Toronto 
Searching for free events, festivals or free places to visit and things to do this summer in Toronto? Here is a list of FREE family-friendly events every day this summer in Toronto and the GTA.
Credit: To Do Canada
Have the best Toronto staycation, and have a blast credit-card free!
100+ FREE Things to Do this Summer in Toronto – 2025
- The events and attractions listed are free for everybody. Places to visit that are free for kids with paying adults are not mentioned.
- Rib Fests and food festivals with free admission, but where you need to pay for most of the activities, are mostly NOT (except those with cultural events) mentioned.
- There are quite a lot of free movies (mostly PG/PG-13) and concerts happening across GTA parks almost every day. These are not listed! For a detailed list, see Free Concerts and Outdoor Movies this Summer in GTA.
- For another option for cheap summer staycations, see Day Trips From Toronto
- Some famous PWYC events are included.
How to use this article:
- Festivals that span 2-3 days are listed under any one of the festival dates or on the day with free programming.
- Free attractions and activities that are not date-bound or time-limited are listed under ‘Random Dates’ (these can be completed on any date of your choosing).
- For up-to-date information on free events, we also recommend checking our Things to Do weekend article or Free Events Calendar.
For more fun activities, see:
- 25 Family Getaways from Toronto
- Summer activities in Mississauga
- Summer in Brampton
- Summer in Durham
- Summer in Richmond Hill
- Summer in Halton
- Summer in Hamilton
- Summer in Markham
Saturday, June 28, 2025
South by Southeast International Festival
South by South East International Festival (SXSE) celebrates Asian and Latin American cultures with live Latin Big Bands, a Night Market, global cuisine and a kids’ zone — fun for all ages!
June 27 to 29 @ Harbourfront Centre, 235 Queens Quay West, Toronto
Taste of Ghana
Enjoy a one-day, family-friendly celebration filled with authentic Ghanaian food, music, fashion, dance, art, and storytelling. Explore over 40 local vendors offering everything from jollof rice and kelewele to handmade crafts and textiles. Enjoy live performances, a kids’ play zone, cultural exhibits, and more.
June 28 @ YZD, 123 Garratt Blvd, North York
Sunday, June 29, 2025
Toronto Waterfront Festival – Tall Ships Challenge
The Toronto Waterfront Festival, welcomes back the majestic Tall Ships for a weekend of maritime adventure at Sugar Beach. Visitors can explore historic vessels like the Lettie G. Howard, Liberty Clipper, and Pride of Baltimore II, and even set sail aboard the Empire Sandy. The event also features live music, family-friendly activities, local food vendors, and engaging exhibits from the Canadian Armed Forces, Coast Guard, and more.
June 28 & 29 @ Sugar Park, 11 Dockside Dr, Toronto
Monday, June 30, 2025
Rhythms of Canada Festival
Celebrate Canada’s vibrant cultural mosaic at the Rhythms of Canada Festival. Enjoy high-energy live performances from local artists and cultural groups, hands-on workshops, and family-friendly activities in the dedicated Family Tent.
June 30 & July 1, 2025 @ The Aga Khan Museum, 77 Wynford Dr, North York
Tuesday, July 1, 2025
Canada Day
Celebrate Canada 158 at any of the GTA cities or towns and take your pick from one of the spectacular fireworks that brighten the night sky.
Wednesday, July 2, 2025
Yayoi Kusama. INFINITY MIRRORED ROOM at AGO/© Yayoi Kusama, Courtesy David Zwirner, New York; Ota Fine Arts, Tokyo/Singapore/Shanghai; Victoria Miro, London/Venice. 2018/28
Art Gallery of Ontario
Admission to the AGO is free the first Wednesday night of each month. The Art Gallery of Ontario is one of the largest art museums in North America, attracting approximately one million visitors annually. The AGO Collection of more than 120,000 works of art ranges from cutting-edge contemporary art to significant works by Indigenous and Canadian artists to European masterpieces.
First Wednesdays | 6pm – 9pm. @ Art Gallery of Ontario, Toronto
Thursday, July 3, 2025
Go Fishing
Fish without a licence in Ontario Waters (not in National Parks).
June 28 – July 6 @ Ontario Waters
Friday, July 4, 2025
1. Fun Philippines Toronto Street Festival
An unforgettable weekend of Filipino flavour, festive beats and non-stop fun for the whole family, the Fun Philippines Toronto Food and Music Festival is a high-energy celebration of Filipino culture, bringing together the Philippines’ culinary delights, musical traditions and artistic expressions.
July 4 to 6, 2025 @ Bathurst & Wilson, Toronto
2. Afrofest
Celebrates the abundant energy of African music in an effort to cultivate community spirit and enhance the understanding and appreciation of the diverse people of Africa.
July 4 to 6, 2025 @ Woodbine Park – 1695 Queen Street East, Toronto
Saturday, July 5, 2025
1. Taste of Lawrence
Enjoy Scarborough’s largest street festival it boasts the most enticing flavours from every cultural community in the GTA.
July 4 to 6, 2025 @ Lawrence Ave. E. from Warden Ave. to Birchmount Rd., Toronto
2. Sounds of Leslieville
Sounds of Leslieville & Riverside is the official kick off to the 37th Annual Beaches Jazz Festival – Toronto’s biggest, longest running, free music event. All ages are invited to experience the joy of making connections through music!
July 4 to 6, 2025 @ Jimmie Simpson Park, 870 Queen St E, Toronto
3. Open Canvas Music & Arts Festival
Taking over Trillium Park, this two-day free event promises global sounds, immersive art, and a vibrant community atmosphere that captures the essence of Toronto’s cultural identity.
July 5 to 6, 2025 @ Trillium Park, 955 Lake Shore Blvd W, Toronto
Sunday, July 6, 2025
1. Salsa on St. Clair Street Festival
A stretch of St. Clair Avenue West (from Winona Dr. to Christie St.) is transformed into a showcase of Latin life in Canada. Enjoy the non-stop dancing in the streets and take in all the Latino beats alongside some of the best local and international entertainers. Take a stroll through the Latin pavilion, get a taste of the authentic Latin American flavours, and enjoy a fiesta of fun in the children’s zone.
July 5 & 6, 2025 @ St. Clair Avenue West between Winona and Christie, Toronto
2. Taste of the Middle East
Appreciate the vibrant art, music and dance that will surround you as you expand your palate and taste the 1001 flavours Middle Eastern culture has to offer.
July 4 to 6, 2025 @ Nathan Phillips Square, 100 Queen St W, Toronto
3. Suprema – The Opera for Aficionadoughs
Dr. Oetker is introducing its new premium frozen pizza, Suprema, through a series of public opera performances in downtown Toronto. The narrative follows a sculptor who brings a frozen figure to life—an allegorical representation of how Suprema aims to transform perceptions of frozen pizza through artisanal preparation and quality ingredients.
July 5 to 19, 2025 @ TD Music Hall, 178 Victoria St, Toronto
Monday, July 7, 2025
Fringe Patio
Enjoy free programming during Toronto Fringe Festival. Enjoy The Patio will also feature free stage programming, including the Opening Party, Comedy Night, Fringe Artist Cabaret, Silent Disco, Awards Night, and more.
July 2 to 13, 2025 @ Distillery District, Toronto
Tuesday, July 8, 2025
Toronto History Museums Free Admission
All 10 Toronto History Museums are free to visit. Explore and learn about Toronto’s History.
Year Round @ Fort York National Historic Site, 250 Fort York Blvd.
Mackenzie House, 82 Bond St.
Market Gallery, 2nd Floor, St. Lawrence Market
Spadina Museum, 285 Spadina Road
Gibson House, 5172 Yonge St.
Zion Schoolhouse, 1091 Finch Avenue East
Scarborough Museum, 1007 Brimley Road
Todmorden Mills, 67 Pottery Road
Colborne Lodge, 11 Colborne Lodge Dr.
Montgomery’s Inn, 4709 Dundas Street West
Wednesday, July 9, 2025
1. Dancing On The Square
Every Wednesday through the summer, Dancing on the Square invites audiences to enjoy the art of live dance by Lake Ontario. With an eclectic lineup that includes Latin, Bollywood, hip-hop and contemporary dance, audiences can watch, participate and dance, learning fundamental dance steps for free guided by professional instructors in a fun and casual environment.
Wednesdays, July 2 to August 27, 2025 @ Harbourfront Centre, 235 Queens Quay West, Toronto
2. Union Summer
Right outside Union Station in downtown Toronto, there will be nonstop programming, which includes music from Toronto’s hottest DJs, Blue Jays game screenings, games nights and so much more!
June 26 to August 10, 2025
Thursday, July 10, 2025
Family Fest
This energetic celebration of young audiences (and the young at heart) will feature a variety of different performances, workshops and activities perfect for every member of the family. From circus performers to puppet theatre and musical acts, Family Fest has you covered!
July 10 to 13, 2025 @ Guild Park & Gardens, 201 Guildwood Parkway, Scarborough
Friday, July 11, 2025
Lucky Lion Night Market
Interact with showstopping lion dancers well into the night. Learn about community members and how you can make an impact. Experience entertainment and activities for the entire family.
July 11 to 13, 2025 @ Assembly Park, Outer Parking Lot, 80 Interchange Wy, Concord
East Coast Kitchen Party
Kick off the weekend in Garden Square Brampton with a foot-stompin’, toe-tappin’, hand-clappin’ good time! FIDDLESTIX and MAINLAND KITCHEN BAND bring the heart and soul of Newfoundland to the Square, complete with dancing and maritime fun.
July 11, 2025 @ Garden Square Brampton, 1 Theatre Lane, Brampton
Saturday, July 12, 2025
Salsa on the Beach
Get ready for an incredible weekend of Latin rhythms and dance at the Beaches Jazz Festival’s Salsa on the Beach! Woodbine Park will come alive with the vibrant sounds of Salsa, Merengue, and Cumbia, celebrating the diversity of nations.
July 11 to 13, 2025
@ Woodbine Park, 1695 Queen St E, Toronto
2. Chariot Fest Toronto
Chariot Fest is a vibrant two-day celebration of culture, spirituality, and community downtown Toronto and Centre Island. Kicking off with the Chariot Fest Parade on Yonge Street (starting at Dundas Square), the festival continues at Centre Island with live cultural performances, arts & crafts, spiritual seminars, a bustling marketplace, and a free vegetarian feast open to all.
July 12 to 13, 2025 @ Downtown Toronto
3. Vaughan Latin Festival
Music, art, Kids Zone, waterpark, and spectacular entertainment for the whole family! Enjoy the beauty of live performances, delicious food, meeting new friends and dancing to Salsa, Cumbia, Merengue, and Reggaeton, enjoy Mariachi and learn more about the Latin culture!
July 12, 2025 @ Mackenzie Glen Park , 220 Cranston Park Ave, Vaughan
Sunday, July 13, 2025
1. Mixto Festival
Join for two days of music, art, food, fun, and friends Mixto Festival will still offer the same immaculate block party vibes you love: niche and experimental yet accessible, inclusive, underground but safe and friendly, always celebrating joy
July 12 to 13, 2025 @ Trillium Park, Ontario Place, Toronto
2. Caribbean Vibrations Festival
It is filled with music, food, revelry, education and more, celebrating the Caribbean Region, its Diaspora and all those who love the Caribbean. For 2 days, embrace Caribbean culture with over 50 Vendors and sponsors in a marketplace representing various islands in the Caribbean Region.
July 12 to 13, 2025 @ Trillium Park, Ontario Place, Toronto
3. YOUTH DAY Toronto
YOUTH DAY Toronto is a creative arts festival celebrating young people, under 30, in music, dance, art, photography, fashion and film.
July 13, 2025 @ Riverwalk Commons, 200 Doug Duncan Drive, Newmarket
4. Yoga Meltdown
Celebrated as a “festival within a festival”, Yoga Meltdown is one of Toronto’s free, outdoor spiritual yoga exhibitions. This unique event provides all yoga enthusiasts, from the simply curious to hardcore yogis, with a chance to explore yoga in a distinctively holistic way.
July 13 | 12:00 PM – 4:00 PM @ Toronto Islands, Toronto
Monday, July 14, 2025
Explore Ontario Parks for Free
Borrow a day-use vehicle permit from your local library and you can visit Ontario parks for free.
Tuesday, July 15, 2025
Humber Bay Butterfly Habitat
Enjoy a self guided tour, while learning about butterflies, native plants, urban conservation and migrating monarchs at the Humber Bay Butterfly Habitat located along the shores of Lake Ontario. Humber Bay Shores Park is listed as one of the top 13 spots to see birds in Toronto.
Year round @ Humber Bay Shores Park, 15 Marine Parade Dr, Toronto.
2. Royal Ontario Museum
Visit Royal Ontario Museum for free on third Wednesdays. Free admission includes most galleries except for selected special exhibitions.
July 15, August 19, 2025 | 4:30 pm to 8:30 pm. @ Royal Ontario Museum, Queens Park, Toronto
Wednesday, July 16, 2025
Ontario’s Legislative Building Tour
Visit Queen’s Park and join for a guided tour of Ontario’s Legislative Building or on a walkabout of the grounds of Queen’s Park exploring the architecture, notable historical statues and monuments.
Photo by Janet Kimber.
Aga Khan Museum
Aga Khan Museum houses collections of Islamic art and heritage, including artefacts. Enjoy the museum and the beautifully landscaped gardens free of charge on Wednesdays.
Admission to the Museum and all exhibitions is FREE each Wednesday | 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM
@ The Aga Khan Museum, 77 Wynford Drive, Toronto
Thursday, July 17, 2025
Orchard Rendezvous
At Orchard Rendezvous, you can enjoy a variety of games, music, and giveaways while spending time with your family and friends. The program is perfect for all ages and is a great way to unwind after a long week.
July 16, 17, August 6, 7 | 6:30pm – 8:30pm @ Parc Downsview Park, Orchard Pavilion, Toronto
Friday, July 18, 2025
1. Porch View Dances
PVD is a community dance festival that engages everyday people as creators, storytellers, and performers. PVD will take audiences on a walking tour of Seaton Village in the Annex of Toronto, to witness new dance works created by professional choreographers.
July 16 to 20, 2025 @ Seaton Village, Toronto
2. Honda Indy Toronto
Honda Indy
Honda Fan Friday will feature a jam-packed schedule of on-track action. Stunt shows, contests, autograph sessions and all kinds of off-track entertainment will be in full gear from gate open to close across the event site, providing something for everyone, race fan or not!
July 18, 2025 @ Exhibition Place grounds, Toronto
3. Healthy Parks Healthy People
No charge for day-use visitation during the celebration. Parks across the province will offer events and activities that encourage people to visit parks and be active. Explore a new park, sample our facilities and services or enjoy a fun event in a great natural setting! 15 parks within 200 km of Toronto.
July 18, 2025 @ Ontario Provincial Parks
Saturday, July 19, 2025
1. Junior Carnival and Family Day
Join the young producers, performers, and presenters as they put their imprint on the Festival. The Junior Carnival and Family Day event lets you and everyone in the surrounding community of Malvern enjoy the cultural highlights.
July 19, 2025 @ Malvern Park & Neilson Parks, Toronto
2. Hangar Jam
This two-day event brings together globally renowned street artists, skaters, and breakers for a first-of-its-kind experience in Toronto. Expect live street art, skate sessions and competitions, break battles, interactive zones, artist talks, a custom-built skate park, food trucks, DJs and more.
July 19 to 20, 2025 @ YZD, 34 Hanover Rd., North York
3. Mississauga Latin Festival
Bring your children, invite your family and friends to practice SPANISH, learn SALSA and enjoy the first and only LATINO Festival in Mississauga and the Peel region with more than 35,000 attendees at the Mississauga Celebration Square.
July 18 to 20, 2025 @ Celebration Square, 300 City Centre Drive, Mississauga
4. Vibrant Brampton Festival
Hundreds of local and international artists, Bollywood and Punjabi performers, food, shopping, magic shows, face painting and special projects for kids. The community art project, Free giveaways and lots more! Enjoy two days of free festivities!!
July 18 & 19, 2025 @ Garden Square, Brampton
5. Mississauga Asian Night Market
Whether you’re a food lover eager to sample authentic Asian delicacies or someone looking to immerse yourself in vibrant cultural experiences, the Mississauga Asian Night Market 2025 has something for everyone.
July 18 to 20, 2025 @ Garden Square, Brampton
Sunday, July 20, 2025
1. Panamerican Food & Music Festival
The Festival presents food demos by international chefs, live music and dance performances, food competitions and a Pan American vendors’ market offering diverse foods and merchandise and any opportunities to discover the delicious and diverse cuisine of North, Central and South America and the Caribbean, as well as the region’s rich musical traditions.
July 17 to 20, 2025 @ Yonge – Dundas Square, 585 Dundas St E, Toronto
2. Festival of South Asia
The Festival of South Asia embraces multidisciplinary arts and foods from all the countries in South Asia. Literary Arts, Visual Arts, Performances and Live Music emanates from the stage all weekend. If you can’t fly to South Asia this summer come attend this festival and experience a slice of the culture.
July 19 & 20, 2025 @ Gerrard Street East between Glenside Avenue and Coxwell intersections, Toronto
3. Toronto International Brazilfest
Experience a truly authentic Brazilian festival right in your own back yard. It is a platform to display and highlight the best food, talent, art and entertainment from the Brazilian community.
July 19 & 20, 2025 @ Earlscourt Park – 1200 Lansdowne Ave, Toronto
4. BIG on Bloor Festival of Arts & Culture
BIG on Bloor Festival is back for its 16th year with a rain or shine pedestrian takeover of Bloor Street West from Dufferin to Lansdowne in the culturally rich community of Bloordale including art installations, family activities and local vendors.
July 19 & 20, 2025 @ Bloordale, 1140 Bloor Street, Toronto
Monday, July 21, 2025
Explore Canada’s Trail Capital
Discover Canada’s trail capital, Uxbridge. Explore historic villages, mixed forests, meadows, ponds, streams, and wetlands. A number of major trail systems run through the Township, including the Oak Ridges Trail and the Trans-Canada Trail.
Round the Year.
@ Town of Uxbridge
Tuesday, July 22, 2025
Doris McCarthy Trail
Enjoy the beauty of Scarborough Bluffs up close and without breaking the rules by hiking Doris McCarthy Trail in Scarborough!
Wednesday, July 23, 2025
Rosetta McClain Gardens
Enjoy the magnificent Rose Garden at Rosetta McClean Gardens that overlooks Ontario Lake!
5 Glen Everest Rd, Toronto
Thursday, July 24, 2025
1. Taste of Vietnam Toronto
Enjoy delicious food, beautiful decorations, cultural parades, music, games, and MORE!
An enjoyable family-friendly fun summer festival! An extraordinary festival unveiling the beauty of Vietnamese culture, latest fashion, and crafted cuisine.
July 24 to 26, 2025
@ Nathan Phillips Square, 100 Queen St W, Toronto
2. Moth Night
Join Downsview Park and the Toronto Entomologists’ Association for a special “moth night,” featuring an evening nature walk and live moth observation. Participants will learn about moth species, watch them gather under bright lights, and contribute to biodiversity records. Discover the fascinating world of these nocturnal, scale-covered insects.
July 24, 2025 @ Parc Downsview Park, 70 Canuck Avenue, Toronto
Friday, July 25, 2025
1. Queen Street East Streetfest
Queen Street East shuts down to give Toronto a soulful and harmonic weekend. With over 30 different acts performing all across Queen East, this is a summer event you don’t want to miss.
July 24 to 26, 2025 @ Queen Street East – between Woodbine and Beach Aves, Toronto
2. 407 ETR Family Weekend
While the Best of Tennis take to the Sobeys Stadium courts, fans young and old can enjoy entertainment around the grounds thanks to the return of 407 ETR Family Weekend and a host of engaging activations during the National Bank Open presented by Rogers
July 26 & 27, 2025 @ Sobeys Stadium, 1 Shoreham Drive, Toronto
3. Bollywood Monster Mashup
BollywoodMonster Mashup is returning to Celebration Square with international Bollywood stars, dance performances, concerts, sizzling food, shopping and more!
July 26 & 27, 2025
@ Celebration Square, 300 City Centre Drive, Mississauga
Saturday, July 26, 2025
1. Summer Live Music Festival
Experience concerts by four award-winning emerging bands and four acappella groups, with a range of original jazz music to folk and pop.
July 26, 2025 @ Trillium Park, 955 Lake Shore Blvd. West, Toronto
2. AlohaFest Toronto
Torontoʻs first and only united celebration of Polynesian culture that will include dance and musical performances, food and crafts at Mel Lastman Square.
July 26, 2025 @ Mel Lastman Square, Yonge Street, North York
3. Indonesian Food Festival
The festival aims to showcase the richness and diversity of Indonesian culture through food, music, dance, art and so much more.
July 26, 2025 @ The Yonge Dundas Square, 1 Dundas Street East, Toronto
Sunday, July 27, 2025
1. Guild Alive with Culture Arts Festival
Explore Guildwood Park as it comes alive with artists, artisan vendors, children’s activities and live entertainment.
July 26 & 27, 2025 @ Guild Park and Gardens, Scarborough
2. Indigenous Sounds Now
Enjoy the many genres of music being created by Indigenous musicians, including alternative rock, blues and country.
July 27, 2025 @ Trillium Park, 955 Lake Shore Blvd., West Toronto
Monday, July 28, 2025
1. Canadian Multicultural Peruvian Fest
At the Festival, visitors have the opportunity to experience being ‘Peruvian for the Day’, but the Festival is much more than the celebration of the Canadian Peruvian’s heritage.
July 27 & 28, 2025 @ Sankofa Square, Toronto
Tuesday, July 29, 2025
Explore Nature Parks & Areas
Visit Greater Toronto area parks and conservation areas. There are plenty of opportunities for you to explore and enjoy nature in the GTA area. Though, some areas charge admission fees there are many places you can visit for free.
- 26 of the Best Nature Parks and Hiking Spots in the Halton Region
- 27 of the Best Nature Parks and Hiking Spots in the Peel Region
- 25 of the Best Hiking Spots & Nature Parks in York Region
- 27 of the Best Hiking Spots & Nature Parks in the Durham Region
- 50 Nature Attractions & Hotspots in and Around GTA
- 25 of the Best Hiking Trails in Toronto
Wednesday, July 30, 2025
Toronto Botanical Garden and Edward Gardens
Toronto Botanical Garden offers an array of themed gardens spanning nearly four acres, designed to educate and inspire adjacent to Wilket Creek, Don Valley Ravine, and Edwards Gardens.
Year round.
@ Toronto Botanical Garden, 777 Lawrence Avenue East Toronto
Thursday, July 31, 2025
Humber Arboretum
Explore this unique site consisting of botanical gardens and natural areas surrounding the Humber River. Through six kilometres of walking trails, discover the Carolinian bioregion, which boasts over 1,700 species of plants and animals.
Year round
@ 205 Humber College Blvd., Toronto. – back of Humber College’s North Campus.
Friday, August 1, 2025
Visit Port Credit, Mississauga
Port Credit, Mississauga’s picturesque “Village on the Lake”, is a great place to experience Lake Ontario and the Credit River. Explore Port Credit Harbour by hiking the waterfront trail that winds through parks and pathways along the lake and river shoreline, take in postcard worthy pictures with the iconic red and white, Port Credit lighthouse as background and picnic at Memorial Park.
Any time round the year
@ Port Credit lighthouse- 105 Lakeshore Road W, Port Credit
Saturday, August 2, 2025
1. Grand Parade – Toronto Caribbean Carnival
It is the grand highlight of the annual Festival. After months of preparation, masqueraders in colourful and striking costumes and steel pan bands wind their way from Exhibition Place along a 3.5-kilometer stretch on Lakeshore Boulevard. It truly is something you can’t miss.
August 2, 2025
@ Lakeshore Blvd W & Exhibition Place, Toronto
2. Mosaic Festival South Asian Festival of Mississauga
The award-winning festival of Mississauga brings you the best of art, culture and cuisine from South Asia. The two day free festival will feature music, dance, folklore, Bollywood, food and shopping in the heart of Mississauga, headlined by the popular artists and performers from India, Pakistan, Canada and the USA.
August 1 & 2, 2025 @ Mississauga Celebration Square, 300 City Centre Drive, Mississauga
Sunday, August 3, 2025
1. Toronto Black Vegan Festival
The food ranges from vegan versions of traditional African/Caribbean ethnic foods to new creations that give North American fruits and vegetables an African/Caribbean mouth-watering twist of flavour and texture.
Sunday, August 3, 2025 @ Artscape Wychwood Barns, 601 Christie Street, Toronto
2. Taste of India Food Festival
Come for musical melodies and mind-blowing dance performances and enjoy over a few hundred dishes from all parts of India with over 50+ vendors / restaurants.
August 2 to 3, 2025 @ Nathan Phillips Square, 100 Queen St W, Toronto
3. Explore The Museum of Contemporary Art Toronto
The MOCA Toronto is a place of conversation, exchange and exploration where visitors of all ages and backgrounds can be part of a global creative moment.
First Sunday of each month @ MOCA Toronto, 158 Sterling Rd.
Monday, August 4, 2025
Explore Waterfront Trail
Celebrate GTA’s waterfront by hiking, or biking the waterfront trail that traverses GTA. There are natural areas including wetlands, forests and beaches.
You may like Port Union Waterfront Trail.
Tuesday, August 5, 2025
Explore Rouge Park
Canada’s premier urban wilderness park is home to an amazing combination of natural, cultural and agricultural features including 1,700 species of plants and animals, over 10,000 years of human history, and some of the rarest and best remaining wetlands, forests and agricultural lands in the Greater Toronto Area. Whether you laze out in the sun at the Rouge Beach, or go for a hike or look for treasures with your GPS unit, there is no dearth of stuff to do in Canada’s National Urban Park.
Year-round
@ Many accessible points, Rouge Park.
Wednesday, August 6, 2025
Explore Scarborough Bluffs
See the Bluffs that was the very reason for the naming of this part of the city as ‘Scarborough’ by Elizabeth Simcoe. The best place to see the bluffs is from Bluffer’s Park (take right (west) at the end of Brimley Road). The bluffs can be viewed from any of Scarborough parks located along Lake Ontario.
Year-round
@ Various Scarborough Parks along Lake Ontario
Thursday, August 7, 2025
Toronto Conservatories
Savour the sweet smell and glorious colours of blooming flowers around the year at Centennial Park Conservatory and Allan Gardens.
Year round | 10:00 AM – 05:00 PM
@ Centennial Park Conservatory
151 Elmcrest Road, Toronto
Friday, August 8, 2025
1. Annual Grange Festival
The Grange Festival is a free public, outdoor fair with engaging performances and a range of fun-filled activities for adults and children.
August 8, 2025 @ Grange Park, 26 Grange Road, Toronto
2. Visit a Conservation Area
Enjoy scenic lookouts, stroll boardwalks along Great Lakes shores, spy upon songbirds on deciduous woods at conservation areas near Toronto. Greenwood Conservation Area in Ajax and Altona Forest in Pickering are great places for an evening hike.
Free Conservation Areas
@ ~ an hour from Toronto
Saturday, August 9, 2025
1. Kothu Fest
Kothu Fest is a high-energy, one-day event that brings together over 18,000 attendees for an immersive experience of food, music, art, and culture.
August 9, 2025 @ Albert Campbell Square, 150 Borough Dr, Scarborough
2. Taste of Albion
With 30+ vendors, a kids’ activity zone, beer garden, loaded with performances, a doubles eating competition, photobooth, magic shows and fire shows.
August 9, 2025 @ Thistletown Plaza, 988 Albion Road, Toronto
3. RED FM ‘Summer Bhangra Jam’
This stellar legacy event will be a one-day festival featuring a free concert with international Punjabi superstars, Bhangra performances, food trucks, dancing, shopping, KidsZone, fashion shows and much more!
August 9, 2025 @ Mississauga Celebration Square, 300 City Centre Dr, Mississauga
Sunday, August 10, 2025
1. Acton Leathertown Festival
The Acton Leathertown Festival in Canada’s Original Leathertown and the largest and oldest festival in Halton Hills! Discover why it truly is worth the drive to Acton, one of the GTA’s last “small towns” and celebrate the Festival’s history as a leather town.
August 10, 2025 @19 Willow Street North, Acton
2. Habari Africa
This multidisciplinary long weekend festival celebrates Africa’s rich and diverse culture with live music, films, art exhibitions and dance workshops led by Canadian and international artists.
August 8 to 10, 2025 @ Harbourfront Centre, 235 Queens Quay West, Toronto
3. Toronto Chinatown Festival
Enjoy Dragon Dance & Lion Dance, Traditional Dancing & Opera Performances, Kung Fu Performances, Art & Culture Booths, Multi-Cultural Street Food, bubble tea, bubble waffle ice cream and more!
August 9 & 10, 2025
@Toronto China Town, West side of Spadina Avenue
Monday, August 11, 2025
Spray Parks & Outdoor Pools
Hit Toronto’s or your city’s spray parks or outdoor pools to cool off!
through Mid September | Open daily
@ Various locations, Toronto
Tuesday, August 12, 2025
Visit St Lawrence Market
Who doesn’t love to explore isles and isles of delicious food, from yummy cookies to exotic vegetables? Enjoy the sights and the smells as you explore the market situated inside 200 year old building. The Market Gallery, inside the site of Toronto’s 19th-century City Hall, exhibits Toronto’s art, culture and history.
Year-round
@ 92 Front St. E., Toronto
Wednesday, August 13, 2025
ROM Walks – Free Guided Tours
Join for ROMWalks that encompass the diverse aspects of Toronto’s vibrant neighbourhoods including history, architecture, arts of all varieties, education and more.
Select Wednesdays & Sundays until October end. @ Various locations, Toronto
Thursday, August 14, 2025
Tommy Thompson Park
Located on the man-made headland, known as the Leslie Street Spit, which extends five km into Lake Ontario and is over 500 hectares in size. Bike, hike or rollerblade and enjoy some of the largest existing natural habitat on the Toronto waterfront, which includes wildflower meadows, coastal marshes, cobble beaches and sand dunes and more! It is also one of the best nature-watching areas in the GTA.
Summer Hours: Weekends and holidays, April to November | | 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM
@ foot of Leslie Street where it meets Unwin Avenue, south of Lake Shore Boulevard East.
Friday, August 15, 2025
TD Markham Jazz Festival
Enjoy this exciting and vibrant three-day event featuring well-known professional jazz musicians performing on three stages on beautiful Main Street Unionville.
August 15 to 17, 2025 @ Main Street Unionville – Markham
Saturday, August 16, 2025
1. Wheels On The Danforth
See an amazing assortment of Classics, Exotics, Tuners, Muscle Cars, Hot Rods, and Motorcycles, a variety of vendors and artisans, kids zone, and more!
August 16, 2025 @ 3400 Danforth Avenue, Toronto
2. Japan Festival
Japan Festival is for all ages, families and friends to truly enjoy and experience Japanese Food, Culture and Technologies.
August 16 & 17, 2025 @ Mississauga Celebration Square, 300 City Centre Drive, Mississauga
3. Taste of Manila
Taste of Manila is one of the largest street festivals in the county. There are lots of things you’ll want to make sure you check out while you’re here. The festival will include lots of different vendors selling a variety of products.
August 16 & 17, 2025 @ Wilson Ave. and Bathurst St., Toronto
Sunday, August 17, 2025
1. Afraspektion
Enjoy the memorable opening ceremony, followed by a day filled with festival fun, giveaways, a curated market, live music and free entertainment for all ages!
August 17, 2025 @ Riverside Common Park, 657 Queen St. E, Toronto
2. Port Credit Busker Fest
Be prepared for some of the best Magic, Acrobatics, juggling, hoola hooping, beatboxing, whip cracking and gut-splitting comedy right on the streets of Port Credit.
August 15 to 17, 2025 @ Port Credit Memorial Park 40 Lakeshore Rd E, Mississauga
Monday, August 18, 2025
Evergreen Brick Works
Explore Don River valley! Evergreen Brick Works, a former quarry and industrial site holds art exhibits by local artists, and has plenty of activities for the whole family. Explore Don Valley Brick Works Park that houses Weston Family Quarry Garden, stroll the pond boardwalks,and get learn about the ecosystems provide homes to numerous species of animals and plants.
Year Round @ 550 Bayview Ave, Toronto
Tuesday, August 19, 2025
Oakville Museum at Erchless Estate and Bronte Harbour
Visit Erchless Estate, which was once home to Oakville‘s founding family, overlooking Oakville’s community museum. Enjoy the beautiful buildings, the grounds and gardens of Erchless that overlook Lake Ontario. Bronte Harbour, located 6 km from the museum, has a great boardwalk that leads to the Bronte Harbour Lighthouse and great parks that overlook Lake Ontario.
Museum – Year-Round | Tuesdays to Sunday1s, 1:00 PM-4:30 PM @ Erchless Estate, 8 Navy St, Oakville
Wednesday, August 20, 2025
Fun Day at Centre Island
Toronto’s family fun summer destination has plenty of exciting free activities. The island features a myriad of delightful activities from feeding birds to a pettting Zoo at Far Enough Farm, splash pads, beaches, a children’s garden inspired by Franklin the Turtle, and the William Meany Maze.
Summer
@ Centre Island Toronto
Thursday, August 21, 2025
High Park
High Park has something for every member of the family and for kids, there is a Children’s Garden, the High Park Zoo with lots of animals including bison, llamas, and peacocks, and a castle of a playground – Jamie Bell Playground. The park is home to many species of wildlife, including birds, fish and animals.
Year Round
@ High Park, Toronto
Friday, August 22, 2025
1. TAIWANfest Toronto
Immerse yourself in the sounds and sights of arts and culture at TAIWANfest with the theme: Dialogue with Portugal.
August 22 to 24 @ Harbourfront Center, 235 Queens Quay W, Toronto
2. Mississauga ItalFest
Mississauga ITALFEST is a free festival that shares Italian heritage and culture with the citizens of Mississauga and beyond. Featured are exciting pasta and watermelon eating contests, kids and family attractions, Heritage center and displays, a VIP Lounge and Bar Italia, celebrity chef demos, delicious culinary experiences and a variety of market vendors.
August 22 & 23, 2025 @ Mississauga Celebration Square, City Centre Drive, Mississauga
Saturday, August 23, 2025
1. Yorkville Murals
Yorkville Murals will transform the street into a cultural extravaganza, where visitors will be entertained with every step. On Yorkville Avenue from Bellair Street to Hazelton Avenue, Yorkville Murals will deliver participatory entertainment and play
August 23 & 24 @ 99 Yorkville Avenue, Toronto
2. Doggie Fest Summer Carnival
Get ready for a fun-filled day designed for dogs and their humans! Enjoy paw painting, a lure course, off-leash social time, and a dog pool and ball pit. Plus, live pet portraits, free nail trims, CGN testing, photo ops, and more.
August 23, 2025 @ 255 Bremner Blvd, Toronto
Sunday, August 24, 2025
1. Annual Scarborough Afro-Carib Fest
Experience mouthwatering ethnic cuisines, grab a drink from the beer tent, and spend the day enjoying live musical performances, a cultural fashion show, dance competitions, drum and dance workshops, a kid’s zone and much more.
August 23 & 24, 2025 @ Thomson Memorial Park, 1005 Brimley Rd, Scarborough
2.Tamil Fest
The largest Tamil Street Festival outside of the Indian subcontinent, the festival showcases and celebrates the rich Tamil cultural heritage, arts, music, and cuisine to Canada’s diverse communities.
August 23 & 24, 2025 @Markham Road from Passmore Ave to McNicoll Ave, Toronto
Monday, August 25, 2025
Explore Riverwood
Located on the banks of Credit River, Riverwood is a 150-acre park that house both historical buildings and environmentally significant areas. Enjoy a day out hiking the trails that traverse habitats of more than 475 species of animals and plants. Relax in beautiful Chappell House Gardens or, MacEwan Terrace Garden, go for a bird trek or take in an art exhibition by Visual Arts Mississauga in the historic MacEwan House.
Year-round
@ Riverwood extends north from Burnhamthorpe Road West to Highway 403.
The entrance is located at the intersection of Burnhamthorpe Road West and The Credit Woodlands / Riverwood Park Lane
Tuesday, August 26, 2025
Free programs at your local library
GTA libraries offer plenty of free, fun programs, from magic shows to movies. Check your local library for more details.
Summer @ Your local library
Wednesday, August 27, 2025
Sculpture Garden at McMichael’s Canadian Collection
Explore the Sculpture Garden at McMichael’s Canadian Collection. With the planted wilderness garden and network of outdoor paths and trails, the Ivan Eyre Sculpture Garden presents a series of installations and outdoor sculptures.
10365 Islington Ave., Kleinburg
Thursday, August 28, 2025
Riverdale Farm
Located at the Erstwhile site of Toronto Zoo, Riverdale Farm is a great visit place to visit with young children. See farm animals and poultry at the Pig and Poultry Barn, learn about chores that happen in a farm, and learn about the day-to-day working on a farm.
Enjoy a serene walk inside Toronto Necropolis situated next door!!
Daily | 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
@ 201 Winchester St, Toronto
Friday, August 29, 2025
1. Mississauga MuslimFest
The event features local and international artists who will showcase their talent for all attendees to enjoy. Concerts featuring popular Muslim artists, comedy shows, a multicultural bazaar, and a kids’ carnival are just some of the fun activities that available to experience during MuslimFest Celebration Square.
August 29 to 31, 2025 @ Mississauga Celebration Square, 300 City Centre Drive, Mississauga
Oshawa Valley Botanical Garden and Robert McLaughlin Gallery
With stunning gardens, architectural features, serene water features and winding pathways, Oshawa Valley Botanical Gardens links the natural area of the Oshawa Creek and the Joseph Kolodzie Oshawa Creek Bike Path. Plan a day trip to Oshawa, visit the gardens and drop by Robert McLaughlin Gallery, largest gallery in Durham Region with over 4000 artworks in its collection.
Oshawa Valley Botanical Garden – best in spring and summer.
@ Oshawa Valley Botanical Garden – Extends from Adelaide Avenue to Gibb Street along the Oshawa Creek.
Gallery – Year-round @ The Robert McLaughlin Gallery, 72 Queen Street, Civic Centre, Oshawa
Saturday, August 30, 2025
Canadian International Air Show
Don’t miss out on astonishing aerial performances that honour Airforce veterans, including a rare double header of two iconic jet teams, the Canadian Forces Snowbirds and the U.S. Navy Blue Angels, who haven’t been in Toronto for 14 years.
August 30 to 31, 2025 @ Marilyn Bell Park, 1095 Lake Shore Blvd W, Toronto
Sunday, August 31, 2025
T.U. JAZZ FEST
The annual T.U. Jazz Fest! Celebrating the next generation of jazz in Canada and beyond. Concerts, masterclasses, jam sessions, food vendors and more.
August 29 to September 1, 2025 @ Mel Lastman Square, Yonge Street, North York
Monday, September 1, 2025
A Last Hurrah at the Beach!
Have you been to GTA beaches yet? Build sandcastles or enjoy a swim in the fresh waters of Lake Ontario. There are 8 beaches in Toronto that are blue flag certified beaches – meaning it has undergone strict evaluation and are up to standard on water quality, environmental management, environmental education, safety and services.
Year Round
@ Waterfront Trail – Lake Ontario – GTA.
Will this page be updated for 2024?
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