EVENTS

Public Holidays
26 Dec - Boxing Day
25 Dec - Christmas Day
2nd Mon of Oct - Thanksgiving
Jul - Canada Day/Memorial Day
1st Mon of Aug - Civic Holiday
Mon before 25 May - Victoria Day
March or April - Easter
Mar or Apr - Good Friday
1 Jan - New Year’s Day


January
Miss Universe Canada Pageant. The annual pageant, unfolding for more than half a century, features the proverbial bevy of Canadian beauties. Call (800) 499-2514 for more information.
Asian Lunar New Year Tours. Toronto’s Chinatown celebrates in style with behind-the-scenes Asian Lunar New Year Tours, and other goodies, literally throughout the year. Call (416) 923-6813 for more information.
WinterCity Festival. From late January into February, a blaze of free entertainment offsets winter’s chill in this city-wide celebration of culinary culture and diversity in the arts. Call (416) 395-0490 for more information.

February
WinterCity Festival. From late January into February, a blaze of free entertainment offsets winter’s chill in this city-wide celebration of culinary culture and diversity in the arts. Call (416) 395-0490 for more information.
Love at the Zoo. Children age 12 and younger bringing a valentine for their favorite animal get in free when accompanied by an adult paying regular admission, with a maximum of two kids per adult. Call (416) 392-5900 for more information.
Toronto Blue Jays Baseball Tickets. In anticipation of spring, Toronto Blue Jays baseball tickets go on sale in February. Call (416) 341-1234 for more information.

March
Antiques Canada. More than 100 exhibitors from across Canada gather to display furniture, collectibles, art and more, including an antiquarian book fare. Call (416) 203-2600 for more information.
Canada Blooms: The Toronto Flower & Garden Show. The prestigious Canada Blooms: The Toronto Flower & Garden Show, typically draws more than 100,000 enthusiasts to check out hot garden gadgets, plants and accessories, along with opportunity to tour more than 30 gardens in bloom in March. Call (416) 203-2600 for more information.
Enbridge Sugarbush Maple Syrup Festival. Celebrating the art of turning sap into sweet maple syrup, samples of the season’s yield are at either the Kortright Centre for Conservation or Bruce’s Mill Conservation Area. Horsedrawn wagon rides, dog sled racing and more are part of the fun. Call (416) 661-6600 for more information.
St. Patrick’s Day Parade & Walking Tours. A parade and tours of Old Towne Toronto, including Corktown, home of the Toronto Irish from County Cork, are part of festivities. Call (416) 923-1171 for more information.

April
Work Out Day; Toronto Blue Jays. Fans take in Blue Jays baseball practice free of charge. Call (416) 341-1234 for more information.
Creative Sewing & Needlework Festival. Enthusiasts gather for clinics and demos, shopping , and tips for all sorts of sewing and crafts projects. Call (416) 203-2600 for more information.
One of a Kind Spring Show & Sale. Hundreds of inspired crafts people and artisans offer great decorating finds, fashions, food, art and more in “one of a kind” mode. Call (416) 203-2600 for more information.

May
Hot Docs Canadian International Documentary Film Festival. Hot Docs screens more than 100 leading documentaries from around the world. Call (416) 203-2155 for more information.
Toronto Jewish Film Festival. The annual TJFF, North America’s largest Jewish film festival, presents global features, documentaries and shorts. Call (416) 324-9121 for more information.
Bloor-Yorkville Wine Festival. Restaurants and shops host wine tastings, special dinners, seminars, and other events during this week-long festival. Call (416) 205-2600 for more information.

June
ZooDo: A Beastly Affair. Animals throw a wild party in appreciation of more than 30 years of care at the Toronto Zoo. Call (416) 392-5900 for more information.
Pride Week Toronto. A week of gay and lesbian pride events leads up to the Dyke March on Saturday and the Pride Parade on Sunday, attracting more than a million people. Call (416) 203-2600 for more information.
Toronto Downtown Jazz Festival. More than 2,000 international and Canadian musicians gather at several dozen venues. Call (416) 203-2600 for more information.
Rose Festival. The Royal Botanical Gardens displays thousands of rose blooms, celebrating with an outdoor festival of music, garden tours and a children’s day. Call (416) 203-2600 for more information.
Fringe of Toronto Theatre Festival. From late June through early July, small yet innovative productions take over dozens of stages, in a vast festival of new and classic theatrical works at various locations. Call (416) 966-1062 for more information.

July
TD Centre Annual Summer Concert Series. From early July through early September, the TD Centre's free concert series takes place on Tuesday and Thursday evenings on the TD Canada Trust Stage in the courtyard. Programs range from classic rock to Celtic. Call (416) 864-6444 for more information.
Beaches International Jazz Festival. Live jazz along Queen Street and east of Woodbine indoors and outside creates a classic summer event. Call (416) 203-2600 for more information.
Corso Italian Festival. Toronto’s Italian district hails summer in Italian style with bands, rides, face painting, clowns and more. Call (416) 203-2600 for more information.
Fringe of Toronto Theatre Festival. From late June through early July, small yet innovative productions take over dozens of stages, in a vast festival of new and classic theatrical works at various locations. Call (416) 966-1062 for more information.
Toronto Street Festival. Five sites along Yonge Street offer free activities and attractions including concerts sales, kid rides, face painting and more. Call (416) 203-2600 for more information.
Caribana. North America’s largest Caribbean festival, going strong for some four decades, attracts more than one million celebrants for the King and Queen of the Bands competition, concerts, and the big Caribana parade. Call (800) 499-2514 for more information.
Tennis Masters Canada. From late July into August, top seeds of the men's pro tennis tour play at Rexall Centre. Former champs include Andy Roddick and Andre Agassi. Call (416) 665-9777 for more information.

August
Tennis Masters Canada. From late July into August, top seeds of the men's pro tennis tour play at Rexall Centre. Former champs include Andy Roddick and Andre Agassi. Call (416) 665-9777 for more information.
Toronto Blue Jays Alumni Weekend. Many Blue Jays alumni flock back for assorted baseball-related activities late in August. Call (416) 341-1234 for more information.
West Village Ukrainian Festival. Some 250,000 folks flock to Bloor Street at the Runnymede and Jane subway station for family-oriented food, entertainment and more, all with a Ukrainian twist. Call (416) 410-9965 for more information.

September
Taste of the Entertainment District. Hosted by the Toronto Entertainment District Association, events offer a taste of culture and fine cuisine available year-around. Call (416) 203-2600 for more information.
Toronto Waterfront Marathon. Nearly 7,000 runners choose among the Marathon, Half-Marathon or 5 km in a fast, flat, traffic-free course. Call (416) 944-2765 for more information.
Annual Pioneer Festival. A farmers market, old-fashioned entertainment and a Mennonite Quilt Auction are part of the fun at Toronto’s Mennonite and Pennsylvania / German-style festival. Call (416) 736-1733 for more information.

October
The Toronto Marathon. As Toronto’s largest annual athletic event, the Toronto Marathon and Half Marathon draw some 12,000 participants from more than 30 countries. Proceeds go to Princess Margaret Hospital. Call (416) 972-1062 for more information.
Harbourfront Centre. Harbourfront Centre, a non-profit organization providing programming in the arts, culture, education and recreation at distinctive venues on the 10-acre site, manages festive events throughout the year at Toronto's downtown waterfront. Call (416) 973-4000 for more information.

November
Santa Claus Parade. Toronto’s Christmas season officially begins as Santa, Mrs. Claus and Rudolph parade through downtown. Call (416) 203-2600 for more information.
Cavalcade of Lights. Free for all ages from late November throughout December, Cavalcade of Lights turns up holiday wattage with dazzling light displays, live performances, fireworks, and carved ice artistry. Call (416) 395-0490 for more information.
Christmas Show & Sale. Craftspeople and artisans present decorating finds, fashions, art and more. Call (416) 203-2600 for more information.

December
Cavalcade of Lights. Free for all ages from late November throughout December, Cavalcade of Lights turns up holiday wattage with dazzling light displays, live performances, fireworks, and carved ice artistry. Call (416) 395-0490 for more information.
First Night Toronto. This family-oriented, alcohol-free multicultural New Year’s festival has children’s rides, a petting zoo and dozens of performances in dance, music, theater, magic and comedy, all under warmth of the SkyDome. Call (416) 203-2600 for more information.

When to Go

Toronto has a warm summer (June-early October) filled with festivals and events, making it the best time to visit. July and August can get muggy, however. Many visitor-oriented facilities, attractions and accommodations reduce hours or close outside of summer, but the ones that remain open almost always have reduced rates and smaller crowds. Toronto gets downright frosty in winter (November-March), with cold spells averaging between 2 and minus-10°C (35-14°F). Luckily, indoor arts (symphonies, theatre, opera) and sporting events (especially ice hockey) are at their liveliest during the snowy season.