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It’s the first weekend of a new month, so ring it in right.
Whether you’re feelin’ a food or drink festival or maybe you want to embrace an outdoor movie night, there are plenty of awesome events happening throughout the city this weekend.
See also:
- 32 FREE events worth checking out in Toronto this August
- 18 amazing food events to check out in Toronto this August
- Toronto is welcoming a huge multi-day Festival of Beer this weekend
Friday, August 2
Toronto Food Truck Festival
Canadian Food Truck Festivals/Facebook
What: The massive food truck rally is presented by Canadian Food Truck Festivals and is just one stop on a summer-long tour that includes events in Burlington, Pickering, Richmond Hill, and Brampton.
When: August 2 to 5
Time: Friday, 5 pm to 10 pm, Saturday, noon to 10 pm, Sunday and Monday, noon to 8 pm
Where: Woodbine Park, 1695 Queen Street East, Toronto
Price: Admission is free
Scarborough Rib Fest
What: Back for its 17th year, this east Toronto food fest is all about ribs, hot dogs, corn on the cob, and more summertime essentials. Festival-goers can look forward to an all-day beer garden, daily karaoke competition, midway rides, and skill testing games.
When: August 2 to 5
Where: Thomson Memorial Park, 1005 Brimley Road, Scarborough
The Funhouse
What: Queen Street West is about to get a brand new immersive installation. And it’s going to be a houseful of fun. Toronto-based art collective Mondo Forma and Universal Music Canada are bringing The Funhouse to downtown. The immersive, experiential art maze, inspired by music and created in collaboration with some of Toronto’s most exciting artists, and will open this Saturday.
When: On now through to September
Time: Doors open at 10 am
Where: 101 Lisgar Street
Price: $28 general admission
Thee Corn Stand at stackt
Thee Corn Stand pops up at stackt on alternating Thursdays and Saturdays throughout the summer, and they’re bringing delicious and fresh eats! Be there to get your fill. And no, they’re not only offering corn.
When: August 3
Time: 11 am to 3 pm
Where: stackt market – 28 Bathurst Street
Price: Entry is free
Shakespeare in High Park
Shakespeare in High Park (lukesedgwick/Instagram)
What: The untraditional rendition of Shakespeare returns on July 4 and will run 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, July 4 to September 1
Time: All performances begin at 8 pm
Where: High Park Amphitheatre
Price: Tickets are pay-what-you-can
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
Indie Fridays
What: Not only is Yonge-Dundas Square hosting free movies and free yoga this summer, it will also be the site of free concerts. The Square’s free indie concert series runs for ten weeks until August 30. With the launch of Chevrolet’s new music discovery program, Chevy Music, this year’s series is set to be the biggest and best yet.
When: Every Friday through August 30
Time: 8 pm
Where: Yonge-Dundas Square
Price: Free
Saturday, August 3
UpMarket: The Floral Edit
What: For the second summer in a row, UpMarket returns to The Lane in Yorkville Village. Every Wednesday during summer, you can shop from a highly curated selection of local vendors offering handmade creations, gourmet foods, and unique gifts.
When: On now through August 28
Time: 11 am to 2 pm
Where: The Lane, Yorkville Village
Price: Free to attend
Final Day of Union Summer Market
What: The open-air market situated on the doorstep of Toronto’s Union Station returns to the city this summer. The outdoor marketplace promises to “showcase the best of Toronto’s eclectic culture, talent and spirit with a curated mix of local food vendors and entertainment.”
When: On until August 3
Time: Monday to Wednesday, 11 am to 9 pm; Thursday to Saturday, 11 am to 10 pm; Sunday, 11 am to 6 pm
Where: Union Station – 65 Front Street West
Price: Entry is free
Wine Down Festival
What: The Wine Down Festival opens its gates this weekend with delicious food vendors, water stations, washrooms, Beer Garden, VIP booths and a sound stage with special appearances all day.
When: August 3
Time: 11 am to 9 pm
Where: 555 Lakeshore Boulevard West, P2
Tickets: Available online
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: Every Saturday, all summer
Time: 8 am to 1 pm
Where: 550 Bayview Avenue
Price: Admission is free
Kensington Market Flea
kensingtonflea/Instagram
What: The weekly Kensington Market Flea has returned. 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
VELD Music Festival
What: Music festival season is in full swing, and this annual weekend of performances is offering up all the electronic beats your heart desires. Alesso, Kodak Vlack, Loud Luxury, Zeds Dead, and Jayden Smith are also on this year’s roster. While Cardi B adds a taste of hip hop/rap to the festival, there’s still a heavy presence of electronic music.
Where: Downsview Park
Time: All day
When: August 3 and 4
Tickets: Available online
Sunday, August 4
The Distillery District Sunday Market
Distillery District/Shutterstock
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
Yoga Classes at The Bentway
What: You’ll be able to balance yourself out every week at The Bentway’s free yoga classes this summer. The weekly yoga classes are run by Tribe Fitness and go every Sunday from mid-June to the end of August. Just remember to bring your own mat!
When: Every Sunday until August 25
Time: 7 pm to 8 pm
Where: 250 Fort York Blvd.
Price: Free, but you must bring your own mat
Sunday Social Series
What: The Social Series offers a space for socializing with friends new and old around oversized lounge chairs and picnic tables every Sunday all summer long. Canadian music mag Exclaim! will be presenting plenty of live music, Pilot Coffee and SPIN will be serving food, drinks, and bar service, and, like the Block Party, ping pong tables will also be on-site.
When: Every Sunday until August 25
Time: Noon to 9 pm
Where: The Bentway, 250 Fort York Blvd
Price: Free to attend
Music in the Park
What: The Beach Village BIA presents the third annual summer Music in the Park Series. The series takes place in Kew Gardens in the Alex Christie Bandshell, in the heart of The Beaches. The series has been carefully curated to feature some of the Toronto and Canada’s best performers, spanning multiple genres.
When: Every Sunday in July and August
Time: 2 pm to 4 pm
Where: Kew Gardens in the Alex Christie Bandshell
Price: Admission is free
Summer Music in the Garden
harbourfrontcentre / Instagram
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: August 4
Time: 4 pm
Where: 479 Queens Quay West
Price: Free to attend
Yoga Classes at The Bentway
What: You’ll be able to balance yourself out every week at The Bentway’s free yoga classes this summer. The weekly yoga classes are run by Tribe Fitness and go every Sunday from mid-June to the end of August. Just remember to bring your own mat!
When: Every Sunday until August 25
Time: 7 pm to 8 pm
Where: 250 Fort York Blvd.
Price: Free, but you must bring your own mat
Indonesian Street Festival
What: This month, you can immerse yourself in Indonesia’s rich culture as you enjoy an afternoon of free family-fun at Yonge-Dundas Square. Guests can look forward to Indonesian dance, food, music, martial arts, and more.
When: August 4
Time: 10 am to 6 pm
Where: Yonge-Dundas Square
Price: Admission is free
Christie Pits Film Festival
What: The film festival will be screening Sense and Sensibility this weekend, and if you’d like to stay ultra up-to-date with the movie pickings, you can keep tabs on the newsletter. As part of the Toronto Outdoor Picture Show, anticipate movies of the “Dynamic Duo” theme this year. Although all screenings are free of charge, there is a suggested donation of $10.
When: August 4
Time: Sundown
Where: Christie Pits Park, 779 Crawford Ave West
Price: Free
Monday, August 5
Yoga in the Square
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
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,” this museum is a massive reminder that no matter what you’re going through, you’re not alone. If Monday feels tough and sticky, take yourself on a date to a place where diving into the sadness might actually make you feel better.
When: Until September 8, 2019
Time: The evening kicks off at 7 pm to 10 pm
Where: Harbourfront Centre – 235 Queens Quay West
Price: FREE
Caribana Weekend
What: Now in its 52nd year, Caribana weekend will take over Toronto this August for a massive, city-wide celebration featuring Caribbean music, dance, costume, parties, and food.
When: August 1 to 4
Where: Multiple venues
Price: Varies by event
Myseum and Duke Redbird present Eagle Drum Girl
What: As part of the Wigwam Chi-Chemung installation and Indigenous learning centre at Ontario Place this summer, Myseum and Duke Redbird host the third event instalment Eagle Drum Girl this month. Inspired by the teachings of Elder Dr. Duke Redbird, Young People’s Theatre will perform staged reading excerpts from Duke’s play Eagle Drum Girl. Following the performance, Duke will lead a talk on the original spirit of engagement and treaties between Indigenous nations and the Government of Canada.
Time: 1 pm to 2:30 pm
Where: Trillium Park and William G. Davis Trail, and South Marina, Ontario Place, 955 Lake Shore Blvd. West
Price: Free to attend
OVO Fest
What: The festival takes place on August 4 and 5, with B2K, Chingy, Ying Yang Twins, Lloyd, Mario, Pretty Ricky, and Bobby V scheduled for the first day. Day 2 just features Drake right now, but as always, OVO Fest is full of surprises, so that list of artist is bound to increase during the Fest.
When: August 4 and 5
Where: Budweiser Stage
Tickets: Available online
Beach Day
Summer is in full swing, and today is a holiday! So we’ve gone ahead and lined up all the best beaches near Toronto that offer an ideal and quick escape from the city. Sure, we all know about the Toronto Island, Cherry Beach, and of course heading north to Wasaga Beach. But we’re here to tell you about 11 other beaches you can day trip to from Toronto that will blow your mind. Check out this list to learn more.
When: This holiday Monday, and the rest of the summer
Where: Beaches near Toronto
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