August Events in Toronto

Summer is almost halfway over, but don't worry, there is still loads of warm fun to be had throughout the great city of Toronto. Almost every weekend there are free festivals, concerts, and performances taking place in our many diverse neighbourhoods. If you want to avoid the crowds, you might want to take a quiet stroll around Toronto's beautiful harbourfront, and enjoy a wonderful scenic view of the lake (Rostie Group customers experience this marvelous sight every day from their windows overlooking Queen's Quay).

If you are a foodie, we highly recommend try some of the delicious cuisine in any one of our celebrated multicultural neighbourhoods. Find a sunny patio in Greektown, Little Italy, Chinatown, or Little Portugal, and soak up the rays while enjoying some truly delectable eats.

If none of the above recommendations sound like your “cup of tea”, you might want to try one of the following events and festivals happening in August. Much thanks to About.com for this very useful summary of events. Click here for their complete listing of worthwhile August happenings around Toronto.

Dream in High Park (Continues to September 6th)
Every year The Canadian Stage Company presents an outdoor staging of one of Shakespeare's works in High Park. In 2009 there will be performances of The Tempest every Tuesday to Sunday at 8pm. Admission is by PWYC donation ($20 minimum suggested) and free for children 14 and under. Remember that High Park is a big place and parking is limited, so whether you're driving or taking transit you should leave yourself ample time to actually reach the Dream site.

Rogers Chinese Lantern Festival (Until October 12th)
Visit Ontario Place for this Toronto tradition. Walk amongst 32 lantern sets plus enjoy entertainment, food demonstrations and a marketplace. In August, the Chinese Lantern Festival is open every night from 7pm-11pm. Tickets are $25 or $20 for children and seniors.

July 20 - August 2nd
Caribana Festival & Parade The final weekend of events includes the parade on Saturday and a festival on Sunday, which this year has been moved to Ontario Place.

July 30 - August 1
Irie Music Festival Free performances of reggae and world music will be on all weekend at Queens Park (the events originally scheduled at Nathan Phillips Square have also been moved to Queens Park due to the strike). Check out art and literature displays, dance performances and the children's area.

August 1 - 3
Artisans at the Distillery - Visual Arts Fair Visit the Distillery District on Labour Day Weekend to see and purchase visual works of art, including painting, photography and sculpture.

August 4-9
Dusk Dances in Withrow Park Visit Riverdale's Withrow Park for a pay-what-you-can evening of outdoor dance.

August 7-9, 2009
Taste of the Danforth Toronto's Greektown spills out onto the streets with entertainment and plenty of food. And if Greek food isn't your thing, don't worry. The diverse Danforth has plenty of other eats up for grabs during this weekend celebration.

August 21 - September 7
The Canadian National Exhibition Or The Ex, as it's usually called. Enjoy games, rides, the CNE Casino and of course the wide variety of shows that make the CNE an exhibition. Among this year's lineup are classics like the Horse Show and Rodeo, the IAMS Superdogs, and the Labour Day Weekend Air Show, plus the return of the RCMP Musical Ride.

August 22 - 23
The First Annual Toronto Shakespearience Festival The Driftwood Theatre Group presents this two day festival of performances, workshops, presentations, kids' events, a marketplace and more.

August 27 - 30
Toronto BUSKERFEST in Support of Epilepsy Toronto The St. Lawrence Market neighborhood it will be filled with street performers from all over the world. Be amused and often amazed by the humor and skills these entertainers bring to the table - er, pavement. The shows run between noon and midnight, and admission is by donation to Epilepsy Toronto.

August 29
The Underwear Affair Proceeds from this marathon will go towards the Edmond Odette Cancer Centre at Sunnybrook. With a focus on cancers that occur "below the belt", both the 5k and 10k marathon's welcome runners in their skivvies, or any other wacky costume. Of course, more traditional running wear is welcome as well - it's all for a good cause, after all.