The AnswerPlus August Family Fun Guide 2022

There is no shortage of fun-filled activities for the whole family near our offices in Hamilton, Toronto, Montreal and Edmonton. We created a list of 18 local fun events, festivals, and activities in August with the help of our team located across Canada. 

Whether you’re into culture or nature, sports or music festivals, there’s something for everyone on this list. And if none of these events are near you, we hope they inspire you to start your own summer tradition—or take a spontaneous road trip! Please click on the links to learn more about the time, location, and cost for each event.

1. Go Berry Picking

Berry picking season usually runs until early September so you still have time to stop by a pick your own farm-fresh blueberries, strawberries, and Apples. Some locations are appointment only, so make sure you check before you go!

• Discover Ontario Berry Picking Farms
• Discover Quebec Berry Picking Farms
• Discover Alberta Berry Picking Farms
• Discover Berry Picking Farms by Province

2. Have Some Fun On The Water 

Relax, paddle at your own pace, and spend some quality time with your family.

• Paddle boat rentals @ Old Port, Montreal, QC
• Paddle boat rentals @ Hawrelak Park, Edmonton, AB
• Paddle boat rentals @ Heart Lake Conservation, Brampton, ON
• Paddle Boat rentals @ Binbrook, ON
• Kayak & Paddleboard rentals @ Harbourfront, Toronto, ON

3. Explore A Conversation Area

Plan a day trip, pick the perfect trail, and take in the unique scenery of your local landscape.

• • Conservation areas in Hamilton, ON
  • Conservation areas in Toronto & the GTA
  • Conservation areas in Edmonton, AB 
  • Conservation areas in Quebec

4. Catch A Free Show Outdoors 

Enjoy a wide variety of music by the water. All of these shows are free!

• • • Music on the Waterfront
      (June 16 – Sept 1) @ 47 Discovery Dr, Hamilton, ON
    • Concerts on the Canal
      (June 24 – Aug 26) @ Merrit Amphitheatre, Welland, ON
    • Summer Music in the Garden
      (June 21 – Aug 28) @ Toronto Music Garden, Toronto, ON
    • Music in the Park
      (June 10 – Aug 28) @ Rotary Aqua Theatre, Orillia, ON
    • Edmonton Symphony
      (Sept 2-6) @ Various venues, Edmonton, AB
    • Théâtre de Verdure Outdoor Shows
      (June 30 – Aug 26) @ Parc La Fontaine, Montreal, QC

5. Beat The Heat At A Waterpark 

Slip, slide and splash your way through the dog days of summer.

• Wild Waterworks in Hamilton, ON
• Wet ‘n’ Wild Toronto in Brampton, ON
• World Waterpark in Edmonton, AB
• Aquazilla in Montreal, QC

6. Go To A CFL Game and Cheer On Your Team

Go TiCats Go! To view the CFL Season schedule click here.

7. Catch a Jays Game At The Rogers Centre 

To view the Blue Jays season schedule, click here.

8. Plan A Picnic In The Park 

We chose our favourite picnic spots with the best views and ample green space for whatever you have planned!

• Bayfront Park in Hamilton, ON
• Riverdale Park East in Toronto, ON
• Sir Wilfred Laurier Park in Edmonton, AB
• Parc du Mont-Royal in Montreal, QC

9. Pick Up Some Goodies At The Farmer’s Market 

There are so many options to choose from you could hit up a different farmers’ market every week in August!

• Farmer’s Markets in Ontario
• Farmer’s Markets in Alberta
• Farmer’s Markets in Quebec
• Farmer’s Markets Across Canada by Province

10. Go For A Stroll In A Botanical Garden 

Take a tour of these breathtaking gardens and nature sanctuaries.

• • Royal Botanical Gardens in Burlington, ON
  • Toronto Botanical Gardens in Toronto, ON
  • UofA Botanic Garden in Parkland County, AB
  • Montreal Botanical Garden in Montreal, QC

11. Watch Some Shakespeare In The Park

Enjoy the magic of live theatre. All of these shows are PWYC or free!

• Shakespeare in the Park
  July 14 – Aug 6 @ Various locations, Montreal, QC
• Shakespeare in the Park
  Aug 16 @ Fieldcote Memorial Park & Museum, Hamilton, ON
• Shakespeare in High Park
  July 28 – Sept 1 @ High Park Amphitheatre, Toronto, ON

12. Go Camping Or Hiking In A National Park

Discover a Parks Canada location near you!

13. Watch A Movie Under The Stars

Grab a blank and some snacks and sit back and enjoy the show!

• Starlight Drive-In Hamilton 
  Mon-Fri , 7:30 pm in Stoney Creek, ON
• Toronto Outdoor Picture Show
  June 23 – Aug 28 @ Various venues, Toronto, ON
• Summer Movies Under The Stars
  June 16 – Sept 3 @ Various venues, Brampton, ON
• Summer Movies in the Park
  Aug 3 – 24 @ Various venues, Edmonton, AB
• Cinéma sous les Étoiles
  June 29 – Sept 9 @ Various venues, Montreal, QC

14. Reach New Heights On A Zipline 

Thrill seekers unite! Go treetop-trekking or try the first urban zipline in Canada and experience Montreal from a bird’s eye view.

• Ziplining @ Binbrook Conservation Area in Hamilton, ON
• Ziplining @ Heart Lake Conservation Area in Brampton, ON
• Ziplining @ Snow Valley Aerial Park Tower in Edmonton, AB
• Ziplining @ Tyrolienne MTL Zipline in Old Port, Montreal, QC

15. Take In Some Culture For Free 

Spend your evening learning about art, culture and history.

• Hamilton Civic Museums – Free with a Hamilton Public Library Card
  Varying hours of operation @ various museums, Hamilton, ON
• The ROM’s Third Tuesday Nights Free
  5:30-8:30 pm @ Royal Ontario Museum, Toronto, ON
• AGO Free Wednesdays
  Every Wednesday from 6-9 pm @ Art Gallery of Ontario, Toronto, ON
• The McCord Museum Wednesday Evenings Free
  5:00 – 9:00 pm @ McCord Museum, Montreal, QC
• The AGA’s Last Thursday of Every Month Free
  4:00 – 7:00 pm @ Art Gallery of Alberta, Edmonton, AB

16. Try A New Dish 

 Indulge in flavour and festivities! All events are free admission. 

• Hamilton Ribfest
  August 19 – 21 @ Gage Park, Hamilton, ON 
  
• Winona Peach Festival
  August 26 – 28 @ Winona Park, Winona, ON
• Panamerican Food & Music Festival
  August 20-21 @ Yonge and Dundas Square, Toronto, ON
• Cariwest Festival
  August 5-7 @ Downtown Edmonton, AB
• Afromonde Festival
  August 25-28 @ Old Port, Montreal, QC
• Montreal Rib Fest
  August 16 -18 @ Pierrefonds, QC

17. Spend Some Quality Time With Family 

Before you’re busy with back-to-school routines bring the whole family to one of these unique events!

• Dundas Cactus Festival
  August 19 – 21 @ Downtown Dundas, Dundas, ON
• Fun Day at Centre Island
  August 22 @ Centre Island, Toronto, ON
• World’s Largest Bouncy Castle
  August 5 – 14 @ Markham Fairgrounds, Markham, ON
• Family Yoga in the Park
  June 2 – August 28 @ various locations, Edmonton, ON
• Gatineau Hot Air Balloon Festival 
  September 1 – 5 @ Parc La Baie, Gatineau, QC