Markham-Milliken Children's Festival
Join us on Saturday, September 12, 2026, outside Aaniin Community Centre (5665 14th Avenue) for the Markham-Milliken Children’s Festival (MMCF), proudly presented by Tim Hortons.
Get ready for a day filled with fun, excitement, and unforgettable family memories! Enjoy a variety of free family-friendly activities, interactive experiences, and live entertainment throughout the festival.
Relive the excitement from last year by exploring our official 2025 festival photo album!
Event Details
Date: Saturday, September 12, 2026
Time: 10 AM to 6:30 PM
Location: Aaniin Community Centre
Ages: All Ages
Volunteer at the Festival!
Want to give back to your community or earn volunteer hours?
Learn All About the Event
Showcase Your Business at MMCF 2026!
The Markham-Milliken Children's Festival, proudly presented by Tim Hortons, features free family-friendly activities, live entertainment, and interactive experiences that attract families from across the community.
Interested in becoming a vendor? Apply today!
Vendor Fees*:
- For-Profit Vendor: $450
- Non-Profit Vendor: $225
- Food Vendor: $450
*HST is included in vendor fee.
Don't miss this opportunity to connect with the community and promote your business or organization. We look forward to welcoming you to MMCF 2026!
Festival Map
Plan your day with ease using the Festival Map! Explore event locations, attractions, amenities, food vendors, and entertainment areas to make the most of your festival experience.
Play-All-Day Passes
Children with a Play-All-Day Pass will enjoy unlimited access to rides and inflatables, subject to attraction-specific restrictions. Discounted advance-purchase options, including the limited-edition Millie’s Play-All-Day Bundle (available while supplies last), will be offered before the festival.
Pricing
- Play-All-Day Pass (Advance Purchase): $10 + HST
(Available for purchase before September 12) - Play-All-Day Pass (Event Day): $15 + HST
(Available for purchase on September 12) - Millie Doll & Play-All-Day Pass Bundle (Advance Purchase): $30 + HST
(Available for purchase before September 12) - Millie Doll (On-Site Purchase): $20 + HST
(Available while supplies last)
Play All Day Pass Activities
| Activity | Participant Requirements |
|---|---|
| Trackless Train Ride | N/A min. height | N/A max. height | N/A max. weight per person |
| Tropical Obstacle | 38" min. height | N/A max. height | N/A max. weight per person |
| Fun House Maze | N/A min. height | N/A max. height | N/A max. weight per person |
| Big Top Circus | 30" min. height | 60" max. height | 150 lbs max. weight per person |
| Splashster Slide | 38" min. height | N/A max. height | N/A max. weight per person |
| Fun House Slide | 38" min. height | N/A max. height | 200 lbs max. weight per person |
| 40’ Obstacle | 34" min. height | N/A max. height | N/A max. weight per person |
| Beach Games 3 in 1 | N/A min. height | N/A max. height | N/A max. weight per person |
| Grand Western | N/A min. height | N/A max. height | N/A max. weight per person |
Activities
Festival attendees can enjoy a wide range of free activities and interactive experiences throughout the day. Programming will include:
Free Activations
| Activity | Participant Requirements |
|---|---|
| Sensory Tables | N/A min. height | N/A max. height | N/A max. weight per person |
| STEM Activities | N/A min. height | N/A max. height | N/A max. weight per person |
| Interactive Activities & Building Blocks | N/A min. height | N/A max. height | N/A max. weight per person |
| Mini Putt | N/A min. height | N/A max. height | N/A max. weight per person |
Toddler Town (Free)
| Activity | Participant Requirements |
|---|---|
| Fun Fair Park Jr.(Toddler) | 30" min. height | 60" max. height | 100 lbs max. weight per person |
| Fire Engine Slide (Toddler) | 38" min. height | N/A max. height | 200 lbs max. weight per person |
Main Stage Entertainment
Get ready for a full day of excitement with an incredible lineup of live entertainment for the whole family!
| Time | act |
|---|---|
| 10:00 to 10:30 AM | Interactive DJ |
| 10:30 to 11:30 AM | Educational Animal Show |
| 11:30 AM to 12:15 PM | Mad Science Show |
| 12:15 to 1:00 PM | Magic Show |
| 1:00 to 2:00 PM | Welcome Ceremony |
| 2:00 to 2:45 PM | Miss Maia Bubble Show (in front of stage) |
| 2:45 to 3:15 PM | Global Dance Party with Chris McKhool |
| 3:15 to 3:35 PM | Interactive DJ |
| 3:35 to 4:00 PM | CCAA Performance |
| 4:00 to 4:30 PM | Miss Maia Bubble Show |
| 4:30 to 5:15 PM | Educational Animal Show |
| 5:15 to 6:00 PM | The Circus Drummer |
| 6:00 to 6:30 PM | Interactive DJ |
- Welcome Ceremony (1 PM)
Melinda Song
Melinda Song is a Toronto-based singer-songwriter and the Founder and CEO of VOICE Collective Foundation, a youth-led nonprofit dedicated to expanding access to the arts and creating opportunities for young artists. A student at The Singing School, Melinda continues to develop her artistry and vocal craft while pursuing her passion for songwriting and performance. Through both her music and her work with VOICE, she is passionate about using the arts to connect and empower others. She recently released her original single, “Burgundy,” now available on streaming platforms, and today she’ll be performing “Burgundy” alongside an unreleased original song, “My Fault.”
Soul Attention Dance School
Soul Attention is a pop dance crew founded in 2013 by Julia Jiang, a lifelong dancer and University of Toronto Arts Management student. The group has showcased over 20 dance styles and earned recognition for its original choreography and community performances. Julia has worked as a judge, instructor, and choreographer for major cultural events, including the Miss Asia International Pageant and the Parliament Hill Spring Festival Flash Mob, which gained international media attention and over 100 million views.
- Educational Animal Show
Educational Animal Show
Join us on a safari and meet a variety of exotic creatures from around the globe!
- Mad Science Show
Mad Science Show
Fascinating science shows that will entertain both children and parents alike. See amazing chemical reactions, fantastic forces, and more.
- Magic Show
Magic Show
Guests can expect a children’s magic show including a mix of comedy, cool modern magic tricks, classic illusions and large colourful props.
- Miss Maia Bubble Show
Miss Maia Bubble Show
From heart bubbles to smoke bubbles and everything in between, watch Miss Maia dance with giant bubbles, baby bubbles and amazing bubble nets that make hundreds of bubbles blow by the watching crowd. We promise, you will be captivated by her bubbly nature.
- Global Dance Party with Chris McKhool
Global Dance Party with Chris McKhool
Global Dance Party! is the infectious new family concert and album from 2026 JUNO Award nominee Chris McKhool, inviting kids and families to dance, sing, and celebrate together! Inspired by global groove music, Chris and his stellar band mix funk, jazz, reggae, blues, and world music influences into an energetic, playlist-ready celebration. Featuring lively fiddle, bass, guitar, and audience-friendly singalongs, it's the perfect soundtrack for concert halls and festivals, and showcases the warmth, inclusivity, and musical diversity that have made Chris one of Canada's most beloved children's performers. A Queen's Diamond Jubilee Medal recipient, 2x JUNO nominee, and multiple CFMA winner, Chris has inspired over one million children through joyful, interactive music.
- Chinese Collective Arts Association (CCAA) Performance
CCAA Performance
After years of being trained in Chinese Dance together, a group of dancers from Chi-Ping Dance Group gathered to share their passion for the Chinese cultural arts and promote it to the community. Lead by their enthusiasm for dance, music, theatre and hosting functions and events, the Chinese Collective Arts Association (CCAA) will play a prominent role in providing the public with a taste of China in their own unique and modernized ways.
- The Circus Drummer Show
The Circus Drummer Show
Step right up and get down to the hypnotic dance beats of the Circus Drummer. Not only is there a dance party for the kids, there is a dance contest! Not only is there a dance contest, he will get onto stilts in front of your very own eyes, he will be 12 ft up in the air on stilts, he will do stick tricks while being 12 feet up in the air playing beats while juggling .. The sticks will be on FIRE!!
Food and Beverage Vendors
A variety of delicious food and beverage options will be available for purchase throughout the festival. More vendor details will be announced soon, but here’s a sneak peek at this year’s lineup so far:
- Ice Cream
- Shaved Ice
- Hot Dogs
- Sugarcane Juice
- Lao Food
- Egg Waffles
- Popcorn
- BBQ Squid and BBQ Lamb
- Lemonade and Fruit Refreshers
Don't forget to bring a reusable water bottle. Water refill stations will be available both outside the event site and inside Aaniin Community Centre.
Tim Hortons Coffee for a Year Contest
Festival attendees will have the opportunity to complete and submit a ballot (while supplies last) for a chance to win Coffee for a Year, generously presented by Tim Hortons.
Contest Eligibility
- Participants must be 18 years of age or older.
- Only one entry per attendee is permitted.
- Participants must be Markham residents to be eligible to win.
Transportation
Public Transit
Aaniin Community Centre (5665 14th Avenue) is easily accessible by public transit.
Parking and Road Closures
Please note that there will be no public parking available at Aaniin Community Centre on September 12, 2026, except for designated accessible parking spaces.
Road closures and traffic disruptions will be in effect during the festival on September 12, from 9 AM to 7 PM:
- 14th Avenue and Vanni Avenue: One-way traffic only with vendor and resident access.
- Vanni Avenue to Middlefield Road: One-way traffic only with resident access.
- Mumbai Drive and Middlefield Road: No left turn permitted.
Free parking is available at Milliken Mills Community Centre (7600 Kennedy Road), where attendees can access a complimentary shuttle service to and from Aaniin Community Centre (5665 14th Avenue), the event site.
Additional free parking is available at Middlefield Collegiate Institute (525 Highglen Avenue). Parking at this location is limited and available on a first-come, first-served basis.
Free Shuttle Services
Shuttle service Milliken Mills Community Centre to Aaniin Community Centre departs every 30 minutes from 9:30 AM to 6:30 PM. Travel time is approximately 15 minutes. The last shuttle to Aaniin Community Centre departs at 6:30 PM.
Shuttle service from Aaniin Community Centre to Milliken Mills Community Centre departs every 30 minutes from 10:00 AM to 7:30 PM. Travel time is approximately 15 minutes. The last shuttle to Milliken Mills Community Centre departs at 7:30 PM.
Cycling
Bike racks will be available on-site for attendees who choose to cycle to the festival.
