photo: Daniel Taun/Ontario Tourism
1. Celebrate Canada Day (for free)
From circus performances to cultural festivities to ribs to street fairs and fireworks, fireworks, and more fireworks, check out 12 free ways to spend Canada Day this year.
2. KidsFest
On Centre Island in the Toronto Islands, KidsFest brings pint-sized entertainment—games, activities, bouncing castles, clowns, live animal visits from neighbourhing Far Enough Farm, music, and more—to Centre Island on the Toronto Islands July 4–6. After the festival you can visit Centreville Amusement Park, Far Enough Farm, Franklin Children’s Garden, or rent bicycles to pedal the boardwalk.
3. Kids’ CBC Days
At the annual two-day Kids’ CBC Days event, pre-schoolers and school-age children can meet CBC stars Patty, Sid, Mamma Yama, Bookaboo, Daniel Tiger, and Super Why! Other attractions include music by Will Stroet of Will’s Jams http://www.cbc.ca/parents/shows/view/wills_jams, plus painting, crafts, a bouncy castle, free giveaways and more.
4. Get on the Ball
Sure, you’re busy watching the World Cup, but nothing beats seeing a game live. The Toronto FC soccer team plays home games July 5 (D.C. United), July 12 (Houston), July 16 (Vancouver), July 23 (Tottenham), and July 26 (Sporting KC). The Toronto Argonauts football team play two home games this month: July 5 (Saskatchewan Roughriders) and July 12 (Calgary Stampeders). And what’s says summer more than a baseball game? The Blue Jays play home games against the Milwaukee Brewers (July 1, 2), Texas Rangers (July 18, 19, 20) and the Boston Red Sox (July 21, 22, 23, 24).
5. Have a Few Laughs
This month, the Second City has a kids’ matinee: Big Bad Wolf vs. Lord Underwearface von Schtinker, an interactive musical comedy based on the children’s classic story of the Big Bad Wolf promises to have some laughs for parents as well.
6. Do a Cultural Festival
Celebrate Toronto’s diversity with the numerous festivals in July that focus on cultures around the world. Travel to Asia, South America, and Africa without leaving Toronto:
South Asia Calling (July 4–6): Discover contemporary South Asian culture. For kids, don’t miss the kite-making workshop and the Chak De Bhangrea dance competition.
Afrofest (July 5–6): This festival features musicians from every corner of the continent.
China Now (July 11–13): Forget what you think you know about Chinese culture and discover the enormity and disparity of China. Many events are family-friendly, including kite-making workshops, calligraphy workshops, zodiac paper cutting, and a puppet troupe. At the Harbourfront Centre.
Toronto Caribbean Carnival (July 8–Aug. 3) below
Festival of India (July 12–13): The whole family can enjoy the colourful parade, a South Asian bazaar, traditional face-paingint, and yoga workshops for kids and adults.
Ontario Latin Arts Festival (July 12): dance and Zumba workshops and Latin bands.
Salsa in Toronto Festival (July 19–20): Everything salsa, including the Salsa on St. Clair street party.
Natsu Matsuri Summer Festival (July 12): take part in Japanese summer traditions during the day and stick around for hanabi (fireworks) at night.
Habari Africa Festival (July 18–20): Explore the sounds and tastes of Africa and take part in printmaking, dancing, games, and drumming.
Toronto Chinatown Festival (July 19–20): Watch the exciting entertainers and taste traditional Chinese treats.
Toronto International BrazilFest (July 20): Soak in the music and dance of Brazil, along with Brazilian barbecue and other goodies.
7. Adopt a Pet
Thinking of adopting a pet? Do it this weekend and pay just $25 (plus licensing) at the first ever Mega Pet Adoption Weekend, hosted by Toronto Animal Services and the Toronto Humane Society at the Canadian National Exhibition (CNE) July 4–6. Hundreds of dogs and cats looking for forever homes. All animals are spayed/neutered and vaccinated. A donation goes to participating charities for each adoption.
8. Hear the Music
Music festivals abound in July:
Earl Bales Park Arts Music Festival (July 6): grown-up music for mom and dad (including a Paul McCartney/Wings tribute band), and a kids’ zone for the little ones.
Waterfront Blues (July 11–13): Blues festival in its 10th year.
Beaches International Jazz Festival (July 18–27): Two weeks of jazz takes over the Beach, with a street fest along Queen Street East July 24 and 25.
Classical VI: Voice & Strings (July 25–27): Get your classical (and folk and early) music on at the Harbourfront Centre with interactive opera, choral performances, kids crafts, and ukelele workshops.
9. Catch Panamania
The World Cup is still on, but some Torontonians are already looking forward to the 2015 Pan Am/ParaPan Am Games, to be held in Toronto. At We Are Pan Am on July 11, try out Pan Am and Parapan Am sports like basketball, soccer, wheelchair rugby. Play human foosball and meet star athletes from the Toronto Raptors and Olympic gold medallists. and Pachi the Porcupine, the official mascot. learn salsa dance moves and stay for a soca performance and fireworks on Saturday, July 12.
10. Take a Trip to the Caribbean
The annual Toronto Caribbean Carnival invades the city for three weeks for the 47th year running, July 8 through August 3. Events centre around Caribbean music and food, with calypso, soca, reggae, hip-hop, steel pan, and brass band performances. The biggest event is the Carnival Parade along Lake Shore Boulevard on August 2, complete with music, colourful costumes, theatrical performances, and Caribbean food. For kids, be sure to check out the Junior Carnival (July 19) where kids get the chance to show off their costumes and dance moves Kids can also take part in the Flags & Colours parade on July 12.
11. Support Youth in the Arts
See more than 350 young people perform in more than 100 acts on outdoor stages as part of the annual YP T.O. festival feautring music, art, photography, fashion, and film on July 20 in Yonge-Dundas Square.
12. Start Your Engines
The annual Honda Indy car-racing extravaganza roars into town July 18 through 20 at Exhibition Place. This year, the Indy is more than just car-racing—it’s a full-scale summer festival with off-track events like professional loggers competing in chopping and sawing wood and the FireFit Championships, where fire fighters attempt a challenging course wearing all 50 lbs of their protective gear. For kids, the Junior Red Rider program with games and activities for kids aged 6-12, as well as instruction on motorcycle fundamentals and safety. You can also expect food trucks, craft beer, and celebrity appearances.
13. Nurture Your Love of LEGO
Did you children love the LEGO Movie? Do they love building with LEGO? (Or maybe you love it yourself?) Head to the Brickfête LEGO fan festival on July 19 and 20 to see amazing LEGO creations (entire cities with powered trains, historical building and castles, mosaics and sculptures, Star Wars replicas…) by hobbyists around the world, many of them on site to answer questions.
14. Horse Around
Introduce your young ones to horses with the interactive HorseCapades. Kids can pet and feed horses, ride, meet a mare and foal (baby), see a police horse up close, guess a horse’s weight, learning about grooming and shoeing, and take a wagon ride. There are also trick riding and barrel racing performances. Begins July 27 and runs through August 14.
