Here’s looking at you, Toronto: City’s 183rd birthday among weekend festivities

If you are celebrating a birthday on March 6, you’re not the only one. Toronto turns 183 years old on Monday, and there’s lots going on in the city this weekend to celebrate the momentous occasion.

If you are planning to take the TTC to the various events, keep in mind that Line 4 (Sheppard-Yonge) will be shut down for track work.

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Events

Happy 183rd birthday, Toronto!
The City of Toronto has come a long way since its incorporation on March 6, 1834. Just take a walk about to see the diverse neighbourhoods and its unique offerings.

 

Torontonians and visitors to the city will converge at Nathan Phillips Square on Sunday and Monday to celebrate the city’s past, present and future. On Sunday, from noon to 6 p.m., the square will turn into a market and a food truck zone, featuring tasty and diverse food the city is known for. You can also leave a birthday wish for your city.

Then on Monday evening, the square will turn into a skating party, with music supplied by DJ Caff. From 6 p.m. to 10:30 p.m., you can skate, dance and roam the market and food trucks.

HotDocs Curious Minds Weekend
Experience three-days of on-stage, in-depth discussions at the HotDocs Ted Rogers Cinema Curious Minds Weekend.

The event runs Friday through Sunday and features a wide range of innovative thinkers, exploring urgent and exciting issues. Some of the topics include “Who You Are is Gorgeous,” “Writing Canadian History,” “American Politics in the Age of Trump,” and “How to Make a Difference.”

Weekend passes, individual and VIP tickets are available.

Study and Go Abroad Fair Toronto
It’s the time of year when students and those looking to go back to school start applying to universities and colleges. And if you are interested in studying outside of Canada, representatives from the top universities around the world will be at Metro Convention Centre on Sunday to answer your questions.

The fair takes place from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. with free seminars offered starting at noon.

Game of Thrones Live Concert Experience
“Music is coming.” Immerse yourself in the sights and sounds of Westeros at the Game of Thrones Live Concert Experience.

Using state-of-the-art technology, Game of Thrones composer Ramin Djawadi, along with a full orchestra and choir, will take fans on a musical journey through the realm. The Emmy and Golden Globe-winning show is an epic story of treachery and nobility based on the fantasy book series by George R.R. Martin.

The GoT Live Concert Experience tour began its journey on Feb. 20 and wraps up on April 2. The Toronto show takes place at 8 p.m. at the Air Canada Centre.

Party on Ice
Toronto is not the only one marking a milestone this weekend. In celebration of Finland’s independence in 1917, the Toronto Finnish Language School is hosting a family skating party to celebrate the 100-year centenary.

The two-hour party starts at 3:30 p.m. at the Mattamy Athletic Centre, formerly known as the Maple Leafs Gardens and now home to Ryerson Rams varsity hockey, basketball and volleyball teams, as well as a fitness centre.

You can skate on the same ice that the Maple Leafs once skated on during their victorious years. There will also be face painting and other fun activities for the kids.

Tickets are $12 a person but children under two can attend for free.

Winter Wonderland
Ever wonder how animals at the Toronto Zoo adapt to the cold, snowy weather in the wintertime? This weekend, the zoo is hosting a Winter Wonderland program to let you in on all the animals’ secrets.

 

Some love the cold, while others have special tricks for surviving the winter months, including wearing special coats of fat, fur or feathers; leaving for warmer places; or taking a long winter’s nap.

Sugarbush Maple Syrup Festival
Celebrate the arrival of spring at the Sugarbush Maple Syrup Festival.

The event runs from March 4 to April 2, with four locations to choose from, including the Kortright Centre for Conservation in Vaughan, Bruce’s Mill Conservation Area in Stouffville, Terra Cotta Conservation Area in Halton Hills and Island Lake Conservation Area in Orangeville.

Weekend and March Break activities include sugarbush demonstrations, maple syrup sampling, wagon rides, and birds of prey. The festival supports the work of Toronto and Region Conservation and Credit Valley Conservation.

Guests are asked to bring hats and gloves, as the group will spend time outside exploring the animals. Winter Wonderland runs from 9:30 to 3:30 p.m. on Saturday.

TTC closure

Partial subway shutdown
If you live in North York and are planning to head downtown this weekend, or if you need to head up there, you’re not going to like this.

Subways won’t be running on Line 4 (Sheppard-Yonge) on Saturday and Sunday due to track work. Shuttle buses will be running. Riders who require Wheel-Trans buses can request it from any TTC staff member.

Regular service will resume at 6 a.m. on Monday.