18 things to do in Toronto today: Saturday, May 19

Make the most of this fine Saturday by checking out some of the great events happening throughout the city.

From Royal wedding screenings and brunches to the kick off of Ontario Place’s new summer programming, we’ve rounded up 18 events to check out this Saturday.

Toronto Kpop Con

What: Toronto will be hosting a massive Kpop convention this month, to meet the growing demand for the music in the city. Attendees can look forward to performances from the best and brightest local performers from across the country and also exhibit booths and vendors where fans can stock up on Kpop merchandise.

When: Nowuntill May 20
Time: Varies by day depending on performance schedule
Where: Metro Toronto Convention Centre, 225 Front Street West
Price: Varies by day and what you want to check out 

Paprika Festival

What: The 17th Paprika Festival kicks off today and runs until May 20. Come and enjoy new plays, movement, music, workshop productions, experimental art and more — all created by young artists.

When: Now until May 20
Time: Various times by day
Where: Aki Studio, 585 Dundas Street East
Price: $10

Veggielicious

What: Now in its seventh year, the annual culinary celebration presented by the Toronto Vegetarian Association promotes plant-based eating over a two week period. Participating restaurants, cafes, and bakeries across the GTA will offer multi-course prix-fixe menus and special promotions.

When: Now until May 21
Time: Varies by location
Where: Restaurants, bakeries, and cafes across Toronto
Price: Price will vary by location

Yayoi Kusama: Infinity Mirrors

What: Infinity Mirrors, the dazzling world of Yayoi Kusama is now open at the AGO. During this exhibit, visitors have the opportunity to experience six of Kusama’s most iconic kaleidoscopic environments at once.

When: Now until May 27
Time: 10:30 am to 9 pm
Where: The Art Gallery of Ontario, 317, Dundas Street West
Price: Tickets available online only through the AGO for $30 per person

Anthony Ricciardi Art Installation

What: Toronto-born artist Anthony Ricciardi, whose noteworthy style incorporates layers of colours, imagery and text, now has his first-ever floating gallery featuring his one-of-a-kind masterpieces on display in Yorkville Village.

When: Now until May 29
Time: 10 am to 6 pm
Where: Toronto’s Yorkville Village, 55 Avenue Road
Price: Admission is free

Yoko Ono: The Riverbed

What: This weekend, you’re invited 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

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

Royal Wedding Viewing Party

What: David Mirvish invites all who wish to see the nuptials of Meghan Markle and Prince Harry broadcast live on a big screen in the plush comfort of the only venue in the world named after Harry’s mother, Lady Diana, the Princess of Wales.

When: May 19
Time: 5:30 am to 8:30 am
Where: Princess of Wales Theatre, 300 King Street West
Price: Free to attend but you must reserve your tickets online

Royal Breakfast at the Windsor Arms

What: Enjoy a luxe British breakfast fit for a Royal that includes a curated selection of Windsor Arms loose leaf teas, an assortment of scones and crumpies, traditional English bubble and squeak and a Royal-inspired lemon elderflower wedding cake. The nuptials of Prince Harry and Ms. Meghan Markle will also be streamed live in the Yorkville boutique hotel’s stunning Courtyard Ballroom.

When: May 19
Time: 6 am to 10 am
Where: Windsor Arms, 18 St. Thomas Street
Price: $95 per person (plus tax)

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 19
Time: 9 am to 1 pm
Where: 550 Bayview Avenue
Price: Admission is free

Kensington Krawl Food Tour

What: Toronto foodies rejoice! Come and taste your way through Toronto’s most unique and eclectic neighbourhood on a culinary excursion in Kensington Market. As you stroll, you will learn about the history and heritage of the market, meet local shopkeepers and chefs, and indulge in a variety of delicious foods and drinks.

When: May 19
Time: 11 am to 2:30 pm
Where: Meeting point is Jimmy’s Coffee (Kensington Market), 191 Baldwin Street
Price: $65 and it includes 8 generous food and drink tastings

Tastemaker

What: A new touring food fest is rolling into Toronto this spring! Presented by IMG and designed by the team behind Taste of Toronto, Tastemaker is a new immersive food festival that will debut at the Evergreen Brickworks before moving on to Chicago later in the summer.

When: May 19
Time: 1 pm to 5 pm & 7 pm to 11 pm
Where: Evergreen Brick Works, 550 Bayview Avenue, Toronto
Price: Tickets are $60

RBG Screening

What: This Sundance hit chronicles the so-called “Notorious RBG,” U.S. Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg’s extraordinary life and career — from her early legal battles for gender equality and her work with the ACLU, to her unlikely rise to the head of the Supreme Court.

When: May 19
Time: 2 pm, 6:15 pm
Where: Hot Docs Ted Rogers Cinema, 506 Bloor Street West
Price: $11.50 for non-members

It’s ON this summer Opening Weekend

What: Kick off the start of Ontario Place’s new summer programming this weekend. There’ll be plenty of outdoor activities to enjoy including beach volleyball, ping pong, yoga, live music, outdoor skating, bonfires, and more.

When: May 19 and 20
Time: 10 am to 11 pm
Where: Ontario Place, 955 Lake Shore Blvd West
Price: Admission is free

Waterfront Artisan Market

What: Back for its third year in 2018, the Waterfront Artisan Market kicks off on May 19 and will run 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: May 19 and 20
Time: Saturday, 11 am to 8 pm; Sunday, 11 am to 5 pm
Where: HTO Park, 339 Queens Quay West, Toronto
Price: Admission is free

Spring Beerfest TO

What: Spring Beerfest TO, the festival formerly known as Spring Sessions of Toronto’s Festival of Beer, is set to serve up cold beers, delicious eats, and cottage vibes in Toronto for the May long weekend!

When: May 19 and 20
Time: 1 pm to 7 pm
Where: Fort York: Garrison Common, 100 Garrison Road, Toronto
Price: Tickets start at $20

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 19 to 21
Time: 11 am to 6 pm
Where: The Distillery Historic District, 55 Mill Street
Price: Admission is free

See also

• These Toronto breweries are open on Victoria Day 2018
• What's open and closed in Toronto this Victoria Day
• Here's your May long weekend weather forecast for Toronto