Your May Two-Four Weekend Field Guide
If youβre new to Canada, consider this your field guide to one of our most optimistic weekends: we donβt casually drift into summer, we declare it. And that declaration comes in the form of Victoria Day Weekend, better known as βMay Two-Four.β
Spring is Here (Sort of)
April in London isnβt so much a month as it is a personality test. Snow has melted into dubious slush, the ground has the consistency of chocolate pudding, and the sky canβt decide whether it wants to give you a tan or a car wash.
If youβve just moved here, welcome. Itβs messy, unpredictable, and full of surprises, but donβt retreat to your living room just yet; hereβs your official survival guide to embracing the season of Spring-ish in the city.
New to London? Letβs Get Social
Welcome to London, Ontario, a city where the Thames is smaller, the people are friendlier, and the social scene is hiding in plain sight behind community centres, dodgeballs, and suspiciously enthusiastic pickleball players.
Come In, Itβs Cozy
Winter in London, Ontario, has a way of drawing people inward; into warm rooms, shared laughter, and small discoveries that make a new city feel like home. If youβre new here, consider this your gentle invitation to explore hidden spots to warm up, wind down, and wander in, the places where Londoners gather when the snow falls and the days are short. There is so much life indoors this season, and plenty of joy to be found.
Snow Much Fun: Your Winter Bucket List
January feels like a permission slip, the kind that says itβs okay to slow down, bundle up, and do the things only winter can make memorable. Here in London, Ontario, winter isnβt something to endure; itβs something to lean into.
If youβre ready to embrace the cold (or just need a nudge to get outside this weekend), this winter bucket list is packed with frosty adventures that make January feel delightfully mischievous and full of snow-soaked fun.
Surviving Canadian Winters
Winter in Canada can feel like an entirely new world if youβve never experienced sub-zero temperatures, icy sidewalks, and snowdrifts. For newcomers, itβs not just about bundling up. Staying safe, warm, and comfortable requires awareness, clothing strategy, car preparation, home tweaks, and pet care. Hereβs your friendly, practical guide to surviving your first Canadian winter without losing your sense of adventure.
Double-Doubles and Long Weekends
If youβre new to Canada, youβll quickly learn that Canadians speak their own charming, slightly confusing dialect.
Hereβs your quick guide to Canadianisms, slang, and holidays, so you can blend in at Timmies, navigate the 401, and survive long weekends like a local.
A Spooktacular Halloween
If thereβs one thing Canadians know how to do (besides apologizing politely and surviving six months of winter), itβs Halloween. Every October 31st, the streets fill with pint-sized ghosts, superheroes, and kids dressed as whateverβs trending on social media. Halloween here isnβt just a holiday; itβs a national mood shift. And yes, itβs worth celebrating because itβs fun, itβs festive, and itβs basically the unofficial start of winter jacket season.
Savouring Autumn in London and Area
For newcomers, fall in London, Ontario, and nearby St. Thomas can feel like stepping into a postcard. The trees along the Thames and Kettle Creek begin their wardrobe change, roadside stands appear with baskets of produce, and a quick search for the best pumpkin pie often becomes part of the ritual.
Here is where to savour autumnβs bounty.
The Wild Nearby
Thereβs a moment, usually about twenty minutes into a forest walk, when the breeze catches the scent of pine and something inside you exhales. If youβre new to London, Ontario, and craving that feeling of being far from city hum and close to birdsong, youβre in luck. The city and its surrounding area are dotted with parks and conservation areas, just waiting to be discovered. But before you lace up your sneakers or pack the car, it helps to know the difference between them.
Because not all parks are created equal.
Charming Small Town Day Trips
Summer is the perfect season for wandering, and when the days stretch long and golden, thereβs nothing lovelier than setting out on a simple road trip. Just a short drive from London, Ontario, a constellation of charming towns and villages awaits, each with its own pace, personality, and something special to discover. Here are a few favourites worth slipping out of the city for.
Your 2025 Summer Festival Calendar
Hereβs your guide to London, Ontarioβs 2025 summer festival line-up, organized by vibe and laid out so you can plan your weekends like a pro.
Global Moves, Local Reunions
CityMatch relocation coordinator Efe Fofah shares the remarkable story of reconnecting with a former colleague from Nigeria during a relocation assignment in Canada.
Fun Ways to Get Around London
Thereβs something about spring that makes you want to move β whether itβs a walk to grab a coffee or a long bike ride just because. And if youβre in London, Ontario, this is such a lovely time to get out and explore.
Cool March Break Camps in London
March Break is just around the corner, and if you're looking for something beyond the usual, weβve got you covered! London, Ontario is packed with extraordinary day camps that go far beyond your typical arts and sports programs. Whether your child dreams of handling exotic reptiles, soaring on ziplines, performing on stage, or even training like a pro athlete, something exciting awaits them.
Simple Ways to Celebrate Love in the Forest City
Love doesnβt have to mean splurging. In London, itβs all about the little thingsβa cozy walk through a snowy park, a craft class where you can try something new together, or stopping for a cup of rich hot chocolate at a neighbourhood cafΓ©.
Winter Fun in London, Ontario
London is brimming with activities and events that make the most of winter, offering everything from cozy retreats to outdoor adventures.
Chill-Proof Your Winter Season
Winter has a way of wrapping the world in quiet beautyβthe coolness of the air, the soft crunch of snow underfoot, the delight of curling up indoors as everything outside sparkles. But as wonderful as it is, winter calls for a little extra care: navigating icy roads, shoveling snowy driveways, and bundling up (furry friends included!) against the chill. This month, letβs dive into simple, thoughtful tips for staying safe, warm, and prepared, all while savoring the seasonβs cozy charm.
Carmelita Tang Joins CityMatch as Vice President
CityMatch is excited to announce Carmelita Tang as our new Vice President!
The Magic of Holiday Markets
As the festive season approaches, the streets of London transform into a winter wonderland of twinkling lights and joyful gatherings. With an abundance of holiday markets, thereβs no shortage of places to find unique gifts, support local artisans, and embrace the holiday spirit. Here's your guide to the top holiday markets in November 2024