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Who’s ready for a break? The weekend is almost here and it’s time to plan some fun activities. There are so many free events taking place in Toronto this weekend, allowing you to enjoy your time off without blowing your budget.
From summer festivals to movies beneath the stars, the city offers a variety of free events and attractions. You can grab some free Sephora samples, enjoy free museum admission, and more.
Here are 10 free things to do in Toronto this weekend, July 5 to 7. Enjoy your time off to the fullest!
Go to a giant music festival
Price: Free
When: July 5 to 7, 2024
Address: 1695 Queen St. E., Toronto, ON
Why You Need To Go: AFROFEST is the “largest free African Music Festival in North America,” according to the website. The three-day festival is celebrating its 36th year and is taking place at Woodbine Park.
There are over 55 performances to enjoy with both local and international artists.
You can also check out the AFROFEST Marketplace which features over 100 food and merchandise vendors, or head to the Drum Zone to experience traditional African drumming and dance.
AFROFEST website
Get free Sephora samples
Price: Free
When: July 6, 2024, 7:30 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Address: Beauty at the Bentway, 250 Fort York Blvd., Toronto, ON
Why You Need To Go: If you love Sephora you’ll want to head to the Bentway this weekend. The area recently launched Beauty at the Bentway, “a large-scale installation and revitalized community space that transformed a raw, undeveloped portion of The Bentway into something beautiful,” according to a press release.
Sephora’s Beauty at The Bentway is a new community space where you can get free samples from popular brands including Youth To The People, K18, Caudalie, Biossance and more.
The free samples are being offered this Saturday from 7:30 a.m. to noon.
[Event/activity] website
Go to the “ultimate fiesta”
Price: Free
When: July 6 to 7, 2024
Address: St. Clair Ave. W. between Winona Ave. and Christie St., Toronto, ON
Why You Need To Go: Get ready to get groovy! The TD Salsa on St. Clair Street Festival is taking place this weekend and it will “completely transform midtown Toronto into the ultimate fiesta,” according to the website.
You can enjoy over 350 Canadian and international performers, see the colourful TLN Fiesta Parade and more.
There will be authentic Latin cuisine such as empanadas and tacos, as well as music, dancing and art.
Salsa in Toronto website
See an outdoor film
Price: Free
When: July 7, 2024, 6 p.m.
Address: 750 Bloor St. W., Toronto, ON
Why You Need To Go: Get your popcorn ready! The Toronto Outdoor Picture Show is taking place at Christie Pitts Park this Sunday and you can enjoy a movie beneath the stars.
The film will be Charlie Chaplin’s Modern Times and there will also be a short film called The Necktie.
Don’t forget to bring a blanket and chair, as well as some snacks to indulge in as you watch the show. There will be food vendors on site so you can purchase some treats at the event.
Toronto Outdoor Picture Show website
Indulge your sweet tooth
Price: Free
When: July 5 to 6, 2024
Address: 1 Dundas St. E., Toronto, ON
Why You Need To Go: Calling all Nutella lovers! The iconic chocolate and hazelnut spread will be taking over Yonge-Dundas Square with a “unique and immersive experience,” according to a press release.
Nutella’s CGI hot-air balloon, which is shaped like its jar, has been showcasing hidden gems across Canada on social media and it will be making an appearance in Toronto this weekend.
You can snap some photos with the Nutella Balloon and enjoy a taste of Newfoundland with some free freshly prepared Toutons topped with Nutella.
Nutella website
Explore the ROM
Price: Free
When: July 2 to September 2, 2024
Address: 100 Queens Park, Toronto, ON
Why You Need To Go: The ROM’s Free Main Floor has returned for the summer and you can explore the main floor of the museum without paying for admission.
You can check out galleries and exhibits including Currelly Gallery, First Peoples, Korea and China. There will also be activity stations where you can enjoy crafts and hands-on activities.
Other events include live music, theatre, and dance performances.
ROM website
Check out events at the Toronto Fringe Festival
Price: Free
When: July 3 to 14, 2024
Address: 292 Brunswick Ave., Toronto, ON
Why You Need To Go: The Toronto Fringe Festival, Ontario’s largest performance festival, is returning to the city with 77 shows at 16 venues.
If you’re looking for free things to do, you can head to the Fringe Patio, which is “the social hub and heart of the Toronto Fringe Festival,” according to the website.
The area offers lots of free events and programming and this weekend you can enjoy karaoke, a playwriting contest and a comedy show.
Toronto Fringe Festival website
Have fun at a summer festival
Price: Free
When: June 24 to August 25, 2024
Address: 65 Front St. W., Toronto, ON
Why You Need To Go: Union Station is the place to be for summer fun. Union Summer, presented by TD, is hosting 60 days of “free outdoor experiences featuring dynamic music, live performances, curated food vendors and beat-the-heat beverages and desserts, all to celebrate summer in the city.”
You can soak up views of the CN Tower and enjoy musicians, DJs and more in the heart of Toronto.
Toronto Union website
Move your body
Price: Free
When: July 6, 2024, 10 a.m.
Address: 8 Aggie Hogg Gardens Toronto, ON
Why You Need To Go: Get your yoga mat ready! CF Shops at Don Mills has brought back its Fitness Series so you can get your sweat on this weekend. The free fitness classes are a great way to move your body.
These 45-minute sessions take place on Aggie Hogg in front of Roots.
Don’t forget to bring your water bottle.
Eventbrite website
Enjoy a jazz festival
Price: Free
When: July 5 to 7, 2024
Address: 870 Queen St. E., Toronto, ON
Why You Need To Go: You can head to Jimmie Simpson Park this weekend for the Sounds of Leslieville & Riverside event, which is part of the month-long Beaches Jazz Festival.
The festival features both international and local jazz artists and you can see performances by Swing Shift Big Band, Purple Rain Revisited, Trainwreck and more this weekend.
Beaches Jazz Festival website
Whether you’re hunting for free samples or enjoying an outdoor film, there’s so much to enjoy for free this weekend.
This article’s left-hand cover image was used for illustrative purposes only.
Before you get going, check out our Responsible Travel Guide so you can be informed, be safe, be smart, and most of all, be respectful on your adventure.
