14 free things to do in Toronto this weekend
Up for some events in parks? You’ve come to the right city.
Just when you think Toronto festival season is going to start winding down, another wave arrives. It could be overwhelming, but that’s what you have us for.
To help you figure out your schedule, 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.
Habari Africa Festival 2023
Location: Harbourfront Centre, 235 Queens Quay W
Date(s): Fri., Aug. 11–Sun., Aug. 13
Organizer description: “This multi-disciplinary African arts festival is free for all-ages, and great for the whole family! Join us live in person for a weekend of exploration and engagement with the art and sounds of the continent through presentations that celebrate the uniqueness, wealth and diversity of African music, dance, film and arts.”
Click here for more info.
Grange Festival
Location: Grange Park, 23 Grange Rd
Date(s): Fri., Aug. 11
Organizer description: “University Settlement is proud to host the 82nd annual Grange Festival! This event celebrates local artists, games, food, music, community resource tables, engaging performances, and more! Rain or shine, the Festival attracts a diverse audience of all ages — children, youth, and seniors.”
Click here for more info.
City Hall Live Presents: Summer Series at Trillium Park
Location: Trillium Park, Ontario Place, 955 Lake Shore Blvd W
Date(s): Fri., Aug. 11–Sun., Aug. 13
Organizer description: “City Hall Live is a music showcase and event series that features local artists, organizations, venues and presenters. This year City Hall Live will be programming a weekend of live music and activities as part of the SummerSeries at Trillium Park at Ontario Place.
“The goal of City Hall Live is to create paid opportunities for local musicians and to provide great live music accessibly for residents and visitors.”
Click here for more info.
Bayside Summer Saturdays
Location: Bayside Village, 261 Queens Quay E
Date(s): Sat., Aug. 12–Sat., Aug. 19
Organizer description: “With fun and games for all ages, live music and entertainment, delicious food and beverages, pop-ups from Bayside Village businesses, and local vendors to shop from, you won’t want to miss these exciting events!
“Event Dates and Themes: Perfect Cottage Day (Aug. 12) features board games & summer essentials, arts & crafts, cottage-inspired food. Perfect Picnic & BBQ Day (Aug. 19) features food trucks, vendors catering to outdoor eating, picnic tables & umbrellas, and fun lawn games. We hope to see you there!”
Click here for more info.
The Mask Dance in the Park
Location: Parma Park, 99 Parma Ct
Date(s): Sat., Aug. 12
Organizer description: “The Mask Dance in the Park project is an event that celebrates the Traditional Korean Talchum Dance, also known as Korean Mask Dance, where participants will engage in activities that will help them discover this part of the rich Korean heritage, led by artists and performers from the Korean Dance Studies Society of Canada (KDSSC) and a guest company from Korea, the Jinmi Park Dance Company.
“This is a family friendly event! Bring your own seating (if desired).”
Click here for more info.
Summer Fabric Sale at The Textile Museum of Canada
Location: Textile Museum of Canada, 55 Centre Ave
Date(s): Sat., Aug. 12–Sun., Aug. 13
Organizer description: “Whether you are a maker, an artist, or just a textile enthusiast, the variety of fabric, notions, patterns, and books will get you started on your next project. Enjoy meeting other makers, get tips, and be inspired. All proceeds from the Textile Museum's sales goes towards funding exhibitions and educational programming.”
Click here for more info.
2023 Canadian National Kendo Championships
Location: Markham Pan Am Centre, 16 Main St
Date(s): Sat., Aug. 12–Sun., Aug. 13
Organizer description: “Kendo is the ancient Japanese martial art of fencing and has a long history in Canada, dating back to the earliest Japanese immigrants in British Columbia. Over a two day period, male, female and youth kendo practitioners from across Canada will be competing in the first National Kendo Tournament in over 6 years.
“The results of the tournament will help determine which players will be selected to represent Canada at the World Championships in Milan, Italy next May. Representatives from over 50 countries will attend, with the Canadian women defending their third place podium position from 2018.”
Click here for more info.
Roncy Flea Market
Location: Roncesvalles United Church, 240 Roncesvalles Ave
Date(s): Sat., Aug. 12
Organizer description: “Roncy Flea is back! Stop by and check out the amazing vendors in this outdoor market.”
Click here for more info.
Cedarvale Park Invasive Removal and Mulching
Location: Cedarvale Park, 57 Strathearn Rd
Date(s): Sat., Aug. 12
Organizer description: “Help us take care of a recently naturalized area at Cedarvale Park by removing herbaceous invasive species and mulching 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.
Samba in the Park
Location: Walter Saunders Memorial Park, 440 Hopewell Ave
Date(s): Sun., Aug. 13
Organizer description: “Travel to Brazil this summer with the Dance Migration Project as we take you to experience Samba in the Park! Free workshops in the Brazilian martial art capoeira with Contra Mestre Sapo. Learn to drum the Samba Reggae rhythms from the streets of Salvador, Bahia, Brazil with Maestro Pato and Tdot Batu.
“All ages are welcome to sing and drum with Aline Morales. Learn the basics of samba with Dance Migration’s own Adrianna Yanuziello to live drumming from Rio de Janeiro’s own Maninho Costa & Batucada Carioca. The day is jam packed with the vibrancy of Samba and will include a stage show with our workshop teachers and the incredible Dance Migration dancers.”
Click here for more info.
Think Like a Champion at Fort York
Location: Fort York National Historic Site, 100 Garrison Rd
Date(s): Sun., Aug. 13
Organizer description: “You are invited to join Think Like A Champion! A returning Awakenings program with Jully Black that works to empower the mind, body and soul, is starting with Jully’s iconic 100 Strong & Sexy (100 S.A.S.) program. 100 S.A.S offers classic retro step aerobics, reimagined with high-energy low impact choreographed routines set to Hip Hop, R&B, Dancehall, Soca, Afro-Beats, and Gospel music. This class will explore empowerment, freedom, and liberation.
“The classes are designed for all ages, fitness levels and abilities. T.P.O.S. connects members with their bodies in ways that boost self-confidence and self-worth.”
Click here for more info.
Open Dance Rehearsal - Process+Practice
Location: Assembly Hall, 1 Colonel Samuel Smith Park Dr
Date(s): Sun., Aug. 13
Organizer description: “Join us for an Open Rehearsal for the first-ever Process+Practice Dance Residency for an exclusive glimpse into the works-in-progress of inaugural artists, Rakeem Hardy (western contemporary dance) and Tanveer Alam (Kathak), followed by a discussion.
“This event will feature work-in-progress excerpts by the inaugural cohort of Process+Practice followed by a facilitated discussion between the artists and audience. We encourage you to arrive with an open mind, and to engage with the artists in the spirit of curiosity and generosity! Your feedback and questions may help inform how the artists continue to shape their projects in the future.”
Click here for more info.
In the Trenches Market By Shomigo
Location: Steam Whistle Brewery, 255 Bremner Blvd
Date(s): Sun., Aug. 13
Organizer description: “To further grow and support our community we are hosting our largest market. The In the Trenches Market will take place in the heart of Downtown Toronto at the Steam Whistle Brewery and have an expected 5000 attendees from the public with over 65 different local vendors participating. There will be (live) music, food options, opportunities to build meaningful connections, giveaways and prizes, and more importantly, a place for our community to share their incredible products and story.”
Click here for more info.
The Bentway Block Party
Location: The Bentway Strachan Gate, 250 Fort York Blvd
Date(s): Sun., Aug. 13
Organizer description: “Join us for our annual signature event where performances, music, street food, family-friendly activities and art workshops transform Strachan Gate into a festive site of summertime vibes, creative expression, and community celebration.
“Enjoy an afternoon of local DJs curated by ISO Radio spinning sounds from near and far, pop-up performances, and artist-led workshops while experiencing our seasonal public art exhibits alongside the Toronto Art Crawl at our iconic skate trail. Meet us on the dancefloor for a fusion of live and electronic musical talents to take us into the night! Always free, all are welcome.”
Click here for more info.
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