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10 Fun Ways to Celebrate Mother’s Day in Toronto (That Will Make Mom Happy!)
- Have brunch at Lady Marmalade
- Treat her to a relaxing experience at Miraj Hammam Spa
- Celebrate in the outdoors at Toronto Islands
- Make your own perfume with Mom at Orris Labs
- Bring Mom on a fancy high tea at Casa Loma
- Enjoy wine tasting at Downtown Winery
- Explore the Toronto Botanical Garden with Mom
- Order her a charcuterie board from Olive & Fig
- Watch a Mirvish live performance with mom
- Make a mug for mom at Parkdale Pottery
With Mother’s Day coming up, we need to think about the best ways to celebrate the day! It’s a special time when we can show we appreciate all the love and sacrifices they’ve made (because honestly, there’s a lot).
Every second Sunday of May, Toronto is bustling with events and celebrations for moms. So, why not take her on a date that will make the day memorable?
If you need help on what to do, we’ve got you covered! From dates to outdoor experiences, here are ways to celebrate Mother’s Day for your mom, stepmom, grandma, or wife!
Have brunch at Lady Marmalade
Media credit: ladymrestaurant
Location: 265 Broadview Ave
Contact: (647) 351-7645
Operating Hours: Monday – Sunday: 8:30 am – 3 pm
Who could say no to brunch? Take mom on a special Mother’s Day brunch at Lady Marmalade, nestled in Broadway Avenue. It’s the absolute classic Canadian brunch spot that will have you craving for more!
It has a very casual vibe. Sure, they may not have the biggest place, but the food here is divine, it’ll end up your new favourite place in the city!
Their signature dish is the eggs Benedict, which is super delicious! There are plenty of unique choices, like the mango Benny. It’s also customizable because you can build your own so you can get exactly what you like!
Pro Tip:
This is a busy spot and seating is limited, especially on weekends, so arrive early to get a table.
Treat her to a relaxing experience at Miraj Hammam Spa
Media credit: mirajhammamspa
Location: 5th Floor, Shangri-la Hotel Toronto, 188 University Ave
Contact: (647) 253-5770
Operating Hours:
- Monday – Saturday: 10 am – 8 pm
- Sunday: 10 am – 7 pm
If there’s one thing that screams Mother’s Day celebration, it’s a spa day! Situated in the heart of downtown Toronto, Miraj Hammam Spa is the perfect place to bring Mom for a relaxing day away from all the chaos at home!
Not only will she get the most relaxing day, but you can also spoil her with luxurious and traditional Middle East spa treatments. Indulge her in a wellness retreat for a facial and body treatment that will leave her feeling rejuvenated and ready to tackle the day!
Mom can also enjoy the luxury facilities and amenities that will make her feel like a star! And may we suggest taking her to the hotel bar for a cocktail since the spa is already inside the Shangri-La Hotel?
Pro Tips:
Arrive 15 minutes before your appointment so you won’t have to hurry when checking in and getting ready for the spa. It avoids all the hurrying up that can stress out your mom!
If you plan on going all out, why not buy her that expensive moisturizer from the spa? Ask her if there’s something she likes, but make sure you have the budget first!
Celebrate in the outdoors at Toronto Islands
Media credit: toronto.islands
Location: Toronto Islands
If you’re looking for a way to celebrate Mother’s Day while enjoying the outdoors, then head over to Toronto Islands. You, Mom, and the whole fam can enjoy a day full of fun activities, which is the perfect celebration if your mom loves fresh air.
You can swim at the beaches, kayak Lake Ontario, go bird watching, and ride the quadricycle! You can also walk in the gardens or the trails for some exercise.
Centre Island is where most attractions are, but you can always go to the other islands by walking. They’re connected to one another, anyway, so you can always go somewhere for a change of scenery.
Pro Tips:
Brace yourself because the ferry going to Toronto Islands will be busy, especially on weekends and special occasions. (Mother’s Day falls on a Sunday so it’ll be extra busy). We suggest heading there before 10 am, which is when it’s already crowded.
Buy your tickets online! During peak hours, there’s a separate line you’ll enter to save time and avoid the crowds.
Make your own perfume with Mom at Orris Labs
Media credit: orrislabs
Location: 326 Davenport Rd
Contact: (647) 339-8372, [email protected]
Operating Hours:
- Monday – Tuesday: 12 pm – 5 pm
- Wednesday – Thursday: 2 pm – 9 pm
- Friday: 12 pm – 9 pm
- Saturday: 11 am – 10 pm
- Sunday: 11 am – 5 pm
If your mom loves fragrances, bring her to Orris Labs for a perfume-making workshop! This time, your mom gets to make her own perfume based on her personal choices!
You don’t even have to be a fragrance connoisseur! This is a good introduction to the world of perfumery, and your one-of-a-kind fragrance is a bonus!
You will learn about notes in perfumery, sample various oils, and mix your own for a truly special fragrance. It’s also a fun mommy and me time because you can have a bonding moment and bring home a 30 ml perfume bottle at the end of the session!
Pro Tip:
When booking your session, make sure you choose the shop closest to you so you don’t have to drive far since Mother’s Day will be busy in Toronto. They have two locations: one in Mississauga and one in Toronto.
Bring Mom on a fancy high tea at Casa Loma
Media credit: casalomatoronto
Location: 1 Austin Terrace
Contact: (416) 923-1171, [email protected]
Operating Hours: Monday – Sunday: 9:30 – 5 pm (High Tea will have varying hours)
There’s no better way to celebrate Mother’s Day in Toronto than a fancy high tea in a Gothic revival castle. Built in 1914, the historical site of Casa Loma is a gorgeous mansion in midtown that’s the perfect setting for photographs and intimate celebrations.
Casa Loma hosts annual Mother’s Day brunches. So, suit up and enjoy high tea in an Edwardian-era setting, complete with premium teas, mini sandwiches, and gourmet pastries.
After dining, you can explore the castle grounds and see the exhibits that will take you back to its heyday. You can even spend the whole day here (only if Mom wants to) and enjoy a scrumptious dinner at BlueBlood Steakhouse.
Pro Tip:
Keep an eye out for the Mother’s Day brunch tickets because they may get sold out!
Enjoy wine tasting at Downtown Winery
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Location: 30 Ossington Ave
Contact: (416) 537-0416, [email protected]
Operating Hours:
- Monday: Closed
- Tuesday – Wednesday: 12 pm – 8 pm
- Thursday – Saturday: 12 pm – 11 pm
- Sunday: 12 pm – 8 pm
Mother’s Day should be relaxing, which is why a wine-tasting experience at Downtown Winery is the perfect way to celebrate, relax, and indulge in the most delicious drinks! Time to book a private wine tasting at their on-site tank room!
For an hour, you can taste five to six wines, which are accompanied by food samples. On this guided tour, you will learn about grape varieties and wine-making methods.
Then, why not bring Mom to the wine bar and buy her a bottle or two to take home? It can be her favourite from the wine tasting and a new one she wants to try!
Pro Tip:
In case there are no more openings for wine tasting, you can choose other wine experiences. The Wine + Snack Bar Reservation is perfect for a wine-pairing experience!
Explore the Toronto Botanical Garden with Mom
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Location: 777 Lawrence Ave E
Contact: (416) 397-1341, [email protected]
Operating Hours: Monday – Sunday: 9 am – 4:30 pm
For mothers who love flowers and gardening, a visit to the Toronto Botanical Garden is a must. This stunning place features outdoor gardens abundant in colourful blossoms.
The paths will take you on an adventure in the beautiful themed gardens, like the Beryl Ivey Knot Garden, that’s like a mini setting for Alice in Wonderland, and the lush Spiral Mound with a 360° viewing platform to see the gardens.
Make sure you take her to the Garden Shop for flower-themed gifts. You can purchase gardening tools, jewellery, dinnerware, and seedlings!
Pro Tip:
If your mom loves learning about flowers, register her (and you!) for one of the adult programs at the botanical garden. There are various types of educational workshops she may be interested in!
Order her a charcuterie board from Olive & Fig
Media credit: oliveandfigco
Location: 65 Skyway Ave
Contact: (647) 643-5464, [email protected]
Curbside Pickup Hours: Tuesday – Saturday: 11 am – 2 pm
Not everyone wants to go outside on Mother’s Day because, let’s face it, it’s busy everywhere. If your mom wants to stay at home, you can surprise her with a fancy picnic at home!
Order a charcuterie board from Olive & Fig and make a nice picnic in the backyard. You can even choose vegetables, fruits, or meats and cheeses, whichever mom prefers!
You can also add a wine or prosecco to complete the meal. Take it up a notch and add a sweet treat for mom, like the yummy homemade lemon squares or the gorgeous floral brownie!
Pro Tip:
There’s no Sunday delivery at Olivia & Fig. Instead, choose a Saturday shipping so you still have enough time to prepare the table and add decorations at your mom’s house!
Watch a Mirvish live performance with mom
Media credit: mirvishproductions
Location: Various theatres in Toronto (Click here for the list of venues)
Contact: 1 (800) 461-3333, [email protected]
Watching the theatre is always a good idea, but it’s not the most affordable thing (and we all know that moms always put us first before their needs and wants). This time, treat her to a live performance at the theatre so she can finally watch her favourite play!
You can enjoy the classics or discover new shows. To give you an idea, some musicals and plays that have been shown in Toronto are Mamma Mia!, Life of Pi, Wicked, Moulin Rouge, and The Lion King.
Mirvish sells tickets to various theatres in Toronto, so the venue will depend on the show you’re watching. What’s good about this kind of celebration is you don’t have to wait in line on Mother’s Day!
Pro Tip:
After the show, head over to one of the nearby restaurants to finish off the night. There are casual and luxury places to choose from! Click here for the neighbourhood restaurants.
Make a mug for mom at Parkdale Pottery
Media credit: parkdalepottery
Location: 1688 Queen St W
Contact: [email protected]
Operating Hours:
- Monday – Wednesday: 1 pm – 6 pm
- Thursday: Closed
- Friday – Saturday: 1 pm – 6 pm
- Sunday: 10 am – 6 pm
If your mom is into pottery, you can take a class with her at Parkdale Pottery Studio. They offer single taster classes for wheel throwing and handbuilding.
Here, you and your mom can make your own mug, bowl, or whatever your heart desires! You don’t even need prior experience—even teens 13 and up are welcome (bring the whole family!).
But if your mom isn’t into pottery, you can make her a mug instead. Book a class months in advance (because you need to wait weeks for the pottery to dry before you can pick it up) and create something personalised for her. Paint it her favourite colour!
Pro Tips:
Wear comfortable clothes that you don’t mind getting dirty. While doing pottery, you may accidentally get clay on your clothes, so skip those expensive pieces!
If it’s your first time doing pottery, don’t be disheartened by the outcome if it’s not what you envisioned. And remember, you can always ask for help from your instructor!
