4 free things to do in Toronto on Labour Day weekend
Bid summer a fond farewell with a free event in the city.
It’s time to say goodbye to summer. But what better way to do that than with a fun, free Toronto event on Labour Day weekend?
To help you figure out your schedule, we dove deep into the City of Toronto Festivals & Events calendar. Here’s a list of five free things to do, for a variety of ages and interests.
T.U. Jazz Fest 2023
Location: Mel Lastman Square, 5100 Yonge St
Date(s): Fri., Sept. 1–Mon., Sept. 4
Organizer description: “The biggest jazz festival for emerging musicians in Canada, T.U. Jazz Fest is holding its 9th annual festival on Labour Day weekend. With over 150 equity-deserving musicians across Canada featuring some of the JUNO Award musicians, such as Laila Biali, will serve the music lovers in the GTA with Jazz In the Now.
“To celebrate our 9th annual jazz festival, TUJF is partnering up with Street Eats Market to host an international Night Market with 60 food vendors, bouncy castles, and great live music from the T.U. Jazz Fest musicians. Join us for 4 nights of live music from Canada’s finest emerging jazz artists and more!”
Click here for more info.
2023 Toronto Dragon Festival
Location: Nathan Phillips Square, 100 Queen St W
Date(s): Fri., Sept. 1–Sun., Sept. 3
Organizer description: “Toronto Dragon Festival (TDF) is one of the largest East Asian cultural street events in Canada. Festival goers can count on all their TDF favourites that have become a yearly tradition before the summer ends. From Asian street food to diverse cultural presentations, and the ever improvised The Reflection Water Show will all land on Toronto’s iconic Reflecting Pool in Nathan Phillips Square in a much more spectacular fashion.
“To top last year’s stunning high poles acrobatic lion dance, along with the incredible Kung Fu masters, Walk-On-Water runway fashion show, TDF will present a multicultural performance including Canada’s Inuit throat-singing, Caribbean drumming, Philippine folk dances, not to mention many authentic street foods.”
Click here for more info.
To Be In This Place - An Exhibition
Location: Clark Centre for the Arts, 191 Guildwood Pkwy
Date(s): Sat., Sept. 2–Sat., Sept. 30
Organizer description: “Experience engaging works by Charmaine Lurch that play with light and shadow to take viewers on a journey across the sky, sea and land. These visual and tactile constructions form fluid typographies that examine human, animal and environmental relationships.”
Click here for more info.
DiverCITY on the Hill: End of Summer Celebration & Mural Unveiling
Location: Z Bar & Grille, 2527 Eglinton Ave W
Date(s): Sat., Sept. 2
Organizer description: “DiverCITY on the Hill, a City of Toronto Cultural Hotspot SPARK Project, explores local stories and histories, creativity and feelings of belonging in the Little Jamaica Community. Join STEPS Public Art, Artist Mentor Moises Frank, and Lead Artist Isabelle Loobie for an end-of-summer celebration and unveiling of Isabelle’s new mural. Community members are invited to gather in a joyful celebration of art, creativity, and community and to share stories of Little Jamaica in this free, intergenerational, and family-friendly event. Light refreshments and creative activities will be provided.”
Click here for more info.
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