If the February blahs are getting the best of you, you might just be counting down the days to the Family Day long weekend that’s all about spending time with friends and family.
Fortunately, there’s lots to do before and during Family Day, which lands on Monday, February 19th this year. Some events celebrate the frosty Ontario winter with outdoor activities, while others showcase the overlap of Heritage Day through historical and cultural celebration. But, most importantly, all of them offer a time and place for friends and family of all ages to just, simply, be together.
Whether you’re spending Family Day with young children, teenagers, the whole extended family, or just a spouse or loved one, here are some ways to spend quality time with one another over the Family Day long weekend in the Kawarthas.
All weekend long
Snofest in Peterborough – February 16 to 19
For the Family Day long weekend, the City of Peterborough is hosting its annual Snofest family festival featuring an extensive list of activities for all age groups to get outside, get creative, and get connected.
The Peterborough Sport & Wellness Centre kicks off the festival on Friday with a free drop-in family swim and drop-in sports for youth.
On Saturday, visitors can drop by the Peterborough Museum & Archives for story time, or the Peterborough Sport and Wellness Centre for a morning class program. At Quaker Foods City Square, the Peterborough Youth Council will be hosting fun in the snow with games, skating, free hot chocolate, face painters, a visit with Snofest Pete ,and a live DJ.
On Sunday, Mayor Jeff Leal will host a pancake breakfast at the Peterborough Sport and Wellness Centre, before the Art Gallery of Peterborough hosts Family Sunday with drop-in art making activities and a book reading from illustrator and author Eugenie Fernandes. The Sport and Wellness Centre will also hold an adaptive sport drop-in and drop-in chair basketball.
On Monday, the festival will close with another day of drop-in sports at the Peterborough Sport and Wellness Centre, including pickleball, badminton, and basketball. The cost is $5 for non-members. The Healthy Planet Arena will host a free public skate with Snofest Pete from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.
The full lineup of events and activities can be found at peterborough.ca/snofest.
Hibernate Festival in Port Hope – February 16 to 19
Despite its name, Port Hope’s Hibernate Festival is not one you want to sleep through. Spend the weekend afternoons engaged in artistic programming suitable for all ages, including candle making, an artists’ showcase, drum circles, story hunts, movie nights, and more while enjoying free live entertainment from local artists.
Then in the evening, cozy up for the ticketed live performances, beginning with Mia Kelly opening for Juno Award-nominated Indigenous artist Aysanabee on Friday at the United Church, Inn Echo on Saturday at Ganaraska Brewing Company with an opening showcase by Mimi O’Bonsawin, and Elliott Brood on Sunday at Ganaraska Brewing Company with Nikola Magnolia opening. Tickets for the opening night performance costs $49, while the following two are priced at $35 each. A weekend pass with access to all shows costs $99.
Then, on Monday from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. Ganaraska Brewing Company is hosting Family Fun Day with a slew of activities at the Ganaraska Brewing Company for children and adults alike, including mask making with Fluke Craft, family folk band Andrew Queen and the Campfire Crew, a story hunt in the historic downtown, a pop-up choir with Lucas Marchand, a 360 photo booth, and live music from the all-queer six-piece Shania Twain cover band Shania Twink, featuring Lydia Persaud, Christine Bougie, and Dani Nash.
For a full schedule of activities and to get tickets to the paid music events, visit cultivatefestival.ca/hibernate-festival.
Frost Fest in Bobcaygeon – February 17 to 19
All of Bobcaygeon is coming together to break up the winter blues at the annual Frost Fest celebrations running all Family Day weekend long. Organized by volunteer committee Impact 32, Friday kicks off with a jazz night at Graz Restobar and karaoke at the Bobcaygeon Legion.
On Saturday, Subtle Shift is hosting the Holistic Wellness and Psychic Fair at the Boyd Museum from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., while Kawartha Settlers’ Village is hosting a day of outdoor adventure for children from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Other events for the day include storytime and drop-in activities at the Bobcaygeon Public Library, a visit with Snow Queen at Inspire to Dance, a hot chocolate bar at Ball Real Estate, face painting at the Chamber of Commerce, and discounts and specials at participating local restaurants and retail shops.
On Sunday, head over to Lock 32 to participate in a snow sculpture contest and outdoor games, with free hot chocolate and Timbits donated by Tim Hortons Bobcaygeon. From 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., collect puzzle pieces around town to decorate for a chance to win a $100 gift card of your choice. There will also be a lollipop wall fundraiser at the Chamber of Commerce for Bobcaygeon Food Bank with the chance to win gift cards, live music at Old Dog Brewing Company, and free outdoor skating all weekend long at Tommy Anderson Park.
If all that’s not enough, the frosty festivities around town continue on Monday with more free skating at the Bobcaygeon Community Centre, the annual Winterlude at Gamiing Nature Centre, and fun swims at the Forbert Pool.
Visit www.visitbobcaygeon.com/calendar/ for more information, or check out the Frost Fest 2024 event on Facebook.
Free public skating
Thanks to sponsorship by Wards Lawyer PC, the City of Kawartha Lakes Parks and Recreation Division is offering free public skating on Family Day:
- Lindsay Recreation Complex – 1:15 to 2:15 p.m.
- Fenelon Falls Community Centre – 2 to 3 p.m.
- Woodville Community Centre – 3:30 to 4:30 p.m.
- Manvers Community Centre – 4 to 5 p.m.
- Emily/Omemee Community Centre – 4 to 5 p.m.
- Bobcaygeon/Verulam Community Centre – 5 to 6 p.m.
- Oakwood Community Centre – 5 to 6 p.m.
- Little Britain Community Centre – 7:30 to 8:30 p.m.
Other locations in the region hosting free public skates throughout the Family Day long weekend include:
- Ennismore Community Centre – February 18 from 1 to 2 p.m. and February 19 from 11 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
- Lakefield-Smith Community Centre – February 19 from 12 to 1:30 p.m.
- Healthy Planet Arena, Peterborough – February 19 from 1 to 3 p.m.
- Peterborough Memorial Centre – February 19 from 11:15 a.m. to 12:50 p.m. (for ticketholders of Peterborough Petes vs. Kitchener Rangers game)
- Jack Burger Sports Complex, Port Hope – February 19 from 2 to 3:30 p.m.
- Campbellford Arena – February 18 from 10:30 a.m. to 12 p.m.
- Warkworth Arena – February 16 from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. and February 18 from 2 to 3 pm.
Friday, February 16 and Saturday, February 17
Candlelight Skate at Ontario Speed Skating Oval in Lindsay – February 16 and 17
For more than a decade, the Ontario Speed Skating Oval in Lakefield has held the Candlelight Skate, where dozens of flickering flames light the 400-metre track for the evening.
With the warm forecast, this year’s event was postponed a week and now lines up with the Family Day weekend on Thursday, February 16th and Friday, February 17th, each evening having two time slots from 5:30 to 7 p.m. and 7:30 to 9 p.m. The February 17th event is also a special fundraiser for Five Counties Children’s Centre.
Gangsters Cheese Food Truck will be on site throughout both events, keeping skaters warm and energized with food and hot chocolate. Tickets cost $10 and $5 for children 12 and under and must be purchased online.
Visit ontariospeedskatingoval.com to purchase tickets.
Family Day Fun Fair in Cobourg – February 17
On Saturday from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m., the Cobourg Lions Club is hosting a free Family Day Fun Fair at the Cobourg Lions Community Centre.
The fair will include a bouncy castle, hot dogs and juice, prizes, and appearances from Curvy the Unicorn and Melvin the Lion. While the event is free, the Lions Club will be collecting non-perishable food items.
Visit www.lionsclubofcobourg.ca/events/ for more details.
Frost Fest at Kawartha Settlers’ Village in Bobcaygeon – February 17
As part of Bobcaygeon’s Frost Fest held throughout the community over the weekend, Kawartha Settlers’ Village is partnering with the Maryboro Lodge Museum in Fenelon Falls for a day of outdoor fun on Saturday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
The day will include a scavenger hunt, storybook walk on the Discovery Trail, mini stick games and snow forts (weather permitting), and balloon animals, with food and drink available. Admission is by donation.
Visit www.settlersvillage.org for more information.
Blizzard Fest at Buckhorn Community Centre – February 17
The Buckhorn Community Centre is celebrating all things cold at the annual Blizzard Fest, held on Saturday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
For the kids, the event features carnival games, crafts, and outdoor activities including ice skating (weather permitting) with food, vendors, and music to keep the adults entertained. There will also be horse-drawn carriage rides beginning at 11:30 a.m. This year’s heritage display will celebrate “Home & Family” with an exhibit of vintage and antique items.
As usual, Buckhorn is keeping things spicy with the always-popular homemade chili cook off. Think your chili has what it takes? Registration for the cook off closes on February 14.
Admission to Blizzard Fest is by donation. For more information and registration for the chili cook-off, visit www.buckhorncommunitycentre.com/blizzaredfest/.
Sunday, February 18
Family Fun Day in Havelock
The Cordova Mines Recreation Association in Havelock is hosting their second annual Family Fun Day at the Cordova Mines Community Centre on Sunday.
The event kicks off at 10 a.m. with a pancake breakfast, before the games and activity stations run from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. There will also be hot dogs, marshmallows, and hot chocolate available, and a burning fire to keep guests warm all morning.
Family Fun Day costs $10 per family. For more information, visit the Family Fun Day event on Facebook.
Monday, February 19 – Family Day
Family Day specials at Haute Goat Farm in Port Hope
Spend your Family Day Monday getting up close and personal with animals at the 200-acre Haute Goat Farm just outside Port Hope. The farm is offering specials on Family Day from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. with discounts and special offerings, including a mini version of their popular goat schmurgle — a mini schmurgle — and an alpaca meet n’ greet, which is available only on special occasions.
Guests can spend 20 minutes interacting with, learning about, and taking photos of the herd. The Screaming Goat Café will be open and serving up family-friendly snacks and drinks. Walk-ins are welcome though space is not guaranteed.
The cost for the mini schmurgle and alpaca meet n’ greet is $20 per person (free for children 5 and under). Visit hautegoat.com to book the Family Day specials.
Family Day Frostival in Norwood
For the first time, the Township of Asphodel-Norwood’s Family Day Frostival celebrating all things winter, families, and communities will be held in two locations: the Asphodel-Norwood Community Centre and Norwood Town Hall.
Between 12 p.m. and 5 p.m. on Monday, both locations will have events inside and outside, including horse and wagon rides, on-ice activities, balloon twisting with Pepper the Clown, bonfires, board games, and access to Beehive Outdoor Rink (weather permitting). Free coffee and hot chocolate will be available at both locations
With registration, visitors can also sign up for a Fitness Centre tour, family dance class, or a gentle yoga class for adults and seniors. To register or book a tour, email local@antownship.ca.
For a full schedule of events and activities, visit calendar.antownship.ca.
Family Day Event in Millbrook
The Township of Cavan-Monaghan is hosting a free Family Day event at the Cavan Monaghan Community Centre in Millbrook from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Monday.
The day will include activities, family fitness, hot chocolate, and skating.
More information can be found at calendar.cavanmonaghan.net/
Winterlude at Gamiing Nature Centre in Kawartha Lakes
Winterlude at the Gamiing Nature Centre — located east of Lindsay and south of Bobcaygeon on the shores of Pigeon Lake — has been an annual event since the non-profit educational centre was founded 25 years ago.
Running from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Monday, Winterlude features a winter scavenger hunt, hunting animal tracks, building a bird feeder, a snow obstacle course, a snow balance beam, kick-sledding, snowshoeing, tobogganing, and trail bingo, along with hot dogs and hot chocolate and marshmallows.
Admission is by donation. Visit www.gamiing.org for more information.
Family Day Open House at Minden Hills Cultural Centre Foundation in Minden
The Family Day Open House from 12 to 2 p.m. on Monday at the Minden Hills Cultural Centre in Minden will be both a fun and education opportunity to spend the weekend.
The Agnes Jamieson Gallery will be open for visitors to browse the inaugural annual student art exhibition from Archie Stouffer Elementary School. Other family-friendly opportunities include viewing the new exhibit at Nature’s Place, participating in nature arts and craft activities, enjoying food from the Rotary Club of Minden, and browsing a book sale by the Friends of Haliburton County Public Library.
Admission is by donation. Visit calendar.mindenhills.ca for more information.
Family Fun for Everyone at the New Canadians Centre in Peterborough
From 10:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. on Monday, the New Canadians Centre in Peterborough is hosting craft activities, with dancing, music, painting, activities, and more.
This free event is only open to clients of the New Canadians Centre and their families. Advance registration is required by emailing Boutheina Maraoui at activities@nccpeterborough.ca.
For more information, visit nccpeterborough.ca/event/family-fun-for-everyone/.
Family Fun Day in Port Hope
Drop in to the Town Park Recreation Centre in Port Hope between 1 and 4 p.m. on Monday for a free all-ages Family Fun Day hosted by the Municipality of Port Hope. Held in partnership with the First Baptist Church Port Hope, the free event will offer bouncy castles, hot chocolate, crafts, games, and activities.
Visit www.porthope.ca/seasonal-activities for more information.
Family Day Festival in Cobourg
The First Baptist Church is hosting their annual Family Day Festival from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Monday at the Cobourg church.
Always popular and completely free, the afternoon will include tobogganing (with or without snow), horse-drawn carriage rides, s’mores over the campfire, games, face painting, balloon art, crafts and activities, board games, music, and prizes. The day will also include free lunch and snacks.
Visit fbcchurch.ca/coming-events for more information.
Family Day Open House at the Lindsay Lounge
Planning a party, corporate event, workshop, small wedding, or photo shoot and need a venue? The Lindsay Lounge is welcoming the public to a free Family Day open house from 12 to 4 p.m. on Monday.
You can browse the rental event venue will the kids enjoy a bouncy castle, face painting, and hot chocolate and popcorn for children.
While the event is free, advance registration is required. Visit www.thelindsaylounge.ca/events for more information and to register for a free ticket.
For more events over the Family Day long weekend, make sure to check out kawarthaNOW’s Family Day Weekend events column.
