Can you believe September is around the corner? August is coming to an end and it’s time to start filling up your calendar for September. The best plans are the ones that you can save a penny doing, so be sure to check out these 18 free and cheap things to do in and around Toronto this September.
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Blue Jays games
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The Jays play a whopping 14 home games in September with tickets starting at $20.
Don’t miss out on the last of baseball for the season especially if you haven’t caught a game yet this year.
When: 14 games throughout September
Where: Rogers Centre, 1 Blue Jays Way
Cost: $20+ per ticket
Original Haunted Walk of Toronto
According to Haunted Walks, “Journey through the dark history of the city as we delve into the world of ghosts, graveyards, hangings, and haunts. Prepare to be captivated by spine-tingling ghost stories about haunted theatres, unsolved mysteries, secrets hiding in plain sight, and spooky historic buildings.”
Yep – it’s pretty sweet and on Mondays and Wednesdays, the tour is $5 off making it $25.
When: Mondays & Wednesdays in September
Where: Nathan Phillips Square, 100 Queen St W
Cost: Free
2024 Toronto Dragon Festival
The final day of the Toronto Dragon Festival is on the first day of September during the long weekend!
The festival will feature showcases of the captivating lion and dragon dances, alongside “the awe-inspiring spectacle of acrobatic lion dances on high poles”. Plus, there will be a beer garden for those who want to enjoy a beverage or two.
When: September 1st from 11:00 AM – 10:00 PM
Where: Nathan Phillips Square, 100 Queen St W
Cost: Free
Caribbean Street Food Festival
From games to delicious Caribbean classics like Doubles, Patty, Jerk Chicken and Ginger Beer – the Caribbean Street Food Festival has it all.
Head over to Stackt Market on the 1st – entry is free!
When: September 1st from 12:00 PM – 10:00 PM
Where: Stackt Market, 28 Bathurst St
Cost: Free
Toronto International BuskerFest
Take date night or a family night out to the next level!
BuskerFest features an array of “mind-boggling circus acts, daring acrobatics, mesmerizing magic shows, hilarious comedy performances.”
When: (Starts August 30th) September 1st from 12:00 PM – 10:00 PM & 2nd from from 12:00 PM – 7:00 PM
Where: Woodbine Park, 1695 Queen St E
Cost: Admission by donation
TIFF Festival Street
TIFF season is here!
The star-studded festival is taking over our city in September! If you’re ready to do some celeb-spotting then you won’t want to miss the outdoor celebration – TIFF Festival Street.
Festival Street will occupy a large stretch of King Street outside of the TIFF Bell Lightbox theatre, from Peter Street to University Avenue and will feature fun, free activities for all ages, including the TIFF Art Market in partnership with Toronto Film School.
The partnership includes “Toronto’s local film festivals and arts organizations will have booths sharing art exhibits, programming information, and more.”
When: September 5th to 8th, 2024
Where: King Street from Peter Street to University Avenue
Cost: Free
2024 Asialicious Carnival
The 2024 rendition of the Asialicious Carnival will feature “diverse Asian culture and heritage through a variety of performances and ethnic foods.”
Be sure to show up hungry!
When: September 6th – 8th, 2024
Where: Woodside Square, 1571 Sandhurst Cir
Cost: Free
Taste of the Kingsway 2024
Taste of the Kingsway is South Etobicoke’s largest street festival – a weekend of food, music and family entertainment!
Be sure to check out the beverage garden while visiting, too! Local brewer Great Lakes Brewery will be serving up yummy drinks.
Entry is free, so bring the family and have a great time.
When: September 6th – 8th, 2024
Where: Bloor Street West between Prince Edward Dr & Montgomery St
Cost: Free
Riverdale Farm Fall Festival
Corn shucking, hog and chicken calling, line dancing – does it get any better than that?
Riverdale Farm Fall Festival is the perfect place to get ready for the sights and sounds of fall. Bring the family, it’s free to attend.
When: September 7th – 8th, 2024
Where: Riverdale Farm, 201 Winchester St
Cost: Free
Trinbago Toronto Festival
Infused with the rhythm, flavour and soul of Trinidad and Tobago, this festival is where you’ll want to be for fun, food and celebration.
The food is sure to be mouth-watering and the vibes will be high!
When: September 7th – 8th, 2024
Where: Nathan Phillips Square, 100 Queen St W
Cost: Free
Toronto Flower Market
The second last Toronto Flower Market of the season is happening in September so don’t miss your chance!
The market will have plenty of vendors selling beautiful blooms, a great way to spend a day with friends.
Where: CAMH, 1001 Queen St W
Cost: Free
Roncesvalles Polish Festival
North America’s largest celebration of Polish culture is hitting Toronto!
The Roncesvalles Polish Festival is happening September 14th – 15th, including Polish folklore, Polka and Euro dance bands, family fun zones, entertainment from near and far on 3 stages, a local artisan zone, and pierogi, bigos and Paczki.
When: September 14th – 15th, 2024
Where: Roncesvalles Village, Roncesvalles Ave from Boustead Ave to Grafton Ave
Cost: Free
Toronto Waterfront Festival
This year’s Waterfront Festival is featuring something for the furry friends.
The Canine Watersports Canada competition will be happening, where guests can see adorable pups dive, jump, and fetch in a 45ft pool built on land. Stand in the splash zone to experience all the action!
Bring the crew – admission is free!
When: September 14th – 15th, 2024
Where: Sugar Beach, 11 Dockside Dr
Cost: Free
Treasures Book Sale
Don’t miss out on the sale that will feature unbeatable prices on thousands of special books including first editions, signed, rare antiquarian and collectibles.
Admission is $3 on the first day and free for the second and third day of the sale.
When: September 19th – 21st, 2024
Where: Beeton Hall, Toronto Reference Library, 789 Yonge St
Cost: Free
Bloorcourt Nuit Nuit: Night Market
Celebrate the first day of fall in a special way!
Bloorcout Nuit Nuit will have art, live music, snacks and artisan vendors – all the makings for a fun night out.
When: September 21st, 2024 from 4:00 PM – 11:00 PM
Where: 7 Bartlett Ave
Cost: Free
VegTO Fest
If you’re on a plant-based diet, this is the festival for you.
VegTO Fest will feature all things plant-based and feature over 200 exhibitors offering food, wares and other wonders.
When: September 21st – 22nd, 2024
Where: Nathan Phillips Square, 100 Queen St W
Cost: Free
The World Food and Cultural Festival Canada
This food fest at Christie Pitts is a way to taste flavours from around the world, watch traditional performances, and immerse yourself in different cultures!
Admission is free but bring money for food.
When: September 27th from 9:00 AM – 11:30 PM
Where: Christie Pits Park, 750 Bloor St W
Cost: Free
Toronto Garlic Festival
If you love garlic, good news: there’s an entire festival dedicated to it here in Toronto.
Experience garlic-y delights from all over, a garlic lover’s dream.
The festival will shut down Spadina Road between Davenport Road and Dupont Street and will be lined with vendors.
When: September 29th from 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Where: Spadina Road between Davenport Road & Dupont Street
Cost: Free
With all these free and cheap things to do in and around Toronto, you’re bound for a busy month!
Taylor Lucas
Associate Editor – Taylor is a Toronto-based journalist with a passion for storytelling. Whether chasing a story, writing, or editing, she brings a creative spin to the media world and has a blast doing it. Taylor brings years of journalism experience in sports, local/national news, and entertainment. In her spare time, you can typically find Taylor trying out a new restaurant or cocktail bar, cooking, golfing or binge-watching true crime documentaries.
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