25 things to do in Toronto today: Saturday, June 2

Jun 1 2018, 11:53 pm

It’s Saturday, Toronto! Time to kick back and celebrate in style at one of the many exciting events happening around town.

From concerts and food festivals to cultural events and activities, here are your top events for this Saturday.

Indigenous Fashion Week

June 1

@ifwtoronto/Instagram

What: For the first time ever, Toronto will be the place to see the most progressive and distinct Indigenous artists in fashion, craft, and textiles, as part of Indigenous Fashion Week Toronto (IFWTO).

When: Now until June 3
Time: Varies by day
Where: Harbourfront Centre, 235 Queens Quay West
Price: $25

Brunch Fest

What: This three-day food festival honours everything brunch and is a 19+ affair where all things bacon, benedicts, and bagels are on the menu along with pancakes, pastries, and poached eggs.

When: June 1 to 3
Time: Different entry times each day
Where: 99 Sudbury Street, Toronto
Price: Tickets from $7.95

Toronto LGBT Film Festival

What: Each year, the Toronto LGBT Film Festival celebrates the best queer film from Canada and around the world. The 28th Annual Toronto LGBT Film Festival will wrap up this Sunday.

When: Now until June 3
Time: Screenings vary by day
Where: TIFF Bell Lightbox, 350 King Street West
Price: TBA

Toronto Festival of Clowns

What: Now in its 13th year, the Toronto Festival of Clowns brings together clowns and physical theatre artists of all disciplines and backgrounds to showcase their work through various performances and events.

When: Now until June 3
Time: 2 pm to 11 pm
Where: Venues throughout the city
Price: $15

Yoko Ono: The Riverbed

What: This is the final weekend to experience Yoko Ono’s latest art installation, The Riverbed, at the Gardiner Museum. The Riverbed invites visitors to collaborate with the artist, the museum, and each other, through everyday action and contemplation.

When: Now until June 3
Time: All day
Where: The Gardiner Museum, 111 Queens Park
Price: Starts at $15 for adults

Pride Month Toronto 

free june events

Pride Toronto, Alexander Sviridov/Shutterstock

What: Now celebrating its 36th year, Pride Toronto is back for another exciting month filled with plenty of fun. The heart of the celebration is in Toronto’s gay village but opportunities for entertainment can be found in LGBTQ-friendly bars, restaurants and nightlife spots across the entire city.

When: Now until June 24
Time: Varies by day
Where: Events located throughout the city
Price: Varies by event

60 Years of Made in Italy

What: June marks Italian Heritage Month in Canada, which is the perfect time to celebrate the Italian community within our exceptionally diverse country. And Yorkville Village is hosting a world-renowned fashion exhibit, 60 Years of Made in Italy, into the heart of Toronto, just in time for the occasion.

When: Now until June 30
Time: Varies by day
Where: Yorkville Village, 55 Avenue Rd
Price: 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: Admission is free

Manolo Blahnik: The Art of Shoes

What: This month, Manolo Blahnik and the Bata Shoe Museum will be joining forces, bringing the highly anticipated travelling exhibit Manolo Blahnik: The Art of Shoes to Toronto.

When: Now until January 6
Time: Friday & Saturday, 10 am to 5 pm; Sunday, 12 pm to 5 pm; Monday, 10 am to 5 pm
Where: Bata Shoe Museum, 327 Bloor Street West
Price: General admission is $14

The Lockhart Presents: Magic In The Park

What: Taking place in conjunction with Dundas West Fest, Toronto’s Harry Potter bar will not only be installing a castle on its front patio like last year, but also transmogrifying the St. Clarens Parkette into a fantastical environment complete with street performers, jugglers, musicians, and magicians.

When: June 2
Time: All day
Where: Dundas West Fest from Lansdowne to Ossington
Price: TBD

Dundas West Fest

dundas west

Dundas West Fest/Facebook

What: The annual Dundas West Fest is back in Toronto this weekend. This annual street fest promises tons of food, shopping, entertainment, and patios.

When: June 2
Time: All day
Where: Dundas West Fest from Lansdowne to Ossington
Price: Free to attend

desiFest

What: Get your bhangra moves ready because desiFEST is back for its 12th year on Saturday at Younge-Dundas Square. Canada’s premier South Asian urban music festival is a free event that will feature a collection of artists from Canada, Pakistan, India, Pakistan, Australia, and Singapore.

When: June 2
Time: 11 am to 11 pm
Where: Yonge-Dundas Square
Price: 
Free

 Canoe Heads for Kids

What: This Saturday, 160 former campers will meet at the Harbourfront Canoe and Kayak Centre to strap canoes to their backs and embark on an epic 15km urban portage and paddle to benefit Amici Camping Charity. The event aims raise$170,000 and will send kids in financial need to summer camp.

When: June 2
Time: 12:30 pm to 4:30 pm
Where: Harbourfront Canoe and Kayak Centre
Price: Free to watch the kayakers

Jonathan and Drew Scott Offer Smart Home Tips 

What: Design-duo Jonathan and Drew Scott of HGTV’s Property Brothers will be popping-up at the Google Shop in Best Buy’s Yonge and Dundas location to host a smart home workshop and participate in photo opportunities with fans.

When: June 2
Time: 1 pm to 3 pm
Where: Google Shop at Best Buy, Yonge and Dundas, 65 Dundas Street West
Price: Free to attend

Free Ice Cream

What: Pâtisserie Kirin is celebrating the grand opening of its new store and will be dishing out free soft serve in waffle cones for the occasion.

When: June 2
Time: 1 pm to 3 pm
Address: 
3621 Hwy 7, Unit 105, Markham
Price: Free

The Butterbeer Bar Crawl

harry potter Butterbeer Bar Crawl

IMDB

What: Departing from The Fifth, this Harry Potter themed pub crawl tours four Toronto bars hosting Tri-Wizard themed challenges and entitles wristband-wearers to exclusive themed drink specials, a commemorative Butterbeer Bar Crawl beer mug filled with goodies, a themed photo booth, and access to the Yule Ball after party.

When: June 2
Time: 3 pm
Where: The Fifth, 225 Richmond Street
Price: Tickets from $25

Canada’s Biggest All Ladies Beer Festival

What: The largest all ladies beer festival in Canada is happening in Toronto this Saturday. Enjoy delicious food, good times and plenty of beer.

When: June 2
Time:  6 pm to 11 pm
Where: Artscape Wychwood Barns, 601 Christie St
Price: $35

Toronto Funk & Soul Festival

What: The 3rd Annual Toronto Funk & Soul Festival returns to Toronto this Saturday at The MOD club. Come and enjoy an evening of incredible funk and soul.

When: June 2
Time: 8 pm
Where: 725 College Street
Price:
 $25 at the door

No Place Like Home

What: Saturday evening, you can see the world premiere of No Place Like Home, featuring an award-winning all-female musical trio from the Toronto Chinese Orchestra, playing seven pieces that tell stories of home, identity and roots.

When: June 2
Time: 8 pm
Where: Alliance Francaise Theatre, 24 Spadina Road
Price: $15

Ferris’s Room – Film & VR Experience

What: This brand-new documentary follows Sarah Keenlyside as she travels to Chicago to mount Ferris Bueller’s Bedroom as part of celebrations for the 30th anniversary of John Hughes’s classic comedy. Visitors can also take a 360° virtual reality tour of Ferris’s Room after the screening.

When: June 2
Time: 8 pm to 11 pm
Where: Hot Docs Ted Rogers Cinema, 506 Bloor Street West
Price: $11.50

The Polka Dogs

The Polka Dogs

What: The Polka Dogs are back together after 25 years, and will be throwing a release party for their new CD called THE BEE at the Burdock Saturday evening.

When: June 2
Time: 8:30 pm
Where: The Burdock, 1184 Bloor Street West
Price: TBD

The Riverdale ArtWalk 2018

What: The Riverdale ArtWalk is a FREE two-day, public fine art exhibition showcasing established and emerging artists in Toronto’s flourishing Queen East arts district. The first outdoor art show of Toronto’s season, the Riverdale ArtWalk is a great place to connect with artists and buy that perfect piece for your home.

When: June 2 & 3
Time: 11 am to 6 pm
Where: Jimmie Simpson Park & Community Centre
Price: Free

Waterfront Artisan Market

What: Back for its third year in 2018, the Waterfront Artisan Market runs every weekend until the first week in October. The outdoor festival, presented by The Waterfront BIA and operated by the Scadding Court Community Centre, will feature 50 bakers, chefs, and artisans hawking summery street foods and locally-made products.

When: June 2 & 3
Time: Saturdays 11 am to 8 pm; Sundays 11 am to 5 pm
Where: HTO Park, 339 Queens Quay West, Toronto
Price: Admission is free

The Body Shop Yogurt Shop

What: Summer is near and the Body Shop is here to help get your skin healthy and glowing. Come and celebrate the brand’s all-new 100% Vegan Body Yogurts collection with a two-day pop up featuring free frozen treats and experiential (AKA Instagram-worthy) installations inspired by the collection.

When: June 2 & 3
Time: Saturday, 12 pm to 6 pm; Sunday, 12 pm to 5 pm
Where: 950 Queen Street West 
Price: 
Free

Field Trip

What: Kick off the new month with two days of live music at the sixth annual Field Trip at historic Fort York & Garrison Common. Headliners include Metric and the Yeah Yeah Yeahs.

When: June 2 & 3
Time: Saturday, 1 pm to 11 pm; Sunday, 1 pm to 10 pm
Where: Fort York National Historic Site, 250 Fort York Blvd.
Price: Single-day tickets start at $80

See also
Ainsley SmithAinsley Smith

+ Listed