25 things to do in Toronto this long weekend: May 17 to 20

May 17 2019, 12:48 am

The long weekend is here, Toronto!

And in case you’re not spending the weekend at a cottage in Muskoka, we’ve got plenty of events you can check out in the city.

From food and beer festivals to live music and fireworks, these are the 25 can’t-miss events happening all weekend long.

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Friday, May 17

Rib Fest

Ribs/Shutterstock

What: Ribs, BBQ chicken, burgers, blooming onions, funnel cakes, and more! This four-day Rib Fest takes place in the heart of downtown and Yonge-Dundas Square.

When: On now until May 19
Time: Friday and Saturday, 10 am to 11 pm; Sunday, 10 am to 9 pm
Where: Yonge-Dundas Square
Price: Admission is free

CONTACT Photography Festival

What: Back for another year is the Scotiabank CONTACT Photography Festival, the largest annual photography event in the world, which showcases works from hundreds of photographers at locations all over the city.

When: On now until May 31
Time: All day
Where: Venues throughout the city
Price: Free

HideSeek pop-up Toronto

What: You can awaken your inner child at Toronto’s brand new and unforgettable pop-up, HideSeek this spring. Occupying a 7,000-sq-ft vacant retail space in the Dundas West neighbourhood, the pop-up invites you to escape reality and relive the days of childhood. Explore multi-sensory elements throughout the space and marvel at epic floor-to-ceiling installations.

When: On now until June 2
Time: Thursday and Friday, 12 pm to 10 pm; Saturday and Sunday, 10 am to 10 pm
Where: Dundas West neighbourhood — 1305 Dundas Street West
Price: $25 (plus taxes and service fees) — Tickets available online

Ai Weiwei: Unbroken

What: Ai Weiwei, one of the world’s most influential living artists and human rights activists, is bringing a collection of his ceramic works to Toronto’s Gardiner Museum. Called Unbroken, the exhibit will present an array of Ai’s ceramic works while highlighting “urgent global issues.”

When: On now until June 9
Time: 10 am to 5 pm
Where: Gardiner Museum, 111 Queens Park
Admission: $15 for adults

Anthony Ricciardi DREAM SPACE Exhibit

What: DREAM SPACE is a 2,500-sq-ft immersive pop-up museum featuring Ricciardi’s original canvas work and sculpture series. The gallery acts as an entry point to a “secret and hidden” pop-up experience filled with 15 large-scale interactive installations and multi-sensory immersive spaces inspired by Ricciardi’s creations, including a pool of gold coins. Visitors will also have the chance to take one of Ricciardi’s pieces home with prices starting at $100, up to $7,000.

When: Open now until July
Time: Mall hours vary by day
Where: Yorkdale Mall. 3401 Dufferin Street
Admission: Admission to the gallery is free with a $15 admission fee to access the pop-up art installation and immersive space

Free Toronto Raptors Tailgate Party

police presence

Toronto Raptors/Twitter

What: Our Toronto Raptors are facing the Milwaukee Bucks this evening as part of the NBA Playoffs for Game 2. And in case you can’t snag a ticket, there will be a FREE Raptors tailgate party happening in Maple Leaf Square tonight.

When: May 17
Time: Gates open at 5 pm
Where: Scotiabank Arena, 40 Bay Street
Admission: Free to attend

ROM Friday Night Live

What: Spend your Friday night on the ROM’s dance floor with top DJs and live artists, or explore museum’s stunning galleries with tasty food and drinks. This edition of Friday Night Live is called #FNLROM: Namaste features FREE access to the museum’s new special exhibition Treasures of a Desert Kingdom: The Royal Arts of Jodhpur, India.

When: May 17
Time: 7 pm to 11:30 pm
Where: Royal Ontario Museum, 100 Queen’s Park
Price: $19.21

Alessia Cara: The Pains of Growing Tour

What: Grammy Award Winning Canadian singer/songwriter and Brampton-native Alessia Cara is performing in Toronto Friday evening as part of her The Pains of Growing tour.

When: May 17
Time: 7:30 pm
Where: Sony Centre for Performing Arts, 1 Front Street East
Price: From $48

Saturday, May 18

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: May 18
Time: 9 am to 1 pm
Where: 550 Bayview Avenue
Price: Admission is free

Artfest

What: You can enjoy painting, photography, sculpture, fine craft, live music, and more from Canada’s top artist set up throughout the cobblestone lanes of the historic Distillery District this long weekend.

When: May 18 to 20
Time: 11 am to 6 pm daily
Where: The Distillery Historic District, 55 Mill Street
Price: Admission is free

Spring Beerfest TO

Spring Beerfest TO

Spring Beerfest TO

What: Spring Beerfest TO is set to serve up cold beers, delicious eats, and cottage vibes in Toronto for the May long weekend. Tickets are on sale now for the boozy festival, poised to welcome the warmth of summer evenings.

When: May 18 and 19
Time: Kicks off at noon
Where: Fort York: Garrison Common, 100 Garrison Road, Toronto
Price: $24, tickets available online

Bacardi Presents Sean Paul at REBEL Nightclub

What: Are you ready to ‘Get Busy?’ Sean Paul is hosting (and performing) at Revolution Saturdays at Rebel Nightclub this Saturday evening.

When: May 18
Time: 
10 pm to 3 am
Where: 11 Polson Street, REBEL
Price: $20

Sunday, May 19

Black Owned Food Market

What: The Black Owned Food Market will feature amazing afro-Caribbean cuisine, refreshing beverages by black-owned businesses. Come enjoy music, culture and great eats. Donations will go towards funding business development programs to support black youth entrepreneurs.

When: May 19
Time: 12 pm to 8 pm
Where: Artscape Wychwood Barns, 601 Christie Street
Price: Free admission

Ultimate Summer BBQ Series

What: The Broadview Hotel, together with Eastbound Brewery Co., is offering the ultimate Summer BBQ Series experience in the industrial-inspired space of Lincoln Hall + Terrace. $25 get you an all-you-can-eat pass and a beer from Eastbound Brewing Co. Additional beers are only $5.

When: May 19
Time: 2 pm to 7 pm
Where: The Broadview Hotel, 106 Broadview Avenue
Price: $25

Electric Island

What: Electric Island returns for its seventh annual year with a fresh lineup of local and international DJs. This year, the fun returns to Toronto Island and will be kicking off the new season over May Long weekend.

When: May 19
Time: 2 pm to 11 pm
Where: Hanlan’s Point
Price: $49.99

Sunnyside 21 – Episode 01 with Move D

Sunnyside 21/Facebook

What: This Sunday, celebrate the 21st season of summer music and events at Sunnyside Pavilion. Come and enjoy an evening filled with good music, people and vibes.

When: May 19
Time: 
4:30 pm to 11 pm
Where: Sunnyside Pavilion, 1755 Lake Shore Boulevard West
Price: $30

Free Toronto Raptors Tailgate Party

What: Our Toronto Raptors are facing the Milwaukee Bucks this evening as part of the NBA Playoffs for Game 3. And in case you can’t snag a ticket, there will be a FREE Raptors tailgate party happening in Maple Leaf Square tonight.

When: May 19
Time: Gates open at 5 pm
Where: Scotiabank Arena, 40 Bay Street
Admission: Free to attend

Fireworks at Canada’s Wonderland

What: Celebrate Victoria Day weekend with rides and the best fireworks in the region. Each fireworks show at Canada’s Wonderland has a unique design with an original soundtrack and thousands of colourful explosions, you won’t want to miss it.

When: May 19
Time: 10 pm
Where: Canada’s Wonderland
Price: Included in admission

Monday, May 20

Brewer’s Backyard

What: Celebrate Victoria Day with a few frosty brews. The line-up of breweries includes Common Good Beer Co., Eastbound Brewing Company, Left Field Brewery, Louis Cifer Brewworks, Muddy York Brewing, Radical Road Brewing, Rorschach Brewing Co., and Saulter Street Brewery.  And on the food front, guests can look forward to 6ix Grillers, Heirloom, FeasTO, Fidel Gastro, Food Dudes and the Pop Stand.

When: May 20
Time: 11 am to 5 pm
Where: Evergreen Brick Works, 550 Bayview Avenue, Toronto
Price: Admission is free

ROM 3rd Monday Nights Free

What: On 3rd Monday Nights Free, ROM guests will be able to explore the museum’s galleries and collections, free of charge. With complimentary access and extended hours, visitors are invited to explore art, culture, and nature in the museum’s 40 permanent galleries.

When: May 20
Time: 5:30 pm to 8:30 pm
Where: Royal Ontario Museum, 100 Queens Park
Price: Free to attend

Collision 2019

calgary startups

Collision Conference (collisionconf / Instagram)

What: Now in its sixth year, Collision was created by the team behind Web Summit, the world’s largest tech event. Collision attracts CEOs of the world’s largest companies, founders of exciting startups, leading investors, and media from more than 120 countries.

When: May 20 to 23
Time: Events throughout the day
Where: Enercare Centre, 100 Princes’ Blvd.
Price: Tickets from $695

ROM 3rd Monday Nights Free

What: On 3rd Monday Nights Free, ROM guests will be able to explore the museum’s galleries and collections, free of charge. With complimentary access and extended hours, visitors are invited to explore art, culture, and nature in the museum’s 40 permanent galleries.

When: May 20
Time: 5:30 pm to 8:30 pm
Where: Royal Ontario Museum, 100 Queens Park
Price: Free to attend

The Strokes at Budweiser Stage

What: This Monday, Budweiser Stage will kick off another summer of music and events with a performance by The Strokes. This will mark their first Toronto performance in over a decade. Celebrating its 25th Anniversary, the stage’s “Opening Night” will feature the only Canadian performance by this critically acclaimed musicians.

When: May 20
Time: 7 pm
Where: Budweiser Stage, Toronto
Price: From $77

Snoop Dogg at Rebel

What: You can wrap-up your long weekend with a special performance from the one and only Snoop Dogg at Rebel this evening.

When: May 20
Time: 8 pm
Where: 11 Polson Street, Rebel Nightclub
Price: From $95

Fireworks at Ashbridges Bay Park

What: Local favourite spot Ashbridges Bay returns with its annual display of lights. Boasted as “Toronto’s only Victoria Day fireworks” the show will last 14 minutes. Be sure to take transit.

When: May 20
Time: 9:45 pm
Where: Ashbridges Bay Park
Price: Free

Ainsley SmithAinsley Smith

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