23 things to do in Toronto today: Sunday, June 17

Jun 16 2018, 2:12 am

Whether you’re looking for Father’s Day plans or something fun to do with your friends, rounded up the top events happening throughout the city.

From foodie events and art exhibits to the final day of NXNE, here are the top events happening in the city today.

Taco Fest

Taco Fest/Facebook

What: Taco Fest is back! Now in its third year, the festival has announced it will return to Ontario Place for a weekend in June. The outdoor fiesta is a celebration of all things Mexican and showcases some of the Toronto’s top chefs.

When: Now until June 17
Time: 11 am to 7 pm
Where: Ontario Place, 955 Lake Shore Boulevard West
Price: $9.95

Taste of Little Italy

What: Billed as the city’s “most frequented and delicious street festival,” this event features local and visiting vendors hawking everything from Italian standards like spiedini, pizza, and risotto, to international delicacies represented by businesses in the ’hood.

When: Now until 17
Time: 11 am to 10 pm
Where: College Street, from Bathurst Street to Shaw Street
Price:
 Admission is free

North by Northeast 2018

nxne

NXNE/Twitter

What: It’s the final day to check out NXNE. This year’s lineup features Jazz Cartier, Azealia Banks, and Big Freedig headlining the local music fest. The headliners will join emerging and other established artists throughout the weekend including U.S. Girls, TORRES, Sean Leon, Alx Veliz, Yungblud, Cadence Weapon, Kamikaze Girls, Nate Husser, and more.

When: Now until June 17
Time: Varies by day
Where: Yonge-Dundas Square, and other venues
Price: Varies by event

Bard in the Park Presents: A Midsummer Night’s Dream

What: You can enjoy a unique rendition of  William Shakespeare’s tale of fun, mischief and love, A Midsummer Night’s Dream. Set in modern day at Athens University during Frosh Week, come discover what fools these Freshmen be!

When: Now until June 17
Time
: 7 pm to 9 pm
Where: Kew Gardens
Price: Pay what you can

At the Illusionist’s Table

Luminato

At the Illusionist’s Table

What: Acclaimed Scottish illusionist Scott Silven hosts At the Illusionist’s Table, which is an intimate evening of fine dining and whiskey-tasting, interwoven with illusion, mentalism, and storytelling in a private dining room at Toronto’s historic Casa Loma.

When: Now until June 24
Time: 6 pm to 8:30 or 9 pm to 11:30 pm
Where: The Austin Room, Casa Loma
Price: $225 (Includes a three-course dinner by BlueBlood Steakhouse)

Luminato 2018

What: The 12th annual Luminato Festival returns to Toronto this week. From June 6 to 24, the multi-arts and multi-platform event will take over the city for 19 days of free and ticketed programming. This year guests can look forward to an impressive lineup that fuses together arts and politics while highlighting contemporary issues such as human rights, diversity, and feminism.

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

Pride Month Toronto 

National Geographic

Toronto Pride, Shawn Goldberg/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 in 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

The Art of Banksy

Banksy exhibit

@emeraldbensadoun/Instagram

What: A new massive exhibit curated by Steve Lazarides, Banksy’s former manager, is now open in Toronto displaying the largest collection of the artist’s works. According to organizers, with over $35 million in art, this is the largest Banksy exhibit ever assembled.

When: Now until July 11
Time: Friday, 11 am to 10 pm; Saturday, 9 am to 12 am; Sunday, 9 am to 9 pm
Where: 213 Sterling Road, Toronto
Price: Tickets start at $35

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

Spiders: Fear & Fascination

spiders

Robert Whyte/Rom.on.ca

What: This June, the Royal Ontario Museum will be welcoming a new exhibit, Spiders: Fear & Fascination and trust us, it’s definitely not for the faint of heart. The new exhibit will explore 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

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 and 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

Toronto International Dragon Boat Race Festival

What: The 30th annual Toronto International Dragon Boat Race Festival is taking over the Toronto Islands this weekend, bringing together culture, sport, tradition, and fun.

When: June 17
Time: 9 am to 4 pm
Where: Toronto Island
Price: Free to watch

Pretty Heros & Toronto Sailor Moon Celebration

What: Calling all Sailor Scouts! You can celebrate all things Sailor Moon at this epic two-day celebration. New this year is the addition of Pretty Heros, a convention dedicated to strong female characters. Whether you resonate with Sailor Jupiter or another female character, get dressed up and show your support!

When: June 17
Time: 11 am to 6 pm
Where: Ontario Science Centre, 770 Don Mills Rd.
Price: One day passes start at $15

Waterfront Artisan Market

toronto Waterfront Artisan Market

Marc Bruxelle/Shutterstock

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 17
Time: 11 am to 5 pm
Where: HTO Park, 339 Queens Quay West
Price: Admission is free

Father’s Day at the ROM

What: Celebrate your dad with a special day at the ROM filled with exciting themed experiences, hands-on art projects, storytelling, exhibits, and more.

When: June 17
Time: 11 am to 4 pm
Where: Royal Ontario Museum, 100 Queen’s Park
Price: Adults are $20

Father’s Day Brunch Cruise

Mariposa Cruises

What: Dad will be treated like a captain for the afternoon or evening with delicious culinary offerings prepared by new executive chef Andrew Capone (formerly of The Drake & Thuet). There will be a selection of beer, wine, and specialty cocktails all while taking in stunning views of Toronto’s harbour, islands, and iconic skyline.

When: June 17
Time: Boarding begins at 11:30 am, cruise runs12 pm to 2 pm
Where: 207 Queen’s Quay, Pier 6, Toronto
Price: $62.95

8th Annual Yorkville Exotic Car Show

What: This Father’s Day, Canada’s largest display of luxury vehicles will be parked along Toronto’s Mink Mile from Bay Street to Avenue Road as part of the 8th Annual Yorkville Exotic Car Show.

When: June 17 
Time: 
12 pm to 5 pm
Where: Mink Mile section of Bloor Street (Bay Street to Avenue Road)
Price: Free to attend

Father’s Day BBQ at Wayne Gretzky Estates

Father's Day

Wayne Gretzy Estates

What: If you’re up for a mini road trip, Wayne Gretzky Estates Winery in Niagara-on-the-Lake is hosting a family-friendly, backyard BBQ this Sunday. Wayne Gretzky’s own father, Walter, will even be there to meet and mingle with fellow dads. There will be food trucks, music, and entertainment that the whole family can enjoy.

When: June 17
Time: 12 pm to 5 pm
Where: Wayne Gretzky Estates Winery
Price: Tickets are $30 per adult and children 2 to 18 are $15

Father’s Day Jay’s Game

What: When in doubt take dad to a ball game! This Sunday, you can enjoy a day with the whole family at the ballpark as the Blue Jays celebrate Father’s Day in partnership with Hudson’s Bay. The 200 level WestJet Flight Deck will be transformed into the ultimate Dad’s Den where Dad can enjoy all of his favourite things.

When: June 17
Time: 1:07 pm
Where: Rogers Centre
Price: Tickets start as low as $26

Promise Cherry Beach 2018

Promise Cherry Beach/Facebook

What: Come and enjoy an unmissable chance to take in the best of Toronto’s underground music scene surrounded by sun and fun at the beach.

When: June 3
Time: 3 pm to 11 pm
Where: Cherry Beach, Cherry Street just south of Unwin Avenue
Price: $20

Refugees Welcome

What: This Sunday, the UN Refugee Agency in Canada and Trans Workforce are co-hosting #RefugeesWelcome, an evening of entertainment and a panel discussion in celebration of LGBTQ refugees.

When: June 17
Time: 6 pm to 11 pm
Where: TIFF Bell Lightbox, 6 Floor, 350 King Street West
Price: Email at [email protected] if you wish to attend

Toronto Outdoor Picture Show: Fort York

Downsview Park

LeonWang/Shutterstock

What: The Toronto Outdoor Picture Show is kicking off its new season with a one-night-only screening at Fort York of Do the Right Thinga film about summer life.

When: June 17
Time: Screenings begin at sundown (roughly 9 pm)
Where: Fort York
Price: Free to the public

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