We’re officially halfway through the year and Toronto is not slowing down with city events! From street festivals to fashion shows,Toronto remains a vibrant hub of cultural activity. With both indoor and outdoor events to choose from, we have curated a list that caters to all your summer needs! Rain or shine! Here’s a glimpse into some of the most exciting and anticipated Best Bets all around this week.
Photo by Emily Atherton
Toronto Outdoor Picture Show: Wet Hot American Summer & Sorry to Bother You
Toronto’s most scenic parks are bringing back outdoor movies for the summer months. Over the next few weeks, TOPS will present a 21-date open-air festival programme across the city where visitors can sit down and watch classics for free! Wet Hot American Summer and Sorry to Bother You will be screening at the historic Fort York site. Set up your blankets, grab your sweet treats and enjoy this event for free! More info.
When: June 25
Where: Fort York National Historic Site
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Synthaesia – A Queer Photography Exhibition and Nightlife Event
Music festival season is definitely underway with happenings in and around Toronto. As pride month nears the end, “Synthaesia” presents a hybrid event that explores the intersections of Toronto’s Queer Nightlife, its photographers, DJ’s, and performers! There will be sounds by Thirdeye, Baby Q, and Midas with several exhibiting artists as well! Tickets are not required for this event, so feel free to show up in your best outfits and connect with others. More info.
When: June 25
Where: It’s OK Studios
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Performance by Lillian Allen
Known as a groundbreaking artist in spoken word, poetry, and dub, Lillian Allen will bring a dynamic blend of sound, rhythm, and energy to her poetry performance. This performance works alongside June Clark’s exhibition, Witness. More info.
When: June 27
Where: The Power Plant Contemporary Art Gallery
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I’m Mostly Here to Enjoy Myself
Celebrate the launch of Glynnis MacNicol’s new book, I‘m Mostly Here to Enjoy Myself: One Woman’s Pursuit of Pleasure in Paris, and Allana Harkin’s new podcast, How Dare You With Allana Harkin. This will be a fun interview, recorded-live for an upcoming episode. Listen in on the audience Q&A and participate in a book signing to follow the recording. Admission to this event is free and all are welcome to attend while books will be available for purchase! More info.
When: June 27
Where: Flying Books
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Lavazza Inclucity Film Festival
Toronto’s most picturesque district transforms into an outdoor cinema for the Lavazza Inclucity Film Festival. Whether you have a passion for cinema, art, music, or literature, there is an event that awaits you! This year the ICFF brings together a vibrant community to celebrate movie magic and much more. With the purchase of one ticket, attendees will have access to all festival activations, testing samples, and admission to screenings. Though this is an event for all ages, some programs may be limited for those aged 19 and above. Rain or shine this festival is guaranteed to stay on, so grab your tickets while available. More info.
When: June 27 – July 21
Where: Distillery District
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RunwayTO
Put on your best outfit and get ready to experience Toronto’s ultimate fashion event RunwayTO. This will be an incredible evening filled with fashion, style, and excitement where you can step into the world of high fashion. Nine designers will be showcasing their new designs on the runway for an evening of glamour. Over 70 models will strut down the catwalk and push the boundaries of style. If you’ve ever dreamed about attending a fashion show, this is your chance to get up close and personal with insiders, discover new trends, and be inspired by innovative designs. More info.
When: June 29
Where: Parkdale Hall
Sex and the City Soiree
Step into the heart of sophistication in the chic neighborhood of Yorkville where the cosmopolitan vibes coincide with the energy of the city. Back by popular demand the ‘Sex and the City’ night emulates Carrie, Samantha, Miranda, and Charlotte reigns supreme. You can enjoy this soiree with tantalizing cocktails while indulging in conversations that traverse the realms of love, lust, and everything in between. Test your knowledge of the show with their sizzling quiz that proves to be challenging even with the most devoted fans. There are many activities to participate in to dive deeper into the intricacies of modern romance. This will be one interesting night for fans of Sex and the City. More info.
When: June 28
Where: d|bar
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Rhythms of Canada 2024
Toronto’s most exhilarating summer festival returns for three days of delicious food, activities, special programs by local artists and the Aga Khan’s world class collection from the Muslim world. There will be performances by Alpha Rhythm Roots, Nagata Shachu, Maracatu, and others. The Aga Khan transforms beyond a gallery space and becomes a hub for the community through this program! There will be tote bag design stations, clay tile-making workshops, face paintings, and free family activities for those who attend. Learn more about the activities that will take place this weekend! More info
When: June 29 – July 1
Where: Aga Khan Museum
Photo by Teresa Valenton
Final week for AGO Making Her Mark
There is only one week left to enjoy this women-led exhibition at the AGO in Toronto! Learn all about women artists across Europe from 1400-1800 with Making Her Mark. This exhibition brings together more than 230 objects from royal portraits to metal work, textiles, ceramics, and other objects to demonstrate their contributions to Europe. It is one of the first to consider women across genres, time, and continents! These often forgotten stories will center the work of well-known artists like Sofonisba Anguissola, Judith Leyster, and Artemisia Gentileschi, as well as amateur makers, female collectives, and workshops. More info.
When: Until July 1
Where: Art Gallery of Ontario
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Canada Day Long Weekend at Harbourfront
Celebrate Canada on the waterfront with Harbourfront Centre’s July long weekend lineup of free and ticketed programs. You can find music, dance, comedy, food, and family-friendly activities all weekend. There will be outdoor concerts with Tyler Shaw, Choir! Choir! Choir!, an evening with the Toronto Symphony Orchestra, and much more! This might just be Toronto’s most hype celebration for the long weekend so don’t miss out! More info.
When: July 1
Where: Harbourfront Centre
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In Person: Christina Ford
Join author Christina Ford to celebrate the release of her unfiltered dating memoir In Search of Mr Darcy: Lessons Learnt In The Pursuit of Happily Ever After. This Nora-Ephron-style memoir follows a super-independent woman on a real-life Sex and The City-like adventure through four decades of relationships. It goes through the ups and downs but this searing honesty will have readers hooked. It’s filled with candid truths and valuable life lessons, and for anyone wondering if there is life after love, this book is for you! More info.
When: June 27
Where: Indigo The Well
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