With summer in full swing, I’ve done my fair share of shopping, patio hopping, and adventuring, and my friends, those things don’t come cheap! Lucky for you, I’ve recapped some free things you can do this summer in Toronto and even luckier for you, this summer you can watch free movies in Toronto. With a ticket to the theatre costing upwards of $15, plus the cost of snacks, why not venture out of the cinema and into one of Toronto’s parks for a free film?!
Want to score free movies? Keep reading for 12 places to watch free movies right here in Toronto!
The Beaches
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Rotating between Kew Gardens and Ivan Forrest Gardens Park, The Beach Village’s Movies In The Park are not only free to view, but also offer free popcorn (score!). This summer’s solid lineup includes some classics like Beetlejuice and newer releases like Spiderman: Into The Spider-Verse.
Downsview Park
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If you’re finding yourself in the northern part of the city, a free movie night at Friday Night Lights Movies at Downsview Park might be the perfect night out. You can catch a flick twice a month at 79 Carl Hall Road. It even includes free parking!
Regent Park
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A popular east-end place to watch movies is Regent Park’s Under The Stars that shows weekly films that prominently feature Indigenous and People of Colour. Even more exciting, this year it’s sharing the park alongside Taste of Regent Park which is a weekly community market!
Corktown Common
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Until July 25th, you can catch a film at Corktown Common that’s part of a project by the Toronto Outdoor Picture Show. Bring your own blanket and join for some of the most iconic films of cult queer, family, and Indigenous cinema.
Christie Pits Film Festival
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The Christie Pits Film Festival is another project by The Toronto Outdoor Picture Show running from June 30th – August 25th. The festival includes a combination of classic feature-length films, as well as shorts.
Bell Manor Park
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Then, out in the west-end of the city, Toronto Outdoor Picture Show is presenting a series of films from August 8th – 22th at Bell Manor Park in Etobicoke. First up is the adorable animated film, Ratatouille! The event is free, but donations are welcomed.
Yonge-Dundas Square
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If you’re finding yourself right downtown, you can catch a flick at Yonge-Dundas Square this summer. The weekly lineup includes classics like Mean Girls, Cool Runnings, Up, and Austin Powers. Plus, The Second City will be putting on improv acts to warm up the crowd before each screening. Check out the full event listing.
Sorauren Park
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Outdoor movies in Sorauren Park mean local pizza and pierogies are on the menu! Head on over to the park to see titles like Casablanca and The Iron Giant.
Liberty Village
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Make your way over to Liberty Village and score a great seat to see Ferris Buller’s Day Off on July 19th, or Mary Poppins Returns at Liberty Village Park on August 23rd.
Trinity Bellwoods
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You wouldn’t expect Trinity Bellwoods BIA to miss out on all the outdoor movie fun, would you? Movie Night In The Park is happening July 16th and August 13th. If you head over early, you can score some goodies from the Farmers’ Market, plus on-leash dogs are welcome!
Union Station
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There’s a ton of fun things going down at Union Summer, and movie nights are just a small part of the fun! On top of great eats, games nights, and sample station, you can catch films like Dumbo and A Star Is Born.
Mel Lastman Square
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Up in North York, you will find the Cultura Festival with free family outdoor programming with music, movies, and art every Friday in July. The movie lineup includes Ralph Breaks The Internet and The Incredibles 2.
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We get it – sometimes the bills stack high and budgeting gets tough. Toronto may be an expensive place to live but a big city has its perks! There always seems to be a number of fun things going on that won’t cost you. With that in mind ditch the FOMO and don’t let Spring pass you by without hitting up some these awesome activities. Take a look at the top ten free events in Toronto and the GTA below:
Spring to the Beach (May 5 & 6)
Kick off summer and head to The Beach Village on Queen St. East (located between Lockwood and Neville Park) for Spring to the Beach. Browse local vendors during the sidewalk sale, grab some local eats at the newly renovated Kew Gardens Park, and top it off with some live music at the Mill Street Beer Garden. The event is free to attend so if you can’t afford much shopping, go for the atmosphere – you’re guaranteed to have fun.
Image: Instagram/@thebeachvillage
Kite Fest 2017 (May 6)
Remember the days when the only things necessary for a good time were your friends, a kite, and some sun? Scoop up the chance to feel like a kid again at Kite Fest 2017 in Earlscourt park on May 6 from 12 pm to 2 pm. Even if you don’t own a kite, grab a picnic blanket, lie back, relax and watch a bunch of kites take flight.
Blossom and Bloom Mother’s Day Market (May 12 – 14)
What mother doesn’t appreciate flowers? If you still have no idea what to do on Mother’s Day, head out to the Blossom and Bloom Mother’s Day Market at Union Station. As always the market is free to attend, so spend some chill time with mom and explore over 25 of the cities best artisans and florists, art installations, and interactive workshops.
Image: Instagram/@blossomandbloomshow
Bonobo Flow Yoga (May 13)
The Drake Underground will be hosting a PWYC Bonobo Flow Yoga class on May 13. Bring yourself, your mat and a friend and let the smooth electronic beats get you into a good flow. As the Drake puts it, “chill-wave, chill rave!” Not to mention, if you work up an appetite, post-yoga brunch will be 15% off.
Gladstone Flea: Mother’s Day Edition (May 13)
You can always count on the Gladstone Hotel to throw a free event. Don’t miss the Gladstone Flea: Mother’s Day Edition on May 13. Take the women of honour herself or scrounge some couch money to buy her something unique from a number of local artisans and vendors.
Image: Instagram/@gladstonehotel
Canada Job Expo (May 18)
If you’re looking at free event listings because you have no cash, you should probably go to this one. The Canada Job Expo is taking place on May 18 at North York Memorial Hall and is the most attended job and career expo in the GTA. Apple Canada, CIBC, Rogers, and Labatt Breweries are just several of the companies who have been vendors in the past. If you plan on attending all you need to do is register online.
Artfest (May 20 -22)
Distillery District’s area-wide arts and crafts festival, Artfest, returns on May 20 to 22. Wander down the cobblestones and through one of the city’s most historic sites – it will be filled with artist vendors, installations, performances, and local food and drink. There’s definitely bound to be a good photo op or two.
Image: Artfest
Waterfront Artisan Market (Starts May 20)
The Waterfront Artisan Market is back starting on May 20 and will be taking place every Saturday, well into the fall. The unique open-air market will feature a carefully curated mix of 75 local, up-and-coming artisans, crafters, chefs and bakers. And, of course, don’t forget the spectacular views of Lake Ontario!
Trinity Bellwoods Bed In (May 21)
Is hanging out in parks your jam? Then this public event is definitely for you. Make your way to Trinity Bellwoods Park on May 21 for the 4th BED IN for PEACE. Inspired by John Lennon and Yoko Ono’s arrival in Toronto in 1969, and their one-night Bed In at the King Edward Hotel that followed, the park will be transformed into a sea of blankets with live performers and musicians.
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Barbados on the Water Festival (May 26 -28)
Get your fix of island vibes at the Harbourfront Centre on May 26 to 28 during the Barbados on the Water festival – the largest celebration of Barbadian culture in Canada! The festival will feature fashion shows, literary events, children’s activities, rum tasting and plenty of music. Who knows? Maybe it will inspire an actual trip to the Islands!
Did we miss any of the top free events in Toronto and the GTA?
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