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.

Hot Docs Canadian International Documentary Film Festival

Are documentaries your favourite film genre? Then don’t miss the 31st edition of the largest documentary film festival in North America! Hot Docs Canadian International Documentary Film Festival runs from April 25 to May 5 and will include World Premieres, North American Premieres, and Canadian Premieres. Hot Docs presents over 160 films from around the world each year and is the best fest for getting your fill of cutting edge documentaries!

• When: April 25 - May 5, 2024
• Where: Hot Docs Ted Rogers Cinema + Various other locations
• Cost: Buy your tickets online

• PRESTO Perk: Save 15% on Hot Docs Bronze level memberships with code HDPRESTO! Members get exclusive discounts on tickets!
• Get There With GO: Take the Kitchener line to Bloor GO Station, then take a short walk and take the TTC from Dundas West Station to Bathurst Station. Or, take GO to Union Station and then take the TTC to Bathurst Station. With the new One Fare Program, this means your TTC fare will be FREE when you connect with GO Transit, regardless of travel direction.

Lilacs at Royal Botanical Gardens

Experience the breathtaking beauty and fragrance of lilacs in full bloom at the Royal Botanical Gardens. Wander through one of the largest and most diverse lilac collections in the world and immerse yourself in their timeless charm. PRESTO cardholders save 15% off Adult Garden Admission tickets when showing your PRESTO card upon arrival.

• When: May 3 - June 2, 2024
• Where: Royal Botanical Gardens - Arboretum
• Cost: $10
• PRESTO Perk – save 15% off Adult All Gardens Admission tickets when showing your PRESTO card upon arrival.
• Get There With GO: Take GO to Burlington GO Station, and then take Burlington Transit Route 1 Plains to Hamilton to RBG Centre.

Reptile & Plant Expo

The Canadian Reptile Expos celebrating over 20 years, offer a platform for reptile enthusiasts to learn about responsible ownership and connect with fellow herpetoculturists. Additionally, attendees can explore The Art of Horticulture presented by the Plant Expo, featuring vendors specializing in terrariums, hydroponics, houseplants, and beyond.

• When: April 14 & May 26, 2024
• Where: The International Centre, Mississauga (Hall 6)
• Cost: Buy your tickets online!

• PRESTO Perk: Save 20% on your Adult Admission when you use promo code PRESTOREPTILE at checkout!     

• Get There With GO: Take the Kitchener line to Malton GO Station. Use the tunnel walkway between the GO station and the International Centre.

Canada's Wonderland

With over 200 attractions — including 18 roller coasters, 2 kids’ areas, and a 20-acre water park, you’ll have a jam-packed day of attractions for all ages and interests.

• When: For park hours, visit the Canada's Wonderland website.
• Where: 1 Canada’s Wonderland Drive, Vaughan, ON
• Cost: Buy your tickets online for the best price!
• Get There With GO: Starting May 4, 2024, GO Transit brings back seasonal GO Explore weekend bus service to Canada’s Wonderland on GO Bus Route 47 and Route 52 until August 25, 2024.
  Or take GO to Maple GO Station and transfer with YRT. With the One Fare Program, this means your YRT fare will be FREE when you connect with GO Transit, regardless of travel direction. Check your schedule.

Toronto Newcomer Day

Join us in celebrating Newcomer Day in Toronto, where both newcomers and locals can come together to enjoy diverse foods, music and activities while reflecting on the city's rich history of welcoming new residents. This year's theme, "Looking Back," honors the diverse groups that have contributed to Toronto's vibrant community over the past decade.

• When: May 23, 2024 10 a.m. - 3 p.m.
• Where: Nathan Phillips Square (100 Queen St W)
• Cost: FREE!  
• Get There With GO: Take GO to Union Station and then walk or take the TTC to Nathan Phillips Square. Starting at just $30, GO Weekday Group Passes are the affordable way to get everyone to Union and your TTC fare is FREE, thanks to the One Fare Program!
• If you are getting there with UP Express: travel between Pearson Airport and downtown Toronto. From Union Station, transfer to the TTC to get to Nathan Phillips Square.

Carassauga

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 24 - 26, 2024
• Friday 7 pm - 10 pm (Opening Ceremonies only)
• Saturday 12 pm - 11 pm
• Sunday 12 pm - 7 pm
• Where:
• Mississauga Valley Community Centre - 1275 Mississauga Valley Blvd
• Paramount Fine Foods Centre - 5500/5600 Rose Cherry Pl
• Burnhamthorpe Community Centre - 1500 Gulleden Dr
• Frank McKechnie Community Centre - 310 Bristol Rd E
• Canadian Coptic Centre - 1245 Eglinton Ave W
• Portuguese Cultural Centre of Mississauga - 53 Queen St N

• Sava Serbian Centre - 2520 Dixie Rd (This facility is not wheelchair accessible)

• Cost: Buy your Festival Passport online!

  Festival Passport (ages 13+)	$15
  Children ages 12 & under	FREE

• Get There With GO: Take GO to Square One Bus Terminal or Cooksville GO Station (use a $10 Weekend One-Day Pass!), then your Festival Passport allows you to enjoy free transportation to the pavilion locations on MiWay buses.

Doors Open Toronto

Unionville Festival

A popular and exciting event since it first started in 2000, Doors Open Toronto is your chance to explore buildings that are usually closed to the public and gives you FREE access to places where you would normally pay an admission fee. It’s an opportunity for everyone to enjoy some of Toronto’s most unique and beautiful buildings. The theme for this year is “Hidden Histories” and you’ll be able to tour some often-overlooked historical sites from ancient Indigenous footpaths to Canada’s oldest surviving queer space. 

• When: May 25 & 26, 2024     
• Where: Multiple locations around Toronto
• Cost: FREE!              
• Get There With GO: Take GO to Union Station and then walk or use TTC to get to each venue.
• If you are getting there with UP Express: travel between Pearson Airport and downtown Toronto, and from Union Station you can walk or transfer with TTC.

The Unionville Festival, born from a 1969 protest to preserve Main Street, is now a lively two-day event celebrating community and kicking off the summer season. The event offers food, games, live music, and family fun, with easy GO Transit access, where Kids GO Free and Dogs GO Free!

• When: June 1 (9am – 7pm) & 2 (9am – 6pm), 2024.
• The parade starts at 10 am on Saturday, June 1.

• Where: Main Street Unionville
• Cost: FREE!              
• Get There With GO: Take the Stouffville Line to Unionville GO Station and then walk or use local transit to get to Main Street.

One Of A Kind Spring Show

Thanks for riding with us to the One Of A Kind Show!

Embrace creativity, support small businesses, and come together to celebrate craft! The ever popular Spring One Of A Kind Show returns in March with all the unique and interesting items that you could wish for. Find one-of-a-kind jewelry, apparel, decor items, food products, and gifts for Easter, Mother’s Day, Father’s Day and more. Stroll through the booths, chat with the makers, and discover your own creative spirit!

• When: March 27 - 31, 2024
• Where: Enercare Centre, Exhibition Place
• Cost: Buy your tickets online!

  General Admission	$19
  Seniors (age 65+)	$12
  University/College Student (with valid ID)	$15
  Youth (ages 5-17)	$12
  Enjoy a great deal with GO + OOAK Combo Tickets! Includes General Admission to the One Of A Kind Show + round trip GO fare to and from Exhibition GO Station.	Combo Ticket $31

• PRESTO Perk: March 27 is Transit Wednesday! Your General Admission ticket is just $15 when you show your PRESTO card at the box office.
• Get There With GO: Take the Lakeshore West line to Exhibition GO Station, and you’re just steps away from the Enercare Centre!

Canadian Pet Expo

Thanks for riding with us to the Canadian Pet Expo!

Furry family members, feathered family members, scaly family members, and human ones, too! The Canadian Pet Expo is the event for all ages and species in your home! Bring your dogs, your snakes, your cats, and your kids. You’ll find interactive activations, grooming demos, and even celebrity pets! Explore Feline Fest or the Bird & Small Pet Zone, watch The Canine Stars stunt dog show, and shop for all the best pet products. The Canadian Pet Expo is easily accessible by GO Transit, and remember — Dogs GO Free!

• When: March 29 - 31, 2024
• Where: The International Centre, Mississauga
• Cost: Buy your tickets online!

  Adult (ages 16-64)	$20
  Seniors (65+)	$15
  Youth (ages 7-15)	$15
  Children ages 6 & under	Free

• PRESTO Perk: Save 20% on your Adult Admission when you use promo code PRESTOXCPE20 at checkout!
• Get There With GO: Take the Kitchener line to Malton GO Station. Use the tunnel walkway between the GO station and the International Centre.

Toronto Blue Jays - Home Opener presented by TD

Thanks for riding with us to the Toronto Blue Jays - Home Opener presented by TD!

Another exciting season of Blue Jays baseball is here and we’re ready to cheer! Take GO to Rogers Centre on April 8 for their Home Opener against the Seattle Mariners, and check out the newly renovated 100 level. Get a free Blue Jays Rally Towel¹ when you arrive and a free Blue Jays Magnet Schedule² when you exit. Don’t miss your first chance to root for the home team this season – just a GO ride away. It’s time to Play Ball!

• When: April 8, 2024 at 7:07 pm
• Where: Rogers Centre
• Cost:  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 Rogers Centre.

_{1 Blue Jays Rally Towel Giveaway presented by TD (45,000 fans upon entrance) | 2 Blue Jays Magnet Schedule Giveaway presented by TD (45,000 fans upon exit)}

TIFF Next Wave Film Festival

Thanks for riding with us to TIFF Next Wave!

TIFF Next Wave is all about new and exciting films that will appeal to young audiences, chosen by young people. The TIFF Next Wave committee is a group of students aged 15-18 who are selected to curate the films for the festival, and tickets to the screenings are FREE for anyone under 25!

Experience the excitement of the TIFF Next Wave Film Festival with exclusive discounts for youth (13-19 years old) and students (full-time) enjoy a 40% discount on GO Transit with PRESTO.

• When: April 11 - 14, 2024
• Where: TIFF Lightbox (350 King St W)
• Cost: Buy your tickets online!

• PRESTO Perk: Save 20% on a year-round TIFF membership with code 24PRESTO at online checkout!

• Get There With GO: Travel by GO bus or train to Union Station and then walk north up University Ave to King St W, or take TTC from Union to St Andrew Station. With the new One Fare Program, this means your TTC fare will be FREE when you connect with GO Transit, regardless of travel direction.

Khalsa Day in Toronto

Thanks for riding with us to the Khalsa Day Parade!

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 28, 2024 - 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.
  

Spring Into Savings

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

Weekend Pass

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

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!

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!

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!