September 7, 2026 | 9 Free Events in Toronto Today
Last day of summer. Go make the most of it. Real life starts tomorrow and the newsletter drops Wednesday if you want in. Here are today's picks:
Labour Day at Biidaasige Park
Biidaasige Park | 10a-7p
A full day of free programming at Biidaasige Park on Labour Day. It's the park everyone has been talking about all summer. Spend the day here and take tours at 3p and 5:30p if you want some information about the place. It is not a place with abundant shade, so keep that in mind. For the uninitiated: Bih-dah-see-geh
Colourful Parachutes
The Power Plant Contemporary Art Gallery | 11a-6p
It's the last day of this art exhibit if you're by the water for any reason, stop in. And bonus, check the water feature at Harbourfront, they turn mist into fog where the pond used to be.
Canadian International Air Show
Toronto Waterfront | 12p-3:30p
It's your last chance to see the Snowbirds until the 2030s. You can see almost everything from the Ontario Place grounds near Lakeshore and the green areas around there. HTO Park West, Bathurst Quay Common, Ireland Park, Little Norway Park, Hanlan's Point Beach, Polson Pier, Sugar Beach, and Centennial Park are all good picks if you want to hang out, bring a blanket and see some cool planes. The snowbirds are last, they start around 3.
U of T Carillion Recital
The Soldier's Tower | 3p-4p
Free public carillon (the church bells) recital from the tower at U of T. The best listening spots are the Hart House Circle lawn, back campus, and the Hart House and University College quadrangles. During formal recitals, seating goes up at the base of Soldiers' Tower with a monitor showing the carillonneur at work. Yep, carillonneur is a word.
Where Wall Meets Sky
St Anne's Anglican Church | 12p-8p
St. Anne's burned in 2024 and the roofless interior has become something worth seeing. Curated by Rui Pimenta of Art Spin, this site-specific exhibition brings together a dozen artists responding to fire, memory, and what comes after. Only a few days left to see this, so I'm highlighting it.
Toronto International BuskerFest
Woodbine Park | 12p-7p
Set your expectations to mid and you'll enjoy the day. There's also Bark In The Park inside. They kind of require a donation.
Tavern Trivia by Quizmaster Jess
Saint John's Tavern | 6:30p-9p
General trivia at Saint John's Tavern, hosted by Quizmaster Jess. It runs every other Monday, so worth checking the schedule before you show up expecting a game, but it is listed for today.
Games With Lilly
Hard Feelings Mental Health | 1p-5p
Weekly board game drop-in. Just show up, pick something off the shelf, and play.
Open Mic Mondays
The Painted Lady
Open Mic Mondays at The Painted Lady has been running for nearly 17 years. Hosted by Kunle, with a full backline. Sign-up is at 8p, the feature set runs from 8:15, and the open mic follows at 9. Two songs per performer, all genres welcome. They're doing it even on the holiday.
Ongoing
Family Salsa Dance Lessons | 6p-7:30p | Fort York National Historic Site
Roots for Resilience | Sep 7, 5:30p-8p | Maloca Community Garden
Art Exhibits
Harbour Square Basin | Global Convenience
Live Music
Village Of Yorkville Park, 1:30p-4:30p | Ori Dagan
Farmers' Markets
Sorauren Park | 3p-7p | Sorauren Farmers' Market
Scadding Court | 10a-7p | Shipping Container Market
Check their socials before going just to confirm today is happening
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