summer is here | July 8-14 2026
If you haven't made time to enjoy your summer, this is your reminder. It's the middle of July, enjoy all this city has to offer. Sometimes that just means walking to a park, enjoying the neighbourhood nightlife, or sitting on a patio. If you're looking for a reason to go outside, here are a dozen. This week, a few wild and weird ones, Salsa and Art in the city, and a couple of quiet events for the introverts.
The farmers' market calendar will be out this week, you can see a sneak peak here, though it's ever-evolving. And you can find the calendar of all the outdoor movies here.
The First Dozen
1. Toronto Water Gun Fight
Here's an excuse to let go and be silly. A fun water gun fight at Berczy Park. A few practicalities if you do go. You will get wet, so bring clothes, a towel, and protect your electronics, if you're bringing any.
Event info: https://www.facebook.com/events/2002986690329681/
2. AGO Free Evening
On the first Wednesday of every month (or second in this case), the AGO lets everyone in (you still need to sign-up for a free ticket). It's busy, but it's a reason go see how inspiring and massive the AGO is. An annual pass is $35, if you enjoy the freebie, which is so worth it. We all need more art in our lives.
3. Salsa on St Clair
The country's biggest Latin street party, specifically centred on dancing? This is what a festival is supposed to feel like. The food options will be mostly Latin, the music will be constant, and when it's at its best, the whole street is dancing. It's the best people watching spot for the weekend too.
4. Toronto Outdoor Art Fair
An outdoor art fair unlike any other. Along with 400 artists having their artwork on display and for sale, there are public art installations and performances to see. One of the best ways to take it in is to join the free curated art tours or talks.
5. Reading Rhythms
A unique twist on the silent book club trend. Live music, quiet reading, and guided connection. That's the promise. Bring whatever book you're reading and read together in the music garden by the lake. No pressure to have read any specific book or to force a conversation if you don't want one. I love this trend to get people reading, connecting more and enjoying outdoor spaces.
6. Play On The Runway
An old airport runway turns into a 1KM playground for non-motorized wheels. There are roller skating shows, hula hooping, kite flying, but mostly it becomes a place to ride your bike, roller blade, or skate down an old airport runway.
7. Movies Under The Stars | The Tower
The most underrated outdoor movie series in the city. Regent Park goes under the radar but curates a great collection of movies, makes it super accessible to everyone and has the most welcoming atmosphere. Plus 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. Tonight is the opening night.
This week's other picks for outdoor movies:
Thu, Jul 9 | Corktown Common | Wildhood
Sun, Jul 12 | Christie Pits | The Muppet Movie
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. Glow-In-The-Dark Disc Golf
Free to play, any experience level welcome every Wednesday night. What other glow-in-the-dark experience is beating that? Any reason to get you moving and meeting others is a good one. And Marilyn Bell Park is a beautiful spot to play. They play 9 holes twice, just show up at the East end of the course.
9. Festival Of South East Asia
A relaxed casual walk through what used to be a very large Indian business neighbourhood but is now rapidly gentrifying. You can still find interesting eats like the dosa outside Udupi Palace and samosas everywhere. The performances are usually really fun. You can get through this festival in an hour, so it doesn't have to take up your whole weekend.
10. The Stop Market
Wychwood Barns and a farmer's market are a great match. They try to keep the market affordable and community driven so you'll see a lot of options here that aren't at every market. It's on all year, but I wanted to feature one this week as we're soft-launching the farmers' market calendar so you can see all the farmers' markets across the city and when they are open.
11. Grown Ups Reading Children's Literature Book Club
The title already won me over. And then Wind in the Willows holds up. A good reason to grab a copy and start your children's lit experience.
If you can't make this one here's their upcoming schedule:
Aug 8 | Because of Winn-Dixie by Kate DiCamillo
Sep 12 | Island of the Blue Dolphins by Scott O’Dell
Oct 3 | A Series of Unfortunate Events: The Bad Beginning by Lemony Snicket
Nov 14 | Borrowers by Mary Norton
Dec 5 | The BFG by Roald Dahl
Jan 9 2027 | Number the Stars by Lois Lowry
12. Bammy Friday
Get an early start on Caribana with a Caribbean DJ set full of good music, food, and dancing right at Union Station. Drop in for 10 minutes or spend a few hours and soak in the good vibes.
Check the bottom of this post for more live music options.
UnionAdmin
13. Dream In High Park | Twelfth Night
Everyone should do Shakespeare in the park once. It's not free, they can be a little bit stern with their rules, but it's a unique experience in the summer in High Park
14. Chillin & Grillin
DJ sets all day with great food and entry for $20. If you missed the last one, check it out this Sunday.
World Cup Watch Parties
As more and more fan bases are feeling disappointed, the tournament is down to the final 8 teams all playing between Thursday and Sunday for the quarter finals. The usual public events are not happening for this round, but we do have our list of places to watch them for free. If you want to go to an indoor venue, someone on Reddit put together a great list of bars and restaurants that are worth watching the games at.
Nathan Phillips Square | Only 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 still limited capacity
Columbus Centre | This place has a nice vibe, smaller than the others.
Pride House George Brown Waterfront Campus | Open every day until the finals
Scadding Court | Amazing food vendors with a local vibe.
Evergreen Brickworks | Showing 6 matches, 5 indoors except the final
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 9-12, 9p-midnight, Music Garden
Colourful Parachutes | 11a-8p, The Power Plant
Fitness
Yoga at Trillium Park | July 11-12, 10a-11a, Ontario Place
Community Yoga | July 11, 10:30a-11:30a, Eglinton Park
Yoga in St James Park | July 14, 6p-7p, St James Park
Live Music
St James Park, Jul 9, 7p | Santiago Moa
Market St, Jul 8, 5p | The West End Riverboat Band
Trinity Square Park, Jul 2, 12p |
Union Station, Jul 8, 5:30p | Small World Music
Union Station, Jul 12, 6p | Ethio Armenia Jazz
Courthouse Square Park, Jul 8, 6p | Julia Simone
Granby Parkette, Jul 14, 5p | Suzette Vidal
Music Garden, Jul 13, 4p | Bringing the Heat
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