Good morning, Markham!
I’m back! Was a little MIA these past couple weeks because I just got back from a trip to Europe, but now we’re back to regularly scheduled Markham content.
Also, Hello Markham just passed 2,000 subscribers (!!) Huge thank you to everyone for the support, shares, and kind messages lately. It genuinely means a lot.
Alright, we’ve got lots to cover this week. Let’s get into it!
Note: Events marked with a “➡️” are not in Markham but they’re too good not to share!
CITY UPDATES
🚧 Highway 404 Ramp Extension Project Returns
The City of Markham is restarting the environmental assessment process for the planned Highway 404 ramp extension at Major Mackenzie Drive.
The project was originally approved back in 2009, but because more than 10 years have passed, the City is now updating the study to reflect current environmental conditions and changes in the area. Learn more here.
🗣️ Help Shape Markham’s Future
The City of Markham is currently reviewing its Official Plan! They’re now looking for community feedback, so if you want your voice heard on what Markham should look like in the future, this is your chance More public engagement opportunities and surveys are expected later this spring. Learn more here.
WORTH THE HYPE? SISTERS & CO MARKHAM 🍳
Sister & Co’s Cereal Milk French Toast
Finally tried Sisters & Co. after failing the first time because the wait was over an hour (which honestly should’ve been our first clue).
This time we got there just a few minutes after opening and omg… yeah, I get it now.
Got the Beef Bulgogi Eggs Benedict and every single part was good. The beef was perfectly seasoned with just the right amount of sweetness, and the homefries??? Insane. Smokey, crispy, and dangerously addictive. I could genuinely eat a bucket of them. Even the side salad was good (and that’s saying a lot coming from someone who avoids salad). I literally cleaned my plate.
We also got the Cereal Milk French Toast and it was heavenly. Sweet, but not too sweet.
Totally worth the hype in my opinion. Just a warning though, this place fills up FAST. By the time we finished eating (around 8 AM), the restaurant was basically packed.
WHAT’S HAPPENING MARKHAM: THIS WEEK’S EVENTS
ARTS & CULTURE
🐝 International Museum Day: Bees, Bugs & Pollinators!
May 16, 2026 | Markham Museum | 11am–5pm | Free
Celebrate International Museum Day with interactive activities and exhibits exploring the world of bees, bugs, and pollinators.
🦸 Toying Around Toy-Con
May 16, 2026 | Monte Carlo Inn & Suites - Downtown Markham | 10am–4pm | Free
Browse toys, comics, collectibles, anime merch, and meet celebrity guests at this fan convention for collectors and pop culture fans.
🕯️ Candle Maker: Scents in Mason Jars
May 17, 2026 | Rouge River Brewery | 2pm | 🎟️ $55
Create three custom soy candles with scents, seasonal decorations, and creative add-ons while enjoying a cozy afternoon at Rouge River Brewery.
🧠 The Arms Trivia Night
Every Monday | Unionville Arms | 7pm | 🎟️ Free
Test your trivia skills weekly while enjoying half-price wings and $6 pints of Toogood Lager.
🏓 Dinks ’n’ Donuts: Pickleball Social
May 11, 2026 | Mount Joy Sports Dome | 9am–11am | 🎟️ $10
Start your morning with casual pickleball games, fresh donuts, and a fun social atmosphere for players of all skill levels.
☕ Plain Tea and Murukku
May 11, 2026 | Aaniin Library | 6pm–8pm | Free
Sip tea, snack on murukku, and enjoy card games, carom, and social activities with fellow community members at this relaxed drop-in gathering.
📺 QE Trivia Night: 90s Theme
May 14, 2026 | Rouge River Brewery | 6:30pm | 🎟️ $6
Put your 90s pop culture knowledge to the test at this themed trivia night, with beer prizes up for grabs for the winning team.
🗣️ Cornell Library Community Social
May 14, 2026 | Cornell Public Library | 10:30am–11:30am | Free
Meet new people, share stories, and connect with the community through casual and interactive conversations at the library.
💃 Gyal Ah Bounce!
May 17, 2026 | 227 Main Street Markham N | 1:30pm–2:30pm | 🎟️ $27
Jump into a high-energy trampoline workout combining dance, cardio, and strength intervals in this wellness-focused fitness class.
🏓 Chill ’n’ Dill Pickleball Social
May 17, 2026 | Mount Joy Sports Dome | 6pm–9pm | 🎟️ $10
Hit the courts for an evening of casual pickleball, friendly competition, and good vibes at this all-levels social event.
FESTIVAL CENTRAL
🍖 Vaughan Ribfest X 2026
May 15–18, 2026 | ➡️ Assembly Park (Vaughan) | Fri–Sun 12pm–10pm, Mon 12pm–8pm | 🎟️ $5 (Free for kids 10 & under)
Enjoy award-winning BBQ, live music, food vendors, cold drinks, and family-friendly fun all Victoria Day weekend at Vaughan’s annual Ribfest celebration.
🍷 Wine & Drinks Fest
May 15–17, 2026 | ➡️ Heritage Court, Enercare Centre (Toronto) | 5pm–9pm | 🎟️ $29
Sip and sample wines, cocktails, spirits, and RTDs from around the world with tastings, music, photo ops, and festival experiences all weekend long.
🎆 Victoria Day Fireworks
May 15, 2026 | ➡️ Memorial Park (Stouffville) | 8pm–9:30pm | Free
Celebrate Victoria Day with food trucks, live music, and a spectacular fireworks show lighting up the night sky in Stouffville.
🍵 EastBloom Tea & Gourmet Festival 2026
May 16–17, 2026 | ➡️ Sankofa Square (Toronto) | 12pm–11pm | Free
Enjoy tea tastings, gourmet eats, artisan vendors, and live entertainment all weekend long.
🌙 BACKYARD: Asian Night Market
May 16, 2026 | ➡️ STACKT Market (Toronto) | 4pm | Free
Celebrate Asian Heritage Month with 50+ Asian-owned vendors, authentic eats, cultural performances, and live DJ sets at this vibrant night market experience.
SHOWTIME IN MARKHAM
🎶 Summer of 69: Tribute to Bryan Adams
May 14, 2026 | ➡️ Nineteen on the Park (Stouffville) | 7:30pm | 🎟️ $39.55-$44.07
Sing along to iconic Bryan Adams anthems like Summer of ’69, Run to You, and (Everything I Do) I Do It for You at this tribute concert celebrating one of Canada’s biggest rock stars.
🎸 Zachary Stevenson’s Tribute to Buddy Holly
May 15, 2026 | Flato Markham Theatre | 7pm | 🎟️ $64
Experience a live tribute concert celebrating Buddy Holly’s biggest hits and lasting influence on rock ’n’ roll music.
🎤 Stars of Tomorrow 2026: Vocal Showcase
May 16, 2026 | Pacific Mall | 2pm–4pm | Free
Take the stage or cheer on local talent at this vocal showcase presented by Wukong Education at Pacific Mall.
🕯️ Candlelight Markham: Ed Sheeran & Coldplay
May 16, 2026 | Cathedral of The Transfiguration | 8:45pm | 🎟️ $31-$73
Hear Ed Sheeran and Coldplay hits performed live by candlelight inside the stunning Cathedral of The Transfiguration.
🕯️ Candlelight Markham: The Best of Hans Zimmer
May 16, 2026 | Cathedral of The Transfiguration | 6:30pm | 🎟️ $41–$78
Iconic film scores by Hans Zimmer come to life in this candlelit concert set inside the Cathedral of The Transfiguration.
🆕 WHAT’S NEW IN MARKHAM?
A few new openings and updates around the city this week 👀
15th Ave Cafe soft opened this past weekend and will reopen on May 12 at 50% capacity.
Hitotoki Bakery officially opens on May 11 🍞
Markham Farmers’ Market is back for the season! Catch them every Saturday from 9AM–1PM.
19th Ave Farmers Market opens this week on May 12 🌿
PlayDexk has opened at 180 Enterprise Blvd, bringing trading cards and premium collectibles to Downtown Markham.
Love Gelato just launched new Italian stone-baked sourdough sandwiches 🥪
La Fonte Unionville will be temporarily closed until further notice.
COMMUNITY CONNECTIONS
🍜 Restaurant Kids: A Panel Discussion
May 11, 2026 | Angus Glen Library | 7pm–8pm | Free
Hear from people who grew up in family-run restaurants as they share stories about food, business, and life behind the scenes of the restaurant industry.
📖 Favourite Family Memories: A Storyteller’s Meet-Up
May 12, 2026 | Angus Glen Library | 6:30pm–8pm | Free
Share stories about family, culture, immigration, and community connections at this welcoming storytelling and discussion gathering.
🗂️ BMO Shred Day
May 16, 2026 | Pride of Canada Carousel Parking Lot | 10am–2pm | Free
Safely dispose of sensitive documents with secure on-site shredding and learn more about reducing paper use through digital banking tools.
🌳 10,000 Trees Community Tree Planting
May 16, 2026 | Berczy Park North (Markham) | 9:30am-12pm | Free
Help plant 700 trees and shrubs alongside fellow volunteers at this large community greening event in Markham. EDIT: This event is now sold out.
SHOPPING BUZZ
🦉 OVO Warehouse Sale
May 11–14, 2026 | ➡️ Terrace Banquet Centre | Times Vary | TBD
Shop up to 70% off OVO hoodies, t-shirts, and accessories at this limited-time warehouse sale in Vaughan.
🛠️ RONA Markham Clearance Centre BBQ Tent Event
May 15–18, 2026 | RONA Clearance Centre Markham | TBD | Free
Score huge clearance deals while enjoying a charity BBQ, face painting, games, and family-friendly activities all weekend long.
BUSINESS BOOST
☕ MBT May VIP Breakfast Networking 2026
May 14, 2026 | Sheraton Parkway Toronto North Hotel & Suites | 7:30am–9:30am | 🎟️ $34.95–$49.95 + HST
Reconnect with local professionals and business leaders over breakfast at this Markham Board of Trade networking event.
🌐 Toronto Trade Show 2026 & Canada-China Enterprise Overseas Service Expo
May 16–17, 2026 | Hilton Toronto/Markham Suites Conference Centre & Spa | 10am–5pm | Free
Connect with manufacturers, suppliers, and service providers from across Canada and China at this large-scale B2B trade expo in Markham.
📈 9 Ways to Use the Library for Your Business
May 11, 2026 | Online by Markham Public Library | 6:30pm–8pm | Free
Learn about free library tools and research resources that can help with market research, business planning, and smarter decision-making.
We put together a super quick 5-question survey to help us learn more about the Hello Markham community and improve future content, events, and local partnerships.
It should take less than 1 minute to complete — we’d really appreciate it!
UPCOMING EVENTS
Here’s a sneak peek at some events coming up next week! Stay tuned for more details in upcoming editions of Hello Markham.
QE Trivia Night | May 21 | 6:30pm | 🎟️ $6
Main Street Unionville Reopening Celebration | May 23 | 10:30am-2:30pm | Free
Paint & Slush | May 28 | 7pm-9pm | 🎟️ $20
Markham Ribfest | May 29-31 | Times vary | 🎟️ $5
True North Card Expo | May 30-31 | 10am-5pm | 🎟️ $10
Markham Cycling Day | June 14 | 8am-1pm | Free
WEEKLY MUSIC & SPORTS
LIVE MUSIC LOWDOWN
🎤 Fiona MacCool’s Richmond Hill | Open Mic | May 12th | 7PM–10PM
🎵 Rouge River Brewery | Live Music | May 13th | 6PM-8PM
🎤 Sugar Cafe & Lounge | Open Mic | May 13th | 7:30PM-10:30PM
🎤 The Duchess of Markham | Open Mic | May 14th | 8PM–11PM
🎤 Royal Game Cafe & Lounge | Open Mic | May 14th | 7PM-10PM
🎤 Main’s Mansion | Karaoke | May 14th | 10PM to Close
🎤 Col. Mustard Sports Bar | Karaoke | May 15th | Begins at 9PM
🎤 The Duchess of Markham | Open Mic | May 15th | 8PM–11PM
🎤 Monte Carlo Inn | Open Mic | May 15th | 7PM–10PM
🎵 The Duchess of Markham | Live Music | May 16th | Begins at 4PM
🎤 Main’s Mansion | Karaoke | May 16th | 10PM to Close
🎵 Costa Sorrento | Live Music | May 17th | 6PM–9PM
SPORTS HAPPENIN’S THIS WEEK
⚾ Toronto Blue Jays v Tampa Bay Rays | May 11th
⚾ Toronto Blue Jays v Tampa Bay Rays | May 12th
⚾Toronto Blue Jays v Tampa Bay Rays | May 13th
🏀 Toronto Tempo v Seattle Storm | May 13th
THANKS FOR READING!
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