the first week | June 3-9 2026
I thought I'd be able to get this out last week, but it took a while to get this all worked out. There are so many things to do, you couldn't get to it all even if you wanted to. The best festival is happening in the west end over the weekend, there's art in the park in the east end, and a giant red ball all over the city. Let's get to it.
The First Dozen
1. Red Ball | Luminato
June 3 | 9a - 2p | Old City Hall
June 4 | 11a - 6p | TMU Student Learning Centre
June 5 | 9a - 2p | St Lawrence Market N | 4p - 8p | Meridian Hall
June 6 | 11a - 6p Harbour Square Park W
June 7 | 11a - 6p Regent Park Aquatic Centre
I already talked about it above, but scale is everything. It's a bit of fun and gets you to really look at a place in a different way.
2. Do West Fest
Every street festival has started to feel the same. Tiny Toms, a few kids rides, corn on the cob, and 4 food trucks that aren't from the neighbourhood. It's not immune, but Do West still feels like a celebration for the locals put on by the locals.
3. TOgether | Feist, Alessia Cara, Broken Social Scene
It's a big millennial concert at City Hall. They are trying to raise money for hospitals and bringing out some big names. Wish we could just fund healthcare instead of having to fundraise for it, but the concert should be great. Just know, it's gonna get busy by the time the headliners take the stage.
5p Paul Langlois 6:15p Broken Social Scene 7:45p Alessia Cara 9:15p Feist
4. Harriet Alida Lye's Book Launch & Exhibition
Part book launch, part art exhibition by a great Canadian author. You might have heard of her brilliant memoir on getting cancer as a child, now it's time for her new novel. Open house from 12p, book discussion with the author at 11a. The exhibition runs until June 16 if you can't make it on Saturday. She'll also be at Flying Books on College on June 10th.
5. Riverdale ArtWalk
150 artists' booths in the park. Warm weather + art is a great combination. Riverside Streetfest is also happening if you go on Saturday which makes the walk around Leslieville even nicer. Bonjour Brioche right next to Degrassi St is a perfect stop for breakfast or lunch too.
https://www.artistsnetwork.ca/riverdale-art-walk
6. Riverside Eats & Beats Streetfest
Along with the ArtWalk above, this festival is happening nearby. It's a smaller festival, mainly I'd go for the art and if you like to check out Leslieville.
https://riverside-to.com/events/riverside-eats-beats-streetfest/
7. Yoga at Trillium Park
It's opening day for yoga in the park and they'll have a few vendors. This week it's Acro Yoga. It's hard to be in Ontario Place and not notice the entire forest that was killed for the mega spa and the $2 billion smaller Science Centre, but maybe the yoga will help.
https://ontarioplace.com/en/event/yoga-in-trillium-park-63/
8. Westlake Park Tree Planting
Help plant some native trees in the park in Etobicoke. Anishinaabe Grandmother Vivian Recollet will be there for Indigenous Month. If you don't have your own green space, this is a great way to get out and do something good.
9. Ale Nunez @ Market Street
Jazz after work on a Tuesday. Juno nominated Ale Nunez performs just outside St Lawrence Market. You can pick up some fresh food from the market and take in some beautiful music.
10. Being Scene Exhibition
In it's 25th year, this used to be a way to add art to the walls of CAMH. Now, it's a showcase of 28 artists with lived experiences of mental health and addiction. A cool thing this city does that I hadn't heard about until this year.
11. Brick Summer Issue Launch
One of the literary magazines that has been a home for many Canadian authors, Brick is launching its summer issue with Eleanor Wachtel hosting and readings by Karen Solie, Janika Oza, and Lynn Henry. It's free, but grab tickets first.
12. Listening Room x Marmalade: Thundercat
If you haven't been to a Listening Room event or been to Longboat Hall, this is a great opportunity. They've played renditions of the greats including most recently Maxwell. This time it's the Listening Room x Marmalade taking on Thundercat. If you're craving good live music at a venue where you can feel like you're a part of something, this will make you feel more than most of the concerts at the arenas and stadiums. All in support of Palestine Children's Relief Fund. 🍉
That took a long time to put together. Got one done. More to come, see you next week.
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