Wondering what to do in Toronto this weekend? The weather forecast calls for sunny skies and mild temperatures ahead -- meaning that you really should delay the start of hibernation season.
As we roll into the weekend, the city is about to shine in all of its multi-faceted glory, with a slew of events of all varieties.
From massive Taylor Swift Dance parties and two jam-packed film festival to large-scale fireworks, here’s what to do in Toronto this weekend (oh – and you may want to ditch the car if you’re not a fan of road closures).
Celebrate Taylor Swift’s New Album with an Epic Dance Party
If you spent the entire day listening to Tylor Swift’s just-dropped album, Midnights, you’re in perfect form to dance the night away to all of your favourite hits from the superstar. Tonight at 9:30, Spencer Barbosa will host the “Taylor Swift Dance Party,” featuring DJ Lukasa. Find more info here.
Get into the Diwali Spirit with a Vibrant Festival
To celebrate Diwali, the city will host the (completely free) Diwali Mela Festival of Lights. The vibrant festival will take over the Gerrard India Bazaar and feature no shortage of music, dance, sparklers, and tasty eats in addition to a sidewalk sale. Find more info here.
Watch Fireworks Light Up the Night Sky
Fireworks season isn’t over yet. On Saturday at 8pm, a stunning fireworks display will light up the sky over Harbourfront. The best part? It will be accompanied by a musical symphony. The 12-minute show is the first-ever Diwali-themed large-scale fireworks event in Toronto. Find more info here.
Check Out a Showcase of Indigenous-Made Media
Get inspired and support the talents of Indigenous creators at the imagineNATIVE Film + Media Arts Festival (Oct. 18 to 23). Taking place at various venues across the city, the annual event is celebrated as the world’s largest Indigenous showcase of film, video, audio, and digital and interactive media. Find more info here.
Keep the Fall Spirit Alive at Pumpkinfest
The Toronto Pumpkinfest returns again this weekend to transform Downsview Park into a fall-themed wonderland filled with draws for the whole family. This includes a kiddie midway, games, an inflatable corn maze, food trucks, entertainment, vendors, a pumpkin patch, and performances by the SuperDogs. Find more info here.
Get Terrified as Legends of Horror Transforms Casa Loma
Legends of Horror gets guests in the spooky spirit, as the annual event takes over the grounds of the famous castle, offering an immersive theatrical interpretation of classic horror characters and terrifying installations. The 2 km outdoor walking trail winds through dimly lit tunnels to the basement of the castle and under the street, to the historic — and allegedly haunted — Stables. Find more info here.
Give Yourself Nightmares at the After Dark Film Festival
Back for its 16th year, the After Dark Film Festival is screening all the action, horror, and sci-fi movies that will keep you up at night. All weekend long, Scotiabank Theatre will screen thrilling films from creators from all over the world, with the common denominator that they’ll keep viewers on the edge of their seats. Viewers can expect blood, guts, and gore -- guaranteed. Find more info here.
Celebrate Fall, Pop-Up Style
Taking over the southwest corner of Bathurst and Richmond, the Fall n Leaves Pop Up invites guests to get in the spirit of the season with haystacks, pumpkins, and fall-inspired eats and drinks. Here, guests can expect a wood fired barbecue pit and wood fired oven and no shortage of comforting pasta, pizza, and soups served in squash or a pumpkin. The family-friendly event will also feature a wine bar and pumpkin patch. Find more info here.
Check Out a Piano-Playing Superstar
World renowned piano superstar Yuja Wang joins the Toronto Symphony Orchestra (TSO) this weekend for the Canadian Première of Finnish composer Magnus Lindberg’s Piano Concerto No. 3. The show closes with Bruckner’s Fourth Symphony, which takes listeners on an adventure through the dreamy and heroic world of medieval romance. Find more info here.
Go Behind the Scenes of the Making of "JAWS"
If you're in the market for quality live theatre, buy a couple of tickets for the Mirvish Production of "The Shark is Broken." Offering an indie theatre vibe in the grand Royal Alexandra Theatre, the play -- which was a celebrated success in London, England -- offers a comedic inside look on what it was like to film "Jaws." Find more info here.
