22 things to do in Toronto today: Saturday, July 7

Saturday, we meet again!

Make the most of this beautiful Saturday by checking out the top events and festivals happening throughout the city.

Toronto Outdoor Art Fair

What: Now in its 57th year, the Toronto Outdoor Art Exhibition will feature over 340 visual artists, performers, and sculptures. There will also be a beer garden by Henderson Brewing Co. open throughout the day for food, beer, and refreshments.

When: Now until July 8
Time: Saturday, 10 am to 7 pm; Sunday, 10 am to 5 pm
Where: Nathan Phillips Square, 100 Queen Street West
Price: Free

Taste of Lawrence

What: This three-day food and cultural festival is hosted by the Wexford Heights BIA and is billed as Scarborough’s largest street festival.

When: Now until July 8
Time: Saturday, 11 am to 11 pm; Sunday, 11 am to 7 pm
Where: Wexford Heights, Lawrence Avenue East from Warden Avenue to Birchmount Road
Price: Admission is free

BurgerMania

What: Billed as a three-day food extravaganza, this food fest is devoted to the “greatest North American invention of all time, BURGERS.”

When: Now until July 8
Time: Saturday, 11 am to 11 pm; Sunday, 11 am to 9 pm
Where: Ontario Place, 955 Lake Shore Boulevard West, Toronto
Price: Tickets from $10

SHADE FEST

What: SHADE is an inclusive comedy show that represents and celebrates comedians of colour, comedians from the LGBTQ+ community, and comedians who identify as women. Although this platform is for those listed above, SHADE is an inclusive space and all are welcome.

When: Now until July 8
Time: 8 pm to 11:30 pm
Where: Rivoli, 334 Queen Street West
Price: Three day passes cost $64.24

Giro d’Italia

What: Italian Restaurant Week returns to Toronto this summer for 10 days in July. Participating restaurants will each showcase the cuisine of a different region of Italy by offering a four-course prezzo fisso (prix fixe) menu priced at $52.

When: Now until the 15
Time: Varies by location
Where: At participating Italian restaurants in Toronto
Price: $52

Toronto Fringe Festival

What: With 160 plays at 45 venues and over a thousand events that include live theatre, music, dance, arts, buskers, and performances, there’s something for everyone at the Toronto Fringe Festival.

When: Now until July 15
Time: Varies by day
Where: Various venues
Price: Varies by the show

Summerlicious

What: You can enjoy delicious lunch or dinner menus at a select group of Toronto’s finest restaurants during this summer food fest.

When: Now until July 22
Time: Varies by location
Where: Restaurants across Toronto
Price: Lunch menus priced at $23, $28, and $33 and dinner is $33, $43, and $53

Beaches International Jazz Festival

What: A festival that needs almost no introduction, the Beaches International Jazz Festival is celebrating its 30th year.

When: Now until July 29
Time: Varies by day
Where: The Beach Neighbourhood
Price: Admission is free

CITE at The Bentway

What: The Bentway Skate Trail has officially kicked off its summer-long celebration of skate culture. A great use of public space, CITE is both an art installation and a skatepark, featuring sculptures that skateboarders are free to ride on.

When: Now until August 12
Time: 10 am to 9 pm
Where: The Bentway Skate Trail, 250 Fort York Blvd.
Price: Free

Union Summer Market

What: The open-air market situated on the doorstep of Toronto’s Union Station returns this summer, hosting an incredible line-up of food vendors, ongoing programming, and events that bring Toronto’s talent, culture, and spirit to life.

When: Now until August 19
Time: 11 am to 8 pm
Where: 65 Front Street West, Toronto
Price: Admission is free

A Forest of Canoes at The Bentway

What: A Forest of Canoes by Dana Claxton, is a site-specific installation set up throughout The Bentway and is co-commissioned with Scotiabank CONTACT Photography Festival and curated by Bonnie Rubenstein. The installation highlights the iconic role and symbolism of the canoe in Canadian, Metis, and Indigenous histories.

When: Now until August 31
Time: All day
Where: The Bentway, 250 Fort York Blvd.
Price: Free

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: July 7
Time: 8 am to 1 pm
Where: Evergreen Brick Works, 550 Bayview
Price: Admission 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: July 7
Time: 10 am to 4 pm
Where: Campbell Park, 225 Campbell Avenue
Price: Free

Toronto Veggie Parade

What: Give peas a chance! The eighth annual Veggie Parade celebrates vegan, vegetarian, and veg-loving lifestyles in Toronto.

When: July 7
Time: Noon to 3 pm
Where: Parade route details available online
Price: Free to attend

Cultura 2018

What: Cultura is a free family-friendly outdoor festival presenting music, art, food, and film every Friday evening in July at Mel Lastman Square. Cultura celebrates Toronto’s rich diversity featuring world-renowned musicians, tasty international street food, explosive buskers and dance, interactive art activities, and evening film screenings under the stars.

When: July 7
Rime: 6 pm to 11 pm
Where: Mel Lastman Square
Price: Free admission

Shania Twain

What: The OG “Queen of Country Pop” is heading to Toronto this weekend as part of her Now Tour. This tour marks Twain’s first time on the road since “Rock This Country” back in 2015.

When: July 7
Time: Doors at 6:30 pm/Show at 7:30 pm
Where: Scotiabank Arena, 40 Bay Street
Price: Tickets start at $47

Junction Night Market

What: Billed as a community food festival benefiting programs that promote access to local food, this event promises an abundance of food and brews all priced for $5 per serving.

When: July 7
Time: 7 pm to 11 pm
Where: Pacific Avenue, North of Dundas Street, Toronto
Price: $5 per serving

Christie Pits Film Festival

What: Christie Pits Film Festival is back for another exciting season and will feature four free screenings this month including Porch Stories, Casablanca, In the Mood for Love, Oceans Eleven, and Waste Land. Although all screenings are free of charge, there is a suggested donation of $10.

When: July 7
Time: Roughly 9 pm
Where: Christie Pits Park, 779 Crawford Ave West
Price: Admission is free but donations accepted

Maker Extravaganza 2018

What: For one weekend only, the city’s most creative people and their projects gather together at the Toronto Reference Library to share their latest creations, demonstrate their newest projects and make things together.

When: July 7 and 8
Time: Saturday, 9 am to 5 pm; Sunday, 10 am to 5 pm
Where: Toronto Reference Library, 789 Yonge Street
Price: Free

Waterfront Artisan Market

What: Back for its third year, the Waterfront Artisan Market features 50 bakers, chefs, and artisans hawking summery street foods and locally-made products every Saturday and Sunday.

When: July 7 and 8
Time: Saturday, 11 am to 8 pm; Sunday, 11 am to 5 pm
Where: HTO Park, 339 Queens Quay West
Price: Admission is free

Afrofest

What: Afrofest is the largest free African American festival in North America, dedicating two days to celebrating African culture.

When: July 7 and 8
Time: Saturday, 12 pm to 11 pm; Sunday, 12 pm to 8 pm
Where:  Woodbine Park, 1695 Queen Street East
Price: Free

TD Salsa in Toronto Festival

What: One of Canada’s largest Latin-themed celebrations is Toronto’s TD Salsa in Toronto Festival, which takes place over three weeks and features music, food, dance and family events.

When: July 7 and 8
Time: Varies by day
Where: St. Clair Avenue West, between Winona Drive and Christie Street
Price: Free

See also

• There's a Seinfeld inspired pop-up in Toronto this month
• The Bentway is launching a brand new beer garden this summer
• Burgermania fires up the BBQ at Ontario Place in Toronto this weekend