Toronto's Entertainment District Welcomes a Family-Friendly March Break

TORONTO, March 5, 2014 /CNW/ - Toronto's Entertainment District gives families a reason to visit the District this March break with family-based shows, events, film, theatre and offers. The District's March break brings families to the ice, the comedic stage, inside the theatre and through Toronto's railway history. Family fun is also offered within the innovative programming at TIFF Bell Lightbox. The District's exclusive March Break programs run March 8 through to Sunday, March 16, 2014.

Rogers Centre, one of the iconic venues of the Entertainment District, has families kick-starting their children's activities this March Break with Disney On Ice presents Let's Party !. Disney On Ice began in 1981 and is a touring ice show featuring all of the favourite Disney characters. Nine performances of Disney On Ice presents Let's Party! are scheduled to celebrate March Break in the District with a magical medley of holidays, celebrations and festivities from around the globe. Performances begin on March 12 and run through to March 16, 2014 at Rogers Centre. Tickets may be booked by visiting www.rogerscentre.com.

The CN Tower, Canada's National Tower, defines the Toronto skyline at a height of 1,815 feet, 5 inches and is a must see attraction for children of all ages. This March Break make this engineering wonder your family's next big adventure and explore the world's #1 elevator ride, LookOut and Glass Floor observation levels, ride, movie and additional March Break activities presented by Toronto2015, Disney's Frozen* and OSPE in honour of National Engineering Month. Plus enter for a chance to win great prizes. For adventure lovers 13 years and older the thrilling EdgeWalk is back due to popular demand. It will open for a special limited time during March Break and then officially for the full season as of April 14, 2014. Save with the Family Pass, CityPASS or by booking online. For further details on March Break programming and tickets visit www.cntower.ca  *© Disney 2014.

The Second City, the world's premier comedy theatre, has the company and their puppets presenting Princess Polly & The World's Smallest Ninja to the Mercer Street theatre, for a hilarious all ages musical adventure. The March Break matinee performances begin on March 10 and run through to March 16, 2014. Tickets for the noon production may be booked at 416-343-0011 or by visiting http://www.secondcity.com/performances/detail/1587/

Year round, the District is known for its theatre and performing arts. This March Break, the Royal Alexandra Theatre brings Green Day's American Idiot to its stage. The production is a critical smash on Broadway and in London, and a two-time Tony Award^® winning hit. It debuts on March 11 and runs through to March 16, 2014. Green Day's American Idiot is suitable for mature ages only, as it contains adult content and strong language. Families with teens will have only six days over March Break to see this travelling production. Tickets may be booked at 416 872-1212 or by visiting www.mirvish.com

The Toronto Railway Museum, a museum celebrating Toronto's railway heritage, will be open March 12 through to March 16, 2014 from noon to 5:00 p.m. The museum, housed in the historic John Street Roundhouse, features historical locomotives and cars, and paints a historical picture of the Canadian railroad. The history exhibition at the Toronto Railway Museum is an affordable and educational outing. Admission to the museum exhibits is $5.00 for adults and $3.00 for children. 

The Ritz-Carlton, Toronto, the city's most centrally located luxury hotel, offers the new Family Fun package that kids of all ages will love. Just in time for March Break, the hotel's Family Fun package includes luxury accommodation, complimentary kid-friendly programs and amenities and exclusive access to the city's most popular family attractions including Ripley's Aquarium of Canada and TIFF Kids digiPlaySpace exhibit at TIFF Bell Lightbox. This offer is valid from March 7 through to March 16, 2014. The Family Fun package starts from $495 per night, based on a family of 4 (2 adults, 2 children). To learn more about this offer or to make a reservation, please visit www.ritzcarlton.com/toronto or call 416-585-2500. 

The entire family will want to visit TIFF Bell Lightbox this March break with family-friendly film screenings, activities, and the return of the TIFF Kids digiPlaySpace. Now back for its third year, TIFF's award-winning interactive exhibition offers kids the opportunity to learn through play from March 8 through to April 21, 2014. Designed for children 3 and up, digiPlaySpace features virtual-reality adventures, multi-player installations, learning-centric videogames, robotics, 3D printing, mobile apps, and workshops. To learn more about TIFF Kids digiPlaySpace, please consult: www.tiff.net/digiplayspace

Other TIFF Bell Lightbox highlights include :the final screenings for TIFF Kids Family Fridays, special family programming for scheduled Toronto District School Board PA Days, on March 7, 2014, March Break Family Matinees, afternoon screenings of family-friendly adventures from March 8 through to 16, 2014,  and week- long March Break Camps from March 10 through to 15, 2014 that take participants into the world of filmmaking and fun. On Bell Free Weekend, all programming at TIFF Bell Lightbox is FREE from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., courtesy of Bell, including special family films and events, access to the TIFF Kids digiPlaySpace. The free weekend takes place at TIFF Bell Lightbox on Saturday, March 15 and Sunday, March 16, 2014.  For a complete listing of event dates and times, please consult: www.tiff.net

Janice Solomon, Executive Director of Toronto Entertainment District's BIA, states, "Toronto's Entertainment District has a great selection of family-based offers that extend well beyond the District's regular activities. We look forward to welcoming families to participating District locations throughout the week of March Break."

About the Toronto Entertainment District Business Improvement Area:

Established in 2008, TOED's mandate is to promote, improve and preserve a dynamic area of Toronto. Benefitting from economic, environmental and social factors driving downtown growth, the Entertainment District is in the midst of a renaissance, firmly establishing itself as a thriving and vibrant district for living, creating, working and entertainment. From the Air Canada Centre to the Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts, the Entertainment District includes many of Toronto's most iconic buildings. In the heart of the District is the CN Tower, Steam Whistle Brewing, Ripley's Aquarium of Canada, MetroToronto Convention Centre, Rogers Centre, Roy Thomson Hall, Princess of Wales Theatre, Royal Alexandra Theatre and TIFF Bell Lightbox. www.torontoed.com

SOURCE: Toronto Entertainment District Business Improvement Area

Janice Solomon, Executive Director, Toronto Entertainment District BIA, 416-926-1337, [email protected], torontoed.com, facebook.com/torontoed, twitter: @toronto_ed