Things to do in London, Ontario

Last reviewed October 30, 2026

"But what will we do there?" is a fair question when you're leaving Toronto. London is a mid-sized city, so you won't find a different headline concert every night. What you get instead is a lot of green space, a walkable downtown, a busy festival calendar, and easy day trips to the Great Lakes. Here's a newcomer's starter list. Opening hours and event dates change, so check before you go.

Parks and the outdoors

• Springbank Park: London's largest park, stretching along the Thames in the west end. It's great for long walks, runs and bike rides, and it's home to Storybook Gardens, a children's attraction.
• Thames Valley Parkway: the multi-use path system that follows the river's branches through the city. Many Londoners use it daily for running, cycling and dog walks.
• Victoria Park: the downtown park that hosts many of London's summer festivals and, in winter, an outdoor skating rink.
• Fanshawe Conservation Area: on the city's northeast edge, with a reservoir, trails and camping. Fanshawe Pioneer Village is next door.
• Westminster Ponds / Pond Mills: a large environmentally significant area in the south end with boardwalks and trails. It's a surprisingly wild-feeling spot inside the city.
• Sifton Bog: a rare urban bog with a boardwalk, in the city's west end.

Downtown, markets and food

• Richmond Row: the stretch of Richmond Street north of downtown with restaurants, bars and shops. It's busy with students during the school year.
• Covent Garden Market: a downtown indoor market with food vendors and produce. It runs a seasonal outdoor farmers' market as well.
• Dundas Place: a "flex street" downtown designed to close to traffic for events, with patios in summer.
• Western Fair Farmers' & Artisans' Market: a weekend market in Old East Village that's popular with locals.
• Wortley Village: a small, walkable strip of cafés and restaurants south of downtown. It's lovely on a summer evening.

London's food scene has grown a lot, with a good range of global cuisines across the city, particularly along the main arterials and in the plazas of the north and east ends. Ask locals for their favourites. It's one of the easiest ways to start a conversation with new neighbours.

Arts and culture

• The Grand Theatre: London's professional theatre, with a full season of plays and musicals in a restored historic building downtown.
• Museum London: art and regional history at the Forks of the Thames.
• Live music: a mix of downtown venues, bars and the London Music Hall. London also has a strong local music scene and was named Canada's first UNESCO City of Music.
• Western University and Fanshawe College: both host public talks, concerts and performances.

Sports

• London Knights (OHL): the city's major junior hockey team, which plays downtown at Canada Life Place. Games are a genuine community event, and good seats can be hard to get.
• Western Mustangs: university football and other varsity sports, with a big homecoming tradition.
• Recreation: the City runs arenas, community centres and pools across London. Program registration opens on set dates and popular programs fill quickly, so get on the City's mailing list early.
• Golf: several public and private courses within city limits and many more nearby.

Festivals and events

Summer is festival season. Victoria Park and the downtown host a run of events, including TD Sunfest, a long-running free world music and arts festival, plus a ribfest, food festivals and Canada Day celebrations. The Western Fair runs in late summer at the Western Fair District. In winter, look for outdoor skating in Victoria Park and seasonal light displays. Tourism London keeps an up-to-date events calendar.

With kids

• Storybook Gardens in Springbank Park (seasonal attractions, plus winter skating).
• The Children's Museum, Fanshawe Pioneer Village and the London Public Library's branches, which run free programs year-round.
• Splash pads and playgrounds in parks across the city in summer.
• Nearby farms with pick-your-own fruit, corn mazes and pumpkin patches in fall.

Day trips from London

• Grand Bend (roughly an hour northwest): the classic Lake Huron beach town, with Pinery Provincial Park close by.
• Port Stanley (about 40 minutes south): a Lake Erie beach and harbour village.
• Stratford (under an hour northeast): home of the Stratford Festival theatre season.
• Bayfield and Goderich: picturesque Lake Huron towns farther north.
• St. Jacobs and the Kitchener–Waterloo area: markets and the region's tech-city energy.