Happy Canada Day! Happy Pride! Happy Digital Dreams! And Happy Ribfest! There’s so much going on in the city this weekend, we’re almost overwhelmed. (We said almost… notable peeps never get overwhelmed, amirite?) So, in lieu of the standard Weekender style you’ve come to rely on, we’re taking a bit of a different approach and focusing on all the must-attend events that run the majority of the weekend…
TD Toronto Jazz Festival | Friday and Saturday
The Jazz Festival is winding down, but you still have until dusk on Saturday to catch some amazing riffs, sultry vocals, out of this world instrumentation and so much more. With a bevy of free shows (just make sure to show up early), dozens of acts still on the docket, and some must-see sets waiting, the TD Toronto Jazz Festival should definitely be on your weekend checklist.
Toronto Pride Weekend | Friday, Saturday and Sunday
Whether you’re a member of the LGBT community, a stringent supporter, or just love to dance like nobody’s bidness, Pride Weekend has something for ya. The Village streets are shut down to road traffic starting Friday night and moving through last call on Sunday, with stages aplenty presenting live entertainment, DJs spinning beats on the streets, parties galore, and, of course, Sunday’s million-plus attended Pride Parade.
Toronto Ribfest and Music Festival | Friday through Monday
Carnivores and non-principled vegetarians unite annually at Toronto’s Ribfest at Centennial Park. This four-day meat lover’s paradise showcases the smoked, grilled, rubbed and sauced goods of 16 ‘ribbers’ in an all-out meat melee. Pair that with other “food of the world,” a heroes day, kids zone, two stages featuring two dozen bands, and a performance by Toronto’s Fire Fighter Calendar models, and you’ve got yourself a ribilicious good time no matter what day you show up.
Canada Day Weekend Celebrations at Harbourfront Centre | Friday through Monday
Local bands, an international marketplace, fireworks, hip hop karaoke, and much more awaits at the Harbourfront Centre’s Canada Day Weekend Celebrations. Running the weekend long, HFC’s programming is all Canadian, bringing you the sounds, flavours, and sights of our great nation as she celebrates another year.
Digital Dreams Music Festival | Saturday and Sunday
Get your neon tanks on, high tops ready to bounce, and practice those fist bumps because the two-day extravaganza that is the Digital Dreams Festival takes over The Flats at the Molson Amphitheatre making any EDM lover’s wet dream come true. Look for all-star DJs and acts like Tiesto, Dubfire, Bob Sinclair, The Junkies, and many, many more during this tour de force of forced beats.
Canada Day in Toronto | Monday
Check in on Notable.ca tomorrow to see where to watch the Canada Day fireworks, but for now, focus on the happening events that are worthy of your attention…
The Brewer’s Backyard “Capital Mashup” at Brick Works.
Canada Day BBQ in Trinity-Bellwoods with Olivia Chow and Rosario Marchese.
Canada Day Celebration in High Park with Peggy Nash.
Canada Day at Mel Lastman Square.
North Standard Trading Post Canada Day Sale.
Canada Day at Queen’s Park.
