Here’s a look at what’s open and closed as people head to cottage country for the Victoria Day long weekend.

What's open on Monday:

  • Tanger Outlet, Vaughan Mills Mall, Orillia Square Mall and Upper Canada Mall
  • Movie theatres
  • Most restaurants
  • Some grocery stores and pharmacies
  • Canada's Wonderland

What's closed on Monday:

  • Georgian Mall
  • LCBO and Beer Stores
  • Schools
  • Most banks
  • Public libraries
  • Most recreation centres
  • Most federal, municipal, and provincial buildings
  • Post offices

Transit:

  • Barrie Transit will have no service
  • Orillia Transit will have no service
  • Midland Transit will have no service
  • GO Transit will run on a Saturday schedule

 

Events to check out this weekend

Blue Mountains Tour of the Arts
Date:      Saturday, May 18 & Sunday, May 19
Location: Blue Mountains – Various locations
Details:    Meet local artists as they open their studios to the public on this free self-guided studio tour. From Craigleith, Thornbury, Clarksburg and a short drive south to Kimberley, you will find 10 studios open, some with guest artists. Each one welcomes you to discuss their art, watch demonstrations where appropriate and make a connection with the artists who live and work in your own community. There is something for everyone on this tour-sculpture, paintings, photography, jewelry, fabric art, pottery, glasswork. Look for the red and white signs around town and pick up a brochure from any of the studios or local businesses. It’s always a busy weekend along with other fun activities. 

Marsh Mash
Date:      Saturday, May 18 starting at 8am
Location: Bradford - Westside Community Church - 1466 Rupke Road
Details:    The Marsh Mash Canoe and Kayak Race is the 4th oldest Marathon Canoe Race in Ontario.
    It is just one of several Marathon Canoe Races that are sanctioned by the Ontario Marathon Canoe and Kayak Racing Association (OMCKRA). The race attracts Canoeists, Kayakers, Stand Up Paddleboarders, and Outrigger Paddlers from all over the province. There are a great number of classes and a choice of Race Distances. The New Canal (that surrounds the Holland Marsh) provides one of the best canoe racing courses in Ontario. It is a very safe course, and we are extremely safety conscious. There are classes for paddlers with very little canoe racing experience, and there are classes for very competitive paddlers. The course itself provides great stretches of open water (the canal is approx. 2.8m deep throughout). There are no rocks, no rapids, no portages - there may be a few weeds. The race start and finish are at the same spot with plenty of free parking and washrooms. Sanctioned by the Ontario Canoe Kayak Racing Association.

Muskoka 2/4 Craft Beer Festival
Date:      Saturday, May 18 from 11am to 6pm
Location: Huntsville - River Mill Park – Located at the corner of West & Queen Streets.
Details:    The Downtown Huntsville BIA is excited to announce that plans are underway to host the fourth annual Muskoka 2-4 Craft Beer Festival on Saturday May 18th.  This festival will showcase some of the best craft beer that our region and province has to offer. Located in Downtown Huntsville’s River Mill Park, patrons will enjoy a view of the beautiful Muskoka River as they take in a day of sampling some exceptional craft beer and listen to some amazing local bands.   Must be 19 years of age to purchase drink tickets. Want to bring the family? Under 12s get in free. Kids aged 12-18 can purchase a $10 ticket granting admission to the event.

Start 'Em Up Long-Weekend Launch at Friday Harbour Resort
Date:      Saturday, May 18 to Monday, May 20
Location: Innisfil – Friday Harbour Resort - 311 Big Bay Point Rd.
Details:    Summer has arrived at Friday Harbour Resort! Check out our classic car show featuring the Barrie Thunder Classics and Innisfil Beach Cruisers Car Club, live music on the Pier, fun family entertainment, buskers, food trucks, wagon rides, and a local vendor market!

Uke Fest
Date:      Friday, May 17 to Sunday, May 19
Location: Midland – Midland Cultural Centre - 333 King St
Details:    Each year the Midland Cultural Centre hosts this annual ukulele festival in beautiful downtown Midland. This 3-day festival, the first Uke Fest in Ontario, allows ukulele players of all ages to participate in workshops, jam sessions, concerts and all things ukulele-based. With a diverse, lively, educational range of workshops presented by a host of skilled, dynamic workshop leaders, catering to every Uke skill level from beginner to advanced, Midland Uke Fest offers a unique, one-of-a-kind experience for every type of ukulele aficionado!

2nd Annual ButterTart Festival
Date:      Saturday, May 18 from 8am to 1pm
Location: Orillia - Orillia Fairgrounds Market - 4500 Fairgrounds Road
Details:    We know that EVERYONE loves butter tarts…especially when they are homemade, ooey-gooey, bursting with flavour and beautifully finished with a flaky crust! The Orillia Fairgrounds Farmers’ Market will be hosting butter tarts of all kinds on the Saturday of the Victoria Day Weekend!   Plus, we will be holding a Butter Tart Contest to determine who the best Butter Tart Maker is!

Cottage Country-Con
Date:      Sunday, May 19 from 10am to 6pm
Location: Orillia - Best Western Mariposa Conference Centre - 400 Memorial Avenue
Details:    Cottage Country Comic-Con strives to be Ontario's best and truest comic con featuring fandoms of multiple genres. As long-time fans of comic books, toys, pop-culture, wrestling, cosplay, animation, sci-fi and fantasy, the promoter wanted to bring that style event to Orillia. The show will have over 100 exhibitors that cater to a wide-spectrum of interests including comic books, magazines, toys, games, movies, wrestling, television, anime, manga, cosplay, artwork, sketches and apparel plus much more. In addition, a roster of comic industry professionals and fandom-related celebrities are in attendance for attendees to meet and greet. This will be one show not to miss!

Portarama Family Festival
Date:      Thursday, May 16 to Sunday, May 19
Location: Port McNicoll – Various Locations
Details:    An annual family-oriented Victoria Day weekend celebration featuring family day games, artisan market, and a parade on Saturday, on Sunday there will be a Pancake Breakfast as well and the Soapbox Derby and much more.

Victoria Day Fireworks at Canada's Wonderland
Date:      Sunday, May 19 at 10pm
Location: Vaughan - Canada's Wonderland - 9580 Jane Street
Details:    On select dates throughout the 2019 season, Canada's Wonderland will present its spectacular fireworks display when the Park closes at 10:00pm (weather permitting). Spend your day enjoying over 70 awesome rides, including the all-new thrill ride Yukon Striker and then settle in for an explosive fireworks display. Each of our fireworks shows has a unique, custom-design set to an original soundtrack that you won’t find anywhere else in Toronto! More than 375 people hours go into designing and mounting the show, with 11 separate firing positions and 1,800 firing cues creating a spectacular display atop of our iconic Wonder Mountain. For approximately 15 minutes, you’ll witness over 6,000 colourful explosions, reaching heights of over 800 feet, which is sure to ignite thrills for guests of all ages. Please note that the fireworks start at approximately 10:00pm. Certain rides are subject to close early on these dates.