Toronto Video Game Month features a series of free and low-cost events to celebrate the city’s leadership in gaming, technology, and digital media.
After last year’s success, the City of Toronto is hosting the second edition of the event that brings together gamers, tech enthusiasts, developers and creatives to celebrate the thriving video game industry.
Throughout June, the City invites all residents and visitors to explore a series of experiences related to the industry. Think everything from outdoor video games to AR/VR experiences, industry workshops, talks, game projections and musical events.
The events are open to everyone, from the biggest gaming enthusiasts to those just looking to explore the city’s video game scene.
To help prepare, we’ve rounded up a few of the many events to check out during Toronto Video Game Month.
Giant Video Games
Date: June 11
Location: Bathurst Quay Common (3 Eireann Quay)
Celebrating the beginning of Toronto Games Week, attendees are invited to play locally-created video games while enjoying lake views at the waterfront. The gaming session will include playable video games projected onto Canada Malting Silos and an entire arcade filled with other games to explore. Those joining will also be able to enjoy food stalls on site.
This event will take place on June 11 from 8 p.m. to 11 p.m., and it is free to attend.
VRTO Spatial Media World Conference and Expo
Date: June 24 – 26
Location: OCAD University (100 McCaul St.)
This event will bring together creators, developers, visionaries, and researchers for a full dive into the future of virtual and augmented reality, immersive media, and spatial computing. Attendees will access cutting-edge demos, connect with XR developers, and discover innovative projects and installations that really push the boundaries of what is possible when it comes to VR.
Whether you’re a tech pro or are just starting to explore XR, VRTO promises a one-of-a-kind experience for those who are looking to learn, connect and be inspired.
Tickets to this event are available on Eventbrite, and go from $20–$400.
The Beautiful Game: A Playable History of Soccer Video Games
Date: June 11–14, 16–17
Location: ROM (100 Queen’s Park)
Excited for the World Cup? This event will merge soccer and video games with an exhibit that reimagines the world’s most popular sport on screen, just as the event hits Toronto. Attendees will have the chance to play a selection of soccer games launched over the last 50 years, and celebrate the sport’s global history in a unique way.
The event is included with ROM tickets. Entry will also be completely free to the public on June 16 between 5:30 p.m.–8:30 p.m.
Intro to the Torontrons Workshop
Date: June 13
Location: University of Toronto, Bahen Centre (40 St. George St.)
Calling all arcade game fans! Take a step behind the scenes at this workshop that invites attendees to step inside Torontrons, Hand Eye Society’s custom arcade cabinets, to learn about what goes into preparing games for the arcade.
This hands-on workshop aims to connect the Torontrons with game developers, showing attendees how to prepare their games for arcade-style experiences.
This event is taking place on June 13 from 2–4 p.m., and is free to attend, but registration is required and can be made through Eventbrite.
NextGen Showcase
Date: June 15
Location: CSI Spadina (192 Spadina Ave.)
This event celebrates Toronto’s extremely talented pool of industry professionals and their creations. Attendees can explore a curated showcase of video games by emerging creators and developers from Toronto, especially selected by international curator Jenny Windom.
Attendance is free and registration is not required. The event runs from 6:30–11 p.m.
Rat Race: Soccer Fever Edition
Date: June 14
Location: Union Station (3 Lower Jarvis St.)
Toronto is famous for its underground pedestrian network known as the PATH, and this event allows residents and visitors to explore it in an innovative way. Attendees will be challenged to explore the famous pathway as fast as they can while solving clues and collecting bonus points.
Those who attended the event last year are also in for a challenge, as the race promises to be even tougher this time around. This year, the event will also dive into the soccer team, as Toronto prepares to host the World Cup.
The event is free to attend, but requires registration on Eventbrite. It will take place between 10 a.m.–5 p.m.
Check out the full list of Toronto Video Game Month events at toronto.ca/videogamemonth.
