Attractions Ontario Events

GO Transit – In 2017 we were proud to celebrate 50 years of getting you to the places you need to go, and we are just as proud to continue on.

Check out our storied history and come see one of the very first GO Train coaches on permanent display at the Toronto Railway Museum.

The museum will be open from Wednesday to Sunday, noon to 5pm, from May through mid-June. 7 days a week, noon to 5pm, from mid-June to September 3rd and back to Wednesday to Sunday, noon to 5pm, from September 6th to December 31st.

The roundhouse museum charges admission inside the museum at $5.00 for those 14 and older, and $3.00 for children under 14.

Plus, you can learn even more about GO’s past, present, and future by visiting our virtual museum at gotransit.com/goingstrong.

This display of prized works from that 1966 gift are a reminder of the McMichael Canadian Art Collection’s origins and a tribute to the founders who had the vision to see the mighty oak in the little acorn.

The McMichael Canadian Art Collection started out as a modest four-room home, built in 1954 for a young photographer and his wife – Robert and Signe McMichael. It was designed in a robust but stylish log cabin aesthetic by architect Leo Venchiarutti (1947-2007).

The McMichaels bought their first painting in 1955. Soon the walls of their home were filled with their growing collection of paintings by the Group of Seven and their contemporaries. In 1963 they added a large room, now known as the Founders’ Lounge. By then their collection held 194 works, and they were regularly welcoming visitors and school groups in to see the art.

On November 18, 1965 the McMichaels signed a Gift Agreement that donated their home, their collection and their land to the Province of Ontario. The official opening to the public took place on July 8, 1966. Over the next few years large wings were added, and the collection has since grown to nearly 6,500 works.

Ignite your curiosity. Conquer your fears.

Get up close and personal with one of the world’s most misunderstood creatures.

Spiders are one of the most remarkable animals on the planet! They spin webs, dance, swim, and even grow back lost limbs. Come face-to-face with nearly 400 live and preserved amazing arachnids in Spiders: Fear & Fascination. Entangle yourself in the world of spiders with the ROM Spider Lab, challenge a Peacock spider to a dance-off, explore a recreated spider cave, and experience a web of hands-on interactives, incredible augmented reality, and more!

___________

An exhibition developed by the Australian Museum and toured by Flying Fish.

Earthborn is an annual, juried exhibition of works by members of the Waterloo Potters’ Workshop, a non-profit co-operative organization celebrating its 50th Anniversary this year. Established in 1968, WPW is located in Waterloo Park and occupies the historic Jacob Eby farmhouse, which functions as a work/learn space for members and a teaching facility for the public. This year’s juror is Scott Barnim, Toronto-based potter and instructor of ceramics at Sheridan College. Barnim obtained his MFA in Ceramics from the University of Wales and in 2016 received the lifetime achievement award from the City of Hamilton Arts Awards.

Earthborn reception and awards ceremony will be held on Sunday, September 23 at 1:30pm.

Embodiment: 30 Years of Sculpture by Susan Low-Beer
Co-curated by Jasmina Jovanovic and Stuart Reid

The retrospective exhibition examines more than three decades of the artist’s practice. Recurring themes include identity and mortality as well as the simultaneous power and vulnerability of the body.

Also on view is an adjoining exhibition of new works from Low-Beer’s Specimen series, curated by Sheila McMath.

Join us for an Artist Talk on September 22 at 7:00pm, followed by the Opening Reception on September 23 at 2:00pm with remarks at 2:30. The artist will be in attendance. These events are free, all are welcome.

To learn more, please visit the website: http://www.theclayandglass.ca/exhibitions

Image: Place of Becoming (installation detail), 2016, Susan Low-Beer. Photo: Blackbird Photography

This exhibition will document an artistic career that spanned the first half of the 20th century, bringing together more than 90 works in oil and watercolour, never-before-exhibited photographs and drawings by the artist, and memorabilia collected by Milne during his time in Europe as an official war artist.

Arranged chronologically and topographically, the exhibition will follow Milne’s artistic development as he moved from the bustling sidewalks of New York to the war-torn landscapes of northern France and back again to the woods, fields and skies of the northeastern US and Canada. It will document the change in Milne’s approach as he moved from the Post-Impressionist style of his New York years, with its vivid colours and dynamic brushstrokes, to the more distilled visual language of his later work.

Organized by Dulwich Picture Gallery and the McMichael Canadian Art Collection in collaboration with Vancouver Art Gallery, with the exceptional support of the National Gallery of Canada.

Consciously coinciding with the David Milne exhibition and the centenary of the armistice, this exhibition will focus on surveying Stephen Andrews’ works that deal with images of war, prisoners of war, and the way in which we experience such imagery through the media. Andrews’ works, which are largely pencil crayon on paper, subtly interpret the omissions and misinterpretations of war imagery. A large component of the exhibition will feature the artist’s work from about 2003 through 2006, which deal primarily with the Iraq War. Another component of the show will display his most recent work, which grapples with Vimy Ridge. Just like Milne, Andrews’ war imagery focuses on the aftermath. Not incidentally, Andrews has been a long-time admirer of the work of David Milne.

Enjoy this special time of year as the McQuestens look back on the Christmas of their childhood. Once a year, the family’s toys are gathered under a whimsically decorated tree. The table is beautifully set with China they used for Christmas and New Year’s. Cedar roping and satin ribbon complete the picture. Come to Whitehern and experience the holidays as they were celebrated through the eras, from the 1850s to the 1930s.
Saturday, November 17, 2018, to Sunday, January 6, 2019
12:00 pm – 4:00 pm (Tuesday to Sunday)
Closed: Christmas Day, Boxing Day & New Year’s Day
Adults: $7.00, Seniors/Youth: $6.00, Children: $5.00, Infants: Free, Family: $20.00

Striking wildlife, breathtaking landscapes and the remarkable beauty of our natural world are captured in Wildlife Photographer of the Year. As the longest-running and most prestigious nature photography competition in the world, this exhibition returns to the ROM for the sixth year and features one hundred extraordinary new photographs that will amaze and move viewers.

Organized by the Natural History Museum, London, the Wildlife Photographer of the Year competition is now in its 54th year and attracts tens of thousands of submissions from photographers of all ages and skill levels. With the winning photographs selected by an international jury for their artistic composition, technical innovation and truthful interpretation of the natural world, the exhibition showcases the competition’s winners and category finalists who’s work calls attention to the beauty and fragility of life on this planet.

Whether you’re a nature lover, aspiring photographer, or simply love a perfectly captured moment, come explore nature, wildlife and the very best in nature photography.

Until Dec 21, 2018

Whether you are a cross-country skier or a snowshoer (or both!) you can save $ on your season pass until December 21, 2018. Enjoy unlimited access to: 27 km of cross-country ski trails groomed daily for skate and classic styles, 10 km of dedicated snowshoe paths plus access to Southern Ontario’s longest Suspension Footbridge. From beginner to advance levels, the variety of trails and panoramic views are sure to energize. Perched high atop the Escarpment, the elevation guarantees excellent snow conditions and consistent cold temperatures. Season passholders receive numerous benefits, bonus offers and special discounts. Nordic Centre operates December – March Details: http://www.sceniccaves.com/december-deal-on-season-pass/

Fresh Horses is a high energy show band that performs all the hits of Garth Brooks. Fresh Horses tours North America and has received excellent reviews along with a great following of fans.

Les Smith the Band Leader looks and sounds so much like Brooks that people comment that they forget they are watching a Tribute Act.

Fresh Horses please crowds of all ages with their music and entertaining show. All music lovers can enjoy the songs of Garth Brooks as the music crosses all barriers.

Fresh Horses is known for their professional attitude and excellent showmanship. They will leave you with a sense of “more than your money’s worth”. Fresh Horses will definitely be an asset to your lineup of entertainment!

Come face to face with Zuul crurivastator (Zool CRUR-uh-vass-TATE-or), an exciting new species of armoured dinosaur recently unveiled by ROM scientists! Aptly named after the fictional monster Zuul in the 1984 film Ghostbusters, crurivastator means ‘destroyer of shins’, for its extraordinary weapon-like tail. From Zuul’s skull to its menacing tail club, this 75-million-year-old, plant-eating dinosaur skeleton is the most complete of its kind, and was found with a diversity of fossilized plants and animals from the same period.

Discover the lost world Zuul inhabited millions of years ago, and how its armour was crucial for protection and survival.

We have received news from the North Pole that Santa will be joining us on our decorated and heated heritage train! This popular train ride is a great family holiday experience!

Enjoy on-board entertainment while waiting for Santa’s arrival. The highlight of the ride is a visit from Santa with each child, big and small. Upon leaving the train, each child will also receive a gift bag full of goodies.

Create a new family tradition and lasting memories! This popular feature trip sells out quickly. Book early to avoid disappointment.

Trains operate Saturdays and Sundays beginning November 24 through to December 16. Each one-hour round trip train ride departs from Uxbridge at 10:00 am, 12:30 pm, 3:00 pm.

One of the most celebrated Canadian roots musicians of all time, having sold in excess of 500,000 albums, Ashley has garnered international acclaim by playing the fiddle in that hard-nosed, traditional Cape-Breton style, while adding his own spin, mixing genres and updating Celtic music to appeal to a broader spectrum of fans.

Considered something of a local legend and prodigy by the time of his impressive 1992 debut Close To The Floor, Ashley broke through to the mainstream with the double- platinum genre-bending Hi, How Are You Today? in 1995. International radio play for the single, Sleepy Maggie, and a regular slot on MuchMusic made Ashley an instant Canadian icon

Location: The Coach House at Dundurn Castle
Sunday, December 16, 2018
12:00 pm to 4:00 pm

Join us to celebrate a new Hamilton beer made from the hops and history of Dundurn Castle. Beer making was a valued skill in the 19th century and is still an important part of Hamilton’s local food and drink community. Reid’s Dundurn Ale by Valentino’s Restaurant is inspired by the legacy of William Reid, the 19th century Head Gardener at Dundurn Castle. Valentino’s has brewed a modern beer using the hops grown in Dundurn’s Kitchen Garden. Guests are invited to Dundurn’s Hayloft to sample the beer and learn about the process from the gardeners who grew the hops and the brewer who crafted the beer. The interactive afternoon will include beer samples and other historic recipes, a video about the brewing process, and displays of modern and historic brewing equipment.
Free event. Valid photo ID is required to sample the beer.

The Hamilton Museum of Steam & Technology is home to Hamilton’s first Waterworks built in 1859 to pump water from Lake Ontario to the citizens of Hamilton. Guided tours include a look at two 70 ton steam-powered engines preserved in their original context. During the Holidays the museum will be a place for families to drop-in and unplug, play board games and make a craft.
Date: December 27, 2018 – December 31, 2018
Time: 12:00 PM – 4:00PM
Ages: 5 years and up
Cost: FREE Event. Regular admission rates apply to the museum: Adult (18-59) $7.00, Senior (60 ) $6.00, Student (13-17 or with valid student ID)
Contact: 905-546-4797, steamtech@hamilton.ca, www.hamilton.ca/museums

special holiday treat awaits you and your family! Take a step back in time to the year 1900 to visit a Victorian homestead during the Christmas season. Spruce Lane Farm at Bronte Creek Provincial Park will be trimmed and decorated in all its seasonal splendor.

Dates – Dec 27, 28, 29, 30 2018 and Jan 3, 4, 5, 6 2019.

Once the hustle and bustle of preparing for Christmas Day is behind you, your family can enjoy the holiday season. Our revised programming aims to delight even the most persistent of holiday humbugs.

Open Daily 10:00 – 4:00 (weather permitting).

Event support by Friends of Bronte Creek

Your Victorian Christmas experience will include traditional Christmas games and activities, designed for all different age groups from toddlers to adults. Make hands-on crafts with daily special feature crafts where you will get to see and use historic tools and skills to create your own take home souvenirs.

Enjoy touring the elegantly decorated Spruce Lane Farmhouse and experience seasonal stories and songs in the parlor, learning about the holiday traditions of the Victorian era!

No Reservations required. Large groups please call ahead.

Access to most of the Christmas attractions are included in daily vehicle permit or Ontario Park seasonal pass, unless otherwise stated.

Hiking trails, cross-country ski trails, tobogganing, Children’s Farm and Playbarn.

Dundurn National Historic Site, 610 York Blvd., Hamilton
Enjoy a unique opportunity to see Dundurn Castle decorated for the holidays in the evening.
Sir Allan MacNab was very proud of his Scottish Ancestry and celebrated the New Year surrounded by family and friends. Ring in the New Year at Dundurn with music, an extended tour of MacNab’s lavish home and a chance to sample an assortment of traditional holiday
foods served in the historic kitchen.
Date: December 27, 2019 to December 29, 2019
Time: 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Ages: All
Cost: $30 per person. Pre-registration is required.
Contact: 905-546-2872, dundurn@hamilton.ca, www.hamilton.ca/museums

Dec 28, 29, 31, 2018
Jan 2, 5, 12, 19, 26, 2019
Feb 2, 9, 16, 17, 23, 2019
Mar 2, 9, 13, 15, 16, 23, 30, 2019

Strap on your snowshoes for a night-time hike, where stars and shadows create a dramatic setting for adventure. Your experienced guides lead your group on a 1 ½ to 2 hour romp through an enchanting winter wonderland. Experience beautiful trails that wind through a mature forest of 100 foot tall trees, sparkling views of the countryside at the Suspension Bridge and breathtaking lookouts from the top of the Niagara Escarpment. No experience is required and the pace is moderate. Recommended for ages 10 and older. Night snowshoe hikes are scheduled for most Saturday nights (plus additional holiday hikes) and run weather-permitting. If there is no snow, guests will be advised to wear hiking boots instead. Cost: $49 (includes snowshoe rental). Reservations are required: (705) 446-0256 ext. 223. Gift certificates are also available. For more information: www.sceniccaves.com

Usher in the New Year with a glittery celebration of singing and dancing that will delight the senses. Salute to Vienna New Year’s Concert recreates the beauty of Vienna’s golden era and its elegance charms audiences of every age. A 14-year Ottawa tradition, this year’s concert will feature a brilliant new program of Strauss waltzes and sweeping melodies from beloved operettas performed by acclaimed European singers, champion ballroom dancers, ballet, and live symphony orchestra. The first effortless notes of the eternal Blue Danube Waltz will welcome you into a triumphant 2019! Tickets start at $65!

Usher in the New Year with a glittery celebration of singing and dancing that will delight the senses. Salute to Vienna New Year’s Concert recreates the beauty of Vienna’s golden era and its elegance charms audiences of every age. A 20-year Hamilton tradition, this year’s concert will feature a brilliant new program of Strauss waltzes and sweeping melodies from beloved operettas performed by acclaimed European singers, champion ballroom dancers, ballet, and live symphony orchestra. The first effortless notes of the eternal Blue Danube Waltz will welcome you into a triumphant 2019! Tickets start at $40!