September 8, 2026 | 7 Free Events in Toronto Today

Here we go. Now it feels like September. If you want the best dozen events this week, sign up before Wednesday. Here are today's picks:

Canadian Classics Film Festival: Nobody Waved Goodbye
Innis Town Hall | 7p-9p | by donation

Toronto Journal is running a four-film Canadian classics series through September, with each film screened once. The lineup moves from a 1964 Rosedale romance to a snow plow driver's night across 1960s Montreal, then into Toronto's 1970s drag scene, and closes at the end of the month with Sarah Polley's Stories We Tell, which genuinely holds up as one of the best documentaries made anywhere. Film tickets with donation, with proceeds supporting the journal. Tonight is Nobody Waved Goodbye.

Free Clothing Swap
Riverdale West Park | 3p-6:30p

The Cabbagetown Farmers Market is hosting a free clothing swap this afternoon alongside the usual market which is also happening. Drop off gently used, clean pieces: no rips, tears, or stains. Or you can come by just to browse and take. And whatever doesn't get taken gets donated to the YSM.

Live Jazz: Noah Kosta
The Rex Hotel Jazz & Blues Club | 5p-7p

From Canada's Got Talent to the Rex this evening. The set moves between jazz standards and jazz-pop with a full band, and it's pay what you can.

Music Walking Tour of Yonge Street
106 King St E | 3p-4:30p

A walking tour tracing the musical history of Yonge Street, starting at King. If you've ever wondered how this city became what it became for live music, here's a way to get your steps in and learn at the same time.

Live Music: Eunice Keitan
I Heart Market Street | 11:30a-1:30p

The Malaysian-Canadian singer-songwriter works in a space between Neo-Soul and World Folk that's caught attention from both CBC Music and the BBC.

Summer Steps with Curious Walkers
Downsview Park, 70 Canuck Ave | 10a-11:30a

Curious Walkers is a bilingual seasonal walking group meeting at 70 Canuck Ave. A low-key way to get moving on a Tuesday morning with other people who like to explore on foot.

Book Club & Coffee
Ohana | Pandebonos & Coffee | 6:30p-7:30p

A weekly book club at Ohana, the pandebono and coffee spot, where people bring whatever they're reading and actually talk about it. An hour, good coffee, no pressure.

Art Exhibits
11a-5p | Twist Gallery | Contour
9a-4p | Clark Centre For The Arts | Multiple Exhibitions
8a-6p | Ascent Gallery | Ritual / Still
11a-5p | Museum Of Toronto | The T.O. You Don't Know
10a-5p | Etobicoke Civic Centre Art Gallery | Art Meets Word
10a-6p | Craft Ontario Gallery | Hitoko Okada
10a-5p | Market Gallery | GATHER
10a-5p | University Of Toronto Art Museums | U of T Art Museum
12p-5p | Onsite Gallery | Returning to Ourselves + Michael Massie

Live Music
Market St, St Lawrence Market | 5p-7p | Cameron Tania

Farmers' Markets
Riverdale Park West | 3p-7p | Cabbagetown Farmers' Market
Cynthia Lai Park | 3:30p-7:30p | Scarborough Farmers' Market
Trinity Bellwoods Park | 3p-7p | Trinity Bellwoods Farmers' Market