28 things to do in Toronto this weekend: July 27 to 29
It’s the final weekend of the month, so you’re going to want to make it count.
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.
Toronto’s Festival of Beer
Toronto’s Festival of Beer/Facebook
What: Toronto’s Festival of Beer is back for a weekend full of beers, bands, and food in addition to hundreds of brews, seriously good eats, and plenty of #BeerLove. Beer enthusiasts can also look forward to Ludacris headlining the marquee Friday night during the festival.
When: Now until July 28
Time: Entry times vary by day
Where: Bandshell Park, Exhibition Place, Toronto
Price: Tickets on sale now from $35
Beaches International Jazz Festival
What: A festival that needs almost no introduction, the Beaches International Jazz Festival is celebrating its 30th year. This is also the final weekend to check out the festival.
When: Now until July 29
Time: Varies by day
Where: The Beach Neighbourhood
Price: Admission is free
Toronto Caribbean Carnival
What: Now in its 51st year, the Toronto Caribbean Carnival (formerly Caribana, which many still call it) is a five-week cultural celebration featuring Caribbean music, dance, costume, parties, and food.
When: Now until August 12
Time: Varies by day
Where: Various locations throughout the city
Price: Varies by event
CITE at The Bentway
What: A great use of public space, CITE is both an art installation and a skatepark, featuring sculptures that boarders are free to ride on. Canada Day celebrations include DJ sets, skate demos, a beer garden, live graffiti, a meet and greet with pros, eats, and an open skate.
When: Now to August 12
Time: 10 am to 9 pm
Where: The Bentway Skate Trail, 250 Fort York Blvd.
Price: Free
Union Summer Market
@donzwebb/Instagram
What: The open-air market situated on the doorstep of Toronto’s Union Station returns this summer, hosting an incredible line-up of food vendors, ongoing programming, and events that bring Toronto’s talent, culture, and spirit to life.
When: Now until August 19
Time: 11 am to 8 pm
Where: 65 Front Street West, Toronto
Price: Admission is free
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: Free
Summer Fridays at the ROM
What: The ROM offers discounted prices every Friday, giving you the chance to roam the galleries and check out the newest special exhibitions for cheap. Plus, guests can check out the c5 lounge until 10 pm, and enjoy drinks, snacks, live performances and a spectacular view of the Toronto skyline.
When: July 27
Time: 5:30 pm to 10 pm
Where: 100 Queen’s Park, Toronto
Price: $12
MarsFest
What: Mars will be closer than it has been in 15 years this weekend and the Ontario Science Centre is celebrating with an evening star party. You can observe Mars up close with a telescope, engage in hands-on, Mars-themed activities and more.
When: July 27
Time: 7:30 am 1 am
Where: Ontario Science Centre, 770 Don Mills Road
Price: Free
Indie Fridays
@kurthoop via @ydsquare/Instagram
What: Chevrolet Canada presents Indie Fridays, a free concert series featuring some of Canada’s top indie musicians on Friday evenings.
When: July 27
Time: 8 pm to 11 pm
Where: Yonge-Dundas Square, 1 Dundas Street East
Price: Free
Friday Night Lights at Downsview Park
What: Taking place at the football field and running track at Downsview Park, moviegoers can enjoy a variety of recent family-friendly flicks all summer long. Tonight’s screening is Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle.
When: July 27
Time: Roughly 9:30 pm
Where: 79 Carl Hall Road, Football Field & Running Track
Price: Free
Richmond Hill Ribfest
What: Admission is free to this three-day outdoor event that features pro rib teams cooking and competing for various “Best” titles. Joining the fun, look forward to live entertainment, a marketplace, beer garden, and midway.
When: July 27 to 29
Time: Friday, 12 pm to 11 pm; Saturday, 11 am to 11 pm; Sunday, 11 am to 8 pm
Where: Richmond Green Sports Centre and Park
Price: Free
Harold’s Fish Festival
What: Toronto’s newest food festival is a celebration of coastal living. Harold’s Fish Festival is coming to Toronto’s Ontario Place for three days this weekend, promising to be a “fusion of fish and seafood dishes with a perfect blend of wines, beers, and signature cocktails, bringing you a fish event like no other.”
When: July 27 to 29
Time: Friday, 5 pm to 11 pm; Saturday, 11 am to 11 pm, Sunday, 11 am to 7 pm
Where: Ontario Place, 955 Lake Shore Boulevard West, Toronto
Price: Tickets from $9
Evergreen Brickworks Saturday Market
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What: The Evergreen Brick Works’ Saturday Farmers’ Market is the largest farmers’ market in Toronto. Come and enjoy good food from local farmers, food producers, and chefs.
When: July 28
Time: 8 am to 1 pm
Where: Evergreen Brick Works, 550 Bayview
Price: Admission is free
OssFest
What: This year, OssFestwill celebrate the fun, fashion, food, and fitness found throughout the Ossington area. During this free festival, the street will be closed for a pedestrian and four-legged friend takeover to discover and rediscover everything Ossington has to offer.
When: July 28
Time: 8 am to 11 pm
Where: Ossington Avenue (between Dundas Street West and Queen Street West)
Price: Free to attend
Alohafest
What: The 4th annual Alohafest returns to Toronto this weekend. Come and celebrate Polynesian culture and the Aloha spirit through engaging cultural performances, children’s activities and at the AlohaFest Marketplace.
When: July 28
Time: 11 am to 7 pm
Where: Mel Lastman Square, 5100 Yonge Street
Price: Free
Seinfeld Pop-Up
What: Big salads, babka, “Sex Pastrami,” and pudding skin singles? Iconic 90s sitcom Seinfeld is the inspiration behind this Toronto pop-up restaurant. The menu has yet to be released, but the date is set. Drinks kick off at 5 pm and dinner follows at 6 pm until sold-out.
When: July 28
Time: 5 pm
Where: Lloyd’s, 1298 Queen Street East
Price: Pay for what you order
Leslieville Night Market
Leslieville Night Market
What: The Leslieville Night Market is back and trust us, you won’t want to miss this. The Leslieville Farmers’ Market and The Leslieville Flea are joining forces to bring you amazing local food and drinks (the event is fully licensed with beer, wine and cocktails), handcrafted and vintage goods, farmers, incredible music, kids’ activities, and so much more this weekend.
When: July 28
Time: 5 pm to 10 pm
Where: Jonathan Ashbridge Park, 1515 Queen Street East
Price: Pay-what-you-can
Cultura 2018
What: Cultura is a free family-friendly outdoor festival presenting music, art, food, and film every Friday evening in July at Mel Lastman Square. Cultura celebrates Toronto’s rich diversity featuring world-renowned musicians, tasty international street food, explosive buskers and dance, interactive art activities, and evening film screenings under the stars.
When: July 28
Rime: 6 pm to 11 pm
Where: Mel Lastman Square
Sorauren Park Free Movies
What: Toronto’s Sorauren Park will be hosting a free movie screening of Charade this Saturday. This year, attendees can look forward to pizza dinners before each screening from the new Sorauren Park Pizza Oven, prepared and presented by Pizzeria Defina.
When: July 28
Time: Roughly 9 pm
Where: Sorauren Avenue Park, 289 Sorauren Avenue
Price: Free
Free Yoga at Ontario Place
What: Every weekend this summer, Ontario Place hosts yoga at Trillium Park. On Saturday and Sundays, from now until August 26, the morning classes will be offered with no sign ups necessary. Yogis just need to bring a mat for practice.
When: July 28 and 29
Time: Saturday, 10 am; Sunday, 11 am
Where: Trillium Park, Ontario Place
Price: Free
Waterfront Artisan Market
Marc Bruxelle/Shutterstock
What: Back for its third year, the Waterfront Artisan Market features 50 bakers, chefs, and artisans hawking summery street foods and locally-made products every Saturday and Sunday.
When: July 28 and 29
Time: Saturday, 11 am to 8 pm; Sunday, 11 am to 5 pm
Where: HTO Park, 339 Queens Quay West
Price: Admission is free
Pin + Patch Show
What: The Pin + Patch Show will showcase a variety of local flair designers selling their unique pins and patches all under one roof in Toronto.
When: July 29
Time: 11 am to 5 pm
Where: 2104 Dundas Street West
Pedestrian Sunday’s in Kensington Market
What: The 15th season of Pedestrian Sundays brings back one awesome way to spend your Sundays this summer. Performers, musicians, artists, and shopping, basically an awesome Sunday Funday.
When: Last Sunday of the month, July 29
Time: 12 pm to 7 pm
Where: Kensington Market
Price: Free to attend
Sunday Social at The Bentway Beer Garden
What: Every Sunday, The Bentway will be home to Toronto’s coolest covered patio, serving up beer from Collective Arts Brewing and cider from Strongbow, along with tasty treats from SPiN, Toronto’s Ping-Pong social club, plus outdoor games like ping pong and bocce, and a curated music program.
When: July 29
Time: 12 pm to 9 pm
Where: The Bentway, 250 Fort York Boulevard
Price: Admission is free
Fusion of Taste Festival
@AlbionIslington/Instagram
What: The Albion Islington Square Business Improvement Area hosts this multicultural festival featuring food and art all day long.
When: July 29
Time: 12 pm to 9:30 pm
Where: Albion Islington Square, 925 Albion Road, Etobicoke
Price: Admission is free
Backyard Barbeque Party
What: George House Events is electrifying everyone’s favourite summer pastime by bringing you the “Backyard” Barbecue Party. This Sunday, you can enjoy an epic barbecue party with classic BBQ food including burgers and sausages along with delicious sides and vegetarian options.
When: July 29
Time: 1 pm to 4 pm
Where: Track & Field Bar, 860 College Street
Price: $25
Promise Cherry Beach 2018
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: July 29
Time: 3 pm to 11 pm
Where: Cherry Beach, Cherry Street just south of Unwin Avenue
Price: $20
Christie Pits Film Festival
What: Movie lovers can enjoy an outdoor screening of ‘Waste Land‘ this Sunday evening as part of the Christie Pits Film Festival. Although all screenings are free of charge, there is a suggested donation of $10.
When: July 29
Time: Roughly 9 pm
Where: Christie Pits Park, 779 Crawford Ave West
Price: Free to attend