heat wave | July 15-21 2026
It's become the norm that wildfires will affect our air quality, but I still have a hard time accepting this is the new standard for us. What's causing it? Climate change has a massive impact on all of this. Add that to gutting the wildfire crews in the province in 2019 with triple the number of fires to fight. All that to say, monitor your health and get indoors if you feel unwell whenever smoke is in the air. If you have to go out when it's high risk, wear an N95 mask and it'll help protect you from the fine particles.
This week, the world cup ends, we've got great outdoor movies, live music, and a festival or two. And of course a few things you hadn't heard of before.
Finally releasing a calendar of all the farmers' markets in Toronto. As of now, that's 30+ markets. You can subscribe and add it to your calendar if you want, or add events individually. And you can find the calendar of all the outdoor movies here.
And a first look at the free outdoor music calendar is here. Let me know if anything is missing.
The First Dozen
1. Toronto's Best $5 Snack - POSTPONED
UPDATE: Postponed Due to Wildfire - No New Date Yet.
This actually has a budget behind it, so expect at least a decent turnout. The idea is you have $5, how can you make the best snack. You can join the competition and win prizes, or just go see who wins.
2. Night At The ROM
The ROM has a free night every month where you can explore and enjoy the museum. You do have to sign up in advance at the link below for tickets, but if you miss it, go to your library and book a free pass that you can use anytime.
3. BrazilFest
It's a sensitive time for festivals after the violence at Salsa on St Clair. The festival circuit has started to become really crowded, especially the ones everyone knows about. Brazilfest is different. While it's going to have a huge crowd, because of the location, it doesn't get the same overcrowding issues.Expect lots of dancing, great food, and a culture worth celebrating.
Brazilfest
4. Moth Night
Over a thousand species of moths and arguably the best park in the city. You get a short talk to learn a bit about moths, then a nighttime search to see what you can find. Register to guarantee your spot below.
5. Open Canvas Project
A large canvas with no rules. Everyone can grab a brush and add whatever they want. You have 5 hours to come by and make your mark on this project.
6. BIG on Bloor
BIG on Bloor has always had a point of view and this year they are celebrating their 20th anniversary with a Ceremony theme and are suggesting people come dressed as wedding guests. No other festival is asking that.
7. Movies Under The Stars | Fancy Dance POSTPONED
UPDATE: Postponed to Jul 29 due to Wildfire
There are local food vendors before the show selling authentic food and wares, and a huge playground for kids who come and want to use their energy up. Always a well-curated bunch of movies at Regent Park
This week's other picks for outdoor movies:
Wed, July 15 | Kew Gardens | Pitch Perfect POSTPONED
Thu, Jul 16 | Corktown Common | Gentlemen Prefer Blondes POSTPONED
Sun, Jul 19 | Christie Pits | It Must Be Heaven
Tue, Jul 21 | Harbourfront | School Of Rock
Check out the full calendar for all the details on all the outdoor movies this summer and to add it to your own calendar if you haven't already.
8. All 90s Party
Step back in time with the DJ of the 90s, Starting From Scratch at a free day party for The Beaches Jazz Festival. Hang out, dance, eat, sing classic songs and generally have a good time.
9. Queen's Park Fun
Who knew that the Province ran these free events in the summer? I didn't. They have stuff almost all week long, including nature days on Wednesdays, Family days on Fridays (which is less fun and more learning), and most surprising of all, Trivia Tuesdays.
Nature + Parliament Workshop | Wed, Jul 15 2-4p
Family Fun Friday | Fri, Jul 17 1p-2p
Paint in the Park (link below)| Sun, Jul 19 2p-4p
Trivia Tuesday | Tue, Jul 21 5:30p-7p
10. Institut 012: Concert + Vintage Vinyl
An experimental speakeasy vibe that's hard to find. To find it, go around the back of the building, walk through the lot, pass the steel doors, go down the stairs, and look for the wood laminate door. This week they start with Ukrainian folk at 5p, then the main event, a trumpet focused tribute to Miles Davis who would be 100. I can't do the 8:30p show justice. But by 10p it's a Colombian Afrobeat fusion trio and at 11p, the vintage vinyl set of Armenian folk, desert blues, ethio jazz. RSVP to go, and if you do, tell us about your experience. I love this city.
more info: https://www.instagram.com/p/DZVZwLwlj66/?img_index=1
11. Unity Fest
A festival that celebrates Hip Hop culture with break dance battles, spoken word performances, rap battles, visual art exhibits, workshops with a positive focus. One day only on Saturday. If you get there for 8p, you'll get to see a little bit of everything in the final hour.
12. Reggae On The Beach
Vinyl-only Reggae music party today with live performances and a showing of the World Cup Final. Dance to Spain winning the World Cup. Another Beaches Jazz Festival event.
13. Listening Room | Anderson .Paak + Jazmine Sullivan
The Listening Room is back with shows tonight for Anderson .Paak and Jazmine Sullivan on Monday and Tuesday nights at one of the most intimate and fun venues in the city. This isn't free, but worth it.
14. Montgomery's Inn Farmers' Market
What was once a 400 acre farm now sells their own bread from a wood-burning oven along with local farmers' produce and products every week.
And as I mentioned at the top, you can find the calendar of all the markets in the city here.
BONUS: Bike Party Toronto
It's back for July! Here's the original write-up:
Bike Party is one of those things you usually find out about after it happens. You see hundreds of bikes lit up playing music on the street and you never really know why. Some quirky thinkers came up with a social bike ride that meets at a secret location (usually close to a central subway stop) and all play the same music and ride around a secret route with a few stops along the way. If you want in, sign up so you'll know where to meet.
World Cup Watch Parties
2 games to go. Wednesday and Sunday. That's it. It's going to be shown everywhere and then some. If you want to go to an indoor venue, which makes sense for the semi-final considering the smoke, someone on Reddit put together a great list of bars and restaurants that are worth watching the games at.
Nathan Phillips Square | Open for Semi-finals and Finals
Humber Lakeshore | Outdoors, register first, live music + film screenings
Stackt Market | At the back of the market, big space, but limited capacity
Columbus Centre | This place has a nice vibe, smaller than the others
Pride House George Brown Waterfront Campus | Indoor by the water
Scadding Court | Amazing food vendors with a local vibe
Evergreen Brickworks | Showing semi-finals indoors, finals outdoors
UofT Front Campus | Outdoor Screen, bring mat/chair
Type Books | Air-conditioned and Indoors for the semi-final
Parkdale Hall | Free snacks only open for the final
The Esplanade | Indoor, RSVP req'd
Ongoing Events
I've written about these in previous weeks, but they are worth going to, so I'm making a small list in case anyone has forgotten. I'll link to the post about it if you're looking for more info.
Art
Illuminated Malting Silos | July 17-19, 9p-midnight, Music Garden (ENDING)
Colourful Parachutes | 11a-8p, The Power Plant
Fitness
Yoga at Trillium Park | July 18-19, 10a-11a, Ontario Place
Community Yoga | July 18, 10:30a-11:30a, Eglinton Park
Yoga in St James Park | July 21, 6p-7p, St James Park
Live Music
St James Park, Jul 16, 7p | Sextete
Botanical Garden, Jul 16, 7p | Latin Swing Orchestra INDOORS
Union Station, Jul 16, 5:30p | Chai & Jam CANCELLED
Union Station, Jul 18, 6p | OTW with 4Korners
Exhibition Place, Jul 19, 1p | Soul + Jazz
Lee Lifeson, Jul 16, 7p | Bad Luck Woman CANCELLED
Music Garden, Jul 16, 7p | Duncan Cameron CANCELLED
All details are now in the Live Music Calendar.
If you enjoyed this, please share it on socials (tag us on ig @localsdozen)or send it to a friend. And if you have suggestions, leave a comment or send a message. See you next week.
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