The sun is shining, the city is thriving, and we’ve got an extra day off to soak it all up! This is a moment worth celebrating here in Toronto and we’ve got tons of suggestions for how you can make this mid-summer holiday the best one yet. Let’s dive right into the best things to do in Toronto this long weekend and have ourselves a good one.
Enjoy it, friends!
October World Weekend: Young Money Reunion
OVO Fest is returning to Budweiser Stage this long weekend! Drake is hosting a Young Money reunion at Budweiser Stage featuring Lil’ Wayne and Nicki Minaj on Monday, August 1. If it’s anything like years past, we’re in for an absolutely wild time.
Where: Budweiser Stage
When: August 1, 2022
Toronto Caribbean Carnival: Grand Parade
This year’s Caribbean Carnival will have a brand new hub called Grand Parade Central, hosted on the Exhibition Place Grounds. There will be over 10,000 masqueraders performing in this all-day event, as well as live performances, food, and drinks. Enjoy the festival for FREE along Lake Shore or you can get tickets to Grand Parade Central for the “ultimate carnival experience.”
Where: Lakeshore Blvd W & Exhibition Place Grounds, 115 Princes’ Blvd
When: July 30, 2022
Toronto Caribbean Carnival: Sunday Carnival Flavours
Sunday Carnival Flavours is a brand new event at this year’s Caribbean Carnival, featuring food and drinks from many different Caribbean islands and their local communities in the GTA. “Rediscover flavours from each of the Islands through the showcase of their favourite culinary delights, entertainment and souvenirs,” the description says. Bring your appetite!
Where: Stanley Barracks, Hotel X Toronto, 115 Princes’ Blvd
When: July 31, 2022
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VELD Music Festival 2022
One of Toronto’s biggest music festivals of the year is making a comeback this weekend and they’re inviting major headliners to the stage. VELD Music Festival is taking place at Downsview Park and it will be bigger than ever with an additional day of live music.
Headliners include The Chainsmokers, Armin Van Buuren, Alesso, Marshmello, Martin Garrix, and Porter Robinson, as well as hip-hop headliners City Girls and Polo G.
Where: 70 Canuck Ave
When: July 29-31, 2022
Civic Holiday Fireworks at Canada’s Wonderland
Canada’s premier amusement park will host a dazzling fireworks show above the iconic Wonder Mountain this long weekend. After a fun-filled day of rollercoasters, water slides, and funnel cake, sit back and enjoy a spectacular display of over 6,000 colourful explosions at heights of over 800 feet.
Where: Canada’s Wonderland
When: July 30, 2022, 10 p.m.
Smorgasburg Toronto
Foodies are in for a huge treat in Toronto! Smorgasburg, America’s largest weekly open-air food market popular in cities like L.A. and Brooklyn, has arrived in the city for the first time ever, complete with an ice cream alley and fully-stocked SmorgasBAR.
Smorgasburg’s Toronto edition will run for eight weeks straight, bringing dozens of international food vendors to one place every single Saturday. Check out the full list of vendors here!
Where: 7 Queen’s Quay East
When: July 30, 2022
Taste of India 2022
After a two-year hiatus, the fifth annual Taste of India festival returns to Nathan Phillips Square this weekend. The two-day festivities begin on July 31, bringing a diverse exhibition of culture and culinary art.
This year, expect to experience a “foodie utopia” as well as classical dances, Bhangra, music, and musical melodies by singers and a live DJ from noon until 10 p.m.
When: July 31 and August 1
Where: Nathan Phillips Square, 100 Queen St West
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Sponsored Pick: Royal Botanical Gardens (RBG)
As the largest North American botanic garden, the Royal Botanical Gardens spread over 900 hectares of land and features 2,500 plant species, 400 wildlife species and 27km of hiking trails. So if you were looking to get out and explore this week, we’d suggest taking the quick drive to check them out!
Where: 680 Plains Rd W, Burlington
Daylight hosted by Lebron James
King James himself will be partying at Toronto’s popular rooftop venue Lavelle on Friday, July 29 for Daylight, an annual “day-to-night social” that celebrates the beginning of Caribbean Carnival weekend.
This year’s edition of Daylight is presented by Lebron’s tequila brand, Lobos 1707 Tequila. The party starts at 1 p.m., giving you plenty of time to enjoy the sunshine and splash around in the pool while awaiting the NBA star’s exciting arrival.
Where: Lavelle, 627 King St West
When: July 29, 2022, 1 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Toronto Food Truck Festival
We love food trucks, and we love food truck festivals even more! The Toronto Food Truck Festival is taking place in the city this weekend, with vendors like include The Kathi Roll Express, Pharaohs Kitchen, Food Dudes, Buster’s Sea Cove, and Craig’s Cookies.
Admission will be free, and organizers say there’s something for everyone!
Where: Woodbine Park, 1695 Queen St E
When: July 29-August 1, 2022
Pedestrian Sundays at Kensington Market
The Sunday street party we know and love is returning to Kensington Market this weekend. On the last Sunday of every month, Toronto’s most eccentric neighbourhood will host a free festival known as Pedestrian Sunday. Come for the shopping, tasty bites, live entertainment, and all-around good vibes.
Where: Kensington Market
When: July 31, 2022
Sponsored Pick: Niagara Fiesta Extravaganza
Niagara Falls is hosting a giant celebration of Filipino culture this weekend! Saturday will be full of live music, food, games and festival dances, followed by a live concert by America’s Got Talent: The Champions runner up Marcelito Pomoy on Sunday! We’d suggest staying in Niagara Falls overnight to make sure you don’t miss out on any of the festivities, fireworks and attractions!
When: July 30, 2022, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Where: 2275 Dorchester Road, Niagara Falls
Promise Cherry Beach
What better way to spend a summer holiday weekend than a dance party on the beach? This annual event has a fully-licensed beach bar and a stacked lineup of DJs ready to spin incredible tunes all day long. This popular Toronto event has been bringing good vibes to Cherry Beach for 22 years now, and this year is no different!
Where: Cherry Beach, 1 Cherry St
When: August 1, 2022, 3 p.m. to 10:55 p.m.
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The World of Barbie
If “Barbie Girl” by Aqua was, or still is, your theme song, there’s an immersive experience just for you. A 30,00 square foot, life-sized display called The World of Barbie is now open in the GTA. Here’s a sneak peek inside!
Visitors can walk through Barbie’s neighbourhood streets, step into a Barbie dreamhouse, sit inside a Barbie camper van and explore interactive rooms inspired by some of Barbie’s careers as a scientist, music producer, astronaut, and more.
Where: Square One Shopping Centre, Mississauga
When: Book your visit here
100 Days of Summer by Art & Water
Canada’s first and only floating arts and culture festival is running until September 5. “Toronto our outdoor, dockside summer performance series brings artists and audiences together to take in the sunshine and sounds of the city,” the description says. You can see the full lineup of performers here!
Where: 585 Queens Quay West & 1 Queens Quay West
When: Until September 5, 2022
Sponsored Pick: Treat yourself and connect with your body & mind at Sweat and Tonic
We love all the summer shenanigans, but keeping your body & mind in check is key! Sweat and Tonic’s new 3-Day Getaway All Access Pass gets you into their incredible fitness hub for three consecutive days of unlimited yoga, HIIT & Ride classes, plus access to their infrared sauna, Somadome meditation pod, and Tonic House (their members-only lounge & workspace). Top it all off with a drink at Tonic Bar on the way out, and your weekend is set!
When: Anytime
Where: Sweat and Tonic, 225 Yonge St
Cost: $75
