33 FREE events to check out in Toronto this September

Aug 29 2019, 8:23 pm

After a long, hot summer, fall is finally on the horizon.

And to help you give your wallet a much-needed break after a busy summer, we’ve rounded up the best free events happening in Toronto this September so you won’t have to spend a dime.

See also: 

MURAL Toronto

MURAL

What: A three-day event celebrating the international urban art movent is popping up in town this summer. Taking place at the stackt market on September 1, MURAL Toronto will offer visitors the chance to watch artists create stunning murals, attend music shows, check out art exhibitions, enjoy panels, and more.

When: On now until September 1
Time: 10 am to 11 pm
Where: 28 Bathurst St, Toronto
Admission: Free

Shakespeare in High Park

What: The untraditional rendition of Shakespeare returns this summer and runs until September 1. The long-running outdoor theatre event is celebrating its 37th year and takes on two classics this year. This summer’s plays include the comedic tale of love and desire, Much Ado About Nothing, and the timeless story of morality and power, Measure For Measure.

When: Tuesday to Sunday, until September 1
Time: All performances begin at 8 pm
Where: High Park Amphitheatre
Price: Tickets are pay-what-you-can

MuslimFest

What: An international bazaar, food fest, art exhibits, and festival stages will combine faith traditions and Canadian culture when MuslimFest returns to the GTA over Labour Day weekend. Look forward to a line-up of entertainers, art exhibits, workshops on Arabic calligraphy, and papercrafts. Plus, a vibrant bazaar stocked with everything from fragrant oils and Turkish clothing to Middle Eastern ornaments, and more.

When: Now till September 1
Where: Celebration Square, 300 City Centre Drive, Mississauga
Admission: Free

BuskerFest

What: Clear your calendars Toronto, the 20th annual BuskerFest will soon be here. Get ready for non-stop, action-packed, fun-filled entertainment over the Labour Day weekend. During this year’s festival, guests can enjoy exciting performances from over a hundred comedians, escape-artists, sword-swallowers, musicians, magicians, fire jugglers, acrobats, clowns, and daredevils.

When: On until September 2
Time: 12 pm to 8 pm
Where: Woodbine Park, 1695 Queen Street East, Toronto
Price: Admission is free, but donations are encouraged

Artfest Toronto Fall Show

What: Artfest Toronto at the Distillery Fall show takes place on Labour Day weekend for four days. This show focuses on fine art and craft with a splash of gourmet food. A curated selection of 80 artists from across Ontario, Quebec and beyond will be exhibiting their fine art and craft throughout the Historic Distillery District.

When: On until September 2
Where: Distillery District, 55 Mill Street
Admission: Free

Yoga in the Square

free yoga

Yonge-Dundas Square / Instagram

What: It’s almost time to get your stretch on. Because Yoga in the Square is officially returning to Yonge-Dundas square in June. The popular downtown Toronto hub is teaming up with lululemon for the second year in a row to bring the city free, weekly community yoga sessions.

When: On Monday’s now through September 2
Time: 12 pm to 1 pm
Where: Yonge-Dundas Square
Price: Free to participate

Summer Music in the Park

What: This summer, head to Bloor-Yorkville and snag a seat by the ‘big rock and enjoy some incredible live music that ranges from jazz to traditional Cuban, Greek, and Celtic.

When: On now through September 7 (Every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday)
Time: Fridays, 11:30 am to 2:30 pm; Saturdays, 11:30 am to 2:30 pm; Sundays (only in July and August), 1:30 pm to 4:30 pm
Where: Village of Yorkville Park, Bellair and Cumberland streets
Price: Free

Museum of Broken Relationships

What: Described as a physical and virtual public space created with the intention of “treasuring and sharing your heartbreak stories and symbolic possessions,” the museum is a massive reminder that you’re not alone. Tour exhibits made up of the letters, objects, and memories from past relationships.

Where: Harbourfront Centre – 235 Queens Quay West
When: Until September 8, 2019
Tickets: Free

Summer Music in the Garden

What:  The Summer Music in the Garden concert series will kick off in honour of the Toronto Music Garden’s 20th anniversary, and will feature 18 free concerts of classical, traditional and world music, including a concert on August 25 that will feature the Music Garden’s “theme song,” Bach’s Suite no. 1 in G Major for solo cello.

When: Thursdays and Sundays through September 15
Time: Thursdays, 7 pm; Sundays, 4 pm
Where: 479 Queens Quay West
Price: Free to attend

Kensington Market Flea

What: Starting this Saturday, the weekly Kensington Market Flea kicks off. During the market, visitors will see plenty of independent vendors and artisans from across the city. You can check out plenty of handmade items, art, vintage clothing, records, and other locally designed goods.

When: Every Saturday until September 21
Time: 11 am to 6 pm
Where: 214 Augusta Ave, the rear outdoor area of El Gordo Foods
Price: Free to attend

Evergreen Brick Works Saturday Markets

Feed It Forward

Shutterstock

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: Every Saturday during summer
Time: 8 am to 1 pm
Where: 550 Bayview Avenue
Price: Admission is free

The Distillery District Sunday Market

What: If you’re looking to splurge on some tasty treats, hit up this market happening every Sunday until the end of September. Vendors selling cured meats, organic preserves, ready-to-eat treats, and handmade gourmet chocolates are just some of the things you can feast on. And of course, you’ll be able to shop for all sorts of artisan crafts.

When: Every Sunday through September 29
Time: 12 pm to 5 pm
Where: Distillery District
Price: Free admission

Free Yoga Class in the Park hosted by Scoria

What: This is a special class open to all levels looking to energize and refresh your mindset on a Saturday morning. Connect with movement, breath, other humans, and fun. Hosted by Yoga brand Scoria, it’s an easy way to get started in your practice, or even just an excuse to do yoga outside. All you need is a mat.

When: Sunday, September 1
Time: 10 am to 11 am
Where: Trinity Bellwoods Park, 790 Queen St West
Admission: Free, RSVP online

Brewer’s Backyard

What: Celebrate the final weekend of summer with a few brews. The line-up of breweries includes Big Rig, Black Oak, Collective Arts, Eastbound, Exchange Brewery, Indie Alehouse, Shacklands, and St. Mary Axe. All this fabulous beer will be accompanied by a tasty food line up including, 6 Grillers, Fidel Gastro, Meltdown Cheesery, and the Pop Stand.

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

Free Meditation in High Park with Buddhist Monk

What: All are welcome to join in for a free meditation session with Buddhist Monk Jason Simard, student of Tibetan Monk Lama Samten. There will also be a short introduction to meditation and a talk about human emotions and how to deal with them according to Tibetan Buddhist wisdom.

When: September 2
Time: 10 am to 11:30 am
Where: The Labyrinth, High Park
Admission: Free

TIFF Festival Street

Image courtesy of TIFF

What: For the sixth year in a row, the excitement and fun of the Toronto International Film Festival will pour out from the theatres onto Festival Street. Look forward to free movie screenings, musical performances, food and drinks, photo opportunities, and more.

When: September 5 to 8
Time: 12 pm to 12 am
Where: King Street West between Peter Street and University Avenue
Price: Admission is free

Taste of the Kingsway

What: Toronto’s Taste of the Kingsway street festival returns for three days of outdoor eating and entertainment this September.

When: September 6 to 8
Time: Friday, 6 pm to 10 pm; Saturday, 11 am to 10 pm; Sunday, 11 am to 6 pm
Where: Bloor Street West from Prince Edward Drive to Montgomery Road
Price: Free to attend

Tim Hortons Southside Shuffle Blues & BBQ Festival

What: Now in its 21st year, this three-day outdoor music festival will be celebrating incredible Blues performers. There will be free admission to the vendor village, food court, and south stages 1 and 2.

When: September 6 to 8
Time: Varies by day
Where: Port Credit Memorial Park, 20 Lakeshore Road East
Price: Admission is free

Vegetarian Food Festival

What: Local and international chefs will delight your taste buds with all the vegetarian and vegan dishes you didn’t know you were missing in your life.

When: September 6 to 8
Where: Harbourfront Centre, 235 Queens Quay West
Price: Free admission

Cabbagetown Festival

What: This family-friendly affair will feature loads of things for the kids to do, live music and entertainment, food, made in Canada merchandise, a Kids Zone, and plenty of fun events and activities.

When: September 7 and 8
Time: Saturday, 11 am to 10 pm; Sunday, 11 am to 7 pm
Where: Carlton and Parliament Streets
Price: Entry is free

Museum of the Moon at The Bentway

the bentway

Image courtesy of Museum of the Moon

What: This September, The Bentway is going to transform into an open-air planetarium, complete with a massive glowing moon that will light up below the Gardiner Expressway. The presentation is called Museum of the Moonwhich is a touring artwork, and it will feature a week-long celebration of “the moon and our relationship to its rhythms.”

When: September 10 to 15
Time: On view from dusk to 11 pm
Where: The Bentway – 250 Fort York, Toronto, ON
Price: All Museum of the Moon programming is free of charge.

Toronto Ukrainian Festival

What: Closeout what will surely be an epic summer with a three-day entertainment experience celebrating the Ukrainian Canadian community. From music to food, this massive Bloor West festival is definitely worth checking out.

When: September 13 to 15
Where: Bloor West Village

Toronto Flower Market

What: There will be a dozens incredible vendor stalls on display to visit and admire, each selling an assortment of seasonal showstoppers including tulips, daffodils, gerbera, orchids, hyacinths, muscari, lilacs, and more. Plus there will also be an array of dahlia tubers, seedlings, garden planters, handmade pots and indoor plants also for sale.

When: September 14
Time: 10 am to 3 pm
Where: CAMH, 1001 Queen Street West
Price: Entry is free

Roncesvalles Polish Festival

What: Wrap up summer by attending North America’s largest celebration of Polish culture in Toronto’s best neighbourhood. The festival will feature local and international music, fantastic cuisine from over 40 renowned restaurants, cafes, bakeries, and bistros, along Roncesvalles, and of course, lots of traditional Polish fare.

When: September 14 and 15
Time: Saturday, 11 am to 11 pm; Sunday, 11 am to 7 pm
Where: Roncesvalles Avenue from Queen Street West to Dundas Street West
Price: Admission is free

Terry Fox Run

What: All across the country, the annual Terry Fox run takes place in September to raise funds for cancer research. Register to run, find a run, or sponsor a runner and show your support.

When: September 15
Where: Various locations

Open Streets TO

Open Streets

Open Streets TO/Facebook

What: Open Streets programs, also known as Ciclovias, open streets to people and close them to cars encouraging participation in physical activity and healthy recreation. They are free, regularly occurring programs, and offer communities the opportunity to experience their city streets in a whole new way.

When: September 15
Time: 10 am to 2 pm
Where: Bloor and Yonge Streets
Price: Admission is free

Bi Arts Festival

What: This year marks the third annual Bi Arts Festival, the world’s largest celebration of bisexual voices in art and culture.

When: September 19 to 23
Where: Various venues
Price: Entry is free

Toronto Biennial of Art

What: For 72 days, Toronto and surrounding areas will be transformed by free exhibitions, talks, and performances that reflect our local context while engaging with the most pressing issues of our time. The inaugural Biennial will present over 100 works by Canadian, Indigenous, and International artists installed at more than 10 sites in or near Toronto’s waterfront.

When: September 21 to December 1
Where: Various locations throughout the city
Price: Free to attend

Queen West Art Crawl

What: The Queen West Art Crawl (QWAC) is a charitable organization that features a weekend-long festival of creativity and community. It’s designed to celebrate and promote the art, culture, and diversity of Queen West in Toronto.

When: September 21 and 22
Time: 11 am to 6 pm
Where: Trinity Bellwoods Park
Price: Free to attend

Word on the Street

What: Participate in hundreds of author readings, discussions, and activities, and shop in a marketplace that boasts the best selection of Canadian books and magazines you’ll find anywhere. There’s plenty to see and do at Canada’s largest FREE book and magazine festival.

When: September 22
Time: 10 am to 5 pm
Where: Harbourfront Centre, 235 Queens Quay West
Price: Free entry

Sterling Road Block Party

Sterling Road Block Party

Ivy Knight for The Drake Hotel/Flickr

What: This end-of-the-summer party promises scratch-made eats and drinks from The Drake Commissary kitchen plus surprises from food friends and a market of local artisans.

When: September 23
Time: 11 am to 5 pm
Where: Drake Commissary, 128A Sterling Road
Price: Entry is free

2019 Butter Tart Taste-Off

What: There’s no need to travel across Ontario to find the best butter tart this fall. All the best bakers specializing in the iconic Canadian treat are getting together under one roof. Kawarthas Butter Tart Taste-Off takes place in downtown Port Hope this year on September 22, alongside Cultivate: A Festival Of Food And Drink.

When: September 22
Where: 44 Queen St, Port Hope, Ontario
Price: Entry is free

Pedestrian Sundays September

What: Come and enjoy a full day of car-free fun, music, food vendors, performances, shopping and all kinds of street-side surprises. Take the afternoon and check out a dance party, a band, a food stand and more.

When: September 29
Time: 11 am to 7 pm
Where: Kensington Market, Augusta south of College
Price: Free to attend

Ainsley SmithAinsley Smith

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