30 Toronto events worth checking out this February

Jan 31 2018, 4:11 am

February isn’t only about the Super Bowl and Valentine’s Day.

From food festivals and concerts to Toronto Fashion Week and drink festivals, February is looking like one busy month.

Winterlicious at Weslodge

Winterlicious at Weslodge

Winterlicious 2018

What: Toronto’s biannual prix fixe promotion returns this winter from January 26 to February 8, and in addition to the special menus at restaurants across the city, Winterlicious will also host a Culinary Events Series.

When: Now until February 8
Where: Restaurants across Toronto

Kuumba

What: For over 20 years, Harbourfront Centre’s Kuumba has sparked discourse and conversation around current and historical debates within the African-Canadian community. Official schedule and dates to be released soon.

When: All month long
Where: 
235 Queens Quay West

Dinner with the Mackenzies

What: This unique dining and theatrical experience is set inside the 1860s home of William Lyon Mackenzie and his wife Isabel. The intimate event includes period music and four-course Victorian inspired meal, as well as the opportunity for participants to interact with actors.

When: February 1, 2 and 3
Where: The Mackenzie House, 82 Bond Street

La Poutine Week Toronto

What: La Poutine Week kicks off in Toronto this will give diners the chance to try the ultimate poutines at select restaurants in the city. The dining public will have a chance to eat and vote on their favourites before a winner is announced at the end of the week.

When: February 1 to 7
Where: 
Participating restaurants in Toronto

Progress Festival

What: Progress is an international festival of performance and ideas presented in partnership by SummerWorks Performance Festival and The Theatre Centre. The festival will feature a series of performances including MDLSX, Race Cards, LOST in Trans, and many more.

When: February 1 to 8
Where: Theatre Centre, 1115 Queen Street West

paint nite

Ripley’s Aquarium/Facebook

Paint Nite at the Aquarium

What: Starting in February, Ripley’s will be hosting Paint Nite at the Aquarium, where visitors will have the chance to let their creativity flow in a vibrant underwater oasis. Led by an O-FISH-AL Paint Nite instructor, painters will get to create a marine-themed canvas painting, all while enjoying fun cocktails.

When: February 2, 7 pm to 9 pm
Where: Ripley’s Aquarium, 288 Bremner Boulevard

2018 Motionball Toronto Gala

What: Motionball 2018 will be taking over the Liberty Grand this February for an epic celebration in support of the Special Olympics Canada Foundation.

When: February 2, 9 pm to 2 am
Where: Liberty Grand, 25 British Columbia Road

Savour St. Lawrence Market

What: Tour the Market with a glass of sparkling wine in hand and enjoy tastings from three Market merchants before partaking in a four-course demo and dine experience that features “the bounty of the Market paired with local Ontario wines.”

When: February 2, 3 and 5
Where: St. Lawrence Market, 93-95 Front Street East

ElleHacks Female-Only Hackathon

What: This female-only hackathon takes place February 2 to 4 at the Lassonde School of Engineering at York University and is organized by students with a background in STEM fields and welcomes female post-secondary students, recent grads, and even high school students to participate.

When: February 2 to 4
Where: Lassonde School of Engineering, 4700 Keele Street, North York

Flashback Film Festival

What: You finally have a chance to watch all your favourite cult-classic films on the big screen. Cineplex is hosting the Flashback Film Festival at select theatres across Canada, where attendees will be able to sit back with some movie theatre popcorn and enjoy their favourite flicks from the ’80s and ’90s.

When: February 2 to February 8
Where: Cineplex Cinemas Yonge-Dundas and VIP – 10 Dundas Street East, Suite 402, Toronto

Benevolent Beasts mark binks Awkward Valentine's Pet Photos

Benevolent Beasts/Facebook

Awkward Valentine’s Pet Photos

What: Looking for a special way to celebrate your love for your favourite four-legged friend? Treasure your most beloved best friend this Valentine’s Day with an Awkward Valentine’s Pet Photoshoot on February 3 at a Little Italy pet store.

When: February 3, 2 pm to 5 pm
Where: Pet Uno, 675 College Street

World Nutella Weekend

What: World Nutella Day takes place annually on February 5, which, is a Monday this year – meaning many Toronto bakeries are customarily closed. As a result, the single day devoted to all things choco-hazelnut has spawned into World Nutella Weekend with many bakeshops rolling out all the stops on the first weekend of the month.

When: February 3 and 4
Where: Select restaurants and bakeries throughout Toronto. You can find our top picks here.

Toronto Tea Festival

What: Whether you are a newbie or an aficionado of tea culture, the 6th annual Toronto Tea Festival will enable you to discover the world of tea from the traditional to the trendy.

When: February 3 and 4, 10 am to 5 pm
Where: Toronto Reference Library, 789 Yonge Street

High Tea at Casa Loma

What: Channel the Edwardian era over teas and a tiered cake stand topped with mini pastries, scones, croissants, strawberries and cream, crumpets, and tea sandwiches.

When: February 3 and 4, 11 am to 5 pm
Where: Casa Loma, 1 Austin Terrace

Superbowl LII

What: Super Bowl Sunday is fast approaching and Toronto sports bars are reserving seats to watch the big game. The festivities include tailgate parties, half-time buffets, chicken wings galore, and other game day essentials. Whether you’re cheering on the Eagles or the Patriots, you’re guaranteed to have a memorable night at any Toronto bar.

When: February 4
Where: Check out these restaurants and bars hosting Super Bowl events

February Events

Toronto Fashion Week/Facebook

Toronto Fashion Week

What: Toronto Fashion Week returns to Yorkville Village this winter, bringing a stellar lineup of local designers, events and parties.

When: February 5 to 7
Where: Yorkville

Roundhouse Winter Craft Beer Fest

What: Get bundled up and enjoy this outdoor winter festival featuring great craft beers and delicious winter food. Make sure to wear your best retro ski gear!

When: February 10
Where: 255 Bremner Blvd

Art & Wine With Your Valentine

What: This February, treat your special someone to an artistic date at Paintlounge. Enjoy a step-by-step guided workshop, or participate in a freestyle session to paint anything you want.

When: February 10 to 14
Where: The Paintlounge, 784 College Street

Love at the Zoo

What: Looking for a wild way to spend Valentine’s Day in Toronto this year? The Toronto Zoo is hosting dinner date nights this month. This evening event promises special animal encounters, an interactive and informative presentation on mating and parenthood in the wild, a tour of Reproductive Laboratories, and an all-you-can-eat (AYCE) feast.

When: February 10 and 14, 6:30 pm to 9 pm
Where: Toronto Zoo, 2000 Meadowvale Road

Veni Vidi Valentine

What: If you’re looking to heat things up this Valentine’s Day, then a burlesque show might need to be in order. Hosted by Skin Tight Outta Sight Rebel Burlesque and Boylesque TO, this performance is set in ancient Rome, where you can expect all the togas and oiled up gladiators that you can imagine.

When: February 14, 6 pm to 10 pm
Where: Revival, 783 College Street

Valentine's Day date ideas

Life Morning/Shutterstock

Ripley’s Aquarium Valentine’s Day Dinner

What: Come and enjoy a dinner with your special someone that you definitely won’t forget, as your romantic dinner is served with the fish and sharks swimming overhead.

When: February 14, various seating times available
Where: Ripley’s Aquarium, 288 Bremner Boulevard

CNTV Chinese New Year 2018

What: Hundreds of elite artists from Mainland China and Canada will be performing at this incredible event. If you want to enjoy the splendid Chinese traditional culture along with a fabulous visual art feast, you won’t want to miss this event.

When: February 15, 8 pm to 11 pm
Where: Sony Centre for the Performing Arts, 1 Front Street East

Canadian International Auto Show

What: Experience the total automotive experience with over 600,000 square feet of dazzling displays, big prize giveaways and engaging exhibits.

When: February 16 to 25
Where: 
Metro Toronto Convention Centre

 Winterfolk Blues and Roots Music Festival

What: This all-ages, winter music festival will feature the best of urban, blues, rock,  jazz, country, folk and roots music. Come and enjoy more than 150 artists will be performing at 5 venues over 3 days.

When: February 16 to 18
Where: Various venues

Wavelength Winter Festival

What: Wavelength Winter Festival will be taking over the Garrison for the Family Day Long Weekend, giving Toronto an epic lineup of music all weekend long.

When: February 16 to 18
Where: The Garrison, 1197 Dundas Street West

Wizard of Oz

Wizard of Oz/IMDB

The Wizard of Oz Live in Concert

What: The 1939 film will be hitting the big screens in Toronto for a very special performance with the Toronto Symphony Orchestra this Family Day weekend. The TSO will bring the Oscar-winning score to life like never before, as you can watch it performed live to picture at Roy Thompson Hall.

When: February 17, 7:30 pm; February 18, 3 pm
Where: Roy Thompson Hall, 60 Simcoe Street

Toronto Glow Party

What: Hosted by Boss Club, this epic party will feature a light and laser show, a heart-pumping sound system, a spacious dance floor, and a stellar lineup of DJs playing the hottest Hip Hop, Top 40, House, Mash-Ups, and Dancehall tracks.

When: February 17, 10 pm to 3 am
Where: Boss Club10 Esna Park Drive, Markham

Justin Bieber: Steps to Stardom

What: A new Justin Bieber exhibit is starting in February, in the singer’s hometown of Stratford, Ontario. Yes, not exactly in TO, but we can drive for the Beibs! The exhibit, which is called ‘Steps to Stardom’, was created with the help of Bieber and his family and will feature hundreds of the singer’s personal belongings.

When: February 18
Where: Stratford Perth Museum, 4275 Huron Road (Highway #8, just West of Stratford)

Celebrating David Bowie

What: A concert celebrating legendary glam rockstar David Bowie will be taking place in Toronto this February at Danforth Music Hall. Celebrating David Bowie (CdB) features an all-star line up of artists who worked closely with the star.

When: February 18, 7 pm
Where: Danforth Music Hall, 147 Danforth Avenue

Yoko Ono: The Riverbed

What: This winter, you can experience Yoko Ono’s latest art installation The Riverbed at the Gardiner Museum. The Riverbed invites visitors to collaborate with the artist, the museum, and each other through everyday action and contemplation.

When: February 22 to June 3
Where: The Gardiner Museum, 111 Queens Park

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