30 things to do in Toronto this weekend: July 7 to July 9

From concerts and music festivals to free family-friendly events, here are the top 30 things to do in Toronto from July 7 to 9.

See also

• TTC closures and diversions this weekend: July 8 - 9
• Eat and drink the night away at the Junction Night Market
• The 10 best things to watch on Netflix Canada in July

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.

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

Beaches International Jazz Festival

What: A festival that needs almost no introduction, the Beaches International Jazz Festival is celebrating its 29th year.

When: All weekend long
Where: The Beaches

Summerlicious

What: Summerlicious is one of Toronto’s favourite culinary celebrations. For two mouth-watering weeks in July savour delicious three-course prix fixe menus served by more than 200 of Toronto’s top restaurants. Lunch menus are priced at $18, $23 and $28, dinner menus priced at $28, $38 and $48.

When: All weekend long
Where: Restaurants across Toronto

Toronto Fringe Festival

What: The Toronto Fringe Festival is back for another exciting year and kicks off this week with plenty of live theatre, music, and art. With over 60 ticketed events and over 50 free, drop-in events that includes live performances, buskers, and an outdoor stage and rink,  there’s something for everyone at the Toronto Fringe Festival.

When: All weekend long
Where: Various venues throughout the city

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.

When: July 7, 6 pm
Where: Mel Lastman Square

Elevated Ethiopian

What: This Eritrean adventure features a menu with beer pairings from Granville Island Brewery and Creemore Springs. In addition to the multi-course meal, look forward to a traditional coffee ceremony and live jazz. Tickets cost $50.

When: July 7, 7 pm to 10 pm
Where: Pero Restaurant, 812 Bloor Street West

DJ Shadow

What: American music producer DJ Shadow, also known as Josh Davis, will be hitting the road this month for his ‘The Mountain Will Fall 2017’ tour. DJ Shadow’s fifth studio album The Mountain Will Fall was released last year and is the follow-up to 2011’s The Less You Know, the Better.

When: July 7, 7 pm
Where: Danforth Music Hall, 147 Danforth Ave

Ed Sheeran

What: Everyone’s favourite redhead hits Toronto to offer no shortage of feels and music that you can’t help but sing along to – even if you were dragged to the concert. Tickets range from  $46.25-$116.25.

When: July 7, 7:30 pm
Where: Air Canada Centre

Indie Fridays

What: Chevrolet Canada presents Indie Fridays, a free concert series featuring some of Canada’s top indie musicians.

When: July 7, 8 pm to 11 pm
Where: Yonge-Dundas Square, 1 Dundas Street East

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 La La Land.

When: July 7, 9 pm
Where: Downsview Park, 35 Carl Hall Road

Carnival Night Market

What: Come see Creole (French Caribbean), Spanish, and Jamaican communities display their creativity and pay tribute to the Caribbean founders with “Rum ‘n Reggae”, music and of course, plenty of food. The event will also include a three-day exhibition of Carnival and historical artifacts at Metro Hall.

When: July 7 to 8, 11 am to 11 pm
Where: David Pecaut Square, 215 King Street West

Dreams Music Festival

What: For the electronic music and neon loving-set, Dreams Music Festival (formerly Digital Dreams) is a must-attend, as long as you rest up well beforehand. Tickets start at $125.

When: July 7 to 8, 4 pm
Where: Echo Beach, 909 Lake Shore Blvd West

Taste of Lawrence

What: Scarborough’s largest street festival promises three days of food, 130 street vendors, a midway, live entertainment, and more.

When: July 7, 6 pm to 11 pm; July 8, 11 am to 11 pm; July 9, 11 am to 7 pm
Where: Lawrence Avenue East from Warden Avenue to Birchmount Road

Toronto Bubble Run

What: This weekend, you and the entire family can participate in the Toronto Bubble Run at Woodbine Racetrack, which includes an incredible ‘foam bog’ that will cover everyone from head to toe in colourful foam. The finish line will include even more foam, DJs, and all the selfie opportunities you can handle.

When: July 8, first heat is at 8 am
Where: Woodbine Racetrack, 555 Rexdale Blvd

Evergreen Brickworks Saturday Market

What: This Saturday, get out of bed early and come and enjoy good food from local farmers, food producers, and chefs.

When: July 8, 8 am to 1 pm
Where: Evergreen Brick Works, 550 Bayview

Maker Extravaganza 2017

What: For one weekend only, the city’s most creative people and their projects gather together at the Toronto Reference Library to share their latest creations, demonstrate their newest projects and make things together.

When: July 8, 9 am to 5 pm
Where: Toronto Reference Library, 789 Yonge Street

Waterfront Artisan Market

What: Back for its second year, the Waterfront Artisan Market will make Toronto’s waterfront come alive every Saturday from May 20 until October at HTO Park. Here you’ll get to explore a curated mix of 75 artisans, crafters, chefs and bakers. Admission is free.

When: July 8, 11 am to 8 pm
Where: HTO Park, 339 Queens Quay West

Summer Lady Beer Festival

What: Since 2014, the Society of Beer Drinking Ladies has been bringing together craft-beer-loving women and this month they’ll be hosting another one of their awesome ‘Bevie’ events. The Summer Lady Beer Festival will have visitors sample their way through a lineup of guest brews, hit up food stalls and browse wares from local vendors.

When: July 8, 1 pm to 5 pm and 6:30 pm to 10:30 pm
Where: Henderson Brewery, 128A Sterling Avenue

Brickfête

What: The multi-day Brickfête fan expo celebrates all that is Lego is back. Run by volunteers, Brickfête features unique Lego builds from international hobbyists.

When: July 8 to 9, 10 am to 3 pm
Where: Delta Toronto East, 2035 Kennedy Road

Afrofest

What: Organized by Music Africa, Afrofrest is Toronto’s largest celebration of African music, heritage, and culture. This year, Afrofest celebrates its 28th Anniversary and will include musicians, artists, and vendors. This is a free event in one of our favourite parks.

When: July 8, 12 pm to 11 pm; July 9, 12 pm to 8 pm
Where: Woodbine Park, 1695 Queen Street East

Oakville Children’s Festival

What: Families are invited to enjoy the fourth annual Oakville Children’s Festival at Oakville’s beautiful Queen Elizabeth Park Community and Cultural Centre which will transform into an arts and culture playground for kids of all ages. This fun-filled event will feature free live performances, activities that engage the little one’s imaginations and foster creativity. Take part in interactive building and art activities, story times, scavenger hunt, sports zone, face painting, and more.

When: July 9, 10 am to 4 pm
Where: Queen Elizabeth Park Community and Cultural Centre, 2302 Bridge Road

Anatolia Festival

What: Turkish folk dancing, Turkish music, and of course, Turkish foods are the focus at this one-day festival in the heart of downtown Toronto.

When: July 9, 11 am to 11 pm
Where: Yonge-Dundas Square

TO Food Fest

What: Established and aspiring chefs from across the GTA take over the Chinese Cultural Centre of Greater Toronto to showcase signature dishes at this Sunday food fest. Admission is free, but a $2 donation is greatly appreciated!

When: July 9, 12 pm to 6 pm
Where: 5183 Sheppard Avenue East

50th Anniversary of the Summer of Love Picnic

What: It’s been 50 years since the first Summer of Love in Toronto in 1967 and this summer’s picnic will be taking place at Trinity Bellwoods Park. This will be a coming together of intentional, conscious groups of people, everyone from musicians, dancers, artists, shamans, psychedelic groups, meditators, contact improv, dancers, yogis, singers, drummers, and anyone else who is interested in hanging with a spiritual community.

When: July 9, 12 pm to 6:30 pm
Where: Trinity Bellwoods Park, 790 Queen Street West

Smoke Signals Crawfish Boil

What: Inspired by the classic Creole feast, Sean Gilliland and Nick Mora are hosting a crawfish boil in the parking lot across from Dundas West restaurant, Smoke Signals Bar-B-Q. On the menu is a crawfish boil complete with clams, corn, and potatoes, grilled head-on prawns with garlic scapes, Nashville hot catfish sandwiches, and squid noodle salads.

When: July 9, 12 pm to 8 pm
Where: 1242 Dundas Street West

Fusion of Taste

What: International and local performances, buskers, and over 60 vendors will gather for this street party put on by the Albion Islington Square BIA.

When: July 9, 12 pm to 10:30 pm
Where: Albion Road and Islington Avenue

Last Resort Brunch

What: A brunch buffet, drink specials, and peels and reveals from showgirls spectacle are a good reason to day drink at this Polynesian bar in Parkdale. Tickets range from $15 to $30.

When: July 9, 1 pm to 7 pm
Where: The Shameful Tiki Room, 1378 Queen Street West

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. Although all screenings are free of charge, there is a suggested donation of $10.

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

Full Moon Celebration

What: This bonfire-style full moon meditation gathering will is open to everyone and is all about creating a collective community and connecting with Toronto’s beautiful souls.

When: July 9, 9 pm to 11:59 pm
Where: Cherry Beach, 1 Cherry Street

Port Union Summer Concert Series

What: For the music lovers out there, there’s a free summer concert series kicking off this Sunday in Port Union, that will take place every following Sunday night this month, showcasing a variety of local performers.

When: July 9
Where: 5450 Lawrence Avenue East