Toronto, it’s time to turn up the heat, as this July is serving the hottest lineup of events, epic street festivals, star-studded performances, and unforgettable family moments across the city.
Clear your weekends and your camera rolls, because July is offering the very best of what the city has to offer. Immersive art, electric live shows, community festivals and world-class sports are all the rage; whether you’re a hardcore art lover, a foodie on the hunt, or a pop culture connoisseur, this is your month to shine!
Here are 10 events to look forward to in Toronto this July.
ARTS, MEDIA & DESIGN
Toronto Outdoor Art Fair (TOAF)
Date: July 11 to 13
Location: Nathan Phillips Square
Admission: Free
Canada’s largest art celebration is making its return to the heart of downtown this summer!
Over 400 artists will transform Nathan Phillips Square at the Toronto Outdoor Art Fair, turning the landmark into a dynamic, open-air gallery. Offering everything from bold contemporary paintings to handcrafted ceramics and stunning photography, this is your chance to discover your next favourite artist.
Be sure to stop by, starting from 10 a.m., for some exciting live music, immersive installations, kids workshops, food vendors, and endless creative energy.
For more information, click here.
CULTURE & HERITAGE
Saints, Sinners, Lovers and Fools
Date: On throughout November 30
Location: Royal Ontario Museum (ROM)
Admission: $9 surcharge on admission
Enter into the vast and dramatic world of the Southern Netherlands between the years 1400 and 1700 at the Royal Ontario Museum’s latest exhibition.
A must-see exhibit for art lovers and history buffs alike, Saints, Sinners, Lovers and Fools brings over 80 breathtaking pieces from Flemish legends like Peter Paul Rubens and Anthony Van Dyck to the ROM. Explore the heavenly visions of these extraordinary painters and the stories of an ever-developing society that are as relevant and mesmerizing today as they were centuries ago.
For more information, click here.
FESTIVALS & SPECIAL EVENTS
Taste of Lawrence
Date: July 4 to 6
Location: Lawrence Ave. E (between Warden Ave. and Birchmount Rd.)
Admission: Free
Scarborough’s biggest street party is back, and it’s louder, prouder, and tastier than ever!
Taste of Lawrence is taking over the Wexford Heights neighbourhood with more than 150 street vendors bringing global flavours, live entertainment across two stages, lively midway rides, and the show-stopping Ultimutts Dog Stunt Show.
Bring your appetite and dancing shoes because this is a three-day celebration of Scarborough’s vibrant culture.
For more information, click here.
Taste of the Middle East
Date: July 4 to 6
Location: Nathan Phillips Square
Admission: Free
Craving hummus, falafel, and non-stop dabke beats? Taste of the Middle East is your passport to the sights, sounds, and savoury delights of Arabic culture!
This immersive three-day festival held at Nathan Phillips Square features more than 100 food and artisan vendors, over 60 live performances, and a warm, community-driven atmosphere. Returning to the 6ix for its eighth year, the festival brings in more than 90,000 visitors annually. This year is no different, and welcomes families of all backgrounds to dive deep into the unique traditions and tastes of Arabic culture!
For more information, click here.
Summer Destination 2025
Date: On throughout September 11
Location: Downtown Yonge Parks
Admission: Free
From open-air concerts and movie nights to flea markets and fitness classes, the Downtown Yonge BIA is turning the heart of the city into the ultimate playground.
The Downtown Yonge neighbourhood is the hotspot this season, offering a signature series of events and activations for free. At Summer Destination 2025, discover performances among a wide range of genres, drag roller skate sessions, walking tours, and more hidden gems across urban green spaces like Trinity Square Park, College Park and beyond.
There’s something magical happening almost every day, so don’t miss your chance to experience Toronto like never before!
For more information, click here.
MUSIC
SummerSeries in Trillium Park at Ontario Place
Date: July 5 to August 24
Location: Trillium Park at Ontario Place
Admission: Free
Bask in the sounds of summer at Trillium Park, the place to be for free live music all season long!
The SummerSeries is offering an exciting lineup of curated performances of all genres for any music lover to enjoy! Throughout most weekends this summer, you can tap into a variety of festivals such as Open Canvas Music and Arts on July 5 and 6, a celebration of music, art and community featuring both local and internationally acclaimed artists. On July 27, Indigenous Sounds Now will take over the park, with an entire day amplifying the diverse voices of musicians from the Anishinaabe, Mohawk and Cree Nations.
The extraordinary series ends with City Hall Live on August 24, a family-friendly event where guests can not only take advantage of an incredible music showcase, but participate in dance lessons and indulge in an artisan market.
For more information, click here.
SPORTS
National Bank Open
Date: July 26 to August 7
Location: Sobey’s Stadium
Admission: Starting at $55
Game-set-match: top-tier tennis is back in the city!
Bear witness to the world’s best players in the game battle it out at the National Bank Open, where fierce volleys and high-stakes matches are sure to dominate the Sobey’s Stadium court.
Running for 12 days throughout the summer, this is a must-see for all sports lovers, or simply anyone who can appreciate a great match of this internationally acclaimed tournament.
For more information, click here.
Yoga in Trillium Park
Date: On until September 28
Location: Trillium Park at Ontario Place
Admission: Free
Practice mindfulness and be one with nature all at the same time, as Trillium Park is hosting a jam-packed summer of free outdoor yoga classes.
Each Saturday and Sunday, instructors from NÜLOVE will lead yoga sessions next to the Pavilion. Each class will blend Hatha and Vinyasa yoga, focussing on core strength, relaxation and fostering a deeper connection between breath, body and spirit. This year’s series will also feature monthly enhanced classes which include elements of Kundalini Yoga, pilates, sound baths and guided meditation.
These classes will take place from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m., and are open to participants of all levels. And don’t forget to pack a mat, water bottle and sunscreen!
For more information, click here.
STAGE
Back to the Future: The Musical
Date: July 23 to Aug 31
Location: CAA Ed Mirvish Theatre
Admission: Starting at $69
Buckle up for a musical ride through time, because Back to the Future: The Musical is throwing it back to 1955!
The Tony-winning Broadway adaptation of the beloved ’80s film is making its Toronto debut inside CAA Ed Mirvish Theatre, breathing life into the cinematic classic with electrifying performances, dazzling effects, and classic tunes from the original soundtrack, includingHuey Lewis and the News’ “The Power of Love” and “Johnny B. Goode.”
Whether you’re a longtime fan or brand new to Marty McFly and Doc Brown’s wild blast to the past, this is one show you’ll want to hit 88 MPH for!
For more information, click here.
Golden Girls: The Laughs Continue Tour
Date: July 26
Location: Meridian Hall
Admission: Starting at $44
Dorothy, Blanche, Rose and Sophia are back, with a hilarious new twist!
Held at Meridian Hall, this drag theatrical tribute to the “Golden Girls” is everything fans of the iconic 1985 sitcom could hope for: campy, cheeky, and packed with heart.
Whether you’re a fan of the throwback show or completely new to the mayhem in Miami, you’re sure to laugh until you cry! There are two showings available, at 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.
For more information, click here.
