Things to Do in Markham, Ontario — The Ultimate Activity & Attraction Guide
Michael John Lau and Neeraj Moolchandani are top REALTORS in Markham and leaders of the Kaizen Real Estate Team at eXp Realty, Luxury Division. With deep expertise in Markham and the Greater Toronto Area, they specialize in luxury properties, pre-listing preparation, and helping families find the right home in the right community. Markham is not a city you pass through on the way somewhere else — it is a destination in its own right. From Rouge National Urban Park to historic Main Street Unionville, from Pacific Mall's food courts to world-class sports facilities, this is your definitive guide to Markham.
Markham, Ontario is not a city you pass through on the way somewhere else — it is a destination in its own right. From one of Canada's largest and most beloved agricultural fairs to a world-class badminton venue, from historic Main Street Unionville to Rouge National Urban Park, from Korean fried chicken at a Pacific Mall food court to craft cocktails at Downtown Markham's newest restaurant, Markham rewards exploration. Michael John Lau and Neeraj Moolchandani, REALTORS® at Kaizen Real Estate in Markham, Ontario, know this city at the street level — and this is the definitive guide to things to do in Markham.
Nature, Parks, and Outdoor Activities
Rouge National Urban Park
Thousands of acres of protected forests, wetlands, river valleys & meadows · Hiking, bird watching & nature photography · Rouge River watershed habitat · Multiple community trailheads
Rouge National Urban Park is Canada's first urban national park and one of Markham's greatest assets. Thousands of acres of protected forests, wetlands, river valleys, meadows, and Rouge River watershed habitat are accessible directly from Markham's eastern communities — Cornell, Box Grove, and Greensborough are all within minutes of Rouge Park trailheads. The trail network winds through wildflower meadows, thickly wooded areas, and along the Rouge River itself, offering year-round hiking, bird watching, and nature photography. Dress appropriately for ticks in warmer months and bring insect repellent for summer trail use.
Toogood Pond Park — Unionville
Scenic pond with walking trails, picnic areas & benches · Year-round wildlife including ducks, geese & fish · Ideal for families, casual walkers & nature escapes
Toogood Pond Park is 82 acres of green space in the heart of Unionville — Markham's most beloved urban nature destination. The scenic pond is surrounded by walking trails, green spaces, picnic areas, and benches. Wildlife including ducks, geese, and fish inhabit the pond year-round, making it an ideal spot for families, casual walkers, and anyone who wants a serene midday escape. Toogood Pond sits a three-minute walk from Main Street Unionville, making it a natural combination destination — trail walk followed by lunch or coffee at one of Unionville's acclaimed restaurants.
Milne Dam Conservation Park
Trail winds around the reservoir through wooded areas & scenic viewpoints · Picnic areas at the Milne Dam trailhead · One of Markham's most picturesque natural settings
Milne Dam Conservation Park offers a 2.3-kilometre hiking trail through some of Markham's most picturesque natural scenery. The trail winds around the reservoir, through wooded areas, and past multiple scenic viewpoints. The park includes picnic areas and parking at the Milne Dam trailhead.
Bob Hunter Memorial Park — Box Grove
Direct connection to Rouge National Urban Park's designated Forest Therapy Trail · Walking distance from Smoothwater Terrace & Box Grove residential communities
Bob Hunter Memorial Park in the Box Grove community provides direct connection to Rouge National Urban Park's Forest Therapy Trail — a designated therapeutic nature trail recognized for its mental health and wellness benefits. The park is a short walk from the Smoothwater Terrace and Box Grove residential communities, making it a daily destination for many Box Grove residents.
Swan Lake Park — Greensborough
Walking paths around the natural lake · Waterfowl habitat, benches & picnic spaces · Daily community gathering destination across all four seasons
Swan Lake Park is the centrepiece of the Greensborough community — a natural lake and park setting that gives the neighbourhood its distinct character. The park features walking paths around the lake, waterfowl habitat, benches, and picnic spaces. For Greensborough families, Swan Lake Park is a daily community gathering point across all four seasons.
Angus Glen Golf Club
Two championship golf courses · PGA Tour-calibre events · Grand clubhouse with grill restaurant overlooking the fairways · Private weddings & corporate events
Angus Glen Golf Club is one of Canada's finest golf facilities and one of Markham's most recognizable landmarks. Designed by Davis Love III, the club has twice hosted the Canadian Open and regularly welcomes PGA Tour-calibre events. The grand clubhouse features a full-service grill restaurant with views across the fairways. Angus Glen also operates a second golf course and hosts private events including weddings and corporate gatherings throughout the season.
Insider Tip: Combine a morning at Toogood Pond Park with lunch on Main Street Unionville — both are a three-minute walk apart and together make for one of the most pleasant half-days in the GTA.
Culture, Arts, and Heritage
Main Street Unionville
Unionville Music Festival · Unionville Festival in June · Boutique shops, cafes & professional services · One of Ontario's most charming heritage destinations
Main Street Unionville is one of Ontario's most charming heritage streetscapes and the cultural heart of Markham. The 19th-century commercial buildings have been preserved and repurposed as boutique shops, restaurants, cafes, galleries, and professional services. The street hosts several of Markham's signature annual events including the Unionville Music Festival — five days of professional jazz performances on three stages — and the Unionville Festival in June. Walking Main Street Unionville at any time of year is one of the most pleasant urban experiences in the GTA.
Varley Art Gallery
Named for Group of Seven artist Frederick Varley · Permanent collection of Varley's paintings · Rotating Canadian art exhibitions · Drop-in studio programs & art classes year-round
The Varley Art Gallery on Main Street Unionville is named for Frederick Varley, the Group of Seven artist who lived and worked in the area. The gallery houses a permanent collection of Varley's paintings alongside rotating exhibitions of contemporary and historical Canadian art. Drop-in studio programs, art classes, and community events are offered throughout the year.
Markham Museum
Traces Markham's settlement history from the early 19th century · Guided tours, educational programming & seasonal events · Agricultural heritage preserved in a modern urban setting
Markham Museum at 9350 Highway 7 East preserves 25 acres of parkland containing over 20 historic buildings that trace Markham's settlement history from the early 19th century to the 20th century. The museum offers guided tours, educational programming, and seasonal events that bring Markham's heritage to life for families and history enthusiasts. An authentic piece of the city's agricultural past preserved in the midst of a modern urban environment.
FLATO Markham Theatre
Full season of theatre, concerts, comedy, dance & community performances · Professional-quality touring productions in Markham · No need to travel downtown for live performance
The FLATO Markham Theatre is Markham's premier performing arts venue, hosting a full season of professional theatrical productions, concerts, comedy, dance, and community performances throughout the year. The 527-seat venue brings professional-quality touring productions directly to Markham, eliminating the need to travel downtown for live performance. Check the current season schedule at markhamtheatre.ca.
Downtown Markham — Urban Culture and Art
$25 million public art program · Pride of Canada hand-carved wooden carousel · Remington Contemporary Art Gallery · Premium IMAX cinema at The Origin
Downtown Markham's urban core along Highway 7 includes the Street Art Wall, the Remington Contemporary Art Gallery, and a growing collection of public art installations including the Pride of Canada Carousel — a hand-carved wooden carousel installed as part of the $25 million public art program integrated into the Remington Group development. The Cineplex VIP IMAX theatre at The Origin provides premium cinema experiences to Downtown Markham residents and visitors.
Annual Events and Festivals
The Markham Fair
Monster trucks · Midway rides · Demolition derbies · Horse shows · Live bands · Sheep shearing · Food trucks · Eating contests · One of Canada's oldest agricultural fairs
The Markham Fair, held annually around Thanksgiving at the Markham Fairgrounds, is one of Canada's oldest and largest community-based agricultural fairs. More than 80,000 participants attend each year. The fair features monster trucks, midway rides, demolition derbies, horse shows, live bands, sheep shearing competitions, gymnastics events, food trucks, and eating contests. For families who have never experienced a traditional Ontario agricultural fair, the Markham Fair is the reference standard.
Taste of Asia Festival
Three days of multicultural performances, culinary showcases & live entertainment · One of Markham's most visible celebrations of multicultural identity · Draws visitors from across the GTA
The Taste of Asia Festival is held annually on Kennedy Road and Steeles Avenue East near Pacific Mall in late June. Three days of multicultural performances, culinary showcases, cultural displays, and live entertainment draw enormous crowds from across the GTA. The festival is one of the most visible celebrations of Markham's multicultural identity.
Markham Jazz Festival
World-class professional jazz musicians · Multiple outdoor stages on historic Main Street Unionville · One of the GTA's most distinctive outdoor music events
The Markham Jazz Festival is a five-day event featuring professional jazz musicians performing on multiple stages on historic Main Street Unionville. The festival combines world-class musical programming with Unionville's heritage streetscape to create one of the GTA's most distinctive outdoor music events.
Canada Day at Markham Centre
Live music by the Kindred Spirits Orchestra · Family programming throughout the day · Fireworks display · One of Markham's best-attended annual community events
The City of Markham hosts an official Canada Day celebration at Markham Centre on Birchmount Road and Enterprise Boulevard, featuring live music by the Kindred Spirits Orchestra, family programming, and fireworks. One of Markham's best-attended annual community events.
Night It Up! Night Market at Pacific Mall
Food vendors, performances & cultural programming · One of the GTA's most popular Asian night market events · Draws visitors from across Toronto and York Region
Night It Up! Night Market at Pacific Mall is one of the GTA's most popular Asian night market events, drawing visitors from across Toronto and York Region with food vendors, performances, and cultural programming on select summer evenings.
Family Activities
Toronto Zoo
Canada's largest animal park · Located at the Markham-Toronto boundary · Full-day family experience · Perennial Markham family favourite
The Toronto Zoo, while technically located at the Markham-Toronto boundary at 361A Old Finch Avenue, is one of the most popular family attractions accessible from Markham. Canada's largest animal park houses over 5,000 animals across seven geographic habitat areas. A full day at the Toronto Zoo is a perennial Markham family activity.
Markham Pan Am Centre
Olympic-standard pool · Badminton courts & table tennis · Gymnastics space · Public fitness programming · Annual YONEX Canada Open international badminton tournament
The Markham Pan Am Centre at 16 Main Street in Unionville is a world-class multi-sport facility originally built for the 2015 Pan American Games. The centre features an Olympic-standard pool, badminton courts, table tennis facilities, gymnastics space, and fitness programming open to the public. The YONEX Canada Open — one of the world's top international badminton tournaments — is hosted here annually, bringing elite international competition directly to Markham.
iflyTOTO — Indoor Skydiving
Experience the sensation of skydiving in a completely safe environment · Suitable for all ages · One of York Region's most popular family & group outing destinations
iflyTOTO is Markham's indoor skydiving experience — a vertical wind tunnel that allows participants of all ages to experience the sensation of skydiving in a completely safe, instructor-guided environment. Located in Markham, it is one of the most popular family and group outing destinations in York Region.
Reesor Farm Market and Pick-Your-Own
Pick-your-own strawberry fields from late June to early July · Fresh Ontario fruits, vegetables & baked goods year-round · A Markham family tradition spanning generations
Reesor Farm Market at 4443 Reesor Road has been in operation since 1804 — making it one of Ontario's oldest farm operations. Pick-your-own strawberry fields open from late June to early July, with fresh Ontario fruits, vegetables, baked goods, and seasonal produce available year-round. For Markham families, a summer trip to Reesor Farm is a tradition with roots that stretch back generations.
Go Place Korean Spa
Multiple spa pools, sauna rooms & relaxation spaces · Food & beverage service throughout · Admission covers all general spa facilities · A distinctive adult leisure destination in Markham
Go Place is Markham's destination Korean spa and wellness centre, operating 24 hours a day and offering multiple spa pools, sauna rooms, and relaxation spaces. Admission grants access to all general spa facilities, with food and beverage service available throughout. Go Place has become one of Markham's most distinctive leisure destinations for adults seeking a relaxation and wellness experience unlike anything available in most GTA communities.
Why Markham's Lifestyle Matters to Real Estate Buyers: Buying a home in Markham means buying into a lifestyle — not just a physical structure on a lot. The parks you walk your dog through, the festivals you attend with your kids, the restaurants you discover within a ten-minute drive, the community centres where your family swims and plays — all of these are as important as the number of bedrooms and the school catchment. Markham delivers comprehensively across every dimension of what makes a city worth living in.
Michael John Lau and Neeraj Moolchandani, REALTORS® at Kaizen Real Estate, help buyers and sellers understand Markham at the street level — from the communities to the lifestyle to the real estate market.
Michael John Lau and Neeraj Moolchandani are licensed REALTORS® serving buyers and sellers in Markham, Ontario and the Greater Toronto Area. Event dates and venue details change annually. Verify current programming directly with each venue or the City of Markham at visitmarkham.ca.
