Spring is just around the corner! Get out and about this month and revel in a season of rejuvenation and renewal. South Eastern Ontario has lots of activities to help welcome back the warmth. Read on for 21 events to celebrate in our communities!
But wait! There’s more: for loads of March Break events and ideas, read here.
Bay of Quinte
1. Quinte Sportsman Boat and RV Show
Ontario’s favourite outdoors show! The Quinte Sportsman Boat and RV Show is set for March 8 to 10 at the Quinte Sports and Wellness Centre. This year is the 24th annual event and is welcoming dealers and reps from across the province diving into fishing, hunting, boating, camping, RVing and so much more!
Prince Edward County
2. Stout Fest
Good beers and friendly neighbours – what’s not to love?! The second annual Stout Fest at Prince Eddy’s is gearing up for fun March 2, and this brew and food gathering will have a delicious option for everyone from Imperials, Irish Stouts to pastries and Barrel Aged, admission is free and it’s a family-friendly event. (Psst! We hear there will also be non-stout beer options + non-alcoholic beverages available too!)
3. Maple Madness
Celebrate all things maple in Prince Edward County! Explore The County in March by treating your taste buds every Saturday and Sunday as PEC businesses cook, create and curate maple. Alongside liquid gold, experience a sugarbush, get friendly with alpacas, and traipse a winery trail. Discover your sweet side in PEC!
4.Três Pássaros: Big Lake Winter Concerts
Put a spring in your step as the Big Lake Winter Festival concert series welcomes Três Pássaros (Three Birds), a new project by Karl Silveira, making one of its first appearances at Drake Devonshire. On March 7, Silveira on trombone, Andre Valerio on guitar, and Aidan McConnell on drums and percussion will take the stage for an energizing performance.
5. Maple in the County
Savour a pancake breakfast dripping with fresh maple syrup, and indulge in maple taffy on snow as Maple in the County makes its return March 23 and 24! This authentic sugarbush experience is a local favourite with good reason. Learn how maple syrup is made straight from the producers at five sweet sugarbushes!
Lennox & Addington
6. Tuesday Night at the Museum: Stephen Medd
Join the Museum of Lennox & Addington for March’s Tuesday Night at the Museum on an exploration of local folk songs and the stories behind them with Stephen Medd. Set for March 19 at 7 p.m. Stephen will be exploring local folk songs and the stories behind them! Cost is $3 per person and the show is best suited for people aged 13 and up.
Frontenac County
7. Elbow Lake Family Days
Outdoor activities for the whole family to enjoy! Join in the fun on March 13 and 14 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Elbow Lake Environmental Education Centre to explore the natural world. Learn about winter ecology, join in some outdoor games, investigate the winter survival of animals, recognizing tracks, and so much more! Feel free to bring your own exploration equipment or borrow our GPSs, binoculars, and field guides. Hot chocolate and treats available, but bring your own lunch. Registration is required. Event run by the Queen’s University Biological Station.
Kingston
8. Kingston Canadian Film Festival
Did you know that this popular festival is the largest in the world dedicated solely to Canadian film? The Kingston Canadian Film Festival is back until March 3 at screening locations around downtown Kingston! This whirlwind of movies and special events ignite discussion and is a refreshing film experience. Check out the schedule and venues – see you there!
9. Kingstonlicious
This culinary wonderwall continues until the end of March at participating restaurants, breweries and markets! Look for a premier prix fixe culinary experience, featuring local chefs and special guests, mouth-watering menus and signature events. Two special events coming up in March showcase Black Dog Tavern and the The Royal Hotel as well as Ontario Cidermakers on March 4 by pairing local cuisine with a variety of Ontario ciders. This event features a delectable surf and turf menu! Next on March 27, the Wharf & Feather and DiaLo are joining forces for a dining experience to spotlight new Asian flavours. This culinary team is one to behold: Chef Pankaj Bhatt of Wharf & Feather welcomes Chef Nick Liu of Toronto restaurant DaiLo, plus Kingston’s Chez Piggy Chef Rich Nicholas.
10. Art exhibits at the Agnes Etherington Art Centre
Get inspired! View, marvel and contemplate seven exhibits and installations that are running until the end of March. From Ethiopian art to a sculptural solo presentation and from tattoos telling stories of authenticity, to ordinary but iconic landmarks, the Agnes is buzzing with exhibits that promote thought and discussion.
1000 Islands Rideau Canal Waterway
11. Sing it Loud!
This celebration of women’s voices at The Cove Inn in Westport coincides with International Women’s Day and features vocal workshops, choir singing, spa treatments, lots of brilliant food and fun, yoga and even guest speaker: Maple Blues Female Vocalist of the Year award winner, Miss Emily! Raise your voice March 4 to 7 and enjoy singing it loud, presented by Water|Wood Experiences.
12. Fire station tour in Prescott
Heat up your March break! On Tuesday, March 12 from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. enjoy a free visit and tour of the fire station in Prescott! Learn about fire safety, prevention and explore the trucks. This EarlyON program is also available in Brockville and Athens. See the schedule here and register soon by visiting an EarlyON CFC location or by calling 1-866-433-8933 Ext. 2374. For parents, caregivers and children birth to 6 years old.
13. Looking ahead: Family-Friendly Eclipse Astronomer Demo
The Rideau Lakes Public Library is ready to make the most of the once-in-a-lifetime solar eclipse event in April! The week before the eclipse, on Tuesday, April 2, 2024, Rideau Lakes Public Library is hosting an all-ages talk about the eclipse with Canadian amateur astronomer, Frank Hitchens! Mark your calendars and be ready to learn about the cosmic choreography of solar eclipses, as well as about Mars.
14. Free Gardening Workshops
Country Roads Community Health Centre in Portland has some free gardening workshops coming up this month to get your green thumb going! On March 14 instructor David Alguire will look at Getting Started: picking your garden type and what to plant, while on March 28 the topic will be Ensuring Productive Success. Register and get growing this spring!
15.Mermaids of March
Be enchanted by underwater adventure as you engage with mermaids at the Aquatarium in Brockville! This extraordinary experience includes thrilling underwater performances, immersive mermaid-themed activities, enchanting mermaid stories, and so much more. Tickets are required!
16. March at the Brockville Public Library
From a Bluey party to tween crafts, a felt plushie workshop to a fancy dress party and even a sticker swap, the Brockville Public Library has a host of fun events planned for March. Grab some little friends and head over to discover the fun at the library! Note that some events require registration.
17. BAC to the Movies
Enjoy family movies at the Brockville Arts Centre over March Break such as Trolls, Lyle Lye Crocodile, Wonka and more! Curtains up on savings: shows are only $5 for kids under 14-years-old! Couple reduced pricing with lots of showtimes and the Brockville Arts Centre is making it a March Break to remember.
18. Brockville Museum extended hours
During March Break, the Brockville Museum will be open Monday to Friday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. from March 11 to 15. Explore the Museum’s exhibits with the all-new Discovery Kit! Be the first to check out the museum’s new temporary Quilting Memories exhibit. Admission is by donation! Find out more and see you there.
19. Dogs Do Magic
These mind-reading, acrobatic dogs will steal the show – and your heart! Witness an unforgettable evening of magic, comedy and canine hijinks featuring some of Canada’s top variety entertainers at the Aultsville Theatre in Cornwall on March 23 at 7:30 p.m.
20. Sheepdogs: Backroad Boogie Tour
Canada’s Juno Award-winning Sheepdogs will be rocking the Aultsville Theatre on March 27 at 7:30 p.m.! With a classic rock foundation, three-part harmonies and loads of guitar, Sheepdogs’ singles from Outta Sight spent 90 weeks with at least one song in the top 20 on Canadian Rock radio. See them live in Cornwall and be ready to rock.
21. Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day
Join together for some fun with music, community and food on March 17 from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. with The Gallaghers in Russell at the Dr. Frank Kinnaird Community Centre. Get your green on at this fun event – admission by free will donation! Hosted by the Russell and District Historical Society, it’s sure to be a blast!
Usher in spring with some refreshing community events in South Eastern Ontario!
The information provided here is current at the time of publication and is subject to change. Please check websites for listings of upcoming events, costs, availability and weather conditions that may affect operations.
