15 free things to do in Toronto this weekend
It’s a great weekend to take in some art and take to the streets.
Toronto’s free festival season continues, with offerings for foodies, art aficionados, classic car lovers, and much more on tap for this weekend.
To help you figure out your schedule, we dove deep into the City of Toronto Festivals & Events calendar. Here’s a list of 15 free things to do between Friday and Sunday, for all sorts of ages and interests.
18th Annual Toronto International Brazilfest
Location: Earlscourt Park, 1595 St Clair Ave. W.
Date(s): Fri., July 21–Sun., July 23
Organizer description: “Are you ready to immerse yourself in the vibrant culture of Brazil? Join us at BrazilFest 2023, the largest Brazilian festival in the region! This year marks the festival’s 20th anniversary, promising an even more exciting and colorful celebration than ever before.
“You will experience the best of Brazilian music, dance, and food. You can expect to see spectacular performances by renowned artists, including samba dancers, capoeira fighters, and live musicians. We will also have a marketplace featuring Brazilian handicrafts, clothes, and jewelry. And of course, we will have plenty of delicious food and drinks for you to enjoy.
“So mark your calendars and come out to enjoy the best of Brazilian culture! Mark your calendars for a weekend of non-stop festivities!”
Click here for more info.
Guild Alive with Culture Arts Festival
Location: Guild Park and Gardens, 201 Guildwood Pkwy.
Date(s): Sat., July 22–Sun., July 23
Organizer description: “Guild Alive with Culture Arts Festival is a celebration of arts, culture, and the community. The festival is a must-attend for all ages featuring Artisan Vendors, Live Music and Entertainment, Great Food, Beer Garden, Art Demonstrations, Explore the Clark Centre for the Arts and other fun activities.”
Click here for more info.
Junior Carnival Parade and Family Day
Location: Malvern Community Recreation Centre and Neilson Park, 1555 Neilson Rd.
Date(s): Sat., July 22
Organizer description: “The Junior Carnival Parade comprises of approximately 2,000 masqueraders ranging in age from toddlers to teens. Similar to The Grand Parade, each junior band portrays a theme and participates in a competition for Junior Band of the Year.
“A panel of judges adjudicate all bands using criteria that includes Visual impact; Authenticity; Creativity; Mas on the Move; Clarity of Theme; Presentation; and Craftsmanship.
“An after-parade family picnic type event continues at Neilson Park with stage performances portraying junior entertainers. This family day event includes children amusement activities, music, a marketplace with food vendors, arts & craft vendors and more.”
Click here for more info.
Fun Philippines Toronto Street Festival
Location: North York, Bathurst St. and Wilson Ave.
Date(s): Sat., July 22-Sun., July 23
Organizer description: “A summer weekend of fun-filled Filipino street festival showcasing delectable Filipino foods and international cuisine, non-stop live music & street dancing for all ages, distinctive Filipino products & services, basketball sports zone, family carnival rides, fun and games at the kids playland, and loads of prizes and giveaways.
“Fun Philippines is your gateway to Filipino culture at its best. Come and experience first-hand the world-renowned Filipino hospitality and make it your summer to remember!”
Click here for more info.
Artist Mentorship Showcase: Flora, Luna-Corona Artist Q & A & Tour
Location: Gibson House Museum, 5172 Yonge St.
Date(s): Sat., July 22
Organizer description: “Flora implies all the plants of a particular place or period. This definition marks the origin for Flora, Luna-Corona, an exploration of the proximity between plants, land history, and diverse cultural expressions. Initially inspired by the gender-fluid Chinese fashion of zanhua or flower-wearing, this exhibit surveys how flora functions as cultural knowledge transcending the boundaries of gender, geography, time, socio-cultural circles and binary dualism.
“Flora, Luna-Corona is part of the Toronto History Museums’ Artist Mentorship Showcase: Pride with Mentor Ashley Mckenzie-Barnes. Experience a range of art projects at 10 history museum sites featuring emerging and mid-career artists from the 2SLGBTQ+ community.”
Click here for more info.
Arts in the Parks: Under The Stars
Location: Dentonia Park, 80 Thyra Ave.
Date(s): Sat., July 22
Organizer description: “The annual summer screening series, celebrating 10 years this year, brings a family-friendly film to your local park, along with activities, popcorn and more! Bring the whole family together for a night of fun, food, and film.”
Click here for more info.
Fusion of Taste Festival
Location: Albion Rd. and Islington Ave., 950 Albion Rd
Date(s): Sat., July 22
Organizer description: “Join us for the 14th Annual Fusion of Taste Festival! Experience a day filled with mouthwatering delights, exciting activities, and live entertainment. Indulge in free food from Catch The Fire Church and participate in the Doubles Eating Competition. Bring your little ones to the Kiddie Corner for free activities. Explore local vendors, marvel at the car show, and witness the making of the world’s largest roti.
“Don’t miss this incredible summer festival!”
Click here for more info.
11th Annual Pan American Food & Music Festival
Location: Nathan Phillips Square, 100 Queen St. W.
Date(s): Sat., July 22–Sun., July 23
Organizer description: “The 11th annual Pan American Food & Music Festival moves to Nathan Phillips Square this year, inviting Canadians to indulge, experience and enjoy the diverse traditions, folklore, music, recipes, chefs, dancers, and live bands, from 30 countries in the Americas.
“Larger than ever before, this year’s festival includes food stands from across the Americas, the International Ceviche Competition, chocolate and coffee tastings, and an empanada eating contest. Live entertainment includes Sounds of Latin America, the Pan American Parade, the Big Caribbean Show, Salsa Dance Competition, Folklore from the Americas, the Next Pan American Star, and the Latin Jazz Extravaganza, featuring Juno Award winner Jane Bunnett.”
Click here for more info.
Black Creek Community Farm 11th Annual Farm Festival
Location: Black Creek Community Farm, 4929 Jane St.
Date(s): Sat., July 22
Organizer description: “Celebrating its 11th year, BCCF’s Annual Farm Festival is a community staple as it celebrates community and urban agriculture which includes a day of fun activities for families to enjoy. This year, we have an exciting lineup of community partners, vendors, food, crafts, games, activities and live performances!”
Click here for more info.
Herbal Ravine Walk
Location: Curran Hall Community Centre, 277 Orton Park Rd.
Date(s): Sat., July 22
Organizer description: “The Ravine Herbal Walk will focus on the biodiversity of Highland Creek. During the guided walk participants will learn to identify plants growing in the ravine and learn about culinary, medicinal, and folklore traditions associated with each plant. Participants will stroll through the ravine, discovering the history and importance of ravines in our communities. Bring your own cup for tea sampling!”
Click here for more info.
Dream Wheels on Eglinton
Location: The Eglinton Way, Eglinton Ave. W. and Elmsthorpe Ave.
Date(s): Sat., July 22
Organizer description: “Join us for Toronto’s newest vintage car and bike street festival! Dream Wheels on Eglinton will feature:
- Over 200 classic cars, hot rods, muscle cars, race cars and motorcycles
- Marketplace with shopping, food and drinks
- Live music by local bands
- Kids activities
- Vintage costume contest where you can win prizes
- Best of Classics Awards Ceremony.
“This event is in support of the SickKids Foundation.”
Click here for more info.
Youth Day 2023
Location: Yonge-Dundas Square, 1 Dundas St. E.
Date(s): Sun., July 23
Organizer description: “A free full day of music, dance, art, photography, fashion & film at Yonge-Dundas Square, with a closed Yonge Street full of delicious foods, artisans & vendors, plus a ‘career futures’ exhibit.
“With volunteer & sponsorship opportunities, join us & applaud aspiring artists at the ‘largest festival of its kind’ with the whole family ~ BE PART OT IT!”
Click here for more info.
Maven Talk: Camille Jodoin-Eng
Location: Clark Centre for the Arts, 191 Guildwood Pkwy
Date(s): Sun., July 23
Organizer description: “During her talk Camille will reflect on the development of her studio practice over the past decade. An in depth contemplation of her inspiration, experimentation, and visual vernacular that aspires to reveal the spiritual, the indefinite and the lattice of connectivity between all things.”
Click here for more info.
Earl Bales Park Invasive Removal and Mulching
Location: Earl Bales Park, Bathurst St. and Bainbridge Ave.
Date(s): Sun., July 23
Organizer description: “Spend a morning stewarding a newly naturalized site. Remove different invasive species and mulch young trees and shrubs. 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.
Heavyweights Brass Band
Location: Wadsworth Park, 120 Connolly St.
Date(s): Sun., July 23
Organizer description: “The Heavyweights Brass Band hits hard with its seasoned blend of groove, energy, virtuosity, and originality! This Toronto-based, New Orleans-inspired brass institution has brought theatre-goers to their feet and club-goers to the dance floor with an inspiring blend of original music and unexpected covers. They have performed and recorded with percussion legend Giovanni Hidalgo to NOLA legends Roger Lewis of the Dirty Dozen Brass band and Joe Lastie of Preservation Hall fame, and have shared the stage with the likes of Trombone Shorty, The Roots, and The Soul Rebels, among many others.
“This powerhouse quintet punches above its weight and always delivers the feel-good, let-loose energy that leaves audiences clamouring for one more song!”
Click here for more info.
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