36 things to do in Toronto this long weekend: June 29 to July 2

The long weekend has arrived!

In case you’re not planning on heading to a cottage, you’re in luck as there are tons of great events happening in and around the city all weekend long.

From Canada Day events to music and food festivals, here are 36 events to check out in the city this long weekend.

60 Years of Made in Italy

What: June marks Italian Heritage Month in Canada, which is the perfect time to celebrate the Italian community within our exceptionally diverse country. And Yorkville Village is hosting a world-renowned fashion exhibit, 60 Years of Made in Italy, into the heart of Toronto, just in time for the occasion.

When: Now until June 30
Time: Varies by day
Where: Yorkville Village, 55 Avenue Rd
Price: Free

TD Toronto Jazz Festival

What: The TD Toronto Jazz Festival has come to be recognized as one of North America’s premier jazz festival and has attracted some of the biggest names in jazz and blues.

When: Now until July 1
Time: Varies by day
Where: Various locations
Price: Entry is free

The Art of Banksy

What: A new massive exhibit curated by Steve Lazarides, Banksy’s former manager is open in Toronto, displaying the largest collection of the artist’s works. According to organizers, with over $35 million in art, this is the largest Banksy exhibit ever assembled.

When: Now until August 19
Time: Friday, 11 am to 10 pm; Saturday, 9 am to 12 am; Sunday, 9 am to 9 pm
Where: 213 Sterling Road, Toronto
Price: Tickets start at $35

A Forest of Canoes at The Bentway

What: A Forest of Canoes by Dana Claxton, is a site-specific installation set up throughout The Bentway and is co-commissioned with Scotiabank CONTACT Photography Festival and curated by Bonnie Rubenstein. The installation highlights the iconic role and symbolism of the canoe in Canadian, Metis, and Indigenous histories.

When: Now until August 31
Time: All day
Where: The Bentway, 250 Fort York Blvd.
Price: Admission is free

Shakespeare in High Park

What: Toronto’s annual Shakespeare in High Park is back. The untraditional rendition of Shakespeare kicked off this week and will run until September 2. The longest-running outdoor theatre event is celebrating its 36th year and takes on two classics this year, the tragic romance of Romeo and Juliet and the frolicking comedy of A Midsummer Night’s Dream.

When: Tuesday to Sunday, June 28 to Sept 2
Time: 8 pm
Where: High Park Amphitheatre
Price: Pay what you can

Manolo Blahnik: The Art of Shoes

What: Manolo Blahnik and the Bata Shoe Museum have joined forces, bringing the highly anticipated travelling exhibit Manolo Blahnik: The Art of Shoes to Toronto.

When: Now until January 6
Time: Friday and Saturday, 10 am to 5 pm; Sunday, 12 pm to 5 pm; Monday, 10 am to 5 pm
Where: Bata Shoe Museum, 327 Bloor Street West
Price: General admission is $14

Spiders: Fear & Fascination

What: This June, the Royal Ontario Museum welcomed a new exhibit, Spiders: Fear & Fascination and trust us, it’s definitely not for the faint of heart. The new exhibit will explore 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
Time: 10 am to 5:30 pm
Where: The Royal Ontario Museum, 100 Queen’s Park
Price: $32 for adults

Agincourt Mall Summer Outdoor Night Market

What: Taking place at Agincourt Mall, this three-day Canada Day weekend outdoor night market will feature rows of delicious street-style food options, live entertainment from singers from Hong Kong, a variety show, shopping, and much more.

When: June 29 to July 1
Time: Friday, 3 pm to 12 am; Saturday, 10 am to 12 am; Sunday, 10 am to 12 am
Where: Agincourt Mall, 3850 Sheppard Avenue East, Scarborough
Price: Free

Toronto Harbourfront Canada Day Weekend

What: For a Canada Day that’s rich with culture and history for the little ones, the weekend festivities at Harbourfront Centre offer the theme of “One Land, Many Nations.” Highlights include performances from Jully Black and Zak Ibrahim, among others.

When: June 29 to July 2
Time: All day
Where: Harbourfront Centre, 235 Queens Quay West
Price: Free

Toronto Ribfest

What: If nothing says “Canada Day” to you more than a saucy rack of ribs, you’ll find no shortage at Ribfest. In addition to two stages with live music all day, perks for the kids include free KidzZone activities, a massive mobile midway and a variety of daily activities.

When: June 29 to July 2
Time: Friday to Sunday, 11 am to 10 pm; Monday, 11 am to 8 pm
Where: Etobicoke Centennial Park, 256 Centennial Park Road
Price: Admission is free

Indie Fridays

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

When: June 29 to August 31
Time: 8 pm to 11 pm
Where: Yonge-Dundas Square, 1 Dundas Street East
Price: Free

Evergreen Brick Works Saturday Markets

What: The Evergreen Brick Works Saturday market has grown to become the largest farmers’ market in Toronto. Here you’ll find a wide variety of local and seasonal food from local farmers and producers.

When: June 30
Time: 9 am to 1 pm
Where: 550 Bayview Avenue
Price: Admission is free

Sailin’ Through the 6

What: Take part in Ontario’s biggest boat festival this Canada Day. Join thousands of Canadians on multiple boats syncing to one sound and one party to celebrate Canada’s birthday, complete with an epic fireworks show.

When: June 30
Time: 12:30 pm to 2 am
Where: 11 Polson Street and 333 Lakeshore Blvd East
Price: $30 plus tax

Canada D’eh! Party

What: For the night owls looking to party patriotically, this is a Canada Day party you won’t want to miss. After attending your afternoon activities in the city, head to Toronto’s Cake Night Club for an epic dance party and drinks so cheap you’d think you were back in university.

When: June 30
Time: 10 pm
Where: Cake Bar & Night Club
Price: Free before 11 pm

Justin Bieber Dance Party

What: Is it too late now to say sorry? You can spend your Saturday dancing the night away to all of Bieber’s top tracks at Sneaky Dee’s.

When: June 30
Time: 10 pm to 2 am
Where: Sneaky Dees, 431 College Street
Price: $5

Waterfront Artisan Market

What: Back for its third year in 2018, the Waterfront Artisan Market runs every weekend until the first week in October. The outdoor festival, presented by The Waterfront BIA and operated by the Scadding Court Community Centre, will feature 50 bakers, chefs, and artisans hawking summery street foods and locally-made products.

When: June 30 and July 1
Time: Saturdays 11 am to 8 pm; Sundays 11 am to 5 pm
Where: HTO Park, 339 Queens Quay West, Toronto
Price: Admission is free

CITE – A Celebration of Skateboard Arts and Culture

What: The Bentway and Build for Bokma have announced a new summer-long celebration of skateboard arts and culture called CITE. On subsequent weekends during the summer, visitors can enjoy a variety of workshops including skateboard clinics, building skate sculptures, videography, screen printing, and designing skateboards, in addition to a speaker series.

When: June 30 to August 12
Time: 10 am to 9 pm
Where: The Bentway Skate Trail
Price: Free to the public

Union Summer Market

What: The open-air market situated on the doorstep of Toronto’s Union Station returns this summer, hosting an incredible line-up of food vendors, ongoing programming, and events that bring Toronto’s talent, culture, and spirit to life.

When: July 1 to August 19
Time: 11 am to 8 pm
Where: 65 Front Street West, Toronto
Price: Free

Amesbury Park Canada Day Celebration

What: At the annual Amesbury Park Canada Day Celebration, you’ll find an exciting event lineup that’s complete with multicultural entertainment, a talent search, children’s activities, plus many interesting vendors. 

When: July 1
Time: 9 am to 10 pm
Where: Amesbury Park, 1507 Lawrence Avenue West
Price: Admission is free

Canada Day at Fort York

What: The historic Fort York will host a day of celebrations for Canada Day, complete with talking points like flag raising and flag lowering ceremonies, demonstrations, drill activity, cooking demonstrations, and tours of the barracks and fortifications.

When: July 1
Time: 10 am to 5 pm
Where: Fort York
Price: Free

Canada Day at Black Creek Pioneer Village

What: Grab the kiddos in your life and step back in time this Canada Day. At Black Creek Pioneer Village, you’ll find a 19^th century carnival complete with fire jugglers, performers, live music, and good, a historic brewery, and old-fashioned carnival games. Admission is free on July 1.

When: July 1
Time: 10 am to 5 pm
Where: Black Creek Pioneer Village
Price: Free

Canada Day at Queen’s Park

What: At Queen’s Park, you can expect a patriotic day of food and drink vendors, music and dance performances, roaming performers, face painting, kid-friendly games and a 21-gun salute at noon.

When: July 1
Time: 10 am to 10 pm
Where: Queen’s Park, 111 Wellesley Street West
Price: Free

East York Canada Day Celebration and Parade

What: Start the festivities with a parade beginning at Dieppe Park (455 Cosburn Avenue) that travels through East York, finishing at Stan Wadlow Park for a day of programming and festivities that end at dusk before the fireworks at 10 pm.

When: July 1
Time: 10 am to 10 pm
Where: Stan Wadlow Park
Price: Free

Canada Day at Canada’s Wonderland

What: Celebrate Canada’s birthday at Canada’s Wonderland. Attendees can expect acrobatic shows, street performers, live music, traditional Canadian food, an epic firework display, and all the rides.

When: July 1
Time: 10 am to 10 pm
Where: Canada’s Wonderland, 1 Canada’s Wonderland Drive
Price: Adult day pass starts at $39.99

Queen’s Plate Festival

What: The Queen’s Plate Festival wraps on Canada Day, but not without a free celebration. Guests can expect mini-Canadian flags, birthday cake, live music, an inflatable zone for kids, a beer garden, and Canadian-themed food at concession areas and more.

When: July 1
Time: 11 am to 6 pm
Where: Woodbine Race Track
Price: Tickets start at $30

Multicultural Canada Day at Yonge-Dundas Square 

What: The annual Multicultural Canada Day celebrations includes everything from a “Parade of Nations” and a massive singing of “O Canada,” to art, food and live performances from multicultural groups that showcase their diversity in all of their vibrant glory.

When: July 1
Time: 12 pm to 9 pm
Where: Yonge-Dundas Square, 1 Dundas Street East
Price: Free

Electric Island Canada Day Party

What: Hanlan’s Point is plugged-in for the big Canada Day party with this massive high-energy concert and picnic, featuring no shortage of flag-waving hard partiers.

When: July 1
Time: 1 pm
Where: Hanlan’s Point, Toronto Island
Price: $55 plus tax

Cabana Pool Bar – Red Party

What: In honour of Canada’s birthday, Cabana Pool Bar offers the chance to celebrate like you would in Vegas at their Canada Day Red Party. Make sure to wear red!

When: July 1
Time: 1 pm to 10 pm
Where: Cabana Pool Bar, 11 Polson Street
Price: $15

Canada Day at Mel Lastman Square

What: If you’d rather stay clear of the downtown core this Canada Day, Mel Lastman Square will come alive all day for a family-friendly affair of eats and drinks, an eclectic assortment of live music, outdoor theatre, circus arts, and fireworks.

When: July 1
Time: 5 pm to 11 pm
Where: Mel Lastman Square, 5100 Yonge Street
Price: Free

Downsview Park Canada Day Festival

What: Celebrate Canada’s birthday Downsview Park-style. Attendees will be able to partake in an action-packed day of festivities with rides, food, music, entertainment and of course, a grand firework display at dusk to end the day.

When: July 1
Time: 6 pm to 10 pm
Where: Downsview Park, Downsview Park, Keele/Sheppard
Price: Free

Canada Day Weekend at the Rogers Centre

What: Canada Day presented by Honda takes over the Jays game on Sunday, July 1. Fans are encouraged to get to the ballpark early to take part in pre-game festivities that are sure to get you in the Canadian spirit. The first 20,000 fans to enter the ballpark will receive a Blue JaysRed Hat presented by Honda.

When: July 1
Time: 7:07 pm
Where: Rogers Centre
Price: Tickets start at $19

Mariposa Cocktail Cruise

What: Celebrate Canada Day in style aboard a Mariposa Cruises cocktail cruise as you take in the (extremely Instagram-worthy) sights of the city skyline.

When: July 1
Time: 7 pm to 10:30 pm
Where: Mariposa Cruises, Pier 6 207 Queens Quay West
Price: $72.95 plus tax

Christie Pits Film Festival

What: For its special Canada Day event, Christie Pits Film Festival will celebrate Toronto through film and live music performances. Local writer-director Sarah Goodman’s headlining feature film Porch Stories is set in and around Toronto’s Little Portugal, and depicts love in all its different stages unfolding on neighbouring porches over the course of a summer’s day.

When: July 1
Time: Roughly 9 pm
Where: Christie Pits Park, 779 Crawford Ave West
Price: Screenings are free

Fireworks at Ashbridges Bay

What: End a day at the beach (or a day on the town) with a spectacular fireworks display at Ashbridges Bay Park

When: July 1
Time: 9:30 pm to 10:15 pm
Where: Ashbridges Bay Park
Price: Free

Brewer’s Backyard

What: Celebrate Canada Day on July 2 with Lester P. Beerson Day at the Evergreen Brick Works. On tap, look forward to delicious beers flowing from Great Lakes Brewery, Black Oak, St. Mary Axe, Collective Arts, Merit, Bench Brewing, Eastbound Brewing and West Avenue Cider, plus food from Delite Bite, FeasTO, Food Dudes, Fidel Gastro, Heirloom, and the Pop Stand.

When: July 2
Time: 11 am to 5 pm
Where: Evergreen Brick Works, 550 Bayview Avenue, Toronto
Price: Admission is free

See also

• LCBO stores across Ontario will be open on Canada Day
• There's a new Burger Fest happening just north of Toronto this summer
• JerkFest returns for a hot and spicy weekend this summer