26 Toronto events worth checking out this weekend: July 26 to 28
It’s the final weekend of the month, so you’re going to want to make it count.
Whether you’re in the mood to check out a food or drink festival or maybe you want to embrace a new culture, there’s plenty of awesome events happening throughout the city this weekend.
See also:
- Here’s where you can get cereal milkshakes in Toronto this week
- Nathan Phillips Square will turn into an Indigenous cultural space this weekend
- Toronto is welcoming a huge multi-day Festival of Beer this weekend
Friday, July 26
Jam Cereal x Convenience

Jam Cereal / Instagram
What: If you’re one with a sweet tooth and a soft spot for nostalgia, this upcoming pop-up was made for you. Jam Cereal is set to arrive at Convenience this weekend, and they’re bringing mouthwatering cereal milkshakes along for the ride.
When: On now until July 28
Time: Friday and Saturday, 2 pm to 10 pm; Sunday, noon to 8 pm
Where: Convenience – 1184 Queen Street West
Bar Aperol
What: Bar Aperol will be selling Aperol Spritz’s and serving alongside an Italian aperitivo food menu by the Cheese Boutique, and coffee and espresso by Lavazza. Those looking to enjoy an aperitif but don’t want to consume alcohol, Crodino, the Italian non-alcoholic aperitif will be available.
When: Open for the month of July, four days a week (Thursday to Sunday)
Time: Thursdays and Fridays, 4 pm to 11 pm; Saturdays and Sundays, 2 pm to 10 pm
Where: 1030Queen Street West
Price: Admission is free
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 now 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
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
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
HBC Stripespotting Tour: Harbourfront Centre
What: Hudson’s Bay is hitting the road to bring their latest collab with the ultimate summer-loving brand, Sunnylife to the lake this weekend. Taking place at Woodbine Beach, NARS Cosmetics is along for the ride providing beauty touch-ups before a #stripespotting selfie. The event is open to the public and attendees will receive a $20 savings card on purchases $100 or more before taxes from June 28 to August 30, 2019.
When: July 26 to 28
Time: 10 am to 8 pm
Where: Harbourfront Centre, 235 Queens Quay West
Price: Free to attend
Toronto’s Festival of Beer
What: Hosted by the Beer Store, Toronto’s Festival of Beer is home to over 60 brewers featuring more than 300 brands from all over the world. Also to enjoy is quality live music that includes acts like Ja Rule and Ashanti.
When: July 26 to 28
Where: Bandshell Park Exhibition Place, 200 Princes’ Blvd
Tickets: Available online here
Richmond Hill Ribfest

Ribs/Shutterstock
What: Admission is free to this three-day outdoor event that features pro rib teams cooking and competing for various “Best” titles. Joining the fun, look forward to live entertainment, a marketplace, beer garden, and midway.
When: July 26 to 28
Time: Friday, 12 pm to 11 pm; Saturday, 11 am to 11 pm; Sunday, 11 am to 8 pm
Where: Richmond Green Sports Centre and Park
Price: Admission is free
Michael Bublé Love Tour: Toronto
What: It’s a beautiful day as Canadian crooner and 12-time JUNO Award winner, Michael Bublé is coming Home to Canada and stopping in Toronto this week as part of his 2019 Canadian tour. Last August, Bublé returned to the stage after a lengthy absence and the singer is thrilled to return to his Canadian roots and to perform in the Big Smoke, as part of his 11-city cross-country tour.
When: July 26
Time: Doors open at 7 pm, concert begins at 8 pm
Where: Scotiabank Arena, 40 Bay Street
Price: Tickets from $143 online
The Growlers in Toronto
What: The Growlers, LA’s favourite garage-psych weirdos are bringing their travelling party to the Danforth Music Hall this Friday. From their first LP Are You In or Out? (2009) to their latest LP Casual Acquaintances (2018), The Growlers have forged their own twisted path on the global music scene.
When: July 26
Time: 7 pm
Where: Danforth Music Hall
Price: From $48
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
Beam Me Up Disco!

Haley Lawrence/Unsplash
What: A jam that celebrates the underrated and the obscure of funk, jazz, soul, boogie, proto-house, and more, supplied by the Patchouli Brothers and Cyclist every Friday night this month.
When: July 26
Time: 10 pm
Where: The Drake Hotel, 1150 Queen Street West
Price $10
Saturday, July 27
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 during summer
Time: 8 am to 1 pm
Where: 550 Bayview Avenue
Price: Admission is free
OssFest
What: The fourth-annual OssFest returns to Toronto this summer. Head to Ossington Street, anywhere between Dundas Street West and Queen Street West, on July 27 for an afternoon of fun in the sun. OssFest will have music and entertainment programming all day and into the evening with over 20 patios open until 1 am.
When: July 27
Time: 8:45 am to 11 pm
Where: Ossington Avenue (between Dundas Street West and Queen Street West)
Price: Free to attend
Mimicosa Brunch Event
What: Mimosas meet Mimico at ‘Mimicosa’, Scaddabush Mimico’s weekend brunch event. Guests are invited to pull up a chair and enjoy sweet and savoury brunch favourites made from scratch, live music, and delicious mimosas all weekend long. Guest can also enjoy Mimicosa’s drink specials including $5 mimosas or build your own with a bottle of bubbly paired with fresh juices and fruit.
When: July 27 and 28
Time: 10 am to 3 pm
Where: Scaddabush Mimico, 122 Marine Parade Drive
Price: Pay for what you order
Kensington Market Flea

kensingtonflea/Instagram
What: This Saturday, the weekly Kensington Market Flea returns. 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
The Rosé Picnic hosted by FIJI Water
What: For one day only, you can enjoy #roseallday at the sleek, luxurious Hotel X Toronto, which will be filled with blankets, flowing rosé, and some of the best food in the city. Hosted by FIJI Water, the Rosé Picnic has parented with celebrity Toronto chef Mark McEwan, so you’ll have baskets of delicious food to choose from.
When: July 27
Where: Stanley Barracks at Hotel X Toronto, 111 Princes’ Blvd.
Price: Tickets from $30 to $5,000 available online
Jazz it Up in Kew
What: You can enjoy two free days of incredible jazz music and festivities in one of Toronto’s most well-known botanical parks, Kew Gardens, this weekend. Building on the event’s inaugural year in 2018, this year’s installment of Jazz it Up in Kew aims to support local business and artists by offering a peaceful summer backdrop in which locals and visitors can spend time with family and loved ones in the park and, of course, enjoy top-class jazz music.
When: July 27 and 28
Time: 12 pm to 5 pm
Where: Kew Gardens
Price: Free to attend
Taste of the Middle East Food Festival 2019
What: With spit-roasted shawarma, grilled halloumi, sticky baklava, and more on the roster, this upcoming food fest bills itself as a chance to sample “the 1,001 flavours Middle Eastern culture has to offer.” Toronto’s Taste of the Middle East Food Festival is set to take over Yonge-Dundas square this Saturday, and it’s going to be good.
When: July 27
Where: Yonge-Dundas Square
Price: Admission is free
Sunday, July 28
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
Kensington Market Pedestrian Sunday
What: The 16th season of Pedestrian Sundays brings back one awesome way to spend your Sundays this over the coming months. Performers, musicians, artists, and shopping, basically an awesome Sunday Funday.
When: July 28
Time: 12 pm to 7 pm
Where: Kensington Market
Price: Free
Momo Crawl TO
What: The annual one-day event is promoted through the sale of a passport and entitles participants to 10 meat or veg momos from local Tibetan and Nepalese restaurants in the neighbourhood.
Time: 1 pm to 5 pm
Where: Participating restaurants in Parkdale
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: July 28
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