Top Things to Do and Events in Summer in Toronto & GTA

TMU's Red Dress Exhibit commemorates Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls, and Two-Spirit people (MMIWG2S).

Embark on an eggventure in High Park! Discover which animals lay eggs, their adaptations, and the challenges they face. Explore the fascinating world of egg layers with the Nature Centre.

Ignite Ideation Fund offers up to $5,000 for capacity-building initiatives for artists and organizations in Kingston Galloway/Orton Park.

Community Environment Days offer free compost, drop-off for hazardous waste and electronics, and donation opportunities. Check for events near you.

Volunteer to plant trees and help grow Toronto's urban forest! Events take place throughout the city from spring to fall. Learn about native trees and make new friends.

Volunteer to plant trees and help grow Toronto's urban forest! Events take place throughout the city from spring to fall. Learn about native trees and make new friends.

Celebrate cherry blossom season at Colborne Lodge in High Park! Enjoy the stunning trees, Japanese art and poetry, and create your own haiku.

A poetry reading and open mic night featuring Elizabeth Mudenyo and Adam Sol.

A jazz concert featuring the Sullivan Fortner Trio and the Barbra Lica Quintet.

Experience "Bizaanigaabawi" by Nadya Kwandibens at Riverdale Hub, May 1-31, 2025. Reception on May 3, 2-4 p.m., with an artist talk at 3 p.m. Free, register online.

Join the CYBEX Stroll Together walk in Leaside to combat postpartum loneliness & support maternal mental health. Register your walk & be entered to win prizes!

A celebration of Asian Heritage Month with special performances honoring Pan-Asian cultures.

Explore Toronto's boozy history at the "Banned & Brewed" fundraiser on May 1, 2025, at Campbell House Museum. Enjoy local craft beers, a silent auction, and a keynote by Jordan St. John.

Stand-up comedian Habib Siam reflects on mid-life, lost love, sobriety, and more.

Experience a captivating blend of kora, setar, and percussion with Ablaye Cissoko, Kiya Tabassian, and Patrick Graham. This performance fuses rich traditions into a shared expression of the present, creating an intimate musical dialogue that resonates with depth and emotion.

William Eddins conducts the Royal Conservatory Orchestra, featuring baritone Colin Mackey.

Experience the Parisian allure of Triangle d'Or Cabaret's Deja-vu revue. A sensual and classy show celebrating creativity and urban diversity.

Join the High Park Nature Centre for a Jane's Walk exploring High Park's diverse ecosystems. Learn about urban nature and how to support it.

Explore Toronto's legal history on a Jane's Walk led by Mackenzie House Museum staff. Visit historic courthouse locations and learn about intriguing cases from 1823-1969.

Celebrate spring and renewal at Basant Bahaar, a concert presented by Mehfil-e-Kalakaar on Saturday, May 3, 2025, at Array Music in Toronto. Featuring Indian classical music and dance.

John MacLeod's Rex Hotel Orchestra performs Ellington's music, presented by The Duke Ellington Society.

Grammy-winner Bruce Hornsby joins yMusic at Koerner Hall on May 3 for an innovative concert featuring favorites and new works. Part of the 21C Music Festival.

Sunny Ritter performs Beethoven's Piano Concerto No. 3, and Nurhan Arman conducts Shostakovich's Chamber Symphony.

A 5km yoga hike through High Park, combining hiking with mindful movement and nature immersion.

Create a nature journal and explore High Park, capturing observations through sketches and notes.

Stéphane Tétreault (cello) and Olivier Hébert-Bouchard (piano) present "Images Oubliées," featuring lesser-known works by Claude Debussy.

The Toronto Children's Chorus presents "Can You Hear Me?" on May 4, a concert blending melodies and movement to explore connection. Featuring guest instrumentalists.

An immersive concert experience blending contemporary classical piano with ethereal soundscapes and cinematic visuals.

Join the CYBEX Stroll Together walk in Yorkville to combat postpartum loneliness & support maternal mental health. Register your walk & be entered to win prizes!

Learn food photography basics using your phone! This 4-hour workshop covers composition, lighting, editing, and styling. Led by Ananta Gulati, it's perfect for beginners wanting to create stunning food photos.

Celebrate OCAD U's Creative Writing graduates with poetry, music, theatre, and more.

Hands-on chocolate-making workshop where you'll learn to craft delicious truffles. Perfect for a Mother's Day treat.

The 41st annual Toronto Police Children's Games at Variety Village, featuring inclusive sports and recreational activities.

Explore Swansea's rich history on a free walking tour led by Alex Rășcanu and Robert Roden. Discover the area's fascinating past, from its early settlers to its connection with High Park. Perfect for all ages and interests.

A pay-what-you-can flower market on Rogers Road, with proceeds benefiting local food banks.

A stuffed gnocchi pasta-making class at Le Dolci.

A gathering for those without mothers on Mother's Day, featuring shared stories, creative activities, and support for CAMH.

Learn to create beautiful buttercream flower cakes at Le Dolci's class on May 11. Perfect for all skill levels.

Violinist James Ehnes and pianist Orion Weiss perform Bach, Vaughan Williams, Korngold, and Prokofiev at Koerner Hall.

The Urban Orchestra presents "Sounds of Spring," featuring works by Bisson, Schubert, Smetana, and Beethoven.

The Summerhill Orchestra presents Brahms' first symphony and Bruch's Romanze for viola on May 12. Featuring Sarah de Niverville.

Vocal workshop with César Alejandro Carrillo, including vocal production, Venezuelan choral music, and a workshop on Missa Sine Nomine.

Celebrate the AGO's 125th birthday with an after-hours party! Enjoy music, dazzling visuals, hands-on activities, and explore the collection. Thursday, May 15, 8-11 p.m. 19+

Choral music from Venezuela and the Caribbean performed by Upper Canada Choristers, La Petite Musicale, and special guests.

Experience art in a new light at After Dark, an augmented reality art gallery experience on May 16. Enjoy live spatial painting, AI art, drinks, and more.

Celebrate spring migration with birding and crafting in High Park. Sew felt birds inspired by local birdlife.

Join Francisco-Fernando Granados & Vessna Perunovich at Onsite Gallery on May 17, 2025, for "Beyond The Line," exploring lived and diasporic experiences through performative storytelling.

An introductory bread-making class focused on challah at Le Dolci.

Comedians roast each other while playing strip poker at Joker's Wild. Expect fiery jokes and exposed skin. Be warned: This is a roast, so no topic is off-limits.

Blink-182 fans, get ready for a nostalgic night! Blank-281's "I Miss You Tour" hits Lee's Palace on May 22, playing all your favorite hits. Hosted by Ed the Sock.

Kick off the 5th Estonian Music Week at the Gardiner Museum! Enjoy appetizers, an open bar, and mingle with artists and community members against the backdrop of the ROM.

Relive the legendary 1984 Estonian salakõrts at Estonian Music Week! Dance and sing along with Now in Service (aka Tarkus) at a secret location near Dufferin and Dovercourt.

Plant fair and community gardens fundraiser with native plants, herbs, veggies, and gardening advice.

A countryside dance party featuring Curly Strings, The Crosslegs, and Les Rats d'Swompe at Revival, Toronto. Nordic bluegrass meets Franco-Ontarian folklore and Irish-inspired folk rock.

Official Estonian Music Week Afterparty featuring Dumai Dunai and special guests at DROM Taberna. Slavic dub-punk and Balkan beats.

Explore Toronto's architectural, historical, and cultural gems during Doors Open Toronto. Over 150 sites offer free access, talks, and neighbourhood tours.

Discover unique, handcrafted treasures at the "Doors Open Toronto" Artisan Market at Riverdale Hub on Saturday, May 24, 2025, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.! Explore local artisans' creations in our century-old green building, featuring galleries, a cafe, and a rooftop garden.

Join the 2nd Annual Turtles on the Move Parade in High Park on Saturday, May 24, 2025, from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.! Celebrate turtles with Grandmother Vivian Recollet, turtle puppets, Indigenous drummers, and more. Bring a homemade turtle puppet or sign!

Estonian Voices and Countermeasure, two a cappella powerhouses, perform at Innis Town Hall as part of Estonian Music Week.

Mart Avi and Katie McBride bring their distinct musical styles to St. Anne's Parish Hall for a late-night Estonian Music Week performance. Experimental pop meets soulful soundscapes.

Learn to make brioche doughnuts in this hands-on class! Roll, cut, fry, and decorate your own delicious treats. Take home 8-12 doughnuts.

Ensemble U: presents a groundbreaking concert featuring the music of Canadian-Estonian composer Udo Kasemets, enhanced by augmented reality. A cosmic journey through sound and vision.

Grammy-winning ensemble Vox Clamantis presents Gregorian chant and contemporary works, including a special program celebrating Arvo Pärt's 90th birthday, at Trinity-St. Paul's Church.

Free nature program at Downsview Park for toddlers and caregivers. Explore numbers and letters through hands-on outdoor activities. Registration required.

Toronto Newcomer Day welcomes and celebrates newcomers with cultural performances, children's activities, food, and information booths.

Eco-conscious game night in High Park for adults and teens. Collect natural game pieces and enjoy a sustainable twist on board games.

Enjoy a culinary extravaganza at Dixonlicious 2025, supporting Dixon Hall's Food Programs. Sample diverse cuisine & help provide 30,000 meals to those in need.

FINDING ME is a 43-minute dance film exploring a young woman's journey through trauma and her path to finding joy. With spoken word introductions to each section, the film navigates themes of racism, silencing, abuse, and ultimately, resilience.

Bandura on Bloor presents Mariia Smolinska and DIVKA on Friday, May 30, 2025, at 7:30 p.m. at Royal York Road United Church. Proceeds support the Canada-Ukraine Foundation.

Join Jen Ball for a Family Nature Games Day in High Park. Collect natural game pieces and enjoy playful competitions. Perfect for families with kids 5+ who love board games and the outdoors.

An intimate live performance by Yalene, showcasing her new EP "Unburdened," with storytelling and an opening act by Amana.

Kurdish-Canadian Kamānche player Shahriyar Jamshidi presents Bayê Bakûr (Northern Breeze) at the Canadian Music Centre on May 31, 2025. Featuring Kurdish female vocalist Hezil.

A one-day networking event focused on sustainability, innovation, and collaboration for a greener future.

Explore the fascinating world of bird eggs with Mark Peck! Learn about their colors, shapes, adaptations, and nests. Followed by birdwatching in High Park.

Join drag artists Fay & Fluffy for a morning of stories and a nature hike in High Park. This family-friendly event is perfect for all ages and includes a 45-minute hike on uneven trails. Strollers are not recommended.

Join us for a free historical walking tour of High Park. Explore the park's rich history with Alex Rășcanu, a passionate Torontonian and history enthusiast. This tour is perfect for all ages and interests, from curious locals to newcomers.

Ontario's largest grilled cheese festival, with live music, food, family fun, and a grilled cheese competition. Free to attend.

Singing Out, Toronto's largest 2SLGBTQQIA+ choir, presents "Iconique," a Pride celebration concert. Enjoy anthems from influential queer artists at Koerner Hall.

Orchestra Toronto's season finale features Berlioz's Symphonie Fantastique, Rota's Divertimento Concertante with Joel Quarrington, and Coleridge-Taylor's Petite Suite.

A free nature play program for toddlers and caregivers at Downsview Park. Engage in imaginative exploration with natural and human-made materials. Registration required.

Yonge Lawrence Village's annual Village Day & Sidewalk Sale with live music, activities, and deals.

Celebrate faith, freedom, and cultural diversity at the Christian Music Festival on June 14 at Nathan Phillips Square. Free admission!

Country line dancing night at Variety Village with Cheatin' Hearts, including drinks, contests, and prizes.

Join legendary music expert Alan Cross as he talks all about U2 at Toronto's U2 DAY on Saturday, June 14, 2025, at 7 p.m. at The cat's cradle. Free tickets!

Hipsville returns with 5 bands and 5 DJs playing garage rock 'n' roll, surf, and trash music.

Women's Entrepreneurship Forum focusing on technology, talent, and transformation, with workshops, networking, and resource access.

A birding walk in High Park celebrating the sexual diversity of birds, led by May Matchim.

Free garden tour in South Etobicoke, featuring unique private and community gardens. A community-building event with inspiration and neighborly connections.

Create beautiful nature-inspired cyanotype prints in this hands-on workshop at High Park! Learn from artist Alan Li and take home 8 original prints. No experience needed.

Trumpeter Theo Croker and tap dancer Travis Knights present "Jazz is Dead," a dynamic fusion of jazz, hip-hop, R&B, and improvisation.

Free nature program for toddlers and caregivers at Downsview Park. Enjoy a mini hike and summer scavenger hunt, discovering tiny treasures in the urban park. Registration required.

The 26th Annual GWN Sport Regatta takes place on Saturday, July 12, 2025, at Marilyn Bell Park in Toronto. This exciting event features high-level dragon boat racing competition in various divisions, along with a Health & Wellness Village, Food Truck Bazaar, and Beer Garden.

Come Together: Canada Music Festival Day 1 on July 18 at The Black Swan Tavern. Featuring TBA, Life Of Exile, School Of Rock, and more.

Get ready for Toronto's Afro-Carib Fest Boat Party on August 8! Enjoy top DJs, food, entertainment, and stunning city views aboard the Stella Borealis.

Discover the history of West Bend on a free walking tour led by Alex Rășcanu. Explore Baird Park, the site of the Carleton Race Course, and learn about the area's brick-making heritage. Perfect for all ages.

Join the By the Lake Book Club at Assembly Hall for a discussion with Alicia Elliott on her book "And Then She Fell." This in-person event includes a reading, Q&A, and book signing.

Journey through the history of Toronto's Stock Yards on this free walking tour. Led by Alex Rășcanu, this interactive experience is perfect for history buffs, curious locals, and newcomers alike.

Join the By the Lake Book Club on October 14 for a discussion with author Anuja Varghese on her book "Chrysalis."

Embark on a free historical journey through Runnymede with Alex Rășcanu. This engaging tour is perfect for all ages and backgrounds, offering a unique opportunity to connect with the area's rich past and vibrant community.

Discover the history of Sunnyside on a free walking tour with Alex Rășcanu. Explore the area's evolution from a beach to a bustling amusement park, and learn about its iconic landmarks. Perfect for all ages.