25 things to do in Toronto this weekend: July 14 to July 16

Jul 13 2017, 1:55 am

Finally done with your never-ending work week? Celebrate your freedom in style at one of these exciting events around town.

From an epic outdoor country fair to plenty of food festivals, these are the top 25 events happening in Toronto this weekend.

See also

Toronto Summer Music Festival

What: From jazz to classical, the Toronto Summer Music Festival will explore the music of Canada and feature the very best of Canada’s many world-renowned classical performers.

Where: Venues throughout the city
When: All weekend long

TD Salsa in Toronto Festival

What: One of Canada’s largest Latin-themed celebrations is Toronto’s TD Salsa in Toronto Festival, which takes place over three weeks and features music, food, dance and family events.

Where: St. Clair Avenue West, between Winona Drive and Christie Street
When: All weekend long

Toronto Fringe Festival

What: This is the final weekend to check the 2017 Toronto Fringe Festival! Come and enjoy free, drop-in events that include live theatre, music, dance, arts, buskers, and performances.

Where: Various venues
When: All weekend long

UNITY Festival

What: Every July, UNITY Festival celebrates hip-hop diversity in an action packed event incorporating beatbox, dance, concerts, and spoken word. There’ll be a free dance exhibition and beatbox competition and a Unity concert.

Where: Multiple locations throughout the city
When: July 13 to 15

Free Tea Friday at Starbucks

What: This Friday, come to your local Starbucks and taste the coffee giant’s three new refreshing Teavana Shaken Iced Tea Infusions at no cost. Patrons can grab a premium Tall Shaken Ice Tea in one of three new flavours: Peach Citrus Flavoured White Tea Infusion/Lemonade, Pineapple Flavoured Black Tea Infusion/Lemonade, and Strawberry Flavoured Green Tea Infusion/Lemonade.

Where: All Starbucks locations
When: July 14, 1 pm to 2 pm

Cultura 2017

What: Cultura is a free, family-friendly outdoor festival presenting music, art, food, and film every Friday evening in July at Mel Lastman Square. Cultura celebrates Toronto’s rich diversity featuring world-renowned musicians, tasty international street food, explosive buskers and dance, interactive art activities, and evening film screenings under the stars.

Where: Mel Lastman Square
When: July 14, 6 pm to 11:30 pm

Idina Menzel

What: It won’t be long until you can hear Frozen’s Queen Elsa herself sing. Tony Award-winning actress and singer Idina Menzel is coming to Toronto as part of her massive 2017 World Tour. Menzel’s world tour includes over 50 cities, and it follows the release of her fifth solo album Idina.

Where: Sony Centre for the Performing Arts, 1 Front Street East
When: July 14, 7 pm

Movies in the Meadow

What: The popular outdoor movie night program is celebrating Canada 150 this summer. The event at Downsview Park will be screening films with a Canadian connection and this weekend’s movie is Disney’s Moana.

Where: Downsview Park, 35 Carl Hall Road
When: July 14, 9 pm

Toronto Outdoor Art Exhibition

What: Now in its 56th year, the Toronto Outdoor Art Exhibition will feature over 340 visual artists, performers, and sculptures.

Where: Nathan Phillips Square, 100 Queen Street West
When: July 14 to 16, 11 am to 5 pm

Honda Indy Toronto

What: Celebrating 31 years of racing on the streets of Toronto, the Honda Indy Toronto is taking over the streets in July. It’s fast and furious in the city on that weekend.

Where: Exhibition Place, 100 Princes’ Blvd
When: July 14, 7:45 am to 6 pm; July 15, 7:45 am to 6 pm; July 16, 8 am to 6 pm

Vaughan Pizza Fest

What: Vaughan Pizza Fest, happening mid-July, promises to be the biggest pizza party you’ve ever seen. At last year’s festival, pizza enthusiasts from across Ontario enjoyed 50,000 slices of pie over the weekend.

Where: Woodbridge Fair Grounds, 100 Porter Avenue
When: July 14, 3 pm to 11 pm; July 15, 12 pm to 11 pm; July 16, 12 pm to 8 pm

Budweiser County Fair

What: MRG Events and Budweiser are throwing an epic County Fair in the city this month, that will bring the spirit of the country to the heart of the city with an outdoor boot-stomping party in downtown Toronto. The two-day festival will feature live music from tomorrow’s country music stars, BBQ from some of Toronto’s top chefs, games, and classic carnival eats.

Where: 525 King Street West
When: July 14, 5 pm to 11 pm; July 15, 12 pm to 11 pm

Night It Up!

What: Styled after the night markets from Taiwan, Hong Kong and across Asia, this outdoor market is a feast for the senses. Look forward to hawkers and food trucks selling everything from ramen burgers and stinky tofu to fried ice cream and matcha desserts.

Where: Markham Civic Centre, 101 Town Centre Boulevard
When: July 14, 7 pm to 12 am; July 15, 2 pm to 12 am; July 16, 2 pm to 8 pm

What: Explore the music and culture of the St. Lawrence River through this super entertaining, weekend-long showcase featuring East Coast music and performances from Tuns, Lisa LeBlanc and Booga.

Where: Harbourfront Centre, 235 Queens Quay West
When: July 14 to 16, 8 pm to 11 pm

Carnival Village

What: The history of Carnival will be shared with Regent Parks community with an afternoon complete with interactive participation in Carnival Art.

Where: Regent Park Community, 585 Dundas Street East
When: July 15, 10 am to 6 pm

All Day I Dream of Sunshine Divine

What: This Saturday, head to Toronto’s Fort York for an afternoon of blissed out melodies and electronic grooves that will have you dancing all day long.

Where: Fort York, 250 Fort York Blvd
When: Juy 15, 1 pm to 10 pm

Iron Maiden

What: Metal heavy hitters Iron Maiden are back on the road for their ‘Book of Souls World Tour.’ The English band is currently on their North American leg, and by the end of this tour this month, the band will have performed 117 shows in 36 countries. Legends!

Where: Budweiser Stage, 909 Lake Shore Boulevard West
When: July 15, 7:30 pm

Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers

What: With his classic hits that everyone seems to know every word to, Tom Petty’s Toronto concert will become a stadium-wide sing-along and one you surely won’t want to miss. Tickets range from $30 to $171.75.

Where: Air Canada Centre
When:  July 15, 8 pm

CityPlace Fort York BIA Movie Night Series

What: CityPlace Fort York BIA will be hosting a free movie night once a month up until September.  Gather up your friends, bring your blankets/chairs and come a little early to enjoy snacks/refreshments. The weekend’s film is Half Baked.

Where: Canoe Landing Park, 95 Fort York Blvd
When: July 15, 8 pm to 10 pm

Halal Food Fest Toronto

What: North America’s largest halal food festival is coming back to the city for its fifth mouth-watering year. For two full days, the event will bring together nearly 200 exhibitors and some of the Toronto’s best halal bakeries, restaurants, and specialty stores. Notable guests include Amanda Saab, past contestant on MasterChef on FOX, and Yvonne Maffei, author of the wildly popular blog-turned-cookbook, My Halal Kitchen.

Where: The International Centre, Entrance 5, 6900 Airport Road
When: July 15, 10 am to 10 pm; July 16, 10 am to 8 pm

Festival of India

What: Splashing some spiritual culture into the city, the 45th Annual Festival of India returns on July 16 for two days of mouth-watering festivities. The event will begin with a euphoric parade down world-famous Yonge Street, followed by a day of festivities for the entire family. There are various events taking place throughout the weekend, so head to the event website for full event times.

Where: Various locations throughout the city
When: July 15 to 16

Ontario Oyster Festival 2017

What: This single day celebration will feature the Ontario Oyster Shucking Championships and live music by the Mercenaries. The real draw, however, is the bounty of fresh seafood on offer al fresco. Oysters, lobster, mussels, popcorn shrimp, and fish tacos are all on the menu and you can knock ’em back along with Caesars, bubbly, and bourbon.

Where: Rodney’s Oyster House, 469 King Street West
When: July 16, 2 pm to 10 pm

Lost & Found Showcase

What: Calling all music lovers, this Sunday you can check out the Lost & Found Showcase featuring Guy J, Eelke Kleijn, Guy Mantzur, Chicola, Khen, Sahar Z with Alberto Jossue on support. This outdoor concert is 19+, with tickets costing $50.

Where: Sunnyside Pavillion, 1755 Lake Shore Blvd West
When: July 16, 4 pm to 11 pm

Metallica WorldWild Tour 2017

What: Metallica is on tour with a new album called Hardwired…to Self-Destruct, where they’ve played both old and new favourites, complete with pyrotechnics and a massive video screen. Tickets range from $55.50 to $3299.

Where: Rogers Centre
When: July 16, 6 pm

Christie Pits Film Festival

What: This year, the Christie Pits Film Festival’s theme is EYES ON THE PRIZE, and will be screening films about competition and beating the odds. Locally organized, the Christie Pits Film Festival has attracted thousands to its free weekly series of outdoor films. Sundays throughout the summer, the screenings will include a mix of old and new, with this week’s film being Speed Sisters. Although all screenings are free of charge, there is a suggested donation of $10.

Where: Christie Pits Park, 779 Crawford Avenue West
When: July 16, 9 pm

Ainsley SmithAinsley Smith

+ Listed
+ Summer
ADVERTISEMENT