Here's when the amusement park on the Toronto Islands will be open this season

Amusement parks and island ferries are synonymous with summer in Toronto, but if waiting until the June solstice feels a tad too long, there's good news. Centreville Amusement Park will open its gates early in May this year.

According to its website, the park will welcome visitors on weekends beginning May 2 and 3. This opening tracks with previous years (it launched on May 3 in 2024 and May 4 in 2025), making it one of Toronto's most reliably punctual harbingers of warm-weather fun.

Running through September, Centreville offers a refreshingly low-stress alternative to the sensory onslaught of other mega parks in the province. It's fun, light and lively without being overwhelming and overcrowded.

The park features around 30 rides and attractions, including a classic Ferris wheel, bumper boats, and a log ride that splashes into water, a refreshing reprieve on those scorching hot days. There's also an antique carousel dating all the way back to 1907.

Beyond that, there's a mini golf course where you can sharpen your putting skills, or, if you'd rather take it easy, you can hop on the 15-minute Sky Ride and take in the gorgeous views of the island and the city skyline.

Animal lovers can also wander through the on-site farm, which has been a fixture for 65 years. It's home to over 40 types of exotic birds and animals like the Cameroonian dwarf goat – where else can you find that in Toronto? 

The neat thing about this mini wonderland is that it's free to enter, and you only have to pay to go on rides. An all-day ride pass costs $35.18, while a 2026 season pass is $87.61. Groups of four can opt for an unlimited ride pass for $146.90, which makes for a relatively economical day out by amusement park standards.

If you're more of a "one ride and a snack" type, individual tickets are just $1.80, about the price of a small coffee, but with far more spinning if you know what I mean. 

Speaking of snacks, you'll find 14 food vendors across the park serving up carnival staples like funnel cakes and beaver tails, alongside more substantial fare like pizza and sandwiches. Maybe wait to eat until after you've gone on the Twirling Teacups? 

Located on Centre Island, the amusement park is just a short ferry ride from downtown's Jack Layton Ferry Terminal, with round-trip tickets ranging from $4.51 for kids and $9.57 for adults.