11+ Things To Do in Toronto This Week (September 7-13)
Have you noticed how one event idea turns into a full weekend plan? This week starts with Taste of the Kingsway, then moves into waterfront dragon boat races, local art beneath The Bentway, a live-orchestra screening of The Lion King, and Wu-Tang Clan’s farewell tour. This list of things to do in Toronto this week (September 7–13) rounds up festivals, concerts, cultural events, outdoor activities, and community gatherings happening across the city. By the time Sunday arrives, choosing what to skip may be harder than finding somewhere to go.
Editor’s Note: Event details, such as schedules and venues, are subject to change, so check official event pages before you go. Some free events may require an RSVP and bring cash or a digital payment option for purchases on-site.
Things to Do in Toronto This Week: 12 Epic September Events
Festivals & Community Events
Taste of The Kingsway 2026
September 11-13, 2026丨Bloor Street West between Montgomery Rd and Prince Edward Dr, Toronto
Want Toronto family events that come with great food, too? Taste of the Kingsway fills Bloor Street West with international food vendors, restaurant patios, live entertainment, and family activities. You’ll have plenty of opportunities to sample different dishes while exploring one of Etobicoke’s busiest neighbourhoods. This festival in Toronto gives you lots of room to wander between performances and food stalls.
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31st Annual Tim Hortons GWN Dragon Boat Challenge
September 12-13, 2026丨Marilyn Bell Park丨Free admission for spectators丨Registration fee applies for race participants
Want to experience Toronto waterfront events this weekend? The Dragon Boat Challenge returns to Marilyn Bell Park with two days of racing, live entertainment, food trucks, artisan vendors, wellness exhibitors, and family-friendly activities. The Family Fun Zone features inflatables and obstacle courses, while the beer garden near the finish line offers front-row views of the action.
Cabbagetown Festival 2026
September 12-13, 2026丨Parliament Street and Carlton Street丨Free to attend
Still figuring out your Saturday plans in Toronto? Cabbagetown Festival makes the decision pretty easy. Grab a snack, browse local vendors, stop for live music, then tell yourself you’re leaving after one more lap around the market. And once you spend a few hours there, it’s easy to understand why it’s one of the city’s favourite Toronto street festivals.
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Toronto Poetry Festival 2026
September 12, 2026丨Taylor Creek Park丨Free admission
How about poetry in a park this weekend? The Toronto Poetry Festival offers a full day of readings, recitations, and literary performances from English-language and multilingual poets. The relaxed outdoor setting makes it approachable even if your last poetry experience happened in high school. Bring a chair, find a comfortable spot, and enjoy one of the free things to do in Toronto this week.
Art & Creative Experiences
Liberty Village Art Crawl – 13th Anniversary
September 12, 2026丨The Bentway丨Free entry
Mentally rearranging your living room? That feeling shows up again at one of the top Toronto art events happening this month. More than 100 artists, designers, makers, and artisans will take over The Bentway for an afternoon of art, shopping, live music, food vendors, and interactive demonstrations. Leashed dogs are welcome at the Liberty Village Art Crawl, too.
Active & Outdoor Fun
Toronto Zoo – Oasis ZooRun
September 12, 2026丨2000 Meadowvale Rd, Toronto丨Registration fee applies
Ever done a 10K with giraffes as your backdrop? The Oasis ZooRun combines fitness, fundraising, and wildlife conservation with 10K, 5K, and CubRun options open to runners, walkers, families, and Zoo supporters. Participants help raise funds for the Toronto Zoo and Toronto Zoo Wildlife Conservancy while enjoying one of the city’s most unique race settings.
Concerts This Week
BABYMETAL – World Tour 2026
September 7, 2026丨RBC Amphitheatre
What if Toronto concerts this week came with metal riffs, pop hooks, and full-on theatrics? The Japanese sensation arrives in Toronto with special guests Halestorm and Violent Vira, delivering a genre-defying blend of metal, pop, theatrical production, and choreography that made them a global phenomenon.
Wu-Tang Forever: The Final Chamber Tour
September 8, 2026丨RBC Amphitheatre
If you’ve spent years saying, “I should see Wu-Tang live someday,” that moment has finally arrived. This farewell tour reunites Method Man, RZA, Ghostface Killah, Raekwon, GZA, U-God, Inspectah Deck, Cappadonna, Masta Killa, and Young Dirty Bastard for a career-spanning celebration. The set draws from across their catalog, including tracks from Wu-Tang Forever and Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers), along with deeper cuts that longtime listeners rarely hear live.
Mt. Joy – Celebrating 10 Years Of Mt. Joy Tour
September 12, 2026丨RBC Amphitheatre
Got a playlist packed with road-trip songs and late-summer indie favourites? There’s a good chance Mt. Joy is hiding somewhere on it. The Philadelphia band celebrates ten years of music with a show that blends newer material from Hope We Have Fun with fan favourites that helped build their loyal following.
This anniversary stop is a great excuse to enjoy live music in Toronto before outdoor concert season winds down.
Live Orchestra Film Experiences
The Wizard of Oz In Concert
September 12-13, 2026丨Meridian Hall
A few movie moments stick with people like Dorothy stepping onto the Yellow Brick Road. This special concert presentation pairs the beloved film with a live symphony orchestra performing the score alongside the movie. Families, movie lovers, and anyone who still knows every word to “Over the Rainbow” will find plenty to enjoy.
The Lion King in Concert
September 13, 2026丨The Bowl at Sobeys Stadium
The opening notes of “Circle of Life” have a way of stopping conversations. Disney’s beloved animated classic heads to The Bowl with a live orchestra performing Hans Zimmer’s Oscar-winning score while the film plays on a giant screen. With Elton John’s iconic songs, Tim Rice’s lyrics, and the unforgettable performances of Simba, Mufasa, Timon, and Pumbaa, the film continues to connect with audiences decades later.
Planning a birthday bash?
Celebrate your big day at one of these top-rated spots. Head over to my guide on September Birthday Ideas in Toronto: 11 Best Spots to find the perfect setting for your celebration.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Several great options won’t cost you admission, including the Cabbagetown Festival, Toronto Poetry Festival, Liberty Village Art Crawl, and the Tim Hortons GWN Dragon Boat Challenge. You can easily spend an entire day exploring any of these without opening your wallet beyond food and shopping purchases.
Taste of the Kingsway and Cabbagetown Festival are excellent choices if you enjoy food, live music, and community events. The Dragon Boat Challenge adds sports and waterfront views, while the Poetry Festival offers a more laid-back outdoor experience.
BABYMETAL, Wu-Tang Clan, and Mt. Joy headline the week’s concert lineup. You can also catch special live orchestra presentations of Gladiator, The Wizard of Oz, and The Lion King for a different type of concert experience.
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