From food to fashion, Toronto is bringing out its Best Bets this week. Whether you are looking for a night out or a wholesome daytime activity, this city has you covered with all the best findings. Put on your best outfit and attend African Fashion Week or grab a blanket and take a seat at the park for the final week of the Toronto Outdoor Picture Show. Here is our curated selection of Best Bets to ensure you have a great week.
Courtesy of YENSA Festival
YENSA Festival
Watch the incredible evolution of Black dance and learn about the diversity of African Diasporic aesthetics, histories, and politics from a female perspective. The YENSA Festival celebrates the work of women in dance from African and Afro-diasporic culture. This year’s theme centres on the role of the Black body as a vessel of memories, as well as movement as a source of wellness, transcendence, and joy. Black female dance artists will experiment, reimagine, and destabilize conventional notions of dance-making. More info.
When: August 21-25
Where: Betty Oliphant Theatre & TMU
Courtesy of TOPS
Toronto Outdoor Picture Show – Mary Poppins, Monsters Inc, Ferris Bueller’s Day Off
After 10 weeks of memorable outdoor cinema programming in four parks around the city, the Toronto Outdoor Picture Show will close for the summer season with John Hughes’ 1986 teen comedy Ferris Bueller’s Day Off on August 25. Two other film programmes will round out the final week of TOPS programming—Mary Poppins will screen on August 22 at Bell Manor Park and Monsters Inc. will screen at Christie Pits Park with three family-friendly short films about animals in human workplaces. So grab your closest friends, a picnic set-up, maybe even a digital camera and head to these parks for a night out under the stars! More info.
When: August 22-25
Where: Christie Pits Park & Bell Manor Park
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Courtney Gilmour Live Album Recording
Put your biggest laughs on record and come out for a live recording of Courtney Gilmour’s show for her upcoming comedy album Wonder Woman! She is an award winning comic, television writer, amputee, and finalist on Canada’s Got Talent. Previously, her debut album Let Me Hold Your Baby was nominated for Comedy Album Of The Year at the 2023 JUNO awards and she’s now back to record another. This is going to be the hottest new show so grab a ticket while you can! More info.
When: August 22-23
Where: Comedy Bar
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Emerging Producers’ Festival
Theatre can be a powerful medium to present challenging social topics to wider audiences. This weekend Theatre of the Beat, a Toronto-based theatre company, will present the first-ever Emerging Producers’ Festival in the Danforth. The entire show will be curated and produced by Toronto’s emerging artists to explore a range of social justice issues including fatphobia, colonialism, immigration, and 2SLGBTQIA+ identities. Alongside the festival’s four main productions are a live music stage, an artisan market, food vendors, and interactive workshops for all. To make it even more accessible, entry is cost-free while the plays are priced at $5 each. More info.
When: August 22-24
Where: 2174 Danforth Ave
FAN EXPO Canada
Canada’s biggest pop culture enthusiasts have an exciting weekend ahead of them! One of the country’s largest conventions is approaching and if you are an avid enjoyer of all things ‘fandom,’ you won’t want to miss out on FAN EXPO. Take a weekend adventure from superheroes to Academy Award winners to TV favourites and more. There will be an extensive lineup of celebrity guests such as Marisa Tomei, Bryce Dallas Howard, and Helen Hunt! Though, aside from A-listers, this year’s programming will spotlight many Toronto-based artists and creatives! More info.
When: August 22-25
Where: Metro Toronto Convention Centre
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African Fashion Week Toronto
African Fashion Week will showcase culture-rich events across Toronto! The non-for-profit initiative occurs once a year to expose various designers and brands, including those from out of province and throughout the world! Each day of the event will cover a variety of topics and designers across the city. From industry mixers, high fashion showcases, and luxury couture experiences to lookbook parties, attendees are guaranteed to make the most of their weekend! More info.
When: August 22-25
Where: Various venues throughout Toronto
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TAIWANFest
You do not need to hop on the plane to experience the vibrancy of Taiwanese culture, but rather hop on the subway and head to the Harbourfront Centre! Discover Taiwan through performances, exhibitions, food, film and more this weekend! For three days, the waterfront venue will highlight a variety of performances from the TAIWANfest Orchestra piecing music together around the world, Saisiyat Azem, Flamenco De Formosa and more! The program was inspired by a cultural dialogue with Spain so you’ll be able to experience a unique cultural exchange through their programming. More info.
When: August 23-25
Where: Harbourfront Centre
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Lavender Wild Festival
Find Toronto’s greatest selection of queer artists at this year’s Lavender Wild festival! With a dazzling lineup of 2SLGBTQI+ artists, DJs and drag performers, Toronto’s queer music festival will return for its second year at HISTORY. The infamous Slayyyter is headlining this year alongside other artists such as Rebecca Black, Naomi Leone, and Alexandher Brandy. Beyond their lineup, the festival prides itself on creating safe and inclusive spaces for queer fans of all ages to celebrate their identities. To further support the queer community, a portion of ticket sales will be going towards The Get Real movement, a Canadian non-profit that works to combat 2SLGBTQI+ discrimination in schools as well as Glad Day Bookshop. More info.
When: August 24
Where: HISTORY
Courtesy of Yorkville Murals
Yorkville Murals
One of Toronto’s most notable neighbourhoods, Yorkville, returns with a captivating art and muralism festival with a second iteration of the theme No Empty Space. The streets will turn into a cultural extravaganza, where visitors will be entertained with every step. There will be entertainment and play for all through murals, inflatables, art installations, live painting, art talks, music, dance battles, pop-up shops, and an evening block party. In fact, this event builds on Yorkville’s reputation as a historic enclave of Toronto’s early twentieth century art scene. Come out for a fun, safe, and self-guided experience in the heart of Toronto! More info.
When: August 24-25
Where: On Yorkville Avenue between Bellair St and Hazelton Ave
Poshmark Pop-Up
Everyone loves a good Poshmark find and luckily for Torontonians, Poshmark Canada will be having a pop-up at STACKT Market. They will be giving away free thrift items for you to list, fun gifts for the summer, and the iconic Milky’s coffee. This is not a ticketed event, so feel free to drop by with friends whenever it fits into your schedule! This will be a weekend of good finds, good coffee, and good memories. More info.
When: August 24-25
Where: STACKT Market
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It’s OK* World
Get outside! Summer is ending and you must spend a weekend at Ontario Place and attend the It’s Ok* World festival. This is the second annual outdoor festival showcasing the vibrant and diverse talent within Toronto’s Black arts community. You can expect performances from local talent such as Yaya Bey, Soji, and Dee Diggs to name a few. It is set against the backdrop of a warm summer to celebrate all things art, culture, and community. Black artists will get to shine, heal, and share their stories with all those who attend! More info.
When: August 24-25
Where: Ontario Place
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