Free & Paid Things to Do in Toronto This Week (September 22-28)
If your week is already shaping up to be the same old work–eat–sleep cycle, let’s change it a bit. This guide to free & paid things to do in Toronto this week (September 22-28) will help you trade Netflix marathons for real-life adventures. I’ve rounded up the best happenings both in Toronto and beyond, so you can mix up your week with a little spontaneity.
[This post has been updated] Remember: Event details may change, so be sure to check the official websites or social pages for the latest updates. Also, free admission means no tickets are needed, but some free events might still require RSVP or have costs for food, drinks, or activities.
Top Things to Do in Toronto This Week: Free & Paid Events (Sept 22-28)
Can’t-Miss Free Free Events
Venus Fest
Toronto’s music scene gets a fresh, bold week as Venus Fest brings local and international artists breaking all the rules. Expect everything from genre-bending performances and voices pushing for change to large-scale textile installations.
- When: October 22-27, 2025
- Where: Allan Gardens & It’s OK* Studio
- Price: Free and ticketed.
- Website: https://venusfest.net
- Best for: Music and art lovers.
A Lake Story by Melissa McGill
On September 27-28, catch an incredible art procession at Toronto’s eastern waterfront. Over 100 canoes, each carrying colour field paintings activated by the wind, will create a beautiful visual experience reflecting Lake Ontario’s natural story.
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- When: September 27-28, 2025
- Where: Toronto Waterfront
- Tickets: Free to watch
- Website: https://thebentway.ca
- Best for: Art lovers and nature enthusiasts.
CookUnity Fall Pop-Up: Free Chef-Crafted Meals
Toronto’s financial district turns into a foodie playground with free meals from Canada’s top chefs. And you’ll love the idea of gourmet bites with no dishes to wash.
- When: September 23-24, 2025
- Where: Arnell Plaza (333 Bay St, Toronto)
- Tickets: Free admission
- Best for: Foodies.
Ube Wonderland
Celebrate Filipino culture with three days of ube-infused treats, arts, and performances. From dance shows to children’s workshops, it’s colorful, lively, and full of tasty surprises.
- When: September 26-28, 2025
- Where: Scarborough Town Centre (500 Progress Avenue, Scarborough)
- Tickets: Free admission
- Website: https://www.pinoynightmarketto.com
- Best for: Families, foodies, and culture lovers.
Water/Fall Festival
Toronto’s waterfront gets a fall makeover with floating art, choreographed canoe performances, harvest-themed markets, and live music. It’s free, artsy, and a great excuse to explore the city in a new way.
- When: September 27-28 & October 4-5, 2025
- Where: Various Locations, Downtown Waterfront, Toronto
- Tickets: Free admission (some events/activities are ticketed)
- Website: https://www.waterfallfestival.ca
- Best for: Families and art lovers.
- Festival Lineup: A Lake Story (September 27-28) | Gatsby Redux (September 27-28) | Sustainable Makers Market (September 27-28) | Music Garden Concerts (September 27-28, October 3-5) | Fall Harvest Market (September 27-28, October 4-5) | Reset (September 30-October 5) | Water Wonders (September 27-October 5) | Copper Canopy (September 27-November 16) | Silo Projection (October 4) | As the Flower Returns (October 4-5) | Union Art Crawl (October 4) | Harbour and Skyline Boat Tours | (September 27-28, October 1,4 & 5) | Waterfront Symposium (September 27)
GLB Oktoberfest
Dirndls, lederhosen, pretzels, sausages, folk dancers, and live music make this a proper Oktoberfest right in Toronto. Don’t miss the games and prizes as they’re all part of the fun.
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- When: September 27, 2025
- Where: Great Lakes Brewery (30 Queen Elizabeth Blvd, Toronto)
- Tickets: Free admission
- Website: https://www.facebook.com/events
- Best for: Oktoberfest fans.
The Word On The Street’s 36th Annual Festival
Photo via @torontowots / Instagram
Bookworms, Toronto’s biggest literary festival, is back with panels, signings, and enough fresh reads to keep your nightstand stacked until spring.
- When: September 27-28, 2025
- Where: David Pecaut Square (215 King St W, Toronto)
- Tickets: Free admission
- Website: https://toronto.thewordonthestreet.ca
- Best for: Readers.
ARMED 14th Anniversary
ARMED is celebrating 14 years with free permanent bracelets. Be one of the first 25 guests and you’ll even snag a pumpkin spice slushy coffee. Want to jazz up your bracelet? Add beads or charms for a little extra flair.
- When: September 27, 2025
- Where: 903 Dundas St. West, Toronto
- Tickets: Free admission
- Instagram: @upandarmed
- Best for: Trendsetters
Toronto Garlic Festival
From garlic ice cream to roasted garlic and everything in between, this festival celebrates everything garlic. Plus, there’s craft beer, wine, and a Garlic Breath Contest.
- When: September 28, 2025
- Where: Spadina Road between Davenport Road and Dupont street, Toronto
- Tickets: Free admission
- Website: https://torontogarlicfestival.ca
- Best for: Foodies, garlic lovers, or anyone looking for a tasty and fun festival.
Free Beer & Pizza – Just Bring Your Own Chair
Pull up a chair (literally) and enjoy free beer and pizza at The Bentway. It’s casual, social, and about connecting over something simple and delicious.
- When: September 28, 2025
- Where: The Bentway (250 Fort York Blvd, Toronto)
- Tickets: Free admission
- Instagram: @birramoretti.ca
- Best for: Socializers and beer lovers.
Wines of Ontario at STACKT Market
Wine lovers, this pop-up lets you sip on some premium local VQA wines in a cool outdoor setting. It’s the perfect way to unwind and taste some local flavors.
- When: Until October 31, 2025
- Where: STACKT Market (28 Bathurst St. Toronto)
- Tickets: Free admission
- Website: https://stacktmarket.com
- Best for: Wine enthusiasts or anyone looking for a chill afternoon.
Paid & Ticketed Activities
Arcadia Earth x Blue Jays BOGO Ticket
Got your Blue Jays ticket? Show your same-day game ticket at Arcadia Earth and score a free second ticket—no pre-booking needed. It’s a fun way to kick off or wind down your game day, just steps from the Rogers Centre.
- When: Until September 28, 2025
- Where: The Well (486 Front St W Building C, Toronto)
- Tickets: BOGO entry (buy one ticket, get one free)
- Website: https://www.arcadiaearth.ca
- Best for: Blue Jays fans, families, or anyone in need of a fun, nearby adventure.
Future Festival World Summit Toronto 2025
Want to stay ahead in the world of business? The Future Festival World Summit is bringing top minds from Starbucks, NASA, Google, and more to Toronto. It’s the perfect spot to gain fresh insights, spark new ideas, and find opportunities for the future.
- When: September 23-25, 2025
- Where: Multiple venues.
- Tickets: Click here.
- Website: https://www.futurefestival.com
- Best for: Entrepreneurs, innovators, or anyone wanting to get ahead in business.
Brick-or-Treat Monster Party
LEGOLAND Toronto is crawling with LEGO® monsters, potion-making fun, 4D shows, and interactive games. It’s spooky enough to excite kids but playful enough for parents to join in without screaming.
- When: September 25-October 31, 2025
- Where: Legoland Discovery Centre Toronto (1 Bass Pro Mills Dr, Vaughan)
- Tickets: Click here.
- Website: https://www.legolanddiscoverycentre.com
- Best for: Families and LEGO® enthusiasts.
Halloween Haunt at Canada’s Wonderland
Some spine-tingling fun? Halloween Haunt at Canada’s Wonderland is bringing all the thrills. You’ll enjoy haunted mazes, creepy scare zones, rides, and more.
- When: September 26-November 1, 2025
- Where: 9580 Jane St, Vaughan
- Tickets: Click here.
- Website: https://www.canadaswonderland.com
- Best for: Horror fans and thrill-seekers.
Paulaner’s Oktoberfest Party at Waterworks
Waterworks Food Hall goes full Bavarian with Paulaner beers, festive eats, and party energy. Raise your stein, taste some classic Oktoberfest bites, and get into the celebration.
- When: September 26, 2025
- Where: Waterworks Food Hall Toronto (50 Brant St., Toronto)
- Tickets: Click here.
- Website: https://www.waterworksfoodhall.com
- Best for: Beer fans.
2025 Fall Home Show
Thinking about tackling a reno, upgrading your backyard, or finally organizing that chaotic closet? The Fall Home Show is your one-stop inspiration pit with 225+ vendors and expert talks.
- When: September 26-28, 2025
- Where: Enercare Centre, Hall A (100 Princes’ Blvd., Toronto)
- Tickets: Click here.
- Website: https://torontohomeshows.com
- Best for: Home improvers.
SMOKED: Live-Fire BBQ Festival
BBQ, live-fire cooking, and music come together at STACKT Market for a feast of flavours. Celebrity chefs, pitmasters, and DJs make this a lively weekend for all senses.
- When: September 27-28, 2025
- Where: STACKT Market (28 Bathurst St, Toronto)
- Tickets: Click here.
- Website: https://nourishgood.ca
- Best for: Foodies.
Halloween Nights of Lights
Starting this September, Halloween Nights of Lights is lighting up the night with over 1.5 million LED lights, synced to your favorite Halloween tunes. This year, they’ve got even more fun with inflatables, rides, and a scavenger hunt.
- When: September 27-November 1, 2025
- Where: CF Sherway Gardens(25 The West Mall, Etobicoke)
- Tickets: Click here.
- Website: https://nightsoflights.ca
- Best for: Families, date nights, or anyone who loves a good light show.
Camp Spooky
Not into scary stuff? Camp Spooky at Canada’s Wonderland offers family-friendly Halloween fun, where little ones can enjoy costume parties, seasonal treats, and family rides.
- When: September 27-November 2, 2025
- Where: Canada’s Wonderland (9580 Jane St, Vaughan)
- Tickets: Click here.
- Website: https://www.canadaswonderland.com
- Best for: Families with younger kids or anyone who wants a lighter Halloween experience.
Pumpkinville
Fall without pumpkins? Not here. At Pumpkinville, you’ll find over 25,000 pumpkins, giant sculptures, and even a candy forest. It’s an ideal spot for some fall fun and photo ops.
- When: September 27-November 1, 2025
- Where: CF Sherway Gardens(25 The West Mall, Etobicoke)
- Admission: Free with Halloween Nights of Lights admission
- Website: https://www.pumpkinville.ca
- Best for: Families and anyone wanting to live their best fall life.
The Toronto Halloween Show
Get in the Halloween spirit at The Toronto Halloween Show. With everything from costumes to creepy decor, there’s plenty to shop for and explore. Plus, enjoy activities like a haunted walk-through, magic shows, and face painting.
- When: September 27-28, 2025
- Where: Queen Elizabeth Building, Exhibition Place, Toronto
- Tickets: Click here.
- Website: https://www.thetorontohalloweenshow.com
- Best for: Halloween enthusiasts, families, or anyone looking for spooky fun.
Pumpkins After Dark
Why carve one pumpkin when you can walk through 10,000 glowing ones? Pumpkins After Dark is part art show, part spooky stroll, and fully Instagram-approved.
- When: September 27-November 1, 2025
- Where: Country Heritage Park (8560 Tremaine Road, Milton)
- Tickets: Click here.
- Website: https://milton.pumpkinsafterdark.com
- Best for: Families
TCBS: Toronto Comic Book Show
Comic book fans, this is the event for you. TCBS: Toronto Comic Book Show is bringing together over 80 vendors for a day of comics, collectibles, and even some great deals.
- When: September 28, 2025
- Where: Montecassino Hotel and Event Centre (3710 Chesswood Drive, Toronto)
- Tickets: Click here.
- Website: https://torontocomicbookshow.com
- Best for: Comic book lovers and collectors.
Concerts
Lorde – Ultrasound Tour
Lorde’s coming to town with her Ultrasound Tour, bringing a mix of alternative, pop, and even a bit of hip-hop. This show will hook you from the first note.
- When: September 24, 2025
- Where: Scotiabank Arena (40 Bay St., Toronto)
- Tickets: Click here.
- Website: https://www.lorde.co.nz
- Best for: Pop music fans and concertgoers.
Lainey Wilson – 2025 Whirlwind World Tour
Country music fans, it’s time to prepare for Lainey Wilson’s Whirlwind World Tour at Budweiser Stage. With Muscadine Bloodline and Lauren Watkins joining in, you’ll get a fun blend of heartfelt country tunes and an incredible music experience.
- When: September 25, 2025
- Where: Budweiser Stage (909 Lake Shore Blvd W, Toronto)
- Tickets: Click here.
- Website: https://www.laineywilson.com
- Best for: Country music fans and those who love high-energy shows.
SLANDER – Voyager Tour
These GRAMMY-nominated heavyweights will be shaking things up at Budweiser Stage with their epic beats and bass drops. If you’re into electronic music and need a night to let loose, this is it.
- When: September 26, 2025
- Where: Budweiser Stage (909 Lake Shore Blvd W, Toronto)
- Tickets: Click here.
- Website: https://slanderofficial.com
- Best for: EDM fans and partygoers.
$uicideboy$ – Grey Day Tour
If you’re into raw, intense hip-hop, you won’t want to miss the $uicideboy$ Grey Day Tour on September 27. With gritty beats and emotional lyrics, the duo brings a high-energy show that’ll keep you locked in all night.
- When: September 27, 2025
- Where: Budweiser Stage (909 Lake Shore Blvd W, Toronto)
- Tickets: Click here.
- Website: https://g59records.com
- Best for: Hip-hop fans and high-energy concert lovers.
Shawn Mendes – On The Road Again Tour
Shawn Mendes is hitting the stage to celebrate 10 years of Handwritten. The On The Road Again Tour is your chance to sing along to all his iconic hits and relive those early Mendes moments.
- When: September 28, 2025
- Where: Budweiser Stage (909 Lake Shore Blvd W, Toronto)
- Tickets: Click here.
- Website: https://www.shawnmendesofficial.com
- Best for: Shawn Mendes fans and music lovers.
Other Events/Activities to Check Out
- International Peace Festival – Until September 27 at multiple venues | Ticketed
- The Toronto Palestine Film Festival – September 24-29 at TIFF Bell Lightbox (350 King Street West, Toronto) | Ticketed
- Just for Laughs Toronto – Until September 27 at Multiple venues | Ticketed
- $1 Beef Patty at Scotty Bons – Until October 31 at Multiple locations
- Versace Sample Sale – September 22-25 at The Terrace (1680 Creditstone Rd, Vaughan) | Free admission
- ROM Tuesday Night Free – September 23 at 100 Queen’s Park, Toronto
- A Night at the Movies, Under the Sea: Dive-In Theatre Presents Shark Tale – September 25 at Ripley’s Aquarium of Canada (288 Bremner Blvd, Toronto) | Ticketed
- AGO Art Bash 2025 – September 25 at 317 Dundas Street W, Toronto | Ticketed
- Druski: The Coulda Fest Tour – September 26 at Scotiabank Arena, 50 Bay Street, Toronto | Ticketed
- The Holistic Market Toronto – September 26 at Christie Pits Park (750 Bloor St W, Toronto)
- West of Spadina Block Party – September 26 at 30 Maud Street | Free RSVP
- Toronto Blue Jays Fan Appreciation Weekend – September 26-28 at Rogers Centre (1 Blue Jays Way, Toronto) | Ticketed
- FYE Burlesque Ultraclub Toronto Grand Opening – September 26-27 at 7 Saskatchewan Road, Toronto
- Efizzy Nite – September 26 & October 6 at 3105 Dixie Road, Mississauga | Free admission
- Grand Opening – Tails Farewell Downtown Toronto – September 27 at 115 Berkeley Street, Toronto | Free admission
- Oktoberfest at Rorschach – September 27-28 at 1001 Eastern Avenue, Toronto | Free admission
- Toronto Maple Leafs Preseason – September 27 at Scotiabank Arena (40 Bay St, Toronto) | Ticketed
- Banana Bar Crawl – September 27 at Multiple venues | Ticketed
Planning the Rest of Your Month?
This week is packed, but there are great events happening all September long. For a complete look at everything happening, check out our full guide to the Best Things To Do in Toronto This September (2025).
More…
- https://www.toronto.ca/explore-enjoy/festivals-events/festivals-events-calendar
- https://www.myguidetoronto.com/events/september-2025
- https://www.blogto.com/events
- https://www.overheretoronto.com/best-things-to-do-in-toronto-this-september-2025
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