Family Day at The Bentway

Celebrate Family Day at The Bentway with a fun-filled afternoon of skating, crafts, music, refreshments, and more! We’ve teamed up with the Bata Shoe Museum to offer activities for the whole family that celebrate the history of skating, inspired by their online exhibition Boots and Blades: The Story of Canadian Figure Skating. Learn about figure skating in Canada from the 1600s to present through an interactive scavenger hunt with a tasty treat at the end. Gear up for the skate trail by decorating your own skate boot covers at the free Boots & Blades Workshop – drop in anytime between 12:00pm – 3:00pm. 

Enjoy festive treats and delights throughout the day from our Family Day presenting sponsor MilkUP and supporter Armstrong Cheese. Check out The Toronto Mom Market as they return to The Bentway to share unique local products.  

Mark your calendar and join us for the final day of The Bentway’s 2023-24 winter skating season!

Schedule of Events (subject to change): 

Ice Skating
12:00pm – 9:00pm

  
Cruise the 220m figure-eight skate trail under the Gardiner Expressway, with a curated playlist keeping the energy high. Skate rentals are available on-site for a fee. 
Boots and Blades Workshop
Drop-in between 12:00pm – 3:00pm  


Gear up for the trail by decorating your own skate boot covers at this free workshop, led by the Bata Shoe Museum. The workshop is open to all ages (with parent/guardian supervision required for youth) and all supplies will be provided, while quantities last. Located inside the Fort York Visitor Centre.   
Scavenger Hunt
12:00pm – 9:00pm  


Learn about figure skating in Canada from the 1600s to present day through an interactive scavenger hunt. The stations are inspired by the Bata Shoe Museum’s online exhibition, Boots and Blades: The Story of Canadian Figure Skating. Participants can receive a free hot chocolate voucher, sponsored by Beanfield.
Winter Market
12:00pm – 4:00pm  


The Toronto Mom Market returns with a selection of local artisan vendors. It’s the perfect opportunity to get something unique and support local businesses!  
Dairy Chill Après Skate Village
12:00pm – 9:00pm
  

Presenting sponsor MilkUP brings their popular Dairy Chill winter village to The Bentway Skate Trail. Enjoy delicious, dairy-forward treats and goodies from local Toronto food and beverage vendors. Visitors can also get custom, limited edition MilkUP Dairy Chill merch to keep cozy.  
Say Cheese
12:00pm – 9:00pm 
  

Event sponsor Armstrong Cheese brings their beloved food truck to The Bentway Skate Trail, providing free, delicious, high-protein cheese snacks. Their Nibblers & Combos are the perfect pairing for a day of family skating or on the go! 

What to expect

  • This event will take place outdoors in and around The Bentway Skate Trail. This is the last day the Skate Trail will be open for the 2023-2024 season. 
  • Accessible washrooms are available on site.  
  • Skate and helmet rentals are available on-site for a fee. Please note that youth under the age of 16 must be accompanied by a legal parent or guardian to rent skates. 
  • Please note that all of our onsite payment systems are cashless.
  • This event will go ahead rain/snow or shine, however for the safety of all visitors the Skate Trail will be closed if temperature reaches -20°C or below. 
  • The Bata Shoe Museum Scavenger Hunt and Workshop are family friendly and free while supplies last. Participants can receive a free hot chocolate voucher, sponsored by Beanfield.  
  • Please note that the Bata Shoe Museum Boots and Blades workshop will take place indoors in the Fort York Visitors Centre, a few steps west of The Bentway Skate Trail. This workshop is drop-in friendly and open to all ages. Parent/guardians must be present to supervise minors.  
  • Photography, video, and audio recording may occur. By participating in any Bentway Family Day activities, you consent to such recording and to the release, publication, exhibition or reproduction of these recordings and photographs.   

 

collaborators
presenting sponsor

MilkUP

MilkUP is Dairy Farmers of Ontario’s bold and dynamic Gen Z lifestyle brand. Whether through academics, sports or entertainment, MilkUP is there encouraging Gen Zs to ‘milk every moment’. Their brand motivates Ontario youth using authentic experiences that inspire them to realize their untapped potential and re-embrace milk as a lifestyle staple. Learn more about MilkUP initiatives at milk.org/MilkUP

The Mom Market Toronto

The Mom Market Toronto hosts multiple events across the city ranging in size and scope. Toronto is a division of The Mom Market Collective Inc that spans the east to west coasts of Canada and has over 30 local divisions encouraging people to shop and support local. 

event sponsors
season supporters