Things to Do in London, Ontario This Weekend

The quick answer — this weekend's picks

Looking for things to do in London, Ontario this weekend? Start downtown: browse Covent Garden Market (open six days a week since 1845) or shop the indoor Market at Western Fair District in Old East Village. Add a walk or ride on the Thames Valley Parkway, a show at the Grand Theatre or a concert at Canada Life Place, and time outdoors in Victoria Park or Springbank Park. Families can head to Storybook Gardens. Below is a regularly updated roundup — free picks, kid-friendly ideas, live music, markets, parks, and a rain backup plan — plus practical notes on parking, transit and weather.

This is a weekly-style roundup built around London's standing venues, markets and parks. For exact dates and showtimes, always check the official links — events change, sell out, or move.

At a glance

Activity	Area	Cost	Good for
Covent Garden Market	Downtown (130 King St.)	Free to browse	Food, coffee, rainy days
The Market at Western Fair District	Old East Village (900 King St.)	Free to browse	Saturday/Sunday market trips
Thames Valley Parkway	Citywide riverside trail	Free	Walking, cycling, families
Victoria Park	Downtown	Free	Festivals, picnics, concerts
Springbank Park & Storybook Gardens	West London	Park free; Storybook ticketed	Kids and families
Grand Theatre	Downtown (471 Richmond St.)	Ticketed	Theatre, date night
Canada Life Place	Downtown	Ticketed	Concerts, sports, big events
Museum London	Downtown (421 Ridout St. N)	Often free/by donation	Art, history, rain plan

Free things to do

You can fill most of a weekend in London without spending much. Covent Garden Market in the core is free to wander, with 40-plus merchants, fresh food and a weekly local farmers' market — a reliable spot to grab a coffee and a snack. The Thames Valley Parkway, a multi-use pathway that follows the Thames River across the city, is free and connects several parks; locals rate it as one of London's best simple pleasures for a walk or bike ride.

Victoria Park is the green heart of downtown and the city's busiest summer gathering spot, hosting free-to-attend festivals and live music through the warmer months. Springbank Park in the west end is the city's largest park and another easy free outing. If you're after a fuller list of no-cost ideas, see our companion guide to free things to do in London this summer.

With kids and family

For a guaranteed kid win, Storybook Gardens in Springbank Park opens seasonally (from mid-May) and is owned and operated by the City of London — think themed play areas, rides and attractions. The London Children's Museum is a year-round, hands-on indoor option that works rain or shine. In summer, the City's free neighbourhood splash pads are an easy way to cool off, and the flat sections of the Thames Valley Parkway are stroller- and bike-friendly.

Weekend markets are also surprisingly kid-friendly: there's plenty to look at, and the indoor Market at Western Fair District keeps everyone comfortable regardless of weather.

Live music, theatre and sports

London's downtown is the place for a night out. Canada Life Place (the arena formerly known as Budweiser Gardens) hosts major touring concerts, family shows and sporting events. The Grand Theatre on Richmond Street stages plays and performances and runs a full season — its box office and calendar are the place to check what's on. For smaller, more intimate shows, the Aeolian Hall and downtown bars regularly book live music throughout the weekend.

Because line-ups change weekly, confirm tickets and times directly on each venue's site before heading out.

Food, markets and festivals

Markets are London's signature weekend ritual. The Market at Western Fair District (900 King St., in the historic Old East Village building) is open Saturday 8 a.m.–3 p.m. and Sunday 10 a.m.–2 p.m., year-round, with 100-plus shops spanning produce, baked goods, butchers and an artisans' loft upstairs. Downtown, Covent Garden Market is open six days a week and hosts cultural festivals and events alongside its merchants.

London's festival calendar fills out across the summer — annual events like food and cultural festivals frequently set up in Victoria Park and at the markets. For specific weekend dates and line-ups, check Tourism London's events this week page.

Outdoors and parks

When the weather cooperates, get outside. The Thames Valley Parkway is the backbone of London's trail network and threads along the river through much of the city, with access points scattered across neighbourhoods. Victoria Park (downtown) and Springbank Park (west end) are the two go-to green spaces for picnics, festivals and easy walks. Just outside the city, residents often pair a London weekend with a short drive to Port Stanley on Lake Erie or a Conservation Area for a beach or hike.

Plan your weekend — parking, transit and weather

• Parking: Downtown has metered street parking and several lots and garages; rates and free periods vary, so check posted signage. Event nights downtown fill up fast.
• Transit: London Transit (LTC) buses serve downtown, the markets and major venues — a good option on busy event days when parking is tight.
• Weather: Southwestern Ontario summers can flip from sunny to stormy quickly. Have an indoor backup (market, museum, theatre) ready, and bring water and shade for park days.
• Confirm before you go: Hours and dates shift. Verify on the venue or Tourism London's events page so you're not caught out by a sold-out show or a moved festival.

Never miss a weekend

New events pop up across London every week. The easiest way to stay in the loop is the London Briefing — our free weekly email that rounds up local news, community events and what's changing in the city in about five minutes. No crime, no politics, and you can unsubscribe anytime.