There’s only a short window of time when Toronto’s citizens and visitors take to the outdoors in droves, so when it comes around on the calendar, there are tons of events to take in. Not to mention, many are free! Whether it’s a concert representing our area’s diverse cultures, a street festival, animated buskers and even Shakespeare, enjoy the fresh air and give a round of applause to our Guide to the Best Summer Outdoor Shows in Toronto and the GTA!
Broadview Danforth BIA: BD Beats
When: Continuing until September 1, 2024
Broadview Danforth BIA hosts BD Beats with free live music running through the summer at three music hubs on Thursdays, Fridays and Sundays.
Casa Loma: Symphony in the Gardens
When: Continuing until September 2, 2024
Enjoy music under the stars on Monday evenings this summer at Casa Loma, hosting Symphony in the Gardens in the spectacular Glass Pavilion.
Bloor-Yorkville’s Summer Music in the Park
When: Continuing until September 2, 2024
Bloor-Yorkville BIA presents another season of the Summer Music in the Park music series, taking place throughout the summer in the Village of Yorkville Park.
Brampton On Stage: Thursday Night Concerts
When: June 13 — September 5, 2024
Brampton Concert Band’s annual Thursday Night Concerts summer series lets families enjoy outdoor concerts with comfortable seating, ample free parking, and bar service for drinks and snacks.
Harbourfront Centre: Summer Music in the Garden
When: June 20 — August 29, 2024
Harbourfront Centre hosts Summer Music in the Garden, a free live music concert series by the waterfront at the Toronto Music Garden.
City of Toronto: City Hall Live
When: June 21 — October 26, 2024
The City of Toronto hosts free concerts throughout the summer with the City Hall Live event series, featuring local musicians.
The TD Toronto Jazz Festival
When: June 21-30, 2024
The TD Toronto Jazz Festival returns to light up the city’s music scene once again this summer with 10 days of free and ticketed concerts.
Toronto East Rotary: Toronto BluesFest
When: June 22, 2024
Toronto East Rotary presents Toronto BluesFest, a great day of music and family fun, where you can enjoy great food, craft beer and amazing music, plus a fun play area for the kids.
Toronto Union Station: TD Union Summer
When: June 24 — August 25, 2024
Toronto Union Station once again hosts outdoor events with TD Union Summer, their signature summer event including curated food and drink vendors, and free daily programming.
Canadian Stage: Dream in High Park
When: July 4 — September 3, 2024
Canadian Stage’s Dream in High Park returns to the amphitheatre with an African dance concert and the Shakespearean classic “Hamlet”.
Beaches Jazz Festival
When: July 5-28, 2024
The Beaches Jazz Festival, Toronto’s favourite free music festival, is back featuring over 70 new and returning artists of all genres.
Music Africa: AFROFEST
When: July 5-7, 2024
Hosted by Music Africa, AFROFEST is the largest free African festival in North America, held over three days at Woodbine Park in The Beaches.
TD Salsa in Toronto Festival: Salsa on St. Clair Street Festival
When: July 6-7, 2024
The annual TD Salsa in Toronto Festival celebrates Latin culture and turns Midtown’s St. Clair Avenue West into Canada’s biggest salsa party.
Guild Festival Theatre: Family Fest
When: July 10-14, 2024
Guild Festival Theatre’s Family Fest is a four-day celebration of free live performances, workshops, and activities for audiences of all ages.
The Dance Together Festival
When: July 12-14, 2024 (Mimico); September 27-29, 2024 (York Region)
Dancing into Mimico, Vaughan and Richmond Hill, the Dance Together Festival celebrates community through dance workshops, art and live music.
Ontario Place: SummerSeries in Trillium Park
When: July 13 — September 1, 2024
Ontario Place returns with another exciting season of free programming with the SummerSeries in beautiful Trillium Park on Toronto’s waterfront, which offers the perfect setting to enjoy music, arts, wellness, and nature.
Mixto Festival
When: July 13-14, 2024
Now in its sixth year, Mixto Festival is a free music festival and an intergenerational party that brings together communities, cultures, and experiences.
Crossroads Theatre: Summer in the Park
When: July 13 — August 25, 2024
Crossroads Theatre present their Summer in the Park performance series, including two plays plus music performances at Little Avenue Memorial Park in York.
Prologue Performing Arts: Summer Arts Break
When: July 13 & August 24, 2024
Prologue Performing Arts and Evergreen Brick Works present Summer Arts Break, with free interactive bilingual performances for families.
Toronto Caribbean Carnival
When: July 14 — August 4, 2024
Toronto Caribbean Carnival (FKA Caribana) is a spectacular display of costumes, music and culture, with three weeks worth of events culminating in the Grand Parade on August Long weekend.
Ashkenaz Festival: Summer Jam Concert Series
When: July 15 — August 26, 2024
Ashkenaz Festival returns to Earl Bales Park for the Summer Jam free concert series, with four exciting and eclectic double-bill concerts on alternating Monday evenings, including Jewish roots performances, rock and jam-band tribute acts.
Kaeja d’Dance: Porch View Dances
When: July 17-21, 2024
Kaeja d’Dance returns for the 13th year of their pay-what-you-wish dance series Porch View Dances, an outdoor event held in Toronto’s historic Seaton Village neighbourhood.
Brampton On Stage: Brampton’s Own Shakespeare Show: Taming of the Shrew
When: July 18 & 25, August 1 (Chinguacousy Park); July 19 & 26, August 2 (Mount Pleasant Park); July 20 & 27, August 3 (Ken Whillans Square)
Brampton’s Own Shakespeare Show returns for its third season with a gender-bending spin on William Shakespeare’s “Taming of the Shrew”, playing on three outdoor stages around Brampton.
The Theatre Centre: Community BBQ & Hangout
When: July 19, 2024
The Theatre Centre hosts a free and family-friendly Community BBQ & Hangout with free hot dogs, DJ, drag performances and live music.
Brampton On Stage: East Coast Kitchen Party
When: July 19, 2024
Calling all Maritimers and Mainlanders! Indulge in the culture of the East Coast with this concert featuring performances by Screeched Inn and the Mainland Kitchen Band.
Toronto International Brazil Fest
When: July 20-21, 2024
BrazilFest is a free vibrant celebration of Brazilian culture to experience the country’s captivating rhythms and mouthwatering flavours.
Midtown Yonge BIA: Summer Block Party
When: July 20, 2024
Get ready to groove, samba, and feast your senses with Midtown Yonge BIA’s Summer Block Party with bands, DJ, and cuisine.
Alohafest Toronto
When: July 20, 2024
Alohafest Toronto is a united celebration of Polynesian culture, with hula performances, a Keiki (Kids’) Corner and Polynesian art.
Pan American Food and Music Festival
When: July 20-21, 2024
The free Pan-American Food and Music Festival includes concerts in numerous musical styles and genres, food and dance competitions, and more.
Gerrard Indian Bazaar BIA: TD Festival of South Asia
When: July 20-21, 2024
Festival of South Asia is a free arts and culture street party with live dance and music performances, plus a wide array of food options.
Youth Day 2024
When: July 21, 2024
Youth Day Global, a non-profit organization dedicated to engaging young people, hosts the free family-friendly creative arts festival Youth Day 2023, running all day and evening at Yonge-Dundas Square.
#BollywoodMonster Mashup
When: July 26-27, 2024
Join the party for this year’s #BollywoodMonster Mashup at Mississauga’s Celebration Square, featuring concerts, food, shopping, a kidzone and more!
Vibrant Brampton Festival
When: July 26-27, 2024
The 9th annual Vibrant Brampton Festival moves to Chinguacousy Park this year, with free outdoor music performances, food and shopping.
Fun Philippines Toronto Street Festival
When: July 26–28, 2024
The Fun Philippines Toronto Street Festival is a two-day street event showcasing Filipino culture through food, music and dance.
Ontario Place: Summer Live Music Festival
When: July 27-28, 2024
Take in some free outdoor concerts while enjoying the lakeside breeze at Ontario Place’s free Summer Live Music Festival, featuring a diverse and compelling program, including Live Jazz and World Music as well as SING! In the Summer.
Ossington BIA: OssFest
When: July 27, 2024
OssFest returns for a free festival and family-friendly pedestrian takeover of the Ossington Strip in Toronto’s west end, with music and wrestling performances.
The Eglinton Way BIA: Dream Wheels on Eglinton
When: July 27, 2024
The Eglinton Way BIA hosts Dream Wheels on Eglinton, a free vintage car and bike show and street festival with a full day of entertainment and kids activities.
Canadian Multicultural Peruvian Fest
When: July 27-28, 2024
Canadian Multicultural Peruvian Fest invites families to embrace their culture through food, performance, dance, arts and shopping at Yonge-Dundas Square.
Scarborough Folk Fest
When: July 27-28, 2024
Scarborough Folk Fest celebrates its multiculturalism with a free a weekend filled with soul-stirring performances by artists from across the globe and from various backgrounds.
Guild Alive with Culture Arts Festival
When: July 27-28, 2024
A free outdoor festival for all ages, the 17th Annual Guild Alive with Culture Arts Festival celebrates arts, culture, and the community of Scarborough, featuring local artisan vendors, live music and entertainment, plus families can also enjoy fun activities.
Summer Outdoor Shows — August
Shadowland Theatre: Ward’s Island – “Tree Stories”
When: August 2, 2024
Head to the Toronto Islands for Shadowland Theatre’s Ward’s Island annual performance and parade “Tree Stories”, including community workshops and lantern-making.
Brampton On Stage: Colours of Carnival
When: August 2, 2024
Feel the pure vibes of the Caribbean with the rawness of carnival season through a musical combination of soca, dancehall, calypso, and more, blended together for a radiant mix of soulful perfection.
TD Mosaic Festival — South Asian Festival of Mississauga
When: August 2-4, 2024
TD Mosaic Festival is a free two-day outdoor festival, celebrating the rich art, culture and cuisine of South Asian Canadians, with free concerts, children’s arts & crafts workshops, and more.
Toronto Diversity Festival
When: August 3-4, 2024
The Toronto Diversity Festival promotes our region’s rich diverse culture by showcasing foods, performances, children’s activities and more.
Dusk Dances
When: August 4-11, 2024
The long-standing pay-what-you-can outdoor dance festival Dusk Dances returns to Withrow Park, bringing dance to public parks as dusk descends.
WAYO Children’s Festival
When: August 7-11, 2024
The 5th Annual WAYO Children’s Festival features dance, music, storytelling, theatre, and crafts, set in the heart of Toronto’s historic St. Lawrence Neighbourhood.
Mississauga Latin Festival
When: August 9-11, 2024
Mississauga Latin Festival celebrates with free concerts and a spectacular parade, large children’s area, and more than 90 vendors.
JerkFest Toronto
When: August 9-11, 2024
JerkFest Toronto returns to Etobicoke for a memorable family affair with tantalizing Caribbean jerk cuisine and the buzz of live music.
Korea Town BIA: Korea Town Street Festival
When: August 10, 2024
Korea Town BIA hosts the first-ever Korea Town Street Festival, a free day of family-friendly activities, cultural immersion, delicious food, and unforgettable performances.
Brampton On Stage: Stomp N’ Stampede
When: August 16, 2024
Celebrate all things country with host DJ Johnny Rivex spinning live music along with the sweet sounds of headliner Kalsey Kulyk and opener Aaron Allen, plus line-dancing lessons from Double Trouble!
Markham Jazz Festival
When: August 16-18, 2024
Check out some free world-class jazz performances at Markham Jazz Festival in the quaint and historic village of Unionville.
York Eglinton BIA: Rastafest
When: August 16-17, 2024
York Eglinton BIA hosts Rastafest, a free festival celebrating Jamaican culture and music, with DJs and performers plus kids activities.
Toronto Chinatown Festival
When: August 17-18, 2024
Toronto Chinatown Festival returns this year with a free two-day program of cultural performances, street eats, family activities and more!
Japan Festival Canada
When: August 17-18, 2024
Experience Japan’s rich culture at Japan Festival Canada at Celebration Square in Mississauga, promoting Japanese food, culture and technology.
KIDZ BOP Live Tour 2024
When: August 23, 2024
The KIDZ BOP Live Tour 2024 is the ultimate pop concert sung by kids for kids, making its only Canadian appearance in Toronto this summer!
Toronto Korean Festival
When: August 23-25, 2024
The Toronto Korean Festival is the biggest Korean festival in Canada where guests of all ages can enjoy traditional foods, music performances, market vendors, and fun games.
Toronto Zoo and Moksha Canada Foundation: 2nd Annual Multicultural Festival
When: August 23-25, 2024
The Toronto Zoo and Moksha Canada Foundation hosts the 2nd Annual Multicultural Festival, promoting our region’s rich diverse cultures through food, performances and shopping.
Afro Carib Fest
When: August 24-25, 2024
Afro Carib Fest is a free fun-filled weekend for the entire family, including live performances, a cultural parade, kids zone and much more.
It’s OK* World Festival
When: August 24-25, 2024
The It’s OK* World Festival features music, art, tasty foods and cold drinks, transforming Ontario Place’s Trillium Park into a vibrant hub.
Brampton On Stage: The Poets: A Tragically Hip Tribute
When: August 30, 2024
Presented in Partnership with the Gord Downie and Chanie Wenjack Fund, The Poets are a Tragically Hip Tribute band from Moosonee and Moose Factory in Northeastern Ontario, building bridges with Indigenous and non-indigenous people and communities in the true spirit of Gord’s mission.
Toronto Dragon Festival
When: August 30 — September 1, 2024
The free and family-friendly Toronto Dragon Festival returns to Nathan Phillips Square with lion and dragon dances, a light show, food and vendors.
Toronto International BuskerFest for Epilepsy
When: August 30 – September 2, 2024
The Toronto International BuskerFest for Epilepsy is back this Labour Day Weekend at Woodbine Beach Park, marking the end of summer in Toronto with a festival that’s spontaneous, outrageous, fun, funny, and fabulous!
T.U. Jazz Fest
When: August 30 — September 2, 2024
Swing to the rhythm of the 10th annual T.U. Jazz Fest, the biggest free jazz festival for emerging musicians in Canada, taking place at Mel Lastman Square over Labour Day weekend.
Brampton On Stage: Classic Rock Royalty
When: August 31, 2024
Get ready to rock with Michael White’s Orchestral Led Zeppelin & Smoke on The Water, The Deep Purple Experience… an electrifying tribute to classic rock legends!
Guide to the Best Spots to Catch Outdoor Movies in Toronto
Catching a movie in an indoor theatre is nice (especially when there’s AC) but it’s extra-special to spend a lovely evening on a blanket at a park (or even in a boat!) with our Guide to the Best Spots to Outdoor Movies in Toronto this Spring and Summer. Grab your popcorn and get comfy!
Looking to plan ahead for Summer? Check out our full event calendar!
