Summer festivals and special events on this weekend!
My top pick: TD Summer Reading Club Kickoff Party at the Angus Glen Library in Markham. They will have games, crafts, contests, prizes, and more to kickoff their summer reading club. Come and register for the club, play some games and welcome a very special guest!
Speaking of reading, the Toronto Public Library has a list of websites where your child can read or watch stories online for free! Click here. Story Place looks good and has preschool and elementary libraries. There’s animated stories with songs, online and take home activities and themes including animals, babies, colours and fire fighters. Another site you may want to check out is We Give Books (found this on Epic Mom!) which has 10 free books available online for ages 5- 8 including the Little Engine that Could and Llama Llama Red Pajama. And for school aged children, TVO and the University of Toronto have developed two free online games that are designed to improve working memory: Hop, Frog, Hop and Ribbit, Frog, Ribbit. You can also download them for free!
Back to events on this weekend. You can jump to: Durham Region, Halton Region, Peel Region, York Region to find what’s going on near you!
Got an event on this weekend you’d like to share? Comment below and it will also show up on our home page!
Toronto
The Toronto Fringe Festival
Wednesday July 4- Sunday July 15 | Downtown Toronto
The Toronto Fringe Festival – Various locations in Downtown Toronto
The Toronto Fringe provides creative opportunities for artists and audiences by producing two important festivals – the Toronto Fringe Festival and the Next Stage Theatre Festival – and by running outreach activities that benefit youth, artists and the theatre community at large. Our home, the Fringe Creation Lab at the Centre for Social Innovation Annex, welcomes independent artists year round, encouraging their creative work by offering them affordable space to make art, congregate and innovate.
For kids and families, with FringeKids! plays at the Palmerston library and kids’ tickets for only $6.
Movies Under the Stars in Toronto
Friday July 6 | Approximately 9pm | North York
Movies Under the Stars at Downsview Park (Sheppard Ave W & Keele)
This week’s movie is The Adventures of Tin Tin. This is a FREE event. For your movie enjoyment: Bring fold up chairs or blankets to sit on. You are welcome to bring food and beverages to enjoy during the movie. Barbeques and alcohol are not permitted.
Taste of Lawrence
Friday July 6- Sunday July 8 | Scarborough
Taste of Lawrence between Warden & Birchmount
TOL celebrates the cultural diversity of Toronto and the GTA by showcasing the unique cuisine, music, performers, vendors, retailers and community groups. People come for the food, the entertainment, the party atmosphere, and to have a great time with family and friends, making the street festival one of the most colourful and diverse events in the city.
Family fun includes Canada Bubbles Walking on Water, midway, juggling, and more!
Expressions of Brazil
Friday July 6- Sunday July 8 | Downtown Toronto
Expressions of Brazil at Harbourfront
A fusion of contemporary Brazilian arts and culture! A three-day FREE event showcasing the diversity of Brazilian arts and culture through music, dance, film, gastronomy, workshops and family activities. Highlights include Forró (pronounced “foh-ho”) artist Maria Bonita and The Band and the BRAFFTV Film Series showcasing great Brazilian films selected and curated by award-winning director of photography, Katia Coelho.
Festival of South Asia in Toronto
Saturday July 7 & Sunday July 8 | 12- 11pm | Toronto – East End
TD Festival of South Asia along Gerrard Street East (between Greenwood and Coxwell Ave)
From Bhangra to Basmati to Bollywood music, this event has all the ingredients to make festival visitors feel like they’ve traveled the world. The main stage will feature dancing, talent shows, and authentic South Asian cultural programs reflecting Indian, Afghani, Pakistani, Bengali and Sri Lankan cultures. Off-stage, visitors will be enticed by the wonderful foods offered by up to 20 different restaurants and priced from one to six dollars.
Afrofest in Toronto
Saturday July 7 & Sunday July 8 | Toronto – East End
Afrofest at Woodbine Park (Lake Shore Boulevard and Coxwell Avenue)
Afrofest, a free celebration of the richness and diversity of African culture. Featuring world-renowned African musicians and top African groups based in Canada, an African marketplace, food and craft vendors, artistic displays, music workshops, and organized activities for youth and children.
2012 Easter Seals Regatta
Sunday July 8 | 11am- 6pm | Downtown Toronto
2012 Easter Seals Regatta at the RCYC Launch (150 Cherry St).
Regatta post-party features a delicious BBQ, silent auction and family fun and takes place on RCYC’s Snug Island. All Regatta participants receive complimentary tickets, but the post-party is open to all. Tickets are available on the day of the event for $15 each or 4 tickets for $50.
Movies in the Park in Toronto’s East End
Sunday July 8 | 9pm |Toronto’s East End
Movies in the Park at Riverdale Park East (550 Broadview Avenue).
Features Ghostbusters on the 8th. Movies are free. Bring a picnic and a blanket.
Durham Region
Mindful Music 2012 – A Free Community Fun Day
Saturday July 7 | Starts at 12pm | Whitby
Mindful Music 2012 at Ontario Shores Centre for Mental Health Sciences
Mindful Music began in 2010 and was created in partnership with Ontario Shores Centre for Mental Health Sciences (Ontario Shores) and a talented and dedicated group of teens who use music to support health under their Medicinal Music brand.
Mindful Music is a full-day FREE outdoor festival-style event for all ages which includes live music, Kid Zone and inflatables, Sunflower the Clown will be painting faces and making balloon art, barbeque and food vendors, car show: brought to you by Auto Fest Invitational, Artisan Alley, and to cap it off, a family film under the stars.
The Teddy Bear Train
Sunday July 8 | Stouffville & Uxbridge
All children who bring their teddy bear or any plush animal ride our train for free! Dr. Bear will be checking out Teddys (and other loved plush animals) during our trips between Uxbridge and Stouffville. The good doctor will be checking to see that your Teddy can give lots more hugs and cuddles.
Children 12 and under ride free when carrying their Teddy Bear (all children with Teddy Bears must be accompanied by an adult with a maximum of 2 children per adult). This special theme train departs on our regular Sunday schedule. Adults are $24 each.
For kids, we have face painting, balloon animals, a toy train to enjoy. We also have an onboard snackbar for refreshments you can enjoy while listening to our onboard trip commentary.
Halton Region
Farm Fun for Kids
July 7 & 8 | 11am- 4pm | Milton
Farm Fun for Kids at Country Heritage Park (Hwy 401 & Trafalgar)
Join us for a fun day on the farm. Tour our 80 acres on a tractor drawn wagon, visit over 30 historical buildings and displays, have fun in our play barn, view our farm animals, ride the animal train and/or just relax in the fresh air. Lots to see and do. Bring your picnic and enjoy a day in the Country.
Farm animals & miniature horses, tractor drawn wagon rides, farm animal train, play area for kids, scavenger hunt with prizes, visit the historical buildings and displays. Children 5 & under are FREE!
Peel Region
Flower City Festival
July & August | Brampton
Flower City Festival at the Rose Theatre
The Flower City Festival is a celebration of arts culture and theatre in Brampton. Enjoy free live performances, films and events in Garden Square during July and August.
On Saturday July 7th watch Furry Vengeance under the stars at 9pm.
Choose Your Own Adventure Movie Marathon
Thursday July 5- Sunday July 8 | 8- 10:30pm | Mississauga
Movie Marathon at Celebration Square (Hurontario & Burnhamthorpe, South Side of Civic Centre)
From Thursday, July 5 to Sunday, July 8, the Ultimate Showdown of Adventure Movies is coming to Mississauga Celebration Square! It is a superhero clash of the titans. Who will come out on top in this epic battle? Your votes will pick the movies that we show! Choose the superhero movie that we play on Thursday, July 5 at 8 p.m.: Batman (1989, rated PG) or Spider-man (2002, rated PG).
York Region
Summer Reading Club Kick Off Party
Saturday July 7 | 1- 4pm | Markham
Summer Reading Club Kick Off Party 2012 at Angus Glen Library (3990 Major Mackenzie Drive).
The TD Summer Reading Club 2012! Join us all summer long for reading, games, crafts, contests, prizes, and more. Come and register for the club, play some games and welcome a very special guest!
Concerts in the Park
Sunday July 8 | 1- 2pm | Richmond Hill
Concerts in the Park at Richmond Green Park
The Concerts in the Park series has been one of the great joys of summer in Richmond Hill since 1975. Residents are encouraged to come out and enjoy an exciting line-up of musical talent in genres including Blues, Country, Rock and Roll, Celtic, tribute bands, children’s acts and so much more!
On Sunday July 8th, Jack Grunsky will be performing (children’s music genre).
The Teddy Bear Train
Sunday July 8 | Stouffville & Uxbridge
All children who bring their teddy bear or any plush animal ride our train for free! Dr. Bear will be checking out Teddys (and other loved plush animals) during our trips between Uxbridge and Stouffville. The good doctor will be checking to see that your Teddy can give lots more hugs and cuddles.
Children 12 and under ride free when carrying their Teddy Bear (all children with Teddy Bears must be accompanied by an adult with a maximum of 2 children per adult). This special theme train departs on our regular Sunday schedule. Adults are $24 each.
For kids, we have face painting, balloon animals, a toy train to enjoy. We also have an onboard snackbar for refreshments you can enjoy while listening to our onboard trip commentary.
