Maple Syrup Festival

Explore the annual Maple Syrup Festival - Open to public every weekend in March PLUS the week of March Break

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Maple Syrup Festival

Oakville, Ontario L6M, Canada

Created By: Bronte Creek Provincial Park

Maple Syrup Festival - Information

Ontario Parks has some pretty cool events every year and Bronte Creek Provincial Park’s legendary Maple Syrup Festival is right up there on the cool-o-meter.

Yes, folks: fresh Ontario maple syrup will be flowing over pancakes, bacon and more as visitors get set to celebrate an annual spring tradition.

Fresh air, maple taffy, and loads of fun await visitors of all ages!


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Maple Syrup Festival - Individual Events

Be sure to use this entrance into the park!  1219 Burloak Drive, Oakville.  Or search for Bronte Creek Provincial Park DAY-USE area. If you happen to find yourself at our campground entrance off Bronte Road you'll have to get back onto th... Read more
Please have payment or permit ready. You can buy your daily vehicle permit online the morning of your planned visit.  Buy your permit online! These online permits can be purchased up to 5 days prior to your trip. You will need an Ontari... Read more
We highly recommend going to the playbarn AFTER you visit the festival. You will need 2-3 hours to see and do the activities at the festival PLUS there are kids games, musical shows and hands on activities. The festival finishes at 3pm and ... Read more
Dog owners will enjoy using this area to exercise their pets leash free. Dog owners must comply with rules and clean up after their pet (disposing of poop bags in waste bins provided). Dogs who are aggressive or do not have good recall shou... Read more
You have the option of parking in lot D and going to the pancake house. If you are starting your festival experience from parking lot D you can hop on the wagon shuttle after your meal - it will take you to the main festival area (parking l... Read more
Access to the Main Festival Area - start here. At the far end of parking lot F you will find signs, flags and staff to help greet you and orient you to the festival.  
Be sure to stop to talk with our festival greeters.  They will be able to explain where things are located and what things you should see and do first. They will explain the Park Ranger Card challenge that will have you searching for clues... Read more
Please line up and wait inside the welcome centre for the next tractor drawn wagon that will shuttle groups to (and from) the Pancake House. It is about a 10 minute wagon ride. Dogs are not permitted on the wagons.  (except service animals... Read more
Guided tours depart from this location approximately every 15 minutes or so.  Please wait for the next tour here. Alternatively, visitors can walk along the path and read interpretive panels by each stop. Be mindful of icy sections or mud.... Read more
All trees produce sap; so can we use any tree to make maple syrup? The Sugar Maple tree is the best maple to use because the sap from the sugar maple is the sweetest (has the highest sugar content) of all the trees. Syrup can also be produc... Read more
Now we know what sap is and how it is used, but how do we get it for ourselves? Tapping a tree does no permanent damage to the maple tree if done properly.  A properly managed sugar bush can sustain production for hundreds of years. One o... Read more
Have a look in this sap bucket. If it is freezing cold out there might not be anything in the bucket because it has not been warm enough to have the sap start to flow or run. If is has been sunny and slightly above freezing then you should... Read more
People who have made the area of Bronte Creek Provincial Park and most of southern Ontario home have been producing Maple Syrup for hundreds if not thousands of years.  The First Nations were the first to learn of the maple trees swee... Read more
When European explorers arrived on this continent the First Nations were already managing maple groves and producing sugar and syrup.  Pioneers learned about sap collection and syrup production from the First Nation and eventually made use... Read more
By the early 1900’s large flat-bottomed pans made out of thin rolled steel were being used. This increased the surface area that was in contact with the fire; thus, allowing evaporation to occur more quickly. Further improvements: the fi... Read more
Modern evaporators use a similar flat pan technology (flue pan) with the addition of short walls of metal extend up into the sap creating a maze of channels that would conducted heat from the bottom increasing the surface area allowing t... Read more
First Nation people and early settlers would turn their syrup into sugar to store it. They would then ration it throughout the year. This was a great option for food and a good source of energy during times when there wasn’t as much food.... Read more
Browse and shop everything maple!  Maple spread, jelly, chocolates and cookies.  If it have maple in it ...we likely have it. Maple scented candles. Maple popcorn and Maple almonds. There are home decor items, kids toys and snacks to shar... Read more
Old time toys and games that use gravity, string and a bit of inginuity. Kids of all ages will have fun with these flipping, rolling and tossing games - and not a battery or plug in sight!  
See us at our new location.  Centrally located in the main festival area between the Maple Taffy Tent and the Gift Shop. Join us at 11:00am and 1:30pm
Cattle supplied both milk and meat to families like the Breckons who first farmed this area from 1870's - 1950's. Henry Breckon was a prosperous fruit farmer known for his strawberries and apples.  He also kept 10 head of cattle and few he... Read more
Have a peek inside or look around back in the outdoor runs you may find animals including cows, goats, or maybe a pig! Kids will love seeing these farm animals up close.  It's like their storybook have come to life! We have the farm anima... Read more
  A new strain of avian influenza has been identified in wild and domestic birds in Canada. It is important to avoid any interactions with wild and domestic birds when visiting our park. Our poultry barns and outside runs have been closed ... Read more
Walk along trail # 5 and follow the story cards to discovery how John helped his family during Maple Syrup time. Books are for sale with proceeds going to the Friends of Bronte Creek Park.
Maple taffy would have been made traditionally at the end of the maple season. It was a sweet treat for the children who would have helped all season long. The sap needs to be boiled just a bit longer than if you were making syrup.  (To t... Read more
Visiting Spruce Lane Farmhouse is like taking a step back in time. Beautifully restored, the  Farmhouse offers visitors a glimpse into the life of a local fruit farmer at the turn of the century. While the house is fully furnished and deco... Read more
An attraction brought to you by the Friends of Bronte Creek Park.  Proceeds help support project right here in the park. Hours of operation during the festival days 10:30am -3:00pm weathter permitting. ...
New for 2023 we have added maple express shopping. If you just need to pick up maple syrup you can get your bottles and jugs here.   Visit the Maple Gift Shop if you wish to buy other maple gift items.    
For your convenience please use these washrooms or the ones located near the pancake house. Both the Male and Female washrooms are equipped with a handicapped washroom stall and infant change table.
If you drive to parking lot D please use this pathway that will lead you to the pancake house (or park store). If you are just starting your festival experience you do not need to come back to your vehicle to access the main festival area.�... Read more
Please walk up the paved ramp to the right side of the building to access the entrance or line up area.  
Please enter here to order your pancake meals.   If possible have one person from your group order and gather the food items while other adults in your group find a place to sit in the outdoor courtyard or indoor eating areas located to t... Read more
Families can choose to eat indoors. Please clear your table when finished.  Recycling and garbage bins labelled.
On warmer days sitting outside enjoying the sunshine a pancake meal is the best. Alternatively there is a small area for indoor dinning. Please clear your table ready for the next family. You will find recycling and garbage bins and areas t... Read more
For your convenience please find washroom facilities here at the pancake house area as well as the Main Festival area.
Now that you are all full of yummy pancakes and syrup you can hop on to the tractor drawn wagon that will shuttle you to the main festival area.  Please wait in line and only proceed to board a wagon when park staff direct you to do so. Pa... Read more
One of 2 red tractors you might find in the park.  Everyone will enjoy climbing onto the seat and driving the tractor.  Makes for a great family photo.

 

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