26 events worth checking out in Toronto this July

Are you ready to fully embrace summer?

If not, this line-up of incredible events, parties, festivals and of course, food and beer events definitely will get you in the mood.

Enjoy!

See also

• There's a massive block party at the Bentway in July
• StubHub says these are the 10 hottest concerts in Canada this summer
• Here's everything you can get up to at The Bentway this summer

Bar Aperol

What: Bar Aperol will be selling Aperol Spritz’s and serving alongside an Italian aperitivo food menu by the Cheese Boutique, and coffee and espresso by Lavazza. Those looking to enjoy an aperitif but don’t want to consume alcohol, Crodino, the Italian non-alcoholic aperitif will be available.

When: Open for the month of July, four days a week (Thursday to Sunday)
Time: Thursdays and Fridays, 4 pm to 11 pm; Saturdays and Sundays, 2 pm to 10 pm
Where: 1030Queen Street West
Price: Admission is free

Open Roof Festival

What: Open Roof Festival will be back for its tenth season this June, and the festival will enjoy its second year at a new venue. Starting June 19, Open Roof Festival will feature live music and film screenings with food and drinks. And remember: The event has moved from Sudbury Street to Sterling Road in the Lower Junction Triangle near the new site of MOCA (Museum of Contemporary Art).

When: On now until August 22
Time: Event kicks off at 7 pm, music at 8 pm, movie at 9 pm
Where: Sterling Road in the Lower Junction Triangle (the lot adjacent to 158 Sterling Road)
Price: $15

The Funhouse

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

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

Canada Day at Canada’s Wonderland

What: Celebrate Canada’s birthday at Canada’s Wonderland. Attendees can expect acrobatic shows, street performers, live music, traditional Canadian food, an epic firework display, and all the rides.

When: July 1
Time: 10 am to 10 pm
Where: Canada’s Wonderland, 1 Canada’s Wonderland Drive
Price: Adult day pass starts at $39.99

Toronto Fringe Festival

What: With 151 shows at 37 venues that include live theatre, music, dance, arts, buskers, and performances (basically, everything arts-related), there’s something for everyone at the Toronto Fringe Festival.

When: July 3 to 14
Where: Various venues throughout the city
Price: Ticketed events start at $11

Shakespeare in High Park

What: The untraditional rendition of Shakespeare returns on July 4 and will run until September 1. The long-running outdoor theatre event is celebrating its 37th year and takes on two classics this year. This summer’s plays include the comedic tale of love and desire, Much Ado About Nothing, and the timeless story of morality and power, Measure For Measure.

When: Tuesday to Sunday, July 4 to September 1
Time: All performances begin at 8 pm
Where: High Park Amphitheatre
Price: Tickets are pay-what-you-can

Bryan Adams in Toronto

What: Ready to feel like it’s Summer of 69? Legendary Canadian rocker, Bryan Adams, is performing in Toronto this month and with every ticket purchased a tree will be planted.

When: July 4
Time: 8 pm
Where: Budweiser Stage, 909 Lake Shore Boulevard West
Price: From $45

Beam Me Up Disco!

What: A jam that celebrates the underrated and the obscure of funk, jazz, soul, boogie, proto-house, and more, supplied by the Patchouli Brothers and Cyclist every Friday night this month.

When: Every Friday, July 5, 12, 19, and 26
Time: 10 pm
Where: The Drake Hotel, 1150 Queen Street West
Price $10

12 Beers of Summer

What: If you’re a beer enthusiast who’s been hankering for the boozy festivities of the holidays, this three-hour taste-a-thon was made for you. Taking a note from their 12 Beers of Christmas Event, the Gladstone Hotel is hosting the 12 Beers of Summer on July 5. Take this chance to sample sips from local brewers, as each will be bringing their best summer options with more than enough suds to go around.

When: July 5
Time:  6:30 pm to 9:30 pm
Where: The Gladstone Hotel, 1214 Queen Street West
Tickets: Available online from $30

Wine Fest Toronto

What: The first annual Wine Fest Toronto comes to the CF Shops at Don Mills, Town Square, to celebrate all things wine this July. The festival promises to take guests on a journey through the world of wine as they sip and explore outstanding vinos from over 12 countries.

When: July 5 and 6
Time: Friday, 5 pm to 9 pm; Saturday, 1 pm to 9 pm
Where: CF Shops at Don Mills, Town Square, 1090 Don Mills Rd.
Tickets: $19.99 to $24.99 online (ages 19+)

The Brick Bar

What: This summer, you’ll have the chance to relive the days of your youth at this boozey LEGO-themed bar that’s coming to Toronto. The Brick Bar, the first bar of its kind, will consist of over 1 million blocks and will feature sculptures made completely from LEGO bricks.

When: Friday, July 5 to Sunday, July 7
Where: Rosehill Venue and Lounge – 6 Rosehill Avenue
Tickets: Available online here

Summerlicious 2019

What: Now in its 17th year, Summerlicious is back, and reservation lines open on June 20. The citywide prix-fixe promotion kicks off July 5 and runs until July 21 at nearly 200 of Toronto’s favourite restaurants.

When: July 5 to July 21
Time: Varies by restaurant
Where: Restaurants across Toronto
Price: Lunch menus priced at $23, $28, and $33 and dinner is $33, $43, and $53

Meowfest

What: Meowfest, Canada’s ultimate cat festival, will be coming to Toronto this summer.
It will include a full day of vendors, celebricats (including the world’s most followed Instagram cat, Nala Cat), meet and greets, food trucks, entertainment and more.

When: July 6
Time: 10 am to 5 pm
Where: Evergreen Brick Works
Price: $20

KIESZA at Drake Underground

What: Canadian-born, Brooklyn-based pop singer Kiesza makes dance-oriented music that touches upon house music, modern EDM, and R&B. With her single ‘Hideaway’ having gone platinum in Canada, USA, Italy, and Germany, this is sure to be a dance party to remember. 

When: July 6
Time: $7:30 pm
Where: The Drake Hotel, 1150 Queen Street West
Price: $33

Rules of the Game: The Best of Jean Renoir

What: You can escape the heat at TIFF Bell Lightbox this summer at this new film series featuring the films of Jean Renoir, son of celebrated impressionist painter Pierre-Auguste Renoir. The series is on until July 7 at TIFF Bell Lightbox featuring 19 of the director’s works.

When: On now until July 7
Time: Screenings vary by day
Where: TIFF Bell Lightbox, 350 King Street West
Price: Tickets from $14

Blink-182 in Toronto

What: Get ready to relive your teenage angst, legendary rock trio Blink-182 is performing in Toronto this July. Multi-platinum and Grammy-nominated band Blink-182 is hitting the road and going on tour across North America this summer.

When: Sunday, July 7
Time: Doors open at 6 pm, show starts at 7 pm
Where: Budweiser Stage
Price: From $92

Jennifer Lopez at Scotiabank Theatre

What: Jennifer Lopez is bringing her highly anticipated “It’s My Party: The Live Celebration” tour to Toronto this month. This is the singer’s first time hitting the road in over six years. Toronto fans will now have two opportunities to see the Jenny From the Block singer take the stage, with a new performance happening on July 7 and 8.

When: July 7 and 8
Where: Scotiabank Theatre, 40 Bay Street
Price: From $122

Honda Indy Toronto

What: Celebrating 33 years of racing on the streets of Toronto, the Honda Indy Toronto is taking over Toronto in July. It’s fast and furious (and loud) in the city on that weekend

When: July 12 to 14
Where: Exhibition Place, 100 Princes’ Blvd.

All Day I Dream 2019

What: It’s time to get groovy Toronto. The fourth edition of All Day I Dream in Toronto promises another beautiful blissed out day full of pretty music and good vibes.

When: July 13
Time: 2 pm to 10 pm
Where: Fort York National Historic Site, 250 Fort York Blvd.
Price: From $50

City Shred 

What: City Shred returns this month and gives you the chance to be a part of an epic one-day group-training experience. Set on the turf where it all began at Central Tech Stadium, City Shred will test your strength, endurance, agility, and speed to complete a killer HIIT workout like no other. 

When: July 14
Time: 9 am to 2 pm
Where: Central Tech Stadium, 725 Bathurst Street
Price: $35

Backstreet Boys: DNA World Tour

What: Backstreet’s Back, Alright! Everyone’s favourite 90s boy band is bringing its highly-anticipated world tour Toronto this month for a can’t miss evening filled with dancing, singing, and plenty of girls screaming.

When: July 17
Time: 8 pm
Where: Scotiabank Arena, 40 Bay Street
Price: From $333

Pizza Fest presented by TasteToronto

What: Pizza Fest presented by TasteToronto is returning to Ontario Place this summer to bring together over 20 of Toronto’s best pizza joints and Italian hotspots, serving up authentic slices and other Italian favourites from spaghetti carbonara and meatball sandwiches to gelato and tiramisu.

When: July 19 to 21
Time: Friday, 2 pm to 11 pm; Saturday, 11 am to 11 pm; Sunday, 11 am to 8:30 pm
Where: Ontario Place
Price: Tickets from $7.95

Ontario Oyster Festival

What: Taking place at Rodney’s Oyster House, this all-day event will feature $5 drinks and oysters (served five at a time), along with lobster ($25 each) and other delicious seafood-centric foods price for $10 or less.

When: July 21
Time: 1 pm to 10 pm
Where: Rodney’s Oyster House, 469 King Street West, Toronto
Price: General admission is $35 in advance, $45 at the gates

Toronto’s Festival of Beer

What: Hosted by the Beer Store, Toronto’s Festival of Beer is home to over 60 brewers featuring more than 300 brands from all over the world. Also to enjoy is quality live music that includes acts like Ja Rule and Ashanti.

When: July 26 to 28
Where: Bandshell Park Exhibition Place, 200 Princes’ Blvd
Tickets: Available online here

The Rosé Picnic

What: For one day only, you can enjoy #roseallday as Stanley Barracks at the sleek, luxurious Hotel X Toronto, which will be filled with blankets, flowing rosé, and some of the best food in the city. The Rosé Picnic has parented with celebrity Toronto chef Mark McEwan, so you’ll have baskets of delicious food to choose from.

When: July 27
Where: Stanley Barracks at Hotel X Toronto, 111 Princes’ Blvd.
Price: Tickets from $30 to $5,000 available online

The Office! A Musical Parody

What: In case you’ve already re-watched The Office for the umpteenth time on Netflix, you’ll soon have the chance to see your favourite paper company employees live on for another day. This summer, the off-Broadway performance, The Office! A Musical Parody is heading to Toronto for a four-week run at Mirvish’s CAA Theatre.

When: July 30 to August 25
Time: Tuesday to Saturday, 8 pm; Saturday and Sunday, 2 pm; Sunday evening, 7 pm
Where: CAA Theatre, 651 Yonge Street
Price: From $42