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With so many exciting things taking place during the warmer months in the city, we wanted to help you give your wallets a break by rounding up the best free Toronto events happening in the month of June.
From outdoor concerts to food festivals, cultural events and more, here are the top 25 free events taking place in Toronto this June.
Raise the Caliber – Art Creates Change
What: Aimed to drive awareness about illegal gun violence and gun control issues, this art exhibit will feature multi-medium works from artists Doug Schwartz (DetroitWick) and Tracy Hiner (Black Crow Studios) who use decommissioned guns and bullets, confiscated through amnesty programs. These artists show how tools of destruction can be transformed into beautiful works of art.
When: June 1 to 15
Where: Only One Gallery, 5 Brock Ave
Pride Month Toronto
What: Now celebrating its 35th year, Pride Toronto is back for another exciting month filled with plenty of fun. The heart of the celebration is in Toronto’s gay village but opportunities for entertainment can be found in LGBTQ-friendly bars, restaurants and nightlife spots across the entire city.
When: June 1 to 25
Where: Events located throughout the city
ROOF FEST at Mascot Beergarden
What: There’s no better way to kick off the month than with an epic rooftop party. Admission is, you guessed it, FREE before 10 pm. Here you’ll be able to take in the amazing views, sip on brews, taste Mascot’s delicious menu and kick it with some of the best DJs in the city.
When: June 1 to 4, 4 pm to 9 pm
Where: Mascot Brewery, 31 Mercer Street
Canada’s National Ballet School’s Sharing Dance Day
What: Canada’s National Ballet School will kick off its celebration for Canada 150 with a nationwide dance party at Yonge-Dundas Square on June 2. This family-friendly event will bring communities together and empower them to enjoy the physical, social, emotional and cultural benefits of dance for all Canadians. The events will include professional dance performances, open free dance classes, activity booths, music, and engaging activities for all ages.
When: June 2, 12 pm to 6 pm
Where: Yonge-Dundas Square, 1 Dundas Street East
Mac and Cheese Festival
What: This deliciously free festival will feature over 50 variations of mac and cheese on, as well as, an all-cheese marketplace, craft brewers, wine makers, carnival games, marshmallow fire pits, a gaming zone, and live entertainment on site.
When: June 2 to 4
Where: Ontario Place, 955 Lake Shore Boulevard
The Great Canadian Shoreline Cleanup
What: In celebration of World Environment Day, The Great Canadian Shoreline Cleanup invites locals to lead their own shoreline cleanup or to join one! Let’s work together to get Toronto’s shorelines clean.
When: June 2 to 5
Where: Locations throughout the city
See also
- There's a costumed Mermaid Ball in Toronto next month
- There’s a Gatsby Garden Party happening in Toronto next month
- You can watch a movie under the stars at the Scarborough Bluffs next month
Dundas West Fest
What: Come and celebrate the vibrant community of Dundas West and experience all that it has to offer. Recognized as one of the city’s coolest neighbourhood street festivals, Dundas West Fest is a collection of local restaurants, clothing vendors, coffee shops, antiques, bars and a couple small stages. A festival of food, music, and lots of fun.
When: June 3 to 4
Where: 204-1457 Dundas Street West
Riverside Eats & Beats Streetfest ‘Celebrates 150’
What: Taste the Eats and feel the Beats in Riverside! Spanning 10 vibrant blocks between the Don Valley Parkway to just past De Grassi Street on historic Queen Street East. This year, the festival is celebrating Ontario and Canada’s 150th anniversary and Indigenous roots with special events and festivities.
When: June 3 to 4, 1 pm to 4 pm
Where: Riverside (Queen St E between the DVP and Empire Ave)
The Riverdale ArtWalk 2017
What: The Riverdale ArtWalk is a FREE two-day, public fine art exhibition showcasing established and emerging artists in Toronto’s flourishing Queen East arts district. The first outdoor art show of Toronto’s season, the Riverdale ArtWalk is a great place to connect with artists and buy that perfect piece for your home.
When: June 3 to June 4, 11 am to 6 pm
Where: Jimmie Simpson Park & Community Centre
World Environment Day
What: On World Environment Day, Canadians can participate by joining the world’s biggest photo album by going outside and showing that they’re #WithNature by taking photos or videos of the places that mean the most. Or you can join in the fun by getting outside and going on a picnic, a hike or joining a park or waterfront cleanup.
When: June 5
Where: Throughout the city
Fast in the 6
What: Around May 26 (or as predicted by the moon), Muslims around the world will begin to fast as part of Ramadan. One June 9th, in Toronto, a group of Canadians are getting together for a massive celebration that will unite Canadians of all backgrounds and invites the community to break fast together.
When: June 9, 8 pm to 11 pm
Where: Nathan Phillips Square
BBQ Eats Festival
What: Get into the summer spirit, by checking out the city’s newest BBQ festival! BBQ Eats will feature ethnic BBQ flavours from around the world as well as a competition where grill masters will vie for a $10,000 prize. Admission is free, however, you’ll have to pay to eat!
When: June 9 to 11
Where: Ontario Place
Ontario’s Best Butter Tart Festival and Contest
What: Billed as the world’s largest butter tart festival, Ontario’s Best Butter Tart Festival and Contest boasts 150,000 butter tarts of all sizes and flavours for sale from over 50 butter tart vendors, as well as a marketplace populated with bakers, artisans, and community groups. Admission is free!
When: June 10, 9 am to 5 pm
Where: 333 King Street, Midland
Open Tuning 2017
What: Open Tuning is a free festival celebrating live music through creating, performing, experiencing, and listening. Musicians from all genres, ages, and levels of experience are invited to perform at venues such as porches, parks, alleyways, garages, and street corners throughout the neighbourhood.
When: June 10, 2 pm to 10 pm
Where: Seaton Village, 819 Palmerston Ave
Magic Under The Stars
What: Head down to Bluffers Park to watch the iconic “2001: A Space Odyssey” under the stars. The evening screening will begin at sundown and is bound to be an unforgettable beach experience. The free event is outdoors, so be sure to bring chairs, blankets, and of course, popcorn.
When: June 10, 8 pm
Where: Scarborough Bluffers Park, 1 Brimley Road Sout
Danforth East Yard Sale
What: The annual Danforth East Yard Sale will be filled with local retailers and plenty of sidewalk sale fun. Hosted by the Danforth Mosaic BIA, admission is free, but if you want to take home some unique treasures you’ll need to bring some dough!
When: June 10 at 8 am to 2 pm
Where: Danforth Avenue
Liberty Village Art Crawl
What: Refresh your apartment with some beautiful new work from local artists at the 5th annual Liberty Village Art Crawl. Admission is free and here you’ll find work from more than 65 artists and plenty of food vendors in case you get hungry.
When: June 10, 11 am to 6 pm
Where: Liberty Village Park, 70 East Liberty Street
Toronto Art Book Fair
What: The fair will feature 80 Canadian and international exhibitors, three curated exhibitions, and community programming that includes readings, panel discussions, book launches, performances and workshops, and is fun for the entire family.
When: June 15 to 18
Where: Artscape Youngplace, 180 Shaw Street
Vaughan Food Truck Festival
What: Taking place Father’s Day weekend, this food festival is just north of Toronto and the perfect place to spend an afternoon with your old man! In addition to food trucks, this festival promises a beer garden, local talent showcase, kid zone, and more.
When: June 16, 5 pm to 11 pm; June 17, 11 am to 11 pm; June 18, 11 am to 9 pm
Where: MacKenzie Glen Park, 220 Cranston Park Ave
Beaches Rib Fest
What: Want to be the child of the year? Take your dad to Beaches Rib Fest for Father’s Day! There will be a craft beer market, wine & spirits area, kids zone, life-size board games, and an incredible selection of BBQ vendors. Admission is free!
When: June 16 to 18
Where: Woodbine Beach Park, 1675 Lake Shore Blvd East
Baby Point Gates Strawberry Festival
What: Now in its fifth year, the Baby Point Gates Strawberry Festival is back for another sweet year and will surely satisfy everyone’s strawberry cravings. Aside from the selection of strawberry infused eats, guests can look forward to family-friendly entertainment including a bouncy castle, small animal petting zoo, children’s face painting, and roaming musicians. Admission is free.
When: June 17
Where: Baby Point Gates Gardens, Jane Street and Metheun Avenue
Nuit Rose Light Parade
What: The Nuit Rose Light Parade returns for its third year. The annual parade is free and open to the public. To join in, you simply need to wear or carry a light-emitting object. This year’s theme is What Lies Between Venus and Mars? Visitors from space are also welcome.
When: June 17, 9 pm to 11 pm
Where: James Canning Gardens, 15 Gloucester Street
Pride Parade
What: This year’s parade will feature more than 150 participating groups, making the Toronto Pride parade one of the largest in North America. There will be unforgettable performances, floats, marchers, and all the glitter you can handle.
When: June 25, 2 pm
Where: The parade begins at Bloor and Church, South on Yonge Street to Yonge and Dundas Square
Christie Pits Film Festival
What: Summer movie season at Christie Pits is upon us and will be kicking off its summer of films on Sunday, June 25. This year’s opening film is The Freshman and a live score from Toronto’s The Holy Gasp. Film screenings will run every Sunday thereafter until August 20.
When: June 25, 8 pm
Where: Christie Pits Park, 750 Bloor Street West
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