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Well, you’ve officially survived the first month of 2017.
Congrats!
But if saving money was one of your resolutions this year, we’ve still got you covered. Because you definitely do not need to break the bank to have some serious fun in the city in February.
From free flicks and cool art exhibits to concerts and outdoor markets, we’ve found you something free to do every day this month.
Without further adieu, here are 33 free things to do in Toronto this February.
Ice Breakers
What: Organized by Winter Stations and The Waterfront Business Improvement Area (WBIA), Ice Breakers includes five temporary art installations along the city’s waterfront.
When: Now until February 26
Where: Along Queens Quay from Yonge Street to Bathurst Street
Evergreen’s Winter Village
What: Come and celebrate all things winter at the Evergreen Winter Village. Here you’ll find a quaint goods market, free public skating, unique gifts, and a farmers’ market.
When: Now until February 28, 11 am to 6 pm
Where: Evergreen Brickworks, 550 Bayview Ave
Shame and Prejudice: A Story of Resilience
What: Shame and Prejudice: A Story of Resilience will feature the work of Cree visual artist Kent Monkman in a new large-scale exhibit.
When: Now until March 1, 12 to 5 pm
Where: Art Museum at the University of Toronto, 15 King’s College Circle
Toronto Light Festival
What: Toronto’s Distillery District has been transformed into a magical, glittering light festival filled with light installations by both local and international artists.
When: Now until March 12
Where: Toronto Distillery District, 55 Mill Street
Soul Powered Run
What: It’s time to get your run on! But this isn’t your typical run. Led by Dr. Stacy Thomas, this run is all about connecting: connecting to others, nature, and to yourself.
When: February 1, 6:15 am to 7 am
Where: Measurement Park, 1167 Eastern Avenue
D’bi & The 333
What: As part of Habrbourfront Centre’s Kuumba Festival, Toronto award winning dub poet, playwright and performer D’bi will hit the stage with Afro-Fusion-Reggae band The 333 for an electrical evening of music.
When: February 3, 9 pm to 10:15 pm
Where: 235 Queens Quay West
Forever Man
What: Come and enjoy an evening of free live music and pay tribute to the one and only Eric Clapton.
When: February 3, 9 pm to 12:30 am
Where: Drums N Flats, 1980 Avenue Rd
Soca on Ice
What: Calling all soca lovers, this is one partay you don’t want to miss. This family-friendly event is free and fun for all ages.
When: February 4, 8 pm to 11 pm
Where: Natrel Rink, 235 Queens Quay West
See also
- 15 awesome photos from Toronto's new winter waterfront exhibit
- 101 Toronto events you have to check out in 2017
- This map shows you where the best street art is in Toronto
- Yonge-Dundas Square is getting a $3.5 million upgrade this summer
Andrés Díaz
What: If you’re interested in spending your Sunday afternoon immersed with beautiful music, head to the Royal Conservatory of Music for a day of free music.
When: February 5, 2 pm
Where: Royal Conservatory of Music, 273 Bloor West
The Playground
What: Get ready to get your laugh on: Kris Siddiqi and Kye Fox will be hosting a laid-back night of stand-up comedy with an open mic.
When: February 5, 8:30 pm to 10 pm
Where: The Social Capital Theatre, 154 Danforth
Before The 6ix: And Now The Legacy Begins
What: Producers Joh Bronski, K-Cut and DJ Agile discuss Toronto’s historical hip-hop scene and classic rap albums from the last 25 years with moderator Del Cowie.
When: February 6, 7 pm to 8 pm
Where: Reference Library, 789 Yonge
Web Presence Boot Camp
What: Whether you want to start a business, or you’re already operating a business, you need to have a website. The Web Presence Boot Camp will teach attendees the basics running a website and how to build web and mobile presence.
When: February 7, 9 am to 12:30 pm
Where: Toronto City Hall, 100 Queen Street West (2nd Floor, Committee Room 3)
Spoken Word Poetry Classes and Slam
What: The Toronto Poetry Project will help you beef up your spoken word poetry skills. The first three weeks in February provide various topics to help learn and craft your own Spoken Word Poetry skills. The final week will be a Poetry Slam.
When: February 7-28 (Tuesdays), 5:30 pm to 6:30 pm
Where: Sony Centre for the Performing Arts
Hip Hop and Soul Showcase: Woke
What: This rap and soul showcase will feature some of Toronto’s leading rappers and vocalists. Talent includes Raz Fresco, soul singer and songwriter extraordinaire Shi Wisdom and rapper Rich Kidd (from 2015 Juno Award-winning rap trio Naturally Born Strangers).
When: February 10, 8 pm to 11 pm
Where: 235 Queens Quay West
Denham Jolly Book Launch: In The Black
What: In the Black traces Toronto businessman, social activist, and radio pioneer B. Denham Jolly’s personal and professional struggle for a place in a country where Black Canadians have faced systematic discrimination.
When: February 11, 7 pm to 11 pm
Where: 235 Queens Quay West
Blossom and Bloom
What: Get into the Valentine’s Day spirit at Blossom and Bloom, an open-concept market showcasing local creative businesses, floral-focused designers, artists, and musicians. There will be over 20 vendors for each show date, art installations, craft workshops, and creative interventions.
When: February 11 & 12, 10 am to 6 pm and February 13 & 14, 8 am to 8 pm
Where: Union Station, 65 Front Street West
Aga Khan Museum Visit
What: For two days only, Torontonians can get free admission to the Aga Khan Museum. Attendees will get access to multiple exhibitions and pop-up performances by local musicians.
Where: Aga Khan Museum, 77 Wynford Drive
Argentine Tango Dance
What: For one night only, dancers of all skill level are invited to come and learn the fundamentals of the Argentinian tango.
When: February 13, 7 pm to 8 pm
Where: Argentine Tango Toronto, 206 Beverley Street
Cheap Laughs Open Mic
What: Come and get your laugh on at this fun and supportive open mic night. The best part? No cover (and that’s no joke!)
When: February 13, 9 pm to 11 pm
Where: P.J. O’Brien, 39 Colborne Street
Mustang
What: Toronto’s Reference Library will be hosting a free Turkish film series, and will be playing a film by Deniz Gamze Ergüven.
When: February 13, 2 pm
Where: Reference Library, 789 Yonge, 3rd floor
Singular Sensations
What: Ditch your regular Netflix and chill routine and head to Toronto’s Statler’s Church for an evening of live music and an open mic.
When: February 13, 10 pm to 2 am
Where: Statler’s 487 Church
TIFF Next Wave Film Festival
What: Attention movie lovers: The sixth annual Next Wave Film Festival is back and this year it will feature special guests, young creator workshops, a 24-hour Film Challenge and free movies for those 25 and under.
Where: TIFF Bell Lightbox, 350 King Street West
DJ Skate Nights: 1 LOVE T.O. 10th-Anniversary Party
What: This is one party Torontonians won’t want to miss! Come and celebrate Toronto in all its winter glory as 1 LOVE T.O. kicks off its 10 year anniversary on the Natrel Rink, spinning funk, hip-hop, R&B and house.
When: February 18, 8 pm to 11 pm
Where: Natrel Rink, 235 Queens Quay West
Leslieville Flea: Winter Market
What: Head to Toronto’s Distillery District for a curated, monthly market selling vintage, salvaged, upcycled goods, furniture, antiques, collectibles and handcrafted goods.
When: February 18 to April 23, 10 am to 4 pm
Where: 28 Distillery Lane
Let’s Talk Science
What: This family-friendly event focuses on experiments and questions geared around the North. Stop by the booth where you can engage in discussions about the impact of rising arctic temperatures and what this means for Northern wildlife, explore the molecular structures of water as well as learn about star formations and constellations.
When: February 20, 11 am to 5 pm
Where: West Arcade, 235 Queens Quay West
Snowshoe Walk
What: Join Shadowland Theatre as they demonstrate how to make your very own costume snowshoes at home.
When: February 20, 11 am to 5 pm
Where: Marilyn Brewer Community Space
Discover the Night
What: Four extraordinary artists will be transforming the Brigantine Room into a one time only interactive play space emulating the Northern night sky through art, light, and sound.
When: February 20, 11 am to 5 pm
Where: Harbourfront Centre, Brigantine Room, 235 Queens Quay West
Northscapers
What: This fun-filled event is perfect for the creative type, as it allows attendees to help build, populate and animate a miniature world made out of assorted art supplies and found objects. This event is meant to encourage attendees to express personal experiences, memories, stories and imaginings of wintery Northern landscapes.
When: February 20, 11 am to 5 pm
Where: West Arcade, 235 Queens Quay West
Winter Stations 2017
What: Winter Stations is back for its third year, and will be holding its annual public art competition that challenges designers worldwide to reimagine Toronto’s lifeguard stations as a basis for winter art.
When: February 20 to March March 27
Where: Along Toronto’s waterfront
Hip Hop Night Open Mic
What: Come out and listen to the sounds of Toronto’s brightest new stars in the hip hop game. Featuring a special performance by HOUSE6 who will be performing their debut single from their new mixtape dropping later this year.
When: February 22, 7 pm to 2 am
Where: The Office Pub, 117 John Street
Motherland
What: Enjoy a free screening of Owen Alik Shahadah’s powerful film on the African Holocaust and the touching story of an entire continent.
When: February 23, 2 pm to 4:15 pm
Where: Barbara Frum Library, 20 Covington
BURNT TOAST Presents: Bedroom Exhibit
What: Join Toronto’s BURNT TOASTart collective for Bedroom, an exploration of the relationship between the subject and their bedroom, illuminating the contrast between public and private space. Attendees are invited to come get cozy, eat some toast and take a walk around the bedroom.
When: February 24, 7 pm to 10 pm
Where: Black Cat, 2186 Dundast Street West
Bloor-Yorkville Icefest
What: Toronto’s Bloor-Yorkville neighborhood will be transformed into a showcase of mesmerizing ice sculptures and live ice carving demonstrations inspired by Canada’s 150th anniversary for the entire family to enjoy.
When: February 25 and 26, 12 pm to 8 pm
Where: Village of Yorkville Park, 115 Cumberland Street
For more things happening around town, check out our events section.
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