21 things to do in Toronto this weekend: February 8 to 10

Feb 6 2019, 1:44 am

Don’t let the cold weather keep you from enjoying the city this weekend, especially because there are so many fun events happening all over Toronto.

From a craft beer festival to a frozen ice festival in Yorkville, here are 21 awesome events happening in Toronto this weekend.

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Friday, February 8

The Drake Hotel’s 15th Birthday

The Drake Hotel

The Drake Hotel/Flickr

What: The Drake Hotel is throwing an epic 15th birthday party and Toronto is invited. The four-day extravaganza kicks off the on the 7th with the grand reopening of Drake Underground featuring multiple musical performances, brand new art and a dance party ’til late.

When: Now until  February 10
Time: Times vary by day
Where: Drake Hotel, 1150 Queen Street West
Price: Daily events vary in price

Progress Festival

What: Progress is an international festival of performance and ideas, with shows ranging from theatre to dance to music. The festival is co-presented by the SummerWorks Festival and the Theatre Centre and it brings groundbreaking work from around the world to Toronto for three weeks.

When: Now until February 17
Time: Varies by day
Where: Theatre Centre, 1115 Queen Street West
Price: Single tickets are $25

Ice Breakers

What: Now in its third year, temporary winter art exhibit Ice Breakers is returning to Toronto’s waterfront. Organized by Winter Stations and The Waterfront Business Improvement Area (WBIA), Ice Breakers will provide the city with five temporary wintertime art installations that are 100% free to the public.

When: Now until February 24
Time: All day
Where: Queens Quay from Harbourfront Centre to the Toronto Music Garden
Price: Free to the public

Rose: A New Musical

What: From Sarah Wilson and Mike Ross, co-creator of Spoon River, comes an inspiring and joyful musical about acceptance, love, and finding your own path, even when that path isn’t what you thought it would be.

When: Now until February 24
Time: Showtimes vary by day
Where: Soulpepper Theatre, Young Centre for the Performing Arts, 50 Tank House Lane
Price: From $36

Toronto Light Fest

Toronto Light Festival 2019

What: For the third year in a row, the historic Distillery District will be home to the Toronto Light Fest this winter. Designed to entertain and inspire, the free to attend light festival will feature curated light installations and illuminated sculptures created by a number of local and international artists.

When: Now until March 3
Time: After sunset
Where: Distillery District
Price: Free

Winter at Ontario Place

What: Following last year’s successful inaugural winter program, Ontario Place will once again come alive this winter season. Running from now to March 17, the West Island of Ontario Place will be home to the Winter Light Exhibition, free public skating and community bonfires. This year, visitors can also look forward to a series of DJ nights at the iconic waterfront venue and a range of beloved films at Cinesphere.

When: Now until March 17
Time: 6 pm to 12 am
Where: 955 Lake Shore Blvd. West
Price: Free to attend

The 7

What: Come and check out The 7 this weekend, a new pop-up that features eight unique, picture-perfect rooms. The concept is to help Torontonians beat the winter blues with fun out-of-the-box and Instagrammable rooms full of colour, art and 3D visuals.

When: Open now until the end of winter
Time: Monday to Friday, 10 am to 9:30 pm; Saturday, 9:30 am to 9:30 pm; Sunday, 10 am to 7 pm
Where: Seventh floor Hudson’s Bay, 176 Yonge Street
Price: Free to the public

L’heure de l’apéro

What: If you want to cultivate some wine knowledge, chat about the world of vino, and learn a few classic dishes to pair with your glass, this is the evening for you. Sample whites and reds, from light to full-bodied, and enjoy some surprises too.

When: February 8
Time: 6:30 to 9:30 pm
Where: 93 Front Street East
Price: $120

Image: Titanic

What: A 17-year-old aristocrat falls in love with a kind but poor artist aboard the luxurious, ill-fated RMS Titanic. You can catch this heartbreaking story on the big screen at Cinesphere this weekend.

When: February 8 to 10
Time: 7:30 pm
Where: Ontario Place, 955 Lake Shore Blvd.
Price: $15

Cosmic Gate

What: Toronto, if you’re in the mood to dance, legendary German trance duo Cosmic Gate are performing at Rebel as part of their Forward Ever Backward Never Tour.

When: February 8
Time: 10 pm to 3 am
Where: Rebel, 11 Polson Street
Price: From $45.96

Saturday, February 9

Self-Love Yoga and Brunch

What: What better way to celebrate the month of love than with an act of self-love? This yoga and brunch experience is the ultimate gift to yourself. Kombucha, a gentle yoga practice, a neck massage, teas, brunch, a flea market and a goodie bag filled with goodies valued over $100? This is the ultimate way to celebrate you.

When: February 9
Time: 9 am to 11 am
Where: 91 Parliament Street
Price: $35

Sausage Making 101

What: Grind, season and stuff your own hand-made sausages while learning the stories behind your favourite craft beers at People’s Pint, one of the city’s newest craft breweries. You’ll learn how to make wieners at home, and walk out walk out with a pound of fresh sausage to grill up yourself.

When: February 9
Time: 11 am to 1 pm
Where: People’s Pint Brewing Company – 90 Cawthra Avenue
Price: $75

Icefest 2019

icefest

Bloor-Yorkville Icefest

What: Toronto’s historic Yorkville neighbourhood will be transformed into a showcase of delicate, stunning ice sculptures using over 70,000 lbs of crystal clear ice over February 9 and 10. This year’s theme is Hollywood North, turning Yorkville into a magical display of magnificent sculptures inspired by the success of the film industry in Toronto and Yorkville.

When: February 9 and 10
Time: 12 pm to 8 pm
Where: Cumberland Street and Bellair Street
Price: No admission cost

Wave

What: You can enjoy an afternoon of music by exhibiting artists Carson Teal and Xuan Ye, and performers Korea Town Acid and Oscar Chiu performed within the landscape of Soft Refraction.

When: February 9
Time: 2 pm to 4 pm
Where: Xpace Cultural Centre, 303 Lansdowne Avenue, #Unit 2
Price: Free to attend

Lady Beer Fest Winter Warm-Up

What: Society of Beer Drinking Ladies is turning five years old and it’s celebrating with two epic parties. Guests can look forward to Ontario craft beer and cider, women-owned food vendors, women’s Artisan Market, performances curated by Girl Gang Cabarets and Firecracker Comedy Project and much more.

When: February 9
Time: Session 1, 2 pm to 6 pm; session 2, 7 pm to 11 pm
Where: Henderson Brewery Parking Lot, 128A Sterling Avenue
Price: $20 to $85

Après Skate Saturdays

What: If you’re in the mood for ice skating, head to the Bentway where skaters over 19 can enjoy complimentary samples of Kahlúa with coffee or hot chocolate on Saturday evenings from 5 pm to 9 pm. Après Skate Saturdays run every Saturday until February 16.

When: February 9
Time: 5 pm to 9 pm
Where: The Bentway, 250 Fort York Blvd.
Price: Complimentary samples, but skate rentals are available on-site for $10

Dragon Ball 2019

@yeehongfoundation/Instagram

What: The tradition continues! The Yee Hong Community Wellness Foundation’s annual benefit gala returns to celebrate Chinese New Year. Guests can look forward to a variety of exquisite cuisines in addition to a four-course dinner and silent and live auctions.

When: February 9
Time: 5:30 pm
Where: Allstream Centre, Exhibition Place, 105 Princes’ Blvd.
Price: Tickets start at $480

DJ Skate Nights

What: You can sharpen your skates and skills at Toronto’s number one outdoor winter party. Each weekend you can expect a different DJ who will be spinning the hottest tracks. The best part? This skating party is totally free.

When: February 9
Time: 8 pm to 11 pm
Where: Harbourfront Centre, 235 Queens Quay West
Price: Skating is free

Sunday, February 10

GH Marketplace: Objects of Desire

What: This one-day art market features a carefully selected group of artists at the intersections of art, design, craft, and fashion who create functional objects within their practice.

When: February 10
Time: 10 am to 4 pm
Where: The Gladstone Hotel, 1214 Queen Street West
Price: Admission is free

Toronto Art Crawl Urban Exhibit

What: Don’t let the winter blues get the best of you this weekend. There’s nothing like a creative and colourful art show and sale to help inspire and enlighten the mood. From fashion, jewellery, home decor, vintage, photography and more, you can shop directly from the hands of 50+ amazing local artists and designers.

When: February 10
Time: 11 am to 5 pm
Where: The Great Hall, 1087 Queen Street West
Price: $5 to $8

Galentine’s Day Showcase

Galentine’s Day Comedy Bar

What: Named after the beloved episodes of NBC’s Parks & Recreation, come out and celebrate Galentine’s Day at Comedy Bar with a lineup of stand out female stand-ups.

When: February 10
Time: 7 pm to 8:30 pm
Where: Comedy Bar, 945 Bloor Street West
Price: $15

Ainsley SmithAinsley Smith

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