28 things to do in Toronto this weekend: October 12 to 14

Oct 12 2018, 2:36 am

There’s nothing quite like a short week to get you ready for the weekend.

And for this mid-October weekend, there’s no shortage of awesome events and activities taking place.

Whatever you’re in the mood for, here are the top events happening throughout the city this weekend.

Friday, October 12

Love me out of it: Citadel + Compagnie

Love Me Out of It

What: Citadel + Compagnie proudly opens their 2018/2019 series Bright Nights with Love Me Out of It, running select dates at The Citadel: Ross Centre for Dance. Choreographed and performed by the company’s Artistic Director Laurence Lemieux, Love Me Out of It is set to the iconic sounds of Canadian punk band Teenage Head’s album “Frantic City.”

When: Now until October 13 and 17 to 20
Time: Varies by day
Where: The Citadel: Ross Centre for Dance, 304 Parliament Street
Price: From $20

Wolverine Warehouse Sale

What: Starting on Wednesday, there’s a huge Wolverine Worldwide warehouse sale happening near Toronto. Shop from brands like Saucony, Keds, and Sperry to name a few, in addition to Levy Canada, who will be selling hundreds of winter coats for great prices.

When: October 10 to 14
Time: Friday, 10 am to 8 pm; Saturday and Sunday, 10 am to 6 pm
Where: 400 Harry Walker Parkway South, Newmarket
Price: Free admission

The Disruptors by Samuel Adams

What: This pop-up shop features four innovative Canadian small businesses, each of which were hand-selected by the beer company for breaking the mould and carving new paths, just like Jim Koch did in 1984 when he created Samuel Adams Boston Lager. Retailers include Loch, Xpand Laces, Soft Focus, and 8.1.2.

When: Now until October 14
Time: Friday, 12 pm to 9 pm; Saturday, 11 am to 9 pm; Sunday, 11 am to 6 pm 
Where: 
324 Queen Street West
Price: Entry is free

Toronto After Dark Film Festival 

What: Come and enjoy nine nights of all things horror, sci-fi, action, and cult at the 13th annual Toronto After Dark Film Festival. This year’s festival will feature new independent pieces from across North America, Europe and Asia, and big box office feature films.

When: Now until October 19
Time: 7 pm to 12 am
Where: Scotiabank Theatre, 259 Richmond Street West
Price: $159 for the entire festival

World Press Photo Exhibit

@worldpressphoto/Instagram

What: Come and experience this incredible global exhibition presenting the best visual journalism of the past year. Here you’ll find the most compelling photos in stunning high-quality Canon prints.

When: Now until October 23
Time: 9 am to 9 pm
Where: Brookfield Place, Allen Lambert Galleria, 181 Bay Street
Price: Admission into the exhibit is free

14th Annual Art Walk

What: Over 50 businesses will feature the works of local artists. Works will be displayed in storefront windows and establishments along Yonge Street between Lawrence Avenue and Yonge Boulevard. The public will then be invited to vote for the “People’s Choice Award” for Best Merchant Display.

When: Now until October 24
Time: Runs all day
Where: Along Yonge Street between Lawrence Avenue
Price: Free

Halloween Haunt

What: Canada’s Wonderland is transforming from theme park to scream park during its annual Halloween Haunt, which kicks off for its 14th season this Saturday. Experience the thrilling park rides, and then the chills of 20 terrifying haunted attractions and shows.

When: Select nights from now until October 31
Time: From 7 pm to midnight on select nights
Where: Canada’s Wonderland
Price: Tickets start at $32.99

Witchfest North

What: Come out and celebrate Witchfest North, a Toronto festival celebrating women in the arts who identify as Witches, Wiccans, and Pagans but open for all to attend and participate.

When: Now until October 31
Time: Times vary by day/event
Where: Various venues throughout the city
Price: Free to attend

Cinesphere Fall Film Series

iconic films

Ontario Place, Cinesphere

What: Toronto’s Cinesphere theatre at Ontario Place will be screening several iconic films over the next few months as part of its fall and winter programming. Starting on October 5, Cinesphere will screen a number of iconic films including Top Gun in IMAX 3D, followed by Back to the Future, Ghostbusters, Alien, Aliens, Blade Runner: The Final Cut, Blade Runner 2049 in IMAX, The Fifth Element and Die Hard. 

When: Now until December 23
Time: Showtimes vary by day
Where: Cinesphere at Ontario Place, 955 Lake Shore Blvd West
Price: $15 for adults

Spiders: Fear & Fascination

What: This summer, the ROM welcomed a new exhibit, Spiders: Fear & Fascination and trust us, it’s definitely not for the faint of heart. The exhibit explores the hunting, burrowing, and weaving world of these eight-legged creatures and will feature more than 400 live and preserved spiders, cutting-edge interactive experiences, and new scientific discoveries.

When: Now until January 2019
Time: 10 am to 5:30 pm
Where: The Royal Ontario Museum, 100 Queen’s Park
Price: $32 for adults

Call of Duty Black Ops 4 Escape Room

What: To celebrate the launch of Call of Duty: Black Ops 4, Activision and Captive Experiences bring you the “Call of Duty: Black Ops 4 Escape Room,” a head to head elimination escape experience you can play for free. 16 players per game, four teams, multiple rooms… but only one team gets to the Blackout Room.

When: October 12 to 14
Time: 1 pm to 7 pm
Where: Captive Escape Rooms, 502 Adelaide Street
Price: Free

ROM Friday Night Live

What: Start your Friday night on the dance floor with top DJs and live artists, or explore our stunning galleries with tasty food and drinks.

When: October 12
Time: 7 pm to 11 pm
Where: Royal Ontario Museum, 100 Queen’s Park
Price: $19.21

WATERLICHT

installation

Waterlicht/The Bentway

What: This large-scale light installation illustrates the universal power and poetry of water and will have its Canadian premiere in Toronto this month. Waterlicht is a dream landscape created through the imaginative use of LEDs, special software, and lenses. Larger-than-life, cascading waves of blue light will soar underneath the Gardiner Expressway, simulating a virtual flood and calling attention to rising water levels along Toronto’s shoreline.

When: October 12 to 14
Time: 7 pm to 11 pm
Where: The Bentway, 250 Fort York Boulevard
Price: Free to attend

Screemers

What: Screemers takes over Exhibition Place on weekends leading up to Halloween and is billing seven haunted houses, over 120 live scare actors and a midway of mayhem all in one place. Thrill-seeking Torontonians can look forward to a number of new haunted attractions including The Kill Show, a gory illusions act, and Winter Horrorland, a frozen nightmare of screams.

When: October 12, 13, 19 to 21, 25 to 31
Time: 7 pm to 12 am
Where: Exhibition Place, 180 Princes’ Boulevard
Price: Admission from $33 online

Boobyball Presents: Wild West

What: The annual Boobyball party returns to Toronto this month, and this year’s charitable party is going country. Partygoers can expect experiential activations, on theme decor, VIP guests, complimentary food and drinks all night, and incredible themed costumes, all with a southern twist and in support of the breast cancer cause.

When: October 12
Time: 8 pm to 1 am
Where: Rebel, 11 Polson Street
Price: From $120, can be purchased online

Saturday, October 13

Evergreen Brickworks Saturday Market

What: The Evergreen Brick Works’ Saturday Farmers’ Market is the largest farmers’ market in Toronto. Come and enjoy good food from local farmers, food producers, and chefs.

When: October 6, 13, 20, and 27
Time: 8 am to 1 pm
Where: Evergreen Brick Works, 550 Bayview
Price: Admission is free

World Poutine Eating Championship

World Poutine Eating Championship

What: It’s almost time for one of the largest poutine eating competitions in the country. Sanctioned by Major League Eating (MLE), the World Poutine Eating Competition (WPEC) will feature three gravy-fueled eating contests. There will also be live music, free poutine, free samples of Tennent’s Lager and Magners Irish Cider, Monster Energy’s Get Gronked Nerf Football Activation and sampling, and mini gaming tournaments from Activision.

When: October 13
Time: 10 am to 4 pm
Where: Yonge-Dundas Square, 1 Dundas Street East, Toronto
Price: Free to attend

Yoga and Wellness Show

What: Learn, teach, shop, practice, discuss and enjoy all things associated with yoga and a healthy, active lifestyle.

When: October 13 and 14
Time: Saturday, 10:15 am to 7:45 pm; Sunday, 10:15 am to 5:45 pm
Where: Enercare Centre, Exhibition grounds, 100 Princes’ Blvd
Price: Regular admission is $10

Parkdale Flea: Spooky Edition

What: Parkdale Flea Market aims to bring together some of the best and most unique products that Toronto has to offer. Featuring vendors ranging from antiques, vintage, collectibles, local Artisans, and designers.

When: October 13 and 14
Time: 11 am to 6 pm
Where: Northern Contemporary Gallery, 1266 Queen Street West
Price: Admission is free

Sneaker Con Toronto

What: Calling Toronto sneakerheads: The world famous Sneaker Con is heading north of the border this month. On October 13 and 14, Sneaker Con will be setting up shop at Toronto’s Enercare Centre, where it will provide a huge space for vendors and attendees to buy, sell, and trade some of the most sought-after footwear in the game.

When: October 13 and 14
Time: 12 pm to 7 pm
Where: Enercare Centre, 100 Princes’ Blvd
Tickets: 
Available online from $30 per person

Midtown Country Fair

country fair

Mechanical bull riding at a fall fair/Shutterstock

What: Toronto is getting a Country Fair this month. Besides yelling ‘yeehaw’ once in a while, the Country Fair will include a corn maze, mechanical bull riding, games/activities for all ages, musical entertainment, food vendors, contests and more.

When: October 13
Time: 1 pm to 6 pm
Where: Parking lot just north of Yonge and Davisville
Price: Free to attend

Deepak Chopra

What: Deepak Chopra, one of the most respected authorities on mindfulness, wellness and personal development, is speaking in Toronto this month to speak about “The Future of Wellbeing.” With wellness – from the food we eat, meditation, anti-stress techniques and personal devices that monitor our health – under a massive transformation, this event promises to enlighten and engage.

When: October 13
Time: 2 pm
Where: Beanfield Centre, Exhibition Place
Price: From $129

Sunday, October 14

Drop, Swap & Shop

What: Reduce your waste, contribute to the sharing economy and connect with your community at this cool event. Drop off items you no longer need or want, get one ticket per item you drop off (up to 15 items max), and swap those tickets on Sunday for new items to take home.

When: October 14
Time: 10 am to 4 pm
Where: Evergreen Brickworks, 550 Bayview Avenue
Price: Free admission

The Leslieville Flea at Ashbridge Estate

What: The Leslieville Flea returns to Ashbridge Estate this Sunday. Spend the afternoon shopping from a curated selection of vintage and handcrafted goods from a number of local vendors.

When: October 14
Time: 10 am to 5 pm
Where: 
Ashbridge Estate, 1444 Queen Street East
Price: Free

Vegan Oktoberfest

Oktoberfest / Shutterstock

What: Oktoberfest isn’t always about the meatiness of a sausage. Vegans can join in the fun too. Try some of Vegan Oktoberfest’s famous vegan schnitzel and black-eyed pea sausages. Products are also served on biodegradable dinnerware to keep it environmentally friendly.

When: October 14
Time: Noon
Where: The Great Hall, 1087 Queen Street West
Price: Admission is $5

Toronto Catering Showcase

What: 12 of Toronto’s top caterers will show their stuff at the Toronto Catering Showcase. Follow that up with drinks, music, and wine and there’s no way people can’t have an amazing time. Dine with catering names such as Oliver & Bonacini, the Food Dudes, Encore, and many more.

When: October 14
Time: 12 pm to 4 pm
Where: The Globe and Mail Centre
Price: Admission is $55 to $80

8th Annual Ossington Village Alleyway Party

What: Ossington Village is hosting and alleyway party this Sunday. Guests are invited to bring food to throw on the barbecue, bring drinks enough to share and enjoy the games, live music and clothing and book swap.

When: October 14
Time: 2 pm to 9 pm
Where: Argyle and Foxley alleyways
Price: Free to attend

Brewmaster BBQ Dinner

What: No vegan or vegetarian guests! Brewmaster BBQ feast is all about meat and gluten-filled beer. This event is a collaboration between Lisa Marie and Big Rock Brewery and features beer-infused barbeque masterpieces. Whole smoked chicken, southern-style starters, and much more.

When: October 14
Time: 7 pm
Where: 638 Queen Street West
Price: Admission is $75

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