The holiday season is officially over, but that doesn’t mean the excitement has to come to an end! This time of year our bank accounts have likely taken a hit from the festivities and we can feel the winter blues starting to set in.
Luckily, there are tons of amazing free events in and around Toronto this month, so you can give your wallet a little break after all that holiday shopping and keep the fun coming!
Here is our roundup of the top 10 free events happening in Toronto this January.
Skate at Nathan Phillips Square (January 1 – January 26)
Instagram/ @nathanphillipssquare
If you’re looking to get outdoors this month, why not go skating at Nathan Phillips Square? While it’s fun to skate here during the holiday season, it’s just as fun come January! You can get out for some fun and fresh air while you burn off those extra holiday calories.
Snowshoes and Snow Clues (January 3)
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This family-friendly event is fun for everyone! Located just outside the city in Caledon, you will be able to learn about winter wildlife. Snowshoes will be provided as well! If you enjoy the outdoors, this free event is definitely one to check out. Parking is free. Make sure to bundle up because the event will be held rain or shine!
Karaoke (January 9)
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If you’re looking to plan a fun night out with friends this month, look no further! Every Wednesday night you can head to the Social Capital Theatre for free Karaoke from 10:30 to close. This is guaranteed to be fun whether you’re a great singer or not!
Trinity Bellwoods Flea – New Year – Market (January 13)
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Located on Queen Street West, this incredible flea market will be open to the public from 10-5 with tons of new vendors and brands any shopper will love! If you’re looking to beat the winter blues and treat yourself to something nice, this is the event for you! While it costs to shop, admission is completely free – though we can’t guarantee that the local eats and other products won’t tempt you!
Meditation Series (January 16 – 23)
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This completely free event is perfect if you have ever wanted to try meditation. With the new year, a lot of people are making health-related resolutions and meditation can be great for your mental health! Cassidy from Just Be Meditation will be leading this series at the Sony Centre.
Toronto Light Festival (January 18 – March 3)
Image: StyleDemocracy
Located in the iconic Distillery District, the Toronto Light Festival is definitely an event worth checking out! The festival transforms the historic neighbourhood into one of the largest outdoor galleries in North America. The display features work from both local and international artists and is fun for all ages!
DesignTO (January 18 – 27)
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DesignTO transforms Toronto into a hub for all things design! From engaging talks to incredible exhibitions, and more, this event has no shortage of events happening. With over 100 exhibits to choose from, there is something for every design lover. While some events do cost money to attend, the majority of them are absolutely free!
Mindfest (January 24)
This free mental health and wellness fair takes place at U of T from 10 to 2. Here you will find inspirational speakers, informative exhibits, and fun workshops!
Afternoon Movies at the Riverdale Library (January 29)
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The Riverdale Branch of the Toronto Public Library will be screening The Book Club at 2:00 and admission is free! The movie is rated PG-13 and it’s sure to be a good time.
European Short Film Festival (January 31)
Carlton Cinema will be hosting the European Short Film Festival on January 3rd. Admission is free, or you can pay what you can. Here you will be able to check out some of the best short films from around the world while you stay warm and cozy inside!
Featured Image: Pexels
It’s officially a new year, so why not spend the day doing something fun to start 2019 off on the right foot? Whether you want to stay in or get out, we’re rounding up the best things you can do this New Year’s Day!
Go Tobogganing
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Almost every neighbourhood in the city has a hill where you can get outside and relive your childhood!BlogTO has an awesome list of hills across the city to help find the one nearest you. Adults and kids will both love this fun (and free) activity. Not only does it get you out of the house, but it’s a great way to spend the day!
Go For Brunch
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Whether you’re a little tired from your New Year’s Eve celebrations the night before, or just are looking for a great meal, why not meet your friends for brunch? Tons of restaurants will be open New Year’s Day. So, grab your first Instagram-worthy meal of 2019 at one of these delicious spots.
Visit a Museum
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The Royal Ontario Museum will be open from 10 am to 7 pm on New Year’s Day, so you can check out the exhibits and learn something new! The museum has been transformed into a winter wonderland. They also have three special exhibitions going on so there is something for everyone! You can check out the Spiders: Fear and Fascination, Zuul: Life of an Armoured Dinosaur, and Wildlife Photographer of the Year.
Catch a Raptors Game
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The Toronto Raptors play the Utah Jazz on the home court this New Year’s Day. Tickets can be purchased online, so get your cheering voice and hometown spirit ready!
Go Shopping
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Don’t let New Year’s Day get in the way of your shopping plan. Lots of shopping centres (like CF Toronto Eaton Centre, Square One Shopping Centre, and Toronto Premium Outlets) in the GTA will be open, so you can shop until you drop!
Host a Movie Marathon
If you don’t feel like going out, why not host a movie marathon at home? You can have friends and family over to watch all of your favourites. Just make sure to stock up on popcorn since it will be tricky to find an open grocery store! New Year’s Day will be a good time to put these Netflix hacks to good use.
Visit Ripley’s Aquarium of Canada
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The super popular aquarium will be open on New Year’s Day and is fun for the entire family! Kids and adults alike will be mesmerized by all the different sea creatures they’ll see. And if you have a Presto card, you can score an extra discount on tickets.
Go Skating
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If you’re looking to get active, why not take advantage of the city’s multiple free outdoor skating rinks? It’s the perfect way to burn extra calories and spend time with your loved ones!
Visit the Toronto Zoo
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The Toronto Zoo’s 12 Days of Enrichment event is on with all kinds of indoor pavilions, adorable animals, and scenic walking trails. This event will be fun for the entire family!
Check Out the Winter Flower Show
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If you want to get out of the house without spending a bunch of money, check out the Winter Flower Show at Centennial Park Conservatory and the Allan Gardens Conservatory! They have incredible floral scenes made up of thousands of colourful flowers, vines, and plants from all around the world. Plus, these events are completely free!
Check Out the Winter Light Exhibition
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This free event is definitely worth checking out! There are 18 different light exhibits as well as other fun activities like free public skating and community bonfires.
Featured Image: Pexels
We always want to end the year with a bang, but if you’re not careful, you can end up spending an arm and a leg on one night of New Year’s Eve fun. If you’re determined to head into 2019 with some cash in your pocket, a free NYE event is the way to go! Luckily, there are a bunch of Toronto events that have kept your wallet in mind.
From DJ skating parties to a beautiful winter light exhibition, dance parties, fireworks and more, there are tons of free events on New Year’s Eve.
Winter at Ontario Place
Instagram/ @ontarioplace
In the winter, Ontario Place turns into a winter wonderland. A stroll through their various exhibitions and activities is the ideal way to have a no-spend NYE. Make sure to plan your time accordingly as you can enjoy skating, the snack shop and the bonfire until 9 pm, and then you can enjoy the winter light exhibition and fairy lights as you welcome the New Year!
DJ Skate Night at Harbourfront Centre
Instagram/ @harbourfrontcentre
Harbourfront is known for their amazing DJ skate nights and New Year’s Eve is no exception. Admission is free, and skate and helmet rentals are available if you don’t have your own. This year’s NYE skating party will feature tunes by DJ Titan of Nth Degree Entertainment Group. What could be more fun than ringing in the new year on ice? On NYE, skate night goes until 1 am.
NYE at Nathan Phillips Square
Instagram/ @nathanphillipssquare
From 8 pm to midnight, you can enjoy an array of winter activities at Nathan Phillips Square. From DJ skating parties, to live musical performances, and a fireworks show, you can ring in the New Year in style. The DJ acts for the night include DJ Money Jane and DJ Mel Boogie, and the musical performers are LIZA, Cadence Weapon and DJ NDN. As always, there will be an epic countdown at midnight, featuring a magical fireworks display.
The Ballroom NYE
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Head to The Ballroom on New Year’s Eve for free entry and spins by DJ Thugli. With two levels of pub/club fun, you can head to the dance floor, hang at the bar, play some pool, or book a lane to bowl. Bowling will cost you though, so if you want a totally free NYE, stick to the dance floor!
NYE at Swan Dive
Instagram/ @swandiveto
If you want to dance the night away on New Year’s Eve, head to Swan Dive on Dundas Street West for no cover, cheap drinks and music all night long. Boogie to tunes by DJ Shirley Tempo, who will be playing everything from pop to soul and of course, a few guilty pleasures. This is a banger you don’t want to miss.
3030 Dundas Street West
Instagram/ @3030dundaswest
3030 Dundas Street West knows how to throw a party, and on New Year’s Eve admission is free and DJ Corey Dawkins will be spinning starting at 10:30 pm and bringing guests into the New Year! If you’re into hip-hop, reggae and RnB, this is the place to be for NYE!
NYE After Party at Weslodge
Instagram/ @weslodge
Need somewhere to ring in the new year after your dinner plans? Head to Weslodge to enjoy the countdown with live entertainment, complimentary bubbles at midnight, and more! With a ticket, you’re guaranteed access to the party, but not a reserved table, so get there early if you want a place to sit!
Featured image: Instagram/ @nathanphillipssquare
In case you’re starting to get down with winter approaching (and the grey skies), we’ve heard about an exciting exhibit coming that will light up your day! The picture-perfect installation called HAPPY PLACE is taking place at the Harbourfront Centre on November 1st.
You can expect a confetti dome (yep, you heard us correctly), a 20,000 square foot playground that screams HAPPY, seven rooms with sparkly attractions (including seven-foot stilettos made out of candy), along with many more fun things to be revealed. The installation only lasts until January 1st, 2019 so don’t wait around too long before checking it 0ut.
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The event is a partnership with Live Nation Canada with work featured by local designers and artists. Pre-sale tickets go up today and general admission tickets are available this Thursday, October 4th.
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Tickets were completely sold out when the pop-up took place in L.A. and Chicago, so we expect it to be a popular one here too. Get ready to let the endorphins flow at HAPPY PLACE.
Source: Blogto.com
If you’re looking for an event that will last all night and offer no shortage of creative inspiration, you need to check out Nuit Blanche this weekend which takes place on September 29 and runs till sunrise on September 30.
This year the marathon will take over the city with over 75 talking point-filled art installations. Entering its 12th year, there’s going to be a lot of new things to see. To make your Nuit Blanche experience easier, we’ve put together a list of the most interesting art exhibits you need to check out this weekend.
Continuum: Pushing Towards the Light
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Continuum, created by Brandy Leary, Artistic Director of Anandam Dance theatre, will include an ensemble of dance and circus artists and a stunning light show. The most interesting part is that the performance will be taking place within the CF Toronto Eaton Centre bridge.
Walk Among Worlds
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Another must-see exhibit is by Mexico’s Máximo González and consists of a multitude of inflatable globes of all sizes. This truly unique art installation represents the political divisions in the world. You can find it at Scarborough Town Centre this weekend.
Forward
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If you want to experience something very different, check out Daniel Iregui’s installation Forward. The two passaged-based exhibits invite visitors to walk through an endless tunnel featuring sound and light.
Do Angels Exist
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Do Angels Exist is a kinetic sculpture of luminescent printed images that float above the heads of audience members as they move through the space. Created by the printmaker and sculptor Nadine Bariteau, the installation explores such themes as loss, grief, and regeneration. Through this work, the artist hopes to ask the public, Do Angels Exist?
Frame your Footwear: Your Shoes as Art
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Inspired by the exhibition Manolo Blahnik: The Art of Shoes, Frame Your Footwear invites guests to create a boomerang video with their chosen Nuit Blanche Toronto footwear.
birdO
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This project was inspired by a small songbird that almost became extinct 50 years ago. For Nuit Blanche the artist birdO has transformed the image of this tiny creature into an epic sculpture, rising out of an abstract base. You can find it at The Drake.
From Toronto, with Love
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From Toronto, with Love is a collection of 24 vintage suitcases transformed into works of art. In the past, the suitcases were used to transport medical supplies from Not Just Tourists Toronto to remote clinics in need.
Are you going to Nuit Blanche this weekend? Let us know in the comments.
Featured image: Instagram/ @nuitblancheto
If you’re looking for something fun to do this weekend, you absolutely need to check out this exciting FREE event presented by Vans.
Beginning today, September 21, and until September 23, come to The Bentway and take part in the exciting pop-up experience that celebrates the vibrant community in the city. Bringing together sports, arts, music and street culture, House of Vans is the brand’s largest Canadian pop-up and cultural hub to date.
The pop-up will include headlining performances by Hampton Virginia rapper, singer and songwriter D.R.A.M. and an evening of live cooking with Toronto chef and television personality Matty Matheson. Creative activations feature the launch of the inaugural issue of Toronto’s own Rental Magazine, a photo exhibition, and a photography workshop with Pat O’Rourke and Rebecca Ramsdale.
The space will host a Community Market with local Toronto vendors selling their goods, skate intros and live performances (to name a few). This year, for the first time, Vans will be hosting a Girls Skate Clinic as a part of their Get Onboard campaign to highlight females in the skate world.
The event will kick off at 3 pm Friday, September 21 and run throughout the weekend.
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Are you going to check out the House of Vans pop-up this weekend? Let us know in the comments.
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As the lingering summer finally rolls to a close and those beer-filled times on the dock or patio slowly become a distant memory, it’s easy to slide into a deep mourning of the easy, breezy days.
But it’s also easy not to.
The good news is that – aside from the photo op-filled apple orchards and pumpkin patches – there are many reasons to look forward to fall in Toronto. Case in point: These nine events….
Just for Laughs
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If live comedy is your thing, Toronto is about to get a massive dose of LOLs when the annual Just for Laughs Comedy Festival hits the city September 20 to 29. Held at various venues throughout Toronto, this year’s event features famous funny people like Seth Meyers, Wanda Sykes, and Ken Jeong (to name just a few).
Nuit Blanche
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While it’s become more about the party than the art to some, if you’re looking for an event that will last all night and offer no shortage of creative inspiration, you may want to mark sunset on September 29 to sunrise on September 30 on your calendars. The marathon art affair that is Nuit Blanche will take over the city with over 75 talking point-filled art installations and no shortage of parties.
Halloween Haunt at Canada’s Wonderland
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Unless you have a soft spot for the waterpark, the best time to hit Canada’s Wonderland is in the fall, when the lineups and crowds aren’t maddening and when the temperature is actually tolerable. It’s even better when everything is Halloween-themed. Beginning on September 29, Halloween Haunt takes over the amusement park for 14 nights, offering added bonuses like terrifying mazes, scare zones, live shows, and hundreds of monsters lurking in the sidelines.
Bobbyball Presents: Wild West
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Toronto’s longtime favourite fundraiser for the young social set, Rethink Breast Cancer’s Boobyball, returns on October 12 to transform the sprawling space at Rebel into a charity event that never cuts corners when it comes to details. Perhaps one of the best themes yet, this year’s affair asks guests to rock their country finest for a cowboy boot-filled interactive evening of southern hospitality.
Hush Hush
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Offering a chance to be as loud as you want to be in a library, Hush Hush – the sixth annual fundraiser for the Toronto Public Library Foundation presented by the young professional-filled New Collection – returns to transform the Gladstone Library into a multi-sensory party on Saturday, October 20. Hush Hush: Dewey Decimal to Digital will showcase a fusion of aesthetic nostalgia and advanced technology against the building’s classic architecture.
Art Toronto
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If you’re in the market for some quality art, to shake up date night, or for a great party, Art Toronto – Canada’s international fair for modern and contemporary art – returns October 26 to 29. The event fills the Metro Toronto Convention Centre with important artwork from leading Canadian and international galleries, lectures, and panel discussions. Best of all, it kicks off with a hot-ticket (but pricey) Opening Night Party on Thursday, October 26, which always attracts the city’s finest for a cocktail-filled sneak peek.
Royal Agricultural Winter Fair
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Almost 100 years old, the Royal Agricultural Winter Fair is a Toronto staple for the lovers of horses, agriculture, food, entertainment, schmoozing, and shopping unique finds. The event takes over the Exhibition Place November 2 to 11 and is the largest combined indoor agricultural fair and international equestrian competition in the world. If you’re seeking like-worthy social media material, you’ll find it here.
The One of a Kind Show and Sale
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If you’re looking for unique gift ideas, to refresh your own jewellery box, decorate your home, or to meet local artisans (or all of the above), you may want to save the dates for the One of a Kind Expo, which takes over the Enercare Centre November 22 to December 2. Here, you’ll find hundreds of one-of-a-kind handmade products and gifts that you didn’t know you were missing in your life.
The Gourmet Food and Wine Expo
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The annual Gourmet Food and Wine Expo– an event not to miss if you call yourself a foodie – returns to the Metro Toronto Convention Centre once again (November 22 to 25) to offer guests the chance to sample all kinds of culinary goodness, quality wine, and other boozy beverages. If you’re looking to shake up typical date night, this is where to do so.
Did we miss any of the best events happening in Toronto this fall? Share with us in the comment section.
Featured image: Instagram/ @canadaswonderland
Make the most out of every last second of summer with these 6 free events taking place in Toronto this weekend!
Waterfront Artisan Market
Every weekend this month, the Waterfront Artisan Market will feature incredible food from spots like The Mighty Cob, Booyah Inc, AIRY Bakes, and more of your favourite vendors. There will also be local artisans selling their crafts.
Location: HTO Park (339 Queens Quay West)
Date: September 8, 9, 15, 16, 22, 23, 29, and 30 (check website for times)
Toronto Ukrainian Festival
Experience Ukrainian culture and hospitality at its best with non-stop entertainment, including dancers, vocalists, musicians, and a special youth segment. Vendor kiosks will offer delicious, authentic Ukrainian food and beverages, beautiful crafts and collectibles to shop.
Location: Bloor West Village
Date: September 14-16 (check the website for hours)
National Adoption Weekend
Looking to add someone new and cute to your family? PetSmart Charities of Canada has partnered with animal welfare organizations across the country to bring adoptable pets into PetSmart stores to give them a helping hand at finding a forever home. . Last National Adoption Weekend over 1,800 pets found forever homes from dogs, puppies, cats, kittens, small pets and more!
Location: PetSmart Locations (Across Canada)
Date: September 14-16
Open Streets TO
Sections of Yonge Street are car-free for the day, with lots of exciting activities going on.
Location: Bloor & Yonge Street
Date: September 16 (check website for hours)
Toronto Pignic
If you’ve never seen a guinea pig red carpet surrounded by Piggie Paparazzi or a Piggie Pageant (yes, a pageant for guinea pigs) then you need to mark your calendar right now! Sponsored by PetSmart, this annual event welcomes guinea pigs, their pet parents, enthusiasts, and other small pets! You have the option to donate upon entry to support Helping Homeless Pets and Piggles Cares (formerly Piggles Rescue).
Location: Greenwood Park (11 am – 4 pm)
Date: September 15
Brickworks Saturday Market
The Evergreen Brick Works’ Saturday Farmers’ Market is the largest farmers’ market in Toronto. Come and enjoy good food from local farmers, food producers, and chefs.
Location: Evergreen Brick Works
Date: September 8, 15, 22, & 29 (8am to 1pm)
Are you going to attend any of these events this weekend? Let us know in the comments below!
Featured image: Instagram/ @uptowncavies