June is one of our favourite months at the Town. It marks and celebrates Pride Month, Bike Month, Recreation and Parks Month, Seniors Month, National Indigenous History Month, Local Food Week – and the start of summer!

There are many ways to recognize these important awareness days and get involved:

1. Visit ‘Play In Whitby’ Day

Join us on Saturday, June 3 as we kickoff Recreation and Parks Month with a ‘Play In Whitby’ Day at Iroquois Park Sports Centre (500 Victoria St.). Come check out the Sport and Recreation Organizations Info fair in the lobby featuring various local sports and community organizations. You can also enjoy some free skate time or participate in youth shinny hockey games (full equipment is required to participate in shinny). Take a break and cool off with a free swim and finish off the day with another free skate session. Activities run all day, from 9:30 a.m. to 3:45 p.m. Thank you to our sponsor Madison Group. View the full schedule at whitby.ca/calendar.

2. Show Us Your Favourite Whitby Park or Trail For a Chance to Win!

Get outside, get active, take a photo and share it with us for a chance to win 1 of 4 $100 Town of Whitby Recreation Gift Certificates. To enter, watch the Town of Whitby’s social media channels on Facebook and Twitter (@TownofWhitby) for the contest to launch on June 1. Comment with a photo of you enjoying a Whitby park or trail. All entries must be received by June 30 at 11:59 p.m. Entries may be shared on the Town’s social media platforms. If you do not wish for your photo to be shared, please send it to getactive@whitby.ca.

Participation in this contest is limited to residents of Whitby exclusively; view Parks and Recreation Month contest rules here.

3.  Celebrate National Indigenous Peoples Day

Leading up to National Indigenous Peoples Day (June 21), the Town will be hosting a special event on Saturday, June 17 from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. at Celebration Square. Join us to learn more about and celebrate Indigenous history and culture. Watch the All Nations Juniors Youth Drum Group, experience storytelling and singing by Anishinabek Grandmother Kim Wheatley, and take part in community projects. whitby.ca/Calendar

4. Attend a Seniors’ Month Activity

June is also Seniors' Month and we're offering a variety of programs to help keep everyone connected. Check out the 55+ Art Show at the Whitby Public Library, attend a ukulele in the park event, learn safety tips during our Frauds and Scams Seminar with the Durham Region Police Service, and so much more. Thanks to our many sponsors for their support including ViVa Whitby Shores Retirement Community, Amica Whitby, Amica Taunton, and Aspira Lynde Creek Gardens Retirement Community. For details and a full list of activities visit whitby.ca/calendar.

5.  Register For a Summer Program

From playground drop-in programs to fitness and swimming, the Town has a number of activities to keep you active and moving! Check out the available activities and programs on ACTIVE Net, and add them to your Wish List starting May 29. Registration for recreation programs and swimming lessons begins on June 7 at 9 a.m. and Aquafit on June 8 at 9 a.m. You can also drop into one of the Town’s 15 splash pads throughout our community to stay cool during the summer. View a list of locations and see which are open at whitby.ca/splashpads.

6. Visit the Farmers’ Market

The Whitby Farmers’ Market is now open for the 2023 season at Celebration Square and the Brooklin Farmers’ Market will run every Saturday starting June 10 until the end of October. Residents and visitors can shop outdoors for fresh local produce, baked goods, unique handmade products, and more. whitbyfarmersmarket.ca

7. Take a Ride on a Whitby Bike Trail

June is Bike Month – the perfect time to go for a ride through your neighbourhood. For a map of our trails, multi-use path, bike lanes, and six bike repair stands, visit whitby.ca/cycling

8. Celebrate Pride

Whitby Town Council has proclaimed June as Pride Month. Flags will be raised at Town Hall and at all Town recreation facilities. Residents are welcome to attend Drag Queen Story Time for children at the Central Library located at 405 Dundas Street West on Saturday, June 10 from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. This family-friendly program will showcase stories and songs that explore and celebrate diversity and inclusion. For more information, visit whitbylibrary.ca. 

9. Celebrate Local Food Week

Watch for the second edition of the Whitby Food Guide launching at the end of May and support your local food and drink establishments during Local Food Week, from June 1 to 7. The guide will be posted to Whitby’s tourism site, which serves as an information hub not only for locals but for visitors planning a getaway to our community. whitby.ca/Explore

10. Visit Whitby’s Arts Trail

The town is home to many beautiful murals created by local artists. Discover outdoor public art and murals, and visit galleries, artist studios, and maker shops all around town as part of Whitby’s Arts Trail. Learn more at whitby.ca/Culture.

Other Great Whitby Events Happening in June!

Check out even more events on our Whitby Events Calendar or discover something new to enjoy through our new tourism website. And don’t forget to mark your calendar to join us for food, fun, and fireworks the evening of July 1. Learn more at whitby.ca/CanadaDay