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April 2025

Spring has officially arrived! It won’t be long before the sunshine and warmer temperatures bring us beautiful blooms.

Discover the best flower farms, florists and markets to visit in Durham Region this season. Think Century Home and Garden Greenhouses or Van Belle Flowers for year-round plants and flowers. Field Notes Flower Farm offers seasonal flowers from their family farm, while The Wallflower Boutique creates flower arrangements for every occasion. Plan a day trip to Blooming Vintage for the best vintage and heritage varieties of flowers or stop at the roadside flower cart of Meadowlark Flower Farm.

The Easter Bunny is hopping down to Durham Region, and to celebrate, we've put together a list of sp-egg-tacular things to do with family and friends this Easter.

Spend a fun-filled day at the farm with the Easter Bunny at Brook’s Farm or Pingle’s Farm Market. Hop on over to Willowtree Farm for an egg hunt or create your own bunny breakfast bowl at Vandermeer Nursery. While the Easter Bunny will be the star attraction at Pickering’s annual Easter Parade, you can dress to impress at Port Perry’s Easter egg hunt and bonnet contest. The Uxbridge BIA Easter Eggstravaganza also offers lots of free activities for the whole family, or you can hop over to the Cannington Lions Club Easter egg hunt to enjoy a pancake breakfast.

Tap into the sweet fun of maple syrup festivities throughout the month of April in Durham Region!

Visit Pefferlaw Creek Farms to enjoy tapping tours and sugar shack tours, live music and a pancake meal. Head over to Purple Woods Conservation Area for horse-drawn wagon rides, games and all-day pancakes, or stop by Brooks Farms’ Maplefest for train or wagon rides, demonstrations and maple syrup tastings. Plus, don’t forget to mark your calendar for the Sunderland Maple Syrup Festival on April 5 and 6, and cap the season off with a visit to Bowmanville Maplefest on May 3.

April showers may bring May flowers, but they can also put a damper on your outdoor fun. There’s no need to be stuck inside when spring fever hits—because there are so many exciting, weather-proof activities to enjoy in Durham Region.

Climb the walls at Ajax Rock Oasis and then refuel at Goldie’s Cafe + Eatery. Go old school when you play more than 20 classic arcade games at 8-Bit Beans and then wander down the street to fill up on sandwiches at the nostalgic Lloyd’s Lunchbox. Stretch your mind and imagination at the Visual Arts Centre of Clarington and put the pedal to the medal at Volt Raceway.

No matter what you decide, any of these activities will help you beat the rainy-day blues!

Experience the true taste of local food at one of Durham Region’s Feast On® certified businesses. Feast On® is North America's largest and longest-running local food certification program.

When you dine at a Feast On® certified business, you know that at least 25 per cent of their annual spending is on Ontario grown and raised ingredients. That means you’re enjoying delicious, fresh food and supporting local farmers, growers and producers.

A few of the must-visit Feast On® certified spots in Durham Region include Bistro ‘67, Fig Kitchen and Market and Nest at Trail Hub. Explore these and other Feast On® local foodie destinations and taste the best of what our region has to offer!

Pump up those bike tires and check those brakes, because cycling season is upon us! To help make the most of your next ride, check out the 2025 Cycling in Ontario Guide.

Request a printed copy or download it on your device. Either way, you’ll get access to some great cycling destinations for day trips and multi-day getaways, including here in Durham Region! Plus, you’ll get the inside scoop on bike-friendly businesses and bike events.

Great art is just steps away in Oshawa. Murals and sculptures are very much a part of the city’s landscape, and the Oshawa Art Association is making it simple for you to enjoy them.

Their online map highlights nearly two dozen pieces, complete with detailed information. Most artworks are a short stroll apart and make for the perfect day of artistic adventure along this self-guided tour. 

Stop by and fuel up at Silver Scooter Coffee Co. in Bowmanville! This new java haven isn’t just about coffee—it’s about the experience. Dedicated to bringing ethically sourced, expertly roasted coffee to your cup, this is one coffee destination to add to your list.

Pizzeria Isabella is Ajax’s newest pizza offering and is quickly becoming a crowd favourite! Offering handmade Roman-style pizza by the slice, Isabella’s also makes their own dipping sauces in-house. The menu will change by the season and product availability, so head to Pickering Village today to check it out! 

Olive Branch Café is quickly making a name for itself as a must-try in Oshawa. With its 10/10 menu and beautiful atmosphere, this new café will have you coming back for more and more and more. The menu features a variety of different lattes and coffee flights, traditional Arabic and Turkish coffees, as well as cookies, croissants, cakes, and cinnamon buns.

Mark Your Calendars

Just a couple days left to grab tickets to the DRIFF in a Jiff screening of REVIVAL69: The Concert That Rocked The World. Watch the free documentary screening on April 3 at Oshawa’s McLaughlin Library, and be taken back to the legendary 1969 Toronto Rock and Roll Revival festival where music icons like The Doors, John Lennon, and Chuck Berry ignited the stage. Reserve your spot. 

Fill your social feeds with colour at the largest tulip festival in the GTA. With half a million tulips planted, guests will have a chance to pick-your-own bouquet and enjoy music, food and fun for the kids. As long as Mother Nature cooperates, the starting date is set for April 26 and will run for three weekends. Tickets are expected to go fast! Learn more about the first-ever tulip festival at Pingle’s. 

Mark your calendars for Springtide Music Festival from June 12 to 14 in downtown Uxbridge! The festival has released its first wave of artists and performers include a special presentation of Reuben and The Bullhorn Singers on the main stage. Free and ticketed events will take place at a variety of venues with youth programming, pop-up stages, and the famous town trolley to guide your way. Learn more.

Make sure Durham Region is on your list of summer plans! Five Oshawa events— Indigenous Cultural Celebration, Peony Festival, Canada Day, Kars on King, and CONVERGENCE—made Festivals and Events Ontario’s Top 100 list. Other winners include City of Pickering as the Municipality of the Year, Pickering’s Cultural Fusion event, and Whitby’s Brooklin Harvest Festival.

This year’s CONVERGENCE Music and Art Festival headliners have been announced! Mark your calendars for September 20 to catch JUNO Award Nominee Valley on stage at this free event in downtown Oshawa. Joining them at Convergence is Juno Award-winning singer-songwriter Aysanabee whose striking sound has captivated audiences across the country. Learn more.

Relive the ‘90s with tickets to AQUA! Sing and dance to the classic “Barbie Girl” when the Europop band plays the Pickering Casino Resort on September 24. Grab your tickets on Ticketmaster. 

Eat like Chef and Owner of The Springwood, Matthew Simpson, when you take a tour of his favourite spots in his hometown of Whitby. From savoury sandwiches to comfort food diners, check out what’s on the menu for this Chef in the Burbs by Toronto Life.

Port Perry has been named a must-visit for 2025 by readers of Narcity Canada. The lakeside town is loved for its charming streets and shops as well as its relaxing water views. Read the full article by Narcity Canada. 

Just in time for the upcoming planting season, Richters Herbs has launched a new website and is also offering pre-booked group greenhouse tours. Herb and garden enthusiasts will love this Goodwood greenhouse. Reach out to Richters Herbs to book your experience. 

In Case You Missed It

Curious about birdwatching? Second Marsh is an ideal spot for newcomers to the hobby! Writer, Erin Horrocks-Pope, escaped the “buzz” of her life in busy Toronto to explore nature destinations in Durham Region and gave birdwatching at Second Marsh a go. Check out this guide to birdwatching in Oshawa. 

There is no shortage of amazing wellness experiences to discover in Durham. Whether it’s quiet solitude, therapeutic healing and yoga, immersing yourself in nature or enjoying a safe space to connect with oneself, you can create the experience you want and need. Unwind and recharge with these relaxing wellness experiences in Durham Region.

Durham Region is home to an abundance of indoor attractions to keep you entertained no matter the weather. If you're looking to enjoy some quality time indoors with family, spend a night out with friends, or planning ahead for when the kiddos are out of school, check out these indoor family attractions in Durham Region.

For unique trip ideas or to plan your perfect day, visit DurhamTourism.ca, or call 1-800-413-0017. If this information is required in an accessible format, contact Durham Tourism.