!
16. Dinosaur Adventure Golf
As one of the nation’s largest miniature golf courses, Dinosaur Adventure Golf features two 18-hole courses. Both the “Raptor” and “T-Rex” courses (A Total of 36 Holes) have three distinct decorative ponds with fast-moving rapids and bubblers. In addition, it has a 50-foot high “active” steam-erupting volcano! All of this is spread out over a massive 70,000-square-foot playing surface. Finally, the courses possess 50 astonishingly realistic and life-sized dinosaurs, many of which loom over 30 feet high. A digital sound system complements the scene by pumping out jungle and nature sound effects. These will surely make even the most skeptical golfers wonder if they’ve been transported back in time hundreds of millions of years.
17. Visit the Toronto Zoo during the Victoria Day long weekend
Visit the Toronto Zoo this May Long Weekend. Bring your favourite plush to give it the TLC it deserves with a full check-up. Discover what it’s like to be a Zoo Vet through the many interactive activities, as kids have the chance to perform a health and wellness check on their furry friend! On Saturday, May 25th, you can take a course on how to protect Ontario’s turtles during nesting season! If you have children under 12, these self-guided activities allow your kids to explore and learn. No live animals are permitted, but service animals are welcome!
Fireworks shows during the Victoria Day long weekend
18. Ashbridges Bay Fireworks
This fireworks show will take place on Monday, May 22, 2024, beginning at 10 PM. You’ll be able to see the fireworks anywhere along the beach from Ashbridges Bay Park to the R.C. Harris Water Treatment Plant. Enjoy the end of the first long weekend of summer at Ashbridges Bay Park. Celebrate Victoria Day with a dazzling display of pyrotechnics that will impress.
19. Nobleton Victoria Day Celebration
Presented by Tim Horton’s, the annual Nobleton Victoria Day celebration is an event you do not want to miss. Taking place on May 20th, the event features a fair, live entertainment, a dog show, mid-way rides, games, inflatables, a variety of food and retail vendors, and more! It is guaranteed fun for the whole family. Join them for their Signature Fireworks Show beginning at dusk. Presented by King Fire, the Nobleton Victoria Day fireworks have been credited as the best Victoria Day fireworks display in Ontario!
20. Canada’s Wonderland fireworks for the Victoria Day long weekend
On select dates, from May 19 – Sept. 1, 2023, Canada’s Wonderland will present its spectacular fireworks display when the Park closes at 10:00 PM, weather permitting, of course. Spend your day enjoying over 200 attractions and then settle in for an explosive fireworks display. For a full list of fireworks shows in Ontario, click here.
We hope you get the chance to explore one of the many Victoria Day long weekend destinations for yourself. And remember, while travelling throughout Ontario, be mindful of the speed limits posted. Nothing can be worse than commencing or capping off a great getaway with a speeding ticket. Additionally, remember to keep our firework safety tips in mind if enjoying festivities at home. To learn more about how traffic tickets can affect your car insurance, contact us at isure or request a quote today!
