Museums, mermaids and maple, oh my! Warm up to March events

Spring time is the right time to crawl out of hibernation and start to enjoy events across South Eastern Ontario again! Read on for fun and exciting events in stunning destinations like peaceful watercolour painting, boat shows, exploring the night sky, going green, meeting sheep, and loads of live music. March into spring in South Eastern Ontario!

Throughout March: Kingstonlicious Prix Fixe Menus
The best food the city has to offer! The city’s premier culinary festival sees prix fixe menus, inspiring dishes and enchanting evenings.

Throughout March: Celebrate Maple Season in PEC

Embark on a Maple Adventure in Prince Edward County this March, as local sugar bushes fire up the evaporators and make liquid gold: maple syrup. Whether it’s pancakes breakfasts, taffy on snow or tasting freshly-boiled maple syrup, Maple Madness and Maple in the County are sure to sweeten up your month.

Weekends in March: Maple Madness at Little Cataraqui Creek
Celebrate Canada’s first harvest of the year: maple syrup! Take a deep dive into this iconic sweet at Little Cataraqui Creek Conservation Area, by riding on a tractor-drawn wagon into the sugarbush to learn about syrup-making and enjoy pancakes! Please note that online registration is required.

March 1 to 16: Enchanting Mermaid Encounters at the Aquatarium in Brockville
Make March enchanting by visiting the Mermaids at the Aquatarim! Dive into an underwater adventure to engage with mermaids on land and in water. Look for mermaid-themed activities, underwater performances, mermaid stories and more! More than 30 local businesses are even offering exclusive discounts, goodies and family activities. Sign up for the pass to discover participating businesses and plan to attend!

March 7: International Women’s Day Showcase with Miss Emily
Renowned musician, Miss Emily, will lead the celebration of this special day at the Broom Factory in Kingston! See female musicians take the stage, take part in a moderated fireside chat that explores songwriting and challenges in the music industry.

March 7 to 9: Quinte Sportsman Boat & RV Show
Kick off the upcoming season at Ontario’s favourite outdoor and adventure show. From March 7 to 9, dealers and company reps from across the province will be on hand at Quinte Sports and Wellness Centre to answer questions about hunting, boating, fishing, camping and RVing. Don’t miss it!

March 7: Red Dirt Skinners in Kemptville
Multi-award winning, multi-instrumentalist husband and wife team of Rob and Sarak Skinner will fill the Urbandale Arts Centre in Kemptville with harmonies and good music. Described by Root Music Canada as, “The Pink Floyd of Folk Music”! 

March 7: International Women’s Day in Gananoque

Join the Town of Gananoque and 1000 Islands Gananoque Chamber of Commerce on Friday, March 7 from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. at the Dockside Restaurant & Gift Shop, to support the amazing women in Gananoque and area, as well as accelerate action for women and girls everywhere.

March 8 and 9: Elevage in PEC
Unique and memorable, Elevage in Prince Edward County gets to the heart of wine making and tasting. With 10 separate Elevage Tastings, guests will experience the wine aging process between fermentation and bottling. Unforgettable and delicious - it’s a perfect rite of spring in PEC.

March Break activities in South Eastern Ontario 

Bring learning and doing to a new level.

March 9: Quinte West Family Fest

Facepainting, kids activities and family fun are on the menu at the Quinte West Family Fest at the Batawa Community Centre. Kick off March Break with this free event complete with a pancake breakfast, live entertainment and crafts!

March 10 to 14: March of the Museums
Free admission and activities alert! At March of the Museums in Kingston, local galleries, historic sites, museums and more are no charge for kids and parents. We’re talking Fort Henry, Great Lakes Museum, the Military Communications and Electronics Museums, The Museum of Healthcare at Kingston and many more!

March 10 to 14: March Break at Happy Little Farmstead
Visit the farm with special themed activities all week long! From learning about milk to meeting the chickens and ducks, to having fun with wooly friends and being a farmer for a day, Happy Little Farmstead near Spencerville is the place to be! Book ahead or drop in; regular admission price applies.

March 10 to 14: March Break at the Brockville Museum
Get hands on this March Break at the Brockville Museum! With touch tables, Victorian photo booth, matching activities, design-a-poster, toy trains, and discovery kits the museum is creating engaging heritage activities front and centre this March!

March 10 to 14: March Break activities at Museum of L&A
From eco-house building to a drumming workshop, the Museum of L&A is set to add some fun and learning to March Break! Each day is something different from games to painting. Check it out and plan to attend - you might gain some new skills, but you’ll definitely have a blast.

March 11 to 14: March Break Family Workshop, Cooper Marsh
Free March Break family workshops are being hosted at Cooper Marsh Conservation Area in SDG Counties! Join the River Institute and the Raisin Region Conservation for a series of free workshops  where children and their caregivers can drop in to learn about winter ecology through hands-on educational activities!

March 11: Taylor’s Story: A Tribute to Taylor Swift in Brockville

With Shannon as your guide, immerse yourself in the music of Taylor Swift and be spellbound at the Brockville Arts Centre. Performing Swift’s big hits, audiences experience the magic of a Taylor concert, complete with the energy and flair that makes Taylor so enchanting.

March 12: March of Museums, Bath 
As part of March of the Museums, the Bath Museum is hosting a scavenger hunt and art-st-led craft activity that’s totally free! Learn about local heritage as a family while exploring the museum’s fascinating collection during the scavenger hunt.

And onwards to more spring events in South Eastern Ontario

March 15: Famous People Players Twist and Shout
This show is a five-star rated Canadian black light puppetry theatre performance! It’s a magical fundraising performance for CVNQuinte, a leader in supporting adults with developmental disabilities in the Quinte Region.

March 15 and 29: Tributes at The Port Theatre in Cornwall

These live music tributes will rock you! On March 15, Queen Flash, a Queen tribute group with light up the stage while on March 29, the Foreigner tribute rock show, Foreigner Forever will bring their music to life at the historic Port Theatre, which is celebrating more than 80 years of live performances.

March 15: Vancouver Symphony Orchestra at The Isabel
Witness the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra take the stage! The third largest symphony orchestra in Canada and the largest performing arts organization in Western Canada, the VSO performs 140 concerts per season and even broadcasts on the CBC. This is your chance to see the VSO live and in person in Kingston.

March 15: Moonlight Ski/Snowshoe Upper Canada Bird Sanctuary
How magical: ski or snowshoe under the moonlight at the Upper Canada Migratory Bird Sanctuary in SDG Counties. This is a weather permitting event; rentals are available.

March 15: St. Patrick’s Day Party in SDG Counties
Live music by Ceilidh Drovers, homemade Irish stew, and a chance to win a prize?! Sign us up! Taking place at the Glen Robertson Recreation Centre, the most original green outfit wins at this festive event—tickets are $25 in advance or $30 at the door.

March 16: The Allure of Watercolour at Priest Mill Arts Centre
Crystal Beshara, sought-after watercolour artist and international educator, will be offering an introduction to the unique allure of watercolour painting that captivates both beginners and seasoned artists. Set for 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Priest Mill Arts Centre in Alexandria, this will be an intimate class with personal attention. 

March 16 to 27: Spring at Wintergreen Studios
Forge connections and step into nature at Wintergreen Studios. Four events are coming in March here: Spring Open House and Spring Equinox Labyrinth Walk on March 16; March Open Trails on March 18 and Hand Shadows, a Virtual Book Launch on March 27. Be inspired at a workshop, book the lodge for a group gathering or find peace in the woodland cabins at Wintergreen.

March 20: Big Lake Arts Fest

Big Lake Arts Fest is welcoming Bridge & Wolak at the Drake Devonshire Pavilion in PEC! This musical duo also performs improv comedy! The show, Scandalous Romantics, is their take on stories behind celebrity music stars, specifically featuring their lapses in judgment. They are known for their talent and humour, playing digital accordion, clarinet and piano. An instant audience favourite!

March 22: David R. Maracle and Friends
One time only - Base31 is proudly hosting a celebration of David R. Maracle’s artistic achievement. Highlighting David’s musical career and launching his first vinyl album, he will also reveal his first coffee table book. Be there to meet the artist!

March 23: Great Kingston Slider Showdown
It’s burger vs. burger! Sample sliders crafted for the showdown by Burger 347 and Otter Creek Kitchen. Then vote for your favourite and be there to crown the slider champ. This is the ultimate burger rivalry!

March 27 to April 13: Countylicious
Savour and celebrate the local culinary scene at Countylicious in PEC! The rich flavours of the County shine with prix-fixe menus for lunch and dinner crafted by local chefs and farmers. Dig in and enjoy!

March 27 to April 13: The Wayside Motor Inn at Pinnacle Playhouse
Presented by the Belleville Theatre Guild, this performance is not to be missed! Set in a suburban motel in the 1970s, The Wayside Motor Inn tells five stories taking place at the same time on stage.

March 28 and 29: Laser Guided Dark Sky Tour
The season is ramping up again at the Dark Sky Viewing Area! The first laser guided night of the year is set for the end of March. These free events are popular and start about an hour after dusk. After the tour, get the chance to look through a telescope!

March 28 to 30: The Legend of Gordon Lightfoot, Morrisburg
A sensational tribute to Gordon Lightfoot awaits as Leisa Way & The Wayward Wind Band celebrate his greatest hits live at the Upper Canada Playhouse!

March 29: Songs in Conversation with Gentle Sparrow, Delta
Witness Gentle Sparrow’s soulful voice and hypnotic guitar cast a spell over the Bastard Coffee House in Delta. In conversation with musician Pat Johnson, two will chat about songwriting and share music. The man behind Gentle Sparrow is composer and veteran musician Robbie Teehan, a four-time JUNO and eight-time Canadian Folk Music Award nominee. Join for an evening of song and stories!

March 30: Steep and Savour in Kingston

Did you know that premium tea compliments cheese? Tea sommelier Kaoru at Cha Cha Tea is planning an unforgettable tea and cheese pairing experience, along with Emma of Flight Cheese Shop. Sip and savour this unique combination!

March 30: Tea & Fashion Show in Lansdowne
Join in the fun at the Lansdowne Community Building - enjoy a cup of tea and some sweets while viewing delightful new fashions from local businesses. All proceeds go to the Leeds & Grenville Interval House.

With so much to see and do, March in South Eastern Ontario is sure to put a spring in your step! What will you do first?