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March 2026

Maple syrup season is back! Enjoy all things sweet at a maple syrup festival in Durham Region. Tap into your inner child at a maple syrup demonstration, pour your heart out over pancakes, and make memories that are bound to stick.

With family-friendly events and festivals running from March through May, Durham Region serves up all the classics: pancake breakfasts, sugar bush tours, wagon rides, entertainment, and more. Visit favourites like Pefferlaw Creek Farms, Purple Woods, Brooks Farms, and street festivals in Sunderland and Bowmanville.

Plan your staycation using Open Skies! Durham Tourism’s adventure planner is packed with ideas to help you make the most of March Break.

With fun checklists and beautiful photos, this guide ensures memorable moments with indoor and outdoor adventures, hands-on activities and great local eats across Durham Region. To help get you started, check out Narcity Canada for three under-an-hour getaways from downtown Toronto—perfect for last-minute plans and anyone craving a change of scenery.

This March Break, plan adventures that the kids will be talking about long after the week is over. Durham Region is full of family-friendly stops; including hands-on museums, outdoor thrills, and fun places to eat. Visit the Canadian Tank Museum for Tank School, where every day features a different presentation of tanks and armoured vehicles. Check out their event schedule and map out the rest of the week’s fun with this kids guide to Durham Region.

Keep little explorers busy—and warm—with a lineup of indoor adventures the whole family will love. Unleash your inner archer at Archers Battlefield in Pickering, keep the kids entertained at Joey’s World in Bowmanville, or learn about reptiles at Reptilia Zoo in Whitby. From action-packed indoor playgrounds, climbing gyms, escape rooms, arcades, and more, it’s easy to turn March Break into a week of high-energy fun. Play at these indoor family attractions. 

The snow won’t be here forever, so why not enjoy it while it lasts. This March Break bundle up and bring the fun outside. Enjoy skating at Pat Bayly Square in Ajax, horseback riding at Pathways on Pleasure Valley in Uxbridge, or give ice fishing a try in Brock. Whether you’re sliding down hills, gliding on ice, or spotting wildlife, there are plenty of outdoor activities and winter fun to be had across Durham Region. Soak up the fun before the season melts away!

If you haven’t taken the plunge yet, there’s still plenty of time to try skiing and snowboarding! Durham Region’s hills offer the perfect mix for beginners and those looking to level up. 

Whether you’re planning your first lesson or looking to sharpen your skills, our guide to all things skiing and snowboarding covers everything you need to know before you gear up. From choosing a hill to understanding rentals, lift tickets and lessons, this roundup offers tips, highlights and insider details to make the most of your day on the snow. 

The fun doesn’t stop after your final run. Find nearby spots to unwind that offer comfort food, warm drinks, and relaxed spaces to spend the night.

Craving a getaway without the plane ticket? We've compiled a list of local restaurants with a delicious menu and tropical atmosphere that will transport you to a sunny destination—so you can pretend you’re on vacation without having to go far from home. 

Enjoy Jamaican patties, West Indian Chinese cuisine, seafood and margaritas that are sure to melt any chill. With their colourful cocktails, vibrant flavours, and good vibes, these spots turn up the heat so you can enjoy a mini escape—no passport required.

Fans of Lowlands Fire Food can now enjoy their wood-fired pizza and organic sourdough in Brooklin, as they’ve recently opened their very own brick and mortar location on Baldwin Street! Besides great pizza, Lowlands Kitchen & Bar also features locally sourced ingredients and Town Brewery beer on tap. Follow on Instagram for a look at the pizzas they’re firing up.

Enjoy views of Frenchman’s Bay while dining at the newly opened Watr Taverna and Ristorante. The two-storey space offers coastal inspired dining that focuses on fresh, seasonal ingredients. Locals might remember it as the former home of the Waterfront Bistro, but the space has been reimagined into a bright, modern getaway perfect for lunch, dinner and events. Explore Watr's menu.

Aide Bodycare is expanding with a second location set to open in Whitby! Having built a following at their Oshawa store and online for their small batch skincare and soap, the team is hard at work getting their new space ready. Stay in the know on Instagram for updates on when and where you can shop next for their ethical, sustainable products. 

Detroit-style pizza, artisanal wings, and craft cocktails are just the start at Oshawa’s recently opened The Hangout Bar and Lounge. Located by Taunton and Thornton, The Hangout serves crave-worthy comfort food and international dishes with flavours they promise will keep you coming back for more! Plan your meal. 

If you’ve been missing USOK at the Courtice Flea Market, their comeback is in motion! The Filipino BBQ favourite temporarily closed their food stall so they can focus on opening their first full storefront in Whitby. Follow on Instagram for updates and be the first to know when you can enjoy their skewers, Lumpiang Shanghai and garlic rice again. 

Splitsville Bowl is rolling into Pickering with a brand-new location this fall at The Shops at Pickering City Centre. The new spot will feature 29 bowling lanes, VIP lane upgrades, an arcade, and food and drink options. Sign up for their e-mail list to get exclusive offers and updates about the new location, as well as a 50 per cent off bowling coupon. 

Connect with fellow readers and enjoy some standout author talks at The Book Drunkard Festival, hosted by Blue Heron Books. Tickets are still available for events on March 5 and 22, and April 1. Your ticket also gets you a signed copy of the featured book or a voucher for use at the event. Book your ticket. 

Classical music meets metal when The Rock Orchestra by Candlelight takes over Oshawa’s Tribute Communities Centre on March 19. A candlelit ensemble of classical musicians and singers performs the music of Metallica, AC/DC, Guns N’Roses, and more. Experience the show.

Join DRIFF in a Jiff for a free screening of Star Wars Kid: The Rise of the Digital Shadows on March 26 at the McLaughlin branch of Oshawa Public Libraries. The documentary explores how a Quebec teen became the world's first global meme and how that moment followed him for nearly two decades. Reserve your spot.

Colour in Motion: A Porsche Paint and Wine Evening returns on March 27 at 7 p.m. at Porsche Experience Centre Toronto in Pickering. Guided by a professional instructor, guests will create their own Porsche-inspired masterpiece and enjoy curated wine tastings throughout the evening. Limited spots are available. Secure your seat. 

Oshawa Little Theatre’s “The Full Monty” comes to the stage March 27 and 28, and April 2 to 4. Based on the hit film, the show offers engaging melodies, and the most highly anticipated closing number of any show. Reserve your seat. 

Goo Goo Dolls bring their live show to Oshawa on April 1 at the Tribute Communities Centre. Take advantage of special VIP packages that get you close to the action as well as the opportunity to bring home a Fender guitar played by John Rzeznik, an official meet and greet, a behind-the-scenes production tour, and more. Get tickets. 

In Case You Missed It

Sip something warm while escaping the chill at some of Durham Region’s coziest cafés. From maple-sweet lattes at Canter Coffee to colourful creations at The Shortiss Café, these charming downtown spots are perfect for catching up with a friend, enjoying a quiet moment alone or sharing something beautiful on your feed. Visit these Instagrammable cafés. 

Get ready to cheer on the Oshawa Generals at Tribute Communities Centre! Start your night with pre-game eats at Market at 70 King, and use our guide to navigate from the venue to bites after the final buzzer. Our playbook has everything you’ll need to enjoy the ultimate hockey night in Oshawa.

Turn your next meal into a moment with some of Durham’s most snapshot-worthy dining experiences, like Urban Pantry in Uxbridge or The Yardbird in Bowmanville. These restaurants serve up beautifully plated dishes and stunning interiors that need to be shared. Discover your next delicious photo-op at these Insta-worthy restaurants 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.