Visit St. Catharines
for family fun in Niagara
The third Monday in February is Family Day (February 19, 2024) in Ontario, a provincial holiday offering a long weekend to enjoy the magic of winter. In St. Catharines, Family Day fun isn’t limited to just one day. There’s a full lineup of family-friendly things to do Family Day weekend, such as outdoor activities, skating, performances, dining and more.
Did Family Day weekend leave you thinking about your next family getaway?
Things to do in St. Catharines on March Break feature family fun for everyone.
Things to do Family Day Weekend
All weekend
St. Catharines Museum
The St. Catharines Museum and Welland Canals Centre is home to extraordinary historical collections and exhibits that feature local St. Catharines perspectives, artifacts and stories of the area and its canals, educational programs and tours, a packed gift shop, the Lacrosse Hall of Fame and Museum and much more. The museum will be open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. every day of the Family Day long weekend. Admission is by donation.
Plan to visit for a few hours so you and your family have time to visit exhibitions, play in the park and on the playground. The museum also offers quiet spaces families and individuals with sensory sensitivities can take advantage of so everyone can enjoy their visit.
Free Family Fishing
Ontario residents can try fishing, licence-free, during the Ontario Family Fishing Weekend in February, which conveniently coincides with Family Day. One of four designated periods throughout the year Free Family Fishing Weekends are designed to encourage families to discover the joy of fishing together.
Try fishing at Martindale Pond, spots along Twelve Mile Creek or from in Lake Ontario from the Port Dalhousie Piers. There may be opportunities for ice fishing in some areas (it is winter, afterall). Ice safety is of utmost importance and you should probably consult experienced ice anglers before attempting ice fishing yourself, especially if its your first time out. Contact local fishing charters or the St. Catharines Game and Fish Association to get started.
Skating
Lace up your skates, hit the ice and carve up some family fun with public skating in St. Catharines.
The City of St. Catharines is offering public skating at the Seymour-Hannah Sports and Entertainment Centre and Bill Burgoyne Arena at various times from Friday, February 16 to Monday, February 19. Pre-registration is highly recommended. Check out the skating schedule, program rules, requirements and more on ActiveSTC.
Swimming
Jump into the pool for some family fun with public swimming in St. Catharines.
The City of St. Catharines is offering Leisure Swims at the St. Catharines Kiwanis Aquatics Centre at various times from Friday, February 16 to Monday, February 19. Pre-registration is highly recommended. Check out the skating schedule, program rules, requirements and more on ActiveSTC.
The City of St. Catharines is offering free Leisure Swims on Family Day Monday, February 19.
Outdoor Adventures
With so many natural wonders to explore St. Catharines is one of the coolest places to visit during winter. The the Niagara Escarpment is one of the most biodiverse areas in the province and cuts right through St. Catharines. Enjoy a winter hike in the Short Hills, at Rockway Conservation Area or in the area of Morningstar Mill at Decew Falls on some of the best trails around.
Is sledding or tobogganing more your family’s thing? Tobogganing is a great outdoor experience offering classic family fun. There are some parks perfect for tobogganing in St. Catharines so get bundled up, grab your sled and head out to these hills: Ontario Jaycee Garden Park at 543 Ontario St.; Pic Leeson Park at 120 Dunvean Rd.; Burgoyne Woods Park at 70 Edgedale Rd.; and Glenridge Quarry at 1860 Sir Isaac Brock Way.
Photo by Genevre Arsovsky.
Fun and Games
Gather up the gang at Niagara’s premier entertainment venue, Parkway Social in St. Catharines, for some family-friendly competition with bragging rights on line. Level up Family Day weekend with 10-pin bowling and laser tag. Go for a new high score on more than 40 games in the arcade and cash in as many tickets as you can for great prizes. Grab a bite to eat and drinks to sip at Parkway’s newly renovated restaurant.
For more than 60 years, Parkway has been the go-to spot to play, laugh and make unforgettable memories in Niagara, no matter the occasion and is sure to be an exciting time for all ages.
Friday, February 16
Niagara River Lions PA Day Camp
The Niagara River Lions PA Day Clinic is an excellent way to keep the youngsters ages seven to nine occupied during their day off from school and fine tune their basketball skills. This one-day clinic offers a fun and engaging range of basketball related skills and drills. Clinics are run by River Lions coaches with appearances by players in the River Lions organization. All PA Day Clinic registrants will receive a t-shirt, swag bag and ticket to a future River Lions home game.
Go, Dogs. Go!
Cheer the Niagara IceDogs on in Ontario Hockey League action against the Oshawa Generals at the Meridian Centre in Downtown St. Catharines. The puck drops at 7 p.m.
Derek Seguin: Nap. Laugh. Repeat.
Comedy superstar Derek Seguin is touring Canada with his hysterical new show to celebrate his 20th year as a professional joke teller. The ‘Nap. Laugh. Repeat.’ shows stops at the FirstOntario Performing Arts Centre Saturday, February 16. The laughs start at 8 p.m.
This show is not for younger audiences.
Saturday, February 17
Get fresh at the Farmers Market
Since the early 1860s, the St. Catharines Farmers Market has been offering a vibrant farm-to-table experience. Winter markets are a great way to get fresh, locally-grown produce, even in the middle of winter, unique handcrafted items and much more. The St. Catharines Farmers Market is indoors so you don’t have to worry about the weather. Just dress warmly and enjoy browsing the stalls for the best of Niagara’s bounty.
Open from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Breakfast with Dunkin and Friends
Join Niagara River Lions mascot Dunkin and friends for breakfast this Family Day weekend.
This breakfast, presented by Crimestoppers of Niagara, will include breakfast, face painting, a photobooth, colouring station, and high fives from your favourite mascots. One hundred per cent of all ticket sales will be donated to the River Lions ‘Stubs for Cubs’ Program.
Each child (13 and under) in attendance will receive a free swag bag. Limited spots available!
The Glorious Sons
Canadian rock group The Glorious Sons wrap up their multi-city Glory tour at Meridian Centre Saturday, February 17. The two-time JUNO award winning band will rock Niagara from Downtown St. Catharines with special guest Brother Elsey. The concert starts at 8 p.m.
This show may not be for younger audiences.
Sunday, February 18
Go, Dogs. Go!
Cheer the Niagara IceDogs on in another Ontario Hockey League game. The IceDogs take on the Brantford Bulldogs in a Sunday matinee at the Meridian Centre in Downtown St. Catharines.
The puck drops at 2 p.m.
Monday, February 19
Family Day at the FirstOntario Performing Arts Centre
The FirstOntario Performing Arts Centre has a full agenda of free and ticketed Family Day activities from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. that everyone is sure to enjoy.
The lobby will be filled with origami as Bravo! Niagara leads an effort to build a display featuring 1,000 paper cranes as it prepares for the world premiere of the ballet Kimiko’s Pearl later this year. Other activities include a Family Tree Community Art Project; Classic Cartoons and Cereal at The Film House and more.
Don’t miss the Drama Garden by Carousel Players, five separate activity stations for families to explore; Niagara Symphony Orchestra presentation of Postcards From A Blue Planet, a love letter to our home planet that takes listeners on a musical adventure of diverse biospheres; and No Excuses, No Limits By ILL-ABILITIES, An International Breakdance Crew comprised of an all-star team of seven of the world’s best differently-abled dancers.
Family Day at the Museum
Drop in to the St. Catharines Museum and Welland Canals Centre from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. for its most popular tour of the year.
Open to the public only once a year, this is your chance to tour the St. Catharines Museum’s collection vaults. Activities are available for the whole family throughout the day, including exciting children’s programs. The museum will release more information regarding programs and collections tours closer to Family Day weekend.
