35 thing to do in Toronto this long weekend: October 11 to 14
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The one thing about holiday long weekends is that no matter what you have going on, you’ve still got time to relax and be productive.
If you’re stuffing your face with Thanksgiving dinner, why not stuff your schedule full of great and fun events this Friday, October 11 to Monday, October 14?
For more things to do, check out our events section.
- See also:
Friday, October 11
The Funhouse – A Haunted Experience
What: The Funhouse is taking a turn towards the paranormal. Venture through Toronto’s huge immersive art venue, featuring several new experiences and a twisted take on the art maze.
When: Now until November 2
Time: Doors open at 10 am
Where: 101 Lisgar Street
Price: $28, available online
The Band’s Visit
What: Mirvish brings the Canadian premier of The Band’s Visit, described as a beautiful and poignant story that explores the unspoken longing and connection we strive to share with each other, even as we reach across the cultural and national divides that may separates us.
When: Now until October 20
Time: Varies per performance
Where: Ed Mirvish Theatre, 244 Victoria Street
Admission: Starts at $49 and available online
Cirque du Soleil’s ALEGRIA
What: Iconic Alegría is reinterpreted in a renewed version to share its timeless story once more. The classic power struggle of old meets new is reinterpreted for today’s cultural pulse. Led by an intangible wind of change, an emerging movement strives to shake the established order, instilling hope and renewal to bring light to a world in perfect harmony. Alegría energizes the audience with a joyful spirit for a brighter and more inspiring tomorrow.
When: Now until November 24
Time: Varies per performance
Where: Under the Big Top, Ontario Place
Admission: Starts at $70 and available online
The Rocky Horror Show
What: Continuing to mark its 100th Anniversary Season, the Hart House Theatre will see this titillating romp through the return of Director Jennifer Walls, featuring showcase performances by trained, emergent talent, supported by a professional production team. The performance is sure to tempt you to dance the “Time Warp” and leave you howling, “Damn it, Janet! I love you!”
When: Now until October 12
Where: Hart House Theatre – 7 Hart House Circle, Toronto
Tickets: Available online
Legends of Horror
What: Casa Loma’s Legends of Horror is back, and is about to haunt your dreams… and days. The immersive theatrical interpretation of all of the classic horror figures will take you through a spooky, one-hour, two-kilometre self-guided walking tour that starts from the lower gardens of Casa Loma, through its terrifying tunnels and dark places never before open to the public.
When: Now until October 31
Time: Evenings from 7:30 pm to 10:30 pm
Where: Casa Loma, 1 Austin Terrace
Price: Tickets start at $40 online and $45 at the door
Halloween Haunt
What: Face your fears when darkness falls as Canada’s Wonderland is transformed from a “theme park” into a “scream park” during Halloween Haunt. Experience the thrills of your favourite rides at night and the frights awaiting you at these terrifying haunted attractions and shows.
When: Now until October 27
Time: 7 pm to 12 am
Where: Canada’s Wonderland, 1 Canada’s Wonderland Drive
Admission: Tickets start at $31.99, available online
SCREAMERS!
What: Are you ready to be scared? Then head to what is arguably is Toronto’s best haunted attraction. This year the terrifying Halloween event is celebrating its 26th year of operation. See all seven haunted walkthrough themed horror mazes featuring over 120 live scare actors, unlimited rides on the Midway of Horrors, and the new illusion act THE KILL SHOW.
When: October 11 to November 2
Time: Tuesday to Thursday, 7 to 11 pm; Friday to Saturday 7 pm to 12 am
Where: Better Dead Centre, 100 Princes’ Boulevard
Admission: $34.95, available online
Rick Ross – Port Of Miami 2 Tour
What: Rick Ross will be in Toronto to promote his new album Port Of Miami 2. Find out if the sequel is as good as the original, as each ticket comes with a free digital copy of the album. The top-selling artist is performing at the Phoenix Concert Theatre.
When: Friday, October 11
Time: 8 pm
Where: The Phoenix Concert Theatre, 410 Sherbourne St
Admission: Tickets start at $45, available online
Body Bags Motel Hell – Fear is Free Fridays
What: Enjoy a fully licensed bar along with some classic horror cinema while you’re at it. Check out the double feature of Body Bags, directed by legend John Carpenter, and Motel Hell, which features Rory Calhoun, who’s name is fun to say. No drinking games, no intros, just classic pulp horror.
When: Friday, October 11
Time: 8:45 pm
Where: Kingsway Movie Theatre & Cafe, 3030 Bloor Street W
Admission: Free
Wax Candy Disco Party
What: Playing soulful, refreshing, and uplifting Disco all night. Listen to the selection from DJ Efsharp and Cyclist at this weekly dance event. Be prepared for disco standards you already know and some deep cuts that will probably surprise you.
When: October 11, 18, and 25
Time: 10 pm to 2 am
Where: The Piston, 937 Bloor St W
Admission: Free
Sketching the Figure from Life
What: Learn the essentials for drawing a living subject. Each participant will receive one-on-one attention from an instructor who teaches year-round. Whether you are an award-winning experienced artist or have never painted before, you can learn at this event.
When: October 11 to 13
Time: 10 am to 4 pm
Where: Academy of Realist Art, 2968 Dundas St W
Admission: Full workshop price $350, $100 deposit required to save easel or bench
Night Owl Festival 2019
What: Since 2015, Night Owl Festival has been celebrating psych, garage, and experimental music in venues across Toronto. With past headliners such as Ty Segall, Shannon & The Clams, and Allah-Las, the four-day music extravaganza continues to grow by offering the best local and international talent the vast world of psychedelia has to offer.
When: October 11 to 14
Where: Venues throughout the city
Admission: Festival pass, $80, available online
Toronto Wizard Inspired Beer, Cider, and Cocktail Festival
What: Step into a world of mischief and debauchery. Enjoy tastings of local craft brews and delicious ciders while indulging in specialty themed alcoholic Butter(scotch) Beer. Stop on by the Professor Snakes lounge for a Poljuice potion and Liquid Luck shots. Visit Cobblestone alley to pick your wand (have it choose you) and take photos with real-life characters. Costumes are encouraged!
When: Friday, October 11
Time: 6 to 9 pm
Where: 2301 Keele St
Admission: $49
Big Smoke Burlesque: Guilty Pleasures!
What: October is an extra special time for guilty pleasures, time to fill it with burlesque, boylesque, stripping clowns, and drag. Treat yourself to an alluring evening while experiencing all the glamour, mystique and magic of Toronto’s premiere burlesque show. Dressing up on theme is always encouraged and there are prizes for best costume.
When: Friday, October 11
Time: 8:30 pm
Where: 3030 Dundas St. W
Admission: $10 to $60, available online
Saturday, October 12
Toronto Pumpkinfest
Toronto Pumpkin Fest / Facebook
What: If you’re looking for something fun to do Thanksgiving weekend, head to the Toronto Pumpkinfest for some seasonal good times. Experience this family event over three days with great food, vendors, entertainment, and loads of pumpkins. Guests are welcomed to enjoy all things autumn.
When: October 12 to 14
Time: 10 am to 6 pm
Where: Downsview Park, 35 Carl Hall Drive
Admission: Free
Drunken Cinema: Scream 2
What: In the ultimate movie drinking game, Drunken Cinema invites you to come watch a classic horror movie while watching out for your reason to drink. Every ticket enters attendees into a raffle for awesome prizes. This month’s feature is the 1997 horror hit Scream 2.
When: Saturday, October 12
Time: 9:30 pm
Where: Revue Cinema, 400 Roncesvalles Ave
Admission: $15, available online
Civil Disobedience: A Solo Exhibit
What: Civil Disobedience is a solo art exhibition by Toronto-based visual artist S. Miller. It showcases his project “Thou$and’s” artwork, merchandise, DIY collages, cash bar, food, and even a clothes donation drop off for Kennedy House Youth Shelter. The music will be provided by DJ Barz and DJ Kazeen Kuteyi.
When: Saturday, October 12
Time: 6 to 11 pm
Where: 68 Claremont St
Admission: $10, available online
Toronto Flower Market
What: There will be 18 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: Saturday, October 12
Time: 10 am to 3 pm
Where: CAMH, 1001 Queen Street West
Admission: Free
Devilish Desires – Oddity & Horror Expo
What: Enjoy a museum of oddities, including ancient relics, deformed animals, and other terrifying treasures — provided by the Prehistoria Natural History Centre. All that along with circus performers, a misfortune teller, and more. Get weird this weekend.
When: Saturday, October 12
Time: 11 am to 7 pm
Where: Poveiros Community Centre, 337 Symington Ave
Admission: $5
Quavo concert
What: QUAVO! The superstar one-third of the Migos is appearing at Rebel this weekend as part of the venue’s third anniversary party. See the rap star in action at this one of a kind event. It’s worth being thankful for.
When: Saturday, October 12
Time: 10 pm
Where: Rebel, 11 Polson St
Admission: $27, available online
Todd and The Book of Pure Evil w/ metal after party
What: See the animated conclusion to the live-action Todd and The Book Of Pure Evil series. The movie includes a live metal concert afterparty to follow with performances from Black Eve and Hounskull.
When: Saturday, October 12
Time: 8:30 pm
Where: The Grand Gerrard, 1035 Gerrard St. E
Admission: $8.50, available online
Evergreen Brickworks Saturday Market
Shutterstock
What: The Evergreen Brick Works’ Saturday Farmers’ Market is the largest farmers’ market in Toronto. Come and enjoy good food from local farmers, food producers, and chefs.
When: October 12, 19, and 26
Time: 8 am to 1 pm
Where: Evergreen Brick Works, 550 Bayview
Admission: Free
Sunday, October 13
Die Hard Dracula
What: It’s almost Halloween, and that means Handlebar has dug up the worst genre film they could find. Get ready for Die Hard Dracula because it is a lot. It’s the tale of an American student who loses his girlfriend in a tragic waterskiing accident, who then travels to a village in Eastern Europe where he meets her doppelganger, and also Count Dracula. Enjoy something so bad it’s good while having a few brews.
When: Sunday, October 13
Time: 7:30 pm
Where: Handlebar, 159 Augusta Ave
Admission: Free
VegHeads market
What: VegHeads market’s goal is to support a lifestyle that helps lead to a more sustainable planet. See the showcase of talents within the plant-based community of Toronto and come hungry for delicious food, learn to maintain a fit body, and shop ethically-sourced wearable products.
When: Sunday, October 13
Time: 11 am to 6 pm
Where: Artscape Wychwood Barns, 601 Christie St
Admission: Free
Sunday Stand Up Spotlight
What: Canadian Comedy Spotlight is a celebration of some wonderful Canadian stand-up talent during a fun and lighthearted show this Thanksgiving Sunday. Come celebrate the long weekend with a night of laughs at Comedy Bar.
When: Sunday, October 13
Time: 9:30 pm
Where: Comedy Bar, 945 Bloor Street W
Admission: $12
A Ginger Snaps Thanksgiving with Free Pumpkin Pie
What: What’s better than a staple indie, 2000s werewolf flick that’s actually an allegory for female maturation? All that served with a slice of free pumpkin pie! See the female-led movie that took an incredibly original look at the entire werewolf theme.
When: Sunday, October 13
Time: 8 pm
Where: The Grand Gerrard, 1035 Gerrard St. E
Admission: $9
Black Coffee
What: Appearing on the Rebel Mainstage is Black Coffee. See the iconic South African DJ live as he plays his unique blend of electronic and musical styles.
When: Sunday, October 13
Time: 10 pm
Where: Rebel, 11 Polson St
Admission: Tickets start at $48, available online
Alternate Forest
What: This immersive experience will take you from deep forests to distant galaxies as you travel through vast interconnected root systems. It’s a multi-sensory performance that combines music, dance, and visual projections to highlight the importance of the world’s forests as well as the life forms that inhabit it to bring awareness to the negative effects of deforestation.
When: Sunday, October 13
Time: 1:30 to 4 pm
Where: The Array Space, 155 Walnut Ave
Admission: $15
Monday, October 14
Charli XCX
What: See the Cambridge-born British pop sensation live at Rebel this fall. An artist who got her start singing at raves and warehouse parties, the songstress is bringing her unique brand of pop to Toronto.
When: Monday, October 14
Time: 7 pm
Where: Rebel, 11 Polson St
Admission: Tickets start at $66, available online
Brewer’s Backyard Torontoberfest
What: Torontoberfest will feature a dynamite lineup of Ontario craft brewers to close out the 2019 season with an awesome Oktoberfest-themed celebration. Try brews from Anderson Craft Ales, Big Rock, Collective Arts, Great Lakes Brewery, Left Field Brewery, Muddy York, People’s Pint, and more.
When: Monday, October 14
Time: 11 am to 5 pm
Where: Evergreen Brick Works, 550 Bayview Avenue
Admission: Free
Boards & Beers Game Night
What: Play all the games and drink all the beers, at this awesome social gaming event. They bring the games and the rules, you just come ready to have fun and meet some new people.
When: Monday, October 14
Time: 7 pm
Where: Dominion Pub & Kitchen, 500 Queen St. E
Admission: $5, available online
Carrie Underwood: The Cry Pretty Tour 360
What: Pop-country music songbird and terrifying jilted lover Carrie Underwood will be in Toronto this Sunday. See her latest song and best-known hits as she hits the city on The Cry Pretty Tour.
When: Monday, October 14
Time: 7 pm
Where: Scotiabank Arena, 40 Bay St
Admission: Tickets start at $79, available online
HaroldFest
What: It might sound like it was named after your grandfather, but HaroldFest is a collection of some of the funniest improv acts from around the city and country. The seven-day festival is taking place throughout the city.
When: October 14 to 20
Time: 8 pm
Where: Multiple venues
Admission: Varies on event, available online
Once Were Brothers: Robbie Robertson and The Band
What: Directed by Daniel Roher (Ghosts of Our Forest) and executive produced by Martin Scorsese, Brian Grazer, and Ron Howard, this feature documentary follows Robertson from his early life in Toronto and on the Six Nations of the Grand River reserve, in Southern Ontario, to the creation of legendary roots-rock group The Band.
When: Monday, October 14
Time: 12 pm
Where: Hot Docs Ted Rogers Cinema, 506 Bloor Street W
Admission: $11.50, available online
Thanksgiving & Full Moon Afterparty Marathon
What: It’s a 12-hour party marathon. The all night (and all day) dance part takes place in the multi-level venue 120. Seven local DJs will keep the music going the entire time.
When: Monday, October 14
Time: 4 am to 4 pm
Where: 120 Church St
Admission: $20
