Victoria Day signals the unofficial start of the summer season. Skip the cottage traffic and make plans to savour the long weekend vibes in Vaughan! With so much to see and do – from fantastic fireworks to fun-filled festivals – there is plenty to enjoy for everyone. 

Whether you’re looking for malls to shop at, patios to dine on, or a hotel for an overnight getaway – or all of the above – we’ve put together a list of some of the great things to do this Victoria Day long weekend. Nothing quite says summer like Vaughan!

Vaughan’s event calendar is always jam-packed and Victoria Day long weekend is no exception. Check out the list below of festivals and activities you don’t want to miss! 

• Vaughan Ribfest at Assembly Park (80 Interchange Way) from Friday, May 15 to Monday, May 18 

• The Village Market at Waldorf (9100 Bathurst St.) on Saturday, May 16 

• Artful Yoga at The McMichael Canadian Art Collection (10365 Islington Ave.) on Saturday, May 16 

• Once Upon a Time at The Village at Black Creek (1000 Murray Ross Pkwy.) from May 16 to 17 

• Fireworks at Canada’s Wonderland (1 Canada’s Wonderland Dr.) on Sunday, May 17 

• Victoria Day Greater Toronto Card Show (140 Jevlan Dr.) on Monday, May 18 

To see all events taking place in Vaughan, head over to our events calendar.

Home to malls with your favourite brands, fabulous boutiques, and specialty stores staffed with experts, Vaughan is full of opportunities for retail therapy.  

Vaughan Mills (1 Bass Pro Mills Dr.) is one of Canada’s largest indoor shopping centres. You don’t have to worry about early closing times or holiday shutdowns because as a tourist attraction, Vaughan Mills is open on most holidays, including Victoria Day! Within Vaughan Mills is Bass Pro Shops Outdoor World, where you can pick up all of the summer essentials for any of your favourite outdoor activities.  

Visit one of Vaughan’s many Main Street shopping hubs, such as Kleinburg Village or Woodbridge Avenue, which are home to some incredible artisan and one-of-a-kind boutiques. If you’re looking for a mix of indoor and outdoor shopping, visit Promenade Mall (1 Promenade Cir.) and its surrounding shops in the heart of Thornhill. 

For more recommendations on where to shop until you drop, head to our shopping directory.  

Vaughan is home to more than 800 restaurants, cafés and bars where you can enjoy flavours from all around the world.  

Whether you’re looking for a breakfast restaurant that even the pickiest eaters will love or somewhere open late for a romantic post-dinner cocktail, this city has what you’re looking for. Early birds can find fresh baked pastries from bakeries. 

Check out our restaurant directory for some of the local favourite spots! 

The Victoria Day long weekend is one of your last chances to Build the Thrill at LEGOLAND Discovery Centre (1 Bass Pro Mills Dr.). Bring your family and take part in so many great activities, including creating a minifigure driving and building the ultimate race car before putting them through their paces!  

Sunday, May 17 is also Free Family Sundays at the McMichael Canadian Art Collection (10365 Islington Ave.), where you can enjoy themed family-friendly activities and art workshops, all included in the cost of admission.   

Check out all of the other amazing Vaughan attractions – from indoor glow-in-the-dark mini putt at Putting Edge (7621 Weston Rd.) and rock climbing at Steel Peak (231 Trade Valley Dr.) to outdoor walking trails at Kortright Centre for Conservation (9550 Pine Valley Dr.) or North Maple Regional Park (11085 Keele St.).  

Vaughan is a great day trip destination, but it’s an even better weekend getaway! With so much fun in store and so many places to explore, 24 hours simply isn’t enough. Make the most of your visit by planning an overnight stay at one of our many incredible hotels and inns with amenities like electric car charging, indoor pools and free hot breakfast. Check out our accommodations directory for a wide range of amazing places to stay to recharge and make the most of your long weekend in Vaughan!  

As you explore all that Vaughan has to offer, don’t forget to tag us at #VisitVaughan and follow us on Instagram at @visitvaughan!