Celebrating 30 Years Of The Spring Cottage Life Show This Weekend

• Renowned Canadian wildlife rehabilitator and star of Cottage Life TV’s hit series Hope for Wildlife: The Next Generation, Hope Swinimer, shares her extensive knowledge on threats to wildlife, tips for co-existing, and a behind-the-scenes peek into the new season of her series, now airing on Cottage Life every Tuesday at 8 p.m. ET/PT during Free Preview.

• Uncover the latest design trends and expert décor tips to decorate your cottage with warmth and personality, with design and lifestyle TV personality Sarah Gunn and designer Angela Jones.

• University of Guelph Biologist Chris Earley has all the fun facts about our feathered friends. Learn how to talk to a loon, attract a flycatcher, conduct an owl prowl, understand a hummingbird, and more.

• Cottage Life magazine’s Senior Editor, Alysha Vandertogt, discusses six common cottage problems and how to solve them.

• Cottage succession planning lawyer Peter Lillico will draw on his 40+ years of experience to guide you through the process of creating a smooth and seamless succession plan for your cottage. He will also offer valuable recommendations on how children can share responsibilities and actively contribute to the planning process.

See HERE for the full lineup and presentation topics.

Over the past couple of years, Canada has faced some of its most devastating wildfire seasons on record, with more than 6,000 fires in 2023 and over 5,600 in 2024, impacting millions of hectares of land. As wildfire season approaches (April 1 to October) and amid the growing impact of wildland fires in dense forest regions across Ontario, knowledge of fire safety and prevention has never been more critical.

The Ministry of Natural Resources will be at the show to educate visitors on how to prevent, protect against, and safely respond to wildland fires.

New for 2025, the interactive and fun Cottager’s Corner at the Cottage Life Booth! Every cottage has its tall tales, legendary moments, and campfire-worthy memories—now it’s your turn to share them. Step into the spotlight, relive your favorite lakeside stories, or share a hilarious campfire confession. Inspired by Toronto’s iconic Speaker’s Corner, Cottager’s Corner is your moment to shine and share your story with fellow cottagers.

Meet the friendly faces behind Cottage Life magazine. Chat with the wordsmiths who bring every issue to life, and shop merchandise you won’t find anywhere else. Whether you’re looking for a unique keepsake or a gift for a fellow cottager, there’s something special for everyone.

Plus, no visit to cottage country is complete without a taste of Kawartha Dairy! Stop by the booth to enjoy FREE savoury samples of this beloved local staple while quantities last!

Shop the best handcrafted, artisan, and niche Canadian-made goods, including ironwork, art, décor, tasty treats, and one-of-a-kind gifts, all from local makers and small businesses.

Shop beautiful wood products made from locally grown, sustainably sourced wood—just look for the Ontario Wood leaf logo on the show map. Using local wood sources helps support Ontario’s forests and economy.

Cirque du Soleil fans can explore mannequins dressed in costumes from the latest show, OVO, currently touring across North America. Plus, snap a selfie against a vibrant backdrop and let your little artists get creative with Cirque du Soleil-themed colouring sheets.

This year, the Cottage Games are bigger than ever, featuring a giant Connect Four, life sized Jenga, ladder ball and more

Looking for land for a new build, a turnkey rental, or a move-in-ready cozy cabin? The Cottage Real Estate Centre is a one-stop shop where you can meet realtors, learn about cottage ownership, and discover listings from across Ontario.

Discover how to make breakfast poutine, fillet your freshly caught fish, and get creative with your charcuterie boards, featuring playful twists like s’mores and nacho boards, in the Cottage Kitchen, sponsored by Foodland, with culinary talents:

• HGTV Host of Savoir Faire, Nik Manojlovic
• Chef, TV host and cookbook author, Jo Lusted 
• Cookbook author Tonia Wilson (Beer at My Table)
• Thomas Armstrong, Director of Culinary Experience, Glen Drummond Farm
• Scott Gardner, associate editor Outdoor Canada magazine

Bring island dreams to life at the cottage! Master cottage builders and carpenters Wayne Lennox and Brian Halbot will build a Tiki Bar while answering your building and maintenance questions. Enter for a chance to win the completed bar!

Plus, on Sunday, get hands-on and create your own cottage sign to take home—perfect for the whole family!

Travel the cosmos and explore the night sky in the inflatable planetarium, sponsored by Subaru—no telescope required. Learn about stars, constellations, planets, moons, comets, and galaxies visible from cottage country and beyond.

The popular social hub of the show is serving refreshing craft beverages made right in cottage country Muskoka Brewery, Cottage Springs, Bobcaygeon Brewery, and Select Wines.  Sit back, relax, and recharge at a charging station from Orbit Marine.

Muskoka411 will be there in Hall 5