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The Best Maple Syrup Festivals Near Mississauga 2024


Are you looking for the best maple syrup festivals near Mississauga? If you are ready for some sweet, sticky, and absolutely delicious fun, you have come to the right place!

With spring just around the corner, it’s time to start thinking about that truly Canadian family activity: the maple syrup festivals! From sugary-sweet pancakes to warm and gooey taffy, these festivals are a celebration of all things maple syrup and an experience you won’t want to miss.

We have been taking our kids to maple syrup festivals all over Ontario since they were born, so trust us, we know the good spots! So grab your sweet tooth, wrangle the kids and let’s get ready to discover the best maple syrup festivals near Mississauga.

🍁 When is Maple Syrup Season in Ontario?

Maple syrup season in Ontario typically takes place from late February to early April. This is when the weather is generally warm enough to cause the sap in maple trees to flow.

During this time, the sap is collected and boiled down into maple syrup. The exact dates of maple syrup season can vary depending on the location and weather conditions, but it is definitely a highly anticipated time of year for many families in Ontario.

And with maple syrup season lining up nicely with the kid’s March Break, it’s the perfect way to get them out of the house to enjoy some family time.

Crawford-Lake-Visitors-Center-Gift-Shop-maple-syrup

🍁 What is the Difference Between a Sugar Bush, Sugar Shack or Maple Farm?

We will be referring to these terms throughout this post, so we thought we should clarify what we are talking about!

A sugar bush is a wooded area with maple trees that are tapped for sap during the spring season. A sugar shack is a small cabin or building where the sap collected from the trees is boiled down into maple syrup.

A maple farm is a property or facility that has both a sugar bush and a sugar shack, and may also offer other maple-related products or activities such as maple candy-making or guided tours.

Mountsberg-Maple-Syrup-Festival-candy-cabin

🍁 The Best Maple Syrup Festivals in Mississauga

There is only one large maple syrup festival that actually occurs IN Mississauga, but it’s definitely worth a visit.

1. Maple Magic – Benares Historic House & Bradley Museum

Maple Magic at The Bradley Museum in Mississauga is a must-see event for anyone who loves maple syrup. With so many exciting activities to choose from, you won’t want to miss a thing!

Be sure to check out the interactive learning stations where you can discover the story behind maple syrup. These hands-on exhibits are perfect for both kids and adults to learn about the history and science of maple syrup production, in a fun and engaging way.

Next, it’s time to hit the Maple Trivia Trail. This outdoor activity is a fun way to test your knowledge of all things maple.

The trail is filled with interesting facts and trivia questions, and you’ll have a blast trying to answer them all.

Mountsberg-Maple-Syrup-Festival-Maple-Sugar-Bush-Trivia-Trail-start-sign

Over at the Anchorage Gallery, you can browse through the Maple Exhibit and gift shop. Here you’ll find various maple products, including maple syrup and candies to baked goods and sauces, supplied by Ontario’s very own Voisin’s maple syrup producer.

Maple Syrup Tasting

Of course, no maple festival would be complete without a syrup tasting. And what better way to sample maple syrup, than to have it poured over freshly made fluffy pancakes!

Head over to the Barn and join in on the fun as you enjoy some of the best maple syrup around.

For those looking for a more educational experience, the museum offers an outdoor guided tour of the maple sap line. Led by museum interpreters, this tour is available from 12:15 pm to 3:30 pm.

The-Anchorage-at-Bradley-Museum
Photo Credit: Wikimedia Commons

The tour also includes a Maple Candy and Taffy demo in the Bradley House. It’s the perfect way to learn about the process of making maple syrup from start to finish.

If you have time, be sure to take a tour of the Historic Bradley House. This beautifully restored 1830s home provides a glimpse into the life of a typical family in the 19th century and is something you don’t want to miss.

Address: 1620 Orr Road, Mississauga, ON
Dates: 2024 TBA – 12:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Admission: Child: $6.25 Adult: $9.25 Family: $23.00
Website

🍁 The 9 Best Maple Syrup Festivals Near Mississauga

The following are some of the best maple syrup festivals near Mississauga. Some are just minutes outside of the city, and the rest are under an hour’s drive from Mississauga.

2. Maple Town – Mountsberg Conservation Area

Are you looking for a fun-filled family day out? Look no further than Maple Town at Mountsberg Conservation Area! This annual event offers a variety of day and evening activities to suit all ages.

Heading to Maple Town to celebrate the maple syrup season has always been a family favourite for us. This incredible sugar bush has about 300 sugar maples that they have been tapping for over 40 years!

At Maple Town, you can choose to explore the sugarbush at your own pace or join a guided tour. Learn all about the process of maple syrup production as you witness the sap being transformed into syrup in the evaporator.

Mountsberg-Maple-Syrup-Festival-Kids-watching-cauldron-cooking-say

After exploring the sugarbush, take a break at the fireside lounge or let the kids run wild in the natural playground. And don’t forget to satisfy your sweet cravings with some delicious maple syrup-drizzled pancakes at the Pancake House.

If you’re looking for some souvenirs to take home, the retail store offers a variety of maple products. We usually stock up on this locally-made maple syrup before leaving the park.

Younger kids will enjoy visiting the barn to say hello to the sheep, goats, donkeys, bunnies, chickens and Percheron horses. It’s a great opportunity to learn about farm life and connect with these amazing animals.

Activities for Teens

For those looking for a more immersive experience, book a tour and enjoy a family wagon ride through the sugarbush. Our teenagers enjoyed the opportunity to participate in tree cookie branding as well as getting to sample a maple syrup flight, and taffy-in-the-snow.

Mountsberg-Maple-Syrup-Festival-our-tree-cookie

And if you’re feeling adventurous, round out your visit at Maple Town by exploring all of Mountsberg’s trails, historical sites and the Raptor Centre. It’s a great way to get out and enjoy the beautiful outdoors.

Address: 2259 Milburough Line, Campbellville, ON
Dates: March 4, 2023 – April 9, 2023 (Weekends, Holidays, and March Break)
Admission: Adult: $12.00 +HST, Child (5-14): $8.75 +HST, Child 4 & under: FREE
Website

3. Crawford Lake Sweet Water Season

If you’re looking for a sweet and educational experience that’s both tasty and fun, then a visit to Crawford Lake’s Sweet Water Season is just what you need! Imagine taking a step back in time and learning about how Indigenous people discovered and made maple sugar over 600 years ago.

Explore a reconstructed 15th-century Longhouse Village and witness an interactive and edible Sweet Water demonstration. The First Harvest exhibit at the Deer Clan Longhouse gallery will take you on a journey through the history of Indigenous maple sugaring, from the past to the present.

Crawford-Lake-longhouse

And although the maple sugar festival at Crawford Lake is a little smaller and more low-key, our kids still loved the experience. We fully enjoyed the opportunity to try different grades of maple syrup, the sap, as well as syrup produced from trees that are not maples!

And after all that sweet indulging, you can take a walk around the boardwalk surrounding Crawford Lake’s rare meromictic lake. Kids will love discovering the stunning wooden sculptures of Ontario’s species at risk along the way.

Don’t forget to stop by the gift shop to pick where you will find not only maple syrup products, but a variety of indigenous crafts and clothing.

Address: 3115 Conservation Road, Milton, ON
Dates: March 4, 2023 – April 9, 2023 (Weekends, Holidays, and March Break)
Admission: Adult: $10.50 +HST, Child (5-14): $7.25 +HST, Child 4 & under: FREE
Website

4. Bronte Creek Maple Syrup Festival

Are you a fan of sweet and sticky maple syrup? If so, then you won’t want to miss the Bronte Creek Maple Syrup Festival! This exciting event takes place every year and offers a range of activities for all ages to enjoy.

Start your visit with a guided tour of Maple Lane, where interpreters dressed in 1890s costumes will take you on a journey through history. You’ll get to see the different ways that people collected and made maple syrup back in the day, and learn all about the process of making this delicious syrup.

maple-trees-and-old-fashioned-wheel

The tour ends in the middle of Spruce Lane Farm, where you can learn how to make fresh maple sugar, enjoy a stick of mouthwatering maple taffy, or just say hello to the various farm animals in the yard.

Indoor Activities Too!

Next, head on over to the family activity centre, where kids of all ages can have fun and play lots of exciting games. There’s something for everyone here, so the whole family can get involved and have some fun.

Don’t forget to visit the Spruce Lane Farmhouse. This living history museum recreates life from 1899, allowing you to step back in time and experience what life was like back in those days.

Finally, hop on a wagon that will take you to the Pancake House where you can enjoy fresh, hot pancakes and sausages with pure maple syrup. It’s the perfect way to end your visit and satisfy your sweet tooth.

Prices at the Pancake House range from $6.00 for a small meal to $40.00 for a family platter.

Mountsberg-Maple-Syrup-Festival-pancake-feast

Of course, before you leave, be sure to browse through the maple products and souvenirs available in the Maple Gift Shop. You can purchase a bottle of syrup to take home and enjoy the sweet taste of maple syrup long after your visit.

Address: 1219 Burloak Drive, Oakville, ON
Dates: Every weekend in March and the week of March Break – 9:30 am – 3:00 pm
Price: The festival is included in the park’s daily vehicle access fee of $18.00
Website

5. Maple Syrup in the Park – Terra Cotta Conservation Area

This year, Terra Cotta Conservation Area is offering three different experiences for their Maple Syrup in the Park. However, if you are visiting with younger kids, just be aware that only the Sweetwater Discovery Experience is family-friendly.

Sweetwater Discovery Experience

Head to Terra Cotta Conservation Area and tap into the sweet taste of spring with the Sweetwater Discovery Experience. From maple syrup demonstrations to nature walks and a variety of presentations from Indigenous partners, there are so many unique things to see and do.

The Sweetwater Discovery Experience includes an interpretive tour, a scavenger hunt, a variety of family-friendly activities, Tales on the Trail, and even a blacksmith demonstration.

If your sweet tooth needs some attention, enjoy pancakes with real maple syrup, taste maple taffy and take home maple sweets and treats available for purchase from the Park Store.

two-grades-of-maple-syrup

Some of the Indigenous teachings include an opening ceremony with Elder Gary Sault, story-telling by members of the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation who are part of the Ojibwe (Anishinaabe) Nation, and presentations by Grandmother’s Voice, an Indigenous Women-Lead organization unifying Indigenous voices while welcoming all people from the four directions.

Reservations are required for this family-friendly experience.

Interested in saving a bit of money on your maple syrup meal? Bring your own dishes and enjoy a five percent reward for your conservation efforts. The discount will be applied onsite when purchasing a meal.

Maple Syrup by Lamplight

Enjoy an interpretive wagon ride after dark through the forest to an illuminated sugarbush. Learn about maple syrup production throughout history, sample warm maple syrup, taste maple taffy and learn how to tap a tree.

This experience includes time to relax around a campfire, maple-themed food samplers and your choice of one signature maple-themed mocktail or cocktail served in a souvenir glass.

Mountsberg-Maple-Syrup-Festival-path-lit-up-at-night

The cost is $65 and advanced reservations are required as space is limited. This event is for visitors 19 years of age and older.

This event is only available on March 31 and April 1, 2023, at the following times: 7:30 pm to 9 pm, 8:30 pm to 10 pm, and 9:30 pm to 11 pm.

Sap to Syrup: A Maple Syrup-Making Experience

Do you want to learn how maple syrup is made? During this intimate, hands-on experience in the Sugar Shack, you will learn how to tap trees, collect sap and use an evaporator to produce and bottle maple syrup. You will even be able to take home a bottle of liquid gold.

The cost is $40 and advanced reservations are required. This experience is for visitors 18 years of age or older.

This event is only available on April 1 and April 2, 2023, at the following times: 10 am to 12 pm, and 2 pm to 4 pm.

Mountsberg-Maple-Syrup-Festival-taffy-on-sow

Address: 14452 Winston Churchill Blvd, Halton Hills, ON
Dates: March 11 to 19, 25 and 26 from 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Price: Children under 6 are free, Youth (6 to 14) $6.50 plus HST, Adults (15 to 64) $12 plus HST
Website

6. Maple Syrup in the Park – Island Lake Conservation Area

This year, Island Lake Conservation Area is offering two different experiences for their Maple Syrup in the Park. However, if you are visiting with younger kids, just be aware that only the Sweetwater Discovery Experience is family-friendly.

Sweetwater Discovery Experience

Head to Terra Cotta Conservation Area and tap into the sweet taste of spring with the Sweetwater Discovery Experience. From maple syrup demonstrations to nature walks and a variety of presentations from Indigenous partners, there are so many unique things to see and do.

The Sweetwater Discovery Experience includes an interpretive tour, a scavenger hunt, a variety of family-friendly activities, Tales on the Trail, and even a blacksmith demonstration.

If your sweet tooth needs some attention, enjoy pancakes with real maple syrup, taste maple taffy and take home maple sweets and treats available for purchase from the Park Store.

Mountsberg-Maple-Syrup-Festival-inside-village-gift-shop-candies

Some of the Indigenous teachings include an opening ceremony with Elder Gary Sault, story-telling by members of the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation who are part of the Ojibwe (Anishinaabe) Nation, and presentations by Grandmother’s Voice, an Indigenous Women-Lead organization unifying Indigenous voices while welcoming all people from the four directions.

Reservations are required for this family-friendly experience.

Interested in saving a bit of money on your maple syrup meal? Bring your own dishes and enjoy a five percent reward for your conservation efforts. The discount will be applied onsite when purchasing a meal.

Maple Syrup by Lamplight

Enjoy an interpretive wagon ride after dark through the forest to an illuminated sugarbush. Learn about maple syrup production throughout history, sample warm maple syrup, taste maple taffy and learn how to tap a tree.

This experience includes time to relax around a campfire, maple-themed food samplers and your choice of one signature maple-themed mocktail or cocktail served in a souvenir glass.

Mountsberg-Maple-Syrup-Festival-cooking-sap

The cost is $65 and advanced reservations are required as space is limited. This event is for visitors 19 years of age and older.

This event is only available on March 31 and April 1, 2023, at the following times: 7:30 pm to 9 pm, 8:30 pm to 10 pm, and 9:30 pm to 11 pm.

Address: 673067 Hurontario St, Orangeville, ON
Dates: March 11 to 19, 25 and 26 from 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Price: Children under 6 are free, Youth (6 to 14) $6.50 plus HST, Adults (15 to 64) $12 plus HST
Website

7. Maple Syrup Experience at Elliott Tree Farm

Elliott Tree Farm’s Maple Syrup Experience offers a range of activities that are sure to satisfy your sweet tooth and provide you with a unique experience in the great outdoors.

Start your visit by indulging in some delicious food at the Horse Barn Canteen. All-you-can-eat pancakes with pure maple syrup, a side of sausage and bacon, and your choice of juice, water, coffee, tea, or hot cider are sure to hit the spot.

Plus, this year they’re offering both classic and gluten-free pancakes, so there’s something for everyone.

road-through-maple-farm

After you’ve fuelled up, take a walk on the maple sugar trail and learn about the history of maple syrup and how it’s produced. See how sap is collected from trees and boiled down into maple syrup.

Get Cozy by the Fire

You’ll also get to check sap buckets in the forest and warm up by the campfire. The knowledgeable staff will guide you through the process and show you how sap is turned into the syrup we all know and love.

You’ll even have the opportunity to taste raw sap, partially cooked sap, fresh maple sugar, and fresh maple toffee from maple syrup.

If you’re bringing the little ones, they’ll love the children’s hay bale maze. It’s a fun way for them to explore and play while you take in the sights and sounds of the farm.

Before you leave, be sure to visit the Maple Gift Shop, where you can browse through maple products and souvenirs and purchase a bottle of syrup to take home.

Mountsberg-Maple-Syrup-Festival-inside-village-gift-shop-ice-wine-syrup

Please Note: Tickets for the Maple Syrup Experience at Elliott Tree Farm MUST be purchased in advance through the Eventbrite portal. Tickets will be unavailable for purchase at the door.

Reservations are available for 9:00 am, 10:00 am, 11:00 am, 12:00 pm, 1:00 pm, and 2:00 pm daily.

Tickets are non-refundable. Cash, debit and credit are accepted onsite.

Dogs are always welcome at the farm on a leash.

There is plenty of free onsite parking available.

Address: 9467 Erin East Garafraxa Townline, Hillsburgh, ON
Dates: Open for Family Day on Monday, February 20th and then for 7 weekends / Saturdays & Sundays from February 25 – April 9
Admission: Adults (13 and up): $34.50, Youth (6-12): $17.50, 5 and under: Free (Prices do not include HST or Eventbrite fees)
Website

8. Maple Syrup Festival – Westfield Heritage Village Hamilton

Head over to the Maple Syrup Festival at Westfield Heritage Village in Hamilton for a celebration of all things maple! It is the perfect opportunity to learn about the history and science behind maple syrup production and to see for yourself how sap is turned into the delicious syrup we all know and love.

One of the highlights of the festival is the interpretive tour. Led by knowledgeable and friendly guides, you’ll get to explore the grounds and learn about the history of maple syrup production. Two demonstration sites will be open, including the modern sugar shack, where you can see the process of collecting and boiling sap up close.

Maple-Syup-Festivals-spire-and-bucket-on-a-tapped-maple-tree

In addition to the interpretive tour, Westfield will also have their maple syrup panels on display, showcasing the different tools and techniques used over the years to produce maple syrup. And for those who love a challenge, there’s a Maple Trivia Trail to follow, with fun facts and quizzes about maple syrup and its history.

Indulge in Maple Treats!

Of course, no maple syrup festival would be complete without the opportunity to indulge in some delicious maple treats. Visitors will be able to buy maple treats from the General Store and Gift Shop, including maple candies, maple butter, and, of course, maple syrup.

And if all that exploring and learning has made you hungry, the St. George Lions will be out to sell pancakes in the Ironwood Hall.

Pancakes

Please Note: Tickets for the Maple Syrup Festival at Westfield Heritage Village Hamilton MUST be purchased in advance. Tickets will be unavailable for purchase at the door.

Each reservation is for a 2-hour time slot, includes parking for one vehicle, and is for up to six people maximum.

Time slots are available starting at 10 am, with the last one being available at 2 pm. The program closes at 4 pm.

Address: 1049 Regional Road 552, (Kirkwall Road), Rockton, ON
Dates: Sundays, March 5, 12, 19, 26 and April 2; March Break days Wednesday, March 15 and Thursday, March 16; and Good Friday, April 7.
Price: Reservation Fee: $10.00, Vehicle Fee: $10.50, Per Person Fee: $5.00 per person. Ages 5 and under are free.
Website

9. Maple at the Village – Black Creek Pioneer Village

If you’re looking for a unique and educational experience, Maple at the Village at Black Creek Pioneer Village is definitely worth a visit! This festival celebrates maple syrup and the important role it has played in Canadian history and culture.

You can take a guided tour of the village, where you’ll learn about the traditional methods of how sap is transformed into delicious maple syrup. Stop by the confectionary where you can try a finger-licking treat as you discover the story of old-fashioned sweets.

Black-Creek-Pioneer-Village

The village itself is like stepping back in time to the 19th century, with costumed interpreters demonstrating historic maple syrup-making techniques and other pioneer activities. So, come on down to Maple at the Village and experience the sweet taste of Canadian history!

Address: 1000 Murray Ross Pkwy, Toronto, ON
Dates: March 13 to 17, 2023 – 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Price: Adult: $22.00, Senior/ Student: $20, Child (ages 3 to 14): $18.00 (Prices do not include HST)
Website

10. Sugarbush Maple Syrup Festival – Kortright Centre

If you’re looking for a fun day out in the fresh spring air, be sure to visit the Kortright Sugarbush Maple Syrup Festival and enjoy all that it has to offer. The festival takes place in the beautiful Kortright Centre for Conservation, a 325-hectare natural oasis located in Vaughan, Ontario.

sugar-shanty

Start your adventure by taking a leisurely stroll along the Sugarbush Trail, where you’ll experience the natural beauty of the maple trees and learn about their history. Along the way, you’ll also find interactive Tree Trivia stations, where you can test your knowledge about these majestic trees.

As you continue on the trail, you’ll come across the Sugar Shack, where you can watch live maple syrup demonstrations. Learn how maple syrup is made from the sap collected from the trees, and be amazed at the hard work and care that goes into producing this delicious treat!

Be sure to visit the gift shop and cafe, where you can find all sorts of maple goodies and souvenirs to take home. Indulge in the delicious treats and take a little bit of the festival home with you.

But that’s not all! If you’re feeling hungry, the festival has got you covered. With a variety of food vendors offering delicious maple-infused snacks, as well as plates of fluffy pancakes covered in real maple syrup, you will definitely leave with a full belly.

Plate-of-pancakes

Please Note: Tickets for the Sugarbush Maple Syrup Festival at Kotright Centre MUST be purchased in advance. Tickets will be unavailable for purchase at the door.

The cost for parking is $4.70 + HST per vehicle.

Address: 9550 Pine Valley Dr, Woodbridge, ON
Dates: Saturday, March 4, 2023 – Saturday, April 1, 2023
Price: Adults (Ages 14-64): $9.55 + HST, Children (Ages 4-13): $6.20 + HST, Children 3 years and under: FREE
Website

11. Sugar Shack TO

Looking for a sweet and unique winter experience? Look no further than Sugar Shack TO, presented by Redpath Sugar!

This completely free maple syrup festival is a little different than the others we have included on this list. Not only is Sugar Shack TO the only urban maple sugar festival, but it transforms Toronto’s waterfront and Sugar Beach into a maple wonderland.

Sugar Shack TO features two sugar shacks, ice photo frames, live entertainment, ice photo frames, delicious and unique maple-infused food, a brand new Lumberjack show, and a warming station. Plus, you can witness a maple sugaring demonstration and learn all about the history of maple syrup.

Making-taffy-on-snow

Of course, our family was drawn to Sugar Shack TO’s impressive lineup of maple-infused comfort foods. From maple baked beans to maple cream cheese sandwiches, maple fudge, maple buffalo poutine, maple chicken bao buns, and delicious Redpath sugar cookies, there is definitely something for everyone.

But there’s more to Sugar Shack TO than just food. This year, they are introducing a Winter Lumberjack Show, complete with sawing, axe throwing, and other impressive lumberjack skills.

Looking for a place to warm up? Head to the Billy Bishop Airport warming station, where you can cozy up by the fire and enjoy live entertainment and interactive activities.

Maple-syrup-in-maple-leaf-bottle

Sugar Shack TO is also fully accessible and pet friendly. However, dogs must be kept on a leash at all times.

There is limited paid parking onsite, so we would recommend taking public transit to the event.

Address: 11 Dockside Drive, Toronto, ON
Dates: Saturday, March 11, 2023 – Sunday, March 12, 2023 – 11:00 am – 5:00 pm
Price: FREE
Website

🍁 Is a Maple Syrup Festival Worth Visiting?

Yes! A maple syrup festival is definitely worth visiting!

If you’re considering visiting a maple syrup festival near Mississauga, you’re in for a treat! Visiting a maple farm or sugar bush is a unique and memorable experience that offers a glimpse into the rich history and tradition of maple syrup production in Canada.

Here are a few reasons why you should consider visiting one:

🥞 Tasty Treats

Maple syrup is just one of the many products made from maple sap. You can indulge in a variety of delicious maple treats, including pancakes, maple sugar, maple candy, and maple taffy on snow.

Trust us, there’s nothing quite like the sweet taste of fresh, pure maple syrup!

Mountsberg-Maple-Syrup-Festival-pouring-taffy-on-snow

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Fun for the Whole Family

Maple syrup festivals offer a range of activities for all ages, from guided tours of the sugar bush to hands-on experiences, to live demonstrations. There are also many kid-friendly activities like wagon rides, petting zoos, and maple-themed crafts.

Visiting a maple syrup farm or sugar bush is a fun and educational experience for the whole family. You’ll have the opportunity to make new memories and create traditions that will last a lifetime.

🍁 Learn About Canadian History and Culture

Maple syrup production has a long history in Canada, tracing back to our indigenous people. A family visit to a maple syrup festival is a great way to learn about this fascinating industry.

Learn first-hand the traditions that have developed around maple syrup production. You will even have the opportunity to see the taps in the trees, learn about the boiling process, and taste the different grades of syrup.

Mountsberg-Maple-Syrup-Festival-kids-watching-flat-pan-cooking-of-sap

💵 Support Local Farmers and Businesses

Maple syrup production is an important part of Ontario’s agricultural heritage. As a result, many maple syrup festivals are hosted by local farms and businesses.

So visiting a farm or sugar bush is a great way to support local farmers and the local economy.

🌳 Experience the Beauty of the Outdoors

Maple syrup festivals are often held in beautiful natural settings. So while visiting the maple syrup farms and sugar bushes, you can take in the sights and sounds of the great outdoors while you enjoy some tasty maple treats.

In fact, many sugar bushes will have lovely walking or hiking trails that you are free to use during the festival. It’s one of the reasons our family really enjoys an annual trip to a maple syrup festival!

Mountsberg-Maple-Syrup-Festival-walking-the-Maple-Sugar-Bush

🍁 Tips for Visiting a Maple Syrup Festival with Kids

Taking your kids to a maple syrup festival is a wonderful way to make memories and enjoy a fun family activity. Here are six tips to help make your experience enjoyable and stress-free:

🎟️ Plan Ahead

Before heading to a maple syrup festival, it’s important to plan ahead to ensure that you and your family have the best experience possible. Check to see if you need to purchase your tickets online or book an advanced reservation.

Check the festival website for information about parking, admission fees, and any activities that may require additional tickets. If you have young children, you may also want to bring a stroller, extra clothing, and other items to keep them comfortable.

🥾 Dress for the Weather

Maple syrup festivals usually occur during spring when temperatures can be unpredictable. Be sure to check the weather forecast and dress accordingly, including layering clothing for warmth and bringing a raincoat or umbrella if necessary.

Mountsberg-Maple-Syrup-Festival-Fireside-Lounge-with-kids

It may be muddy or wet in the sugar bush, so waterproof boots are a good idea. Boots or shoes should also be comfortable, as you will likely be walking around the sugar bush while taking part in various outdoor activities.

💵 Bring Cash

Although you are able to use credit cards at most maple syrup festivals, there may still be some places within the event that are cash-only. We found that this was often the case when purchasing food or items from smaller vendors.

So be sure to bring enough cash to cover any food, drinks, or souvenirs that you may want to purchase. ATMs may be available on-site, or you can look at the event’s website ahead of time to check, but it’s always best to come prepared with some cash just in case.

🥨 Bring Snacks

While there will be plenty of maple treats to enjoy, it’s always a good idea to bring snacks and water for your kids to stay energized. Especially when they were running around in the fresh air for several hours, we always had small snacks to prevent our kids from getting hangry before it was time for our pancake meal!

🚶‍♀️ Participate in Activities

Many maple syrup festivals offer fun and educational activities for kids, such as horse-drawn wagon rides, visiting the sugar shacks, trying samples of different grades of maple syrup, and participating in hands-on activities like tapping trees or making maple taffy.

Mountsberg-Maple-Syrup-Festival-natural-Playground-ladder

You can also explore the festival grounds and enjoy live entertainment, food vendors, and craft booths. Be sure to check the festival schedule for any timed events and plan your visit accordingly.

🥞 Take Home Some Maple Syrup

No visit to a maple syrup festival is complete without taking home some pure Canadian maple syrup! Support the local maple farmers by purchasing some syrup to enjoy on pancakes, waffles, or as a sweetener in your favourite recipes.

🍁 The Best Maple Syrup Festivals Near Mississauga – FAQs

Mountsberg-Maple-Syrup-Festival-nighttime-wagon-ride
When do the maple syrup festivals take place in Ontario?

The maple syrup festivals in Ontario usually take place in late February to early April, during the maple syrup season.

Are the festivals suitable for families with children?

Yes, most maple syrup festivals in Ontario are family-friendly events with activities and attractions for people of all ages.

What kind of activities can I expect at the festivals?

Activities at the festivals may include maple syrup tastings, demonstrations of the syrup-making process, pancake breakfasts, live entertainment, and craft vendors.

Is it possible to buy maple syrup products at the maple syrup festivals?

Yes, you can buy various maple syrup products, including pure maple syrup, maple candy, and maple taffy, at many of the festivals.

Is there a fee for admission to the festivals?

Yes, most festivals charge an admission fee, although some may offer free admission for children or have different pricing for different activities.

Are the festivals held indoors or outdoors?

Both indoor and outdoor festivals are held, depending on the location and size of the festival.

Is there parking available at the festivals?

Parking availability depends on the festival, so it’s best to check the festival’s official website or contact them directly for more information.

Can I bring my pet to the festival?

Policies on bringing pets to the festival vary, so it’s best to check the festival’s official website or contact them directly for more information.

The Best Maple Syrup Festivals Near Mississauga – Final Thoughts

The maple syrup festivals near Mississauga offer a delicious and fun way to celebrate the spring season. From the sweet smell of sap boiling in the sugar shack to the tasty treats that use pure Canadian maple syrup, there’s something for everyone to enjoy. So, round up the kids and head out to a local sugar bush or maple farm to experience the magic of this Canadian tradition. Don’t forget to grab some fresh maple syrup to take home and enjoy all year long!

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