Visiting Toronto Metro Area

Toronto, Canada’s largest city, offers residents and visitors spectacular summer fun. On the shores of Lake Ontario, Toronto’s beaches fill with sand volleyball, sunbathers, and family fun. Boardwalks and trails are crowded with walkers, runners, and cyclists enjoying Ontario’s warm summer season. Residents and visitors head to Toronto’s Island Ferry Terminal to catch a ferry bound for the Toronto islands, and a day of paddling, riding and play. Festivals and events fill the calendar from the Beaches Jazz Festival, and Canada’s Largest Ribfest in Burlington, to the Toronto Waterfront Marathon and the Markham Fair. Summer in Toronto is the season for outdoor activities and family fun.

Toronto’s Woodbine Park, Kew Gardens,and Beaches Park, on the shores of Lake Ontario, host the 2012 Beaches International Jazz Festival, July 20th through the 29th. The 2012 festival features three stages including the Main Stage in Woodbine Park and the new World Beat Stage, now part of the Beach Boardwalk entertainment zone. In addition to popular Toronto bands, including Afroteque and Countermeasure A Cappella, see the upcoming generation of jazz musicians with over 75 high school musicians on the Youth Stage. Its the season for The Beaches and outdoor fun.

Toronto tops off summer with the 2012 Canadian National Exhibition August 17th through September 3rd. CNE marks its 134th edition with events including the Canadian International Air Show, Canada's Olympian Skaters on the ice at Ricoh Coliseum and a Canadian Forces Interactive Exhibit. Along with traditional farm exhibitions and animals, garden shows and amusement rides there is fun for all ages. The Toronto Star Bandshell features a full schedule of headliners including Nick Carter, Don McLean and Arturo Sandoval. Top off your summer at CNE 2012.

On the heels of CNE comes the 2012 Toronto International Film Festival with screenings at venues throughout downtown Toronto. TIFF showcases more than 300 films from countries across the globe, including Mumbai, TIFF's 2012 featured city. The University of Toronto's Munk School of Global Affairs partners with the Toronto Film Festival offering extended Q&A's with five film directors and experts relevant to the films. New this year, don't miss Vanguard and Documentary films screened at historic Bloor Cinema.

Weekend getaway? Ontario’s Durham Region offers sports, outdoors, arts and culture. Oshawa, 50-minutes east of Toronto, has nearly 30-kms of paved trails for runners, cyclists or walkers. From exercise to a leisurely bird watching stroll, summer is delightful in Oshawa. Take the Michael Starr Trail to downtown Oshawa or enjoy Durham’s lush vegetation and wildlife with a trek on Harmony Creek Trail.

A visit to Markham on summer Saturday mornings, rewards with Ontario’s freshest produce and hand crafted goodies. The Farmers Market of Markham Village features farm fresh produce, baked goods, preserves and more. Live entertainment varies weekly, ranging from jazz to folk music. Catch the Markham Village Farmers Market through September.

Burlington, 45 minutes south of Toronto, hosts Canada’s Largest Ribfest over Labour Day weekend. Join crowds at Spencer Smith Park in Burlington for mouthwatering ribs, live music and family fun. Organized by the Rotary Club of Burlington Lakeshore, the 17th annual event features 18 teams competing to create Ontario’s best ribs. The Kid’s Zone keep the younger ones entertained while families enjoy music and the Artisan Fair along the shore of Lake Ontario.

Say goodbye to summer at the 2012 Markham Fair, September 27th through the 30th. A celebration of Ontario’s rural heritage, Markham Fair is Canada’s largest 4-day fall fair. In addition to exhibitions, enjoy the Monster Trucks, Demolition Derby and Superdogs Show – welcome fall in Ontario’s York region at the Markham Fair.

Runners put the Toronto Waterfront Marathon on your training schedule for October. Scotiabank sponsors the 2012 marathon held on October 14th topping off a weekend of festivities. Events feature the Marathon, Half-Marathon and 5K, with out-and-back courses starting and finishing in downtown Toronto. The marathon and half-marathon are flat and fast courses along the scenic Toronto Lake Ontario waterfront. Listen to running guru John Stanton at the marathon Expo at the Direct Energy Centre Exhibition Place over the weekend, and enjoy the Victory party in Nathan Phillips Square after the race on Sunday.

Toronto Metro Area Hotel Map