It's hard to believe it's already the last weekend in July, but yet here we are.
With just one month left before the kids have to return to school, you'll want to savour every bit of summer. While always fun, the typical summer attractions like Wonderland and the Toronto Zoo can create a serious dent in your wallet, but fortunately, there are plenty of free events going on the city all summer long.
READ: Toronto Road Closures To Steer Clear Of This Weekend (July 26-28)
This weekend, choose from a play in the park, a street festival or a variety of musical performances. Since all the events are free, you can even leave your wallet at home!
1. Arts In The Parks: A Midsummer Night's Dream
Where: Memorial Park - York - 22 Little Ave.When: Friday, Jul. 26 from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
Spend your summer night watching Shakespeare's most beloved comedy under the stars. An offbeat and complex love story, A Midsummer Night's Dream tells the story of four lovers, a bunch of fairies and a donkey. Bring a blanket and some snacks and prepare to be thoroughly entertained.
2. Chevy Music Indie Fridays
Where: Yonge-Dundas SquareWhen: Friday, Jul. 26 from 7 p.m. to 11 p.m.
Swing by Yonge-Dundas Square to take in the sounds of Indie rockers Common Holly and Skye Wallace. The concert starts at 8 p.m. and is free to attend, but early arrivers can always stop by the beer garden for a drink before the show starts.
3. Cultura Festival
Where: Mel Lastman Square - 5100 Yonge St.When: Friday, Jul. 26 from 6 p.m. to 11 p.m
Swing by Mel Lastman Square for the final Cultura Festival of the season. Performances start at 6 p.m. and run all night until 11 p.m. In addition to musical acts, the festival will also include busker performances, movies and food trucks by Queen Arepa and Gogi Korean BBQ.
4. Tirgan Festival
Where: Various locations, including Harbourfront Centre, Distillery District, St. Lawrence Centre For The Arts and Michener Institue at UHNWhen: All weekend long
Celebrate Iranian arts and culture at Toronto's largest Tirgan festival. For its sixth year, the festival will include over 230 artists, 100+ performances and 30+ free events. On Friday night, head over to the Harbourfront Centre for a FREE exhibition on the history of Iranian cinema, as well as musical performances by Rostam Mirlashari, Prince of Baluchi Music.
5. OssFest 2019
Where: Ossington Ave. between Dundas St. W. and Queen St. W.When: Saturday, Jul. 27 from 8 a.m. to 1 a.m
Explore and support one of the city's most beloved neighbourhoods. Festivities begin at 8:45 a.m. with a yoga session in the streets led by Cassandra Batts of Yoga Space. Other events and activations you can expect at this year's event include Ping Pong in the streets with MiniPong Toronto, musical performances and plenty of vendors offering food, drink, entertainment and fashion.
6. Heart2Soul Fest
Where: James Cardinal McGuigan High School - 1440 Finch Ave. W.When: Saturday, Jul. 27 from 1 p.m. to 7 p.m
Support the youth of Jane and Finch by showing up to this family-friendly festival. The event will include workshops and guest speakers in addition to live performances and free food! There will be plenty of parking on-site, but for those who prefer taking the TTC, Finch West Station is mere minutes away from the school.
7. Alohafest
Where: Mel Lastman Square - 5100 Yonge St.When: Saturday, Jul. 27 from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m
Get in the Aloha spirit at this one-day Polynesian festival. The fifth annual festival will include dance and musical acts, food and crafts, as well as vendors and creatives at the Aloha market.
8. Art Starts' Street Art Festival
Where: Glenhome Ave. between Lanark Ave. and Eglinton Ave. W.When: Friday, Jul. 27 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Get crafty at the Art Starts Street Festival. This one-day event will feature over 15 local artists and will give participants the chance to create their own works of art. In addition to the hands-on art-making sessions, participants will also experience puppet-making workshops, belly dancing and a stand-up comedy show.
9. HorseCapades
Where: Better Living CentreWhen: Friday, Jul. 27 to Thursday, Aug. 15 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Indulge in your love of horses at the CNE's annual interactive horse program. This year, the event will once again include free pony rides for kids as well as opportunities to pet the horses and learn about how horses think, act and react. For the first time ever, HorseCapades will offer a free shuttle service for attendees arriving by the TTC.
10. Toronto Vintage Bicycle Show
Where: Trinity BellwoodsWhen: Sunday, Jul. 28 from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Buy, sell, swap and admire vintage and classic bikes at this fun outdoor festival. In addition to showcasing bikes, Bike Pirates will offer a vintage parts swap, vintage photo booth, vintage bike repair and vintage clothing display. The event will also include local food vendors and other vintage retailers as well as Bike Pirates' safety checks to ensure your bike is riding smoothly.
Bonus!
Humber's Lakeshore Campus Hospital & Historic Tunnel Tour
Where: 21 Colonel Samuel Smith Park Dr.When: Friday, Jul. 26 from 1 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Step inside the historic Lakeshore Psychiatric Hospital and learn about the wide variety of treatments that took place at the hospital. Hear stories about patients and staff before heading into the patient-built tunnels that run beneath the cottages. Participants will also be able to visit the attic, but be warned, to get there you'll have to climb steep steps.
Taste Of The Middle East
Where: Yonge-Dundas SquareWhen: Saturday, Jul. 27 from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.
The second annual Taste of the Middle East festival is taking over Yonge-Dundas Square. For one day only, the square will transform into a Souk and visitors will be invited to taste and embrace the sights, sounds and flavours of Middle Eastern culture and art.
Leslieville Night Market!
Where: Jonathan Ashbridge Park - 20 Woodward Ave.When: Saturday, Jul. 27 from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m.
Back for the third year, the annual Leslieville Night Market combines the best of the best from the Leslieville Farmers' Market and Leslieville Flea. Swing by for delicious eats, handcrafted goods, live music and more.
The Guild Alive With Culture And Arts Festival
Where: Guild Park & Gardens - 201 Guildwood ParkwayWhen: Saturday, Jul. 27 from 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. and Sunday, Jul. 28 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
This annual festival in the park brings the whole neighbourhood together for two nights of live performances, art exhibitions and vendors offering artisanal goods as well as food and drink.
