HarbourKIDS: Circus 2017: FREE! May 20, 21, 22 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
This event (formerly known as Toronto Circus Festival) is the best time to visit Harbourfront Centre with kids. It is a perfect match for the location, and a perfect event for Victoria Day long weekend. Expect clowns, buskers, and acrobats taking over, and their cheerful mood is contagious.
The festival (part of the HabourKIDS series) is as interactive as can be. Last time we visited, our young visitors just could not stay away from a paded path with trampoline allowing them to jump as high as they could. Our daredevils also tried a low trapeze. Many activities were offered throughout the site: juggling demos, clowning workshops, mask and clown hat creation. Many outdoor busker performances were presented and more shows were offered in the different rooms and stages throughout Harbourfront Centre but the main show was taking place under the covered stage currently called the Concert Stage. Our show was hosted by the most hilarious clowns posing as a couple of official (but goofy) ambassadors from an imaginary East European country.
The things on my wish list to see in 2017? The "Fly" interactiveÂÂÂÂ installation in the Brigantine Room (featuring a rigged hammock) and the Pedal Power BMX tricks (also in the Brigantine Room), the Circus of Industrious Fleas (are they real?), and the steampunk vaudeville comedy with acrobats in the Concert Stage (daily at 1:30 p.m. and 4 p.m.). Expect crafts, roaming entertainers, a Lego section and more.
