12 things to do in Toronto this March

By Erica Salyi-Pannozzo

March is often that awkward time between winter and spring, when the weather fluctuates all over the place (get it together March!). While we all cross our fingers for warmer temperatures, there’s lots to look forward to over the next four weeks. March is jam packed with maple syrup festivals, St. Patrick’s Day events, March Break activities and more. There are lots of choices for fun, including indoor and outdoor options, so you have things to do in all weather conditions. With hopes of more spring-like days than cold ones, here’s what you can check out this month! [Photo credit: Miss Hybrid 3 C-Print by Shirin Aliabadi, courtesy of the Mohammed Afkhami Foundation. Image provided by the Aga Khan Museum]

The sap starts flowing as spring approaches, and that means we get to sample the sweetness at one of the GTA’s many maple syrup festivals. Think pancake breakfasts, wagon rides and making maple syrup candy on some immaculately white snow. These family-friendly fests crop up across the GTA, with the biggest celebrations happening at the Sugarbush Maple Syrup Festival (with four locations in 2017) and the Sugar Shack at Sugar Beach.

Check out even more maple syrup festivals in Toronto and the GTA!

The Aga Khan Museum is currently home to a couple of significant and politically charged exhibits that take you beyond the headlines to the heart and history of the cultures highlighted. Rebel, Jester, Mystic, Poet: Contemporary Persians is a massive new Iranian art exhibit featuring works on loan from Iranian art collector Mohammed Afkhami. The mixed media show includes paintings, textiles and sculpture, and aims to challenge our perception of Iran. Contemporary Persians runs until June 4.

While on site, you can also stop by Syria: A Living History, a collection of artifacts and art that brings the country’s cultural diversity and history to life. Syria runs until March 26.

This new restaurant and wine bar that promises to be the new hot spot in Kensington Market is the brainchild of restauranteur Jen Agg (The Black Hoof and Rhum Corner) and Mitch Bates (Momofuku Shoto and Momofuku Ko). The à la carte menu of tapas and snacks includes oysters, cheese and breads, and the mains feature seafood, vegetables and some pasta options. For drinks, there’s a small cocktail menu and a large list of ciders. The main focus is wine by the bottle, chosen by general manager and sommelier Jake Skakun.

Mark your calendars with the top Toronto events in March including Toronto Comicon, Toronto Men’s Fashion Week, Game of Thrones Live in Concert and the Winter Brew Fest. The ROM launches its newest exhibit called Out of the Depths: The Blue Whale Story and superstar acts like Mariah Carey and Lionel Richie are coming to town.

Click here for the full list of must-see March events – you don’t want to miss this!

The Evergreen Brick Works Winter Village may be over at the end of February, but the Street Food Market continues into spring! You can nosh on tasty eats every weekend in March and April from vendors like Indian Street Food Co., Heirloom, The Arepa Republic and Wafel Bar. Come early Sunday mornings, because yes, there is brunch. Swing by the Sipping Container for specialty cocktails too. Hours: Saturday 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Sunday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

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More things to do on YP

• Must-see March events in Toronto
• Free or cheap things to do in Toronto this Winter
• Playtime for grown-ups: things to do in Toronto

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Think spring and explore all things floral at the annual Canada Blooms, Canada’s largest garden and flower festival. You can meet industry experts, attend workshops and browse through the gorgeous garden displays created by top Canadian landscape designers, architects and builders. The event runs March 10 to 19 at the Enercare Centre. Click here for tickets.

Toronto’s newest food festival is a charity event in support of Second Harvest that aims to highlight the amount of food waste we produce and what we can do to curb our wasteful habits. The event takes place March 1 at Artscape Wychwood Barns, with a lineup of local chefs, brewers and distillers, artists and innovators taking part. Expect expertly prepared food, cocktails and tasty bites made from ingredients that would have otherwise ended up in the garbage. Hours: 6 p.m. to 10 p.m.

In partnership with Live Green Toronto, this food fest sees some of the province’s best chefs put their unique spin on dim sum using only fresh, local and sustainable ingredients. Visitors get a passport to try food from each of the participating vendors, which include Café Belong, DaiLo, Daniel et Daniel, Hawthorne Food + Drink, Pork Ninjas and more. You can wash it all down with local wines, beers and ciders from companies in support of Environmental Defence like Mill Street Brewery, Muskoka Brewery and Brickworks Ciderhouse. The event takes place March 8, 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. Tickets are $55 and include all food and drink. Click here to buy tickets.

The recently opened Gallery of Modern Design at the ROM traces the development of European and North American design through six movements from 1910 to 1965. You can view furniture, glassware, ceramics and metalwork from the Art Deco to Post-War Modern eras, with pieces by Jules Leleu, Marcel Breuer, Kaare Klint, Charles and Ray Eames, and Frank Lloyd Wright. Click here to book admission online.

The kids are let loose on the city for a week of family-friendly activities, events and things to do. Don’t miss Disney on Ice, Wizard World and Toronto Comicon (which has plenty of adult fun too). Toronto attractions are hosting kid-friendly programs as well. The TIFF Bell Lightbox screens Harry Potter, The NeverEnding Story and other titles, and there are March Break-themed programs running at the ROM, AGO and Ontario Science Centre.

Click here for a full list of awesome March Break events in Toronto

The annual parade takes place on March 19 this year, celebrating all things Irish. The parade begins at the corner of Bloor and St. George near St. George subway station, and ends at Nathan Phillips Square. The festivities kick off at noon; get there early to snag a good spot to watch! Map of the parade route

This cheekily named French eatery (“maison fou” translates to madhouse) is a newcomer to Bloor West Village, bringing a fun and unique take on classic French cuisine to the neighbourhood. The interior is chic, with a cool, laid-back vibe, setting this restaurant up to become a favourite with the locals. The offerings include a well-rounded brunch menu and a Sunday night family dinner where you pick a main course and two sides. You can drool over the menu here.