Things to do this weekend in Pickering, Ajax, Whitby and Oshawa: March 14 to March 16

Feeling indecisive about your weekend plans? Whether you’re diving into St. Patrick’s Day festivities, getting creative with hands-on workshops, jamming out at concerts and musicals, or catching a throwback movie screening, Pickering, Ajax, Whitby and Oshawa have plenty to keep things interesting.

Here’s what’s on from March 14 to March 16:

March 14

Pickering: 

Sparky’s Birthday Party

Experience fire truck tours, educational activities, colouring stations, a chance to meet Sparky and more! Non-perishable donations are accepted in lieu of gifts.

Where: 1700 Zents Dr. (Pickering Fire Services Headquarters)
When: 10 a.m.–1 p.m.
Cost: Free

Button-Making Fun

Use a button maker to bring your coolest ideas to life! All supplies are provided, just bring your creativity.

Where: 1 The Esplanade S. (Central Library, Auditorium)
When: 10:30 a.m.–11:30 a.m.
Cost: Free

STEM March Break Camps

Future engineers and creators can explore design, engineering, and STEM activities at Steamoji Pickering.

Where: 780 Kingston Rd. (Pickering)
When: 9 a.m.–3 p.m. (Extended hours available with registration)
Cost: $350–$399

Ajax:

Retro Films – The Goonies 40th Anniversary Screening

Part of the St. Francis Centre’s Retro Reels series, this special screening celebrates the 40th anniversary of The Goonies. Attendees can expect trivia, giveaways and themed treats as they relive this classic adventure. Costumes, PJs, blankets and pillows are encouraged.

Where: 78 Church St. S. (St. Francis Centre for Community, Arts and Culture)
When: 7 p.m.
Cost: $6.66

March Break Program Showcase and Tours

Prospective students and applicants are invited to explore Durham College’s 145+ career-driven programs and state-of-the-art facilities. This event includes interactive activities, campus tours and information on student services.

Where: 2000 Simcoe St. N. (Durham College, Oshawa & Whitby Campuses)
When: 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Cost: Free

OPG March Break Fun – Junior Einstein’s Science Club

Light a lightsaber with a plasma ball, make slime, shoot giant smoke rings and see Barbie’s hair stand on end with a Van de Graaff generator.

Where: 55 Harwood Ave. S. (Ajax Public Library)
When: 2:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.
Cost: Free

Whitby:

St. Patrick’s Day Social

Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day with an evening of dancing at the 55+ Recreation Centre. Light refreshments will be served. Pre-registration and a 55+ membership are required.

Where: 801 Brock St. S. (55+ Recreation Centre)
When:  6 p.m. – 8 p.m.
Cost: $10 (Pre-registration required)

March Break Mini Putt

Join Autism Ontario for 18 holes of glow-in-the-dark mini-putt at Putting Edge Whitby. This event is open to families in Durham Region, Kawartha Lakes, Haliburton, Peterborough and Northumberland.

Where: 75 Consumers Dr. (Putting Edge)
When: 9 a.m.– 10 a.m.
Cost: $3 per person (No refunds)

Oshawa:

Oshawa Mural & Art Walk

Explore the vibrant street art of downtown Oshawa, including the mural Stop and Smell the Flowers.

Where: 18 Celina St.
When: 6 a.m. – 8 p.m.
Cost: Free

March Break at the Oshawa Museum

Celebrate March Break with a visit to the Oshawa Museum. Explore the Indigenous Languages in Canada exhibit on loan from the Canadian Languages Museum and Untold Oshawa in Robinson House, showcasing the area’s history over the past 10,000 years.

Where: 1450 Simcoe St. S.
When: 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Cost: Free—Admission by donation

March Break Art Camp 2025

This popular camp provides young artists with an opportunity to interact with art in fun and playful ways while working with fine art materials. Activities include gallery tours, exhibition activities and studio art projects.

Where: 72 Queen St., Civic Centre (The Robert McLaughlin Gallery)
When: 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Cost: $225 Members / $250 Non-Members

Beach Party

Travel to the beach with seaside stories, crafts, and activities at this drop-in family program.

Where: 65 Debwewin Miikan (formerly Bagot Street)
When: 2:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.
Cost: Free

Montreal Aggro-Metal Troupe CHÜZO at Atria

Montreal aggro-metal band CHÜZO brings their tour to Oshawa in support of their latest EP: Maximum Threshold, Minimum Decay, produced by Kevin Jardine. Joining them on stage are Personas, Black Absinthe, Evil Villain, and Threefold Ruin.

Where: 59 King St. E (Atria)
When: 8 p.m.
Cost: $20 at the door

Ontario Philharmonic – Orchestral Fireworks

The Ontario Philharmonic presents Orchestral Fireworks as part of its Magnum Opus Series. Young virtuoso Tony Yike Yang returns to perform Bartók’s Second Piano Concerto, a riveting and haunting piece.

Where: 50 King St. E (Regent Theatre)
When: 8 p.m.
Cost: Tickets from $67.80

March 15

Ajax:

Coming Home: The Musical

This powerful musical production tells the stories of three legendary icons—Nina Simone, Josephine Baker and Jessye Norman—through jazz, blues, classical and opera.

Where: 78 Church St. S. (St. Francis Centre for Community, Arts and Culture)
When: 2 p.m.
Cost: $43.93

Stay Connected

Learn how to stay in touch with family and friends, discover great movies and books and more with these 60-minute technology training sessions. Topics include using iPads, Facebook, FaceTime, and safe Zoom use. Sessions are available in person or online via Zoom.

Where: 1955 Audley Rd. (Audley Branch)
When: 10 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Cost: Free; advanced registration required.

DCCC Seniors and Durham Happy Seniors Alliance

Enjoy Chinese-style games, dance, Tai Chi, and more at this engaging program. Languages spoken: Cantonese and Mandarin. Presented in partnership with Durham Chinese Canadian Culture Centre.

Where: 55 Harwood Ave. S. (Main Branch)
When: 1 p.m. – 4 p.m.
Cost: Free

Whitby:

Purple Woods Maple Syrup Festival

Experience a Canadian spring in the sugarbush, where sap is collected from hundreds of sugar maple trees and boiled on-site into delicious maple syrup. Take a self-guided tour, visit the modern evaporator, enjoy games, activities, horse-drawn wagon rides, and, of course, pancakes with real maple syrup. This year marks 50 years of tapping and making maple syrup at Purple Woods Conservation Area.

Where: 38 Coates Rd. E. (Purple Woods Conservation Area)
When: 9:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.
Cost: Unspecified

Stamp Auction

Browse and bid on a variety of collectible stamps at this community auction. Everyone is welcome to attend. Entry fees will be donated to the 55+ Recreation Centre.

Where: 801 Brock St. S. (55+ Recreation Centre)
When: 9:30 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Cost: $2 cash entry fee

St. Patrick’s Day EDM Party

Dance the night away at this high-energy St. Patrick’s Day EDM event.

Where: 171 Brock St. N. (Hideaway Nightclub)
When: 10 p.m.
Cost: $10 – $15

Annie Jr. musical

Join The Song Spot’s Youth Theatre Group (ages 8-17) as they bring the beloved musical Annie Jr. to life. Based on the classic comic strip and Tony Award-winning musical, this production follows little orphan Annie’s journey to find her family in 1930s New York.

Where: 416 Centre St. S. (The Centennial Building)
When:

• March 15—2:30 p.m. & 7 p.m.
• March 16—11 a.m. & 2:30 p.m.

Cost: $25 – $30

Oshawa:

Mo Night Oshawa: St. Patrick’s Day Edition

Get ready for a night of music, energy and festivities.

Where: 39 King St. E (Biltmore Theatre)
When: 10 p.m.
Cost: $13.10

March 16

Pickering: 

The Bridal Sip ‘N Taste

Sample drinks and food while planning your dream wedding. Enjoy fashion shows, wedding etiquette tips and skincare insights.

Where: 2120 Rosebank Rd (Pickering)
When: 1 p.m.–6 p.m. (Doors at 12:45 p.m.)
Cost: $13.54

Oshawa:

Glass Tiger – This Island Earth

Join Glass Tiger with special guest MuchMusic VJ Erica Ehm for a special retrospective of their greatest hits, including Don’t Forget Me (When I’m Gone) and Someday.

Where: 50 King St. E (Regent Theatre)
When: 7:30 p.m. – 9:30 p.m.
Cost: $96

—Cover photo via Instagram @puttingedge