From building, buying and renting, to boats and water toys, the Spring Cottage Life Show has everything Ontarians need to get ready for cottage season
March 21 – 24 at the International Centre in Mississauga
(Toronto, ON: March 13, 2024) – The ultimate destination for everything to do with the cottage, the Spring Cottage Life Show returns Thursday, March 21 to Sunday, March 24 at the International Centre in Mississauga. With more than 500 exhibitors and experts onsite, the show will delve into topics that impact life at the cottage, such as protecting the family legacy with succession planning, co-existing with pesky critters, DIY tips and advice, navigating new local legislations impacting cottage rentals, and discovering the best of the best in cottage country from chip trucks to ice cream spots and everything in between.
With cottage season just around the corner, visitors can prepare for a summer of fun by shopping for the latest in boats, docks and water toys, furniture and décor, food and entertaining ideas. Visitors can also find information on builders, contractors, realtors, cottage rentals, small space structures, innovative building products and eco-friendly solutions. Tickets are on sale now at shows.cottage life.com.
Since 2020, the cottage market has experienced soaring demand, with prices for waterfront properties skyrocketing by 39 percent from 2020 to 2022 and limited inventory leading to a cooler market in 2023. Experts are predicting a strong return to a more traditional cycle in 2024, with the current interest rates putting more listings back on the market. With the price and number of listings varying widely across Ontario’s vast cottage region, realtors from across the province will be on hand to share expert local advice.
Spring Cottage Life Show Program Highlights:
Main Stage, sponsored by Beaver Homes
Find best-in-class expertise, advice and tips on buying, selling and owning a cottage; renovations and DIY projects; succession planning, and the latest cottage design trends.
Find best-in-class expertise, advice and tips on buying, selling and owning a cottage; renovations and DIY projects; succession planning, and the latest cottage design trends.
- Friday, March 22 at 12 p.m.: TV personality and gardening expert Frankie Flowers teaches how to build low-maintenance container gardens.
- Saturday, March 23 at 12 p.m.: contractors, TV hosts and siblings Mike Holmes Jr. and Sherry Holmes share tips on cottage maintenance and the inside scoop on their new series Holmes on Holmes: Building a Legacy, debuting on Cottage Life this fall.
- Daily at 1 p.m.: “Cottage Critters 201 (a.k.a. more &*%$# pests!)” Got pesky wildlife? Yeah, you do. In a follow-up to the popular presentation from last spring, Cottage Life magazine’s editor, Michelle Kelly and Senior Associate Editor, Alysha Vandertogt, share tips on how to coexist with five bothersome animals at the lake.
- Thursday, March 21 – Saturday, March 23 at 4 p.m.: designer Angela Jones shares tips on how to refresh your space with the latest design trends.
- Thursday, March 21 – Saturday, March 23: Cottage planning lawyer Peter Lillico will explain the various options to choosing the best timing approach to keep your family cottage with your family.
- Friday, March 22 – Sunday, March 24 at 11 a.m.: Carpenter and DIY expert Mark Rason shares creative uses for decking material – great for projects beyond your deck.
- Friday, March 22 – Sunday, March 24 at 3 p.m.: Join Cottage Coach Adam Holman as he shows you how to build a DIY bat house for your cottage.
See HERE for the full lineup and presentation topics.
Cottage Real Estate Centre
Looking for land for a new build, a turnkey rental, or a cozy cabin ready to renovate? The Cottage Real Estate Centre is a one-stop shop where you can meet realtors and discover listings from all over Ontario.
Cottage Kitchen
From easy breakfast bakes to dockside grilling and filleting your freshly caught fish, the Cottage Kitchen is cooking up fun and easy meals that are perfect for a relaxing summer day. Don’t miss demonstrations by:
- Chef, TV host and cookbook author, Jo Lusted
- BBQ connoisseur Brian Misko, House of Q
- Thomas Armstrong, Director of Culinary Experience, Glen Drummond Farm
- Executive Chef Christian Pritchard, Aurora Foods
- Scott Gardner, associate editor Outdoor Canada magazine
Brush up on DIY skills at the Cottage Life Workshop
Master cottage builders and carpenters Wayne Lennox and Brian Halbot will answer build and maintenance questions as they demonstrate how to build a pergola with a swing. Plus, enter for a chance to win one!
Explore the Great Outdoors
Get up close and personal with the night sky in the inflatable planetarium. Learn about stars, constellations, planets, moons, comets and galaxies visible from cottage country and beyond.
Plus, learn about the rehabilitation efforts of Aspen Valley Wildlife Sanctuary and find out how to distinguish between Ontario’s semi-aquatic species.
A Taste of Summer…
No cottage trip is complete without a stop at Kawartha Dairy. Enjoy a sneak peek of three brand new flavours from the cottage country staple at the Cottage Life Booth: Dockside Cappuccino, Grape and Nanaimo Bar.
Looking for the best butter tarts, chip trucks and hidden gems? Cottage Life magazine’s editorial team will be onsite to share their cottage expertise, answer visitor questions and highlight the best destinations to visit in cottage country.
General Store & Trading Post
Browse the best handcrafted, artisanal and niche Canadian-made goods, including ironwork, art, décor, tasty treats and one-of-a-kind gifts.
Cottage Life Dock Party
The popular social hub of the show is serving up refreshing beers from all over cottage country, including: Muskoka Brewery, Cowbell Brewing, Bobcaygeon Brewery. Wines from Dark Horse Winery and vodka from SocialLite will also be available. Sit back, relax and plug in at a charging station. Beverage purchases support Aspen Valley Wildlife Sanctuary.
Show Hours:
Thursday, March 21: 12 pm to 6 pm
Friday, March 22: 10 am to 8 pm
Saturday, March 23: 9 am to 7 pm
Sunday, March 24: 10 am to 5 pm
Location:
The International Centre – Enter through Halls 1, 2 and 5
6900 Airport Road, Mississauga, ON L4V 1E8
FREE PARKING
Admission:
General Admission (18+): $23
Seniors (65+): $19
Youth (12-17): $11
Child (4-11): $9
Children (3 & under): Free
Thursday & Friday after 4 pm (18+): $12
For the latest show additions, list of exhibitors, and to purchase tickets, visit: cottagelife.com/shows.
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Cottage Life, a division of Blue Ant Media, has been the definitive source for weekend living entertainment since 1988. A true multi-platform brand, Cottage Life is comprised of: the nationally celebrated Cottage Life magazine and podcast; four bespoke e-newsletters; a specialty TV channel available across Canada; and a live events business, including the annual Spring and Fall Cottage Life Shows in Toronto and the Ottawa Cottage Life & Backyard Show. cottagelife.com. Follow us on: Facebook/Instagram/Pinterest/YouTube
Blue Ant Media is a privately held, international content producer, distributor, and channel operator. The company also produces consumer shows nationwide. Collectively, Blue Ant Media’s consumer show business hosts over 200,000 people annually at the Home + Backyard Show, National Home Show, Fall Home Show, Spring Cottage Life Show and Fall Cottage Life Show in Toronto; Ottawa Cottage Life & Backyard Show; Spring Baby Show Toronto; Fall Baby Show Toronto; Fall Baby Show Vancouver; and Seasons Christmas Show in Toronto. https://staging.blueantmedia.com/
Notes to Editor:
Show Hours:
Thursday, March 21: 12 pm to 6 pm
Friday, March 22: 10 am to 8 pm
Saturday, March 23: 9 am to 7 pm
Sunday, March 24: 10 am to 5 pm
Location:
The International Centre – Enter through Halls 1, 2 and 5
6900 Airport Road, Mississauga, ON L4V 1E8
FREE PARKING
Admission:
General Admission (18+): $23
Seniors (65+): $19
Youth (12-17): $11
Child (4-11): $9
Children (3 & under): Free
Thursday & Friday after 4 pm (18+): $12