10 Best Maple Syrup Festivals in Ontario

If there’s a better way of fuelling a day of cross-country skiing, snowshoeing or cycling than a stack of pancakes slathered in real maple syrup, I’d sure love to hear about it. The best maple syrup festivals in Ontario and outdoor adventures go hand in hand, blending the traditions of the sugar bush with the excitement and rejuvenation of spending time in nature—especially as the days lengthen and winter gives way to spring.

This article showcases maple syrup events in locations that also feature great outdoor activities for all types of enthusiasts. Make it a weekend—get outdoors, work up an appetite and savour the sweetest harbinger of spring.

When is maple syrup season in Ontario?

Maple syrup season in Ontario runs from early March through late April, depending on the location and the severity of the winter. The onset of warmer weather, longer daylight hours and melting snow triggers sap to flow in sugar maple trees.

Top 10 Maple Syrup Festivals in Ontario

St. Joseph Island Maple Syrup Festival

• Location: Richards Landing, Ontario
• Dates: April 5-6 and 12-13
• Why Go: Bet you didn’t know St. Joseph Island is one of the largest maple syrup producers in Ontario? Located about an hour’s drive east of Sault Ste. Marie, it’s also one of the prettiest islands in Lake Huron’s North Channel, with diverse coastline and interior hills, small farms and country roads. The Royal Canadian Legion in Richards Landing hosts the Maple Syrup Festival in early April, with all-you-can-eat pancake breakfasts and a chance to meet local producers and artisans.
• Don’t Miss: Road cycling is outstanding on St. Joseph Island, and the moderating effects of Lake Huron means the cycling season often starts as early as maple syrup season. Highway 548 runs about 75 km around the island’s perimeter, with many route options on interior side roads or out-and-backs to the Lake Huron shoreline. Families love to visit the easy hiking trails at Centennial Park.
• Stay & Eat: Two great restaurants welcome you to St. Joseph Island: Stubbees Beestro serves diner food highlighted by another sweet treat–locally produced honey; and the Black Bear Cafe creates delicious fresh baking. Maria’s Cabins in Richards Landing is open for year-round accommodations.

Powassan Maple Syrup Festival 

• Location: Powassan, Ontario
• Dates: Last weekend in April
• Why Go: In late April, the small northern Ontario community of Powassan celebrates local maple syrup producers with a day of events, including a pancake flipping contest, live music and of course, plenty of opportunities to sample maple products.
• Don’t Miss: Located just south of the city of North Bay, Powassan is central to a number of great self-guided day tours for all levels of road cyclists on the Voyageur Cycling Route. The area is also popular with birders, with maple syrup season coinciding with early arrivals of spring migrants, including eastern bluebirds and meadowlarks in grassland areas. You can also easily access the more remote west side of Algonquin Provincial Park via the community of South River and Northern Edge Algonquin, a local retreat centre and outfitter.
• Stay & Eat Here: Enjoy a luxurious stay at the Upper Garden Nature Retreat, a gorgeous cabin set on a 460-ac property along the South River. Local places to eat include the Carriage House Market, the Wagon Wheel Restaurant and Echoes.

Kiwanis Pancake Breakfasts 

• Location: Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario
• Dates: Late March and early April
• Why Go: A class trip to the Sugar Shack at the Regional Conservation Authority is a rite of passage for youth growing up in Sault Ste. Marie. You can recreate the experience of visiting an old-time sugar shack in the woods with an all-you-can-eat pancake breakfast hosted by the local Kiwanis Club.
• Don’t Miss: The Sugar Shack is located adjacent to the Hiawatha Highlands, one of Ontario’s finest cross-country ski, snowshoe and fat-biking destinations. Located about 10 minutes north of Sault Ste. Marie, in Lake Superior’s snowbelt, locals usually enjoy winter pursuits well into April. The terrain is diverse for classic and skate skiing (beginners are best to stick to the Pinder trails, adjacent to the Sugar Shack); there’s an easy snowshoe path to scenic waterfalls; and the impeccably groomed fat-bike trails (with over 30 km of single-track) showcases the dedication of the local Sault Cycling Club.
• Stay & Eat Here: The Water Tower Inn offers premium accommodations, including multiple pools and on-site dining, minutes from the Hiawatha Highlands. For a lower key motel experience (also with a pool and sauna), check out the Ambassador. There are plenty of dining options nearby, including The Root and Gino’s Fired Up Kitchen.

Maple Weekend in the Haliburton Highlands

• Location: Haliburton Highlands, Ontario
• Dates: First weekend in April
• Why Go: Local maple syrup is the centre of attention on this busy weekend in the Haliburton Highlands. You can tour local maple producers, dine on maple-inspired meals at local restaurants, and participate in events focused on arts and the outdoors.
• Don’t Miss: Enjoy late-season skiing at Sir Sam’s, Ontario’s oldest ski resort, which features great slopes and beautiful views of the Haliburton Highlands, as well as an on-site Inn and Spa. The Haliburton Forest and Nature Reserve features a wolf centre, where you can learn more about the ecology and behaviour of these majestic animals and view them in a 7-acre enclosure. The forest also offers trails and snowshoe rentals.
• Stay Here/Eat Here: Stay at the cozy Winterdance Cottage to experience the Canadian tradition of dogsledding and tour the on-site maple syrup operations. Local restaurants embrace Maple Weekend. Some suggestions include the Dominion Hotel and Hook, Line and Sinker.

Sweetwater Harvest Festival, Wye Marsh 

• Location: Midland, Ontario
• Dates: March 22-23
• Why Go: This aptly named celebration of spring features events at Wye Marsh and Sainte Marie Among the Hurons, popular nature and cultural attractions in central Ontario, near Midland. Family-friendly highlights include scavenger hunts, Indigenous storytelling, tours of the sugar bush and old-fashioned sugar shack, traditional foods, take-home crafts and more.
• Don’t Miss: Wye Marsh features over 25 km of hiking and snowshoe trails to see more of this unique natural oasis near southern Georgian Bay; rentals are available. You can also learn more about the critical habitat this area provides from seasoned naturalists and meet the owls, hawks and eagles that make their home here. Located nearby on Georgian Bay, Awenda Provincial Park provides an additional 31 km of trails and 17 km of backcountry ski trails.
• Stay & Eat Here: Midland bed and breakfasts include Beacon Shore on Georgian Bay and Perch by the Bay. Favourite restaurants include the upscale and trendy Explorer’s Bistro and cozy Mom’s Restaurant.

Muskoka Maple Festival 

• Location: Huntsville, Ontario
• Dates: April 26, 2025
• Why Go: Central Ontario is the heart of Canada’s maple syrup country and the Muskoka Maple Festival showcases the sweet treasures of local producers. Spring’s “sweetest party” caps off six weeks of the Muskoka Maple Trail, a touring route showcasing maple operations and great places to eat maple-inspired foods, in small communities from South River to Gravenhurst and Port Severn.
• Don’t Miss: Back of Beyond Equine Centre offers a 90-minute wagon ride and campfire, learning more about Muskoka’s early homesteaders and tasting maple-infused hot chocolate. Kids can lace up their running shoes and have fun in the Kiwanis Sap Run, held on April 26 in Huntsville.
• Stay & Eat Here: The renowned Deerhurst Resort in Huntsville embraces maple syrup season with maple-inspired dining and on-site trails through hardwood forests. Looking for a unique place to stay and dine? Check out the Inn at the Falls & Basilico in Bracebridge. There’s no shortage of great dining in Muskoka, including 3 Guys and a Stove, Humble Pie Butter Tart Factory & Pizzeria, and Muskoka Lake Farm & Winery. Copperhead Distillery, Canvas Brewing, Clear Lake Brewing and Sawdust City Brewing all embrace the maple theme as well.

Maple Weekend at Sucrerie Seguin Sugarbush 

• Location: Monetville, Ontario
• Dates: April 5-6
• Why Go: Take an immersive journey into maple syrup making and Franco-Ontarian culture at Sucrerie Seguin Sugarbush on Maple Weekend in early April. You can tour the sugarbush, learn more about maple syrup production, taste maple taffy on snow, maple butter and jellies at a picturesque family sugarbush that’s been operating since 1950. Don’t forget your rubber boots!
• Don’t Miss: Monetville is located on Highway 64, south of Verner in the headwaters of the historic French River. Nearby Maskinonge Provincial Park is cherished by local naturalists. It features over 30 km of trails through unique wetland habitats. April is a transitional time of year and you’re just as likely to require snowshoes as hiking boots, so come prepared for the weather. You’ll encounter all types of wetlands: swamps, marshes, bogs and fens.
• Stay & Eat Here: The Riverdale Resort offers year-round accommodations and dining in nearby Alban, on Highway 64.

Maple Weekend at Hogan’s Homestead

• Location: Goulais River, Ontario
• Dates: April 5-6
• Why Go: Located near Lake Superior, just north of Sault Ste. Marie, Hogan’s Homestead bustles during maple syrup season. Not only does the homestead host DIY Maple Maker Adventures throughout the late winter and early spring, they also open their doors (trails and sugar shack) for Ontario’s Maple Weekend in early April. This year’s events include tours, hikes, sampling and art activities for kids. Hogan’s Homestead is also launching a new onsite bake shop during the maple season in 2025.
• Don’t Miss: Goulais River is the gateway to great adventure on Lake Superior’s north shore. Bring your snowshoes and hike to the top of Robertson Cliffs for a great view of the rugged Algoma Highlands. Nearby Searchmont Resort boasts some of Ontario’s longest downhill ski runs and fantastic natural and machine-made snow.
• Stay & Eat Here: Bellevue Valley Lodge is perfect for those seeking an adventurous vacation, with immediate access to Ontario’s best backcountry skiing and snowshoeing and a traditional sauna. Local dining options include the Country Kitchen or the Zone Roadhouse.

Maple Syrup Experience

• Location: Hillsburgh, Ontario
• Dates: Weekends, February 15 through April 6 (mostly Saturday-Sunday with a few long weekends)
• Why Go: Starting Family Day weekend, Elliott Tree Farm in Hillsburgh, hosts its Maple Syrup Experience—including a pancake, bacon and sausage feast, walk through the sugar bush, a chance to watch maple syrup being made and tasting. Admission to the Maple Syrup Museum of Ontario is included.
• Don’t Miss: Visit Forks of the Credit Provincial Park for great hiking, cross-country skiing and snowshoeing, with access to the Trans Canada Trail.
• Stay & Eat Here: Book early and stay at the historic Hillsburgh House by the Pond B&B, the Millcroft Inn and Spa or Alabaster Acres. Great dining options in the nearby town of Erin include the Tipsy Fox Pub and Bistro Dupain.

Almaguin Maple Festival

• Location: Sundridge, Ontario
• Dates: April 5-6
• Why Go: Hubbert’s Maple hosts the Almaguin Maple Syrup Festival on Maple Weekend, just off of Highway 11 in Sundridge. Come for an all-you-can-eat pancake breakfast and tours of the maple syrup operation that’s spanned seven generations. You can tour the woodlot and sugarhouse and sample free products, as well as check out many local vendors selling foods and crafts.
• Don’t Miss: Sundridge is central to many great outdoor activities in the Almaguin Highlands. It’s a half-hour drive south on Highway 11 to Arrowhead Provincial Park, where in a good winter you may be able to enjoy 28 km of cross-country ski trails well into April. If the snow has melted, the park also features five hiking trails to explore.
• Stay & Eat Here: Arrowhead Provincial Park offers 13 rustic cabins year-round. The Brimanard Bay B&B is another unique place to stay in Sundridge. For dining, visit Danny’s Justa Pasta for Italian, Double Decker Sundridge for classic fast food, or Bernard’s Bistro on the Lake.

Celebrate spring by getting outdoors and visiting a maple syrup festival in Ontario. There’s no better way to embrace the final days of winter and enjoy classic Canadian flavour, taking part in long-standing traditions in a rejuvenating weekend getaway. Visit Sweet Ontario to learn more about the province’s maple syrup producers and keep tabs on festival dates.

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