It seems the cost of living has only been skyrocketing over the years. This makes going out a tad stressful. You know, like when you’re calculating your expenses in the back of your mind while your friends are ordering another round for the table. To ease the stress and provide you with a fun and eventful summer, we have compiled a list of the top ten things you can do in Toronto, this summer…for free! I know, crazy. Anyways, let’s get started.
10. TORONTO ARTISIAN MARKET
The Toronto Artisan Market is coming back this June at two convenient locations. On June 19th, 2022, from 11AM to 6PM head over to Nathan Phillips Square and explore the Toronto Artisan Market. If you can’t make it, Trinity Bellwoods Park holds one every second Sunday from 11AM-5PM until September 2022.
The outdoor fair will be filled with art, music and artisanal foods so grab your friends; stop by to see what your local small businesses have to offer. For more information, visit the Toronto Artisan website.
9.100 days of summer
This summer, visit Canada’s first and only floating arts and culture festival presented by the Art and Water Cultural Group.
100 Days of Summer is a waterfront summer performance featuring a variety of Canadian artists, songwriters and musicians who will imbue culture and art into the days of passing-by Torontonians.
The event runs until September 5th, and you can drop by at 585 Queens Quay West every Tuesday to Thursday from 1-4PM, or at 1 Queens Quay West every weekend from 1-4PM.
For more information visit the Art and Water website.
8. THE DISTILLERY DISTRICT
Located at Front St East and Lake Shore Blvd East the Distillery District is a historic village filled with 19th century brick lined architecture. Featuring a variety of shops, dining stops and art galleries, this pedestrian only site is the perfect place for your next photo-op.
The streets are perfect to walk through in the summer with many art installations all throughout. If you get there and something seems familiar that’s because it happens to be one of the spots polluting your social media feeds.
Be one of those people, bring your friends and take advantage of the many instalments around every corner. For further information visit the Distillery District website.
7. SAINT LAWRENCE MARKET
Located at Jarvis St. and Front St. East, Saint Lawrence Market offers a variety of merchants and farmers there to provide you with the best variety of organic produce, poultry, meat, seafood, coffee, flowers, and a myriad of other specialty items.
Established in 1803, St. Lawrence Market has brought together the communities around it to share culinary delights and artisan products. The historic site is sure to delight your senses, and all the friendly faces will make your day.
For information on the vendors or any coming events visit their website.
6. kengsington MARKET
Kensington market is an eclectic neighbourhood located at the downtown core above China town. The culmination of culture and community has something to offer for everyone.
An endless stream of vintage boutiques, indie shops and art spaces are sprinkled across the neighbourhood and live music and murals await you around every corner.
If you happen to get hungry there are plenty of specialty dishes, bakeries and casual to fine dining experiences you shouldn’t miss out on.
For further information on what you can expect to see check out their vendor directory.
5. the TORONTO outdoor picture show
The annual Toronto Outdoor Picture Show is making a comeback this June at the Fort York National Historic Site, 100 Garrison Rd., Toronto. The Gates will open at 7PM with the screenings to begin around 9PM. The schedule goes as follows:
Thursday June 23rd, 2022
Main screening: Homecoming: A Film by Beyoncé (Beyoncé and Ed Burke, 2019, USA)
Featuring the short Light Down Low – DESIIRE (AYO, 2019, Canada).
Friday June 24th, 2022
Main screening: But I’m a Cheerleader (Jamie Babbit, 1999, USA)
Featuring the short I Wanna Make a Movie, or I Wanna Die Trying (Eric Bizzari and Pony Nicole Herauf, 2021, Canada).
Sunday June 25th, 2022
Main screening: Moulin Rouge (Baz Luhrmann, 2001, Australia/USA)
Featuring the short Cell Block Tango: Reimagined (Saccha Dennis, 2022, Canada).
Monday June 27th, 2022
Main screening: Man on Wire (James Marsh, 2008, UK/USA)
Featuring the short Terra Nova Matadora (Rhonda Buckley, 2015, Canada).
Tuesday June 28th, 2022
Main screening: Hedwig and the Angry Inch (John Cameron Mitchell, 2001, USA)
Featuring the shorts, Jesse Jams (Trevor Anderson, 2016, Canada), and Imitations (Fabian Velasco and Milos Mitrovic, 2016, Canada).
If you miss out on these, the event will be running all summer at various locations around Toronto including Christie Pits, Corktown Common and Bell Manor Park. For more information visit the Toronto picture show webstie.
4. THE TASTE OF LITTLE ITALY
Coming this summer running from June 17th through June 19th the Taste of Little Italy festival is back to flood College St. with and infusion of art and culture amidst its 2-year hiatus.
The streets will capture the sound and taste of Italy, featuring live music, a main stage, patios, multicultural vendors, authentic Italian cuisine, carnival rides and a brand new learn-to-skate park.
Admission is free and all are welcome to the celebration of art, culture and community so be sure to drag your friends down to check it out. For more information visit the Little Italy website.
3. THE TORONTO BEACHES RIB & BEER FEST
If you been craving some BBQ and beer, the annual Toronto Beaches Ribfest is right around the corner. From June 24th to 26th head down to Woodbine Beach Park for food, fun and entertainment.
Admission is free and the event features live music, classic carnival foods and a beer market serving local top brewers from across Ontario. Each day of the event switches it up from country night Friday to rock the park Saturday to music mash up Sunday.
The event is family friendly offering giant yard games, a kid’s zone with bounce houses, and games. For more information visit the Northern Heat website.
2. THE TORONTO BEACHES
Nothing screams summer like the beach, the Toronto Beaches are the perfect lakeside destination if you’re looking for something refreshing to do on a hot June day. Food vendors, ice cream trucks, volleyball courts and dog parks can all be found on or beside the beach front.
Take your pick of location, Woodbine Beach is the most popular but there’s also Kew-Balmy Beach, and Silver Birch Beach. After a nice day in the sun, satisfy your hunger with one of the many restaurants and bars along Queen St. East only a quick walk away.
1. THE PRIDE PARADE
Close off your June with a bang and see the annual Pride Parade on June 26th from 2PM-6PM organized by Pride Toronto. The parade will start at the corner of Bloor and Church lighting up the streets with live performances, floats, and marchers all the way to Dundas Square.
Festival weekend begins on June 24th and ends on the 26th presenting a lineup of live performances which you can catch at one of six locations around Toronto: TD Main Stage, Bud Light Seltzer Wellesley Stage, OLG Central Stage, Rogers South Stage, Allan Gardens and Nathan Philips Square.
This year marks the parades 41st commemoration with over 200 contingents, over 200,000 marchers and 2.6 million spectators. Pride Toronto offers an extensive list of educational, artistic, and celebratory programs for almost every day of pride month. For more information check out their To check out the event calendar.
That concludes our list for June 2022, hopefully you can check out each item on our list. As you can see, Toronto is filled to the brim with diverse art, culture, and cuisine. If you miss out on these there’s no doubt, there will be plenty more to come and don’t worry, we’ll keep you updated.