Short answer: a weekday birthday party in Aurora saves money and is usually easier to book on short notice, while a weekend party makes it easier for every guest to attend and gives you a daytime slot. At Lazer Runner, weekday packages cost less than weekend packages ($290 vs $360 + HST for the Special, $390 vs $420 + HST for the VIP), and each extra player costs $3 to $4 less on a weekday.
Picking the day is one of the first decisions you make when planning a kids party, and it shapes everything after it: the guest list, the food, the drive and the total cost. Many Aurora parents default to Saturday without thinking about it. That works for plenty of families, but a weekday party is worth a serious look, especially for younger kids, small groups and birthdays that fall near a PA day.
Lazer Runner prices both birthday packages for 10 kids plus the birthday child free (11 in total), with 1 hour and 50 minutes of party time, two private laser tag games and a private party room. Adults get in free on any day. The only thing that changes between weekdays and weekends is the price.
| Item | Weekday | Weekend | Weekday saving |
|---|---|---|---|
| Special package (11 players) | $290 + HST | $360 + HST | $70 |
| VIP package (11 players) | $390 + HST | $420 + HST | $30 |
| Extra player, Special | $26 | $29 | $3 each |
| Extra player, VIP | $33 | $37 | $4 each |
For a 14-player VIP party, the weekday total before tax is $390 + (3 × $33) = $489. The weekend total is $420 + (3 × $37) = $531. That is a $42 difference before HST, enough to cover the cake. The full package breakdown is on the party packages page.
Celebrating on the actual birthday feels special to kids. A weekday party lets your child blow out candles on the real date instead of waiting for Saturday.
Lazer Runner is open on PA days and offers private events outside regular hours. A PA day party gives you a daytime weekday slot with weekday pricing, and many classmates are free that day. Our PA day activities guide has more ideas for those days off.
Weekday turnout depends on activities, homework and parents’ work schedules. If your child is inviting six or seven close friends whose families you know, coordinating a weekday is simple. And because the package price is the same for 1 or 11 players, a smaller group still gets the full room, both games and all the food.
Weekend slots fill first, especially during the school year. If you are booking two weeks out or less, weekday times are generally easier to find. Check live dates when you book online.
For 15 or more guests, a Saturday or Sunday makes it easier for every family to say yes. Fewer kids will have lessons or practice, and parents are not rushing from work.
Weekday public hours at Lazer Runner run from 4:00 pm (Tuesday to Friday), so weekday parties tend to be after-school or early evening. On weekends the arena opens at 10:30 am, which means late-morning and early-afternoon party times are possible. Younger kids, aged 6 to 8, often do best with a daytime party when energy is high.
If cousins are coming from Newmarket, Richmond Hill or farther, a weekend avoids rush-hour traffic on Yonge Street and gives families room to make a day of it. Directions from nearby towns are on our Newmarket and Richmond Hill pages.
The experience inside the arena is the same on a Tuesday as it is on a Saturday: two private games in the fog-filled arena, seven game modes to pick from, staff who can adjust lives, shots and time limits for mixed ages, and your own private party room. What changes is the rhythm around it.
If you only want to celebrate with two or three friends, a walk-in visit on a weekday is the most affordable route. Lazer Runner’s Tuesday to Thursday walk-in special is $8 for a single 20-minute game, $15 for a double game (40 minutes) and $23 for three games (60 minutes), per person. On Friday to Sunday the walk-in rates are $10, $18 and $27. See the walk-in pricing page and our after-school laser tag guide for the details.
A walk-in does not include a private room, private games or food, so it is a different kind of outing. For a true party, the package is the better fit. Our guide to party package vs walk-in visits helps you decide.
Answer these five questions and the right day usually becomes obvious:
Beyond price and turnout, a few smaller details can tip the decision. First, think about your child’s energy. A party right after a full school day can be magical for a 12-year-old and overwhelming for a tired 6-year-old. Second, think about siblings. Weekend parties often mean younger brothers and sisters come along, and children under 6 can join free without a vest when accompanied by an adult, so that is easy to plan for. Third, think about pickup. Weekday parties end around dinner time, so let guest parents know the exact end time on the invitation. Finally, think about the photos. If grandparents want to attend, a weekend usually works better for them.
None of these is a deal-breaker on its own, but together they usually make the right day obvious.
Weekday packages are $70 less for the Special ($290 vs $360 + HST) and $30 less for the VIP ($390 vs $420 + HST). Extra players are $3 cheaper on the Special and $4 cheaper on the VIP.
No. Both days include 1 hour and 50 minutes of party time, two private games, the private party room and the same food in each package. Only the price and the available start times change.
Lazer Runner is closed to the public on Mondays, which are reserved for private group events and school trips by reservation. Call 647.500.8512 to ask about a private Monday booking.
Regular weekday hours start at 4:00 pm, so most weekday parties are after school. Lazer Runner also opens on PA days and for private events outside regular hours, so contact the team to ask about daytime options on those dates.
For Saturday and Sunday afternoons during the school year, booking several weeks ahead gives you the best choice of times. Weekdays are generally easier to book closer to the date.
Yes. Every party reservation requires a deposit at booking to hold the date and time.
Whether you choose an after-school Tuesday or a Saturday afternoon, the party in the arena is the same: fog, lights, two private games and a room of your own. Compare the Special and VIP packages, then book your party online. Lazer Runner is at 2 Allaura Blvd #10, Aurora. Call 647.500.8512 with questions.
Related reading: How much a kids birthday party costs in Aurora · Special vs VIP package · What happens at a laser tag birthday party
Reserve a private party online, or check live walk-in availability. Questions? Call 647.500.8512.
