30 things to do in Toronto this long weekend: October 5 to 8

We’ve made it through the first week of October!

And if you feel like you haven’t really had the chance to get outside and explore the city this week, you’re in luck because there are plenty of events and activities happening throughout the city this long weekend.

From Thanksgiving brunch cruises to spooky Halloween-themed events, here are the top events happening in the city this weekend.

Friday, October 5

Fall for Dance North

What: FFDN, Toronto’s premier international dance festival, is happening in Toronto this week, showcasing 12 works from 11 companies across three distinct programmes. Some of the events to look forward to includes Soweto Skeleton Movers, Red Sky Performance, and the National Ballet of Canada.

When: Now until October 6
Time: Varies by day
Where: Various venues
Price: $15

Designer Winter Parka Sale

What: There’s a massive winter parka sale happening near Toronto this weekend and will feature over 3000 designer winter jackets at up to 50% off. Shoppers can shop from designers like Canada Goose, Mackage, Oarajumpers, Soia & Kyo, Rudsak, and many more.

When: Now until October 7
Time: Friday, 11 am to 12 am; Saturday, 11 am to 10 pm; Sunday, 11 am to 8 pm
Where: Le Parc Dining & Banquet Ltd, 8432 Leslie Street
Price: Open to the public, no tickets required

The Disruptors by Samuel Adams

What: This pop-up shop features four innovative Canadian small businesses, each of which were hand-selected by the beer company for breaking the mould and carving new paths, just like Jim Koch did in 1984 when he created Samuel Adams Boston Lager. Retailers include Loch, Xpand Laces, Soft Focus, and 8.1.2.

When: Now until October 14
Time: Friday, 12 pm to 9 pm; Saturday, 11 am to 9 pm; Sunday, 11 am to 6 pm 
Where: 324 Queen Street West
Price: Entry is free

World Press Photo Exhibit

What: Come and experience this incredible global exhibition presenting the best visual journalism of the past year. Here you’ll find the most compelling photos in stunning high-quality Canon prints.

When: Now until October 23
Time: 9 am to 9 pm
Where: Brookfield Place, Allen Lambert Galleria, 181 Bay Street
Price: Admission into the exhibit is free

14th Annual Art Walk

What: Over 50 businesses will feature the works of local artists. Works will be displayed in storefront windows and establishments along Yonge Street between Lawrence Avenue and Yonge Boulevard. The public will then be invited to vote for the “People’s Choice Award” for Best Merchant Display.

When: Now until October 24
Time: Runs all day
Where: Along Yonge Street between Lawrence Avenue
Price: Free

Halloween Haunt

What: Canada’s Wonderland is transforming from theme park to scream park during its annual Halloween Haunt, which kicks off for its 14th season this Saturday. Experience the thrilling park rides, and then the chills of 20 terrifying haunted attractions and shows.

When: Select nights from now until October 31
Time: From 7 pm to midnight on select nights
Where: Canada’s Wonderland
Price: Tickets start at $32.99

Witchfest North

What: Come out and celebrate Witchfest North, a Toronto festival celebrating women in the arts who identify as Witches, Wiccans, and Pagans but open for all to attend and participate.

When: Now until October 31
Time: Times vary by day/event
Where: Various venues throughout the city
Price: Free to attend

Spiders: Fear & Fascination

What: This summer, the ROM welcomed a new exhibit, Spiders: Fear & Fascination and trust us, it’s definitely not for the faint of heart. The exhibit explores the hunting, burrowing, and weaving world of these eight-legged creatures and will feature more than 400 live and preserved spiders, cutting-edge interactive experiences, and new scientific discoveries.

When: Now until January 2019
Time: 10 am to 5:30 pm
Where: The Royal Ontario Museum, 100 Queen’s Park
Price: $32 for adults

Thanksgiving and Oktoberfest at Petty Cash

What: With Thanksgiving around the corner and Oktoberfest in full effect, Petty Cash has decided to throw one big celebration. On Friday, Petty Cash invites you to pick a pumpkin and enjoy a bowl of hot soup as they’ll be transforming their space on Adelaide and Portland into a pumpkin patch. They also encourage guests to stay the evening, grab a pair of lederhosen, and join them in celebrating Oktoberfest with $5 mixed drinks being served from 5 pm to 7 pm and a special Oktoberfest BBQ.

When: October 5
Time: 5 pm
Where: 487 Adelaide Street West
Price: Admission is free

Cinesphere Fall Film Series

What: Toronto’s Cinesphere theatre at Ontario Place will be screening several iconic films over the next few months as part of its fall and winter programming. Starting on October 5, Cinesphere will screen a number of iconic films including Top Gun in IMAX 3D, followed by Back to the Future, Ghostbusters, Alien, Aliens, Blade Runner: The Final Cut, Blade Runner 2049 in IMAX, The Fifth Element and Die Hard. 

When: Screenings running from October 5 to December 23
Time: Showtimes vary by day
Where: Cinesphere at Ontario Place, 955 Lake Shore Blvd West
Price: $15 for adults

ROM Friday Night Live

What: Start your Friday night on the dance floor with top DJs and live artists, or explore our stunning galleries with tasty food and drinks.

When: October 5
Time: 7 pm to 11 pm
Where: Royal Ontario Museum, 100 Queen’s Park
Price: $19.21

Screemers

What: Screemers takes over Exhibition Place on weekends leading up to Halloween and is billing seven haunted houses, over 120 live scare actors and a midway of mayhem all in one place. Thrill-seeking Torontonians can look forward to a number of new haunted attractions including The Kill Show, a gory illusions act, and Winter Horrorland, a frozen nightmare of screams.

When: October 5, 6, 12, 13, 19 to 21, 25 to 31
Time: 7 pm to 12 am
Where: Exhibition Place, 180 Princes’ Boulevard
Price: Admission from $33 online

Saturday, October 6

Evergreen Brickworks Saturday Market

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 6
Time: 8 am to 1 pm
Where: Evergreen Brick Works, 550 Bayview
Price: Admission is free

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: October 6
Time: 10 am to 3 pm
Where: CAMH, 1001 Queen Street West
Price: Entry is free

Really Really Free Market

What: This month’s edition of the Really Really Free Market is taking place this Saturday. Taking place at Campbell Park, everything you see at the market is absolutely free. Seriously, no money is required, and there’s no swapping involved. Just remember, if you bring items to share, you must bring them before 3 pm and make sure they are in clean and working condition.

When: October 6
Time: 10 am to 4 pm
Where: Campbell Park, 225 Campbell Avenue
Price: Free

Aleyards Oktobeerfest

What: Come and enjoy a day filled with beer, brats and bands. Guests can sample fresh beers from Junction Craft Brewing, Rainhard Brewing and Shacklands Brewing, listen to live music, indulge in some delicious food, and more.

When: October 6
Time: 10:30 am to 11 pm
Where: 150 Symes Road
Price: $25 to $35

Thanksgiving at O&B Café Grill

What: Skipping the Prix Fixie, Oliver & Bonacini is offering an a la carte menu this Thanksgiving. The handful of specials include a squash salad, a curried butternut squash soup, a roasted turkey breast dish, and a pumpkin cheesecake for dessert. Dig into some of O&B’s delicious roasted garlic mash, gravy, and cranberry sauce with your turkey too.

When: October 6 to 8
Time: 5 pm
Where: O&B Café Grill, 33 Yonge Street, Toronto
Price: A la Carte menu.

Pumpkinfest Toronto

What: Toronto Pumpkinfest returns this year at Downsview Park for three days of Thanksgiving weekend fun and activities. For those heading to the event, it will offer free admission and free parking all weekend long. There will be food trucks and lots of attractions. This year, attendees can check out Peter’s Pumpkin Patch, a costume contest, pumpkin pie eating contest, carnival games, kids midway, jumping castles, and an inflatable corn maze.

When: October 6 to 8
Time: 10 am to 6 pm
Where: Downsview Park, 35 Carl Hall Rd.
Price: Free admission

A Civilized Conversation with Chelsea Handler

What: Political activism, culture and cannabis are just a few of the hot topics that will be covered by comedian Chelsea Handler in Toronto this Saturday. Titled ‘A Civilized Conversation With Chelsea Handler,’ the Toronto event is part of her Canadian tour which includes seven live town halls across Canada this fall, taking place on October 6 at the historic Elgin Theatre.

When: Saturday, October 6
Time: 8 pm
Where: Elgin Theatre, 189 Yonge Street
Price: Available through Ticketmaster starting at $61

Sunday, October 7

Casa Loma Thanksgiving Brunch

What: Experience Casa Loma’s annual Thanksgiving brunch. There are so many options on the table that guests won’t know where to start. There’s an ocean raw bar filled with prawns, crab claws, and clams; a pasta selection including butternut squash and short rib ragu; and more traditional Thanksgiving choices like turkey with buttermilk gravy and prime striploin. These are only the tip of the iceberg.

When: October 7
Time: 9:30 am
Where: Casa Loma, 1 Austin Terrace
Price: $75 per person; $55 for children 4-13

Fall Plant Sale

What: If you’re in the market for some new plants, the Allan Gardens Conservatory plant show and sale is happening today. The plant sale consists of a variety of succulents and houseplants. All proceeds from the Plant Sale support volunteer and education programs at Allan Gardens.

When: October 7
Time: 10 am to 1 pm
Where: Allan Gardens Park and Conservatory, 19 Horticultural Avenue
Price: Free

Cafe Boulud

What: Cafe Boulud has three Thanksgiving meals to choose from, whether you prefer a Sunday brunch or a Thanksgiving dinner. The three-course dinner includes entree selections like turkey with a bourbon smoked bacon stuffing and Ontario beef short ribs braised in red wine. And other parts of the set menu include foie gras, seared scallops in butternut squash, apple tart tatin, and pumpkin pecan pie.

When: October 7 and 8
Time: Sunday, 11 am to 2:30 pm and 5 pm to 10 pm; Monday, noon to 10 pm
Where: 60 Yorkville Avenue, Toronto
Price: $52 per person on October 7 brunch; $85 per person on October 7 dinner; $95 per person on October 8

Thanksgiving Brunch at Old Mill Toronto

What: If you’re not into set menus, why not try a whole buffet. Old Mill Toronto has a real Thanksgiving feast with unlimited carved Ontario turkey that’s topped with mulled cranberry sauce and bilet gravy. There’s also tons of seafood, local and imported cheeses, pastas, prime rib, and a lot more.

When: October 7 and 8
Time: Various seatings available
Where: 21 Old Mill Road
Price: $55 per adult; $22 per child; kids under five are free

The Bazaar of The Bizarre: Halloween Edition

What: This is definitely not your grandma’s craft show. Come and check out this marketplace showcasing a wide variety of independent artists, designers, and crafters selling all things, different, interesting, macabre, and out of this world.

When: October 7
Time:  11 am to 8 pm
Where: Pia Bouman Ballet School, 6 Noble Street
Price: Free admission

Thanksgiving Day Brunch Cruise

What: If you don’t have Thanksgiving plans at your parent’s place, you should definitely check out Mariposa Cruises Thanksgiving Day brunch cruise. The cruise will feature a mouth-watering buffet freshly prepared by Mariposa Chefs, a full cash bar, reserved seating and spectacular views of the autumn scenery along the Toronto city skyline.

When: October 7
Time: The cruise will board at 11:30 am and will run from 12 pm to 2 pm
Where: Pier 6, 207 Queens Quay West
Price: $59.95

Momofuku Kojin Thanksgiving

What: Kojin is the new Momofuku restaurant which replaced Daishō and Shōtō earlier this year. But just because Daishō has left, doesn’t mean that Momofuku’s annual Thanksgiving dinner is leaving too. On October 7, the Toronto chapter of Momofuku is serving a three-course, family-style, chef’s tasting menu which includes roasted duck, corn flatbread, and sweet potato pie.

When: October 7
Time: 5 pm
Where: 190 University Avenue
Price: $85 per person

Get Stuffed at The Drake

What: Get Stuffed is back! Spend Thanksgiving at one of the Drake’s various establishments including the Drake Hotel, Drake Commissary, or Drake One Fifty. If you’d prefer to dine from the comfort of your own home without the hassle, the Drake-style Thanksgiving is also available for pick-up and includes sliced smoked turkey, sweet potato pave, bacon-braised collards, and, of course, gravy and cranberry sauce

When: October 7 and 8
Time: Sunday, 6:30 pm; Monday 6:30 pm
Where: The Drake Hotel, 1150 Queen Street West; Drake Commissary, 128 Sterling Road; Drake One Fifty, 150 York Street
Price: $38

Monday, October 8

Designer Shoe Warehouse Sale

What: It might still feel like summer, but fall weather is on its way. Which means there’s no better time to stock up on your fall and winter footwear necessities. It just so happens that a massive designer shoe sale is happening this weekend at the Mississauga International Centre with designer shoes up to 80% off.

When: October 6
Time: 10 am to 6 pm
Where: International Centre, 6900 Airport Road Mississauga, Hall 1
Admission: Free

Brewer’s Backyard

What: Celebrate Thanksgiving with a few frosty brews. The line-up of breweries includes Anderson Craft Ales, Beau’s, Cowbell, 5 Paddles, Muddy York, and Shacklands.  And on the food front, guests can look forward to Delight Bite, Eva’s Original Chimneys, Heirloom, Los Vietnamita, and the Pop Stand.

When: October 8
Time: 11 am to 5 pm
Where: Evergreen Brick Works, 550 Bayview Avenue, Toronto
Price: Admission is free

Gorillaz in Toronto

What: Popular virtual group Gorillaz are heading to Toronto this holiday Monday to promote their new studio album The Now Now. The Toronto stop kicks off the North American tour, which is also stopping in Montreal, Philadelphia, New York City, Boston and Chicago.

When: October 8
Time: 7:30 pm
Where: Scotiabank Arena, 40 Bay Street
Price: From $76

See also

• What's open and closed in Toronto over the Thanksgiving long weekend
• Nuit Blanche will continue with these 10 extended art installations
• 5 haunted attractions to check out in Toronto this Halloween