02 Sep 2026 10 min read Weekly Dozen

what a storm | Sep 4 - Sep 10 2026

this is the dance they are promoting at the Dragon Festival with no schedule for it anywhere

What was that?? Hail, winds going crazy, and everyone's phone blasting the same sound as the amber alert. I hope everyone stayed safe.

I was at the CNE this week and it felt like everyone decided to make their food signs with AI. It's sad to see.

We're officially in a new era. This post now covers Friday - Thursday events. So you have some time to plan. There's more coming with the calendars to update them for the indoor season, including potentially putting together a book club and literary calendar. Let me know if you have other suggestions.

1. Pitch-A-Friend

Thu, Sep 10 · 7p-10p | STACKT market | Free (21+)

You can pitch your friends with a deck on their best attributes (or less than best). There's also a crowd element, so I can imagine while some people will be genuine, there will be people roasting their friends. 6-11 presentations, so it won't get-out-of-hand and you can just go and watch the fun.

2. Wayzgoose!

Thu, Sep 10 · 5p-11:30p | Coach House Books | Free

A traditional printer's celebration marking the end of summer and start of the candlelight season. Coach House is worth seeing for its history and this event will have authors, free food and a literary vibe.

3. Toronto Dragon Festival

Fri-Sat Sep 4-5 11a-11p, Sun Sep 6 11a-9p | Nathan Phillips Square | Free

For the time, this year will have the warrior dance, Chaoshan Yingge dance. Along with water shows, lion dances, and of course, good food. I can't figure out when the dance will be, but there's a lot on every day. On Saturday, if you want to show up sweaty and tired, there is a run club running from Canoe Landing to the festival. See the fitness events below for that.

4. COC Open House

Sat, Sep 5 · 3p-6p | Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts | Free

See live performances and see the process behind the opera. Register to get yourself a spot. This is a very cool way to experience the building and see the artists do their thing.

5. Canadian International Air Show

Sat-Mon, Sep 5-7 · 12p-3:40p | Toronto Waterfront | Free

Skip the official ticketed view at Marilyn Bell Park because you can watch this anywhere. You can't see everything from everywhere, but usually you can see almost everything from the Ontario Place grounds near Lakeshore and the green areas around there. Here are some other options:

HTO Park West | Bathurst Quay Common | Ireland Park | Little Norway Park
Hanlan’s Point Beach | Polson Pier | Sugar Beach | Centennial Park

6. Book Launch: Amanda Sung's Neither Here Nor There

Thu, Sep 10 · 7p-8:30p | Another Story Bookshop | Free

See Amanda Sung and award-winning poet Neil Aitken explore belonging, identity, and life between two worlds. If you're looking for a good literary event, add this to your list.

7. TU Jazz Fest

Fri 4p-10p, Sat-Sun 1p-10p | Mel Lastman Square | Free

A really good reason to go uptown if you haven't yet this summer. Great jazz, good vibes and a masterclass in the library if you're interested.

Building A Life In Music | Sat, Sep 5 · 2p-4p | North York Central Library
A masterclass featuring Grammy award-winning musician Justin Gray. You'll get practical and artistic observations whether you're trying to make it or just interested in learning.

8. Rewilding Toronto

Thu, Sep 10 · 6p-9p | Gallery 1065 | Free

Anything David Suzuki and I'm in. This is the opening celebration for a 3-week exhibition at Gallery 1065. The gallery has been transformed into a vibrant landscape inspired by Toronto's urban nature, featuring collaborative foraging, handmade ink-making, and community paint-by-numbers mural creation.

9. People's Fair

Sat, Sep 5 · 1p-6p | Wildseed Centre for Art & Activism | Free

A free event for the people, by the people. Culture, music, dancing and a fundraiser for Cuba.

10. Free Clothing Swap

Tue, Sep 8 · 3p-6:30p | Riverdale West Park | Free

Bring gently used, clean clothing (free of rips, tears, and stains) to drop off at the green volunteer booth, or pick up something new. Clothing from all genders and sizes welcome. No need to donate to take.

11. Meet the Playwrights + Art of Consequence

Wed, Sep 9 · 6p-8p |16 Ryerson Ave | free

Meet emerging playwrights and join an interactive theatrical game called Art of Consequence where playwrights collaborate with audience members to create story prompts that are developed into scenes, with a writer transcribing on typewriter. Could go either way, but you don't find too many events with playwrights in the city.

12. Family Salsa Dance Lessons

Wed, Sep 9 · 6p-7:30p | Fort York National Historic Site | Free

Free family salsa dance lessons. These are always fun, and there's always one guy trying too hard, but that's part of the experience.

13. Forget Me Not Party

Fri, Sep 4 · 9p-2:30a | The Lounge at the Drake Hotel | Free (19+)

A Y2K-inspired dance party residency featuring nostalgic 2000s bangers and funk-forward throwbacks.

14. Revel in the Chaos

Sat, Sep 5 · 10a-12p | Tray Arts | Free

A free paint night wellness experience designed for women to manage stress, build resilience, and connect with others. The event includes guided painting and meaningful conversation in a supportive community setting.

ONE TO SKIP:

Toronto International BuskerFest + Bark In The Park

Fri-Mon, Sep 4-7 · 4p-7p | Woodbine Park | Free

Circus acts, acrobatics, magic shows, comedy performances. This used to be much better when it was actually on the streets of the city instead of contained in a park. It can be fun, but set your expectations to mid and you'll feel better. There's also Bark In The Park inside of Buskerfest which might make the event actually worthwhile. They say it's free, but they kind of require a donation.

Home

torontobuskerfest.com

Ongoing
Knitting Circle | Sep 5, 9:30a-11a, Port Union
Chess Club | Sep 5, 2p-4:30p, Runnymede
Paint in the Park | Sep 6, 2p-4p, Legislative Assembly of Ontario
Mahjong Social | Sep 9, 1p-3:30p, Beaches Library
The Bentway Roller Skate Trail | Sep 4, 9p, The Bentway