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; here’s our top list of things to do during the Victoria Day long weekend.

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. Book your tee time now to avoid disappointment! To learn more about the 10 Best Golf Courses in Ontario for 2023, please click here.

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.

3. Go stargazing

It’s hard to believe that just a short drive north of the 401 is a place with beautiful, serene skies. 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 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, opens 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. It 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, please click here.  

6. Cruise the 1000 Islands

Cruising the St. Lawrence River is a classic experience in South Eastern Ontario. With a variety of 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. BellevilleCornwallGananoque and Brockville all have markets that are a short walking distance from parks that you can sit down and enjoy the sunshine in.

9. Street Eats Festival

Celebrate the Victoria Day long weekend with your family and friends and go to Toronto for the 2023 Street Eats Festival. Running from May 20-22, 2023 in Mississauga at the Dixie GO Station, 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. Superfresh Night Market

Explore some amazing Asian eats at the newest Bloor Street West spot. The market space features different vendors with foods from various parts of Asia. The lineup includes Bao Bird, The Good Goods, Big Beef Bowl and others. Superfresh is open Wednesday to Monday from noon, and no reservations are needed.

For a full listing of what’s open and closed this Victoria Day weekend, please click here.

11. FizzFest Toronto

A festival catering to cocktails, wines and other beverages is here, just in time for the long weekend. The two-day event is taking place on May 21 and 22 at the Fort York Garrison Common. Live entertainment will be there as well, along with various F&B vendors on both days. You can get your tickets online on the website.

 

Family-friendly activities to enjoy during the Victoria Day long weekend

 

12. Toronto Blue Jays vs. Baltimore Orioles 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., Matt Chapman, Bo Bichette and the rest of the Toronto Blue Jays play the Baltimore Orioles at the Rogers Centre. Games will be played May 19 through 21st. Junior Jays Sundays are a great family outing suggestion.

13. The Castrol Victoria Day SpeedFest

This weekend kicks-off the Canadian Tire Motorsport Park’s 2023 major event season. With the NASCAR Pinty’s Series featured on track and fireworks lighting up the sky, this holiday weekend classic shouldn’t be missed. The schedule includes races in the Sports Car Championship Canada, presented by Michelin. Additionally, there’s 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 p.m., culminating in spectacular fireworks at 9:30 p.m. At Upper Canada Village, step back in time with Victorian-themed festivities.

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!

To learn more about exciting activities for you and your kids, please click here.

 

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 compliments 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!  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, 2023, beginning at 9:45 p.m. 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 definitely 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. The event features a fair, live entertainment, a dog show, mid-way and 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 21 – Sept. 3, 2023, Canada’s Wonderland will present its spectacular fireworks display when the Park closes at 10:00 PM (weather permitting). Spend your day enjoying over 200 attractions and then settle in for an explosive fireworks display.

For a full list of Victoria Day weekend fireworks shows in Ontario, please 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, click here.

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