WINTER CARNIVALS AND FESTIVALS

Markham Museum WinterfestFun and excitement for the whole family! Celebrate Family Day at the Museum; skate, snow-shoe, build snowmen, build and paint ice blocks and try your aim against our targets! There will be lots of activities, crafts and great food as well.

• Monday, February 15, 2010
• 10am to 4pm
• Markham Museum, 9350 Hwy 48 (just north of 16th Ave.)
• website

Richmond Hill Winter Carnival 2010Welcome to our 42nd year! A weekend of affordable fun and entertainment featuring pancake breakfast, live music, dog show, hockey skills clinic, ringette, amateur band contest, face painting, colouring contest and more! Organized by volunteers to celebrate the community of Richmond Hill in a welcoming atmosphere.

• February 5, 2010 to February 7, 2010
• Mill Pond, Richmond Hill
• website

Newmarket Winter Carnival 2010Indoor fun at the Newmarket community centre and Fairy Lake Park! Family Bingo, Kids Fun Room, Children's entertainers and more. Indoor Fun: Starting at 8:00 a.m., Pancake breakfast, family bingo, face painting, Harvo the Clown, Caroline's Caricatures, children's activities and more. Outdoor Fun: Starts at 10:00 a.m. Horse drawn wagon ride, pony rides, Nokiidaa Trail Guided Hike, variety of children's games and more, Train ride on Tim Hortons Express (owned and operated by Town of Newmarket).

• February 6, 2010
• Newmarket Community Centre and Fairy Lake
• website

Barrie Winterfest & Festival of IceNamed one of the Top 100 Festivals in Ontario, Winterfest is a great way to celebrate the winter season with adventures the whole family will enjoy. Outdoor activities include a polar bear dip, horse-drawn wagon rides, dogsled rides, mini-tube run, lumberjack shows, and more. Winterfest also features a giant snow slide and ice maze. The Festival of Ice features 300 pound blocks of ice carved into spectacular, themed sculptures. The February Blues Festival features great music in venues throughout Barrie and neighbouring communities. The Barrie Film Festival presents thought-provoking films at the Screen One Reel Stories Fiilm Series. Warm-up at the MacLaren with a tour of the gallery and fun family activities. The Barrie Public Library celebrates Mardi Gras with storytime and drop-in crafts. The community comes alive with winter fun and celebration - don't miss it!

• February 6 & 7, 2010
• Downtown Barrie - Memorial Square & Heritage Park
• website

Aurora Arctic Adventure Bundle up and take in some great outdoor activities such as dog sled rides, snow shoeing, skating, live entertainment and so much more.

• February 15, 2010
• Aurora Town Park
• website

Ajax WinterfestThe Town’s Winterfest will be heaps of fun, so bundle up and enjoy frosty festivities for the whole family! Activities include: professional ice carving demonstrations, ice skating, dog sled rides, horse drawn wagon rides, snow painting, childrens games, arts and crafts, and more!

• February 7, 2010
• 11:00 am to 4:00 pm
• McLean Community Centre, 95 Magill Dr., Ajax
• website

WinterCity FestivalToronto’s award-winning WinterCity Festival returns for its seventh year, offering a city-wide celebration of culture, creativity and cuisine. Ignore the cold and snow and get out and celebrate all that Toronto has to offer in the winter. The city will be bursting with culinary experiences, fantastic free entertainment at Nathan Phillips Square and a showcase of Toronto’s vibrant arts scene. 3 festivals in 1. WOW! Series at Nathan Phillips Square: FREE! Beat the cold with a spectacular fire installation, gravity-defying aerial dance performances, ice sculptures and themed skating parties. Warm Up Series at Toronto Attractions: Five special performances and events produced by Toronto-based artists and institutions.

• January 29 to February 11, 2010
• Various venues in Toronto
• website

Vaughan Celebrates WinterfestThe City of Vaughan’s 21st annual Winterfest presented by TD Canada Trust will feature celebrated children’s author Robert Munsch for a special story telling concert on the outdoor stage and autograph signing session. Other stage entertainment will include “Best of Both Girls”, a tribute to Hannah Montana and Miley Cyrus. Winterfest will also feature an autograph signing session with Toronto Maple Leafs goalie, Jonas “The Monster” Gustavsson. A free outdoor and indoor Kidz Zone will be highlighted by free midway rides, face painting courtesy of Bell, horse-drawn wagon rides, Messy Hands crafts bus, pizza making workshop sponsored by Pizza Nova, Little OBIE CN Safety Train Rides, pleasure skating and much more.

• February 7, 2010
• Starts at 10:00 am
• Vellore Village Community Centre, 1 Villa Royale Avenue, Woodbridge
• website