The Best Things To Do This Spring

The temperatures are warming, the trees are budding, and there are green shoots poking up through the dirt. Spring is in the air! There’s just something about this season that makes everything feel new and fresh. As nature wakes up all around, you just can’t help but be inspired to get out and explore!

There is no shortage of events and activities to discover in the Greater Golden Horseshoe this spring, and you can get to all of them with a relaxing ride on GO Transit. Don’t let stressful traffic and expensive gas prices spoil your springtime excitement! GO’s affordable fares and easy ways to pay will make your travel as pleasant as a warm spring breeze!

Looking for a bite to eat before you start your adventure? Make sure to stop by Union Chicken, Amano Italian Kitchen, or Mikey's Smash Burgers for a quick bite while you're en route. These three eateries are conveniently situated in Union Station and offer a 20% discount on all food and non-alcoholic beverages for PRESTO cardholders who dine in.

Lions and lemurs, gorillas and gibbons, rhinos and river otters — you’ll find all these animals and many more at the Toronto Zoo! Take a trip around the world without leaving the GTA and learn about animal habitats and conservation efforts while exploring the different geographical areas at the zoo. You don’t need to take a plane to get started on your wild globetrotting adventure — just hop aboard a GO bus. And, don’t forget to show your PRESTO card at the zoo gate to save on your admission!

• When: May 6 – Sept 4: Open Daily (9:30 AM – 7:00PM)
• Where: 2000 Meadowvale Rd, Toronto, ON
• Cost: PRESTO Perk - Show your PRESTO card at the gate to receive 20% off general admission or 10% off a new Toronto Zoo Membership.
• Get There With GO: Starting May 20, on weekends and holidays, most trips on GO bus route 96Z will include a stop at the Toronto Zoo.

On May 5, Canada’s Wonderland opens for another season of thrill-seeking excitement! Make GO Transit your first ride of the day and you won’t need to worry about trying to find your car in the parking lot when you’re worn out from all the fun. With over 200 attractions — including 18 roller coasters, 2 kids’ areas, and a 20-acre water park (opening May 27), you’ll have a jam-packed day of attractions for all ages and interests.

Be sure to make time to check out the two new rides this year. Tundra Twister is the only attraction of its kind in the world, and a must-do for daring riders. This giant 360-degree spinning swing ride will flip, twist, and twirl at 75 km/h! If that’s a bit too intense for you, head over to Planet Snoopy and try out the new family launch coaster, Snoopy’s Racing Railway. It’s a high-speed start to your day of family fun!

• When:
  • Opening day - May 5, 2023 (Splash Works opens May 27)
  • Open daily 10 am - 8 pm until Labour Day
  • After Labour Day, open on weekends only
• Where: 1 Canada’s Wonderland Drive, Vaughan, ON
• Cost:
• Regular daily admission (Ages 3-64, over 48" tall) - starting at $44.99
• Junior/Senior daily admission (Ages 3 or older & under 48" tall or guests 65 & older) - starting at $34.99
• Season pass - starting at $89/person

Buy your tickets online for the best price!

• Get There With GO: Starting May 6, GO bus routes 47W and 52X will include a stop at Canada’s Wonderland on weekends and holidays.

GO Team GO!

Hey there, Toronto and GTHA sports fans! Are you ready to get your game on this season? Get out your face paint and team jerseys because there’s nothing quite like cheering from the stands – from The Toronto Blue Jays, Toronto Marlies and Toronto FC to Hamilton’s Forge FC.

GO Transit is rooting for all the Toronto and GTHA sports teams and we’re ready to get you to the arena or stadium so you can support your team, too. Whichever sport you’re gearing up to watch, GO Transit will make your trip easy and affordable!

Are you ready for rugby season in Toronto? The Toronto Arrows are flying into action with their home opener on April 8! Take GO and cheer on Canada’s first and only professional rugby union team. You’ll love screaming in excitement when the Arrows score a try!

• When: See the full schedule here.

• Where: York Lions Stadium (at York University)
• Cost: Starting at $20. Buy your tickets online!
• Get There With GO: Travel on the Barrie GO train line to Downsview GO Station, and then transfer to TTC. Or, travel by GO Bus routes 40, 45, 46, 47, 48, 51, 52, or 54 to Highway 407 Bus Terminal and transfer to TTC.

It’s always a good time at a Toronto Blue Jays game. No matter which day you attend, don’t forget to use GO Transit to avoid that pre- and post-game traffic!

• When:  See the full season schedule here.  

• Where: Rogers Centre
• Cost: Tickets start at $20. Buy your tickets online!
• Get There With GO: Travel by GO bus or train to Union Station. Proceed to the upper level of Union Station and follow the SkyWalk to the Rogers Centre.

Catch the final puck drops of the season at Coca-Cola Coliseum — it’s just steps away from Exhibition GO Station and PRESTO card holders can save up to 20% off tickets! It’s your last chance to cheer on the Toronto Marlies before they head to the Calder Cup Playoffs, so don’t miss out on this score!

• When:  See the full season schedule here.  
• Where: Coca-Cola Coliseum, 45 Manitoba Dr., Toronto
• Cost: Tickets start at $19. Buy your tickets online! PRESTO Perk - Save up to 20% on home games this season with promo code PRESTOMARLIES

• Get There With GO: Take the Lakeshore West line to Exhibition GO Station. Then it’s just a 3-minute walk east on Manitoba Dr.

Catch all the excitement of Major League soccer at a Toronto FC match at BMO Field! Located right by Exhibition GO Station, it’s a perfect place to meet up with friends and enjoy the game together. PRESTO card holders can score big with up to 20% off Toronto FC home game tickets, so take GO and cheer on those GOOOOALS!

• When: See the full season schedule here.

• Where: BMO Field
• Cost: Starting at $30 + tax. Buy your tickets online! Link- Save up to 20% off tickets to home matches with promo code PRESTOTFC!
• Get There With GO: Take the Lakeshore West line to Exhibition GO Station, and then it’s a quick 2-minute walk south on Nova Scotia Ave.

It’s the kick-off to soccer season at Tim Hortons Field! Head to Hamilton and cheer on Forge FC as they defend their championship title in the Canadian Premier League, the top tier of Canadian soccer. Don’t miss Hamilton Forge FC’s home opener on April 15, and use GO Transit for easy travel to the matches all season long! Canadian Premier League, the top tier of Canadian soccer. Don’t miss Forge FC’s home opener on April 15, and use GO Transit for easy travel to the matches all season long!

• When: See the full season schedule here.

• Where: Tim Hortons Field, Hamilton
• Cost: Tickets start at $24 + tax. Buy your tickets online!
• Get There With GO: Head to Hamilton GO Centre by GO train or bus, and then transfer to HSR.

Featuring a combination of acrobatic performance and the art of clowning, Cirque du Soleil describes Kooza as “a return to our origins.” Be prepared to gasp and applaud as performers use silk, the double highwire, and the Wheel of Death to complete aerial feats that will amaze and delight! 

• When: April 7 - June 18, 2023
• Where: Under the Big Top at 2150 Lake Shore Blvd W l
• Cost: Tickets start at $69. Buy your tickets online! PRESTO Perks – save 10% off tickets, and for limited time only save 20% off while supplies last.
• Get There With GO: Hop off the train at Mimico Station – the show is a 15-minute walk, followed by a short 5-minute TTC bus ride.

DESIFEST returns for its 17th annual showcase with a 4-day South Asian festival featuring music, dance, food, and art. The FREE outdoor concert will be on June 3rd, at Yonge-Dundas Square. The lineup includes a variety of musical genres and languages, including English, Tamil, Punjabi, Hindi, Goan, Urdu, and Bangla. DESIFEST celebrates the diversity of the South Asian community with entertainment for everyone!  Check out the full festival schedule here.

• When: June 3rd, 2023 (outdoor concert)
• Where: Yonge-Dundas Square.
• Cost: FREE!
• Get There With GO: Travel by GO train or bus to Union Station. Then connect to the TTC and travel to Dundas Station, or walk east on Front St. and then north up Yonge St. to Dundas St. It’s about a 20-minute walk.

Halal Food Tour

Get your appetites ready because the Halal Food Tour is coming and making stops at Ajax and Bramalea GO stations! Night Market Toronto is the founder of Canada’s first ever Halal Food Tour, now returning for its second year. Multiple local vendors will be serving up tasty all-Halal dishes and drinks at this free-to-attend, family-friendly touring event.

Check out @nightmarket.to on Instagram for some mouth-watering food pics that will have you counting down the days until the Halal Food Tour pulls into the stations!

• When:
• Ajax event: June 2 @ 4 pm - 12 am, June 3 @ 2 pm - 12 am and June 4 @ 2 pm - 10 pm
• Bramalea event: June 9 @ 4 pm - 12 am, June 10 @ 2 pm - 12 am and June 11 @ 2 pm - 10 pm

• Where: Ajax GO Station & Bramalea GO Station

• Cost: These events are FREE to attend (food is purchased separately), but you need to register for an All Weekend Pass. You’ll be emailed a QR code that will be scanned for entry. Only one pass is needed for your entire party.
• Register online for the Ajax event
• Register online for the Bramalea event

• Get there with GO: Take the Lakeshore East line to Ajax GO station. Take the Kitchener line GO train or GO bus to Bramalea GO station.

It's Time To Believe In Magic. Again. Adventure runs in the family. When Harry Potter’s head-strong son Albus befriends the son of his fiercest rival, Draco Malfoy, it sparks an unbelievable new journey for them all—with the power to change the past and future forever! Prepare to be spellbound, the Wizarding World of Harry Potter returns to the Mirvish theatre!

• When: Tickets available now until July 2, 2023
• Where: Ed Mirvish Theatre
• Cost: Ticket prices vary. Get your tickets! Check out available dates here.
• Get There With GO: Travel by GO train or bus to Union Station. Then connect to the TTC and travel to Dundas Station, or walk east on Front St. and then north up Yonge St. to Dundas St. It’s about a 20-minute walk.

At Immersive Disney Animation you won’t just see a whole new world, you’ll become part of it! Step inside your favorite Disney songs and stories - and see them come to life around you. From timeless classics to modern masterpieces, there is something for everyone. It’s magical!

• When: Show is running now through July 9th
• Where: Lighthouse ArtSpace, 1 Yonge St, Toronto
• Cost: PRESTO Perks - save with an exclusive offer on tickets and VIP tickets.

• Get There With GO: Travel by GO train or bus to Union Station. Walk east on Front St to Yonge St., then turn right and walk south to the corner of Queens Quay.

Thanks for riding with us to the Spring Cottage Life Show! Check back next year for 2024 details.

Are you already counting down the days until cottage season? While you’re waiting, you can soak up some dockside-like vibes at the Spring Cottage Life Show. Chill out at the Dock Party bar, get entertaining ideas at the Cottage Kitchen, shop for cottage decor or water toys, and plan your summer DIY project. If you don’t own a seasonal home, check out the Cottage Real Estate Centre. Kids will love the life-size Cottage Games and the Great Outdoors rock climbing wall. Summer fun starts now! 

• When: March 23 - 26, 2023 Thursday 12pm - 6pm Friday 10am - 8pm Saturday 9am - 7pm Sunday 10am - 5pm
• Where: International Centre, Mississauga
• Cost: Online ticket prices Weekend Pass - $29, General Admission (age 18+) - $21, senior (age 65+) - $15, youth (age 12-17) - $10, child (age 4-11) - $8, infant (3 & under) - free. Buy your tickets online!
• Get There With GO: Take the Kitchener GO train line to Malton GO Station. Use the tunnel walkway between the station and the International Centre.

Thanks for riding with us to Rock Fest at Guildwood GO! Check back next year for 2024 details.

Are you ready to ROCK?! Head to Guildwood GO Station on March 24 & 25 for this FREE 2-day festival, celebrating all things that Rock. Rock Fest is presented by the Beaches Jazz Festival and will feature tributes to Queen, AC/DC, Aerosmith, Pearl Jam, Pink Floyd, The Foo Fighters, and Bryan Adams. Take the train and bring your friends because this festival is for all those who Rock! (Air guitaring is optional but encouraged)

• When: Friday, March 24, 7pm - 10pm Saturday, March 25, 2pm - 10pm
• Where: Guildwood GO Station
• Cost: FREE!
• Get There With GO: Take the Lakeshore East line to Guildwood GO Station.

Thanks for riding with us to the One Of a Kind Spring Show! Check back next year for 2024 details.

Spring is a great time to reawaken your home and personal style with bright colours, bold patterns, and fresh scents. Whether you’re looking for clothing, jewelry, home decor accents, or fun gifts to brighten up someone else’s day — the One Of A Kind Spring Show has unique items for everyone. You can feel good about supporting independent Canadian artisans and reducing your carbon footprint by shopping local at OOAK 2023!

• When: March 29 - April 2, 2023 Weekdays & Saturday 10am - 8pm Thursday 10am - 10pm Sunday 10am - 5pm
• Where: Enercare Centre, Exhibition Place
• Cost: Adult (age 18+) - $18 Senior (age 65+) - $12 University/College Student (with valid ID) - $15 Youth (age 5-17) - $12 Child (age 4 & under) - free GO + OOAK Combo Ticket - $30 (includes round-trip GO fare to and from Exhibition Station + 2023 One Of A Kind Spring Show admission). LinkPRESTO Perk - Show your PRESTO Card at the box office on Wednesday, March 29 and get an adult ticket for $10 (including free re-entry!)

• Get There With GO: Take the Lakeshore West GO train line to Exhibition GO Station. Then it’s a 7 minute walk down Nova Scotia Ave to Princes’ Blvd. The Enercare Centre is located at 100 Princes’ Blvd.

Thanks for riding with us to Pinty's Grand Slam of Curling: Princess Auto Players' Championship! Check back next year for 2024 details.

Curling fans — get ready to Hurry Hard and grab your tickets for the Pinty’s Grand Slam of Curling: Princess Auto Players’ Championship. Twelve of the top men’s teams and twelve of the top women’s teams will come from around the world to compete in this 6-day tournament. Full-event and weekend packages are available, or use PRESTO Perks to save on single draw tickets!

• When: April 11 - 16, 2023
• Where: Mattamy Athletic Centre, 50 Carlton St., Toronto
• Cost: Tickets start at $17. Buy your tickets online! PRESTO Perk - Get 20% off single draw tickets when you use promo code PRESTO when selecting seats!

• Get There With GO: Travel by GO bus or train to Union Station and then take the TTC to College Station.

Thanks for riding with us to the Artist Project! Check back next year for 2024 details.

Art aficionados won’t want to miss this exciting spring event! Over 250 independent artists will display their work at the 4-day Artist Project in Toronto. Discover emerging artists in the Untapped section, experience curator-led art tours, and admire 10 large scale installations and thousands of other works of art. Maybe you’ll even find a piece to add to your home gallery. Attend the Opening Night Preview and be one of the first to see Artist Project while enjoying live DJ sets, fashion shows, and fantastic food and beverage vendors.

• When: April 13 - 16, 2023 (Thursday 6 pm - 10 pm, Friday 12 pm - 8 pm, Saturday 12 pm - 8 pm, Sunday 12 pm - 6 pm)
• Where: Better Living Centre, Exhibition Place
• Cost: Adult (18+) - $20, Senior (65+) - $17, Student (with valid student ID) - $17, Youth (13-17) - $17, Child (12 & under) - free. Buy your tickets online! PRESTO Perk - PRESTO card holders can use promo code GO4ART to save 20% off Adult Single Day Entry tickets, Collector’s Pass tickets, and Opening Night Preview tickets.

• Get There With GO: Take the Lakeshore West GO train line to Exhibition GO Station. Then it’s a 6 minute walk south, past BMO Field. The Better Living Centre is located at 195 Princes’ Blvd.

Thanks for riding with us to Khalsa Day in Toronto! Check back next year for 2024 details.

The Khalsa Day Parade in Toronto returns this year! Enjoy the festivities of Vaisakhi at the largest Sikh celebration in Canada. Vaisakhi, also known as Khalsa Day, is a harvest festival that marks the beginning of the Sikh New Year and commemorates the establishment of the Sikh community. The Khalsa Day Parade in Toronto is the third largest parade in the country and it begins at the Canadian National Exhibition grounds and travels east to Nathan Phillips Square. People of all backgrounds and faiths are welcome to come out and celebrate Khalsa Day!

• When: Sunday, April 30, 2023 - Parade begins at 1 pm and ends at 3:30 pm. Event continues at Toronto City Hall until 5 pm.
• Where: Begins at CNE grounds and travels east to Toronto City Hall
• Cost: FREE!
• Get There With GO: To get to the CNE grounds, take the Lakeshore West line to Exhibition GO Station. To get to Toronto City Hall at Nathan Phillips Square, travel by GO train or bus to Union Station and then walk north up Bay St. and turn left on Queen St. It’s approximately a 15-minute walk.

Thanks for riding with us to the First WNBA Canada Game!

Calling all basketball fans! The first-ever WNBA game in Canada is coming to Scotiabank Arena in Toronto. Featuring the 2021 WNBA Champions Chicago Sky and four-time WNBA Champions Minnesota Lynx, this is sure to be a historic event. Whether you are catching the game in-person, at NBA Courtside restaurant or supporting WNBA Goods presented by Mastercard, joining the action is easy with GO Transit!

• When: Sat May 13, 2023
• Where: Scotiabank Arena
• Get There With GO (Scotiabank Arena): Travel by GO Train or GO Bus to Union Station, then follow the signs right into the Scotiabank Arena. No need to step outside!
• Get There With GO (NBA Courtside Restaurant): Travel by GO Train or GO Bus to Union Station, then south on Bay Street, West on Queen’s Quay to 15 Queen’s Quay.

Thanks for riding with us to The 9th Annual Toronto Newcomer Day! Check back next year for 2024 details.

Toronto Newcomer Day is all about welcoming new residents to Toronto, helping them learn how to access city services, and celebrating their contributions. A formal stage presentation and a citizenship ceremony for new Canadians are key events at Toronto Newcomer Day. This is also a great opportunity for all Torontonians to come out and welcome newcomers while celebrating the diversity that makes this city great. 

Both new and lifelong Toronto residents can browse the Newcomer Marketplace, grab some tasty snacks at the Newcomer food fair, and find out about all that Toronto has to offer at the Information Fair. There will be prizes and giveaways, interactive activities, cultural performances, HistoricTO walking tours, free Tim Hortons beverages, and much more!

• When: Thursday, May 25, 2023, 10 am - 3 pm
• Where: Nathan Phillips Square
• Cost: FREE!
• Get There With GO: Travel by GO train or bus to Union Station and then walk north up Bay St. and turn left on Queen St. It’s approximately a 15-minute walk.

Thanks for riding with us to Carassaga! Check back next year for 2024 details.

Visit countries all over the world without leaving Mississauga! At Carassauga Festival of Cultures, you can sample world cuisines, watch live performances, and immerse yourself in over 25 different cultures. Bring the whole family to celebrate and learn about the multiculturalism of Mississauga. The Kids Zone, featuring midway rides for an additional cost, will be a big hit with little ones!

• When: May 27 - 28, 2023, Saturday 12 pm - 12 am, Sunday 12 pm - 7 pm

• Where:
  • Paramount Fine Foods Centre - 5500 Rose Cherry Place
  • Paramount Fine Foods Centre - 5500 Rose Cherry Place
  • Paramount Fine Foods Centre Sportsplex - 5600 Rose Cherry Place 
  • Frank McKechnie Community Centre - 310 Bristol Road E.
  • Canadian Coptic Centre - 1245 Eglinton Ave. West
  • Portuguese Cultural Centre of Mississauga - 53 Queen St. North St.
  • Sava Serbian Centre - 2520 Dixie Rd.

You can find out which country pavilions are located at each venue here.

• Cost: $15.00 for a Festival Passport - includes unlimited visits to all cultural pavilion throughout the weekend and free travel on MiWay. Kids 12 and under are FREE when accompanied by an adult passport holder. Buy your passport online!

• Get There With GO: Use GO Transit to travel to your first festival venue, and then enjoy FREE transportation using your Carassauga Passport on all MiWay buses and Carassauga shuttle buses connecting the different locations during the festival!
  • Paramount Fine Foods Centre & Sportsplex - From the Union Station Bus Terminal, take route 21P to Square One GO Station and take the Carassauga shuttle - Route A.
  • Frank McKechnie Community Centre - From the Union Station Bus Terminal, take the Route 21P GO bus to Erindale GO Station, and then connect to MiWay.
  • Canadian Coptic Centre - From the Union Station Bus Terminal, take the Route 21P GO bus to Erindale GO Station, and then connect to MiWay.
  • Portuguese Cultural Centre of Mississauga - From the Union Station Bus Terminal, take the Route 21P GO bus to Streetsville GO Station, and then connect to MiWay.
  • St. Sava Serbian Centre - Take the Lakeshore West GO train line to Long Branch GO Station, and then connect to MiWay.

Are you planning to ship any parcels this spring? Maybe a Mother’s Day gift or a present for someone with a spring birthday? Until June 14, you can save up to 40% off on shipments within Canada, the U.S. and International when you visit any Purolator Shipping Centre — including the Mobile Quick Stop Trucks located at select GO stations. This convenient option means you can drop off your package on the way home from work or school. Easy peasy, shipping’s breezy! Get your coupon!

• When: Offer valid until June 14, 2023
• Where: Enjoy this discount at a Mobile Quick Stop Truck at select GO stations

Mobile Quick Stop Trucks: Scarborough, Mount Joy, Aurora, and Pickering GO stations

The Good Eats by Julian at Scarborough GO Station

There’s something special cooking up at Scarborough GO Station this season! Chef Julian Fullerton is serving authentic Jamaican street food from his food truck, The Good Eats by Julian, from now until the end of July. Enjoy saltfish fritters and green plantain porridge for breakfast, have an oxtail or jerk chicken burger for lunch, and devour curry goat with rice and peas for dinner. Or, try one of Julian’s creative twists on the Jamaican patty — the pattiwich or the pattizza!

These are just a few of the mouth watering offerings at his food truck, and new menu items will be introduced during the four months, so be sure to visit a few times to get a taste of all your island favourites. To stay up to date with all of Julian’s delicious culinary creations, follow @thegoodeatsbyjulian on Instagram.

• When: April 1 - July 31, 2023 - Serving breakfast, lunch, & dinner daily
• Where: Scarborough GO Station parking lot
• Cost: Varies
• Get There With GO: Take the Lakeshore East line to Scarborough GO Station.

Last Mile Solutions

Spring is in the air, which marks the return of cycling! Prepare for the cycling season by tuning up your bike and registering online for a spot at one of our NEW eight reserved bicycle parking rooms. Ride your bike to your GO Station and have the peace of mind knowing that your bike is in a reserved access room, and it’ll be protected from the elements too. Our reserved bicycle parking rooms are accessed by code. You’ll receive your unique access code after registering for a spot. Please note that spots are on a first come, first serve basis. Some stations may be waitlisted due to availability.

• When: Reserved bike room registration forms must be submitted no later than the 15th of each month to gain access on the 1st of the next month. (For example: Customers must apply for a reserved bike parking at a station before or by April 15 to gain access on May 1).
• Where: The new reserved bicycle parking rooms are located at Whitby, Stouffville, Weston, Burlington, Scarborough, Guildwood, Streetsville, and West Harbour GO stations. We also have reserved bicycle parking rooms at Rutherford, Cooksville, Pickering, Centennial, Hamilton GO Centre, and East Gwillimbury GO stations.
• Cost: $50/year. Register now!

Spring Into Savings

Don’t sleep on these savings! Wake up from your winter hibernation and GO have some fun!

Weekend Passes

For weekend spring events, be sure to use a $10 One-Day Pass for unlimited GO travel on a Saturday or Sunday, or a $15 Weekend Pass for unlimited GO travel all weekend long. They’re perfect for saving money and taking you everywhere you need to GO!

Weekday Group Pass

Use a Weekday Group Pass when you head out for Monday to Friday spring fun with friends and family. Everyone can travel together for one low fare!

PRESTO Perks

Use PRESTO Perks to take advantage of discounts on ticket prices and admission rates to lots of popular attractions around the GGH so you can make room in your budget for more spring outings!

Youth & Post-Secondary Student PRESTO Fares

This discount will put a spring in your step! Teens and Post-Secondary Students can save 40% off the regular adult fare with the Youth PRESTO fare (age 13-19) and Post-Secondary Student PRESTO fare.

Kids GO Free

Are you bringing your young kids to any of the spring events? Remember that kids aged 12 and under always ride free on GO. It’s affordable to bring the whole family on GO Transit!

Springtime is GO Time

You don’t need to choose — you can GO to all the awesome spring events in the Toronto area! 

Plan your trip now!