30 Toronto events worth checking out in September

We hate to be the bearer of bad news but summer is coming to a bittersweet end, meaning there are only a few more weeks to enjoy the warm weather in the city.

To help you make the most of these last few days of summer, we’ve rounded up the hottest events, festivals, and concerts taking place in Toronto during the month of September.

See also:

• The Lumineers will be stopping in Toronto next year as part of new world tour
• A thought-provoking and multi-sensory experience is coming to Toronto this fall
• Toronto’s scariest haunted ‘scream park’ returns this year

Burger Drops

What: UNLIMITED BURGERS. And usually cheap beers, too. Need we say more? Though the location has yet to be announced, Burger Drops has shared that they’re already working on a September pop-up. And we’re already drooling over it. Keep an eye on their Instagram for updates.

When: September, date TBA
Where: TBA
Price: TBA

Style Plate

What: This collaboration will see chefs and mixologists from participating restaurants paired up with select designers to create a unique dish or cocktail inspired by the designer’s collections showing at Toronto Fashion Week.

When: On now through September 5
Time: Varies by the restaurant
Where: Participating restaurant in Toronto
Price: Pay for what you order

Le Burger Week

What: This year there are twelve Ontario eateries competing for the title of their city’s best burger, with three in the GTA. The winning creation is typically offered at a special “burger price” for the public to taste and cast their votes on leburgerweek.com. You can find a full list of participating locations here.

When: On now through September 7
Time: Hours vary by location
Where: Restaurants throughout the city
Price: Varies by location

The Funhouse

What: Queen Street West has a brand new immersive installation and it’s a houseful of fun. Toronto-based art collective Mondo Forma and Universal Music Canada are bringing The Funhouse to downtown, which is an immersive, experiential art maze, inspired by music and created in collaboration with some of Toronto’s most exciting artists.

When: On now through to September
Time: Doors open at 10 am
Where: 101 Lisgar Street
Price: $28 general admission

Toronto Fashion Week

What: The most fashionable week in Toronto returns for its fifth consecutive season. Toronto Fashion Week (TFW) will take over the lavish Yorkville neighbourhood from September 3 to 5, creating an immersive and experiential community of fashion, art, food and culture, with plenty of awesome events worth taking a peek.

When: September 3 to 5
Where: Various venues throughout the city
Price: Ticket prices vary by event, and they can be purchased online now

Lenny Kravitz

What: Are you going to go his way? Because you definitely should. Lenny Kravits has been rocking stages for decades, and this week, the funky legend will be coming to Toronto.

When: September 4
Time: 8 pm
Where: Budweiser Stage
Admission: Tickets start at $39.95, available online

Toronto Vegan Social Pop-Up Event

What: Vegan Social Events is back this month with its 4th Annual Vegan Social Pop-Up, an exclusive food and drink tasting and private shopping event. VIP Tickets include a SWAG BAG valued at over $150 each.

When: September 5
Time: 5:30 pm to 10:30 pm
Where: Love Child Social House, 69 Bathurst Street
Price: $35

Toronto Beaches Film Festival 2019

Toronto International Film Festival

What: There’s no better way to say goodbye to summer than with the city’s biggest film festival – and one of the most influential in the world. Whether you catch a flick, party hard, or go celeb-spotting, there’s something for everyone at TIFF.

When: September 5 to 15
Where: Various venues throughout the city
Price: Some events are free, while many are ticketed

Game of Thrones: Live Concert Experience

What: Enjoy some of the greatest musical scores from the incredible eight-season run of the Game of Thrones series outdoors in the Budweiser Stage amphitheatre. According to Live Nation, the tour will include new musical arrangements from the series’ final season such as the “The Night King” theme, a song that went immediately viral after the composer posted a nine-minute version online.

When: September 6
Time: 8 pm
Where: Budweiser Stage
Tickets: Range from $29.50 to $145, available online

MATTYFEST

What: Original Parkdale Boy, former executive chef at Parts and Labour, and tattooed ray of sunshine Matty Matheson is bringing Toronto the perfect event to end the summer. MATTYFEST, presented by the Toronto-based chef, will land at RBC Echo Beach and the afternoon-to-evening event will serve up fierce food, refreshing drinks, and all the music you need to fuel a proper September Saturday in the sun. See the Wu-Tang Clan, Gogol Bordello, Descendents, Danny Brown, and many more, offering melodies to enjoy your BBQ alongside.

When: September 7
Where: RBC Echo Beach
Tickets: $93.30, available here

Cirque du Soleil: Alegría

What: It’s almost time to head to the big top. This September, Cirque du Soleil is bringing one of its most popular touring shows, Alegría, to Toronto. Alegría takes its name from the Spanish word for “joy,” and tells the tale of a monarchy that has lost its king.

When: September 12 to November 24
Where: Ontario Place, 909 Lake Shore Boulevard
Price: Tickets from  $70.75

Toronto Beer Week

What: Just because the warm days of summer are behind us doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy one last beer festival before fall officially kicks off. Celebrating local craft brew, this week-long festival of beer features dozens of different breweries, bars and restaurants around the city.

When: September 13 to 22
Time: Varies by location
Where: Participating breweries, bars, and restaurants in Toronto
Price: Pay for what you order

Forever Young at Assembly Chef’s Hall

What: Forever Young is a one-of-a-kind opportunity geared towards young professionals to enjoy an evening of Toronto’s best culinary delights, all under one roof at the chic Assembly Chef’s Hall. Anticipate eats from Cherry Street BBQ, Love Chix, Mira Mira, The Good Son, Colibri, Resto Boemi and more.

When: September 14
Time: 8 pm to 1 am
Where: Assembly Chef’s Hall, 111 Richmond Street West, Toronto
Price: $65, available online

Toronto Garlic Festival

What: Taste comforting garlic-themed dishes paired with Ontario craft beer and wine at this not-to-miss garlic themed festival. Attendees can enjoy sweet and savoury garlic-inspired dishes from close to two-dozen chefs, and meet farmers, cooks, artists and garlic historians.

When: September 15
Where: Artscape Wychwood Barns, 601 Christie Street
Price: $5

Toronto Maple Leafs vs. Ottawa Senators

What: Your boys in blue are returning to the ice this month and facing off against their Canadian rivals the Ottawa Senators.

When: September 15
Time: 7 pm
Where: 40 Bay Street, Scotiabank Arena
Price: From $181.75

The Stranger 2.0: Above and Below

What: The walkabout performance, The Stranger, returns to Toronto this month with a brand-new version, The Stranger 2.0. For the first time, the performance will include two audience members at a time and will feature an exciting new virtual reality component, allowing the production to unfold on the streets of Toronto

When: September 18 to 28
Time: Monday to Friday, 5 pm to 9:30 pm; Saturday and Sunday, 3:30 pm to 7:30 pm
Where: Tickets holders will be notified by email of the exact meeting point 24 hours before their showtime
Price: $50 regular, $90 VIP

Lizzo Cuz I Love You Too Tour 2019

What: Don’t worry if you weren’t able to snag tickets to Lizzo’s last Toronto performance at The Danforth Music Hall, the songstress will be returning to the city to wrap up the summer. Hot on the heels of killing it at the MTV VMA’s, Lizzo is bringing her North American tour, “Cuz I Love You Too,” which stops in Toronto on September 19.

When: September 19
Time: 8 pm
Where: Budweiser Stage
Price: Available online from $100

Just For Laughs JFL42 Comedy Festival

What: Toronto is going to echo with laughter this September as the JFL42 festival takes over the city once again with a stellar lineup. Among the headliners this year that will be performing at Sony Centre are Saturday Night Live stars John Mulaney and Pete Davidson, as well as Gabriel Iglesias, Marc Maron, and many more. Also at the Sony Centre will be this year’s special event, a Q&A show with comedian, author, and actress Carol Burnett.

When: September 19 to 29
Where: Headliners at Sony Centre, and other comics and programming at various venues to be announced
Price: Festival passes range from $59 to $299

Beau’s Oktoberfest 11th Edition

What: While this one is a day-trip from Toronto, it’s well worth the drive. The New Pornographers, Shad, Neon Dreams, Jenn Grant, Caravane, Birds of Bellwoods, and many more will be hitting the stage, plus there will be loads of supporting acts, beer (of course), food, and more.

When: September 20 and 21
Time: 4 pm
Where: 10 Terry Fox Drive, Vankleek Hill
Price: From $32

Elevate Toronto Festival

What: Elevate Toronto is a multi-day tech festival that will showcase the best of the Canadian innovation ecosystem and welcome the world to our city. The event features inspiring keynotes, topical content streams, experiential programming, and epic socials. Speakers include Michelle Obama, Chris Hadfield, Martha Stewart, Akon, and more.

When: September 20 to 26
Time: 6 pm to 11 pm
Where: Various venues throughout the city
Price: From $525 for full festival pass

The Butterbeer Bar Crawl

What: Grab your drinking crew, or make a new one, and be prepared to fly through four themed bars in Toronto’s Entertainment District on September 21. Because the Butterbeer Bar Crawl is back.

When: September 21
Time; 3 pm
Where: Toronto Entertainment District
Tickets: Available online

The New Feast

What: Technically outside Toronto, but not too far away, The New Feast, an educational dinner made to highlight the potential of regenerative farming to combat climate change. The feast will consist of a multi-course, sit-down dinner presented on a long table in the midst of the working organic farm.

When: September 21
Time: 4 pm to 9 pm
Where: The New Farm – 9783 Sideroad 6 & 7 Nottawasaga, Creemore, ON
Tickets: Available online

Toronto Oktoberfest

What: Don your finest lederhosen and dirndls under a massive Bavarian-style Festhalle tent in the Ontario Place parking lot. Modelled after the original Munich event, this volks fest, presented by ERDINGER, promises food, beer, a 20-piece brass band, and a fun fair!

When: September 26 to 28
Where: Ontario Place East Parking Lot
Price: Online from $20

Human Body Expressions: Resonance 

What: Resonance confronts the collective power of peaceful protests with the Toronto premiere of this dance/rock concert hybrid. The work is an artistic response to the successful public protests demanding the impeachment of former South Korean President Park Geun-Hye.

When: September 26 to 28
Where: Sts Cyril & Methody Macedonian-Bulgarian Eastern Orthodox Church
Price: From $25

29Rooms

What: The highly Instagrammable and groundbreaking 29Rooms is making its way to Toronto this month. Brought to you by the makers behind Refinery29, 29Rooms is an immersive collaboration between visionaries and brands in the fields of art, activism, style, and, technology to bring you 29 experiences under one roof.

When: September 26 to October 6
Where: Exhibition Place (Queen Elizabeth Building), 100 Princes’ Blvd.
Price: Tickets are available online for $34 to $49

Octo-berfest at the Aquarium

What: Raise your stein for an evening of live music and entertainment by Matt Lebar Ensemble and craft beer from ten local breweries. Prost! Plus find food and drink for sale.

When: September 27
Time: 8 pm to midnight
Where: Ripley’s Aquarium of Canada
Price: Tickets are $32 plus tax

The Rocky Horror Show

What: Continuing to mark its 100th Anniversary Season, the theatre will see this titillating romp through the return of Director Jennifer Walls, featuring showcase performances by trained, emergent talent, supported by a professional production team. The performance is sure to tempt you to dance the “Time Warp” and leave you howling, “Damn it, Janet! I love you!”

When: September 27 to October 12
Where: Hart House Theatre – 7 Hart House Circle, Toronto
Tickets: Available online

Legends of Horror

What: Casa Loma’s Legends of Horror is back, and is about to haunt your dreams… and days. The immersive theatrical interpretation of all of the classic horror figures will take you through a spooky, one-hour, two-kilometre self-guided walking tour that starts from the lower gardens of Casa Loma, through its terrifying tunnels and dark places never before open to the public.

When: September 27 to October 31
Time: Evenings from 7:30 pm to 10:30 pm
Where: Casa Loma, 1 Austin Terrace
Price: Tickets start at $40 online and $45 at the door

Lady Beer Fest

What: Presented by The Society of Beer Drinking Ladies, tickets for this all-ladies festival are on sale now and are sure to sell out quickly. Taking place at Wychwood Barns on September 28, the festival will feature a line up of craft brewers alongside women-owned food businesses and is open to the LGBTQ2S+ community, and all who identify as a woman.

When: September 28
Time: 6 pm to 11 pm
Where: Wychwood Barns – 601 Christie Street
Price: From $35, available online