Here are our picks for the top free events happening in Toronto this month.

NExT: The Future of Art Exhibition

NExT: The Future of Art highlights works created by participants of VIBE Arts’ 2020 Black Youth Mentorship Program, NExT (short for Network and Explore Together), and celebrates their achievements. NExT was created to build, connect, and strengthen networks of Black artists throughout the GTA.

When: March 3 to 20 (opening reception on March 5)

Where: Fort York National Historic Site (250 Fort York Blvd.)

Feminist Art Festival Opening Reception

Join Feminist Art Collective in celebrating the work of more than 70 feminist artists from around the world at the opening reception for the 2020 Feminist Art Festival. This year’s title and curatorial focus is Narrative Healing, and will feature art centring around the common themes of relationships (between self/state, self/others, self/environment, self/self ), memory (cultural, personal, diaspora) and the body (representation, identity, the gaze). 

When: March 5 from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. 

Where: OCAD University’s Great Hall (100 McCaul St.)

Ramen Films

If you love learning about ramen as much as eating it, Ramen Films is for you. This series will feature two films—2018’s Ramen Shop and 1985’s Tampopo—that examine the popular Japanese noodle dish through stories about the chefs who make it, and the people who enjoy eating it. RSVP here.

When: March 5 & 12 at 8 p.m.

Where: The Royal Cinema (608 College St.)

Celebrate Toronto

Celebrate Toronto is a two-day festival honoring the city’s 186th anniversary. There will be over 90 local vendors, Toronto-based food trucks, a hot chocolate bar, family interaction area with unique activities and themed photo-op displays, and the first-ever Cosplay Skate presented by Toronto Comicon. 

When: March 7-8 from 12 p.m. to 8 p.m. daily

Where: Nathan Phillips Square (100 Queen St. W.)

International Women’s Day Rally & March

“The World Is On Fire. We Are Rising.” Toronto will mark International Women’s Day with a rally at the OISE Auditorium followed by a march to Ryerson University and a fair organized by the Ryerson Continuing Education Students Association and the Ryerson Centre for Women and Trans People.

When: March 8 at 11 a.m.

Where: OISE (252 Bloor St. W.)

MINDFEST

MINDFEST is a mental health fair that helps raise awareness about mental health and battles the stigma surrounding it by encouraging discussions about mental illness. This year’s event will explore mental health for students and young people through expert speakers, peer mentors, wellness workshops, and an exhibitor fair.

When: March 11 from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. 

Where: University of Toronto’s Hart House (7 Hart House Circle)

Sugar Shack

Sugar Shack is back for a fifth year to celebrate all things maple. The maple syrup festival will be taking over Sugar Beach for a weekend packed with live entertainment, ice activities, maple-infused comfort foods, demonstrations, tastings, and more. Be on the lookout for giveaways from Redpath Sugar and Waterfront Toronto throughout the weekend. 

When: March 14-15 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily

Where: Sugar Beach (11 Dockside Dr.)

Gardiner Museum Anniversary Weekend 

The Gardiner Museum is turning 36 years old, and to celebrate, they’re offering free admission for one weekend. There will be family clay activities in the museum’s pottery studios and several exhibitions on display, including RAW, which features four new installations made with unfired clay by artists Cassils, Magdolene Dykstra, Azza El Siddique, and Linda Swanson. 

When: March 14 & 15 from 10 a.m to 5 p.m. 

Where: Gardiner Museum (111 Queen’s Park)

Astronomy On Tap

Quench your thirst for astronomy at Astronomy On Tap! Join astronomers from the University of Toronto’s Dunlap Institute for an evening of pints, astronomy news, mind-expanding talks, games, and prizes. The astronomers will be sticking around after the talks to answer any cosmic-related questions you have. 

When: March 20 from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

Where: The Great Hall (1087 Queen St. W.)

Toronto in Film

Professor Tom Ue, editor of the book World Film Locations: Toronto, presents a discussion about the relationship between the city and cinema, and the role that Toronto has played in hit films such as It, Shape of Water, American Psycho, and Room. Register for free here.

When: March 31 at 1 p.m.

Where: Toronto Public Library – Barbara Frum Branch (20 Covington Rd.)