Wow, it’s already August?! Time flies fast in the summer! Don’t worry, there’s still time to check off all of your summer to-do’s, like hitting the beach… or pool, or waterpark, or river, whatever you can find to cool you down! Plus this month has plenty of action-packed festivals and events to check out before the kids head back to school. So, seize the summery days with our Guide to August Events for Toronto and the GTA…
(Click on the title link for more details)
August Event Guide — Starting
Dusk Dances (August 4-11)
The long-standing pay-what-you-can outdoor dance festival Dusk Dances returns to Withrow Park, bringing dance to public parks as dusk descends.
National Bank Open (August 4-12)
The National Bank Open welcomes the world’s best female tennis players, including Canadians Leylah Annie Fernandez and Bianca Andreescu.
Mirvish Productions: “Shrek – The Musical” (August 6-18)
Mirvish Productions invites families to fall in love all *ogre* again with a big green guy and his swampy friends in “Shrek – The Musical”.
TD JerkFest Toronto (August 9-11)
JerkFest Toronto returns to Etobicoke for a memorable family affair with tantalizing Caribbean jerk cuisine and the buzz of live music.
CNE (Canadian National Exhibition) (Starting August 16)
The CNE has been a Toronto summer tradition since its inception in 1879 and it’s back this year with its usual array of EXciting events!
Toronto Chinatown Festival (August 17-18)
Toronto Chinatown Festival returns this year with a free two-day program of cultural performances, street eats, family activities and more!
FAN EXPO Canada (August 22-25)
This four-day pop culture convention FAN EXPO Canada celebrates all things fandom, including family-friendly attractions, events, and world-renowned celebrities.
KIDZ BOP: Live Tour 2024 (August 23)
The KIDZ BOP Live Tour is the ultimate pop concert sung by kids for kids, making its only Canadian appearance in Toronto this summer!
Crossroads of the Danforth BIA: Wheels on the Danforth (August 17)
Wheels on the Danforth is back with a car show including hundreds of classic cars, plus food vendors, kid’s zone, buskers, live bands and DJs.
Yorkville Murals (August 24-25)
Yorkville Murals transforms the upscale neighbourhood into a huge canvas with a free outdoor festival, celebrating public art with cultural events.
Toronto International Buskerfest (Starting August 30)
The Toronto International BuskerFest for Epilepsy is back this Labour Day Weekend at Woodbine Beach Park, marking the end of summer in Toronto with a festival that’s spontaneous, outrageous, fun, funny, and fabulous!
August Event Guide — Continuing
Royal Canadian International Circus
Join the Royal Canadian International Circus under the Big Top again as this spectacular family show returns to Ontario this summer, and even get TWO tickets for the price of ONE by using the discount code “familyfuntoronto”.
“Hamlet” at Dream In High Park
Canadian Stage’s Dream in High Park returns to the outdoor amphitheatre this summer. A multicultural cast, featuring many of Toronto’s best actors, trods the boards in this classic Shakespearean tragedy.
Toronto Public Library Summer Programs
Toronto’s excellent library system has summer programs to entertain and educate kids in person and online. Kids stay motivated to read all summer long too!
Stratford Festival
This renowned theatre festival, held in the quaint Southern Ontario town of Stratford, features a full schedule of Shakespearean classics, plus musicals and family favourites.
Pirate Life Theatre
These scallywags arrrr back for another season on the high seas (well, Lake Ontario)! It’s a family theatre experience and boat cruise that’ll leave ye shiverin’ in yer timbers.
August Event Guide — Ending This Month
Toronto Caribbean Carnival (Ending August 4)
Toronto Caribbean Carnival (FKA Caribana) is a spectacular display of costumes, music and culture, with three weeks worth of events culminating in the Grand Parade on August Long weekend.
Downsview Park: Foffy’s Wonderland (Ending August 10)
Foffy’s Wonderland is a touring show with a fantastical light display with inflatable attractions, amusement facilities, artistic performances, food markets and more.
Toronto Union Station: TD Union Summer (Ending August 25)
Toronto Union Station hosts outdoor events with TD Union Summer with an outdoor patio, plus free daily programming such as films and music.
Planet Fitness High School Summer Pass (Ending August 31)
Registration has opened for teens aged 14-19 to get FREE passes from Planet Fitness. Once signed up, they can work out at their nearest location all through the summer.
Family Fun Toronto Guides
Summer Fun Bucket List
Jump for joy, it’s time for Summer Events! Not to worry if you haven’t decided how to entertain the family during the summer, we’ve got oodles of ideas in our annual Summer Fun Bucket List!
Summer Festival Guide for Toronto and the GTA
Toronto loves warm weather and getting out into it at a festival. So try out a bunch in our Summer Festival Guide for Toronto and the GTA!
Cheap Summer Activities Guide for Toronto
Entertaining kids over their summer vacation can get expensive. But we’ve got you covered with our Cheap Summer Activities Guide for Toronto!
Guide to Summer Craft Markets in Toronto and the GTA
Whether you’re looking for artwork, clothes, vintage pieces, or cultural crafts, it can be found in our Guide to Summer Craft Markets in Toronto and the GTA!
Guide to Toronto’s Best Public Outdoor Pools
Toronto pools are opening already now in June, so dive into our Guide to Toronto’s Best Public Outdoor Pools!
The Best Spots to Catch Outdoor Movies in Toronto This Summer!
Spend a lovely evening on a blanket at a park (or even in a boat!) with these Best Spots to Catch Outdoor Movies in Toronto this Summer.
The Best City-Run Splash Pads in Toronto
There are over 100 splash pads located in parks all across Toronto, offering an easy way for kids to have safe summer fun. Plus they’re free!
But Wait… There’s More!
Want even more ideas for Family-Friendly Events in Toronto This Weekend? For a complete listing of all the best events around Toronto, click on our Calendar and stay tuned to all the best local family events through both our Facebook and Instagram pages. Plus, we’re now on TikTok and Threads!
If you are looking for tips on how to keep your kids occupied without attending in-person events, you can find our best ideas, activities and inspiration here!
Did you know you can submit your family-friendly event to us? Fill out the form with your event details, as well as a photo, and we’ll do our best to get your event added to our events calendar.
