12 free things to do in Toronto on Canada Day long weekend
Canada Day events are just the start of what’s going on.
If you’re sticking around the city for Canada Day long weekend, you’re in luck — because there’s a whole lot going on.
To help you figure out your schedule on the cheap, we dove deep into the City of Toronto Festivals & Events calendar. Here’s a list of 12 free things to do between Friday and the holiday Monday, for all sorts of ages and interests.
Q107 Canada Day Weekend
Location: Woodbine Park, 1695 Queen St E
Date(s): Sat., June 30–Sun., July 1
Organizer description: “The Q107 Canada Day Weekend is back! This time, as a two-day event. Join us for music, food, beer garden, vendors, fireworks, and more! Lineup includes tributes to Queen, Pink Floyd, Pearl Jam, U2, Foo Fighters, Aerosmith, Bon Jovi, Bryan Adams, Foreigner, Neil Young, and AC/DC.”
Click here for more info.
July Long Weekend at Harbourfront Centre
Location: Harbourfront Centre, 235 Queens Quay W
Date(s): Sat., June 30–Mon., July 3
Organizer description: “Kicking off the festival season, the Toronto Symphony Orchestra featuring Broadway star Jewelle Blackman will play a free pops concert on Canada Day. This July long weekend will be filled with free performances by JUNO award-winning rock band The Strumbellas, Crystal Shawanda, the Toronto All-Star Big Band and many more. Harbourfront Centre’s 10-acre campus will be bustling with art, comedy, food and activities for kids!”
Click here for more info.
Canada Day at Downsview Park
Location: Downsview Park, 70 Canuck Ave
Date(s): Sat., July 1
Organizer description: “We can't wait for you to join us on Canada Day, July 1st for our annual festival! See you at the Festival Terrace! We'll have live entertainment, games for kids, inflatables, vendors and so much more! All for FREE. So, bring your friends, family and neighbours out for an amazing afternoon and evening. Did we mention that there'll be fireworks and food trucks too?”
Click here for more info.
O Canada - A Toronto Tribute to Canadian Music Artists
Location: Cat’s Cradle Spirits and Sports, 1245 St Clair Ave W
Date(s): Sat., July 1
Organizer description: “It’s Toronto’s largest Canada Day all-day Canadian music celebration. Music/video from: Alanis Morisette, Bryan Adams, Barenaked Ladies, Simple Plan, The Band, Robin Thicke, BTO, Cowboy Junkies, Neil Young, Arkells, Great Big Sea, Arcade Fire, Drake, Simple Plan, Sum 41, April Wine, Celine Dion, July Talk, Three Days Grace, Platinum Blonde, Metric, Michael Buble, Loverboy, Carly Rae Jepsen, Alessia Cara, Alannah Myles, Burton Cummings, Rush, Shawn Mendes & more...”
Click here for more info.
Moving Forward: Celebrating Chinese Communities
Location: Fort York National Historic Site, 100 Garrison Rd
Date(s): Sat., July 1
Organizer description: “Fort York National Historic Site celebrates Canada Day and the vibrancy of Toronto’s Chinese communities with this day of programming co-created with community. This day celebrates Canada and the Chinese community’s many successes and significant contributions. July 1 holds an immense significance for Canada’s Chinese communities — 2023 is the centennial of the Chinese Immigration Act.”
Click here for more info.
Festival Gospel Franco Ontarien
Location: 107 Oakley Blvd
Date(s): Sat., July 1
Organizer description: “Join us for a vibrant bilingual music festival with gospel classics under an international rhythm of music. Create connections and enjoy outdoor activities with your friends, family and significant other!
“Rejoignez-nous pour un festival de musique bilingue dynamique avec des classiques du gospel sous un rythme musical international. Créez des liens et profitez d'activités de plein air avec vos amis, votre famille et vos proches!”
Click here for more info.
Revival of the Dream
Location: Todmorden Mills Heritage Site, 67 Pottery Rd
Date(s): Sat., July 1–Thurs., Aug. 31
Organizer description: “Inspired by Todmorden Mills’ history as the location of a small prisoner of war camp during the Second World War, the Syrian filmmaker Feras Azzam will work with youth (aged 17-25), artists and community members to virtually reconstruct Syria’s biggest dictatorship prison, Sednaya. The project will include screenwriting and filmmaking workshops for Canadian and Syrian youth, a short film screening in the Papermill Theater, and discussions with Sednaya prison survivors. This project invites a racialized community into the museum environment to approach difficult histories through a lens of hope for a better future.”
Click here for more info.
SummerSeries in Trillium Park Opening Day
Location: Trillium Park, 955 Lake Shore Blvd W
Date(s): Sat., July 1
Organizer description: “SummerSeries in Trillium Park begins on July 1 with a full day and night of music and entertainment, including performances by DJ Shane, The Fuddles, DJ MelBoogie, River Christie-White (Hoop Dancer), Manitou Mkwa Singers, Afropan Steelband, uRequest Live (cover band) and The Soul Motivators.
“Family-friendly activities include face painting, arts and crafts, airbrush tattoos, yoga classes for adults and kids, a henna booth, a photo booth, a communal bonfire, and food and beverage options. This event is free and open to all ages.”
Click here for more info.
Summer in the City at Scarborough Museum
Location: Scarborough Museum, 1007 Brimley Rd
Date(s): Sat., July 1–Mon., Sept. 3
Organizer description: “Celebrate the spirit of summer at Scarborough Museum! Enjoy refreshing experiences in the shade of the trees and gardens and find moments of joy in the everyday.
“Summer in the City is part of the Toronto History Museums’ revitalized summer experience, which highlights the diverse stories of this city, this land, and its communities. Dive into a multi-sensory experience of Scarborough’s foodways through community food activations, and participate in a variety of hands-on arts experiences all summer long.
“Scarborough Museum is honoured to share space for the presentation of activations by a variety of community artists and facilitators, and to provide families with accessible and welcoming spaces during the park’s busiest season.”
Click here for more info.
Eid Extravaganza
Location: Cornell Park, 18 Beran Dr
Date(s): Sun., July 2
Organizer description: “Eid Event for family and kids in local park. Face painting, henna, bouncy castles and snacks.”
Click here for more info.
Expressions - an exhibition at #theClarkTO
Location: Clark Centre for the Arts, 191 Guildwood Pkwy
Date(s): Sun., July 2-Sun., July 30
Organizer description: “Enjoy art works by members of Art Quest Canada that celebrate the human spirit through the power of artistic expression. Each piece portrays the ideas and emotions of the various artists.”
Click here for more info.
Breaking Through: Summer at Gibson House Museum
Location: Gibson House Museum, 5172 Yonge St
Date(s): Sun., July 2-Sat., Sept. 30
Organizer description: “Awaken a new perspective & celebrate the spirit of summer at Gibson House Museum!
“This 1800s farmhouse nestled among the high rises of North York offers visitors an opportunity to connect with histories past and present in many ways. Participate in healing through weaving in the Sustainable Studio, offering visitors of all ages a chance to engage with a variety of hands-on activities. Dive into a multi-sensory experience of Toronto’s foodways through demonstrations and food activations. Try your hand at a range of diverse games to learn more about their local and global histories.
“This program advances the Awakenings philosophy and embodies the principles of anti-oppression, anti-colonialism, anti-racism, sustainability and advocacy.”
Click here for more info.
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