Top Things to Do in Toronto This Week (September 15-21)

You know that time of year when you’re debating if you still need sunscreen or if it’s finally sweater weather? Yep, welcome to mid-September in Toronto. If you’re stuck in that “so… what should I do this week?” mindset, this guide to free & paid things to do in Toronto this week (September 15-21) will save you from another night of scrolling Netflix. And I’ve even thrown in a few events outside the city— because sometimes the best adventures start with a short drive and a good playlist.

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.

Free & Paid Things to Do in Toronto This Week (September 15-21, 2025)

Free Fun Events

Common Ground Dance Festival 

This week, Common Ground Dance Festival is back with free outdoor shows featuring hip hop, flamenco, Indian dance, and more. You don’t even need dance skills to join; they’ve got workshops for all levels.

• When: September 18-20, 2025
• Where: Lee Lifeson Art Park (223 Gladys Allison Place, North York)
• Tickets: Free admission (RSVP required)
• Website: https://www.toesfordance.ca
• Best for: Dance fans and curious movers.

American Tall Pop-Up

This pop-up offers fashion try-ons and giveaways. Plus, there’s a custom patchwork for the first 50 guests.

• When: September 19-21, 2025
• Where: SPACE on KING (300 King St E, Toronto)
• Tickets: Free admission 
• Website: https://americantall.com
• Best for: Shoppers and fashion lovers.

RELISH The Foodie Event 2025 

For three days, indulge in gourmet food trucks, local vendors, workshops, and live entertainment. Your taste buds won’t know what hit them.

• When: September 19-21, 2025
• Where: Cloverdale Mall (250 The East Mall, Toronto)
• Tickets: Free admission 
• Website: https://mycloverdale.com
• Best for: Food lovers and families.

2025 CAMH Pow Wow 

Never been to a Pow Wow? Then, don’t miss the 2025 CAMH Pow Wow this week. It celebrates Indigenous culture with music, dance, food, and unique vendors.

• When: September 19, 2025
• Where: TD Commons (Southwest corner of Queen St. W and Shaw St. – Toronto)
• Tickets: Free admission 
• Website: https://www.camh.ca
• Best for: Families or anyone wanting to learn and celebrate Indigenous culture.

Mississauga Lantern & Mid-Autumn Festival 

Who’s ready to light up the night? The Mississauga Mid-Autumn Festival is here to make your weekend glow with beautiful lantern displays, traditional food, and live performances. Plus, you’ll get a free lantern.

• When: September 19-21, 2025
• Where: P6 Parking Lot (Square One Shopping Centre, City Centre Drive, Mississauga)
• Tickets: Free admission 
• Website: https://nightmarkets.ca
• Best for: Families, date ideas, and festival lovers.

Etobicoke Ribfest

This weekend, get your hands messy at the 4th Annual Etobicoke Ribfest. From tender ribs to smoked brisket, it’s a BBQ lover’s paradise. Plus, there’s beer.

• When: September 19-21, 2025
• Where: Colonel Sam Smith Park (1 Colonel Samuel Smith Park Drive, Etobicoke)
• Tickets: Free with $5 charitable donation suggested.
• Website: https://ribfestx.com
• Best for: Foodies, families, or anyone who loves BBQ.

VegTO Fest 

Plant-based foodies, VegTO Fest is back with over 200 exhibitors showing off all things vegan. There are tons to taste, see, and learn. And yes, there’s plenty of plant-based snacks to keep you munching all day.

• When: September 20-21, 2025
• Where: Nathan Phillips Square (100 Queen St W, Toronto)
• Tickets: Free admission 
• Website: https://www.veg.ca
• Best for: Vegans and foodies.

Pape Village Block Party 

Who’s up for a block party? The Pape Village is transforming into a festival playground with live music, arts and crafts, and a car show. Plus, the kids have a “fun zone” with bouncy castles and balloon animals.

• When: September 20-21, 2025
• Where: Pape Avenue between Mortimer and Gamble Aves
• Tickets: Free admission 
• Website: https://www.papevillageblockparty.com
• Best for: Families, friends, or anyone who loves community fun.

Taste of Cooksville 2025 

One of Mississauga’s biggest food festivals is back, featuring global eats, live entertainment, and giant inflatables for the kids.

• When: September 20-21, 2025
• Where: Dundas Street from Hurontario St. to Camilla Rd., Mississauga
• Tickets: Free admission 
• Website: https://www.cooksvillebia.com
• Best for: Families and food lovers.

PlayDate at Stackt 

Stackt Market is throwing one last summer hurrah. There’s a family rave, inflatable art, live performances, and food to keep everyone going.

• When: September 20, 2025
• Where: Stackt Market (28 Bathurst St, Toronto)
• Tickets: Free admission 
• Instagram: @menage.toronto 
• Best for: Families and community hangouts.

Mimico Food Fest 

Back for round two, this free fest has food vendors, kid-friendly activities, and it’s dog-friendly too. So yes, you can bring your fur baby while you snack.

• When: September 20, 2025
• Where: Mimico Square (2445 Lake Shore Blvd West, Etobicoke)
• Tickets: Free admission 
• Instagram: @localmrkt 
• Best for: Foodies.

Thai Fest Canada

Pad Thai, Som Tum, spicy food challenges, cooking demos, live performances… this two-day Thai takeover is like a mini vacation without the airport lineups.

• When: September 20-21, 2025
• Where: Sankofa Square (1 Dundas Street East, Toronto)
• Tickets: Free admission 
• Website: https://thaifestival.ca
• Best for: Food lovers.

Manulife Rose Garden 

Need something calmer? Walk through a tunnel of roses designed to de-stress. You even get a free rose to take home.

• When: September 20-21, 2025
• Where: Stackt Market (28 Bathurst St, Toronto)
• Tickets: Free admission 
• Website: https://stacktmarket.com
• Best for: Anyone who needs a reset.

Oktoberfest at Mill Street Brewpub 

Beer, pretzels, and live music in the Distillery District? Grab a limited-edition stein or an exclusive Festbier Lager and pretend you’re in Munich without the flight.

• When: September 20-October 5, 2025
• Where: Mill Street Brewpub (21 Tank House Lane, Toronto)
• Tickets: Free admission 
• Instagram: @millstreetbrewpub 
• Best for: Beer lovers.

PIN & PATCH SHOW 2025 

Pins, patches, and a fun atmosphere. Hunting for rare finds or just love supporting local artists? This show brings Toronto’s crafty community together under one roof.

• When: September 20, 2025
• Where: The Parkdale Hall (1605 Queen St W, Toronto)
• Tickets: Free admission (VIP tickets also available)
• Website: https://www.pinandpatchshow.com
• Best For: Collectors and anyone who loves unique handmade art.

Paid & Ticketed Things To Do

Tarot Party Night at Loohoo 

Curious about your future or just want a relaxing night? Loohoo’s tarot night offers magical readings, cute celestial crafts, and snacks that pair perfectly with your curiosity.

• When: September 17, 2025
• Where: 1380 Queen St W, Toronto
• Tickets: Click here.
• Instagram: @shop.loohoo 
• Best For: Anyone looking for a fun, mystical midweek escape.

Arcadia Earth x Blue Jays BOGO 

Got Jays tickets? Use them to snag a two-for-one deal at Arcadia Earth. It’s an interactive art-meets-eco experience just steps from Rogers Centre, perfect pre- or post-game stop.

• Best for: Jays fans and art lovers.
• 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

Design After-Hours TO 

If design is your thing (or even if you just appreciate a killer logo), Design After-Hours is the ideal spot to meet like-minded creatives. It’s about sparking ideas, having great convos, and maybe even walking away with a fresh perspective.

• When: September 17, 2025
• Where: BrainStation (482 Front St W, 2nd Floor, Toronto)
• Tickets: Click here.
• Website: https://brainstation.io
• Best for: Designers, creatives, or anyone with a love for aesthetics.

BIG on Bay 

Looking for a good time with a purpose? Big on Bay offers fun team challenges around Bay Street, raising funds for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Toronto. Plus, there’s an after-party. You in?

• When: September 18, 2025
• Where: Start at Nathan Phillips Square. End at Boston Pizza on Front and John (100 Queen St W, Toronto)
• Tickets: $25 registration per person
• Instagram: @bbbstoronto
• Best for: Friends, families, or anyone who loves competition with a side of charity.

Gabriel Iglesias: The 1976 Tour

Need a laugh this week? Gabriel Iglesias, aka Fluffy, is bringing his signature humor to Toronto. If you’ve watched his specials on Netflix, you know you’re in for a night of hilarious stories and big laughs.

• When: September 19, 2025
• Where: Scotiabank Arena (40 Bay St., Toronto)
• Tickets: Click here.
• Website: https://fluffyguy.com
• Best for: Comedy lovers.

Home by 11 

If your playlist hasn’t moved past U2, Journey, Bon Jovi and Madonna, you’ll feel right at home here. Illuminarium is turning into a giant retro music video party.

• When: September 19, 2025
• Where: Illuminarium Toronto (28 Distillery Lane, Toronto)
• Tickets: Click here.
• Website: https://www.illuminarium.com
• Best for: Nostalgia lovers.

Paranormal Cirque IV

On the spicier side of entertainment, Paranormal Cirque blends circus, cabaret, and horror. It’s dark, sexy, and a little dangerous.

• When: September 19-22, 2025
• Where: Dixie Outlet Mall (1250 S Service Rd, Mississauga)
• Tickets: Click here.
• Website: https://www.paranormalcirque.com
• Best for: Thrill seekers.

Water Lantern Festival 

If you need a night that feels a little magical, The Water Lantern Festival brings over a thousand lanterns floating across the water. It;s a night of hope, love, and romance.

• When: September 19-20, 2025
• Where: Downsview Park (70 Canuck Ave, North York)
• Tickets: Click here.
• Website: https://www.waterlanternfestival.com
• Best for: Festival lovers.

All Elite Wrestling: All Out 

For a night of jaw-dropping moves and adrenaline-pumping action, AEW All Out takes over Scotiabank Arena. It’s everything you love about wrestling—intense, dramatic, and thrilling from start to finish.

• When: September 20, 2025
• Where: Scotiabank Arena (40 Bay St., Toronto)
• Tickets: Click here.
• Website: https://www.allelitewrestling.com
• Best for: Wrestling fans.

Heavenly Desserts Grand Reopening

 

Brunch plans or dessert cravings? Heavenly Desserts has both. With BOGO croffles, crepes, milk cakes, and 20% off call-in reservations, your sweet tooth won’t know what hit it.

• When: September 20-21, 2025
• Where: 5840 Mavis Rd #2, Mississauga
• Instagram: @heavenlydesserts.ca
• Best For: Foodies, dessert lovers, and Instagram-ready treats.

Dino Run 

The Dino Run at The Bentway is an interactive, fun-filled adventure for the little ones. They’ll learn about dinosaurs through songs, stories, and games, then get to chase them down on a 220m skate trail.

• When: September 20, 2025
• Where: The Bentway Skate Trail (250 Fort York Boulevard, Toronto)
• Tickets: $20
• Website: https://thebentway.ca
• Best for: Families with young kids.

Picklefest Food & Drink Festival

It’s time to get pickled… in the best way possible. Picklefest is Canada’s largest celebration of all things pickled and fermented.

• When: September 20-21, 2025
• Where: Henderson Brewing Co. (128a Sterling Rd., Toronto)
• Tickets: Click here.
• Website: https://picklefestcanada.com
• Best for: Foodies and pickle lovers.

Fall Festival at The Village 

This one’s pure autumn charm: apple shows, pumpkin contests, and old-school demos like butter churning and candle dipping.

• When: September 20-21, 2025
• Where: Black Creek Pioneer Village (1000 Murray Ross Pkwy, Toronto)
• Tickets: Starts at $21.40
• Website: https://blackcreek.ca
• Best for: Families and fall lovers.

PumpkinFest at Downey’s Farm 

If your Instagram feed needs a pumpkin patch moment, this is the spot. You love the wagon rides, a corn maze, and a goat mountain slide.

• When: September 20-October 31, 2025
• Where: 13682 Heart Lake Road, Caledon
• Tickets: Click here.
• Website: https://downeysfarm.com
• Best for: Families and fall photo ops.

Toronto Vintage Show 

Canada’s biggest vintage clothing sale is back with 50,000 sq. ft. of fashion and finds. From streetwear to jewelry to retro decor, it’s like treasure hunting for vintage lovers.

• When: September 20-21, 2025
• Where: Queen Elizabeth Building (180 Princes’ Blvd., Toronto)
• Tickets: $15
• Website: https://www.torontovintageshow.ca
• Best for: Vintage shoppers.

Left Field Brewery: Oktoberfest Bierhalle 

If you like your beer fest with a side of live music and friendly competition, head to Liberty Village. New steins, special menus, and a tap takeover are waiting for you.

• When: September 20, 2025
• Where: Left Field Brewery Liberty Village (40 Hanna Ave Suite G1, Toronto)
• Tickets: Click here.
• Website: https://www.leftfieldbrewery.ca
• Best for: Craft beer fans.

Oktoberfest at Canada’s Wonderland 

Pretzels bigger than your face, sausages, and craft beer flowing? Oktoberfest is basically Germany in Toronto. Grab your crew, toast a stein, and enjoy a lively festival weekend.

• When: Until September 21, 2025
• Where: 9580 Jane St, Vaughan 
• Tickets: Free with park admission 
• Website: https://www.canadaswonderland.com
• Best For: Food and beer lovers.

Concerts

Pulp: 2025 North American Fall Tour 

Concerts this week? Let’s start with the Pulp. Their Britpop sound will transport you on a nostalgic ride, allowing you to enjoy high energy and a crowd singing their hearts out.

• When: September 16, 2025
• Where: Budweiser Stage (909 Lake Shore Blvd W, Toronto)
• Tickets: Click here.
• Website: https://welovepulp.info
• Best for: Britpop fans and indie music lovers.

Kali Uchis – The Sincerely, Tour 

Kali Uchis is all set to bring her dreamy, genre-bending sound to Toronto. So, prepare for a night of atmospheric vocals and music that defies labels.

• When: September 17, 2025
• Where: Scotiabank Arena (40 Bay St., Toronto)
• Tickets: Click here.
• Website: https://shopkaliuchis.com
• Best for: Fans of genre-bending music and powerful vocals.

The Doobie Brothers – Walk This Road Tour 

With their legendary hits, The Doobie Brothers are bringing the perfect mix of rock, blues, and R&B. So, expect to see yourself sing along to classics all night.

• When: September 18, 2025
• Where: Budweiser Stage (909 Lake Shore Blvd W, Toronto)
• Tickets: Click here.
• Website: https://thedoobiebrothers.com
• Best for: Classic rock fans and concertgoers.

Halestorm and Lindsey Stirling – nEVEREST Duality Tour

Ever thought, “What would happen if metal and violin joined forces?” Wonder no more—Halestorm and Lindsey Stirling are bringing the epic. This is a night for both rock lovers and those who appreciate a good violin riff.

• When: September 19, 2025
• Where: Budweiser Stage (909 Lake Shore Blvd W, Toronto)
• Tickets: Click here.
• Website: https://www.lindseystirling.com / https://www.halestormrocks.com
• Best for: Metal fans, violin lovers, or anyone who loves a unique musical combo.

Twenty One Pilots – 2025 The Clancy Tour: Breach 

Twenty One Pilots is back and ready to bring their signature mix of alt-rock, rap, and electronic sounds to Toronto. Of course, you can expect high energy, catchy hooks, and some brand new tunes from their upcoming album.

• When: September 21, 2025
• Where: Budweiser Stage (909 Lake Shore Blvd W, Toronto)
• Tickets: Click here.
• Website: https://www.twentyonepilots.com
• Best for: Alt-rock fans and concertgoers.

Other Events/Activities to Check Out

• Polaris Concert – September 16 at Massey Hall (178 Victoria St, Toronto) | Ticketed 
• Annual T.O. Webfest – September 16-17 at Novotel Hotel on Esplanade, Toronto  | Ticketed 
• Montgomery’s Inn Fall Festival – September 17 at 4709 Dundas St W, Etobicoke | Free admission 
• Just for Laughs Toronto – September 18-27 at Multiple venues | Ticketed
• Bi Arts Festival – September 18-21 at Multiple venues | Free & Ticketed
• Ontario Culture Days – September 19-October 12 at Multiple venues | Free admission
• Toronto Tamil International Film Festival – September 19-21 at York Cinemas, 115 York Boulevard, Richmond Hill | Ticketed 
• Streetsville Butter Tarts & More Markets – September 20 at Civic Centre, 213 Queen St. S, Mississauga | Free admission
• A Magical Morning Under the Sea: Breakfast with Mermaids – September 20 at Ripley’s Aquarium of Canada (288 Bremner Blvd, Toronto) | Ticketed 
• Danforth East Arts Fair – September 20-21 at East Lynn Park (1949 Danforth Avenue, Toronto) | Free admission 
• Exhibition Place Community BBQ – September 20 at Centennial Square, Exhibition Place (14 Saskatchewan Rd, Toronto) | Free admission 
• Mat Kearney – Headlights Home Tour – September 20 at Queen Elizabeth Theatre (190 Princes’ Blvd, Toronto) | Ticketed
• International Peace Festival – September 21-27 at multiple venues | Ticketed
• Riverside Dog Lovers’ Market – September 21 at Riverside Common Park, 657 Queen St. East, Toronto | Free admission 
• The World of Hans Zimmer – A New Dimension – September 21 at Scotiabank Arena (40 Bay St., Toronto) | Ticketed

Looking for more fun events and activities in the coming weeks? Be sure to check out our blog 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