Chris Glover MPP, Spadina–Fort York

Art/Music

• Black Dreams & Aspirations: Limited-time exhibit showcases the works of 12 talented artists. Details here. Union Station, 65 Front St W. Until Aug 31.
• Bourbon Street North at The Distillery: New Orleans-inspired event will showcase traditional jazz & blues music and food with creole flavours. Details here. 55 Mill St. May 3-Jun 16.

• CONTACT Photography Festival: 200 exhibitions and happenings throughout the month of May in the Greater Toronto Area. Details here. 
• Free Concert Series: Artists from around the world share their talent and passion in one of Toronto’s most breathtaking and intimate spaces. Details here. Richard Bradshaw Amphitheatre, 145 Queen St W.
  
• Jewish Music Week: A festival of concerts, recitals and musical events throughout the Greater Toronto Area. Details here. May 26-Jun 2.
• Little Portugal Free Public Art Tour: Presented by Open Air Museum & Little Portugal Toronto BIA. Details here. Along Dundas West from Shaw to Lansdowne.
• Migrant Stories: A free exhibition highlighting the compelling stories of migrants to Toronto. Details here. The Market Gallery, 95 Front St E, 2nd Flr. Until May 5.
• OCAD Graduate Exhibition: Be inspired by the work of more than 600 emerging artists and designers. Details here. 100 McCaul St. May 1-5.
• Power Plant: Explore this contemporary gallery and all it offers. Details here. 231 Queens Quay W.
• Softer City: The Bentway presents a series of 6 commissioned art installations, performances, and events that explore “softness” as a collective strategy for building a socially connected city. Details here. 250 Fort York Blvd. 
• Soulpepper Theatre: Amazing productions and affordable pricing. 50 Tank House Lane. Details here.
• Sounds of Better World: A night of song with SingTO performing at St. Andrews Church. 73 Simcoe St. Details here. May 2.

• Waterfront ReConnect: The Bentway presents these temporary street-level interventions that add light, colour and enhanced waterfront connectivity at York and Simcoe Streets. Details here.

Community

• Cherry Blossoms: View these trees in bloom at the end of April to early May. Exhibition Place, Trinity Bellwoods Park, Toronto Island Park, and other locations across the city. Details here. 

• Community Compost Days: This compost comes from your leaf and yard waste that the City collects as part of the waste reduction and recycling program. Supply is limited, so come early! Please bring your own container, shovel, and gloves to pick up compost at parks across the city.

• Wednesday, May 1: Alexandra Park Community Centre (105 Grange Crt)

• Thursday, May 2: Little Norway Park (659 Queens Quay W)

  Friday, May 3: Trinity Bellwoods Park (790 Queen St W)

  Monday, May 6: David Crombie Park (131 The Esplanade)

  Wednesday, May 15: Stanley Park (South of Wellington St W)

  Thursday, May 16: Ogden Public School (33 Phoebe S)

  Friday, May 17: Scadding Court Community Centre (707 Dundas St W)

• Gallery Visits & Vintage Crawl in Little Portugal: Featuring over 10 galleries with work from local, national & international artists. Along Dundas from Shaw to Lansdowne.
  
• Lookout at the Portlands: The Lookout is a tower that provides a view of all 3 bridges and a glimpse across the future Villiers Island. Open for drop-in visits on specific dates. Details here. 222 Cherry St. 

• Mingling: Share food, dancing, music and arts with JAMII at this free community event. Details here. 264 The Esplanade. May 2. 
• Mom’s Care Circle: A creative circle where moms will have an open and safe space to share what it means to be a caregiver. Details here. 264 The Esplanade. May 4.
• Opening Night Party: A fabulous party to kick-off summer in the city at The Bentway! Details here. 250 Fort York Blvd. May 24.

• Party 4 Paws Pet Fair: Mingle with other pet owners and discover new products and services for your beloved companions. Trinity Bellwoods Park. May 25-26.
• Repair Café: Learn how to fix your broken household items – for free! Do you enjoy the fun and challenge of fixing small household items? Please contact Liz at [email protected]. Waterfront Neighbourhood Centre, 627 Queens Quay W. May 4, 12-4.
• Second Harvest Truck Pull Challenge: Teams compete to pull a 20,000-pound delivery truck across Nathan Phillips Square to raise funds. Details here. May 15.
• Spring Recreation Programs: Registration is open for a variety of programs for all ages that begin the week of Mar 30. Detail here. 
• Spring Bird Migration Meetup: Join a leisurely weekly ramble to watch birds and monitor the progression of migration from one week to the next. Email [email protected] for details. St. James Park, 120 King St E. Apr 30, May 7, May 14.

• Staging Grounds: The Bentway transforms the vacant land under the Gardiner at Dan Leckie Way into new experimental gardens using stormwater runoff from the Expressway. Details here.
• Toronto Public Library Online Events: Join an array of free online programs and events offered by our public libraries.
• Waterfront Wednesdays: Enjoy a collection of unique experiences and incredible offers at Toronto's waterfront. Details here. May 29-Jun 26.

Festivals/Shows

• Bookworm Market: Shop books, cozy goods, and stationery at this one-of-a-kind market designed to make you feel like a kid again. Details here. 967 College St. May 3-4.

• Doors Open Toronto: Explore over 150 of Toronto’s architectural, historical, cultural and socially significant buildings for free during the Doors Open weekend. Details here. May 25-26.
  

• Festival of Bizarre Toronto History: Dedicated to exploring strange stories from our city's past — a week filled with online lectures, panels, interviews, and walking tours featuring some of Toronto's greatest storytellers. Details here. May 6-12.

• Hot Docs Festival: 31st annual edition in cinemas across Toronto, with a selection of films available online to audiences throughout Canada. Details here. Apr 25-May 5.
• Illuminarium: Immersive shows, nightlife extravaganzas, community events and so much more. Details here. The Distillery, 28 Gristmill Lane.
• Inside Out Toronto Film Festival: The world’s best 2SLGBTQ+ cinema to Toronto. Details here. TIFF Bell Lightbox, 350 King St W. May 24-Jun 1.
• Toronto Jewish Film Festival: The best in Jewish-content film from Canada and around the world including International, Canadian and Toronto premieres. Details here. May 30-Jun 9.
• WeeFestival: 10 productions created especially for very young audiences. Details here. May 9-Jun 9.

Fitness

• Breathwork & Meditation Classes: Very excited to enter 2024 with a nourishing weekly offering at The Grateful Den. Details here. 
• Flow & Restore Yoga in the Park: A blissful blend of invigorating movement and deep relaxation Wednesday evenings 6 pm in Bickford Park. Details here. 400 Grace St. Starts May 15.

• Strength and Core Workshops: Jamii presents these sessions for all ages on Tuesday and Thursday mornings. Register here. 264 The Esplanade.
• Toronto Island Holistic Yoga & Nutrition Retreat: This retreat is a short ferry ride from downtown Toronto, providing easy access to an all-day event in the calm and serene community of Toronto Island. Details here. Multiple dates.
• Yoga with Adriene: The Bentway welcomes wellness icon Adriene Mishler for her first-ever live event in Canada! Details here. Tickets on sale May 9. 250 Fort York Blvd. Jul 6.

Food/Markets

• Asian Night Market: Explore over 50 curated Asian-owned businesses at stackt. Details here. 28 Bathurst St. May 18.
• Distillery District Breakfast Tour: Indulge in a rich morning experience featuring stops at favourite local spots – start with a hot drink followed by a breakfast sandwich and snack. Details here. Until Nov 10.
• Market 707: Housed in retrofitted shipping containers, Market 707 offers a unique street food and retail experience. This vibrant community space brings together local entrepreneurs serving delicious international street food and unique goods and services to create an urban food and shopping experience unlike any other. 707 Dundas St. W. Click here for more information.
• Spring Into Spice: 45 ethnic food vendors, wineries and wine importers together in an open air environment. Details here. Fort York, 250 Fort York Blvd. May 11.
• Tasty Tours: Explore Kensington Market, Downtown Toronto and other areas of the city via Tasty Tours food tours.
• Toronto Artisan Market: Shop unique finds from a diverse group of local makers in Trinity Bellwoods Park. Details here. Sundays May 12-Sep 8.
• Trinity Bellwoods Farmers' Market: The 18th year the market starts with a soft opening May 7. Hours are 3-7 pm rain or shine. Details here. 1053 Dundas St W. May 7-Oct 29.

Indigenous

• Awakenings: A virtual series of art projects by Black, Indigenous and artists of colour. Details here.
• Centre for Indigenous Theatre Volunteering: Gain knowledge in both Indigenous culture and performing arts while working with industry professionals. For information, email [email protected]. 
• Indigenous Fashion Arts Festival:100+ Indigenous artists, designers, makers, brands and pundits from Canada and worldwide. Details here. Toronto Eaton Centre. May 30-Jun 2.

• Indigenous Medicine Wheel Garden Program: Join this free program every Wednesday and Friday, 1-3 pm. Call 416-392-1509 ext. 327 or email [email protected]. Waterfront Neighbourhood Centre, 627 Queens Quay W.
• Paprika23: Paprika Festival and Native Earth Performing Arts present their 23rd annual performing arts festival. Details here. May 13-19.

• Toronto Comic Arts Festival: Showcasing Canada’s incredible comics talent on a world stage. Details here. May 11-12.

Kids/Family

• Border Tales: Jumblies Theatre brings back this free workshop series for kids aged 8-12! Register by email [email protected]. Details here. 150 Dan Leckie Way. May 1-Jun 5.

• Fish Ontario License Free: Introduce a friend to fishing or go out on your own of join an event. Details here. May 11-12.
• JUNIOR: Children’s festival offering a 3-day lineup of fun programming for the whole family. Details here. Harbourfront Centre. May 18-20.

• Light & Shadow: Shadowland Theatre has launched a video game on Steam and itch.io. Created in collaboration with Flawed Designs, Light & Shadow is free, platformer game in a shadow puppetry style, designed for young people who may be vulnerable to anxiety and depression.
• Little Canada: Explore the vast, highly detailed and animated miniature world at Little Canada. 20 Dundas Square.
• Open Virtual Ballet 101: Ballet Jörgen's new free open program is perfect for school, daycare and after-school groups, families, or community groups looking for an engaging arts program. For more information, contact Elise Tigges, Community Programs Lead, [email protected].

• Parent Resources Program: Weekly indoor drop-in playgroup for children and parents. Details here. Thursdays & Fridays. 173A Front St E.
• Power Kids: The Power Plant presents free creative workshops in the gallery every other Sunday for children and their parents and guardians. Details here. 231 Queens Quay W.
  
• Summer Camps at Harbourfront: A summer of new experiences awaits for 4 to 15-year-olds, from sailing and circus to science, performing arts, sports and visual arts. Details here.
• Toronto Gone Wild: Explore the city as a multi-layered habitat — starring the animals, plants, and insects that call Toronto home. Details here. 401 Richmond St W. Until Aug 4.

• University Settlement Kids' Programs: A variety of programs including Afterschool and PA day camps. Details here.
• Waterfront Neighbourhood Centre: Summer Daze Camp registration is now open. Details here. 627 Queens Quay W.

Museums/Galleries

• May is Museum Month: An opportunity to celebrate and visit Ontario’s 700+ museums, galleries, and heritage sites. Details here. 

• Art Gallery of Ontario Free Wednesday Nights: Free admission to the collection galleries every Wednesday from 6-9 pm. Details here. 317 Dundas St W.
• Free Admission to 10 Museums: Toronto will permanently provide free general admission to 10 history museums across the city, including Fort York National Historic Site, Gibson House Museum, Market Gallery, Spadina Museum and more. Details here.
• Gardiner Museum Clay Programs: Visitors of all ages are invited to experiment with clay at various workshops. Details here. 111 Queen's Park.
• iArts Museum Illusions Arts Science: An immersive exhibit with 18 installations of optical illusions and 3D art inviting visitors to this interactive experience. Details here. 580 King St W, 2nd Floor.
• International Museum Day: Visit Whichmuseum.com for a listing of museums around the world. May 18.
• On the Rails: Toronto Railway Museum presents a new digital exhibit that explores the unique and everyday challenges of Toronto’s past and current railway workers. Details here.

• Royal Ontario Museum Free Tuesday Nights: Enjoy free admission for everyone on the third Tuesday Night (4:30-8:30 pm) of each month. Details here.
• ROMWalks: Free and require no registration. Simply turn up at a walk’s starting point and look for the ROMWalks umbrella. Details here. May 5-Oct 20.

Seniors

• JAMII Adult Workshops: Jamii is holding new weekly programs including Movement, Watercolour Painting, Sewing, and Stretching workshops. Register here. 264 The Esplanade.

• Seniors Programs at Waterfront Centre: Waterfront Neighbourhood Centre is holding daily in-person programs, including computer basics, baking and afternoon tea! To register, call 416-392-1509 ext. 327 or email [email protected].
• Seniors Programs at St. Lawrence Centre: St. Lawrence Community Centre is running an array of seniors' group activities. Contact Ilse, Seniors Group Leader 416-392-1347. 230 The Esplanade.
• Seniors Programs at University Settlement: A range of free counselling, programs and services specifically designed for older adults 55+. Details here. Email [email protected].

Walking/Bike Tours

• A Gross & Gory Tour of Old Toronto: Dive into some of the most stomach-churning stories our city has to offer. Details here. May 12.
• A Very Sticky Tour of Queen West: Spend an evening exploring the city's sticker art scene and its little-known history with tour guide and stickerer Alex Sein. Details here. May 11.
• Bathurst Quay Walkabout: Join Waterfront for All for a guided walkabout of the redeveloped Bathurst Quay. Details here. May 7. 
• Everyone is Interesting: A 45-minute tour that takes audiences through the public spaces of Toronto Centre Island. Details here. May 25-26. 
• Jane's Walk Toronto: Annual festival of free, community-led walking conversations inspired by Jane Jacobs. Details here. May 3-5.
• Jane's Walk Liberty Village: Explore Liberty Village's fascinating history, industrial architecture, its creative industry renaissance, and learn about its exciting future. Details here. May 3.

• Mini Art Crawl on Toronto Island: Explore local artists’ works displayed in elevated miniature display cases as you stroll along the island’s cozy streets. View the map here.
• Old Chinatown Walking Tour: Led by Mackenzie House Museum, this walk considers the early settlement patterns of the Chinese community in Toronto. Details here. May 11.
• St. Lawrence Market Tours: This unique 90-minute tour includes a guided walk with Bruce Bell through Toronto's famed market. Call 647-393-8687. Details here.
  
• Tasty Tours: Explore Kensington Market, Downtown Toronto and other areas of the city via Tasty Tours food tours.
• Toronto Downtown West BIA ArtWalk: Showcasing over 70 art installations in the district, ArtWalk provides an interactive map of themed routes that can be enjoyed online or as a self-guided walking tour.
• Walk Liberty: Enjoy this interactive portal inviting you to explore the rich history, public spaces, and dynamic and eclectic businesses of Liberty Village.

Workshops

• Events by The Bentway: A variety of free workshops for everyone! Details here. 250 Fort York Blvd.
• Free School Workshops: Soulpepper Theatre presents a new series of workshops and talks hosted by experts and non-experts alike and embracing experience-based and self-taught knowledge. Details here.
• University Settlement Free Workshops: Tai Chi & Yoga, Citizenship Test Classes, Mental Health and more! Details here.