18 things to do in Toronto in June
Food, music, and street festivals are just the beginning of what you can do in the city this month.
’Tis the season for festivals of all sorts in Toronto, and that’s just the beginning of what’s on tap for a packed month of June.
To help you sort out your upcoming schedule, we dove deep into the city’s Festivals & Events calendar. Here’s our resulting list of 18 things to do for all sorts of ages and interests.
MOTIVE Crime & Mystery Festival
Location: Harbourfront Centre, 235 Queens Quay W.
Date(s): Fri., June 2-Sun., June 4
Organizer description: “MOTIVE Crime & Mystery Festival explores and celebrates all that is remarkable in crime and mystery writing. This wildly popular genre is famed for gripping storylines and for offering a unique lens on the world. MOTIVE will bring the best Canadian and international authors to TIFA stages with readings, signings, conversations, concerts and so much more.”
Click here for more info.
Queer Pride Festival 2023
Location: Buddies in Bad Times Theatre, 12 Alexander St.
Date(s): Fri., June 2-Sun., June 25
Organizer description: “Queer Pride is radical love and defiant self expression. It’s a time to celebrate everything that we are and all that we can be, while reimagining the spaces we create for all of our queer communities to come together. It’s in this spirit that we present Queer Pride 2023 — a festival of queer theatre, comedy, cabaret, art, music, and parties that showcases our community’s unstoppable spirit.
“All month long, Buddies hosts a stellar line-up of Toronto’s most exciting queer entertainers, with guest producers bringing their best, alongside Buddies staple events. So come catch a show and dance until last call. Come and connect with community. Come and celebrate your Queer Pride at Buddies.”
Click here for more info.
Block Party 2023 - Canada’s National Ballet School
Location: Canada‘s National Ballet School, 400 Jarvis St.
Date(s): Sat., June 3
Organizer description: “Toronto’s premier event celebrating community and the power of diverse dance forms to enrich our lives. An open house with a festival feel and family-friendly atmosphere, Canada’s National Ballet School (NBS)’s Block Party will welcome more than 1,000 guests to NBS’ award-winning campus for a full day of pop-up performances, workshops, refreshments, and activities for people of all ages.”
Click here for more info.
Ontario College of Art & Design - Student Exhibition
Location: Clark Centre for the Arts, 191 Guildwood Pkwy.
Date(s): Sat., June 3–Thurs., June 29
Organizer description: “Dive into the Clark Centre’s creative past and community-centered approach through art that examines the unique particularities of the human body and how it interacts with its surroundings. This exhibition is presented as part of the RBC Career Launcher Program and curated by Anqi Li with mentorship by Zavette Quadros-Evangelista, of the Art Gallery of Ontario.”
Click here for more info.
Spring Into Spice Outdoor Ethnic Food & Wine Festival
Location: Hotel X - Stanley Barracks Gardens, 115 Princes’ Blvd.
Date(s): Sat., June 3
Organizer description: ”Spring Into Spice is our chance to bring 30 ethnic food vendors, wineries and wine importers together in an open air environment. While the DJ plays, you’ll get a chance to walk around and munch on tasty cuisines such as Caribbean, African, Indian, Thai, Latin American and so much more. At the same time, venture over to a wine tent to try various wines with your foods.
“For those interested in digging deeper into food and wine pairing, take advantage of the deep dive seminars scheduled throughout the day! Pairing the wines we love with the spices we love! This is done in support of cognitive diversity in wine.”
Click here for more info.
West Hill Park Tree Planting
Location: West Hill Park, 170 Weir Cres.
Date(s): Tues., June 6
Organizer description: “Replant the hill at West Hill Park. Meet east of the baseball diamond. 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.
The Barbie Roast
Location: The Rivoli, 334 Queen St. W.
Date(s): Wed., June 7
Organizer description: “Explore the world of Barbie, meet all of her friends such as Teresa, Kira, Midge and more in this wild adventure called a comedy roast! Featuring worlds of Bratz Dolls, Polly Pockets and GI Joes colliding on the stage! Featuring her sisters, too! Barbie can write jokes, be funny, and her friends can too! But will her competition brands, Polly Pocket and Bratz, be able to be funny too? Featuring a super fun Barbie and Ken Photo Booth, prizes and giveaways and so much more! Come on and let’s have some fun!”
Click here for more info.
MOCA After Hours
Location: MOCA Toronto, 158 Sterling Rd.
Date(s): Thurs., June 8
Organizer description: “Join MOCA Toronto for an after hours party to celebrate the newly opened exhibition Impostor Cities. Experience a cinematic multi-media installation conceptualized and curated by Thomas Balaban, David Theodore and Jennifer Thorogood. Drinks will be available for purchase on the first floor, and you’ll get the chance to see Kapwani Kiwanga’s Remediation as well as the new exhibitions opening at MOCA this summer, including These days by Emmanuel Osahor and projects by Kieran Adams and FASTWÜRMS. We also suggest wearing something green to become a part of the exhibition!”
Click here for more info.
BridgerTop Gun
Location: The Tranzac Club, 292 Brunswick Ave.
Date(s): Thurs., June 8-Sat., June 17
Organizer description: “Part sketch comedy, part rock concert, part keg party – and all for charity, we’re proud to present BridgerTop Gun. When the Top Gun team tests out the new 6th generation fighter jets, they break Mach 10.3 and end up travelling back in time to the Regency era, crash landing in the fields of the Bridgerton country estate just in time for another season with the ton. Top Gun’s mission is to jet back to their time, but not before making a sexy impression on the Upper Deck of English Society.
“Who’ll be this season’s diamond? What scandal will come with the Navy’s best pilots? We’re supporting The Downie Wenjack Fund, ALS Action Canada, Daily Bread Food Bank, Princess Margaret Cancer Foundation. 19+ Event.”
Click here for more info.
Do West Fest 2023
Location: Dundas St. W. between Ossington St. and Lansdowne Ave.
Date(s): Fri., June 9–Sun., June 11
Organizer description: “Now in its 10th year, Do West Fest (formerly Dundas West Fest) is a free annual celebration of music, arts and community covering 12 blocks along Dundas Street West from Ossington Street to Lansdowne Avenue. Positioned as a kick-off to summer in Toronto, in past years, the festival has become a tourist event of notable significance on Toronto’s cultural events calendar, drawing over 500,000 people, some from as far away as Portugal and Brazil.
“The 10th Anniversary will bring a heightened awareness of the Little Portugal Toronto area. Portugal Day 2023, June 10, 2023, will feature the spectacular Portugal Day Parade, where we will be honoured with visits from overseas dignitaries and local celebrities as part of the celebrations. Join us!”
Click here for more info.
Lakeshore Village Grilled Cheese Challenge Festival
Location: Lake Shore Blvd. W. and Islington Ave.
Date(s): Sat., June 10
Organizer description: “Come taste the best grilled cheese in Toronto and vote for your favourites! Our Challengers will be offering up their take on ‘The Best Grilled Cheese’ and competing for The Judges Prize as well as the People's Choice Awards. Come for the grilled cheese and vote for your favourites in 3 different categories: Best Tasting, Most Unique and Best Gourmet. Stay for the live music, entertainment, amazing food, specialty drinks, shopping and more!”
Click here for more info.
Liberty Village Art Crawl
Location: The Bentway Skate Trail, 250 Fort York Blvd.
Date(s): Sat., June 10
Organizer description: “For the 10th year in a row, 120+ artists are taking over The Bentway for a day of art, design, live music, interactive demos, delicious food and more! Join us to peruse and shop unique, one of a kind products directly from the hands of artists! If you are looking for art, photography, sculptures, jewellery, fashion, home decor, skin care and more one of a kind items, you won’t want to miss this one day market.
“Our event also features food vendors and DJ Kid Artik! So bring your dancing shoes, you’ll be dancing while shopping. The perfect way to kick off your summer! This event is free to everyone, and welcomes leashed pets!”
Click here for more info.
Birding With Beni
Location: Toronto Botanical Garden, 777 Lawrence Ave. E.
Date(s): Fri., June 16
Organizer description: “Join Toronto Botanical Garden (TBG) Seasonal Horticulturist Beni for a unique, fun, and informative tour of the ravine and surrounding areas as you seek out birds and other wildlife that make TBG, the ravine and Wilket Creek their home. Beni will share his extensive bird knowledge, identification, and photography tips as you explore the ravine and surrounding areas.
“Please Note: as with any wildlife tour, the spotting of birds and other wildlife is not guaranteed and is not within the control of the tour guide. Please be patient and considerate. The tour will not be rescheduled due to lack of bird sightings. The tour will only be rescheduled due to inclement weather.”
Click here for more info.
Taste of Little Italy
Location: College St. between Bathurst St. and Shaw St.
Date(s): Fri., June 16–Sun., June 18
Organizer description: “Hosted by the Little Italy BIA, The Taste of Little Italy is Toronto’s most delicious street festival for the whole family; Featuring live performances on stages and street corners, extended patios, carnival rides and all the classics like authentic Italian pasta, wood-fired pizza, gelato and much more!”
Click here for more info.
Kreative Vendor Craft Market
Location: BrickBox Studio, 1233 Queen St. W.
Date(s): Sat., June 17
Organizer description: “We are so excited to invite you and your friends to our indoor vendor market. If you are looking for unique gifts for your friends/family or even just a treat for yourself, join our market! Tons of prizes and freebies to be had including a 20 person give away, which is first come, first serve. What’s the catch? Absolutely nothing, simply sign up for this event and show up!
“If you don't make it in time, you can still participate in our raffle! Prizes are worth up to $25 each! The other amazing thing is we’ll have FREE ice cream for the first 50 people that attend our market! Yes, FREE!”
Click here for more info.
The Journey To Conquer Cancer
Location: Varsity Stadium, 299 Bloor St. W.
Date(s): Sun., June 18
Organizer description: “We are excited to announce that the Journey To Conquer Cancer is returning on June 18th, 2023. This year, our fun-filled day will be hosted at the University of Toronto's Varsity Stadium! Event attendees will register in the morning at Varsity Stadium, and then participate on a 1 KM, 3KM or 5KM walk or run.
“There will be live entertainment and pit-stops along the route, and all routes will pass by the Princess Margaret Cancer Centre. Children are encouraged and dogs are welcome! There is also a virtual option. Sign up today and join the fight to end cancer in our lifetime!”
Click here for more info.
TD Toronto Jazz Fest
Location: Bloor-Yorkville
Date(s): Fri., June 23–Sun., July 2
Organizer description: “The TD Toronto Jazz Festival returns this summer to light up the city’s music scene, once again taking over the Bloor-Yorkville neighborhood. Ten days of free outdoor programming plus a selection of ticketed concerts - all featuring a blockbuster lineup of world-renowned musicians.
Headliners this year include Grammy Award-winners Ashanti and BADBADNOTGOOD, Canada’s Queen of R&B Jully Black, jazz fusion sensations Snarky Puppy, and Legends Herbie Hancock and George Benson, with more artists still to be announced. Truly a can’t-miss event of the summer!”
Click here for more info.
Bloor West Village Historical Tour
Location: Toronto Public Library Runnymede Branch, 2178 Bloor St. W.
Date(s): Sat., June 24
Organizer description: “In the 1850s, the area now known as Bloor West Village was the property of Lieutenant Colonel William Smith Durie, the first commanding officer of the Queens Own Rifles. The neighbourhood began to be developed in 1909 when it became part of the City of Toronto.
Bloor West Village’s first residents were immigrants of Eastern European background; they helped found the Bloor West Village Business Improvement Area, the first of its kind in Canada. The shopping district has helped make Bloor West Village one of Toronto’s most popular neighbourhoods. Join us for a FREE, public walking tour.”
Click here for more info.
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