Spring in Burlington

Spring is a time when Mother Nature greets us with warm sunshine and rainfall to nourish nature’s bloom. To help get you into her renewal mood, we thought we’d let you know what’s happening in Burlington during April and May. We’ll have you hopping to a new tune with our Easter festivities and celebrating Mothers with activities to help make her feel special.

Burlington is known for our spectacular waterfront and gardens, the Royal Botanical Gardens, open daily, offers Wild Music: The Sounds & Songs of Life until April 10. On April 30, you can discover what happens behind the scenes with A Taste of RBG. They’re serving up their gardens with speakers, activities and hands-on demonstrations; horticulturalists share their expertise, researchers reveal their latest findings and ecologists help you understand what’s happening in their natural lands. Join RBG for the Auxiliary Plant Sales on May 5 & 7. Tulips and Lilacs bloom in May, on weekends, see these flowers open up for visitors in celebration that Spring has finally arrived! Call 905-527-1158 for specific blooming dates. Did you know that the Royal Botanical Gardens is a National Historic Site of Canada?

For some of those days when rain is just a downpour, visit our local, indoor attractions like the Burlington Art Centre. With exhibits like the Scott Barnim: Taking Stock Collection on display until April 17 and the Sculptors and Woodcarvers Guild Juried Exhibition starting April 22 to May 22, we’re sure you can shake off the rain and appreciate great art. Our public libraries also offer a host of activities to get you engaged in Burlington and its heritage. From Royal Tea, Meet the Authors and Engaging Ideas, Burlington Public Libraries offer a great way to unite your family for those rainy days best spent indoors.

If you want to feel the warmth of Summer without having to wait for its arrival, attend one of the many cooking classes offered throughout the city. Paradiso Restaurant has many classes ranging in different skills and dishes; enjoy a class on the dishes of Spain, Tuscany and France or learn secrets with BBQ & Salsas as well as Pasta & Sauces. LCBO Millcroft offers classes with a worldly flair; sit in on a class with dishes from Thailand, China, the French Quarter or even ones using some alcoholic beverages like beer!

Burlington has a great theatre community with many great shows. During April, Theatre Burlington presents “The Miracle Worker”, a 1960s story of Annie Sullivan and the child Helen Keller, together forging an inspiring story of trial and success in 19th century America. Beginning in May, Drury Lane Theatre presents “A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum”, a non-stop laugh-fest in which a crafty slave struggles to win the hand of a beautiful but slow-witted courtesan for his young master, in exchange for freedom.

Our museums are not only great heritage sites to inform us of Burlington’s history, they’re great things to see and do before festival season starts! Joseph Brant Museum is proud to unveil their new Visible Storage Gallery exhibition. The Visible Storage Gallery presents a ‘behind the scenes’ view of how a museum stores components of its historic collection. This exhibit also showcases their newest acquisitions to the collections, such as a pair of large candlesticks supposed to have been made from the axle of Joseph Brant’s wagon! Learn the story of Marie Ireland and her passion for her family's history through this new exhibition on display now at the Oakridge Interpretive Centre at Ireland House at Oakridge Farm. Come out and be the first to view these and other important artifacts from Burlington’s heritage.



Easter feels like its right around the corner, hopping with a vengeance and it’s never too early to start making those plans now! A Sp’egg’tacular Easter Event is slated for Saturday, April 23, help welcome spring again at this popular family event!  It offers a chance for kids to go on special candy treasure hunt and meet the Easter Bunny when he makes his enchanting visit. A delightful afternoon for people of all ages - enjoy live entertainment, great refreshments, crafts, activities and games! Celebrate an Easter Egg Extravaganza with Mountsberg Conservation Area on April 22, 23 & 24. Enjoy plenty of fun activities including an Easter Egg Hunt, visits to the farm animals at the Cameron Barn, check out the Birds of Prey at the Raptor Centre, then burn off some energy in the play barn. On Friday, Saturday & Sunday of Easter weekend (April 22, 23 & 24) join Springridge Farm for an Easter Egg Hunt! Families will enjoy an Easter Egg Hunt with the Easter Bunny, professional Puppet Show “Peter Rabbit's Eggcellent Easter Show”, pedal tractors, wagon rides and farm tours, access to the Fun Farmyard with an animal barn, giant sandbox, corn trail, bunny face painting and take home Bunny Ears to colour and wear.


Mother’s Day is seen as a commercial holiday to some but really, it’s just a day to celebrate the woman who brought you into this world. Why not treat her to a tasty brunch courtesy of the Royal Botanical Gardens. Enjoy entertainment and spectacular food prepared at the newly renovated Gardens Café. You could also celebrate Mom with a beautiful day at Crawford Lake. The Wildflower Walk for Mom begins with a spring slideshow followed by a guided walk through park woodlands. On the hike, a knowledgeable guide will explain the natural and cultural history of the area wildflowers. Mom can then relax with a serving of Nature's Tea. Celebrate Mother’s Day with the Three Guitars! Hear songs from the Classic American Songbook, including Gershwin, Porter, Fats Waller and Bohemian Swing while in the beautiful setting of the Halton Region Museum.

Hopefully we’ve helped with the planning of some of your weekends this Spring, for a more detailed listing of events, visit our Facebook page or drop into our Visitor Information Centre located in downtown Burlington at 414 Locust Street on the ground floor of the downtown parking garage.