Summer isn’t over yet! There are so many exciting things to do in Toronto this month, and the best part is that a lot of them are free. Keep reading to find out how to make the most of your August without breaking the bank!

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Best Things to Do This August in Toronto

Free Date Ideas in Toronto

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1. Toronto Food Truck Festival

Are you looking for amazing food? Check out this food truck festival at Woodbine Park. From churros to tornado fries, there is sure to be a ton of mouthwatering food. There will also be children’s games, live music, and eating challenges. 

Where: Woodbine Park (1590 Lake Shore Blvd E, Toronto, ON M4L 3W6)

When: August 1st to 4th, 2025

Price: Free entry

Category: Family-friendly

Click here for the website.

2. Wavelength Summer Thing 2025

This annual celebration returns to SummerSeries in Trillium Park for two full days of live music. Ranging from indie folk to psychedelic electronica to poetic hip-hop, Canadian creativity is on full display. Enjoy delicious food vendors, interactive activities, a mobile sauna, and an indie market by the gorgeous waterfront park and lush greenery.

Where: Trillium Park (955 Lake Shore Blvd W, Toronto, ON M6K 3B9)

When: August 9th and 10th, 2025 (5 pm - 11 pm)

Price: Free entry

Category: Date/Friends

Click here for the website.

3. Toronto Flower Market

Toronto Flower Market returns this month! Check it out to celebrate and support Ontario grown flowers & plants, as well as connect with growers and florists.

Where: 1001 Queen St W, Toronto, ON M6J 1H1

When: August 16th, 2025 (10 am - 3 pm)

Price: Free entry

Category: Date/Friends

Click here for the website.

4. City Hall Live

This free, family-friendly event features a full afternoon and evening of live music, dance lessons, and entertainment. There will also be an onsite bar, food, and artisan vendors.

Where: Trillium Park (955 Lake Shore Blvd W, Toronto, ON M6K 3C3)

When: August 24th, 2025

Price: Free

Category: Family-friendly

Click here for the website.

5. TRCA Butterfly Festival

Check out this free event to celebrate butterflies as they embark on an epic journey to Mexico over the winter months. Visitors will get the chance to learn more about their 4,000km migration, go on a guided butterfly walk, and more!

Where: Tommy Thompson Park (1 Leslie St, Toronto, ON M4M 3M2)

When: August 23rd, 2025 (10 am - 3 pm)

Price: Free

Category: Family-friendly

Click here for the website.

6. Doggie Fest Summer Carnival

Calling all dog owners! This is definitely not an event that you want to miss. Expect a day filled with exciting activities, fun, and bonding with your furry friends. Some of the highlights include paw painting, a dog pool, free nail trim, and more!

Where: Roundhouse Park (255 Bremner Blvd, Toronto, ON M5V 3M9)

When: August 23rd, 2025

Price: Free

Category: Family-friendly

Click here for the website.

7. ROM Third Tuesday Nights Free

Did you know that the Museum is free for everyone on the third Tuesday night of each month. Tickets are released 2 weeks prior to the event, and walk-ins are not available. Don’t miss this opportunity to see amazing exhibits for free!

Where: 100 Queen’s Park, Toronto, ON M5S 2C6

When: August 19th, 2025

Price: Free

Category: Family-friendly

Click here for the website.

8. Wheels on the Danforth

Check out Toronto’s best street-judged car show. There will be hundreds of classics, hot rods, muscle cars, race cars, and more! You’ll also get to enjoy food, vendors, buskers, live music, and so much more.

Where: 3345 Danforth Ave, Toronto, ON M1L 1C7

When: August 16th, 2025 (11 am - 10 pm)

Price: Free

Category: Family-friendly

Click here for the website.

9. AGO First Wednesday Night Free

If you’ve always wanted to visit the Art Gallery of Ontario, this is the perfect event for you! Admission to the AGO is free the first Wednesday night of each month, between 6–9 pm. Make sure you book your free General Admission tickets online in advance to ensure entry. 

Where: 317 Dundas Street West Toronto, ON M5T 1G4

When: August 6th, 2025 (6 pm - 9 pm)

Price: Free

Category: Family-friendly

Click here for the website.

10. Toronto Dragon Festival

The 6th annual Toronto Dragon Festival returns to Toronto this month. Enjoy vibrant performances, humanoid robots and robot dogs, Asian street food, and more!

Where: Nathan Phillips Square (100 Queen St W, Toronto, ON M5H 2N3)

When: August 29th to 31st, 2025

Price: Free entry

Category: Family-friendly

Click here for the website.

11. Toronto Outdoor Picture Show

If you still haven't been to an outdoor movie this summer, make sure you check out Toronto Outdoor Picture Show before it's too late. This month they're playing Lady Bird, What Ever Happened to Baby Jane?, When Morning Comes, and Flow. 

Where: Multiple locations

When: August 3rd, 7th, 10th, 17th, 24th, 2025 

Price: Free admission

Category: Date/Friends

Click here for the website.

12. Toronto Diversity Festival

Don't miss this celebration of Toronto's rich cultural tapestry. Enjoy a variety of performances, delicious food from around the world, workshops, and more.

Where: Sankofa Square (1 Dundas Street East, Toronto, Ontario, M5B 2R8)

When: August 9th, 2025

Price: Free entry

Category: Friends

Click here for the website.

13. Sankofa Day

Join Sankofa Square for a free, full-day celebration and historic cultural milestone that welcomes everyone to a dynamic day of culture, art, and community.

Where: Sankofa Square (1 Dundas Street East, Toronto, Ontario, M5B 2R8)

When: August 23rd, 2025

Price: Free

Category: Friends

Click here for the website.

14. Toronto Chinatown Festival

The Toronto Chinatown Festival returns to Spadina Avenue for a vibrant weekend of culture, food, and celebration! Enjoy multicultural performances, lion and dragon dances, international street food, interactive activities, and a special Saturday night appearance by Hong Kong star Alice Lau.

Where: Spadina Ave (St. Andrew St. to Sullivan St.)

When: August 9th and 10th, 2025

Price: Free entry

Category: Family-friendly

Click here for the website.

15. Yorkville Murals

Yorkville Murals transforms Yorkville Avenue into a vibrant, interactive cultural playground. Visitors can expect a weekend packed with creativity and connection: large-scale murals, inflatable art, immersive installations, live painting, thought-provoking art talks, high-energy dance battles, pop-up shops, music, and a lively evening block party.

Where: Yorkville Avenue (Bellair Street to Hazelton Avenue)

When: August 23rd and 24th, 2025

Price: Free entry

Category: Date/Friends

Click here for the website.

16. Canadian International Air Show

Celebrate North America's longest running air show at the end of August. This year's show will feature the Canadian Forces Snowbirds and the United States Air Forces F-35 Demo Team. If you want a good view of the whole show, you can purchase tickets for their Exclusive Airshow Zone.

Where: 1095 Lake Shore Blvd W, Toronto, ON M6K 2R5

When: August 30th, 31st and September 1st, 2025

Price: Free to $100

Category: Family-friendly

Click here for the website.

17. Habari Africa

Check out this multidisciplinary African arts festival co-produced with Harbourfront Centre. Enjoy presentations that celebrate the unique nice, wealth and diversity of action music, dance, film, and arts.

Where: Harbourfront Centre (235 Queens Quay W, Toronto, ON M5J 2G8)

When: August 8th to 10th, 2025

Price: Free entry

Category: Family-friendly

Click here for the website.

18. Himalayan Festival

This colourful and lively festival celebrates the rich cultural heritage of the Himalayan region. Enjoy authentic Nepali music and dance performances, traditional dishes, and more. 

Where: Nathan Phillips Square (100 Queen St W, Toronto, ON M5H 2N3)

When: August 9th, 2025

Price: Free entry

Category: Family-friendly

Click here for the website.

19. India Day Festival and Grand Parade

Check out this spectacular cultural celebration! Enjoy mesmerizing performances, Indian State Floats, food, vendors, and lots of giveaways. 

Where: Nathan Phillips Square (100 Queen St W, Toronto, ON M5H 2N3)

When: August 17th, 2025

Price: Free entry

Category: Family-friendly

Click here for the website.

20. TAIWANfest

This is an annual cultural festival that explores the connections between Taiwan, Canada, and the world. Visitors can enjoy live performances, films, culinary programs, workshops, and more. 

Where: Harbourfront Centre (235 Queens Quay W, Toronto, ON M5J 2G8)

When: August 22nd to 24th, 2025

Price: Free admission

Category: Family-friendly

Click here for the website.

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