14 free things to do in Toronto this weekend
Art shows, walking tours, comic books — oh my. Here’s a bunch of stuff to do in the city on the cheap this weekend.
There’s a lot going on in Toronto this weekend, with Free Comic Book Day, Jane’s Walk Toronto, the CONTACT Photography Festival, and more.
To help you fill out your schedule on the cheap, we dove deep into the City of Toronto Festivals & Events calendar. Here’s a list of 14 free things to do between Friday and Sunday, for all sorts of ages and interests.
Toronto Botanical Garden Plant Sale
Location: 777 Lawrence Ave. E.
Date(s): May 6–7
Organizer description: Toronto Botanical Garden is thrilled to host its annual spring plant sale, filled with a thoughtful selection of top-performing and ethically sourced plants from reliable growers. Enjoy a friendly and relaxed shopping experience surrounded by plants and the people who care for them. This sale will include flowering annuals, herbaceous perennials, pollinator plants, small trees and shrubs... and more! Horticulture staff and Toronto Master Gardeners will be available to offer helpful gardening advice in selecting the right plants for your home garden, terrace, or balcony.
Click here for more info.
Mindfest 2023
Location: 7 Hart House Cir.
Date(s): May 5
Organizer description: A free mental health and wellness event featuring presentations, workshops, and exhibitors, hosted by the University of Toronto’s Department of Psychiatry. Mindfest aims to increase mental health awareness, and provide resources and services for our communities. We want to host mental health conversations that include everyone — but they won’t include everyone unless they include you! This year’s event will include presentations on healing through creativity, finding a psychotherapist who’s a good match for you, and managing mental health as a leader.
Click here for more info.
107 walks—can you believe it? Our huge thanks to every volunteer walk leader for bringing the 2023 #janeswalkto festival to life!
— Jane's Walk Toronto (@JanesWalkTO) April 30, 2023
Plan your route for this May 5-7 weekend: https://t.co/3mgFN2aVtS pic.twitter.com/CR94nBTzTJ
Corktown—See it before it's gone!
Location: 101 Parliament St. (outside)
Date(s): May 7
Organizer description: Today’s urban development is transforming the look and feel of Toronto’s streetscape, and historic Corktown is no exception. Once referred to as a village, this blue-collar neighbourhood served the needs of early century immigrants. Among its workers’ cottages and rowhouses, the area has three historic churches. The reality of a post-Covid era is that many neighbourhoods are being reshaped by modern expressions like Ministers Zoning Orders (MZO), Bill 23, and Land Assembly. Join us in this walk and see where the next glass tower reiteration is expected to affix itself to Corktown’s built heritage. Throughout this ramble, participants will have an opportunity to share their thoughts on some of Jane Jacob’s famous quotes.
Click here for more info.
Spring is here! Maker Market
Location: 1052 Bloor St. W.
Date(s): May 6–7
Organizer description: Warmer, sunny days are on the horizon! The Maker Bean Cafe is hosting a TWO-day Spring Maker Market for local artisans! A raffle food drive for local Oasis Dufferin will be happening as well, so please bring a non-perishable donation!
Click here for more info.
Spectacular Spring Sale of the Season: CCSV Rummage and Bake Sale
Location: 155 Markham Rd., Scarborough
Date(s): May 6
Organizer description: Fabulous finds, great deals on ladies’, men’s and children’s clothing, shoes, jewellery, children’s toys, puzzles, books, CDs, DVDs, household items, delicious baked goods, and much, much more!
Click here for more info.
Sunday Scene with Amanda Boulos
Location: 231 Queens Quay W.
Date(s): May 7
Organizer description: We invite you for a captivating Sunday Scene art talk with guest speaker Amanda Boulos, who will address the themes in Brenda Draney’s exhibition Drink from the river, on view at The Power Plant.
Click here for more info.
Eco Fair @ Beach United
Location: 140 Wineva Ave.
Date(s): May 6
Organizer description: Planet Earth needs you! Come out and get inspired. There will be something for everyone.
- 35+ exhibitors/vendors, games, and crafts
- Meet 'Hot Dog' the snapping turtle
- Learn about wildlife in the city
- Info for homeowners on how to save energy
- Access green grants
- Info on EVs and chargers, and solar panels
- Bike safety tips and minor tune-ups
- A beekeeper and his honey
- Green cleaning products
- How to plant pollinator/butterfly garden and spot invasive species
- Reduce food waste and get delicious food in zero waste takeout
- Kitchen demo with Chef Nettie Cronish
- Plus three speakers: Lana Goldberg, Environmental Defence Fund, Paul Dowsett, retrofit coach with The Pocket Change Project and Dr. Lori Stahlbrand, George Brown College on Food Sustainability.
Click here for more info.
Candid Conversations Coffee House
Location: 58 Cecil St.
Date(s): May 7
Organizer description:
Our community is full of people who have faced their own struggles with mental
health and want to help others through the process of healing and
understanding. And while we are always looking for new ways to support our
community, we know that storytelling is often the best way for people to truly
learn and connect with one another.
Come join us for a cup of
coffee or tea, some yummy appetizers, and lots of great conversation. Feel
free to drop in for 15 minutes or stay for the whole duration. This event is
open to everyone!
Click here for more info.
Comic Book Day at Scarborough Museum
Location: 1007 Brimley Rd.
Date(s): May 6-7
Organizer description: ZAP! POW! BAM! Join Scarborough Museum in celebrating Comic Book Day! Browse the museum’s library of comic books and graphic novels, and find out how to support local comic book stores.
Click here for more info. And click here for more info about Free Comic Book Day events elsewhere in the city.
“Stilled Moments” and “Looking for Sky” – CONTACT Photography
Location: 80 Gerrard St. E.
Date(s): May 6-June 24
Organizer description: Joachim Oepkes and Gustavo Jabbaz have found inspiration for their photography walking city streets. See their work in the main floor exhibits spaces of Gallery Arcturus, a free public art museum in downtown Toronto. The gallery has been a part of the Scotiabank CONTACT Photography Festival for many years and regularly exhibits installations of many media, including photo images as well as collage, sculptures in stone, plaster and wood as well as paintings, pastels and drawings.
Click here for more info.
Sarah Anne Johnson | Woodland
Location: 1356 Dundas St. W.
Date(s): May 6-June 25
Organizer description: During CONTACT, Toronto’s annual photography festival, the Stephen Bulger Gallery is pleased to present “Woodland,” our sixth solo exhibition of work by Canadian artist Sarah Anne Johnson. Frustrated with how her photographs seemed only capable of recording what was in front of the camera, over the last 20 years, Johnson has devised different methodologies to use her photographs as a point of departure.
Click here for more info.
Kay Gardner Beltline Stewardship
Location: 179 Forest Hill Rd.
Date(s): May 7
Organizer description: Remove invasive garlic mustard and pick up garbage along the Kay Gardner Beltline Trail. Meet us at our table at Forest Hill Road Park. Event site conditions vary. Contact us for more information on accessibility. If you would like to request accessibility support or accommodation, contact us as soon as possible.
Click here for more info.
CONTACT Photography: From Black and White to NFTs
Location: 183 Queen St. E.
Date(s): May 6-28
Organizer description: From the sedate, elegant tones of Black and White to the brilliant, brash movement and colours of Block Chain art or non-fungible tokens, a.k.a. NFTs. Plus, wall-size, quality prints of the technology in between. Plus, renowned documentary photographer & author John Willis documentation of the repatriation of artifacts at Wounded Knee. Presented by Carol SL Mark.
Click here for more info.
Who Walked in Willowdale? - Jane’s Walk
Location: 2 Church Ave., North York
Date(s): May 5-7
Organizer description: Walk the streets of Willowdale with us to learn about the rich tapestry of characters who have called our neighbourhood home. Together, we’ll meet rebels and rock stars, authors, architects, and of course, a famous mayor. Our walk will offer a glimpse into Willowdale’s time as a rebellious farming settlement far north of Toronto. Then, Willowdale became a mostly quiet suburb that was punctuated by steamy double bills at the local movie house, and rowdy teenagers at the local burger shack. And we’ll hear about modern times, as Willowdale has transformed into the “Miracle on Yonge Street.”
Click here for more info.
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