Wondering what to do with the kids this weekend? You’ve definitely got options, with multiple festivals, sporting events, plays and music in the parks, and so much more. Here are just 10 of the best family-friendly events on the schedule in and around Toronto on July 14 and 15, 2018. For even more ideas, see our full online events calendar. Enjoy!
Bloor West Street Fest
One of the best street festivals of the year for families, the Bloor West Street Fest will feature carnival rides and inflatables, buskers and princesses, the Monkey Movers mobile gymnastics bus, Super Dogs shows, a Games on Wheels video game truck, the Reptilia Mobile Zoo, and lots of food, drink, vendors, and entertainment all day long. July 14
The Main Ingredient Silent Disco
Come bust a move to a live DJ via wireless headphones at this fun (and free!) afternoon/early evening event for all ages. Let loose in a silent atmosphere and remove your headphones to experience throngs of people dancing together silently. Check the schedule to stop by for one of six DJ slots each day, spinning AfroPunk, reggae, soul, house, Motown, and more. This event is part of the Harbourfront Centre’s new festival, Brave: The Festival of Risk and Failure. July 14–15
Masters Indigenous Games Cultural Village
Hundreds of Indigenous competitors from across North America come together for contemporary and traditional sporting activities at the Masters Indigenous Games. Adjacent to the sporting areas, Downsview Park’s Cultural Village will be a hub of activity—all free and open to the public—including kids’ activities like sacred stone painting, storytelling in a teepee, paper moccasin making, bannock making, and interactive traditional sports (lacrosse, tug of war, tomahawk throwing).
Main stage performances take place Friday and Saturday evenings, and on Sunday there will be a traditional pow wow at noon with drum groups and medals ceremony, and a traditional feast, open to all, at 6 pm. July 14–15
Honda Indy Toronto
This racing event that takes over the CNE grounds in July has loads of attractions for kids ages 5 and up. Interactive games, racing simulators, face painting, inflatables. and up-close access to cars and drivers are all included in off-track activities for kids. For ages 6–12, there are dirt bike racing fundamentals sessions and the chance to get suited up in official car racing gear. This is a ticketed event; get tickets online. July 13–15
Carabram Festival
Brampton’s huge annual multicultural festival, Carabram—in its 36th year—celebrates diverse culture through music, dance, food, art and storytelling in one incredible weekend. More than a dozen cultural pavilions feature food, music, dance, fashion, art, and more. Events take place at eight locations in Brampton.
Tickets are $10 in advance and $12 at the door; they’re free for kids 12 and under. July 13–15
The Royal Quest
Part obstacle course, part scavenger hunt, this medieval-themed adventure at the Royal Botanical Gardens promises to be a royally fun afternoon. Kids act as knights on a 3/4-km (approximately one hour) quest with physical and mental challenges, in order to bring sunlight back to Bloom Kingdom, after it was hidden away by King Gloom in a dispute with his brother, King Bloom.
Entry is $14 for kids, $21 for adults. Buy tickets online. There is no age requirement, but ages 7 and under must be accompanied by an adult. July 14–15
Toronto Fringe KidsFest
It’s the final weekend for the 12-day KidsFest—a theatre festival for the youngest thespians and thespians-to-be, part of the larger Toronto Fringe. There are eight kid-friendly shows, with performances daily through Sunday. Most shows are for ages 5–12, but some are suitable for kids as young as age 2. Tickets can also be purchased online.
Programming begins early in the day, and tickets are just $5 per child. Babes-in-arms enter for free. Adult tickets $13. July 4–14
Fun Food Fest
Brand new this year, Fun Food Fest in Woodbridge is a gourmet food truck festival and carnival-themed family festival all rolled into one. Keep the little ones entertained at the circus-themed property jam-packed with games, rides, magicians, Treehouse TV’s Max & Ruby, and musical duo Splash ‘n Boots, while you sample unique eats from over 30 food vendors on wheels serving culinary delights. These are not your typical food trucks!
Admission is $10/person and a portion of the proceeds go to SickKids Foundation. Buy tickets online. July 13–15
Arts in the Parks
This weekend brings two free Toronto Arts Foundation summer Arts in the Parks events for kids. On Friday, Feathered Friends will be at Alexmuir Park in Scarbourough with theatre games, stilt-walking workshops for kids, puppetry, costume-making, and more from Shadowland Theatre, followed by a parade with traditional Chinese musicians and dancers. On Saturday afternoon, Grup the Clown will be at the McGill Granby Parkette (Yonge and Gerrard; near the playground) with a funny, interactive improvisational show for kids and adults.
Beginning Monday, another cool event begins in Earl Bales Park—Birds of Flight, in which circus artists offer kids ages 8 and up mini-workshops in aerial and acrobatics, followed by an amazing aerial performance. July 13 (Feathered Friends), July 14 (Grup the Clown), July 16 (Birds of Flight)
Royal Canadian Family Circus Spectac!
This weekend, the circus raises its striped tent at Markham Fairgrounds. The Royal Canadian Family Circus has been entertaining kids for 50 years with acrobats, aerialists, high-wire artists, clowns, and equestrian shows under the traditional big top. This circus employs no exotic animals and no endangered species.
Tickets from $25. Special deal: 2 for 1 general admission tickets with promo code: Helpwevegotkids. Buy tickets online. July 12–15
Psst! You can enter to win 8 VIP tickets to the circus in Oakville, for any date August 3–6!
