September arrived quickly and if you’re like me, you spent a little more money than you should have this summer. From rent to nightlife, Toronto is an extremely expensive city to live in. Don’t spend your month hibernating – we’ve got some amazing free events that will only cost you TTC fair to get there.
Here’s our round-up of the 10 top free events you need to check out in Toronto this month:
1. TIFF Street Festival
The hottest festival of the year, filled with top new films and celeb spotting at this four-day street party including food, installations and prime red carpet viewing.
Location: King Street West
Date: September 6-9
2. Veg Fest
Go enjoy all the delicious vegetarian food Toronto has to offer at the Veg Fest, with more than 150 vendors and over 40+ hours of workshops, speakers, music and other fun activities.
Location: Harbourfront Centre (235 Queens Quay West)
Date: September 7-9 (hours vary)
3. 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)
4. Cabbagetown Festival
Taste incredible food from BIA restaurants and vendors, bands playing and swinging ensembles – will be back again this year! The Festival offers something for everyone and every taste and includes an interactive Kids Zone featuring special entertainers and activities.
Location: Cabbagetown
Date: September 8-9
5. Brickworks Saturday Market
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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)
6. 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 collectables to shop.
Location: Bloor West Village
Date: September 14-16 (check the website for hours)
7. 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
8. Roncesvalles Polish Festival
Listen to local and international music, including Polish folklore, Polka and Euro dance bands, and entertainment from near and far on multiple stages. Saturday night enjoy the ever-popular Disco Polo Party. Come out and sample fantastic cuisine from over 40 renowned restaurants, cafes, bakeries, and bistros, along Roncesvalles, and obviously, lots of traditional Polish fare, including pierogi, kielbasa, bigos, cabbage rolls, and much much more!
Location: Roncesvalles Village
Date: September 15-16 (check website for hours)
9. 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)
10. 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 (11am – 4pm)
Date: September 15
11. UNIQLO & GO Pop-Up Mobile
Lovers of the Japanese clothing store will have an extra spot to shop in Toronto when UNIQLO opens an immersive pop-up shop downtown. There will also be sweet giveaways you won’t want to miss.
Location: 451 King Street West
Date: September 19-22
The Queen West Art Crawl (QWAC) is a charitable organization designed to celebrate and promote the art, culture and diversity in this popular yet unique area of Toronto.
Location: Trinity Bellwoods Park
Date: September 22-23 (11am – 6pm)
13. Toronto Beaches Festival
The summer isn’t over until we say so – hit up the beaches for this fun festival with delicious food and drinks, yoga, a 90s dance party and shopping. Admission is free. What more could you want?
Location: Woodbine Beach
Date: Septemeber 22-23 (check website for hours)
14. Nuit Blanche
For one sleepless night, from sunset to sunrise, Toronto is transformed into an artistic playground for an incredible display of exhilarating contemporary art experiences in unexpected public spaces around the city.
Location: Multiple Venues
Date: September 29-30 (check website for hours)
15. Kensington Market Art Fair
The Kensington Market Art Fair (KMAF) is a curated outdoor art fair, in collaboration with Kensington Market BIA and Pedestrian Sundays, which focuses on original two and three-dimensional art.
Location: Kensington Market (south of Augusta)
Date: September 30 (12pm to 7pm)
Featured Image: Instagram/@openstreetsto