Written By Alan Good
TRAVEL - Have you plans for this Family Day weekend? It’s coming—February 14-16! Here are a few ideas.
Family Day is a provincial public holiday in 5 provinces, a day off for the general population, including schools. Though retail businesses may be closed or operate on reduced hours, many tourist attractions, museums, and recreation centers often remain open for family-oriented activities.
Generally, the idea is to plan and take part in activities aimed at the whole family. These include visiting art exhibitions, watching movies, skating, playing board games, and taking part in craft activities. Some communities plan special public events, and art galleries and museums may have reduced price or free entry.
You may even snag some hot chocolate, and freshly baked cookies are popular snacks. Other people use the long weekend as an opportunity for a short winter break or to travel to visit family members or friends.
Family Day got its start in Alberta when Helen Hunley, the Lieutenant Governor of Alberta, passed the Family Day Act in 1990. This officially established the third Monday of every February as Alberta Family Day. It is thought to be introduced by Premier Don Getty to strengthen family bonds and provide a much-needed break between New Year’s and Easter. A dark family incident, denied by Getty, is believed to have motivated him to establish an occasion to counteract what he saw as the erosion of family values in Canadian society.
Ontario adopted the idea in 2008. Since then, families have used the time to get together. Other places, such as the Angola, Israel, Namibia, South Africa, Uruguay, Vanuatu, and Vietnam, celebrate similar events.
In Middlesex Centre Municipality, free public skating at the Komoka Wellness Centre and at the Ilderton Arena, on Family Day, February 16, 2026, at 1- 2:50, can be had. North Middlesex is providing free skating and face painting.
In the Ekfrid Community Centre within Southwest Middlesex Municipality a Family Day carnival goes from 11am - 2pm. Also, enjoy free curling 1pm - 3pm and free skating 2pm - 4pm.
Most of the libraries in the county are open between 10AM - 2PM and offer a Storytime at 10:30AM. At Parkhill’s Library your family can create a unique painting to display at home. All supplies provided, just bring the family!
Gateway Church in Lucan is hosting a family activity Sunday February 15 with bouncy castles and more from 1-3.
Most townships are offering something, so check with your closest municipality. Have fun and hug a loved one!
