Arctic Adventure: Two days, two venues, one long weekend of winter fun

February 6, 2025 · 0 Comments

Family Day is just around the corner and the Town of Aurora is putting the finishing touches on what promises to be a long-weekend full of family fun.

Aurora’s traditional Family Day event, Arctic Adventure, will take place over two days this Family Day Weekend – February 15 and February 17 – beginning for the first time at Aurora Town Square on the Saturday before transferring to its traditional home at Town Park for Family Day itself.

The fun begins Saturday, February 15, at Aurora Town Square at 11 a.m. with activities, events and demonstrations running through 3 p.m. Kicking things off will be an interactive show by Marquee Theatrical Productions based on Disney’s Frozen, which will take over the Performance Hall at 11 a.m.

While this is going on, a live ice-carving demonstration will take place in the public square.

At the noon hour, the Pine Tree Potters Guild will host a pottery demonstration in the Treasure Hill Bridge from 12, as face painting and other crafts unfold in the same location through 3 p.m.

Animal lovers will be invited back to the Performance Hall for 1 p.m. as the ever-popular Speaking of Wildlife Show puts a baby fox, snowy owl and other winter animals into the spotlight.

Additional workshops taking place at Aurora Town Square on February 15 are now open for registration.

Programs include a Clay Animal Workshop for Youth, a Macrame Workshop for Youth, and a Hot Cocoa and Canvas Painting session.

“It’s been really exhilarating expanding this event, especially on such a special weekend being Family Day,” says Shelley Ware, Special Events Coordinator for the Town of Aurora. By utilizing the gorgeous Aurora Town Square, it provided amenities so that we could expand our programming, such as Marquee’s interactive show and the Speaking of Wildlife show. We’re excited to expand programming, expand the offerings for the community, while still keeping the long-standing tradition and charm of the event on Monday in Town Park.”

Indeed it will be a shift back to Arctic Adventure’s traditional home of Town Park on Monday, February 19, with a bevy of outdoor activities, including mini-snow tubing, Body Zorbs, inflatables, and a full roster of entertainment that includes the Great Canadian Lumberjacks Show at 10.15 a.m. and 1.45 p.m.; the Fire Guy at 11.15 a.m. and 3 p.m.; the Speaking of Wildlife Show at 12 noon; and Zoe Stardust, offering a menu of fire, hula-hooping, and more at 1 p.m.

“There is truly something for everybody and it’s going to be a warm day regardless of the temperature because everyone is going to be so busy going from one activity to another,” says Ware. There is literally ‘snow much to do’ this Family Day weekend!”

Looking at the opportunity to spread the fun over two venues, she adds: “I think this is just the beginning. This is a step towards hybrid programming. Next year, it will continue to grow. The amenities just provide so much more flexibility and what can you say – Aurora Town Square is just a gorgeous cultural hub that is really going to enable us to still showcase the features of the building while getting people actively engaged and participating within those places.”

For a full roster of Family Day Weekend activities hosted by the Town of Aurora, visit aurora.ca/arcticadventure.

By Brock Weir