25 things to do in Toronto this weekend: August 23 to 25

Aug 23 2019, 12:00 pm

The workweek is finally done and you’re going to want to make the most of the next few days.

Whether you’re in the mood to check out a food or drink festival or maybe you want to embrace a new culture, there’s plenty of awesome events happening throughout the city this weekend.

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Friday, August 23

Fan Expo Canada

fan expo canada/Facebook

What: The Fan Expo offers costume-filled fandom at its best to end the summer on a high note. From comics to sci-fi, horror, and gaming, you will find it all under one massive roof.

When: On now until August 25
Where: Metro Toronto Convention Centre, 222 Bremner Blvd.
Price: Tickets start at $20

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: On now until August 25
Time: Saturday, 2 pm and 8 pm; Sunday, 2 pm and 7 pm
Where: CAA Theatre, 651 Yonge Street
Price: From $42

CNE Food Truck Frenzy

What: The annual CNE Food Truck Frenzy wraps up summer by bringing together nearly two dozen food trucks. Conveniently, this food fest takes place at the same time as the CNE Craft Beer Fest so you can wash down your fave curbside eats with a cold one.

When: On now until August 26
Time: 11 am to 11 pm
Where: Situated on Princes’ Boulevard just inside the historic Princes’ Gates
Price: Admission to the festival is included with entry to the CNE

The Funhouse

What: Queen Street West has 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

Shakespeare in High Park

What: The untraditional rendition of Shakespeare returns this summer and runs 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, until September 1
Time: All performances begin at 8 pm
Where: High Park Amphitheatre
Price: Tickets are pay-what-you-can

CNE 2019

summer events

vacationcouple/Instagram

What: No summer is complete without a visit to the EX to take in the sounds, tastes, rides, and animals. Get some food, and win some ridiculously large prizes.

When: On now until September 2
Time: 10 am to 10 pm
Where: Canadian National Exhibition, 210 Princes’ Boulevard
Price: All attractions and shows are FREE with admission to the CNE

Summer Music in the Park

What: This summer, head to Bloor-Yorkville and snag a seat by the ‘big rock and enjoy some incredible live music that ranges from jazz to traditional Cuban and Greek and Celtic.

When: On now through September 7 (Every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday)
Time: Fridays, 11:30 am to 2:30 pm; Saturdays, 11:30 am to 2:30 pm; Sundays (only in July and August), 1:30 pm to 4:30 pm
Where: Village of Yorkville Park, Bellair and Cumberland streets
Price: Free

Toronto Cider Festival

What: This year’s Toronto Cider Festival will showcase an assortment of refreshing and amazing ciders paired with delicious food, live entertainment, and local Canadian talent, offering a no-fail way to wrap what will be an epic summer.

When: August 23 and 24
Where: 
Sherbourne Common, 61 Dockside Drive
Price: From $48

Beer, Bourbon & BBQ

What: Toronto’s late summer festival it’s taking every tried and true summertime attraction and mashing them all together into one single event including live country bands, line dancing lessons, bourbon tasting bars, axe throwing, BBQ cook-offs, and more.

When: August 23 to 25
Where: Ontario Place, 955 Lake Shore Boulevard West, Toronto
Price: Tickets start at $7.95

TAIWANfest 2019

What: TAIWANfest is making a very welcome return to Toronto’s Harbourfront Centre this August. The annual public event celebrates, shares, and exchanges culture and heritage between communities and provides a stage for guests to learn, share, and foster new artistic expressions. Attendees can expect a wide array of visual, culinary, and theatric arts, workshops and demonstrations for all ages, mesmerizing performances, and tantalizing cuisine.

When: August 23 to 25
Time: Friday, 6 pm to 10 pm; Saturday, 12 pm to 10 pm; Sunday, 12 pm to 6 pm
Where: Harbourfront Centre, 235 Queens Quay West
Price: Admission is free

Indie Fridays

concert series

kurthoop via ydsquare/Instagram

What: Not only is Yonge-Dundas Square hosting free movies and free yoga this summer, it will also be the site of free concerts. The Square’s free indie concert series runs until August 30. With the launch of Chevrolet’s new music discovery program, Chevy Music, this year’s series is set to be the biggest and best yet.

When: Every Friday through August 30
Time: 8 pm
Where: Yonge-Dundas Square
Price: Free

Saturday, August 24

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: Every Saturday during summer
Time: 8 am to 1 pm
Where: 550 Bayview Avenue
Price: Admission is free

Toronto Bicycle Music Festival

What: The annual Toronto Bicycle Music Festival returns this weekend, featuring an outdoor pedal-powered concert between Trinity Bellwoods and Bell Manor Parks.

When: August 24
Time: 11 am to 4:30 pm
Where: Trinity Bellwoods Park
Price: Free

Kensington Market Flea

What: The weekly Kensington Market Flea returns this Saturday. During the market, visitors will see plenty of independent vendors and artisans from across the city. You can check out plenty of handmade items, art, vintage clothing, records, and other locally designed goods.

When: Every Saturday until September 21
Time: 11 am to 6 pm
Where: 214 Augusta Ave, the rear outdoor area of El Gordo Foods
Price: Free to attend

The Deadstock Depot Vintage Flea Market

What: Toronto’s only vintage streetwear flea market is back. Shop from dozens of local and international vendors who have come together to form Canada’s largest selection of handpicked garments catering to the 80s, 90s, and 2000s street and sportswear aesthetic.

When: August 24
Time: Doors open at 1 pm
Where: Ossington Tire, 146 Ossington Avenue
Price: $10 entry fee

Leslieville Beer Fest

Leslieville Beer Festival

Leslieville Beer Fest / Instagram

What: The Leslieville Beer Festival is back for a craft brew-fuelled block party this weekend. Taking place on Saturday, the festival will shut down Dundas Street East between Logan and Carlaw Avenue for a full day and will feature more than 20 regional brewers and over 30 local food vendors and artisans.

When: August 24
Time: 1 pm to 8 pm
Where: Dundas Street East from Logan Avenue to Carlaw Avenue, Toronto
Tickets: $25, available online

Afro Caribbean Vegan Market

What: This not-for-profit event features plant-based products, art and services. Learn more about the benefits of introducing more plants into your day-to-day life through guest speakers, workshops and more.

When: August 24
Time: 4 pm to 9 pm
Where: 519 Community Centre – 519 Church Street
Admission: Free

Sunday, August 25

MOCA Community Sundays

What: The Museum of Contemporary Art is offering the perfect way to escape the city by offering free admission to all visitors on one Sunday each month so they can check out all the new exhibits.

When: August 25
Time: One Sunday monthly from 10 am to 2 pm
Where: MOCA – 158 Sterling Road, Toronto
Tickets: You can reserve your free tickets online

The Distillery District Sunday Market

What: If you’re looking to splurge on some tasty treats, hit up this market happening every Sunday until the end of September. Vendors selling cured meats, organic preserves, ready-to-eat treats, and handmade gourmet chocolates are just some of the things you can feast on. And of course, you’ll be able to shop for all sorts of artisan crafts.

When: Every Sunday through September 29
Time: 12 pm to 5 pm
Where: Distillery District
Price: Free admission

Kensington Market Pedestrian Sunday

What: The 16th season of Pedestrian Sundays brings back one awesome way to spend your Sundays this over the coming months. Performers, musicians, artists, and shopping, basically an awesome Sunday Funday.

When: August 25
Time: 12 pm to 7 pm
Where: Kensington Market
Price: Free

Sunday Social Series

bentway

krtopher/Instagram

What: The Social Series will present a space for socializing with friends new and old around oversized lounge chairs and picnic tables every Sunday all summer long. Canadian music mag Exclaim! will be presenting plenty of live music, Pilot Coffee and SPIN will be serving food, drinks and bar service, and, like the Block Party, ping pong tables will also be on-site.

When: Every Sunday until August 25
Time: Noon to 9 pm
Where: The Bentway, 250 Fort York Blvd
Price: Free to attend

Music in the Park

What: The Beach Village BIA presents the third annual summer Music in the Park Series. The series takes place in Kew Gardens in the Alex Christie Bandshell, in the heart of The Beaches. The series has been carefully curated to feature some of the Toronto and Canada’s best performers, spanning multiple genres.

When: Every Sunday until August 31
Time: 
2 pm to 4 pm
Where: Kew Gardens in the Alex Christie Bandshell
Price: Admission is free

Summer Music in the Garden

What:  The Summer Music in the Garden concert series will kick off in honour of the Toronto Music Garden’s 20th anniversary, and will feature 18 free concerts of classical, traditional and world music, including a concert on August 25 that will feature the Music Garden’s “theme song,” Bach’s Suite no. 1 in G Major for solo cello.

When: Thursdays and Sundays through September 15
Time: 4 pm
Where: 479 Queens Quay West
Price: Free to attend

Christie Pits Film Festival: The talented Mr. Ripley

What: The film festival will be screening The Talented Mr. Ripley this Sunday, along with the short film The Offer. As part of the Toronto Outdoor Picture Show, anticipate movies of the “Dynamic Duo” theme this year. Although all screenings are free of charge, there is a suggested donation of $10.

When: August 25
Time: Sundown
Where: Christie Pits Park, 779 Crawford Ave West
Price: Free

Yoga Classes at The Bentway

What: You’ll be able to balance yourself out every week at The Bentway’s free yoga classes this summer. The weekly yoga classes are run by Tribe Fitness and go every Sunday until the end of August. Just remember to bring your own mat!

When: Every Sunday until August 25
Time:  7 pm to 8 pm
Where: 250 Fort York Blvd.
Price: Free, but you must bring your own mat

Ainsley SmithAinsley Smith

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