Can you believe we’re already halfway through August? With the CNE officially in full swing, now’s the time to soak up every last bit of summer.
READ: What’s New And What’s Returning To The CNE This Year
There are three food festivals happening this weekend: the Taste of Manila, the Toronto Chinatown Festival, and the Pan-American Food and Music Fest. But if you’re not much of a foodie, no need to fret! There are a ton of markets and street festivals taking over the city, too.
Read on for all the fun, FREE events happening in Toronto this weekend.
1. Open Streets TO 2019
Where: Bloor St. (from Ossington to Church) and Yonge St. (from Bloor to Queen)When: Sunday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Torontonians are invited to participate in the city’s largest outdoor recreational event. Get your zen on at a vinyasa flow yoga class, participate in a workshop, watch free performances, and so much more! Thanks to Live Green Toronto, there will also be Family Fun Zones where kids can make pollinator puppets, decorate reusable lunch bags, and spin the wheel of fun.
2. Toronto Flower Market
Where: CAMH — 1001 Queen St. W.When: Saturday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Who doesn’t love the smell of flowers? Treat yourself or a loved one to a fresh bouquet or a potted plant. More than 30 growers and florists will be in attendance, including Wild North Flowers, Pink Twig, Homebody Collective, and Euclid Farms.
3. Indie Fridays
Where: Yonge-Dundas Square — 1 Dundas St. E.When: Friday from 8 p.m. to 11 p.m.
Grab your dancing shoes and head to Yonge-Dundas Square for some live music. This week’s line-up features rapper Myst Milano and electronic beats by Korea Town Acid and Ian Campeau a.k.a. DJ NDN. There will also be a beer garden open from 7 p.m. to 11 p.m.
4. The Leslieville Flea
Where: Distillery District — 55 Mill St.When: Saturday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Summer’s coming to an end, which means this is your last chance to enjoy this outdoor flea market! Take a stroll through the Distillery District and shop vintage, antique, and handcrafted goods. If you can’t make it to the market on Saturday, don’t worry! The Leslieville Flea will also be at the College Park Flea Market & Festival on Sunday from 12 p.m. to 7 p.m.
5. The Stupendous Silver Sisters by Hercinia Arts
Where: Flagstaff Park — 42 Mercury Rd., EtobicokeWhen: Friday from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
Looking for a little Friday night entertainment? Then you won’t want to miss this free aerial acrobatic show. The 30-minute performance features three “grannies” who take the stage after the scheduled acrobats fail to show up. After the show, kids (aged 8+) can participate in a workshop to learn the basics of aerial and partner acrobatics. How cool is that?!
6. Wheels On The Danforth
Where: Oakridge Park — 3459 Danforth Ave.When: Friday from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. and Saturday from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.
Wheels On The Danforth is back again this year! On Friday, they’ll be hosting an outdoor movie screening of “Back To The Future” to kick things off. On Saturday, the real event starts! The street festival and car show will feature plenty of classic vehicles and entertainment, including buskers and live bands. There will also be food vendors, bike tuning, and a kids’ zone!
7. Baldwin Village Maker Fair
Where: 18 Baldwin St.When: Sunday from 12 p.m. to 7 p.m.
This outdoor fair in the historic neighbourhood of Baldwin Village has a lot to offer. Celebrate craft, art and design by shopping handcrafted goods in a variety of mediums: ceramics, photography, prints, jewelry, painting and more.
8. India Day Festival & Grand Parade
Where: Nathan Phillips Square — 100 Queen St. W.When: Sunday from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.
This day-long event celebrates Indian culture in the best way! Not only will there be a parade with Bollywood actor Lara Dutta as the grand marshall, but there will also be a live concert featuring renowned Punjabi superstar Garry Sandhu. In addition to the entertainment, there will also be a kids’ zone, food vendors, and kiosks celebrating Indian heritage.
9. Meditation Circle
Where: Trinity Bellwoods Park — 790 Queen St. W.When: Saturday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Join Talib Hussain of +focus mindspace as he leads a meditation circle in the middle of Trinity Bellwoods Park. The surrounding nature acts as the perfect backdrop to this calming community drop-in class.
10. Trinity Bellwoods Flea - End Of Summer Market
Where: The Great Hall — 1087 Queen St. W.When: Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Summer is ending, so why not hit up one final flea market? As usual, shoppers will have the chance to browse handcrafted good by local makers. There will also be a few food vendors, including Third Cookie Co. and Ampersand Bake House. Furry friends and kids are welcome!
