11 free things to do in Toronto this weekend
Celebrate Toronto's vibrant culture with a weekend packed with free events.
Toronto is a city that never stops celebrating its vibrant and diverse culture. This weekend is no exception, with a line-up of free events, from food festivals to community workshops.
We have delved into the City of Toronto Festivals & Events calendar to curate a list of 11 events that are free to attend happening this weekend.
Roncesvalles Polish Festival
Location: Roncesvalles Village BIA
Date(s): Saturday, September 16 - Sunday, September 17
Organizer description: “North America's largest celebration of Polish culture returns this September! Enjoy authentic Polish Cuisine, Polish song and dance groups, 90+ vendors, 6 Beverage Gardens + Extended Patios, 2 Family Zones and multiple outdoor stages with over 40 performances as well as local restaurants, bistros, cafes and shops along the main street of one of Toronto's best neighbourhoods, Roncesvalles Village. Dance along to great local and international music, including Polish folklore, Polka and Euro dance bands, as well as entertainment from near and far on 3 stages!”
Click here for more info.
Bloor West Village Toronto Ukrainian Festival
Location: Bloor St W: Jane St. to Runnymede Rd.
Date(s): Friday, September 15 - Sunday, September 17
Organizer description: “Join our three day festival anchored with entertainment stages and art installations. Dancers, musicians, singers and bands perform on stop on both the Community Stage , the Temerty Family Foundation stage (at Jane and Bloor St) and the busker stage at Durie Rd! There is plenty of Ukrainian food and other ethnic cuisine treats on the street. A refreshment garden offers samples of Ukrainian brands and entertainment throughout the day and evening. Children can enjoy interactive booths and a midway. The cultural pavilions offer a window to appreciate Ukrainian culture and its contributions to Canada!”
Click here for more info.
Roncy Book Sale
Location: Roncesvalles United Church, 240 Roncesvalles Ave
Date(s): Saturday, September 16 - Sunday, September 17
Organizer description: “Best Book Sale in Toronto is exactly what people tell us when they descend upon the Roncesvalles United Church Sanctuary! With hundreds of books available in every subject, we keep a continuous stock that will be different each time you come back! Please note that this is the last sale of the season and it will be a 2 day event during the Roncy Polish Festival, you do not want to miss out! Specialty books available along with Vinyl/CDs/Cassette Tapes, DVDs and VHS all available, we are bound to have whatever dead technology you are seeking.”
Click here for more info.
Rail Safety Week Story Time
Location: Toronto Railway Museum, 255 Bremner Blvd
Date(s): Saturday, September 16 - Sunday, September 24
Organizer description: “Join us for Rail Safety Week at the Toronto Railway Museum and tune in for a Thomas & Friends story time! Let's gather at the Don Station platform to follow along with Thomas as he learns valuable lessons on the dangers of not stopping at rail crossings, standing too close to the platform edge, or leaving farm gates open so that animals can wander onto the tracks. Participants will receive a copy of Stay Safe with Thomas to take home, along with other goodies from the Operation Lifesaver team.”
Click here for more info.
RELISH The Foodie Event
Location: Cloverdale Mall - North Parking Lot, 250 The East Mall
Date(s): Saturday, September 16 - Sunday, September 17
Organizer description: “Join us at our two day, free-to-attend, event where you will be able to indulge in over 15 food trucks, participate in workshops, shop the Tastemaker's Marketplace, and get your jam on to live music performances presented by Skygrid! You do not want to miss our event as we also have activities for the whole family. Check out our kid-sized food trucks, market carts, caricature art, and more at the Little Foodies Play Zone!”
Click here for more info.
Pape Village Block Party
Location: Pape Ave between Mortimer and Gamble Aves
Date(s): Saturday, September 16
Organizer description: “The inaugural Pape Village Block Party is taking over Pape Village with live music from GTA’s best bands, Mustang hot rods, vendors, delicious food prepared by local restaurants and a children’s fun zone. Get ready for an entire day of free fun as Pape Ave closes off to traffic for the ultimate street party!”
Click here for more info.
Lansing Open Market
Location: Lansing United Church, 49 Bogert Ave
Date(s): Saturday, September 16
Organizer description: “Lansing Open Market is a vibrant gathering of local vendors showcasing their unique products and services. Spaces United welcomes the community to visit Lansing UC at our very first art, food, and handmade items market that features 40+ small local vendors. There will be live music, prizes, and giveaways. We also have a whole floor setup for The Nearly New Shop, a second-hand clothes and home goods shop.”
Click here for more info.
Mending the Community Fabric: A drop-in textile sharing and mending workshop
Location: Cedar Ridge Creative Centre, 225 Confederation Dr
Date(s): Saturday, September 16
Organizer description: “Join Cedar Ridge Creative Centre's Summer Artist-in-Residence, Janet Hinkle, for a free community workshop. Rekindle the age-old practice of functional sewing with a dash of creativity while exploring basic and beautiful hand-sewing stitches. Apply these new skills to create your unique textile art piece or revamp a favourite wardrobe item to wear and inspire conversation about fashion sustainability. Participants are invited to bring a piece of clothing that needs mending or simply show up and learn how to mend using the provided materials. Participants are also encouraged to bring with them scrap fabric that can be shared and swapped with the group.”
Click here for more info.
Toronto Waterfront Festival 2023
Location: 7 Queens Quay E
Date(s): Saturday, September 16 - Sunday, September 17
Organizer description: “The Quack is Back! The World’s Largest Rubber Duck, returns to the Toronto Waterfront Festival. Snap a selfie with Mama Duck, who will be nesting on-land at Queens Quay East. Other festival programs include the Canadian Armed Forces who will be bringing two massive, armoured vehicles that weigh over 45,000 pounds each, the Royal Canadian Navy will feature the HMCS Oriole on the water plus on-land activations, pop-up entertainment from Redpath Sugar, local food trucks, the Billy Bishop Airport Picnic Lounge and much more.”
Click here for more info.
Riverside C'mon Sundays: Dog Lovers' Market
Location: Riverside Common Park, 657 Queen St E
Date(s): Sunday, September 17
Organizer description: “Join a paw-some event hosted by Toronto Dog Moms, Riverside BIA, and Dirty Pawz Dog Wash. Enjoy live music, treat your furry friends to tastings, explore pet vendors, get doggy nail trims, and experience much more! Don't forget to RSVP now for a chance to win a free swag bag. Don't miss out on all the free fun this event has to offer!”
Click here for more info.
Music at the Barns
Location: Wychwood Barns, 253-601 Christie St
Date(s): Sunday, September 17
Organizer description: “Come and join our fun-filled family event, as we bring together the community for an afternoon of dancing, singing and re-connecting with family, friends and neighbours. Entertainment includes the Samba Squad, Mariachi Los Gallos, and Quincy Bullen Band!”
Click here for more info.
Code and markup by Umbreen Tapal. ©Torontoverse, 2023