Must-see March events in Toronto

By Jenn Reid

While it seems like spring is right around the corner, March has one last hurrah for winter-themed events in the city! You can head outside to a maple syrup shack, enjoy a winter beer fest, or stick to indoor events like an exciting new exhibition at the ROM and a series of hot concerts. Don’t forget March Break is coming! The kids will be out and about at all kinds of family-friendly events like Disney on Ice, Wizard World or Toronto Comicon. There's so much to do, so make sure you don't miss these must-see March 2017 events in Toronto! [Photo credit: Sally Mcintyre, courtesy of the ROM]

While summer’s Fan Expo is the bigger of the two geek fests at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre, Toronto Comic Con is starting to become a favourite with attendees. Fans can shop geek wares, pick up some comic books and meet the artists behind them, get a photo op with a celebrity and, of course, engage in some cosplay. Some of the celebrity guests at this year’s event include Agents of S.H.E.I.L.D. star Brett Dalton, wrestlers Bret Hart and Mick Foley, and comic creators Joe Jusko and Stephanie Roux. More guests will be added to the lineup leading up to the show. Toronto Comicon runs March 17 to 19 with tickets at $20 to $30, or $50 for a weekend pass. Buy tickets here.

Fashion isn’t just for the ladies! Toronto Men’s Fashion Week is one of only eight men’s fashion weeks in the world, bringing the latest designs in menswear to Toronto shoppers. Fashion connoisseurs can watch the newest Fall/Winter collections hit the runway, from esteemed menswear designers like Hendrixroe, Kollar Clothing, Xian, Hip and Bone, Zane Barlas, Labelle, Shelli Oh and North Aware. The shows are all at Waterworks (505 Richmond) March 6 to 8, and tickets are available to individual shows as well as day or weekend passes. Each runway show is $20, day passes are $60 for four shows, and weekend passes are $168 for all runway shows. Buy tickets here.

Hot Docs Cinema always has insightful films and interesting guest speakers, but now they are jam-packing some of the more thought-provoking guests and discussions into the new Curious Minds Weekend festival. From March 3 to 5, different writers, journalists, activists and musicians will lead discussions about topics ranging from transgender issues, how to create positive civic change, transgender life and American politics. On the lighter side, the cast of Orphan Black will do a live table read of one of the show’s more iconic episodes, followed by a Q&A discussion of the breakout sci-fi hit with star Tatiana Maslany. Tickets to each event range from $21 to $34, and weekend passes $179. Tickets are available online, and a limited number of same-day tickets will be available.

Pop singer Ariana Grande makes her way to Toronto with the Dangerous Woman Tour, hitting the Air Canada Centre March 5. Grande’s latest album, Dangerous Woman, has the hits “Into You,” the title track “Dangerous Woman,” and “Side to Side” featuring Nicki Minaj, which went to number one on the charts this winter. Her previous albums include the songs “My Everything,” “Problem” and “The Way,” all of which were in the Billboard top 10. Joining Grande on stage are British girl group Little Mix and singer Victoria Monet. Tickets are available on Ticketmaster and go for $29.95 to $199.95.

Also at the Air Canada Centre this month is the new concert experience Game of Thrones Live, where a full orchestra and choir will perform the sounds of the hit HBO show. State of the art technology will create the visuals of going through Westeros, recreating cities like Winterfell and King’s Landing, while composer Ramin Djawadi leads the musicians through the show’s score, including that iconic theme song. The performance is on March 4 and tickets are $39.50 to $125, available on Ticketmaster.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------

More things to do on YP

• Maple Syrup Festivals in Toronto
• 15 free events in Toronto this month
• Playtime for grown-ups: things to do in Toronto

------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The Royal Ontario Museum’s latest exhibit is set to open March 11, giving visitors the chance to explore the biggest creature on earth: the blue whale. Out of the Depths: The Blue Whale Story details how two blue whales washed ashore in Newfoundland, creating a new opportunity for researchers and scientists. The exhibit looks at how researchers tackled the (literally) enormous task, what they found and are continuing to find through DNA research. Tickets for the exhibit (plus regular ROM admission) are $30 for adults, $25 for seniors, $23.50 for youth and students, and $19 for kids. Tickets can be purchased in advance online, or at the ROM during the exhibit’s run.

It’s one of the most popular March Break events in Toronto for a reason. Wizard World Fun Park transforms Exhibition Place into an amusement park and playground for kids with inflatables, rides, games, a zoo and more. Wizard World runs all through March Break (March 12 to 19) and tickets are $26.50 for unlimited rides, and $8.85 for admission only. Family passes are available for $65.50 (two admission, two unlimited rides) or $95.60 (four unlimited rides). Tickets and passes can be purchased in advance here.

The Toronto Storytelling Festival is one of the biggest festivals in the world for storytelling, folk tales and spoken word events. The fest runs March 24 to April 2 at more than 20 venues with a storytelling event for all tastes: kid-friendly, Canadian-specific, French language, myths and legends and more. If you had to pick one event to attend, it’s definitely True Stories Told Live at the Garrison where local residents and professional storytellers alike recount real events from their wild and unforgettable lives. Some events (like that one) are free, and others are ticketed. Get all the details at the website.

What’s March Break without Disney on Ice? The family-friendly event is back once again at the Rogers Centre, where some of the most popular and beloved Disney characters hit the ice to learn about bravery, kindness and love. Disney princesses Ariel, Rapunzel and Cinderella skate together, plus a special Frozen segment featuring Anna, Elsa, Kristoff and Olaf. Characters from Disney/Pixar films also take to the ice, including Finding Dory’s Dory and Hank, Inside Out’s Joy and Sadness, and the Toy Story gang led by Woody and Buzz. The show runs from March 15 to 19 and tickets are $30 to $154, available through Ticketmaster.

You don’t have to head out into the woods for a sugar shack — Sugar Beach on Toronto’s waterfront is transforming into a Quebec-style Sugar Shack! There will be fresh maple syrup for tasting (and buying!), as well as ice carving, live performances, a winter marketplace of Quebec goods, and a craft beer and mulled apple cider bar for the grown-ups. A free shuttle is available between Sugar Beach and the Distillery District throughout the weekend. The Sugar Shack is open March 11 and 12 and is free to attend.

If you’re going to party for St. Patrick’s Day, Steam Whistle is always a good choice. The local Toronto brewer’s annual bash has authentic Irish eats courtesy of Irish Embassy Pub, entertainment from the Woodgate-Shamrock Irish Dancers, music by Brogue, Scantily Plaid & Fresh Eire and, of course, beer. There’s also Irish whiskey, vodka and Bailey’s at the bar, if you want to mix things up a bit. The party takes place March 17 with tickets $20 in advance, or $25 at the door.

Summer is all about beer festivals, but Toronto is starting to embrace beer fests in the winter too. For the second year in a row, Ottawa’s Winter Brew Fest is coming to The 6 with 150 craft brews from Ontario and Quebec-based breweries. Alongside the suds, there are delicious eats courtesy of on-site food trucks, and musical performances throughout the weekend. The event is March 24 and 25 at the Enercare Centre, and tickets are $30 to $40.

The Toronto Symphony Orchestra has been bringing classic movies to life by pairing them with a live orchestra, and the latest venture is Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark. The TSO recreates John Williams’ iconic score live while the movie plays, creating an intense viewing experience. There is only one performance on March 29 at Roy Thomson Hall, and online tickets are $29.50 to $75.

With a unique handmade piece around each corner, the One of a Kind Show is the place to shop for gifts, home decor and locally-made goods. For five days, 500 artisans peddle their wares from booths jam-packed with goodies you won't find anywhere else. You won't go home empty handed! The show runs March 29 to April 2, weekdays and Saturdays 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Sunday 10 a.m. to 11 p.m.

Toronto fans of The Book of Mormon have another chance to catch the popular musical during it's run at the Princess of Wales Theatre. Tickets are available for dates running February 28 to April 16, 2017. Click here to buy tickets.